Breaking barriers
Alex steps into the office and is greeted by a large floor-to-ceiling window that spans the length of the room, providing an unobstructed view. Despite being only on the 14th floor, the space is flooded with natural light and boasts breathtaking views that create an unparalleled feeling of spaciousness. The office itself is not overly large, but the light-colored tones and minimalist decor give the impression that it is twice its size.
To her right, there is a cozy seating area with a small coffee table, a two-seater sofa, and a beautiful potted plant. Against the wall, there is a high-quality refrigerator, microwave, sink, and coffee machine, all with gorgeous finishes. Above them, a cabinet contains what Alex imagines to be plates and glasses. A small yet elegant short-pile carpet in perfect harmony with the rest of the furniture extends beneath the sofa and coffee table.
On the left side of the room, there is a large light-colored wooden desk. In front of it, two identical beige upholstered chairs, and behind it, a big comfortable white office chair. The desk is cluttered with folders, sheets of paper, a computer and printer, a phone, some photos, and pens, but everything is impeccably arranged. On the wall behind it, there are a couple of abstract paintings, and a closed door. Alex wonders where it might lead.
"What's that? A closet?"
Piper, who had been observing her while she scanned the room, responds immediately. "It's the restroom."
Alex's eyes snap open in realization. "Oh! Of course, I see," she exclaims.
Piper stands in the middle of the room fidgeting with the ring on her finger, a telltale sign of her nerves, and watches Alex without knowing quite what to say. "I'm sorry, I don't really know how to do this. I mean, I've never had a bodyguard before," she tries to joke.
Alex feels tenderness towards her for being so green and nervous. She sees her as small and disoriented, like a lost little deer without a clear sense of direction. However, she maintains her composure and professionalism, "What do you mean you don't know how to do this?"
"Well, for starters, I don't know where you could work. You don't fit in here, and you can't just stand in the hallway all day waiting for me to come out. I don't know how we can make this work," she tries to measure her words carefully to avoid sounding unpleasant or offending the already cold agent.
Alex looks at her with a grave expression. "Well, that certainly appears to be a problem," she remarks. "Is it not possible for me to set up shop at one of the desks lining the hallway?"
Piper shakes her head in response. "They're all taken, and besides, they're reserved for the secretaries. It wouldn't make any sense for you to be there." She lets out an audible sigh, as if to emphasize her frustration. "I'm sorry, no offense, but I just don't understand why they had to assign me protection. It's absurd, really, and they haven't even made any accommodations or preparations for having someone follow me around everywhere I go. It just makes no sense."
Alex furrows her brow ever so slightly in response to her new boss's intransigence. What does it matter that secretaries have historically used those desks? If someone else needs to use one now, so be it. Nonetheless, she strives to maintain a neutral and impartial demeanor as she suggests, "Perhaps you could request a different office, one that is larger or has an adjacent room in which I could work."
Piper cannot help but release a small chuckle. "What? No! Absolutely not. This is my office. It has been for many years and it is one of the best on this floor. I have no intention of changing it for another."
And there it is. The pride, the arrogance, and the way of discrediting a completely valid suggestion — as if what Alex has just said was a foolishness — only because it would be inconvenient for her to swallow her pride and compromise a little for the greater good.
Alex understands that Piper did not ask for protection, and that she does not want it, and that it bothers her that it has been forced upon her, but what she does not understand is that, given that this is the situation they both have to live with — at least for now — she cannot seem to really accept it and show a collaborative spirit so that this can work and be as comfortable as possible for both of them. "Well, I have to be able to work somewhere."
"Don't worry. We'll come up with something," Piper reassures with a carefree attitude, as if time were not of the essence, as if this urgent problem could wait for a leisurely solution. Just a few seconds ago, she had shaken her head, stating that it made no sense for Alex to stand behind the door all day, but it seems that leaving her hanging until a solution magically pops up does make sense. "You could work on another floor," she finally suggests with a finality that implies that this is the only solution. "After all, I don't really need you while I'm in here."
