A/N: Sorry about the wait. More from me at the end.
Grimm dropped the Frisbee and ran, barking excitedly as he bounded over the sand dune out of Alex's sight. His pointy ears emerged over the top of the dune seconds later followed by a bushy wave of hair. Nicky was grinning from ear to ear as she jingled her keys in her hand "Want to take a drive?"
"Where are we going?" Alex mumbled as she fastened her seatbelt. "You'll see" was Nicky's only reply.
The car pulled to a stop in front of a hair salon and Alex's heart sank. She clenched her jaw as she spoke trying to keep her voice even "I was just getting used to Kate."
Nicky turned off the ignition and turned to the brown haired woman in front of her and smiled. Alex's stone face flashed with anger "What could possibly be amusing about this?"
Nicky couldn't help but grin wider. She'd been imagining this moment for years. "Kathryn Kane is great. If you want to keep being Kate, living on the beach and working at a book store you can."
"Then why are we here?"
"I thought you might like to go back to being Alex Vause." Alex's eyes went wide and brightened with unshed tears. "Kubra didn't last a week in max. Turns out a victim of his sick revenge was one of his bunk mates. Kubra had killed his wife and children then had him thrown in prison. He repaid Kubra's kindness. It wasn't quick. He suffered."
"He died a month ago?" Alex's voice was still shaky with shock.
Nicky nodded "We needed to make sure what was left of the cartel wasn't interested when we made a few waves on their radar."
Alex sat silent, her face still blank. "What are you waiting for? Take your life back." Alex met Nicky's gaze for a brief second and almost allowed herself to smile. "Either way, I have a plane ticket to New York for you. Time to go see your mom." At that Alex lost it. Her face instantly crumbled and tears brimmed over running down her cheeks. Nicky pulled her close, running soothing strokes over her back "It's finally over Vause."
Piper crouched to her knees and placed a seashell next to the headstone "I'm sorry I haven't been to visit in a while." She exhaled a heavy breath and nervously tucked a hair behind her ear. "I just… it's been hard to… I miss her so goddamn much." She raised a shaky hand to wipe the tears spilling down her cheeks. "I've been trying to keep moving. Keep myself busy. Make sure I don't think about her too much except I think about her all the time. I'm afraid if I stop I won't be able to… I just have to keep going." Piper sucked in a few shallow breaths as the constriction in her chest grew tighter. "I dreamt about her last night." Her lips quivered and she rolled off her knees to sit on the grass. "It was the stupidest thing. We were just sitting on the plane. I don't know where we were going but it shook and she squeezed my hand because I'd always get so nervous and then I looked at her and she smiled at me... That's all." Her voice broke in half "I haven't been able to shake it since I woke up. I mean… was she saying everything's going to be alright?" Her face scrunched as she fought to keep the tears at bay. "Because it's not. I feel like I'm letting her down. Like she can see me just running. Running from everything like I always do."
She let the tears overflow until her constricting chest burst and all of the guilt and grief she'd been holding in escaped in jerking sobs and gasps for air. When she had nothing left but exhaustion she kissed her hand and placed it over Diane's name promising she'd come back.
Alex clutched the roses tightly in her hand. Obsessively checking and re-checking to make sure the delicate pedals weren't damaged. She'd taken a taxi straight from La Guardia to her mother's favorite Bronx flower shop. It was only a few minutes from Pelham cemetery but Alex kept checking them. The taxi came to a stop and after paying the fare Alex stepped out into the cool spring morning air. When she caught sight of her mother's name she adjusted the black frames on her nose and took a few tentative steps closer. Her heart began beating rapidly in her chest and she struggled to swallow the lump in her throat. With one hand resting on the headstone she knelt down placing the roses gently at the base of the granite headstone. Red roses were her mother's favorite. Their apartment seemed to always have at least one. Either from a regular at Friendly's trying to sweep Diane off her feet or roses she'd bought for herself because she wanted to look at them. Diane had never depended on anyone to bring her happiness.
When Alex was 18 she'd gotten the salt shaker tattoo in tribute to her father and lyrics to one of her favorite songs of his. After learning he wasn't the man she'd always imagined him to be and the fight that ensued with her mother Alex wanted to do something to show her mom that she didn't hate her. She came home one evening and surprised her mom with 11 roses. When Diane asked why 11 and not a whole dozen Alex had casually removed her leather jacket proudly displaying the fresh ink on her shoulder. Diane didn't need to be told the relevance. She had hugged Alex tight and proclaimed it the best rose she'd ever received then promptly called her a shithead to keep the moment from becoming too sappy.
