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Chapter Text

Alex was thrilled, all the drops had gone out without a hitch, one last drop was pending that was going directly to the Newark port and it was the largest risk she had taken in all the years inside the cartel. The risk was calculated and she had planned every detail plan, one of the warehouse managers for a conglomerate in Vietnam had hidden the heroine in inside some sacks of coffee as part of a very large bulk shipment of different produce, but nuts and rice. They had arrived yesterday in Hanoi for a business meeting with her two business partners who had confirmed that the container had arrived in New York and was going to be released by the Port Authority in the next 24 hours. 

After the meeting, they had wandered around the narrow streets of the old quarter, dodging cars, motorcycles and bicycles. She had teased Piper about the endless sputtering of history and soaking in the bustling energy, enjoying the traditional Vietnamese architecture and unusual shops, food and the smell of fresh banquettes and exotic herbs floating in the air, but mostly she took pleasure in being with Piper,  the feel of their fingers laced together,  the tension of the last two weeks was forgotten because the occasional mules  who dropped by to deliver money the last few days  didn’t need to stay in the same town.  They got lost in the streets, browsed the shops, trying to communicate in a broken blend of Vietnamese, English and hand signals just to bust out of laughing like two dorks when the communication failed. Alex loved traveling it was one of the many things that draw her to a job, but since she began traveling with Piper it had become much more, like a heightened sense of awareness, that made everything a temptation for them experience, enjoy and savor.  Maybe it was just bullshit and Piper just made her fucking sappy.

Piper rolled on the empty bed, unable to sleep, noticing that it was almost 3 am. She grunted, standing up and padded barefooted towards the small living room in their suite.  She leaned against the doorframe, watching Alex, sprawled on the sofa, laptop balance on her legs as typed, a small frown behind her glasses.

•          Hey - Piper said, walking closer- it’s very late Al, come to bed.
•          I can’t - Alex asked, dragging her eyes away from the laptop - but go back to bed, Pipes. I would be done, soon.
•          I can’t sleep - Piper whined - I need you. .
•          Come over here- Alex said, patting the space next to her.
•          Are you having a bluesy kind of night? - Piper asked, leaning her head on Alex’s shoulder and snuggle against her and listening to Barbra Streisand singing “A New York State of Mind” - or are missing home?
•          Neither - Alex  answered, pulling Piper closer, kissing her forehead and pushing a strand blond hair behind her ear.- But I am waiting for a call from…. - Alex cell rang - there it is.  -  Alex said, picking up - Yes, Fahri, did make sure to move it from the trucks twice?
•          Yeah, everything worked out as you planned it - Fahri answered, chuckling - When are you making the final payment?
•          Great, tomorrow, the kids dropped the money this afternoon. I was just waiting for confirmation that everything went as planned- Alex said, smiling and brushing her fingertips over Piper’s collarbone.
•          So you are coming back this week? - Fahri asked- Several clients want to start doing business soon….
•          Fahri, we had agreed that I will take a couple of weeks off. - Alex said, teetering between amused and exasperated.
•          I know - Fahri said, chuckling- you deserve it. Things are looking up so enjoy it. It may be the last break in a long time….
•          Yeah, yeah - Alex said, smirking - see you back in New York. - Alex said, hanging up unpreoccupied. She dragged Piper closer and kiss her on the lips playfully - You know that girlfriend is a badass and genius?
•          And full of herself? - Piper answered- arrogant much?
•          Is not arrogance if it is true - Alex answered, chuckling standing up- But this genius is beaten so let’s go to bed, babe…
•          Uhm, come - Piper whispered dragging to bed. They curled into each other, Alex’s nose burrowed into Piper’s neck, hands over Piper’s stomach as Alex kissed the tattoo on her nape, her shoulder and mumbled something incompressible, half asleep.

They went to a lunch meeting over Cha Ca la Vong[1]the next day, Alex gave her business partners the last payment, a backpack full of the cash dropped by various mules. After the meeting, Piper smiled elated to be able to have Alex for herself for the next weeks and set out to enjoy Hanoi, roving the streets, sitting in the sunny courtyard of the literature temple admiring the beautifully Vietnamese architecture preserved in the Confucian shrines; watching a performance at the water temple theater, enchanted by the stunning artistry and music even if they couldn’t understand a word of it. They wandered through the French quarter, taking the colonial architecture of the Opera house, toured the grimy Hoa Lo prison museum and then drank coffee at the sidewalk tables of a coffee shop bickering about colonialism, propaganda and human rights during wars in both states and Vietnam government, strolled museums as well as the Hoan Kiem Lake watching people jog in sweatpants, old ladies practicing tai chi and peddlers in non la dongs selling street food and knickknacks.

After the four-day, they shared a wobbly, packed bus of travelers and tourists away from Hanoi,  passing by rice paddies, villages, school children in bikes, water buffalos and Vietnamese in dusty, unpaved roads.  When they arrived at the bustling, overcrowded Halong Bay Harbor Piper almost backed off from taking the boat discouraged by the amount of tourists, expecting to be disappointed, but Alex smirked pulled her hand with “trust me” until they boarded a charming Chinese black junk with red trims and bright red sails, the interior had gleaming wood paneling sprinkle with early an array of the nineteen twenties Indochina French colonial details. Their cabin was spacious, beautifully finished with a luxurious queen bed, a private bathroom with a waterfall shower and a long large window. After dropping the luggage  they climbed up to the empty upper deck, looking out the harbor is far behind and they are surrounded everywhere by these stunning green karst outcrops dotting randomly around the boat like giant ancient sentinels. Piper gasped lacing her fingers with Alex’s.  Halong Bay is magic.

•          Oh my god- Piper whispered in awe.
•          Yeah- Alex said, smiling earnestly, tightening her grip on Piper’s hand and briefly caressing Piper’s knuckles with her fingertips.

They leaned against the railed in silence, feeling at that instant like pioneers in a prehistoric seascape navigating thru, fantastical formations that were familiar and strange at the same time. The beauty of traveling seeping into them, that moment when everything quiets because they are seeing something so marvelous and it feels like a boundary has been pushed back, like being whispered a secret by long gone civilizations or the universe itself. People had been sailing through it for hundreds of years, but for them, in the moment, it’s like intense and overwhelming discovery.  Laughs, words, footsteps drifted off and Piper fumbles with the camera hanging from her neck, snapping a few pictures, trying to capture the moment, the beauty and the magic of Halong Bay.

•          I knew you would like it - Alex said, smirking when Piper laughed, dropping in the beach towel next to her.
•          Have you been here, before? - Piper asked, looping her arms around Alex’s neck, pulling her closer and kissing her.
•          Um, no - Alex said - there was a typhoon and I had to stay in the harbor….
•          Oh, that’s great!!! - Piper said, smiling wider.
•          Of course, is just wonderful…. I had travelled for 4 hours and couldn’t get in a boat! - Alex asked, smirking.
•          No, I mean…. That we are here, together…. - Piper said, smiling, blonde hair dripping over her shoulders.
•          Yes - Alex said sarcastically with an amused half smile- Of course, the two year wait was totally worth it.
•          Asshole! - Piper said, smiling - why can’t you admit it?
•          And you are narcissistic and corny!! - Alex answered, pushing down and kissing her.
•          Uhm, really? Who was squeezing my fingers, all emotive back on the deck? -Piper mumble between kisses, against Alex’s smiling lips- and I am not narcissistic!!
•          Right, how could I ever… - Alex said chuckling.

