Authors Note at the end.

1

Alex Vause stood at the entrance of her apartment, one hand firmly griping the doorknob—a gesture of uncertainty whether she'd made the right choice. Regardless, she had already bought a plane ticket and submitted her vacation time at Vause Industries, one of the fastest loaning companies in the Western Hemisphere, where she served as President of the Board.

Diane, Alex' mother and former head of the company, was dead as a result of an aneurism. She'd been giving a board meeting when she had suddenly dropped on the floor. By the time the ambulance arrived, it was too late. Luckily—depending how one saw it—her death was quick. According to the doctors, she would had fallen unconscious and by the time her heart stopped, there would have been no pain. Thank God, Alex had thought.

Where was Alex during all of it? She (upon her mother's request) had taken a sick day. She'd woken the morning of Diane's passing with flu-like symptoms. However, not one to miss work, she'd gotten dressed and walked down to the living room to join Diane for breakfast.

"You're not going to work," Diane casually said. She was sitting at the table with a mug nestled between her hands, "I heard you coughing all night." She took a sip before setting the mug down and eyeing Alex from head to toe. "And would it kill you to close the door? I had to keep rolling over from side to side to silence your coughs."

"Good morning to you too, Diane. And whatever happened to closing your own door?" Alex chuckled and walked around her mother, hugging the older woman from behind. She kissed her cheek, gave her another hug, and sat on the other side of the table opposite Diane.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Diane? I'm your mother for fucks sake. Show me some respect." Despite her criticizing tone, Alex saw a small smile spreading on her mother's lips.

"I'm sorry mother. Happy? You know, I wonder how our investors would react if they saw this part of you and not the 'I'm a well-mannered lady' and shit you give them."

Diane rolled her eyes, picked up her mug, and brought it to her lips, decided against it and placed the mug back down. "Shut up. This well-mannered shit you're talking about is what got us out of that shithole we lived in. It would do you good if you tried it once in a while."

"Me? Well-mannered? As if wearing fancy dresses and expensive jewelry is going to change who I am. More specifically who we are." A smirk spread on Alex's face as she walked to the counter where the pot of coffee was. She poured herself a cup and walked back to the table. "You may be their boss but they'll never accept you as one of their own."

"I know we were not born into their glamorous lifestyle, but the respect we have earned is a result of the hard work we put into making Vause Industries what it is today. We may not have their loyalty but we have their respect. Even if it's because we sign their paychecks."

"Respect? You think they respect us," Alex snorted. "The moment they see the opportunity to take you out as chief honcho, they'll pounce. Especially Kubra. That rat."

"We've had this discussion already." Diane warned.

"Seriously," Alex leaned forward placing her elbows on the table, "why do trust him so much?"

"Do you think I trust him?"

"Don't you? You made him your right hand over me. He is vice president while I'm stuck being your," Alex paused. When she didn't continue Diane lifted an eyebrow. "Go on, say it Alex. You're stuck being my assistant."

"Yeah. That."

Diane pursed her lips and reached over, taking Alex's hands in her own. She gave them a gentle squeeze and smiled reassuringly. "Look at me," Alex looked up, "You are my daughter. There is no one I trust more than you and that includes Kubra. I know he is waiting to make a move. Which is why I need you by my side. I need you to learn everything there is to learn.

"One day I would like to take off and explore the world. That day you can either come with me or you can chose to run Vause Industries. If you decide the latter, I want you to be ready. Do you understand me? Your assisting goes beyond fetching my coffee. Besides, I can' picture Kubra running to the corner coffee shop and asking for a latte."

Alex sat straight in her chair, pointed her chin up and stiffened her shoulders while trying to do her best Kubra impression. "Excuse me ma'am, I would like a vanilla latte with extra cream. Can you replace the diary with low-fat skim milk?"

Diane stared at Alex with a serious expression on her face. The younger Vause took a sip of coffee knowing what was coming. However, she was surprised when Diane burst into laughter instead of chastising her. Consequently, Alex burst into laughter and in the process burned herself.

"HOT HOT HOT."