She sat down in the grass and moved her glasses on top of her head. She had no idea where to begin. She could always talk to her mom but this wasn't her mom. She'd been hanging on to the idea of visiting her mom for years but she never got beyond the idea of visiting. Never worked out what she'd do when she actually got here.
Just start at the beginning dumbass. A small smile crept across her lips as she imagined her mother's voice. "Hey mom." And she told her everything. Paris, the addiction, 7 years on the run in witness protection, finding Piper and losing her again. The overdose after Piper had died. Nicky kicking her ass for the last 10 months. It was cathartic in a way. The first time in years Alex felt like herself.
The next morning Alex was scanning over the paper as she ate the breakfast room service had just delivered. She adjusted her glasses and pulled the paper closer. An ad for PoPi. Alex decided she needed to see the store. She needed to see what the blonde had built and oddly she hoped she could talk to Polly. It would help her get some closure and it would be nice to talk to someone that knew she existed. Even if they didn't like each other they both had loved Piper.
Alex called Nicky to let her know she'd be extending her trip by a couple of days.
"How was it?" Nicky asked straight away.
"Good. Hard. But good. I think it helped."
"That's great Vause."
"Thanks for bringing her a seashell. She would have liked it." When Nicky was in the city for Kubra's trial she'd promised Alex she would visit Diane.
Nicky squeezed her eyes shut. There had been a clock on this moment and now the final ticks were deafening. "No big deal." She lied. She knew who had put it there. Grimm's radar ears picked up Alex's voice on the phone and his excited barking provided a merciful interruption. "He misses you. Moping around the place and barely eating. Lorna is in love with him. Now she wants one."
Alex exhaled a laugh "That's better than the human alternative though right?"
"Maybe" Nicky mumbled and quickly changes the subject. "So you should be back around 8 tonight?"
Alex sighed. She knew Nicky would worry but hoped she would understand. "That's why I called…I'm going to be another day longer."
"Okay? What? Got your hair back so time to prowl the ol' stomping grounds?" Don't go chasing ghosts just yet Vause.
Alex rolled her eyes "I just… I saw an ad for PoPi" Nicky stills. She needed more time. She needed a chance to explain. "I thought it would be good for me to see it you know. Maybe even talk to Polly."
Nicky was silent. Still holding in a breath.
"Nick I know what you're going to say but visiting my mom… I think going to PoPi is the closest I'll get to that you know."
Eventually she answers. Her voice thick with worry but Alex doesn't know the real reason why "Do what you gotta do Vause. We'll be here when you get back. We'll talk okay?"
"Nicky… I'm not going to do anything. I'm alright… I'll see you in a couple of days. Give Grimm a kiss for me."
"I will… Alex?"
"Yeah?"
Nicky swallows it. "Be safe." She hangs up quickly before she blurts everything out.
Nicky put her head in her hands and thought back to that day 10 months ago. 2 days after they'd left the hospital. She left their Minneapolis hotel room to pick up takeout and supplies for the rest of their drive. She hadn't wanted to let Alex out of her sight but she'd drank herself into oblivion and was passed out. It should have been safe to leave her for a couple hours.
When she approached the hotel room door juggling the bags in her hands she knew. She could hear Grimm's panicked barks and whines. Dropping the bags she quickly opened the door. Grimm was frantically scratching at the bathroom door. Nicky kicked the door again and again until it gave way causing her to tumble into the room. The needle was still loosely laying in Alex's hand. Her head was rolled back against the tub. She was so pale.
"You fucking dumbass!" Nicky grabbed her shoulders and shook her before checking for a pulse. It was almost nonexistent. She quickly called for help and began CPR. When Alex was released from the hospital Nicky took her straight to the safe house in northern Minnesota. They spent the winter isolated from everything. The snow and cold was unbearable. The guilt Nicky was feeling was becoming too much to bear. What was the point of lying to keep her safe if she was going to lose Alex anyway? She called Lorna and told her everything.
Lorna's presence helped. She brought some light into the cold darkness they'd been surrounding themselves in. Alex had found something to hold on to. Temporary but it was something. Visiting her mom and seeing Kubra behind bars. When that wasn't going to be enough Nicky knew she'd tell Alex the truth. Whatever it takes to keep her alive.