The junk lazily glided over along, the weather picture-perfect bay as limestone peaks slip by and the last hour of the afternoon were spent in lively conversations as they sailed amidst this exquisite archipelago. Sunburned laid back Aussies, young Brits in their gap year and a few other couples of westerners backpackers shared the outdoor communal table on the deck, introducing themselves and making small talk. The moonlight illuminated the karsts unveiling brilliant specks of inlaid gold that almost seemed like a sliver of the dragons’ eyes awakening from their mythical sleep by the vessel anchored in the midst of them. Lively conversation filled the air as the group drank beer or Frederic Emile Riesling[2] and relish in the spread of Vietnamese foods like Gỏi cuốn, Canh, Ca Kho To[3] and other dishes savoring each one with a variety of nước chắm[4].

•          Come on Pipes, try it! - Alex said, taking one with her chopsticks and reaching out to feed Piper.
•          I am not eating silk worms!!! - Piper protested moving her head away.
•          Is good, they taste like Cheezels! -  An Aussie in his early thirties name Colin cheered on.
•          I don’t have the slightest clue what that is- Piper said looking at him.
•          Babe, you are always praising organic eating- Alex said, snorting with laughter - it’s doesn't get more organic that this don’t be a pussy!
•          I am not! I have tried everything else, Fine!-Piper said, closing her eyes and opening her mouth, everyone at the table chuckled and made encouraging sounds - Ugh, that’s chewy....But citrusy... I guess is ok…
•          Here- Alex said, refilling her wine glass-want a few more?
•          No, I think I had enough weird food for today... - Piper said. 

Dinner went by to the sound of cheering, music and laughter echoed across the water’s surface, mingling with the distant sounds of other cruisers, the table sporadically erupted in a broken chorus of toast to the Vietnamese cheer “Mot, Hai, Ba, Yo!” Piper enjoyed watching this Alex, the Alex that filled the room with her confidence, that didn’t need to charm anyone for work reasons but still, effortlessly enthralled everyone with her sarcastic remarks, her deadpanned jokes, her  sharp observation and by simply, wonderfully being herself. Alex wasn’t exactly charming, she was too abrasive, too strong for that word, it was more that Alex was flame and everyone else were mere moths.  By the time they ate bits of crème brulee, Bánh rán, Bánh chuối and Bánh khoai mi[5] everyone was recounting hilarious travel stories, breaking up in boozy cheers, cackles of glee, sharing the moment in that strange fellowship that grows between strangers traveling together.  Neither Piper or Alex were anything more tipsy when the moon was well in his way west and they walked down to the their cabin, arms around each other waist, talking and laughing until they fell into bed, kissing and giggling.

The next day they crawled by small tunnels discovering capacious, secret caverns behind them, finding caves of strange beauty, the rock formations of stalactites and stalagmites that resemble stone statues of baby elephants, lotus, birds and monkeys. The ceiling of the caves covered with a layer of shiny ‘carpets’, numerous sparkling stalactites hanged like lamps. Seahawks soared overhead when they trek, and hiked thru the karst, climbing up the buffs to breathing views of the bay, the jungle and the wildlife. Silvery fish escort them on the next day when they kayak around cliffs, thought grottoes admiring the unspoiled vegetation of the thousand islets, the rare human influence found in a few floating villages inhabited in symbiosis with the water farming fish, oysters, pearls and occasionally peddling to the people invading their blissful bay.

•          You have to fucking kidding me, Piper? I swear to god if you capsize us... - Alex said, trying to stabilize the little kayak when once again Piper moves too fast to snap a picture.
•          Ok!! Fine! - Piper mumble - but did you see those monkey jump from one rock to the other one?  I think I got them…
•          Yes, but be careful the guide told us about the bunch of jellyfish around here… - Alex said - I don’t want satisfy your watersport fetish by peeing on you... - Alex said, chuckling.
•          I don’t have a watersport fetish!! And you know that is a myth, right? The jellyfish becomes poisonous as a reaction to a salinity change, so if you wash it off with salt water or vinegar it will be fine… - Piper said.
•          Is that so? -Alex said, smirking with infinity amusement.  When an eagle flew nearby Piper moved too quickly to take a picture making the kayak flip over, when they emerge form from under the water - Fuck Piper!! 
•          It was an accident!! – Piper croaked out in a fit of coughing.
•          Are you ok?  - Alex asked, flipping the kayak  around
•          I am fine - Piper said still breathless- ready? 
•          Are you sure? - Alex asked again, but Piper nodded - Ok, ready one, two, three - Alex said, climbing on top the kayak at the same time and stabilizing quickly.
•          We make a great team- Piper said, turning around smiling.
•          Yes, but you are lucky I didn’t get fucking stung!! - Alex said - I would have left you here!
•          Whatever, you wouldn’t have! - Piper said
•          Don’t be so sure! - Alex said, snickering- you have everything?
•          Yeah - Piper said paddling back to the ship.
•          Let’s get the fuck back… - Alex said.

Piper rolled around searching half sleep for the warmth of Alex’s body, she squinted, confused by the emptiness of the bed. Her foggy brain clearing enough to feel the almost imperceptible swaying of the boat. Piper yawned, standing up in the dark cabin, dressing quickly in a discarded pair of gray sweatpants and a hoodie. She picked up the camera as afterthought, padding quietly up to the deck. Piper found Alex leaning against the carved dragon head at the bow, wrapped in dusk as pale streaks of light tinged the horizon in violet and then busted seeping out bloody orange, ochre and dusky pink scattering the mist up until it lingered as clouds grazed the crest of the magnificent green clusters of massive limestone, rising from the water like a scene out of a fairytale where only whimsical, mythical sea dragons were allow to dwell but still Alex somehow seamlessly belonged in that impossible beautiful place.   Piper silently watched and loved her. She dismissed the futile impulse to snap a picture as nothing could capture the surreal allure of the moment, of the bay, of Alex. Instead, she walked closer, hooking her arms around Alex’s waist, raising her face to softly kiss Alex.

•          Hey- Piper whispered, gazing into her eyes with a small, sluggish smile. “God, she’s takes my breath away, how can she be this magnificent?” Piper thought, her fingertips skimming from her cheek down to her neck in an intimate, soft caress- I missed you.
•          I had to pee and couldn’t go back to sleep - Alex said warmed by the look in Piper’s eyes “Please always look at me like this” Alex though, draping her over Piper’s shoulders. She felt captive inside of her radiant blue eyes. - Stay here a bit, yes?
•          Yes- Piper said, leaning her head on Alex’s shoulder, sharing the serenity and staggering beauty of Halong Bay.

Blasting horns, revving engines, the smell of grilled meat from the street stalls and the fumes of motorcycles floating in the air; bustling, chaotic, loud Saigon[6] was a shocking contrast to the last days in the quiet tranquility of the junk.  They checked into the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel early in the evening, dropped their luggage, took a long shower and ventured out into the congested streets of Saigon. They had dinner at charming boîte[7]that was recommended by the receptionist and had great food and a live jazz band then wandered aimlessly through the fluorescent colorful lights, noisy wide streets in Pho Tay[8] seating in plastic chairs scattered in the sidewalls, drinking Bia hơi[9], talking with fellow travelers, expats and locals hopping from pubs, bars and shops enchanted by the casual restless and vibrant nightlife. 

An early wake up, Phở[10] for breakfast and they were ready to get acquainted with the city. Alex insisted that needed to hire a xe om[11] because it was a “cultural experience”, so they took a blood curdling, terror-inducing ride, weaving, dodging, bobbing in and out between a swarm of angry scooters barely missing each other as they zigzagged, , swerving and braking in the mechanical turmoil, traffic laws or safety appeared to be an absurd concept to everyone as the cyclists drove with toddlers squeezed between two adults or raced by balancing a tower high of rolled carpets  or casually riding down the wrong way and  nobody batted an eye or felt into a fit of road rage.

