This will be a three part story (tentatively), and I hope to update those in relatively quicker successions.

Please read and feel free to leave your thoughts in reviews!

/

Alex stood behind the bar, hands resting on the cool, polished surface, surveying the scene in front of her with a mixture of dismay and boredom. Rich people partying was an oxymoron in her opinion, and nothing about this wedding reception was about to make her change her mind.

"How do we always end up here? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we just cater a wedding that involved snooty, boring old rich people with giant-" Alex turned to look at her best friend, and partner, both –in-crime and behind the bar, when she realized her words were falling on deaf ears. Nicky was busy ogling a young-looking red head who, judging by the fact that she wore a dress similar to at least two other girls, appeared to be a bridesmaid.

"Nicky!" she hissed, throwing a napkin at her below the level of the bar, so as to keep from drawing attention.

"What?" Nicky mumbled, still absorbed in her activity, chewing on a straw.

"Quit eye-fucking the bridesmaid and wipe the drool off of your face. She's not even looking over here. It's embarrassing."

"Fuck you. She's been looking here plenty." Nicky straightened up, pushing off of the counter with her hands and pointed the macerated straw at Alex. "You're just jealous because you're not getting my undivided attention." Alex scoffed and rolled her eyes which prompted Nicky to walk over to her and wrap an arm around her. "C'mon, you know you're my number one girl, Vause."

Alex laughed out loud, pushing her away playfully. "Thanks, but I think I'll survive." She sighed in annoyance. "This is just so boring. This isn't even a real party!" She gestured to the hall where save for a few couples, who were slow dancing to the live bands somber melody, everyone else was at on their tables. Gossiping probably, Alex thought derisively. "And I thought at least I'll have you here to make it a little interesting. Turns out, you're just dead weight."

Before a quick reply, always at the ready, could shoot out of her mouth, Nicky held back and narrowed her eyes. "You wanna make it interesting?"

"Fuck yeah."

Nicky grinned at her. "Okay. Let's see who can cross out "score at a wedding" from their bucket list tonight."

Alex raised her eyebrow in challenge. "What makes you think I haven't already?"

"Because you'd've told me if that were true."

"Whatever." Her uninterested gaze swept across the hall. "Besides, nobody here would be interesting enough to grab my attention."

"Yeah?" Nicky drawled, her face sporting a very suspicious looking grin. "Well, I know somebody who'd like to get your attention."

Alex scoffed. "Right. No one here has the balls to step out of their precious comfort zones long enough to-"

"Blondie over there, 2 o'clock," Nicky interrupted, nodding her head in the direction.

In spite of herself, Alex turned her head infinitesimally to where Nicky had pointed, and caught a blonde head turning away from her at the precise moment. It would probably kill her to admit to Nicky, but this wasn't the first time she had caught the blonde stealing glances. Their little game of cat and mouse had continued over the better part of the evening, and in fact, had been the major contributing factor behind Alex's growing grumpiness. Even though, the lingering glances had gotten …more lingering each time, Alex had resigned herself to the fact that that's as far as it would probably get.

"Her? Yeah, I don't think so." She tried to look away, but was caught by the way the muscles in the woman's back danced as she raised her glass to take a sip.

"What? Too gorgeous for you? Oh I get it. You think she's out of your league."

"You know what, Nicky? Why d-" Alex's reply got caught in her throat when the blonde turned towards them again; this time, with a look of purpose in her eyes.

Alex watched as she excused herself from the man she was talking to and made her way towards the bar. Alex couldn't help but admire the way her body moved, with an effortless sensuality. She could feel Nicky bouncing next to her, her entire body yelling "I told you so" at her; but all Alex could wonder at that moment was if this mystery woman sounded as sexy as she looked.

She was about to find out.

She placed her clutch on the counter and said, "Hi, is the bar still open?" yep. Definitely just as sexy.

"We're kinda paid to stay open 'til you all leave," came Nicky's snide remark before Alex could gather herself enough to respond. Piper turned her head slightly towards the shorter woman with a bemused expression and was about to reply when Alex intervened.

Straightening her black velvet waistcoat, Alex leaned on her elbows towards the girl, trademark smirk in place. "Even if that wasn't the case, it would be a great failing on my part to turn someone as pretty as you away." She kicked at Nicky and hoped that under the cover of the bar, it would go unnoticed.

Alex could practically hear Nicky rolling her eyes as she walked away.

Contrary to the norm, the girl didn't blush and look away. Or giggle like a school girl. In fact, she didn't display any of the usual reactions Alex had gotten used to as a response to her charm. Instead, her chin raised a little, and Alex got her first look into the gorgeous blue eyes, with just the right amount of grey eye shadow; like the ocean, frozen over. She could have sworn she felt the chill radiate off of the strange woman; though whether to attribute the shiver that ran up her spine to that or to the fact that the half lidded eyes were gazing directly into hers, both inviting and closed off at the same time, she wasn't sure.

"Are you so cavalier with your flirtations with everyone, or was that just for my benefit?" The words, uttered so haughtily, went well with the general décor of the party, but Alex was just able to discern a slightly pleased tone behind them. A challenge, but not a lost cause. Alex decided she liked that in a woman, as opposed to the norm.

"Don't flatter yourself, sweetheart. It's part of the job description." A poorly disguised grin swept across her face, as the yet unnamed woman bristled faintly at that, looking uncertain for just a moment, before regaining her composure. "So, what can I get you…?" she trailed off, hoping to get the blonde's name.

She ignored that, and surveyed the collection behind Alex instead, before turning back to the brunette. "Surprise me. Make it strong. And if I like it, maybe I'll tell you my name…," her eyes dipped to her chest, where a nametag proudly bore her name. "Alex." The sultry half-smile drew Alex's gaze towards her unbearably pink lips, filling her mind with all sorts of wanton images.