The next morning Alex was on her way to Manhattan. She wasn't sure what to wear. She wanted to look nice, for Piper, but realized that Polly may not be too happy to see her so she decided to dress casual. Black jeans, white V-neck, and her leather jacket.
It was almost 10am when the bell signaled their first customer in over an hour. Polly stood up from stocking the shelf and froze. Alex was a little relieved to be met with shock and not anger "Bad time to say hi?" She gave Polly a small smile and wave. Polly didn't say anything. Alex took another step inside and looked around. A smile spread across her lips and her green eyes glistened with tears. Polly was thrown off by the taller woman's vulnerability so she reigned in her bubbling anger when she asked "What are you doing here?"
Alex swallowed hard and turned to Polly placing her glasses on top of her head. "Did Piper tell you about seeing me in Aurora?" Polly nodded still not understanding how or why Alex was in their store. Alex was now a few steps away from Polly and took a seat at a small table near the counter "I was with her when she was shot." Tears were falling freely now. Alex placed her head in her hands but kept speaking or she knew she'd never get it out. "They let me see her at the hospital and told me she was being taken off life support." Alex didn't look up to see the confusion on Polly's face. "Kubra thought he killed me. That's why they covered up her death. He was killed in prison last month… I'm out of witness protection… I haven't been allowed to visit my mom's grave in 8 years... While I was here I needed to see this place." Alex wiped her tears with both hands and looked at Polly who was staring blankly, too shocked to grab onto a single feeling. "I know you must hate me but I was hoping you'd let me buy you lunch or coffee and we could talk. You can call me all the names you want just tell me about Piper." Her voice broke at the end and Polly could feel her own tears forming as she realized what this meant.
Polly nodded "We can do lunch. Let me go make a phone call first."
Polly went to the back of the store into her office and dialed Piper. Pick up. Pick up.
"Polly I'm leaving now."
"No!" Polly blurted out and then more calmly "We're really slow. Take the day off. I'm not asking." Polly hung up before Piper had a chance to argue because she had no idea what else to say. She only hoped the blonde listened.
Having lunch with Alex had been surreal. The sarcastic hard exterior she'd known was gone. Replaced with this shell of a person that only flashed moments of her old self when she spoke of Piper. Much like Piper except the blonde hadn't allowed herself to speak about Alex since she arrived in New York. Polly was surprised at how much she wanted to tell Alex that Piper was alive. That Piper thought Alex had been killed but she knew she had to speak to Piper first. She got Alex's number and they setup a time the next day when Alex would come to her home to go through some of Piper's personal things she'd kept from their time together.
Polly closed the store early and headed home calling Piper on the way.
"Polly you told me to relax so that's what I'm doing"
"You're either reading or binge watching on Netflix. Come over. Finn wants to see his aunt Piper."
"You're not playing fair." Piper smiled. She couldn't resist her godson. He was one of the few things that managed to make her smile.
"Dinner is at 7. You're staying over." Polly once again hung up before Piper could protest.
Finn had been put to bed and Pete excused himself knowing the two women had a lot to discuss. Polly entered the room with another bottle of wine.
Piper raised her eyebrows "This looks serious."
Polly nodded and poured another drink for Piper. "Are you and Pete okay?" Polly just gestured for Piper to take a drink as she took a large gulp herself "Pete and I are fine."
"Then what is this about?" Piper furrowed her brows before becoming alarmed "Polly one slow day at PoPi is nothing to worry about."
Polly shook her head "It's not about PoPi. I need you to listen to me." Piper nodded and felt herself tense at the intense gaze of her best friend. She took another gulp of wine and told her to go on.
"Someone came into PoPi today."
"Okay?"
"When you were shot and were on life suppor-"
"Polly I don't want to talk about this." Piper stood and took a step away when Polly grabbed her wrist.
"Sit down Piper. You have to hear me out." Piper gave her a challenging stare but Polly didn't back down. "Sit. Now." Piper sat back down and filled her glass of wine.
"When you were on life support. The US Marshals had kicked Larry and me off of your floor so they could setup their security."
"What is your point?" Piper interrupted.
"It wasn't to setup security."
Piper gave Polly a puzzled look. "What are you talking about?"
