Piper sits in the back row of the chapel watching Alex go over the finishing details of the set with the crew. She doesn't have to be here, they gave her the afternoon off, but Alex is here. So she is here, earbuds on full blast watching Alex. Watching the way her lips move when she speaks, the way the corner of her eyes crinkle when she laughs softly, the way she carries herself with such control and grace. She is beautiful and Piper absorbs every part of it.

The workers nod their heads at Alex's instructions before they scatter towards the exit. Piper pops the buds out making her way down the aisle flashing the men a quick smile.

"Why do you always do that?" Alex begins gathering up documents strewn across the chapel stage.

"Do what?" Piper hoist herself onto the stage looking down at her.

"You come to these meeting but constantly have those head phones in."

"I think they're interesting to watch." Alex stops, arches a brow. "Fine, I come to watch you be all hot and take charge. Turns me on." Pipers tone is pure sarcasm but Alex can see the truth through the comment.

"Right, I'm interesting to watch just not interesting to listen to."

"Oh no Alex I could listen to that voice of yours all day." Piper fidgets cast her eyes downward losing her playful demeanor. "Just not about this."

The first meeting Piper sat in on took place in the cafeteria of the main building. Sure, Piper read the book but it hadn't prepared her. Listening to Alex describe the food they served, the mold covered sandwiches, the way the guards towered above them as they ate. Piper couldn't imagine Alex under those conditions. She didn't want to hear about the bathroom stalls offering absolutely no privacy or the filthy state of the showers. No one wants to picture the one they love suffering in such a way.

Alex gets it. She nods shoving the documents in to a satchel and taking a seat next to Piper. The doors swing open revealing a smiling Mel until of course she spots Piper alongside. The smile immediately falters and for a second she hesitates but with both women glaring her way she has no choice but to continue towards them.

Piper continues glaring at her inwardly grinning at how uncomfortable she is making Mel. She hands Alex a small packet needing her signature for the publishing house. The air fills with uncomfortable silence as Alex signs, Piper glares, and Mel waits. It's probably unfair considering if it weren't for Mel, Piper would never have found out the truth about Orange. Still, she betrayed Alex and tried to come between them. Piper and Alex have enough forces against them the last thing they needed was Mel making matters worse.

"Thanks…uhh…erm…would-"

"What's the matter Mel? Cat got your tongue?"

Mel grits her teeth returning Pipers scowl.

"Piper!" Alex isn't defending Mel she's just sick of the two constantly at each other's throats. "Mel, what do you want?"

Mel shakes her head turning to smile sweetly at Alex driving Piper mad. She shouldn't be jealous there's no way Alex would sleep with Mel after what she has done. Piper just hates the way Mel thinks there is a chance. Mel doesn't look back at Piper before leaving.

Alex chuckles lying down on her back, hands laced behind her head. "You guys should hang out. Braid one another's hair and shit."

"Definitely on my list of top ten things to do before I die, braid that bitch's hair." Piper snorts leaning back on her palms glancing at Alex.

"Do you have everything ready for this weekend?"

"Mhmm." A dying art form party. That's what Alex deemed Nicky's congratulatory party. It was Alex's idea but she was too stubborn to admit it and gave Piper all the credit, along with all the work. "Talked to Brandon, we can leave here Thursday night to get everything in order. You sure you're okay with having it at your place?"

"Yeah, except I have a meeting early Friday with my publishers. Lorna has a key, she will meet you and help set up."

"Right."

Piper lies back, shoulder to shoulder with Alex. Tilting her head slightly they lock eyes.

"I miss you too, Kid."

Piper lets her eyes roam greedily over Alex's features. Every part of her is struggling not to reach over and kiss her. She wants so desperately to brush her hair back and feel Alex's lips against hers she can practically feel it. Every nerve in her body craves Alex's touch. The intensity is unlike anything she has ever felt.

There is so much at stake, though. They are making progress and if she makes one wrong move it could send everything spiraling in the wrong direction. Or, it could send everything spiraling in the right direction.

Lines were meant to be crossed.

It lacks finesse its rushed and sloppy at first but Piper finds herself straddling Alex her lips crashing against the touch she has missed. Alex doesn't move. She freezes. Every part of her is frozen, except her tongue which moves instinctively against Pipers.