"What would I do without you kid?" Diane smiled lovingly at her only child. She walked over to Alex and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Do you know everything I do, I do for you?"
"I thought everything you did was so you could find my good-for-nothing father and you could throw in his face how much dough you have?" Alex leaned into her mother's arms.

"That too." They stayed in that position for what seemed like a minute or two, but were interrupted when Alex began to cough. Alex wheezed and doubled over holding her stomach and waiting for the coughing fit to pass.

Diane patter her on the back and passed her a tissue. "Stay home. I don't want you getting everyone else at the office sick." By then, it was more of an order than a suggestion.

"But today is the biggest board meeting of the year," Alex protested, "I can't miss it."

"And I can't have you coughing or sneezing every minute. Stay home." Diane walked to the key hanger next to the door. She ran her hand through several different keys unsure of which car to take. There was the Jeep, the BMW, and the Mercedes. Hell they even owned couple of sports cars (which Alex couldn't remember whose idea it was to get them as neither one liked sports cars. Okay, maybe it had been Alex in an attempt to show off to those who'd once bullied her for being poor. What better payback than to slowly drive by your old neighborhood in a car worth as much as the houses owned by her tormentors?)

"But I'll miss it and like you said: I should be learning everything there is to learn," Alex complained but made no attempt to move-she knew she needed to rest.

"I'll have someone set up the camera so you can watch the live feed and we can go over it later. I think it will do you good to learn the procedure. Besides," she took a key with a red beeper that belonged to the red Audi R8 (this was one was Diane's), "Kubra will be there."

"I thought he was in Germany trying to see if he could get us in partnership with Deustche Bank?"

"Apparently that didn't go well," Diane pursed her lips and shrugged. She opened the door but before stepping out she turned to Alex one last time, "just stay home, get some rest, and if you have time go through the live feed of the meeting, do that. I would like to get your opinion on the matter as we will be discussing Kubra's failure with the Germans."

"Fine, but you owe me."

"I promise I'll make it up to you now. Now get some rest. I love you kid," and with that Diane closed the door after her not giving Alex a chance to tell her how much she loved her as well. That was the last time Alex saw Diane alive.

Six months had passed since Diane's funeral. Six long months in which Alex didn't get the chance to grieve. After Diane passed, the financial stability of Vause Industries was in turmoil. Someone needed to take charge, someone other than Kubra.

Alex knew Diane would want her to take over, but she didn't know if she was ready. Besides, Alex didn't own any shares in the company (Diane had sole ownership of both their shares) and without a vote, which she was sure would go in Kubra's favor, there was no chance for her to take the reins. Thankfully, that all shifted in Alex's favor after the reading of Diane's will. In it, Diane left Alex her forty percent of the company.

The look on Kubra's face was pure disgust. He tried everything in his power to vote Alex out but because he only owned thirty percent, there was nothing much he could do. Luckily, the board members-who owned the remaining thirty percent- saw the greed in Kubra as he relentlessly tried to appeal the will. They sided with Alex and allowed her to take Diane's spot. After all, if Diane trusted Alex enough to leave her majority of the company, then they could trust her as well.

Fats forward six months and Vause Industries was finally stabilized. Now Alex could grieve, but she couldn't do it in New York. She couldn't continue living in the apartment where Diane's presence still lingered and while she could easily move, she wasn't ready to give it all up. Not just yet. So Alex decided that taking a small break (if the entire summer was considered short) would help her properly heal her wounds.

Where was she headed? To California to visit Nicky, an old friend because right now that's what Alex needed: a friend.

"How can you associate yourself with someone the likes of her?" Piper spat. She sat across Nicky who was busy typing away. Something about work no doubt. "I mean, she is repugnant. Her business practices are borderline illegal."

"Hmm." Nicky continued typing.

"The interest rates alone should land her in prison. Not only that but the penalties for missing a payment make it almost impossible to dig yourself out of the hole they want you to get in the first place." Piper threw her hands in the air. She huffed loudly when she realized Nicky was still typing. "Are you listening to me?"

"Huh," Nicky looked over the screen, "yeah. Vause. Repugnant. Interest rates. Horrible. Illegal." Satisfied with Nicky's answer, Piper continued rambling. "Exactly. How is she still in business?"