"They cleared the floor so Alex could come see you." The name hit Piper like a brick. She shook her head. "No. Alex didn't make it to the hospital."
Polly inhaled and grabbed Piper's hands in hers and looked in her eyes. "They lied Pipe. They told Alex you were being taken off life support. She was there to say goodbye to you."
Piper shook her head "No" she whispered. "No. She couldn't have. They told me she died. We were at her grave."
Polly nodded and gave her hands a gentle squeeze, tears welling in her eyes. "I know. They told Alex you died and told you Alex died…Kubra thought he had killed Alex so they covered it up to keep you both safe."
Piper freed one of her hands and rubbed her chest. She was having trouble breathing. Alex is alive. "How do you know all of this?"
Polly took a deep breath "Alex."
Piper's vision started to blur at the edges and she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. "Alex?"
Polly nodded. "She walked into PoPi this morning."
Piper became incensed "Alex! Alex who I've spent the last 10 months grieving for walks into our store and you call me and tell me to take the day off."
"Piper calm down." If looks could kill. Wrong words Polly. She cringed at the shrieking tone of the blonde.
"Calm down!? Do you have any idea how difficult it is for me just to get out of bed in the morning?"
Polly stood and grabbed the blonde's shoulders "I do. I see it on your face every day Piper. I didn't know the whole story when I called you and I wasn't about to let her back into your life without making sure you weren't going to be in worse shape." Piper relaxed slightly so Polly continued "She still thinks you're dead. I guess Kubra was killed in prison and she doesn't need witness protection anymore. She was visiting her mom and wanted to see me and talk about you."
Confusion once again hit Piper's face "But you guys never got along."
Polly smiled of course that's what Piper takes away from all of that. "She said I could call her all the names I wanted as long as I told her everything about you that she missed out on."
Sobs wracked through Piper's body and Polly pulled her tight. "She's coming over tomorrow. I thought you should be the one to tell her."
Alex parked the rental car in front of the address Polly had given. She tentatively stepped out of the car and walked up the steps slowly. Before she could ring the bell the door was opened "Alex, right on time. Come in." Polly opened the door wide and Alex stepped in. "Coffee, tea, wine… something stronger?" she offered.
Alex exhaled a laugh "Whatever you're having is fine."
Polly pointed the opposite direction. "Living room is through there. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be right out."
Alex nodded and walked through the foyer into the living room. It took her a moment to adjust to the sun shining through the open windows making the room much brighter than the room before it. Alex moved to take a seat on the couch when a shadow in the corner moved catching her attention. It spoke before Alex's brain could catch up. "They told me you were dead." Alex closed her eyes not yet allowing herself to believe this wasn't a dream. She could feel the presence move closer but didn't dare open her eyes. She was positive Piper would disappear if she did.
Piper could feel her heart race with each step. This was Alex. Leather jacket. Glasses. Black hair. She reached out and moved the frames from the taller woman's face onto her head. She desperately wanted to look into those green eyes. "Look at me."
Alex shook her head and swallowed the lump in her throat. "You'll disappear. You always disappear when I look too long."
"Ghosts can't move your glasses off of your face Alex."
"I'm not entirely sure I didn't do that myself."
Piper inched closer, filling her senses with the raven haired woman's scent. She gently wiped a tear from Alex's cheek with her thumb and felt the taller woman tremble at the touch. Still, she didn't open her eyes. "Al"
Piper's voice in her ears and her touch on her skin. A simple word and a single finger reached into the abyss and pulled Alex back. Out of the swirling darkness. Back into the light. "Pipes?" Alex's eyes fluttered open. Blue met green and the whole world fell away.
Piper pulled Alex closer, pressing their foreheads together. She laughed as the tears fell freely. Happy tears she never thought possible. Her heart was bursting.
"Say it again."
"Alex."
Alex pulled Piper to her and buried her face in her neck as the sobs escaped. Piper repeated her name over and over. "Alex. Al."
When she'd gotten her identity back one thing had been missing. The sound of her name on Piper's lips. The hope of ever hearing it again lost. Hearing it now was overwhelming. It made her feel complete. It washed away all the pain of the last 10 months. It drowned out the sound of the gunshots she still heard when she closed her eyes.
Polly quietly walked into the room and found them hugging. Tears streaming down both of their faces. She smiled and walked into the room clearing her throat "I hate to interrupt but coffee is ready."
