"Toast is Overrated"
Piper struggles with her decision to fully commit to Larry or Alex.

Author's Note: not entirely based on the shows storyline; all characters were created by Jenji Cohen.

POV: Piper Chapman

Piper Chapman had a choice to make. And she hoped spending a few hours away from her drug-toting, ex-lesbian lover, would give her some clarity. Usually she looked forward to Work Time ending. Repairing toasters and dryers is not on her list of yuppie, urban skills. But today it was just the break she needed.

How the hell did I get here again? Oh right, Alex Vause.

Piper sighs as the boss man sets down another broken toaster in front of her.

Toast is so overrated.

So is hair conditioner, nail polish and organic Kale, as prison has quickly taught her. But time to think and process? Now that is a luxury that prison can afford her. So that's what she does; she thinks and stews over her biggest life predicament: choose Alex Vause or Larry Bloom. Option 1 or Option 2. Predictable, endearing Larry or the bad-ass, passionate Alex. She's been over this so many times in her head she's ready to flip a coin for a concrete answer.

"Ow! Shit! Stupid…!" the blonde is brought back to reality by a wicked shock provided by the evil appliance. She forgot to unplug it after testing it. Again.

"Hey Pipes, you never learn do you?" The tall brunette smoothly enters the workshop with a sly grin on her face.

Why does she have to be so fucking attractive even when she's being smug?

"Toast is overrated, don't cha think?" Piper deflects. "Hey what are you doing here? They're gonna be pissed if they find you away from your work zone ya know." This goes with out saying, and even though it doesn't need to be said, the blonde can't really come up with anything more interesting.

"Eh. I'm just getting a screw driver; washer button is on the fritz again. Besides I kinda need a break from bleaching Pennsyltucky's disgusting under wear." Alex cringes comically, attempting to make the blonde smile. It works as usual. God she loves watching the blonde smile.

"Haha, that's gross. Didn't need to hear that."

The brunette leaves as quickly as she enters, tool in hand, glancing back at Piper as the blonde pretends to concentrate on her work.

Before she realizes it, 4 hours have past and it's already dinner time. The toaster is probably more broken now than when it was brought to her, and her life problem is equally unresolved. Piper's stomach growls and she laughs darkly inside.

Who'd of thought I'd actually look forward to dinner here. Could my standards get much lower?

As Piper enters the eating hall she instinctively looks for her table; the one with her friendly prison comrades. It was comforting to know that she belonged somewhere in this surreal world, even if everyone outside these walls disagreed. During her short time in prison she has already developed a connection with many of these women. After all was she really that different from everyone else? Hadn't she committed a crime? Hadn't she made poor choices despite knowing better?

As Red's minions serve her dinner down the service-line she continues to contemplate those poor choices, and the choices that have to her life with Larry. That poor, loyal man. He really didn't understand her at all.

The blonde sighs and turns towards the familiar table. And then, her heart warms as she realized Alex is saving her favorite spot. She feels like she is 23 years old again. She feels like she is in love again. In love with a woman.

Fin! Reviews are love.