Alex regards her with a serious expression, not entirely sure that this solution will appease Piper's superiors. "That's not what I've been ordered to do," the young agent asserts.
Piper smiles ironically, incredulous, as if thinking to herself, "Of course not." "May I know exactly what you've been ordered to do?" she asks, with a hint of annoyance in her voice that slightly irritates Alex, though she knows it's not personal but rather the result of Piper's frustration and desperation with her work environment.
"You have already heard from Mr. Harris in his office. I am your shadow. I don't think they'll be satisfied or pleased if I work on another floor, where you're far away from me and I don't know anything about what you do or who you meet with," Alex states firmly.
Piper looks at her, startled by her words, her eyes widened in surprise as she listens to her speak with a commanding tone. "I'm not in danger, Ms. Vause. And this is a safe building. You'll have a copy of my schedule to know who I meet with at all times if that puts you at ease."
"Of course, I must have a copy of your schedule, but I must also be close to you. I'm sorry, but those are my orders," the agent responds, her voice unyielding.
"Maybe you haven't realized it yet, but you'll be working for me, not for Justin," Piper retorts with a touch of hostility. "You'll answer to me because I'm the one who has to deal with you."
The words "The one who has to deal with you" echo in Alex's mind. She is all too accustomed to her superiors always prioritizing their own interests, duties, and work over hers, as if hers were worth less or were less important. But for some reason, Piper's comment affects her more than usual. "What a classist imbecile," she thinks. "It's more likely the other way around." If she had any doubts before, now, after all this display of complaints and inability to find logical and quick solutions for simple problems, she is certain of who the baby to be cared for is in this relationship, and who will have to be the nanny. And she is no baby. Her eyes flicker with a hint of challenge, as if daring Piper to defy her orders. Her gaze is sharp and piercing, like a hawk ready to pounce on its prey. Her posture exudes confidence and power, a lioness ready to defend her territory. The room is quiet, and the tension is palpable. It's as if time has stopped, and all that remains is the unspoken challenge between the two of them.
Alex waits, her eyes fixed on Piper, waiting for her to make a move. In the same manner as before in Mr. Harris's office, she can peer through her facade. She sees the first layer, the most superficial layer of bravery, courage, and fortitude, but she also sees the frustration underneath, the anger, the lack of composure, and the great effort she makes to try to maintain it. Alex knows she's the one in control, and she's not afraid to show it.
Piper stands there, a slight tremble in her stance as she meets her gaze. The tension between them is thick, as if it were a physical thing hanging in the air. She wonders how the conversation, which had begun so cordially, had veered so far off course in just a few seconds. Deep down, she understands that the agent is merely following orders, but the frustration and helplessness she feels at having little say in this protection matter bring out the worst in her. She knows she is at a disadvantage, but she is not willing to back down so easily. Her voice comes out shaky as she speaks again. "I’m sorry, but I don't appreciate your tone. I am just trying to do my job here."
Alex's eyes narrow. "Your job? What about mine?"
Piper's face flushes with anger. "I'm doing the best I can."
Alex lets out a sarcastic chuckle. "The best you can? That's not saying much, is it?"
The two women stare at each other, neither willing to back down.
Piper's expression is a mixture of confusion and defiance as she looks at Alex. "Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean that you haven't even considered the idea of giving in just a little and exploring another office that might be more useful to us," Alex explains, her tone serious and calm, just as it has been throughout the entire conversation. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, however, her body language betrays a hint of aggression, as she struggles to contain her emotions. "You know that sending me to another floor goes against the orders I've been given, and yet it's the only solution you're offering me. And you get angry because I won't accept it."