•          Fuck!! - Piper said, getting off the motorcycle. - That was crazy! Worse than a rollercoaster.
•          Ah, don’t be uptight!!! - Alex said, grinning smugly as she paid and thanked the drivers - it was fun! 
•          I am not uptight- Piper said indignantly - I just have a sense of self-preservation!
•          Right - Alex replied sarcastically lacing their fingers - Come on, let’s play tourist.

 They visited the War remnants museum taking in the gut-wrenching, harrowing wars photographs, then a quick tour of seventies preserved decorated rooms of the reunification palace, strolling in hot weather by the Cong Vien Van Park, admiring the patchwork of architecture in every block they passed by from the squat Chinese godowns, modernist apartment; the iconic “tube houses”, skinny frames staggering upwards almost precariously painted in pastels and decorated in a varied of contrasting styles, to the distinctive colonial French style ranging from neo-Romanesque style of the Notre Dame cathedral,  to the enchanting neoclassical  in the Central Postal Office to the flamboyant style of the Opera House, to the art deco buildings sprinkling thought the city and converted into restaurants and cafes in one of which they had lunch, taking refuge from the heat. 

•          I bet you are dragging everywhere like on those overnight school class trips - Alex said smirking as Piper dragged to yet another landmark, the rococo building of Hotel de Ville now renamed of the People’s Committee Building.
•          Oh, I had so much fun in those!! - Piper said, smiling- junk food, hotel rooms with my friends away from my mother! I love them. Didn’t you??
•          I never went - Alex through said uncomfortably - no dough, no trip. So I guess you're expanding my life experiences by dragging thought-out Saigon like we were on a marathon…
•          Oh, well it wasn’t that fu…- Piper said sheepishly
•          Don’t do that. - Alex said, furrowing her eyebrows and squeezing Piper’s hand - it's fine. ...Look where we are now. Let’s just go to the next statue, building or museum in your list. 
•          Ok, we only have to go to the Ben Thanh Market. - Piper said quickly changing the subject- I need to get something for your mom…
•          You already bought a bunch of stuff for my mom….! - Alex said, smirking amused.
•          Your mom deserves it…. And I am grateful for having raised such a wonderful daughter - Piper said sheepishly.
•          Oh my god that the worst flattery, ever! - Alex said, smirking unconvinced - and I bet it’s…. - Alex said, seizing the travel guide from Piper's hands - bullshit!! I knew it!! -  Alex said starting to read at out loud - “No trip to Saigon would be completed a visit to the liveliest market in the city”! - Alex said, laughing!
•          It’s not! I want to get something for your mom and Polly! - Piper said, grabbing the book back- I just thought we could visit the market and get the gifts….
•          Yeah, come on you would buy one of those tight silky Ado Hai[12] and then I could rip it off of you….
•          I was thinking of getting one for your mom- Piper said chuckling
•          Ewe, you had to ruin my fantasy…. - Alex said, scowling – You had to bring my mother into it.
•          Sorry babe - Piper said, smiling and chuckling - I am sure you can come on up with something new.

They wandered the market, stopping at the many stalls, laughing as they tried on kitschy “good morning America” and ‘uncle ho” t-shirts, making jokes about the bottles of scorpion and snake wines that claimed to increase sexual prowess, trying on colorful scarves of pure silk, ado hai and guoc moc[13], browsing the lacquered boxes, woven reed baskets, bamboo musical instruments, hand embroidered landscaped paintings and other trinkets. They bought a couple things for their apartment, others for themselves as well as knickknacks as souvenirs for Diane and Piper’s friends and Cal. One of the shopkeepers started pushing his fake overprice war memorabilia with funny  broken English solicitation and a cheeky smile until Piper gave in and browse around the small stall, finding a zippo lighter with an engraved naked pinup girl sitting on a chair, legs dangling in the air, a quote on lid said “Be safe. I'll be waiting. Love you” and on the other side. “Though I walk through the Valley Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil for I am the evilest son of Bitch” and she couldn’t resist buying for Alex.

After a long refreshing shower, getting rid of their sweaty clothes and packing their luggage they head out to Temple club for an early dinner, strolling down Ton That Thiep Street charmingly filled with quirky tube houses, colonial era boutiques, and a whimsical, colorful Hindu temple. Next they had a drink in one of the rooftop bars along the overhauled Saigon river an area of chic, cosmopolitan flavor, shiny high-rise and designer stores, before their flight, they stood at the edge of the roof, silently saying goodbye to a city who was not pretty, but nonetheless youthful, vibrant, filled with character, and an erratic unapologetic anarchic that made Saigon captivating.

Cambodia had a bewitching lure over them since the moment they climbed down the plane’s stairs, the roar of turbines and warm breeze enfolding them like a welcoming hug. They checked into one of the few new stylish hotels in Siem Reap, the Shinta Mani Club and arranged a tuk-tuk[14]  to take them around the Angkor[15] complex the next day before dawn. 

A grumpy Alex finished lacing her combat boots, mumbling about “fucking sunrises all the same” as a chipper Piper ignored her crankiness and finishing packing a backpack. 

•          Here, crybaby - Piper said, bending down to kiss her lips and passing her a cup of coffee, just like Alex liked it- it was your idea to wake up early.
•          Uhm, all the amazing sex - Alex said taking a big sip of coffee and moaning loudly in pleasure- is clouding my judgement - Alex said smirking and pulling Piper down for a play full kiss-  there is no other explanation for waking up at 4 fucking am. 
•          It’s 4:30 am - Piper said kissing her neck and chuckling- Let’s hurry!
•          Yeah, ok, I am awake -Alex said, picking up the backpack.  They walked down to the main lobby, holding hands and teasing each other.  Their tuk-tuk driver was already waiting for them when the step out into the warm air with Orion and the Pleiades sparkle playfully in the clear sky.
•          Hello, I am Daranny- The driver said in a heavy accent as he beamed widely. Then he began shaking his head -No, no, wats need cover shoulders, knees. - Both of them wore convertible cargo pants and tank tops.
•          Oh, don’t worry - Piper said - we have sarongs. - Daranny didn’t understand her so Piper pulled the backpack and show him. The sarongs but he keep pointing at Piper’s knees.
•          I told you to take it off once we were inside - Alex said smirking smugly as she had left her pants as capris.
•          Shit! -  Piper pulled a piece of her convertible pant and zipped them - Ok?
•          Oh Ok, magic pants! Smart! - Daranny said cracking up laughing.  He said it so much earnestness that both Alex and Piper laughed with him.

Daranny cracked jokes, recounted war stories and mythical legends as he drove them by the bombed-out dusty road. When they arrive, Daranny insisted in guiding them throughout the stone road over the lake trench into the main courtyard, peddlers follow them offering cold coffee cups in the shadows as he walked them to a grassy area behind a lotus filled pond to sit and watch the sunrise. Piper pulled out a bug repellant from their backpack and sprayed herself and Alex as they waited in darkness. People slowly drifted in but even if there were a few dozen tourists, renovation workers and monks around it wasn’t crowded at all  when the sky turned dark blue, the stars dwindled, an eerie shadow of Angkor Wat flicked over the lake.  A calm energy clings to the air as they snuggle together and the sun rays tentatively trickle over the glorious stone peaks staining the sky in a mosaic of violets and pinks, the silhouette of the carved temple shimmering in between darkness and light in awe-inspiring, humbling display like a break taking reminder of the fugacious nature of all, even something as magical and seemly eternal as Angkor Wat. Alex took the camera away from Piper, cradle her face, kissing her tenderly, hoping that this, they wouldn’t be fleeting.