She doesn't know how to not want Piper. Alex knew this would happen. She could only grit her teeth and ignore the feelings for so long. As much as her mind is screaming – No, she broke your fucking heart. Her heart, her body, and every other part of her is screaming – she is yours.

It's intoxicating. It's desire on a whole new level. It's a need. Alex glides her hands around Pipers hips moving their bodies rhythmically together. Piper leans up pulling Alex with her, removing her shirt, kissing along every spec of bare skin. Alex strips Piper of her shirt, expertly unlatching her bar and tossing it to the side. Alex is quick flipping Piper over on her back, taking control. She trails kisses along her neck, biting and sucking at her breast, swirling her tongue around Piper's navel. Piper rolls her hips winding her fingers through Alex's hair. Alex unbuttons her jeans. Feeling her breath there, where she has missed her touch so much Piper moans softly.

"Oh this is just fucking great!"

Startled, Piper jumps up sending Alex toppling over beside her. She grabs her shirt covering herself but the damage has been done.

Mel stands at the chapel entrance, hand on her hip. "Classy. Fucking in a chapel!"

Alex manages to get her top back on in record time. She jumps off the stage. "What the fuck do you want?"

Mel shakes her head raking her eyes heatedly over Piper before finally breaking the gaze to look back at Alex. "I could have your job for this, ya know?"

Alex laughs throwing her head back. "Yeah? I lose this job you lose that nice cushy commission of yours."

Piper scrambles around on stage attempting to replace her clothing.

"Jenji just got in from the airport, wants you both back at the hotel for a progress report." One final glare in Pipers direction Mel turns on her heel leaving the two alone.

Alex turns back to Piper who has her head buried in her palms sitting at the edge of the stage. When Alex lifts her chin Pipers face is still reddened with embarrassment.

"Chin up, Kid."

Piper smiles weakly but as usual Alex always has the answer. When she kisses Piper there is nothing rushed or sloppy about it. Alex breaks away too quick but when she leans back smiling back at Piper it's more than enough. It's a look that sends shivers through Piper. The way her emerald eyes turn a lighter shade of green tells Piper everything she needs to know.

This is not over.

"Oh, darling I'm so sorry." Lorna rushes up beside a half asleep Piper leaning against Alex's brownstone.

"It's fine. I just got here myself."

Lorna smiles handing Piper two coffee cups to rummage through her purse. "I just had the craziest morning and lost track of time."

Piper holds up both coffees reading her name on one and Lorna's on the other. Lorna unlocks the door turning back just in time to catch Pipers quizzical look. "Oh yeah, Alex told me to grab coffee. She said you would need it."

Alex would be right. Since Jenji's return she had Piper and Alex booked solid with consultations. Production was behind and although she rarely over saw this part in her shows, she flew in to remind everyone she is a no nonsense kind of boss despite her warm personality. The only alone time Alex and Piper had was the ride home the previous evening but due to a meeting running late they hadn't left the set until after one in the morning. By the time both of them slid into the back of the town car they were equally exhausted.

"Right." Piper beams. "She's right. Thanks Lorna."

Taken back by the gesture Piper barely realizes she is back in Alex's brownstone until she lays eyes on the crooked photo. The once bare house is now furnished with sleek grey sofas and a deep mahogany table off the kitchen. Even with furniture the place is still cold and unwelcoming.

Piper wanders around noting the changes, saddened she had started a project she wasn't able to finish. That is until she reaches the kitchen to find the plant taking up the window sill in full bloom. Alex had taken care of it.

It's a plant, it's simple, but it means so much more.

Alex never truly left Piper.

"That's too big, make them smaller."

Alex sighs smashing the dough in her palms. "Remind me again why we didn't have this catered?"

"Because I said so."

"Okay…why are we baking cookies? As long as there is booze Nicky will be happy."

"These are her favorite. Lorna told me earlier and it's a nice touch."

"This party is costing me a small fortune, the least Lorna can do is bake the fucking cookies."

Piper stops rolling the dough turning to give Alex a look that she knows all too well. "Do you think I'm not exhausted? I got back in the city the same time as you and spent my entire day decorating and buying the food. The least you could do is suck it up and help bake the fucking cookies." Piper turns biting back a smile. "Besides, Lorna had to get home or else Nicky would suspect something."