Piper stands in silence, her eyes fixed upon Alex as the weight of her words crushes her shoulders, making her feel small, naive, and foolish. Her once defiant expression softens, giving way to a subtle sense of apology, as though she recognizes the validity of her argument. "I'll consider looking for another office space," she concedes. "And for now, you can work on the couch or the other side of the desk. It's more than spacious enough, and I'll make room for you." She fidgets with a stray strand of hair, avoiding Alex's gaze as she tries to salvage some semblance of dignity.
The expression on Alex's face also relaxes, and she once again gazes upon Piper with tenderness.
Piper doesn't return her gaze, as Alex thinks she is too embarrassed to do so.
Thus, Alex simply observes her for a few moments, like a spectator admiring a painting or a movie. She doesn't feel proud of having convinced her, quite the opposite. In fact, she wonders why she let her emotions take over and allowed herself to be so competitive. Certainly, the most appropriate and professional reaction — the one that she would normally have taken — would have been colder, more distant, and simpler, especially on the inside. Because the truth is that she has managed to mask her emotions well — or so she thinks — but she knows that she has felt them. And she doesn't understand why. "I'm sorry if my tone wasn't appropriate, that wasn't my intention," she says apologetically.
As Piper reengages in the conversation, her strikingly endless blue eyes finally lock onto Alex's, as if gazing into the depths of her soul. "No, it's okay. Don't worry about it. You were right. Lately, I've been... irritable, and I... shouldn't have taken it out on you," she explains.
Alex nods.
Piper bites her lip briefly, filled with regret. "I know it doesn't seem like it, but I really wanted to start this relationship off on the right foot," she says.
"We still have time," Alex replies, giving her a small smile.
And Piper suddenly notices how beautiful her smile is. It's not wide, because she doesn't allow herself to fully smile, but instead forces a serious expression over her kind demeanor, but it's all Piper needs to imagine how truly gorgeous a genuine smile from her must be. Even in its smallness and brevity, her stomach flutters at the first glimpse of pure kindness from Alex towards her, although still somewhat tinted with professionalism, but sincere and friendly nonetheless. Her eyes gleam with a hint of excitement as she finally speaks up, her voice casual yet warm. "Alright then," she says, "are you absolutely sure you don't want anything to drink? There's some water and juice in the fridge."
"Water is fine," Alex replies.
Piper nods briefly, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Alright, please have a seat. I'll fetch your water and we can begin shortly."
Alex approaches the two chairs in front of the desk and settles into the one closest to her. The wood creaks softly under her weight as she sinks into the seat. Her eyes scan the room again, taking in the various details of the space, before coming to rest on Piper, who returns with a glass of water. She delicately places the glass on the table, atop a crinkled napkin, and offers it to her.
"Here you go," she says with a gentle smile.
Alex nods her appreciation and reaches for the glass, the cool condensation dampening her fingertips. She raises the glass to her lips and takes a long, refreshing sip, the water soothing her parched throat.
"Thank you," she says, setting the glass back down on the napkin.
Piper doesn't respond, a bright smile on her face as she skirts around her desk and powers up her computer. She sits in her chair and extends a few sheets of paper to the agent, who regards her in silence. "This is my schedule for the first month of the campaign, just so you can take a look. I wouldn't suggest trying to memorize it all, I can barely keep up myself," she jests, attempting to break the ice. "And if I'm being honest, I haven't quite familiarized myself with all the security protocols. I know you have to accompany me to all the events and ride with me in the car, and all that. But could you explain the finer details so I don't have to plow through all these reports?" she asks, gesturing towards the folders she had rejected in yesterday's meeting, but which this morning — she assumes — Marisol had left on her desk, probably at the behest of Justin or Larry.
"Your superiors have warned me that you're not too thrilled about the idea of having a personal escort."
Piper furrows her brow, "Yeah, I'm sure they have," she sighs and sucks her teeth. "It's nothing personal, but I'm a little concerned about all of this privacy stuff. You know? I understand that my life is going to be practically public from now on, at least for a few months, but I need to know that I can still maintain some level of privacy. Otherwise, I'm going to go crazy."