•          What was that? - Piper whispered, smiling softly and gazing into her eyes.
•          A kiss, I am pretty sure you felt it - Alex said with a half smiling as rubbed Piper’s back.
•          Smartass - Piper said leaning into her- they could kick us out for that….
•          Nobody said anything - Alex said, standing up, dusting off her pants and extending her hand to help Piper stand up- let’s go play Lara Croft.

They strolled by the different levels and corridors, admiring each of the unique heavenly nymphs carved in doors and walls, looking at epic bass-relief carvings recounting mythical Hindu stories, feeling in each stone the history of a thriving empire and the center of their universe, a home for the gods, an symbol of everything which is sacred, the place where kings wait for their next reincarnation but Angkor Wat continues unperturbed, peaceful  and accepting of its turbulent history from sprawling empire, to a lost world eaten by the jungle, then prized after the French stumbled upon it as a wonder of the world only to be use as a hiding place for the Khmer Rouge[16]bullets holes in the walls as reminder of their shooting practices.

 But still Angkor Wat was magnificent with every scar of nature o men only increasing its beauty. They climbed to the top of main tower taking in the breathtaking view of moat, walkways, sculptures, all the other ancient complex and jungle around them and feel exhilarated and humbled by it.

Children chased them, shouting hellos, old men wave and everyone send beaming grins their way as Daranny drove them in the Tuk-tuks to Pre Kan, an temple taken over by the jungle, giant silk-cotton and fig trees trunks rise out of the old temple walls, their huge, thick roots pushed thought and split apart the walls over the centuries, the perfume of wild flowers floated in the air and hundreds of butterflies dance like the reliefs of Apsara[17] dancers. Daranny walked around with them, explaining the different motifs and buildings while Piper read out loud from her guide book. Outdoors in the main building, they jumped from fallen stones to fallen stone giggling like two little girls playing hopscotch, they strolled the long fascinating corridors seeing the merge of Hinduism & Buddhism in pillars, carvings and the old building in the back. 

 The ruins were almost deserted with the exception of two monks clothed in bright orange robes and few other tourists strolling around giving the place a lost world feel.  Snapped pictures everywhere, asking Daranny to take one of them under a portico that had a tree growing on top of it, the roots hanging all around it, encroached in the stone like something out of a fairytale.

Next they stop by the relatively simple and not very crowded Hindu temple of Tao Keo, to climb the very steep, slippery green stone to the top to see the Shiva shrine and the view. Before leaving the wander to a fruit stall to buy a bunch of fruits for breakfast ending up with an assortment of lychees, rambutans, logans and mangosteen[18]haring them between the two of them and Daranny. After they strolled by the small Banteay Kdei, surrounded by the jungle with piles of loose stones scatter everywhere, the only sound discernible was the crunching leaves under their feet and a wandering cow that was grazing nearby. It was completely barren, making them feel like they had discovered the ruins.

•          Ok, this is beautiful, but spooky - Piper said her fingers grazing the Buddhists carvings in the wall.
•          We would take this with us - Alex said, picking up a scatter piece with a partial carving on it and smirking. - Nobody will notice.
•          Alex, that’s wrong!! - Piper said trying to put the piece back down - we couldn’t!
•          Well, technically we could - Alex said, pushing Piper against the carved rough wall. - But we won’t.
•          You have been all over me... - Piper said, laughing and trying to wiggle out - Are you horny?
•          I always want you... But I think the sticky, sweaty skin and deserted ruins and forest hideaway makes it impossible for me to resist - Alex said kissing her neck, scraping her jaws slightly.
•          If we get caught, we will be in so much trouble - Piper said, moaning instinctively grabbing her tank top and pulling Alex closer.
•          Hmm, we both know how you love to break the rules… - Alex said her legs in between Piper's, her knees scraping the wall as her body pressed hearty against Piper’s body- let’s misbehave - Alex mumbled. She slipped in her tongue urgently tasting the lingering sweetness of exotic fruits in the Piper’s mouth.

Alex slid one hand up the inside of Piper’s tank top, her fingertips skimming over the sweaty skin of Piper’s stomach, ribs and the underside of Piper’s breast.   Piper’s hands roamed down Alex’s back, pressing her closer and cupping the perfect curve of her ass. Alex lips moved down to the long, column of Piper’s neck, her hand flickering over Piper’s harden nipple over the bra.  Piper pulled up Alex back up, reclaiming her lips in a raw, ferrous kiss and fondling with her large soft breast over her shirt. Alex cupped Piper’s pussy over her pants making Piper squirm and grind against her hand.  Alex flickered open the button and unzipped Piper’s pants, slipping her fingers into Piper’s warm, wet pussy.  Piper threw her back supporting herself against the flimsy wall.

•          Fuck! - Piper gasped clasping Alex's hair roughly in her hands- this wall is unstable. I can feel it swaying…
•          I think you are the one swaying - Alex whispered flickering Piper’s earlobe at the same time her thumb grazed over Piper’s clit as her fingers thrusting in a steady rhythm.
•          Al… - Piper said breathlessly - I am serious!
•          Well, fine - Alex said, grinning as she began to pull away.
•          Don’t you dare! - Piper said, pulling back close, wrapping her leg around Alex’s waist.
•          Oh, I thought you didn’t want to….-Alex said, grinning, pushing her body close against.

Alex nibbled Piper’s neck, pressing her body closer to piston her fingers deeper inside Piper’s pussy thrusting in a rough rhythm. Piper closed her eyes, rearing her head back against the carved roughness of the ancient wall, letting out a loud groan.

•          Shhhh! it echoes- Alex whispered in Piper’s ear, covering Piper’s mouth with her free hand...
•          Al!!! ..So close... - Piper moaned softly.
•          I know. Open your eyes - Alex said replacing her hand with her mouth.

Piper opened her eyes, glittering prismatic light bounced up into green leaves, over the faces of carved statues of nymphs and gods and against the grayish stone of the ruins as a wave of intense sensation flow throughout her body. The air is sultry, sweltering and heavy as Piper pussy tighten and throbbed in every thrust of Alex’s fingers until she comes in a raw overload of psychedelic rush of  pleasure as primal as the power of the jungle around them.

•          You are ruining me- Piper panted out, chuckling and kissing Alex softy.
•          Well - Alex said biting into Piper’s bottom lip and savoring the taste of Piper’s mouth – is my pleasure... - Alex said between kisses, cupping Piper’s pussy, pulling her hand out and zipping Piper’s pants up. She grinned widely, slowly sucking and licking her fingers clean while staring intensely into Piper’s eyes.
•          Ugh!!  Alex!!! Fuck you. - Piper said, growling - You are killing me.
•          Who me? - Alex said with a small seemly innocent smile- I am just cleaning up… I wouldn’t want to shake hands...
•          Here - Piper said, shaking her head and opening a bottle of water and cleaning Alex’s fingers,
•          Spoilsport - Alex said, smirking.
•          Tease - Piper said, laughing. They fixed their clothes and walked out through the maze of corridors holding hands until they reached the outside.
•          Daranny I think we are temple out for now - Alex said chuckling- and it scourging hot.
•          Maybe you can pick us just before sunset? - Piper asked climbing inside the tuk-tuk.
•          Yes, I pick up at 4 - Daranny said, smiling and driving back to the hotel by another road, telling stories about the place they passed by. 