The three sat at the kitchen table. Alex and Piper had not said anything except one word responses to the other's generic questions. They both briefly filled in the gaps with basic information. Neither wanting to wade into an emotional minefield. Polly tried desperately to fill the silence, talking about Finn, PoPi, Pete, how glad she was spring had finally arrived. Nothing eased the palpable tension.
Piper wasn't sure what she was feeling. Since she learned Alex was alive last night she'd been imagining the moment. She desperately wanted Alex to kiss her. To hold her tight and promise they'd never be apart again but it didn't happen. Fear lurched through her stomach. Alex thought I was dead. She's moved on. Piper squeezed her eyes shut briefly trying to rid the thought from her mind but it kept nagging.
Alex was retreating back into herself. So overwhelmed with the idea that Piper was alive she'd allowed herself to forget. Piper is married. Whatever Piper had felt about that 10 months ago was irrelevant now. Piper knew she was alive in advance. She had time for the shock to wear off. She didn't kiss her. She didn't say anything that could give Alex hope. The feeling settled in her stomach. Kubra didn't kill either of them but he had killed their connection. Too much had happened. Too much hurt. There was no way back.
After checking her phone for what must have been the tenth time Alex slid her chair back and stood. "I need to get going."
The dread lurched through Piper again. Stronger. Causing her to stand up in response. "W-where?"
"My flight leaves in a couple of hours." Alex avoided looking at Piper's face. She pushed her fists into her jacket pockets.
Piper nodded, swallowing the words. Don't go. She sat back down before her knees buckled.
Polly looked back and forth between the two not understanding what the fuck they were doing. "You're leaving? Now?"
Alex bit the side of her cheek. "I have to get home…" Even though she knew she was home. Home had always been wherever Piper was. She met Polly's puzzled gaze. "Thank you for taking care of her… Thank Larry for me too." The tears were bubbling up again. She allowed herself one brief glance to Piper who wasn't even looking at her before quickly turning and heading out the front door.
"Piper!" Polly's voice pulled Piper from her thoughts "What the hell?"
"She left" Piper's voice so quiet and empty.
"She still thinks you're married... Go stop her!"
Her eyes widened. Jesus fuck. How could you forget to tell her? Piper stood back up quickly, nearly tripping over the chair legs as she bolted towards the front door. The front door flew open "Alex!" Her heart sank. She was already gone.
Grimm bounded to the car as Alex stepped out. She walked to the front door with him at her side. Nicky relaxed when she saw the smile. She should have known better.
"Get out."
"Vause…"
"Fuck you! ….. Losing Piper destroyed me. I fuckin… I tried to kill myself… and for what!"
"You have no idea how much I wish…"
"Go to hell." Her jaw clinched tight. Seething. Green eyes boring into Nicky. "Just tell me why." Anger replaced with a look of hurt that Nicky had been dreading since the phone call in the diner 10 months ago.
Grimm nudged Alex's hand and licked it. Trying his best to appease her. She sat down and pulled him into her lap. Nicky was thankful for that. At least she wasn't going to get punched again. "You scared the hell out of me. You punched me out and went after Kubra-"
"So you tell me she's dead?"
"Let me explain. Please." Alex just stared blankly. "You have no idea what it was like watching you." Tears began falling from Nicky's eyes. "When you pulled her out of that car and screamed." A shudder ran down her spine. "I can still hear it Alex."
"I can still feel it." Alex gritted out.
Nicky swallowed "You lost it. You went on a suicide mission after Kubra. You were… gone. I couldn't get through to you." Alex was absently running her hand along Grimm's back. Jaw still clinched shut. "Piper was on life support. She still could have died. Kubra could have had people at the hospital. You both could have ended up dead. You weren't listening to anything. Hell bent on revenge and not leaving Piper, you were putting everything at risk."
Alex's head snapped up ready to refute that. When she opened her mouth no words came out. Nicky was right. She would have died before leaving Piper. "What about after Minneapolis?"
"I almost did. I almost gave it all up but then I wouldn't have been able to protect you. That's when I called Lorna."
"Lorna knew?"
"If it makes you feel any better she gave me hell for it. Not that I'm dodging my responsibility of it but it was the departments idea. A convenient way to clean up their massive fuckup."
"Were you ever going to tell me the truth?"
Nicky nodded sincerely "I swear, as soon as you came back… did you talk to her?"