The agent looks at her somewhat expressionless, and Piper can't help but feel a little disappointed and a slight desire for her to be less cold, less distant, less professional, and more approachable and understanding, even though it doesn't make sense for her to be so.
"I understand," Alex says. "I suppose it's a matter of us coming to an agreement and setting clear boundaries that don't violate any protocols."
"Yes, that's it," Piper nods in agreement. She then shifts her gaze to her computer and says without looking up, "We have about twenty minutes before I have to go to a press conference." She pauses. "I mean, before we have to go. Sorry about that."
"Don't worry," the agent reassures her. "Well, as we've already discussed, I have to be with you at all times when you're in public at official events. There will be more security with me accompanying you and your team, but I'm the one who has to follow you always. I can't be separated from you, nor can you travel in any vehicle without me. I have to be aware of all your meetings and be present, whether in the same room or, if it's a confidential or a private meeting, at the entrance. If it's a space with several entrances, there will be multiple agents, and we'll have to establish beforehand which entrance you'll be using, and that's where I'll be. And since I always have to travel with you in the official car, I have to be in it when they pick you up every morning and take you home every evening."
Piper nods, acknowledging Alex's explanation. It all seems like a lot to take in. The majority of what is being said seems reasonable, expected even, but still she can't help but feel that the level of protection being offered is a little excessive, particularly given that there has never been any prior threat to her or her team. "Have you worked with politicians before?" she asks, hoping to gain some insight into the agent's experience.
"No," Alex shakes her head.
"Then you're not familiar with this kind of protocol to know what level of security you're applying here, are you?" Piper presses.
"I can't say I'm familiar with what's advised during a governor's campaign, but I can tell you that this is a fairly basic level of security," Alex replies calmly.
Piper nods again, her mind still reeling from the thought of being constantly watched and monitored.
Throughout the day, Alex follows her everywhere, from a couple of donor meetings to the occasional evening TV appearance. Piper feels rather uncomfortable with Alex's constant attention, but tries to ignore it for the sake of the work environment and focuses on doing her job.
The next day, as Piper prepares for a campaign speech, Alex interrupts her and tells her that, for security reasons, they need to delay the event by a few hours, completely disrupting Piper's schedule. Piper feels frustrated and tells her that she is the candidate and should have the final say in these situations.
The days pass by and Alex can't help but think that Piper is arrogant and naive, while Piper believes that Alex is excessively cold and distant.
However, they do have their moments.
Piper tries to be friendly and get to know the agent, and Alex reluctantly gives in, attempting to maintain a professional demeanor. However, every morning when she sees Piper getting into the car for a new day, she unconsciously becomes more amiable and open, drawn to her. For she does not yet know — though she is beginning to suspect it — that this is her favorite moment of the day. When Piper climbs into the car, smiling, with a new, immaculate outfit, smelling of freshly sprayed perfume and hair conditioner, with a grin from ear to ear and saying, "Good morning, let's tackle another day."
Piper, always undeniably beautiful and alluring, selfish in many respects and naive in so many others — though not quite as much as Alex had initially judged her at first glance— is slowly growing on Alex, though she remains oblivious to it. It is much like growing up and suddenly realizing you have a best friend without ever noticing how the bond even formed. You just lived day by day with that person until suddenly, they are one of your favorite people in the world, one of the most important people to you.
And so, little by little, Piper was inadvertently winning Alex's heart, and neither of them realized it.
For her part, Piper finds Alex interesting, attractive in the way you are drawn to certain things without really knowing why, as if they were made for you and designed to arouse your curiosity, and that was their only reason for existence, their sole purpose.
