Vauseman Vs Nichman

Don't tell Alex what?

Nicky froze, the letter trembling slightly in her hands as Alex's shadow loomed over her bunk. Her mind raced—what the hell was she supposed to say? This wasn't just a secret; it was a loaded bomb. She crumpled the letter slightly, trying to think of an excuse that didn't sound like absolute garbage. But Alex's eyes were locked on her now, sharp and unrelenting, like she could see through every lie before it even left Nicky's mouth.

"Uh..." Nicky started, her voice betraying her nerves. "It's, uh, nothing. Just... some inside joke Piper wrote me, you know how she is." She forced a weak laugh, folding the letter quickly and shoving it under her pillow.

Alex wasn't buying it. "Don't give me that, Nichols. You read it out loud—'Don't tell Alex.' What's going on?" Her tone had hardened, her arms crossed in that way that meant she wasn't going anywhere until she got an answer.

Nicky scratched the back of her neck, avoiding Alex's gaze. "Look, Vause, it's really nothing. Pipes probably just—"

Alex's hand shot out, grabbing Nicky's wrist before she could finish her sentence. "Nicky." Her voice dropped, low and dangerous now. "What. Did. She. Say?"

Nicky sighed, her resolve crumbling. She wasn't good at lying, not to Alex, not about Piper. But this wasn't something she could spill so easily—it wasn't her secret to tell.

"Look, Alex," Nicky said, pulling her wrist free. "You know I love you, and you know I'd do just about anything for you, but... this? It's complicated, okay? And before you go all scary Vause on me, maybe think about why Piper didn't tell you herself."

Alex's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. "Complicated?" she repeated, her voice sharp enough to cut. "You're really pulling the 'it's complicated' card on me? What the hell, Nicky?"

"Trust me, okay?" Nicky said, trying to steady her voice. "Whatever this is, she's not trying to hurt you. If anything, she's doing it for you."

"For me?" Alex snapped, her voice rising. "What the hell does that mean?"

Before Nicky could answer—or dig herself deeper—a correctional officer's voice echoed through the block, calling for Alex to report to her work duty in the library.

Alex shot Nicky one last glare, her hands balled into fists. "This isn't over, Nichols," she said, her tone as cold as ice.

As Alex stormed off, Nicky slumped onto her bunk, running a hand through her hair. "Shit," she muttered to herself, pulling the letter back out. She scanned the words again, trying to make sense of Piper's confession. The part about the cartel. The danger. The fear.

She wanted to protect Piper, but keeping this from Alex? That was a different beast entirely.

Meanwhile, Piper sat across from Laura in the dimly lit backroom of a swanky club, sipping on a drink that was far too expensive for her taste. Laura was chattering on about the next deal, but Piper wasn't listening. Her mind was on the letter. On Alex. On how long she could keep this charade going before it all came crashing down.

"Earth to Piper," Laura said, snapping her fingers. "You with me?"

Piper blinked, forcing a tight smile. "Yeah. Sorry. Just... distracted."

Laura leaned in, her expression softening. "You're always distracted lately. What's going on with you?"

Piper shook her head. "Nothing. I'm fine."

But as Laura eyed her suspiciously, Piper's chest tightened. She could lie to Laura, to everyone else—but how long could she keep lying to the people she loved?

And worse, what would happen when the truth finally came out?