They were greeted by their name with a smile, ice water and cold towels as soon as steep in the hotel.  After a long eventful shower together; they took a nap to make up for the lost sleep at dawn and get away from the wilting heat.  A couple hours into their nap, Alex cell phone which had been unusually quiet since Hanoi started to ring.

•          Vause -Alex answered groggily standing up and walking away as not to wake up Piper.
•          You sound half sleep - Fahri said - I never knew you were that lazy.
•          I need to sleep in my vacation to compensate for countless sleepless nights -Alex said sarcastically- when I am doing all the hard work.
•          Sure -Fahri said, dismissing the jab- You are still in Southeast Asia - Fahri asked more an affirmation that a question.
•          Yes, in Cambodia- Alex answered suspecting what he wanted.
•          Great. We have arranged a meeting for you. It's an important provider and contact that we may start doing business with - Fahri said- is in four days in Phnom Penh. 
•          Fahri, I am on vacation - Alex said sighing.
•          What can I say - Fahri said- That's the price of being successful. I will email you the details. Be there. - Fahri said, hanging up. Alex walked back and slip into the bed.
•          What time is it? Who was it? - Piper mumble turning to face her.
•          It was barely a quarter to three o’clock and I have to go to a meeting in Phnom Penh, so we need to skip Battambang - Alex said tucking in a strand of blond hair behind Piper’s are- We were planning on stopping by Phnom….
•          It was supposed to be our vacation – Piper interrupted - Are you going only one meeting? - Piper asks scoping closer.
•          I think so - Alex said her eyebrows slightly frowning.
•          Ok, then - Piper said, smiling leaning in to kiss Alex’s lips. .
•          We can go have lunch. Maybe take a dip in the pool before going back to the temples- Alex said smiling
•          Ok, you did really, really great today- Piper said kissing her again...
•          I’m great. But which one of the many great things I did today, are you talking about? - Alex asked, smirking.
•          Today I don’t mind feeding that giant ego. - Piper said, chuckling and brushing Alex’s neck with her fingertips- In the ruins so it made me feel like I owe you.
•          That’s awful. I hate for you to feel in debt…. - Alex said, smirking amused and chuckling softly.
•          Uhm! Now I have to...Kind of... Even the scales -Piper said, grinning, flipping on top of Alex and kissing her neck.
•          I don’t know. It was pretty amazing -Alex said, beaming amused- should you be aiming that high? I don’t want to feel bad if you don’t get to my level of greatness...
•          Yeah? -  Piper said, smiling and kissing that spot just below the navel that always made Alex body quiver -, I pretty sure I got it.

 They had had a late lunch on the swinging beds of the hotel, stretching out next to each other and ordering a Bok l'hong spicy green papaya salad with prawns, fish amok a fish mouse steamed in banana leaf and season Khmer curry and coconut milk & Loc Lac. Steak tips season on Khmer curry and lemongrass served rice over a variety of vegetables, the finished the meal with a glass of cold, Khmer coffee, which Alex instantly hated because it was sweetened with sweet condensed milk. By the time they were finished, they strolled out of the restaurant to find Daranny already waiting for them even if it was a bit early so they headed back to the ruins.  They skipped the popular sunset watching spots, instead heading Ta Prohm, who was less visited at that time of the day.

 They dusky air lingered like clouds revealing behind it a  fanciful, mythical  place  of giant, centuries old trees dripping like thick wax over crumbling buildings and ruins. The trees rooted were deeply encroached on the stone itself, crushing the building, but somehow also, holding it up, becoming a mutually dependent single, living organism. They wandered in the humid sizzling heat through the never ending maze of narrow passages and shallow paths, tree roots have curled around pillars and burst up through floors, moss and vines have crept across walls and down into doorways. The trees Piper shouted pictures capturing the scattered piles of sculptures, of the century old peeling paint of the ruins, of the dramatic web of roots framing the famous Lara Croft’s doorway and of Alex as climbed over piles of crumbled walls like a beautiful dangerous feline.  They went from the light in the darkened corridors, encountering Buddha statues dress up in bright orange robes and decorated with flowers and offerings. The smell of incense guided further in empty obscured paths.  An old local lady, seems too appeared out thin air, starling them and making yelp and jump backwards.

•          What the - Alex said yelped. -  fuck…..
•          Alex!! - Piper whispered glaring at Alex and poking hard into Alex’s side with her elbow
•          For good luck. -The old woman said, bowing bringing her hands together like in prayer and offered them a wide smile and a lighten incense.
•          Thanks -Piper said, bowing back and then pulling at Alex away-I can’t believe you were going to curse at that old lady!!
•          She wouldn’t jump into people like that.  It scared the fuck out of me- Alex said, smirking and needlessly pushing her glasses up - I thought it was a panther or something.
•          A panther - Piper said, smirking- really, Alex.  She was being nice.
•          Well, we are in the middle of the forest - Alex said shrugged- it is not out of the realm of possibilities.
•          Now how is being melodramatic? - Piper said, chuckling.
•          Fuck you! - Alex said, smirking.

Daranny took a few pictures together, leaning against giant trees, their head poking out of the pillar thick roots, over mountains of rubble, grinning goofily with theirs arms around each other under of a web of roots on doorways or leaning against the statues. The light changed to orange streaked glow when they finally managed to lace their hands and pull themselves away from the enchanted serenity of a lost world.

After taking another shower to cool off from the sizzling heat, they wandered down the river joined the flocks of local families on benches, men played hackie sac, backpackers and tourist alike  lazed out on the grass and  children swam and splashed  on the river.  They strolled around into glittering, fluorescent lights of Pub Street, stopping to soak their feet in a fish tank for a massage and drank frozen margarita. Later, they mingled in the street, stealing licks out of each other ice cream ice cone,  walking to the glamourous the red piano or cocktails, choosing a Khmer-French fusion cuisine bistro out of the many restaurants for dinner.  Afterwards, they strolled the street people watching, drank as they bounced from bar to bar, listening to people at karaoke’s with mostly disastrous results and stopping by the many stalls selling everything from beautiful handcrafted silky paintings, to tacky key chains to sex with girls in the early teens.  They danced at the loud, trashy, backpacker heaven of Bar Angkor What!  Well past the death of night.

•          Wake up, light way -Alex murmurs against her eyes, kissing her neck softly.
•          Um, no - Piper mumbled dragging her hand over Alex’s raven hair. - My head hurts.
•          Here, Babe - Alex said, giving her a Gatorade and some Advil to her mouth.
•          Oh my god! What time it is? - Piper said whining and swallowing the pills- Did we stood up Daranny?
•          Now you remember? - Alex asked, chuckling- I cancelled yesterday. 
•          You did? - Piper said, slumping back into the bed so…. Why did you wake me up?
•          Because we are going biking - Alexa said, leaning in to kiss her.
•          You hate biking- Piper said, kissing her back.
•          Not that kind of biking -- Alex said, laughing- real bikes, motorcycles.  It will be fun. Let’s take a long soaking bath for that headache had lunch.

They had a very late lunch before heading out. The tour guide allowed them to pick from the lot of scooters and bikes. But Piper decided to share the bike with Alex, hugging into her tie, as they raced by the bombed out roads to see the Cambodia beyond the tourism. They raced on, the breeze brushing over their faces as beautiful rainforest, dirty roads, families working in rice fields, children collecting plastic bottles, white water buffalos dragged by old men, tin-foiled house in stills, kids alike, dilapidated schools were full of smiling children.  They visit the landmine museum, hearing stories about the devastation left by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge and walked thru the orphanage who were dismembered by landmines every day in Cambodia.  Lighten the mood by going off road biking launching off over a dusty road, gravel and puddles in adrenaline filled ride, Later that day the attended an Apsara dance performance and dinner show at the Raffles Grand D'Angkor Hotel,  enjoying the elegant, delicate dance  and performing of the brightly costumed, gorgeous women. After the show, they strolled the town and went to bed early.