Alex is beautiful, enigmatic, exudes confidence, intelligence, and poise, and Piper admires her, and she is fully aware of it. She hates having protection, she hates that her team doesn't listen to her complaints, she hates having zero say in decisions that affect her directly and exclusively, and she hates feeling invisible; and she also knows that many times, more often than she would like, she takes it out on Alex. Because Alex is the embodiment of all these things, although she is not guilty of any of them. But often, on many occasions, when she's not drowning in work and being followed around everywhere and having to be vigilant about even the smallest detail of everything she does, she goes above and beyond in trying to socialize with Alex and get to know her better. In part due to the guilt over being unfair to her when she's in a bad mood, and in part because she genuinely wants to know her. But since Alex doesn't seem to give her much attention, Piper is always the one who speaks, who shares her interests and opinions.
Alex pretends not to pay attention, feigns disinterest, but she does listen, and she is interested. She also feels a certain admiration for Piper. Piper has read hundreds of books on countless topics, is incredibly knowledgeable, and cultured, and not because she has to be, but because she enjoys it. And Alex likes that.
But Piper is also naive, incredibly so. It's the kind of naivety that comes from being relatively young, fortunately not yet having faced many of life's struggles and horrors. And the naivety that comes from someone with a privileged socioeconomic status, who has never had to deal with significant obstacles standing between them and their desires and goals, who has achieved everything they have set out to do because the only thing that stands between them and success is a little effort and hard work, and absolutely nothing else. The kind of naivety that comes from a person who has not experienced injustice firsthand. And that irks Alex. It irks her a lot.
Despite all the good, though, the majority of days the bad tends to weigh more, as it often happens, and as the weeks go by, tensions between them rise. Piper is determined, as stubborn as she is, to do things her way, while Alex is determined to do her job by the book and keep her safe, even if it means being stricter than she would like.
Tensions grow and grow, ceaselessly escalating. The feigned good humor becomes increasingly arduous to summon. The restrained arguments, during which both bite their tongues to prevent things from spiraling out of control, become increasingly difficult to contain. And finally, all the tension erupts one ordinary day when they are alone in the official car.
Piper had desired to attend many events alone. Not alone in the literal sense, for she is well aware that Alex — and usually one or two more agents — is her "shadow". But she wishes to present herself to the public without a tremendous display of resources. She aims to convey a message of humility, which she believes she cannot achieve with such a massive team following her everywhere. She thinks that the ostentatiousness of her appearances often sends a message of extravagance to her potential voters, and this is one of the many things that worry her, particularly because she vehemently opposes having a private escort. But she cannot voice her opinion publicly, contradict her party, and leave them in a compromising position. Nor can she attend events without Alex. All of which creates a vicious and absurd cycle that she cannot escape, but that she would very much like to.
"I am so damn tired of being treated like a child," Piper removes the headset microphone from her face, which she had been using to answer calls just moments ago, and exclaims with exasperation, "And of you treating me as such." Her words are spoken with an air of indignation and frustration that has clearly been building up inside her for some time. The tone of her voice is one of defiance, as if she is no longer willing to tolerate such condescension.
Alex responds calmly, gathering what little patience she has left. Her voice is firm as she states that her job is to protect her, and that if anything were to happen to her, it would be her responsibility.
Piper, as usual, feels insulted. "I don't need you. That's the truth. I'm not in danger. I can take care of myself."
"As if you have any idea of the dangers that exist in the world of politics," Alex mutters reluctantly, "or in the world in general," she adds almost to herself.
But Piper hears her. And raising an eyebrow, she asks, "What do you mean by that?"
Alex sighs audibly, her frustration palpable. "How on earth are we having this conversation for the umpteenth time this week?" she thinks to herself. She's tired of having to swallow Piper's stubbornness every day with a "smile" on her face. She's tired of not being able to speak her mind freely. Of saying what she truly thinks. And what she thinks is that Piper is a spoiled brat ninety percent of the time. A brat who only thinks of herself and makes her job ten times harder and her morale ten times lower. "I mean that you're a privileged little girl who's had everything handed to her on a silver platter in life. You're not used to following orders you disagree with, or not being obeyed in everything you say. And it shows. And it's exhausting. With all due respect."