Alex filled Nicky in. Lunch with Polly. The awkward reunion with Piper. She was exhausted. Too tired to keep fighting. "We've been through a lot of shit Nichols. I just need some time."
Nicky nodded and tried to bite back a grin. "I love you, you know."
"Me too." Alex stood and Nicky flinched. "I'm not going to punch you again."
The next morning Alex woke to the doorbell echoing through the house. Grimm bolted from the bed and started barking as he ran to the door. Alex groaned and pulled herself out of bed. She pulled on a pair of sweats and padded down the hall. Grimm was spinning with excitement at the door. Alex spoke as she pulled open the door "Jesus Nicky, waking me up is not the way to-"
"Hey"
Alex's lips parted. Her heart stopped beating. Blue eyes shining brightly back at her.
"What are you-"
"I got on the next flight out. I had just landed when Nicky called me." Off Alex's surprised look. "Yeah. She picked me up. We went to her place to talk. I ended up punching her."
Alex's lips turned upwards as a smirk spread across her face. "She deserved it."
Piper stepped into the house. She moved closer to Alex, compelled like some invisible magnetic pull. "It was the furthest thing from my mind yesterday. You were really alive and right in front of me."
Alex stepped further back allowing Piper to come inside without bumping into her. "What was?"
"Larry… Alex I'm not… It was over the moment I saw you in Aurora. We're divorced."
Piper inched closer. "After Polly told me you were alive I thought about it nonstop, the moment I'd see you. When you didn't kiss me I thought you must have moved on-"
Alex pulled Piper into her and crashed their lips together. The warmth spread through her body shocking her back to life. Everything melted away. It was tender and desperate and real. Piper's hands pulled at her raven tresses. They both struggled to get enough oxygen causing them to pull apart. Dizzy and buzzing. Alex placed her forehead against Piper's and stared into her blue eyes. "I love you."
Piper's hands ran up Alex's chest, up her neck, and cupped her face. "I love you."
Their lips met again. Softer. Slower. Hands gripping tightly and caressing softly. Each touch smoothing the raw jagged edges they'd formed since the shooting. Alex felt warmth on her cheek and pulled away finding Piper with bright teary eyes and wet cheeks. The blonde attempted to wipe them away and apologized.
Alex grabbed Piper's wrists and pulled the blonde's hands down, placing them on her own hips before she moved her hands up and wiped the blonde's tears away. "Pipes, it's okay." This only caused more tears to fall before Piper tried to pull Alex closer. Nails digging into her hips and her mouth desperately searching for Alex's. Alex cupped Piper's face stilling her. Eyes desperately searching the sea of blue for a way to take away the pain. "Talk to me kid." She tucked a stray lock of hair behind the blonde's ear. Piper closed her eyes letting the feeling wash over her. She couldn't find the words. For so long she'd been filled with something beyond despair. An emptiness that grew heavier each day. This dark shadow that stole every smile and turned every laugh to ash in her mouth until there was nothing. She was a shell. Smiling when she should to avoid Polly's concerned looks. Playing a part. She was dead inside but could still feel the pain. That's all she had. Anything that reminded her of Alex sent her into a tailspin. Each bottom dropping out into a new low. Now Alex's lips were on hers. She could hear her love's heart pounding through her chest. Those green eyes were swallowing her. Reaching into the darkness and pulling her back. Piper couldn't find the words so she held on. Anchoring herself to Alex, refusing to leave this happiness.
Alex led Piper to the deck and laid down on the chaise. Piper stretched out next to her. Legs tangled and Piper's head on her chest. Their arms wrapped around each other, both seemingly afraid to let go or the other might disappear. They stayed like that, silent, watching the mid-morning tide change. Hands still gripping the other slightly, not content to release their holds. Piper finally broke the long silence "This feels like too much. I'm so… relieved… but it doesn't feel right. I feel like someone is going to snatch it away…"
Alex ran her fingers through Piper's blonde locks "Kubra is dead. The cartel is falling apart. No one is interested in me. Nicky made sure."
"But one of them could still come after you. You could still have to go back to WITSEC."
Alex kissed the crown of the blonde's head "I'd rather die than go back now."
Piper pulled herself tighter into Alex. Placing her head beneath Alex's jaw "Don't say that."
"Why?"