The air was still pleasantly cool and everyone almost reverently quiet as the sun rises, slowly pushing back the veil of darkness to expose the majestic, giant smiling faces carved stone at the Bayon Temple. They stray off the main path on the small site, making their way along narrow hallways, traversing the inside like a spider, passing by over 200 sculpted faces and the scale  of the architecture express grandness enhanced by the uniqueness of each carved face in the highly decorated, four sides, faced tower. Bayon is a powerful place. 

•          Let's take a ride - Alex said, threading her fingers with Piper’s and pulling to the group of elephants.
•          I don’t know - Piper said, frowning slightly- is that riding an elephant kind of cruel? 
•          Is an experience- Alex said, smirking - and you ride horses.
•          Is different, elephants are wild animals- Piper said.
•          Horses are broken to be ridden- Alex said, pulling closer- come on it will be fun.

They hired the driver with the elephant who looked the most happy and relax. The long gray column of his nose playfully pushing them around.,  They climbed the stairs and awkwardly mounted the elephants taking the scenery of the river and rainforest as the elephants leisure rode by Phnom Bashingto the south gate named the Terrace of the Elephants because of the intricate, numerous and beautiful ones in the wall.

•          The swaying is making me dizzy - Piper said, holding tightly to the seat as the elephant stopped suddenly to snack on a tree half way between Bayon and the Elephant terrace. - It’s worse than a boat.
•          Pussy - Alex said, chuckling and snapping a photo of Piper holding to the edge of the seat like dear life.

The rest of the morning they explored  the remaining ruins in Angkor Thom and then Daranny took them over half hour away  to Banteay Srei “the women citadel” a unique pinkish-red sandstone Hindu temple full of intricate, delicate carving around everywhere was the most impressive of all they had seen in its beauty and vividness.  They explore the small site bending down to pass the series of doorways so tiny that to be created for dwarves taking pictures while Daranny took pictures of them and the trailing their fingers of the bass relief designs to feel its history.

•          I’m so hungry - Alex complained when they were done -I could eat a monkey.
•          Ok, I take you   -Daranny said, cracking up laughing. He drove them to a small market of stalls on the way to the town - no monkey, tarantula, frogs, Good!!
•          That’s disgusting Alex!! - Piper said with a grimace- I am not eating that!
•          Frogs taste like chicken - Alex said, pushing her glasses into her hair- Daranny, is the food safe here?
•          Oh, yes, very good - Daranny said, beaming- I bring tourist all the time.  Americans afraid to taste....
•          That sounded like a dare - Alex said, chuckling - I will try them.
•          Alex, you are going to get sick…. - Piper said, scowling.
•          I won’t - Alex said, smirking and pointing an open fire - they cook it it from of us. Let’s try it.
•          There is no way in hell that I am going to eat a tarantula- Piper said refusing - I will buy fruit.
•          Oh, come on - Alex said, pulling Piper closer by her hand - don’t be such a tight ass.  It will be fun.   Daranny which one would we try?
•          No, I will have the frog, but not the spiders - Piper said sulkily.

Alex ordered a couple of tarantulas for herself and Daranny biting into the legs and head casually while Piper looked away disgusted.

•          It tastes kind of like a crab or shrimp - Alex said eating another - it’s very good. You would like it. Don’t go all Waspy on me… where’s you sense of adventure?
•          I doubt it tastes like crabs. Ok I will try it.  - Piper mumbled, closing her eyes and opening her mouth. Alex place a smaller tarantula in her mouth smirking.
•          What did I tell you? - Alex said, seeing Piper chew it while Daranny laughed well naturedly.
•          Ok, it does taste like it - Piper said -but I can get past that is a spider.  Let’s try the frogs.

 They walked around the market, trying the skinned frogs grilled in the open fired, fried banana even tasting a dish made with red tree ants beef and holy basil washing all down with coconut juice straight out of the coconut. 

•          Daranny, thank you for everything- Piper said, shaking his hand.
•          Here - Alex said shaking his hand and handing him a stack of dollars that includes too many twenties after - you were very helpful.
•          Thank! Thank! Come back soon! - Daranny said with a smile and drove away.
•          You went over top in the tip - Piper lacing her fingers with Alex’s.
•          He did a good job and 50 dollars for 3 days of all that driving it outrageously cheap- Alex said, shrugging - he deserves it and need it and never asked for it.  It won’t make a difference to us, but it does to him. I know because my mom and I depend on tips.
•          You are right! - Piper said, smiling- let’s take a nap.  

 After they went a very late lunch and wandered around in Siem Reap taking in the town for the last time.

•          I love Siem Reap - Piper said, leaning against Alex’s shoulder as they sat people watching.
•          Me too - Alex said, taking a sip of her cold drink and stroking up Piper’s bare leg- . After the Lara Croft the place is booming, look at all that construction. It will be a great place to invest.
•          I glad we have come now before it loses all the charm - Piper mumbled - is a shame.
•          You are such a yuppie!! - Alex said, pushing a strand of wavy blonde hair away from Piper’s face. - Look at all the poverty, the people picking plastic bottles, kids obviously in hunger. Don’t think they will be a little better off there a hotel, bars, restaurants everywhere where they can get a job? Even if it’s at a ridiculous low wage, its better that what they have now.    
•          I didn’t think of that - Piper said softly.
•          You have never been poor - - Alex said, standing up and dropping a bunch of bills in the table- We have to be at the airport soon.

The breathtaking turquoise ocean stretched from Koh Rong archipelago doted by untouched islands, boats reflected on the pane of water and all that exists in the crash of the waves, the distant long-tails coming and going and the hum of the forest cradling them to a slumber as they lounged at the edge of the water. The two islands connected by a bridge with barely two dozen villas were peaceful, unobtrusively beautiful with an air of earthy, understated elegance.  It was particularly blissful to be there after a couple days immersed in Phnom Penh, a city that was equal parts uplifting and depressing, its divergence as stark as the gold palace overlooking the Mekong where elderly women twisting in synchronization, scammers seeking foreign targets, monks and prostitutes pondering about their lives. Phnom Penh still bore the scars of devastation and death, but even then it strived and lived on. 

They spent days languorously reading books vegging out a few steps downs in the beach, walking barefooted over the sand paths, swimming naked in the private infinity pool of their overwater cabana, lounging in the shallows as kids from the nearby village play on a canoe in the distance and kayaking to nearby unspoiled isolated beaches and islands. On more adventurous, energetic days they hired a speedboat to wander thought Sihanoukville decaying French mansions, talking to backpackers and sharing fresh spring rolls, delicious fried fish on the lake,  grilled squid and fried crab with Kampot pepper  with fellow travels and locals in Otres watching the orange clad monks meditate; or sightseeing nearby islands and beaches even hiking the jungle trails surrounded by the deafening sounds of cicadas as they went up and down craggy bluffs until they reached Long Beach, where time seem to stand still and miles and miles of snow white sands and dreamlike turquoise waters, a place where colors are so vivid and bright that it seemed like they had jumped into a postcard like three invaders in undiscovered beach.

Bioluminescence would glitter occasionally when a wave crashed and reflect an impossible starry night shyly escorted by the flickering light of the candles and torches in the darkness of that waning moon night it was the only light that shone over the lone white-clothed table cluttered by the vestiges of their dinner, empty Pinot Grigio bottles laying on the sand and the few unopened ones chilled nearby. Music drifted on the air from improvised speakers set on the sand and Chantal Kreviazuk’s belt out “It Feels like home to me.”

