A HEALTHY LOVE

CHAPTER 3: ALEX AND NIKKI TALK

In Litchfield, Alex tried to call Piper on her contraband cellphone. Piper had been avoiding Alex's calls since the night of the gala, and she had not answered any of Alex's text messages. Alex was starting to get worried. She went to the enclosed yard to get Piper off her mind. Luckily, Nicky Nichols was seated on the concrete, looking up at the grates that blocked the sky.
Alex grinned as she sat down beside her. "Howdy, Nicoles" Alex said softly.  

NICKY: "Vause...It's too fucking cold to be out here without your coat, you know."

ALEX: "You're not wearing yours either.  So,what's new with you?"

NICKY: "Oh, you know. My sort of girlfriend got shipped back to Egypt before I could say goodbye. So that's shitty. Moreover, Lorna has lost what few marbles were rolling around that pretty little head of hers, and I have absolutely no clue as to how I can help her. I've just hit a fucking wall. And it's killing me...it really is. I have sure picked one hell of a time to welcome sobriety. But that's nothing new."

ALEX: "Jesus, Nicols..that sucks."

NICKY: "It sure does. I'm usually down for some good sucking, but not like this. Okay...well, your turn."

ALEX: "I think Piper is avoiding me, and I think it's because of this woman in her life. They might be seeing each other....I don't know."

NICKY (slightly snorts): "Chapman loves you. I married you two, remember? I'm sure she's just busy with work or something."

ALEX: "Love only gets you so far, Nicky. You  of all people know that."

NICKY:  "Yeah. Yeah, I do. Women. They will tear your fucking heart out."

Alex spotted McCullough as she patrolled the yard. McCullough briefly met Alex's gaze, yet she was quick to look away. Alex felt a pang of guilt. It was guilt for being unfaithful to her wife, and it was guilt for hurting McCullough. She wasn't sure why she even cared. Perhaps it was a simple matter of feeling like garbage for leading on such a vulnerable woman. Yet, the fact that the smallest part of her missed meeting with McCullough suggested it could be more.  No matter the case, Alex shoved thoughts of the blonde CO away. She instead gave Nicky's leg a comforting squeeze. "You'll figure out something with Morello. You always do" Alex said softly.  

"I hope you're right, stretch. And I'm sure you and Piper will be fine. You've gone through a lot of shit together" Nicky said.  Alex nodded, but she said nothing. She sat quietly with Nicky until it was time to go back inside.  Later that night, Alex couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned in her bed while Creech slept soundly on the top bunk. It was well after midnight when she felt her cellphone vibrate against her pillow. She readily checked the screen and saw a text message from Piper had come through. "I'll be visiting you tomorrow"  the text read. That was it, nothing more. Alex felt sick to her stomach. Something wasn't right. "See you soon" Alex typed in response.