"Do you believe I haven't worked hard to get where I am? Is that what you think? You have no fucking idea."
Alex feels attacked. Of course she knows that Piper has worked hard to get where she is. The world of politics is a harsh and unforgiving place for anyone, let alone for a woman of her age. And she sees how hard she works every day, firsthand. But even so, she can't believe that she is so blind as to not see that it is not her daily efforts that she is referring to at all. It frustrates her to no end. How can someone so competent and intelligent be so incredibly headstrong and oblivious when it suits them? She grits her teeth, trying to remain calm. She wants nothing more than to reach out and shake Piper, to make her see reason. But she knows she can't do that. Instead, she takes a deep breath and tries to calm herself. "What I mean is that many people would have had to work a thousand times harder than you to get half as far as you have. I, for example, haven't had the same opportunities as you. And I've seen things that you could never understand. That's why when I tell you to trust me in certain moments, you should swallow your pride and just do it."
Piper's face darkens, and Alex can see that she's hit a nerve.
"You don't know anything about me. You don't know what I've been through, or what I've had to sacrifice to get here. You don't know the pressure that's on me every single day to be perfect, to make the right decisions, to not mess up. And you have the nerve to call me a spoiled brat? How dare you. Who do you think you are?"
Alex stands her ground, refusing to back down. She knows that Piper doesn't mean to be difficult, she's just fiercely independent, but sometimes that can blind her to the perspective of others. "I know that you're under a lot of pressure, Piper. But that's no excuse for disregarding your own safety. You're not invincible, no matter how much you like to believe it. And you need to start taking this seriously, before something happens that you can't take back."
Piper scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. "I don't need protection. I've managed to get this far on my own, and I'll continue to do so. I don't need anyone holding my hand or telling me what to do."
As Alex listens to the young politician's retort, her heart beats a little faster than usual. She can feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and she knows that it's not just from anger. Despite her frustrations with her stubbornness, there's something about the way Piper carries herself, the way her eyes light up when she talks about her beliefs, that draws Alex in every time. It's amusing, really. The way she is absolutely convinced that she has what it takes to guide and care for an entire state, to ensure their safety and interests — and Alex begins to believe it too — yet she's unable to allow anyone to take care of her or do anything, no matter how small, for her without protesting or resisting. Alex can't help but find that irony, that contradiction, endearing in a way, though in practice it makes her existence bitter and her day-to-day life impossible.
As Piper continues to argue her point, the agent studies her closely. She notices the way her hands move as she speaks, gesturing passionately to emphasize her words. She sees the way her hair falls across her face in soft, loose waves, framing her features perfectly. And then, as if sensing Alex's gaze on her, Piper turns to meet her eyes.
For a moment, they just stare at each other, the intensity of their gaze almost palpable.
"And yet here I am," Alex says pointedly. "Your bodyguard. The person whose job it is to make sure that you don't get hurt. Do you really think that I'm here just for show? That I'm wasting my time following you around?"
Piper opens her mouth to respond, but then hesitates.
And Alex can't help but notice the way her eyes seem to change color in the light, from a bright blue to a deeper, more intense shade. She can see the doubt flicker across her face. It's a small victory, but it's enough to give her hope that maybe, just maybe, she can get through to her. "Look, I'm not trying to boss you around, Piper. I'm just trying to do my job. And if you just let me do it, I promise you won't regret it."
Piper looks at her for a long moment, considering her words. For the first time since they've started working together, she can see a flicker of vulnerability in Alex's eyes, and it's enough to make her soften slightly, to feel a twinge of empathy for the woman in front of her. "I understand that you're just trying to do your job," she says finally, her voice quiet. "And I appreciate that. But you have to understand that this is all new to me. I'm not used to having someone follow me around all the time, or tell me what to do. It's suffocating."