She doesn't see it coming. One second Pipers rolling the dough into a neat circle and the next she is being pelted with a handful of powdered sugar.

Alex is leaning against the counter laughing with one hand covering her mouth as Piper glares back at her in disbelief. The cloud of sugar surrounds Piper who is covered from head to toe, only her bright blue eyes shine through the mess.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" She licks her lips, wiping her eyes.

Alex doesn't stop laughing until Piper grabs the whole bag of powdered sugar and starts towards her. Alex raises her hand backing away. "Pipes, lets be adult about this."

"You ruined my cookies."

Alex spins making her way down the hall swinging around the balcony. Piper catches her at the first step tackling her to the ground in front of the door as sugar flies everywhere. They both end up on the ground rolling around in a heated war for the now half empty bag.

"You're gonna waste all the sugar, then you'll have nothing for the fucking cookies." Alex tries reasoning but Piper continues not stopping until she has successfully pinned Alex to the ground.

"I'll just add it to the small fortune." She lifts the bag above Alex slowly tipping it with a defiant grin playing on her lips.

"Pipes." Alex raises her hands above head in surrender white powder streaked through her face and hair. "Let's talk about this…" Piper tilts the bag slightly letting very little spill out across Alex. "I give. I give. I'll do whatever you want…" The bag tilts a little more.

"Whatever I want?"

"Yes!"

"You have to clean this mess up tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Piper bends down whispering against Alex's ear. "Tomorrow. Tonight I have other plans." Piper glides her tongue along the sweet powder kissing Alex softly. Then, without warning she leans up pouring the entire bag above a squirming Alex.

"Piper!"

Piper drops the empty bag and barrels past Alex up the stairs. By the time Alex has shaken off most of the powder, somewhat cleared her glasses and reaches the top of the stairs Piper is standing outside the bathroom slowly removing her top.

Alex halts, feet plastered at the door way. Piper bends slightly wiggling out of her jeans. Once she is down to just panties and a bra she winks at Alex and makes her way into the bathroom leaving an open invitation. Alex swallows hard when she hears the shower start she regains clarity making small steps towards the door.

Just as she is stripping the rest of her clothes outside the shower doors Alex presses her against the glass. Piper lets out a small sigh as Alex kisses down her neck.

"Alex."

The steam from the unattended shower envelopes them as Alex continues trailing kisses across her shoulders. Piper turns to face Alex peeling off her top grabbing her wrist pulling her towards the counter and hoping up.

"What's with you and counters, Kid?"

"Shut up and fuck me."

Piper spreads her legs just enough. Alex bites her lip taking her place, sliding inside of her. Piper moans into Alex's mouth as she moves inside her slowly before quickening her pace. With her free hand Alex tilts her neck back kissing and biting down her body. Piper shudders beneath her and when she feels her thighs clench as she falls apart under her touch Alex kneels between her legs just in time to taste Piper as she comes on the tip of her tongue.

"Fuck."

She doesn't stop. The taste of Piper is sweeter than every ounce of sugar covering her. Two fingers inside Alex finds a rhythm as her tongue runs circles along her clit. It's not long before Pipers muscles flex around her and she moans her name once more. Slowly she slides up Piper, removing her hand.

"Turn around."

It's a command that Piper follows easily. She slides off the counter turning around to watch Alex flash a lust filled grin. Alex presses her body against Piper pushing her forward. One hand bracing herself against the counter, the other pressed against the mirror she never takes her eyes off Alex. Alex brushes her hair to the side, her hand resuming its place inside her. It's hard and fast and everything Piper needs to send her over the edge. Her body trembles as she feels herself losing control but each time she looks away Alex forces her to look back in the mirror. She wants Piper to watch. She wants to see her face when she comes for her. When she reaches her peak it takes every muscle in her body to keep her eyes open as she watches Alex in the mirror. The look on Alex's face is intoxicating.

It's the look that says, You are mine.

"Guys these cookies are delicious!" Nicky's face is covered in crumbs, mouth half full.

Alex and Piper share a crooked grin.

Simultaneous. "The fucking cookies."

Authors Note: I had every intention of wrapping this story up nice and neat but the ideas keep coming, sending me in an entirely different direction. I want to explore them a bit more through the production process. So, there could be one more chapter or maybe five, not sure just yet. Thanks so much for the continued support.