Piper buried her face in Alex’s neck and breathe in. It had been over a year since that day in the bar where a gorgeous woman had flirted with her and since that day it was like the chains of expectations and responsibilities had become too weak to hold her, like she was allowed to run away from stupid labels and all the bullshit that she had grown up with. She never felt that kind of emotion before, that kind of intensity before. A love that dragged her away from the mundane, a hurricane that took higher and higher. Suddenly she knew what it meant to live in “here and now” to live without constrictions or plans. It was scary and wonderful and terrifying and wild and free and just perfect kind of love and Piper stupid, deliriously happy like she never before.

Alex buried her nose in Piper’s blonde hair inhaling and feeling the sense of happiness spreading like a drug in her body. It had been over a year since that day, that day when a beautiful woman had strolled into that bar like a ray of sunshine and it seems like another life. Alex grinned into the blond hair, chuckling to herself if anyone had told her that she would ever feel like this she would have bet against them. But Alex felt it whenever she passed, the opportunities of fucking another beautiful woman who had openly suggested it; or whenever they locked eyes across the distance of a room;  or whenever Piper playfully shoved into her or they bought something new in a market for their apartment; whenever they stumbled into any of the hotel rooms, tearing at their clothes at the door because they couldn’t’ wait any longer and Alex knew that this love was taking rooted inside every inch of her body and that she wanted to spend the rest of her living with Piper.

•                      Happy anniversary, Al – Piper whispered in her ear nuzzling Alex’s neck as they danced barefooted to the Nina Simone’s “Just in time.”
•                      Happy anniversary, Pipes – Alex replied, chuckling into Piper’s blond hair – again, even if technically it should have been over 6 weeks ago… -Alex muttered under her breath.
•                      Alex! – Piper slurred stepping back to glare at Alex as she just laughed. They had agreed, at Piper insistence that anniversary happen when they were “officially” together and Sylvie out of the picture. Alex just kept making fun of it, even buying an anniversary gift weeks ago with a card that said something like that  “ happy real anniversary no anniversary, before the fake one rolls around.”
•                      This is way too mushy - Alex said, smirking against her cheek - What I would do to get laid is preposterous
•                      Unconscionable – Piper replied scrounging her face adorably as she tiptoed to softly kiss Alex - but if you play along  I can promise you an unforgettable night....So don’t ruin it.
•                      Oh my!  I would never....– Alex said mockingly – You know… I can do romance too…
•                      Sure – Piper replied mirth dancing in her eyes.

Alex drew Piper closer, swaying to the rhythm before dramatically dipping Piper back at the end of the song provoking that the blonde busted out laughing. 

•                      Here's looking at you, kid- Alex murmured savoring Piper’s laugh in her mouth as she kissed Piper and laughed along.

The track changed to Amy Winehouse’s “Will you love me tomorrow?” , as the tide washed over their feet and Alex’s hummed along.

•                      “Tonight with words unspoken…..you say that I'm the only one….the only one…” – Alex sang along softly into Piper’s ear –“But will my heart be broken…..When the night… meets the morning start…...” – Alex pulled away the glittering light reflected back in her glasses intensively the piercing gray in her eyes and kissed her - “…… So tell me now…. Because I won't ask again….. Will you still love me tomorrow?”
•                      That's kinda cheesy .... - Piper said biting off a laugh.
•                      I could never do something so fucking corny sober…  – Alex whispered into Piper’s hair, grinning - I'm pretty sure you put something in my drink.
•                      No, this all yourself, tone deaf and all – Piper said, smiling - I guess you are a romantic deep down– Piper said, pulling back to look at Alex’s sparkling green eyes – Maybe I will blackmail you – Piper said smiling cheekily.
•                      Yeah? – Alex said, smirking taking her glasses off, dropping the in the table as she lifted Piper and walked into the water.
•                      Alex!!! Let me down!!! – Piper shrieked between laughs as she squirmed around.
•                      Whatever you want, babe – Alex said, chuckling and dropping Piper in the middle of the water, causing and explosion of shimmering blue light to break up in the surface.  

The waves formed by Piper’s splashing, shining unevenly as if they had a blue headlight lamp bellow, but it was more like hundreds of tiny lights had been gradually flashed on fading as the water settled down.  Alex floated on her back kicking the water as more blue sparks shined on like magical faire dust. The electric blue radiance appeared and floated around them, illuminated their faces and random parts of their bodies for less than a second.

•          This is romantic, too – Piper said, smiling ecstatically and swimming towards Alex– You are becoming a softly. – Piper whispered, her salty lips grazing against Alex’s, hooking her legs around Alex’s waist and hugging close.
•          I will remind you said that – Alex muttered biting into her lips – when you’re begging me to let you come…..

They kiss urgently as Alex’s hands slipped off Piper’s white cotton dress, letting float away the brilliant blue plankton and let her hands wander down her wet back squeezing Piper’s ass and pulling the blonde closer. Alex breaks the kiss, pressing open mouth kisses against the side of Piper’s lips, her jaw and down her throat, scraping her teeth against the spot where Piper’s neck meets her shoulders and biting softly. Piper moaned loud and clear in Alex’s ear and her hips bucked as Alex sucked the same spot she just marked. Alex raised Piper a little bit higher, tugging the top of her bikini down with her teeth, running her tongue lightly around Piper’s already rock hard nipple, her teeth grazing over it and then sucking making Piper throw her back and whimper.

Meanwhile, Alex trailed one her hand down, slipping it under Piper’s bikini bottom, her fingers brush over Piper’s clit several times, stroking it before Alex slides a finger into Piper’s, pumping in and out shallowly her thumb rubbing Piper’s clit in circles.

•                      Fuck! - Piper cried out, grabbing a fistful of brunette’s hair and giving it hard pull, her mouth searching for Alex’s and kissing her fiercely, desperately.

A smug grin spread in Alex’s face as Piper began to writhe between her arms. Piper anxiously shoved her hand between Alex’s legs and Alex thrust another finger in.

•                      You are so fucking wet –Alex whispered in Piper’s ears, making her eyes roll.

The only clearly audible sounds in the night were the hum of the ocean, their random splashing around as well as the moans and whimpers flying out of their mouths. Piper moaned grasping at black hair, tugging Alex’s head towards to sinking her teeth into Alex’s bottom lip and kissing her, their tongues teasing each other and finally letting go. Not wanting to break the kiss or stop Alex willingly surrendered control over their floating bodies pushing a third finger inside Piper and letting both of them slowly sink under water. Flashes of blue light spiral around them as they spun down.

Alex wasn’t sure if it was the absence of oxygen, the marvelous moment, the breathtaking place, the fatigue of having kept them above water or just the rhythm of Piper’s fingers inside her but something was making Alex feel intoxicated and dizzy as she came. 

Piper becomes a spiraling entity of want. Her senses are focused only on the burst of pleasure coursing through her body, her language limited to an endless strings of curse words and monosyllabic exclamations until she flew off into oblivion. The stars in the sky and the swirling sparks of electric blue explode behind her eyelids and everywhere inside her body.

They floated upwards, throwing back their heads, shaking their soaked hair, wearing a twin pair of elated smile, chortling without a care in the world, swimming out, picking up a few stuff before running through the bridge towards their cabana in the other island laughing loudly until they tumbled in, rolling around in bed throwing their bathing suits on the floor as they kissed feeling utterly free and happy.