"Because I can't live without you… before… it was difficult but you were out there. I was holding onto this idea that we'd run into each other again. I tried to ignore it but I knew I loved you. More than anyone." Piper took a shaky breath "When I thought you were gone. There was just… nothing. You don't know how many times I thought about just checking out… I didn't want to be in a world where you didn't exist."
Alex wiped the tears from Piper's cheek "2 days after I thought you died I tried to OD" She pulled her lips to the side at Piper's pained expression. "Kubra thought it was me. It was my fault you... I was only holding on to see my mom again. To see Kubra pay. After that… I didn't have a plan. There is no world for me without you Pipes."
"Nicky said you've been doing well here."
Alex gave a small nod "I haven't been to the beach in a long time. It reminded me of you it was easier to be here. I've been living with Grimm and your ghost. So, slightly crazy but that's the only way I could keep going."
"What do we do now?"
Both looked into each other's eyes. Lost and not sure where they go from here. Grimm put his ball in Piper's lap, tail wagging excitedly. Alex smiled brightly "I guess we play fetch."
Piper stepped out of the lobby into the warm summer New York air. She stretched her back and paused taking in the rising sun. The jingling of metal pulled her focus back in time to see Grimm bounding to her dragging Alex behind him as she cursed the canine for pulling. "Al be nice!"
"He never used to pull me like that."
"He just loves his mom." Piper bent down and kissed the top of Grimm's head between his pointy ears.
"He also steals my morning kisses."
"Poor baby" Piper laughed before leaning in and softly bringing her lips to Alex's. "Come on, 5 miles and we need to give ourselves time to get ready for brunch with Nicky and Lorna." Piper took off with Grimm and Alex in step at her side.
This is what Piper had always wanted. Her happiness wasn't a practiced contentment. It was overflowing and she gave herself over completely to it. Alex looked at the smiling blonde who still took her breath away. Her smile was like warm sunshine and Alex loved to bask in it knowing she was part of its cause. Her heart was bursting with happiness she never imagined possible before. Nothing and no one to stand in their way. She felt it in her bones, they were inevitable.
A/N: I'm still kind of eh on this but I'm not going to have another moment to write for a while. I mentioned maybe doing an epilogue in the future. I don't have any clear vision of that right now so I'm marking this one complete. Maybe I'll do a long one shot down the road or just leave this as is. If there's anything you want let me know here or on tumblr. Before I forget, the salt shaker tattoo origin is canon for me from the Young Blood verse. alanaBloom/alxvse is a genius. Read her stuff now... well after you finish this.
Thank you all so much for your reviews and favs/follows. You guys blow me away. Some shout outs below:
toesareoverrated - Thank you again for the kind words. On making you cry... #sorrynotsorry ;)
Chand3li3r - It was cruel right? I had gone way darker on this chapter but I scrapped it.
TinyGuitarist - Hugs to you, seriously thank you!
Lucy - Hope it turned out in a way you enjoyed
JustABagel - I freakin love your review. I'm glad I kept you guessing. Hope you like how it ended.
Budda1127 - Thank you. Now, breathe in breathe out, repeat.
Don't do this guest - I feel ya. Vauseman is my OTP and if they aren't endgame I also don't know what to believe in anymore. You get my feels. Thank you.
Spoiler guest - Thank you and thanks for sticking around
Sue - thank you and hugs to you
MaiaKittyMeow - Was that AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH in a good or bad way?
Anxious guest - Thank you. I love that we compare difficulty of surviving assassination attempts to working out relationship issues like they are on the same level. For these two dumbasses we love they pretty much are though. Great Annie Hall reference.
sweater boy loving guest - Thanks. I kind of combined real life Larry and Heck from Imagine Me & You on that part. Like he's a great guy. Just not the one. No reason to make him a giant d-bag.
FFChik - I did write the whole part about Piper and Nicky meeting and then her punching Nicky but I scrapped it. Just didn't want the roller coaster to get old you know?
g4gusgrisam - Thank you!
bluepaintbox - Thank you so so much! Also, so it was you who started encouraging them with pitchforks huh ;)
Like pain guest - Yeah I guess I kinda do. Happy is so hard for me to write. Hope the ending is happy enough though.
GoingCRAZYGuest - Lies and fairy tales. This made me laugh so hard. Thank you and sorry for the wait.
derekjeter2 - I looove a good sandlot quote.
To all of the other pitchfork wielding angry guests and kind reviews. Thank you. Hope you enjoyed. Sorry if you didn't.