Alex nods — and even though Piper is, once again, making everything about herself, she tries to keep her tone gentle. "I get that. But the truth is, you're in a position of power now. And that means that you're a target. There are people out there who would love to see you fail, maybe even see you hurt. And it's my job to make sure that doesn't happen. I'm not here to boss you around or hold your hand. I'm here to protect you, whether you like it or not."
Piper looks away, staring out the window for a moment.
Alex can see the conflict in her eyes, the fear and the frustration and the anger all warring with each other. But then she looks back at Alex, and there's a hint of determination in her gaze.
"Okay," she says finally. "Okay, I'll try to trust you. I'll try to let you do your job. But you have to promise me one thing."
Alex raises an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
"You have to promise me that you won't let me become a prisoner in my own life. That you won't let this job consume me, or turn me into someone I'm not. Because at the end of the day, I'm still me. I'm still Piper, not just a politician or a target or a client. Can you promise me that?"
Alex nods, feeling a surge of respect for her boss. It's not that the question catches her off guard, as it's more of the same, the same thing Piper always talks about and complains about. But to hear her say it like this, with that desperation in her tone, with that concern, and not in the midst of a fit of nerves and anger directed towards her, but rather a kind of plea, calmly and respectfully asking for her help. Could it be that Piper Chapman is admitting she needs her help to control something that is not entirely within her control? There's a vulnerability in the politician's eyes that Alex has never seen before, a fragility that makes her heart ache. And she knows she can't let her down, not now, not when she is finally really opening up to her. "You're not just a job to me, Piper." She says, and as soon as the words leave her mouth and she hears them out loud, her chest flips over with self-consciousness. She quickly adds, trying to compose herself, "You're a person. And I'll do everything in my power to protect you as such."
Piper looks at her thoughtfully, taking in her words. She's grateful for her honesty, but at the same time, she wonders why Alex can't always be this nice. In her line of work, she is surrounded by people who do try to boss her around and make her feel inferior, and she's tired of it. But Alex treats her like a professional, she always has, with respect, and that's something that she's come to appreciate more and more as time goes by.
And then, without warning, her expression softens, and a smile spreads across her face. "Why aren't you always like this?" she asks, genuinely curious.
Alex raises an eyebrow, surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're always so professional and distant with me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it. God knows I'm surrounded by people who don't respect me or my position like that. But sometimes, I just need something more. And I feel like you're the only one who respects me enough to be that for me. To perhaps be a friend to me," she sighs. "We are always together, and I want more of this. I want us to be able to talk like this more often."
Alex is taken aback by her words. She's never thought of herself as anything other than professional, and it's a quality she prides herself on. But she can see how much Piper needs someone to confide in, someone who doesn't treat her like a puppet on a string. She's watched as Piper has been surrounded by advisors and assistants who seem to view her as nothing more than a tool to achieve their own goals. And while she has been grateful for the work and the paycheck, she's always felt a twinge of sadness for her boss's situation in that regard. But now, as Piper looks at her with those big, expressive eyes, she feels a shift within herself. The young candidate's desperation to connect with someone on a genuine level has been apparent to her from the very beginning. And maybe, just maybe, she wants to be that person for her.
She opens her mouth to speak, and when she does, she realizes that she's been holding her breath the entire time. "I... I didn't know you wanted that," she replies honestly. "I didn't mean to come across as cold or distant. It's just... I've always thought that keeping a professional distance is important in my line of work, you know? And I didn't want to overstep my boundaries."
Piper nods understandingly, but her eyes are searching Alex's face for something more. Something that would explain why she's suddenly being so vulnerable with her. "Is everything okay?" she asks, her voice gentle. "You seem different today. More open, somehow."
Alex feels her cheeks flush at her words. She's not used to talking about her feelings, let alone with someone as important as Piper. But something about the way she's looking at her right now is making her want to spill everything. She sees something in her eyes that she's never noticed before. A spark of something that makes her feel warm, and good, and at home, if that makes sense. "I don't know," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "I guess... I guess I just feel like I can trust you. I think. And that's not something I feel very often, you know?"