"She," Nicky paused and clicked her mouse at something on the screen, "is very good at what she does." She clicked one last time and seemed to wrap up whatever she had been working on.

"Which is what? Stealing people's money?" Piper continued her attack on Alex Vause.

Piper had only ever seen Alex Vause in magazine covers. After Diane Vause's passing, the daughter and sole heir to the Vause fortune had taken no time in establishing herself atop the Vause Industry hierarchy. This was reason enough for every major publication to want an exclusive interview with the young Vause. Clearly, Alex Vause wasted no time and made sure her face was plastered everywhere for the month following Diane's funeral. It appeared that she enjoyed (or rather loved) being in the spotlight.

Nicky sighed in frustration and began tapping her fingers on her desk's surface. She gave Piper a look in which she tried to convey a message: give it a rest. But Piper was unaware and continued her disparage.

"One day. One day. That's all she waited after they read the will before she sell-proclaimed as savior. I have no doubt that Kubra or any other board member could have done a similar, if not better, job than her. I don't see why she gets so much credit."

"You know what I think Chapman," Nicky crossed her arms behind her neck and reclined into her chair. "I think you have a thing for Alex Vause." That had the effect Nicky wanted. Piper's mouth moved but no sound came from it.

"I think you have a big fat crush on my friend," Nicky continued. "And I think that's why you can't stop talking about her."

"I do not have a big fat crush on Alex Vause and I never will." Piper stood abruptly. "I have nothing but a sour taste in my mouth when it comes to her."

"So you've tasted Vause? Hmm. When did that happen?" Nicky joked. She loved the way Piper's face turned beet red. "Tell you what Chapman, since you're so focused on Alex and her business model, why don't I help you turn her wrong into a right?" Piper raised an eyebrow in question. "I'll automatically have your check deposited to the Feed America foundation. Problem solved."

"You would not!" Piper screeched.

"Try me Piper. I don't pay you six figures to analyze my personal life. I pay you—"Nicky was cut off by Piper.

"Six figures to analyze my business. I know, I know. You tell me all the time but if you only realized that I'm—"

This time it was Nicky who interrupted, "Only trying to do what's best for you."

They both laughed knowing very well this bickering back and forth was the foundation of their friendship. They liked to get in each other's heads to see who would be the first to break. Nine times out of ten Piper was the one pulling her hair out as Nicky had mastered this game a long time ago.

"You know Piper—"Nicky was interrupted by her phone bussing in her bag. She brought it out, typed a quick message, and put it back inside her bag.

"Lorna?" Piper asked.

"Yup. The missus was asking me if Chinese takeout is fine for tonight," Nicky made a face. She shouldered her bag and walked to the door gesturing Piper to follow her.

"What's not to love about Chinese?" Piper asked. They walked down the hallway to the elevator passing several of their coworkers.

"Well, considering the wife has been ordering Chinese take out for the past two weeks, everything." Nicky pressed the ground button. Immediately, the elevator began its descent.

"Two weeks?" Piper asked incredulously.

"Well, that's all she's been craving. "What with the baby coming and stuff," Nicky explained. "You should know this Chapman. I thought you stayed on top."

They reached the ground floor. Bennett, one of the security guards at Litchfield Inc., nodded in their direction.

"You're closing again?" Nicky asked him.

"Yes ma'am." He answered nervously. His eyes flickered between Piper and Alex.

"I though McCullough had the evening shift." Nicky's eyebrows knowingly raised.

"Yes but I wanted to see D-I mean—Mr. Caputo approved the switch. I—I- didn't think you would have a problem with it ma'am." Bennett struggled to speak. A bead of sweat began to form on his right temple.

"No, of course not. If Caputo say's its fine then I'm fine with it. I trust my head of security. Have a goodnight Bennet."

Bennett bowed his head. "Ms. Nichols. Ms. Chapman."

"You know, I think he and Daya may have something going on." Piper said once they were out of earshot. They walked to their cars which were parked next to each other. Nicky's was an all-black matte BMW I8 series with red accents around the car's grill and wheels. Piper's was less luxurious: an all-white Jeep Grand Cherokee.