Focus. "Okay. I'll hold you to that." With that Alex turned away, busying herself in preparation of the perfect drink, her mind already made up. Her formal education hadn't stretched beyond high school, having never even applied to a college; however, she did attend many a college parties, and even a class here and there, to glean what she considered the two most important things out of the college experience: booze and literature. Both of which, incidentally, came in handy when wooing women.

Alex took a disposable napkin, bearing the Red's Catering insignia, and placed it in front of the blonde, and presented a champagne flute with a slight flourish. Alex thought she saw a hint of recognition in the blue eyes when she saw the milky drink, but before she could register that, the younger girl looked up at her, and said,

"Just how old do you think I am?" The tone was teasing, and Alex found herself laughing.

"It's alcohol, I swear. It's called Death in the Afternoon," she drew herself up, shoulders pushed back. "The colour is -"

"Because of the absinthe mixing with champagne. I know." Alex cocked her eyebrow, impressed. The blonde continued, "What I don't know is what other on-regular liqueurs you have hiding down there." the younger girl took a sip, eyes never leaving Alex's, and she watched in delight as the blonde fought back an alcohol induced shiver.

Alex winked at her. "Why don't you come over here and find out." When the blonde didn't reply other than a wry shake of her head and a sip of her drink, Alex continued, "So, how many glasses of champagne did you have to drink to pluck up the courage to take this from a staring contest to an actual conversation?"

"You're awfully cocky for someone wearing velvet." Her eyes held the perfect balance of playful teasing and mockery. Alex decided to give in.

"Touché. I'm just trying to figure you out though, Woman-With-No-Name."

Alex watched as she played with a bracelet on her wrist, the blonde's fingers moving nimbly. It wasn't really her fault when her mind had her picture those fingers on her. "I have a name, I'll let you know by the end of this," she gestured to her now half-empty glass.

"I think a few people are missing you out there. Shouldn't you be heading back to the party now?" An older woman, quite possibly her mom, was now shooting daggers toward the bar area, and Alex felt she should at least mention that to the blonde, no matter how half heartedly.

Without even bothering to look back, the woman shrugged and quirked an eyebrow at her. "Trying to get rid of me?"

"Do you always answer questions with questions?" that elicited a laugh from the blonde.

Alex didn't like to admit how much she liked it.

"I'm quite entertained being exactly where I am right now. Besides, it really isn't my thing." Alex waited for further elaboration and the blonde said, "Weddings."

Alex nodded, trying to keep her excitement over the first part of the blonde's statement from showing. "What are you into then?"

She set her glass down and leaned back on her stool. Alex saw, rather she felt the blue gaze sweep over her and it was as if someone had drenched her in desire all of a sudden. It was a giddy feeling, and she subtly tightened her grip on the counter so as not to fall over.

"Girls with glasses," said the blonde and Alex had to use every last bit of resolve she could muster to focus on the words and not the lips. "Barb wire tattoos." Leaning forward, she stroked the material of her waistcoat between her thumb and forefinger, and Alex thought she might combust. "Girls who wear waistcoats."

They were close, and Alex could have sworn her rapidly beating heart was easily audible. She hadn't expected for this woman to have such an effect on her, but now, now she was definitely interested.

A low buzz sounded from between them, and as they both tore their gazes away to locate the source of the intrusion, the connection broke. She reached into her clutch and retrieved a cell phone, the screen illuminating her face almost immediately, showing a slightly anxious expression.

While she typed out a response, Alex used the time to regain composure before she made a complete ass out of herself. She knew nothing about this woman, not even her name, and already she could feel herself getting strongly infatuated. There was just something about her eyes, and her smile that was beguiling enough to reel her in. It just kept coming.

"Somewhere you gotta be?"

The mystery woman locked her phone and looked up. "Actually yes." Alex did not imagine the look of disappointment in the blue eyes. "Is there any way I can convince you to come with me?"

Alex's heart picked up pace again at the suddenly shy tone, and she knew it would be very hard for her to say no to anything she asked of her in that tone.

"I would love to. You have no idea." She glanced around at the hall. "But I kinda have to stay back and help clean all this up. Wouldn't exactly be fair to the others if I took off."

"Right. I understand." For the first time ever, the blonde looked unsure as she fidgeted around with her purse, looking more her age than she had let on throughout the night.

"Hey." She looked up and there was conflict written all over her face. Alex didn't know what it was, but all she could think of was that she somehow had to get rid of it. "Hey." She held the blonde's hands and gave them what she hoped was a reassuring squeeze. She was a little surprised to find them cold, and she had to make a conscious effort to push away gratuitous thoughts concerning those hands and her body. "Gimme your phone. You didn't actually think I was gonna let you leave without getting your number, did you?"

She handed over her phone with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. "Aren't you going to want a name to go with the number?"

Alex quickly fed her number in her phone under "girl with glasses" and gave it a call. She felt her back pocket vibrate. There. "I've given up on you," she said with a chuckle, as she placed the phone back in the bag.

Alex looked up to see the blonde looking at her with a strange expression on her face. "Give me your phone." Alex complied without comment, feeling off balance in this exchange.

The younger woman placed Alex's phone back on the counter, and without another word, made her way outside.

Sifting through their conversation, she wondered if she had something wrong to upset the blonde to warrant a sudden change in her behavior. She picked her phone up and began scrolling through the recent calls when an unfamiliar name caught her eye.

Piper Chapman

It took her all of a second to piece it together and a smile broke free across her face.

"Now who's the one drooling?"

Alex threw a rag at her but didn't bother replying, her mind fully occupied by what lay ahead.