Piper smiles warmly at her, and for a moment, Alex forgets that she's supposed to be her bodyguard. She forgets about politics and danger and everything else. All she can see is Piper's beautiful face, and all she can feel is the way her heart is racing in her chest.
But just as quickly as it came, the moment is gone, and she is left feeling confused and scared. She doesn't know what this feeling is, this thing that's been growing inside of her for weeks now. All she knows is that she wants more of it. The idea of connecting with Piper on a more intimate level lingers in her mind, taunting her with its forbidden allure. She can feel her heart beating faster at the mere thought of it, and she silently curses herself for being so foolish. "I'm sorry, too much?"
The air between them is charged with a palpable tension, as if the universe is holding its breath, waiting to see what will happen next.
Piper shakes her head, her wide bright smile still lighting up her features. "No, not at all. I like that you feel that way. And I think it's natural, after all, I feel like I've told you so many things about me these past few weeks that you must feel like you've known me forever."
They stand there for a moment, just looking at each other, and Alex wonders if Piper can hear the way her heart is pounding in her chest. She hesitates, unsure of whether to break the silence or let the moment linger a little longer. But then, something inside of her snaps, and she finds herself speaking without thinking. The words spill out of her like a dam breaking. "I kind of do," she nods slowly, her eyes never leaving Piper's. And then, with a deep breath, she adds, "And honestly, I'm kind of glad I do. I like knowing you."
As soon as the words leave her lips, she feels a rush of embarrassment, as if she's revealed too much. But she can't bring herself to take them back. She looks at Piper, searching for any sign of discomfort or unease, but instead, she sees something else entirely.
Piper's smile grows even wider, and she reaches out to touch her arm, the contact sending shivers down the agent's spine. "Seriously? I always feel like I'm bothering you when I talk to you about my stuff or that you don't care."
Alex can't help but smile.
And it's the first time Piper has ever seen her smile like this, and it takes her breath away. The way her lips curve upwards, revealing her perfectly straight teeth, is almost hypnotic. She can't help but stare, transfixed by the beauty of that smile.
"You feel like I don't care and yet you still keep talking? Talk about self-love. It's admirable, really."
Piper giggles, her cheeks blushing slightly. "I know, I'm just a talkative person, what can I say?"
Alex chuckles, enjoying the playful banter between them. "You're more than talkative. You're stubborn, opinionated, and a pain in the ass sometimes. But I like you anyway."
Piper's eyes light up, and she can't help but keep staring at the agent's lips, noticing for the first time how full they are. She quickly shakes her head, trying to rid herself of those thoughts. "You do?" she asks.
Alex nods, her smile softening. "Yeah, I do. You're not like anyone I've ever met before. You're strong, determined, and you don't let anyone tell you what to do. And that's admirable."
The vulnerability she's showing feels foreign and exhilarating all at once. She's never been one to let her guard down, but something about Piper, this Piper, here, today, right now, makes her want to break all the rules.
Piper's heart flutters at her words, and she can feel her attraction to her growing stronger by the second. She's never felt this way about anyone before, and it both excites and confuses her. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. And you're not so bad yourself, you know."
Alex raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips. "Oh really? I didn't know you were into stoic bodyguards who never smile."
Piper laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I've never seen you smile like this before, so this is a pleasant surprise."
Alex's smile grows wider, and Piper can't help but notice how much it changes her face. Her eyes crinkle at the corners, and her dimples deepen. It's such a beautiful smile, one that she could get lost in for hours.
"Maybe I'll have to smile more often then, just for you."
Piper's heart skips a beat at the thought. And at the agent's boldness.
It's as if a spark has been ignited within her, one that she never knew existed until now.
And she likes it. She knows she shouldn't, that it's unprofessional and dangerous, but she can't help it.
And the danger only adds to the thrill.
Alex Vause is different, and she wants to know more.
"I would like that," she says softly, her mesmerizing blue eyes locked on Alex's.