"Old news Piper. Everyone knows Daya and Bennett are banging in the utility closet after everyone leaves."

"No!? You're kidding me?" Piper was genuinely surprised. Who would have thought that the shy timid security guard was dating the head of International relations? She didn't see that coming. Of course, she'd heard the rumors but she never thought they would have actually taken a liking to each other.

"Yep. You best believe it. Except her mother doesn't approve of him. Aleida thinks Daya can do better than a security guard."

"Hmm." Piper was lost in thought still thinking about the odd pairing.

"You know," Nicky pointed at Piper's ride with her chin, "on another note. With the salary I pay you, you should get your self something more…you."

"You mean something new?" Piper clarified.

"Sure. Something more…extravagant." Nicky opened the passenger door to Piper's car. "It's a nice car but it smells old."

Piper waked to the driver's side, opened the door, and slid half way in. "Nicky, my car is only five years older than yours. That's fairly new."

"Hmm. Listen, about Vause—"

"I'm sorry okay. But you know very well I don't like dealing with her sort. The type that think they own half the world just because their born to rich parents—"

Nicky put a hand up interrupting Piper, "Don't act like you don't know her story. I've told you about it at least half a dozen times."

"Yeah," Piper rolled her eyes and put the key in the ignition. When the car barely made a sound as it turned on, she lifted her eyebrows and wiggled them at Nicky. "See, barely a whisper."

"Yeah. Anyways, as I was saying, you know her story Piper. She wasn't born into wealth. She fought hard for it."

"Her mother did. Not her. She just inherited the millions. Technically, the description applies to her." Piper insisted.

"Whatever the case, she was there by her mother's side. Just, if it wasn't for me she would have gone to the dark side. You catch my drift?" Nicky raised an eyebrow. When Piper nodded she continued, "I don't know if she would have…you know...but thankfully I was there."

"Hmm." Pipe pursed her lips.

Piper's mind drifted to Alex. She admitted that Alex Vause had a tragic story. Abandoned by her father as a baby, Vause found herself an easy a target for bullies at a young age because of her lack of resources. She often wore the same raggedy clothing and worn-down shoes purchased at discount stores. Also, she found herself starving. Because her stomach often growled, she came to be known as Hungry Alex in elementary school. The name stuck throughout middle-school. Finally, when she reached high school she met Nicky, who unlike her, had parents who made good money.

Nicky not only befriended Alex, but took her in as a sister. She shared her clothes, her shoes, and sometimes even her parents. They loved Alex as one of their own. Unlike Nicky's previous friends, Alex encouraged Nicky to get sober and therefore, was seen as a good influence.

The young Vause had been reluctant at first to accept gifts from the Nichol's. Especially because of her mother, Diane. The older Vause hated receiving 'charity' from strangers, but when she realized the Nichol's did it out of gratefulness at having Alex help Nicky, Diane caved. Besides, if it meant her baby could finally enjoy a bully-free life, then by all means Diane wasn't going to complain.

"Hey, Chapman, you still there." Nicky waved her hand in front of Piper, bringing her to the present.

"Sorry?" Piper's eyes had a glazed look to them.

"I asked if you're okay. You zoned out for a bit?"

"I'm fine," Piper said. "Just long day."

"Hmm…" Nicky looked back at her car. She was still looking inside Piper's car through the passenger door. "Just behave if you see her okay."

"I'll try." Piper smiled.

"Really?"

"I can't promise you anything. Like I said, she is entitled. Instead of helping those who are in a similar situation she once found herself in, she takes advantage of them."

"She is not here on business. She is here as a friend. Her mother passed away—"

"Six months ago." Piper interrupted.

"For once will you shut the fuck up and listen Piper? Would it kill you that much to let me finish?" Nicky shook her head in disappointment. "She is my friend. I get it. You don't like her but that doesn't mean I'm going to let you talk about her like she is some leper. She is a human being. It doesn't matter how long ago she lost her mother, she hasn't had the time to grieve. So either suck it up or find another job."

"Wait...are you serious?" Piper was in disbelief. She'd never seen Nicky this heated over anything. And Piper was pretty damn sure she knew how to get under her nerves. "I thought you said she wasn't here on business?"

"She'll stop by the office once or twice. I don't know. I wouldn't mind showing her our progress and our new employees but just in case stick to your office. Don't make me make a choice I don't want to make. If it came down to you or her, Pieper, while I love you dearly, she is like a sister."

"I didn't know you for taking unpremeditated decisions."

"You're one to talk. Remember Larry?"

"Don't you dare Nicky Nichols! I'm warning you!" Piper reached over from her spot in an attempt to put Nicky in a headlock. Nicky was too quick.

Nicky, in her best Piper imitation, "He is the one Nicky. I can feel it in my chest. The one and only for me. Larry—"

In record speed, Piper jumped out the car and began chasing Nicky across the parking lot.

"Shut up! You promised you would never bring him up!" Piper chased Nicky, but despite being the shorter of the two, Nicky had speed.

"Nicky, I feel it in my heart. He is the one." Nicky weaved in between the other cars, laughing hysterically. "Nicky, the way he kisses me. Oh so passionate! I'm going to get married. Nicky—uh oh." She was trapped between two cars and a wall.

"I'm going to kill you." Piper's eyes were wide in annoyance. She spread her arms ready to tickle Nicky to her death.

Nicky was about to accept defeat when an Idea crossed her mind. She put both hands in front of her in an attempt to stop Piper's advancement.

"I'll make you a deal." She said.

"What kind of deal," Piper continued to walk towards Nicky.

"I will never ever bother you about Larry if you do me this favor."

Piper stopped. "What favor?"

Nicky smiled. She had Piper right where she wanted her. "Tolerate Vause during her visit and I will never bother you about Larry for as long as both of us shall live."

It sounded too good to be true but Piper had to make sure. "Ever again?"

Nicky nodded. "Ever again."

Piper straightened. She held her hand out and Nicky shook it. "You shook on it."

Nicky's face fell. "I know. It means I have to keep my promise now."

Piper felt relieved. Larry, her once fiancé, had run of with her best friend Polly a month before they were to wed. But that wasn't the worst part; the worst part was that she's gotten engaged to Larry only a month after meeting him. Soon after, she introduced him to Polly and not a week had passed before the two of them eloped. Best friend and fiancé. Story of her life.

Nicky had warned Piper that Larry was a sleezeball but she had been blinded by her love for him- or rather the hots- that she ignored Nicky's warnings and gotten engaged to the moron. After he ran off with Polly, Nicky took every chance she got to bring him up and make fun of Piper but now, here was the perfect opportunity to stop the mocking once and for all. All she had to do was tolerate Alex Vause, whom she hated with a passion, and her torment would be over. She could do this one small thing. After all, how hard could I be?

"Done," Piper said. "By the way, how long is she here for?"

"All summer."

Fuck, thought Piper.

…..

Hey there! I have been toying with this idea for the past few days. I didn't want to commence something I would have trouble keeping up with as I have a pretty busy schedule (with work, errands, and etc.) that prevents me from writing more than a few hours a week; but I really liked this idea and thought I should give it a shot before fully giving up.

(FYI I wrote this chapter in just a few hours. When I'm inspired I write a lot so if you're good to me, I'll be god to you. Meaning faster updates.)

With that being said, I can't fully commit to it. At least not yet or until I have a band of people willing to read this until the end as there is no point if no one wants to read it. So if you liked it, let me know by leaving a review or following the story. Although I would prefer if you did both.

You don't have to leave a detailed review, but I do like constructive criticism. For example, "I liked it because…." Or "I didn't like it because…" insert a few of your words and you're done! Maybe you think it's too much to ask for but think about it; if twenty of you like it but only one reviews, then there's a high chance I will not continue. Why? Because you lazy bums didn't want to review. Really, just a simple yes or no will suffice.

I'm really hoping I get enough followers as I really need a distraction and a hobby.

So about the actual story (Craving You), I have a plan of where I want this to go. Minor and major plots have been thought out; all I need to do is incorporate them into the story. There will be Vauseman in the next chapter. Uh this is an alternate universe FanFiction and not all character from the show will appear.

So enjoy and I hope I will get enough support. I will check back this Sunday and will go from there.

Thanks!