The sun streamed in through the wide floor to ceiling windows overlooking the sea.  Piper opened her eyes slowly, scrunching her eyes because of the brightness of the light, but still smiled, feeling Alex’s body curled against hers, arms tightly wrapped against her as Alex’s face nuzzled into the crook of her neck. Piper slowly turned over, her blue eyes roaming over Alex’s relax face. She looked so adorable asleep.  Alex stirred, instinctively burring her face against Piper’s chest and grumbling ungraspable words.

•          Hey – Piper whispered.
•          Hey – Alex replied, her voice throaty and raspy like every morning. A smile tucks at Piper’s lips as she watched Alex blindly search for her glasses.
•          Here you go- Piper said, reaching over to the nightstand, her breast pressing against Alex’s before she pulls back and slips the glass on Alex’s face, her fingertips brushing against her skin.

It unfurls something tender inside her as blue meets foggy gray eyes.  Piper always loved the way Alex looked at her, like she could see right through Piper’s lies, darkness, masks and flaws, but still find her special and love her, not a part of her, but the whole of her.

•          There you are – Alex drawled out smirking- Good Morning, darling.
•          Good Morning, Al -- Piper said with a soft smile – I love it here. I wish we could stay forever - Piper whispered skimming her fingers down Alex’s neck.
•          I thought you missed home – Alex replied teasingly pushing a strand of blonde hair back.
•          You were too busy in Phnom Penh – Piper replied scrunching her face.
•          Oh, so is me, you missed not home – Alex said mischievously as she smirked and touched the hinges of her black frames.
•          Fuck you! You’ such a conceit ass… – Piper said playfully and unsuccessfully trying to move from top of Alex as the brunette chuckled.
•          That’s just part of my charm. – Alex replies smirking - You know, if I don’t work we can come to places like this - Alex asked tenderly caressing Piper’s cheeks with her fingertips as the blonde nodded - What time is it? 
•          Late – Piper replied threading her fingers through Alex’s black hair and kissing her   – we didn’t exactly sleep last night.

Piper yelped when Alex flipped them around so Piper was under her. Alex kissed Piper brushing her tongue against the blonde’s and then sucking on her bottom lip. Alex pushed a thigh between her legs, grinding against her slowly. Alex’s sparking green eyes holding Piper’s with such heat that it made Piper swallow a moan.

•          Uhm – Alex mumble against Piper’s lips slipping off her glass off and returning them to the nightstand – I hope you are ready for an encore…

Alex’s hands glided down the side of Piper’s breast reaching the hem of her tank top moving them underneath it, skimming her fingertips over Piper’s bare skin before dragging her fingernails over it and firmly gripping the blonde’s hips.  Piper slides her hand around Alex’s neck, connecting their lips in a hungrily griping Alex’s cami and quickly pulling it off.  Alex breaks the kiss, moving her mouth slowly down Piper’s jaw, leaving a hot trail down her throat, quickly getting rid of her tank top.  Alex’s lips and tongue drawing a path from her collarbone to the side of her breast until Alex’s tongue teasing over the tip of her hard nipples until she arched off the bed moaning and Piper swore she could feel Alex smirk when her lips wrapped around her left nipple but even then Piper could suppress the whimper that escape her lips or her hands instinctively treading in her black hair. Alex’s fingers delve inside her panties, skimming over her lips and then caressing her clit, in circles and harder until Piper felt the orgasm wave hit her hard and fast and hard and the only thing she conscious off was Alex’s name falling out of her lips like a chant and her nails scraping into Alex’s back.

Alex loved feeling Piper shuddering underneath her and she didn’t want to stop so she moved her mouth agonizingly slow, her lips tracing every inch of skin as her thumbs hooked on Piper’s underwear and traced a line of kisses from one of end of Piper’s hipbone to the other, looking up and fastening her eyes to still unfocused blue ones spreading Piper’s legs and dragging her hands down from as she pulled Piper’s underwear down from her hips to her ankles, her fingers leaving a path of caress on her way down and teasingly kissing, sucking and biting from her inner thigh.

Piper felt the pleasure built again, her body still trembling from the orgasm seconds ago when she felt Alex go lower the brunette’s hands and lips taking possession of her, offering urgent promises, anticipating every unknown desire and all while leaving her with a string of purring and moaning. 

Alex finally uses her tongue, licking a line from the bottom to top, tasting Piper as much as she can. The taste of Piper in her tongue increases the ache between Alex’s legs. She pauses at Piper’s clit, pressing her tongue against it. Piper screamed out her name and her hips grin against Alex’s face, but Alex takes control, using her hands to push them down. Alex’s tongue works with fervor, licking, teasing and sucking paying attention to the way Piper’s hips lift, fall and roll interpreting the secret language of her body pulling back and holding her at the edge of coming as Piper buried her hands buried in Alex’s hair.

•          Alex! Fuck!!– Piper cried out the sound echoing against the walls as she came, her thighs squeezed Alex’s head. – Al!!!.....I am coming!

Alex pulled back, sloppily wiping her mouth and came up from the blonde’s legs and kissing Piper rapaciously. Alex held the blonde firmly, quickly rolling her around and plunging two fingers inside her from behind as Alex bit her shoulder.

•          Do you like it when I fuck like this? –Alex whispered raggedly into her ear, turning Piper into a trembling wreck as Alex kissed her back, brushing her thumb between Piper’s cheeks and pushing in, her fingers slide in and out in perfect synchronization with slick and smooth strokes as Piper muffled her moans in the pillow. – Fuck! You feel so good!

Piper felt slick with sweat as Alex pressed closer to the edge with every open mouth kiss to her fish tattoo, every filthy little word jaggedly muttered in a husky voice against her ear, every kiss down the column of her neck, every deep, hard thrust of Alex’s long, supple fingers until Piper went still then detonated, contracting around Alex’s fingers, her body shaking, quiver and becoming aware of the wet outpouring between her legs, the blood rushing through her veins and the sound of her own heartbeat echoing in her ears as Piper became a shivering collection of orgasms.

•          Oh, Pipes… fuc..! – Alex rambled, her body moving on her own accord, biting down on Piper’s shoulder as she came moaning something that vaguely sounds like Piper’s name.

Alex collapsed over her back both a sweaty, stick gasping mess. Alex inhales and dimly notices that she smells like Piper…..or that Piper smells like her, in fact the whole room smells elusively like sex, sweat and them, after a few beats Alex breathlessly rolled away from Piper’s back landing on a damp spot on the bed.

•          Fuck! Alex that was….-Piper muttered gasping as she slowly regained focus and felt the wet spot spread under her – What the fuck is that?
•          You – Alex replied, chuckling – you squirted all over my hand, arm and the bed.  We would get up before we catch a cold…
•          Oh god!! – Piper said, pulling the pillow off her head and covering her bright red face – That’s so embarrassing…. – Piper said, the words muffle by the pillow. 
•          Don’t be silly – Alex said, unsuccessfully pulling at the pillow – That was just the result of my immense expertise in the area which is an innate talent if I may add. – Alex said, smirking- Now, I want to hear you say how amazingly good I am.
•          Of course you want to hear it – Piper said, throwing the pillow at Alex’s face – don’t let it get to your head….. I bet it was just a fluke or something.
•          Too late – Alex interrupted cheekily - and I intend to repeat it. Frequently. I assure you it is not a “fluke”.
•          And if you intent to make it happen frequently… - Piper said, smirking with an amused gleam in her blue eyes- I want to hear what excuse you are going to give housekeeping.....The sheets are ruined.
•          They erupted on a spontaneous laugher until they were wheezing for air.
•          I fucking love you – Alex said still gasping, the need for air and laughs making hard to breathe.
•          I love you too – Piper said breathlessly, dazzled blue staring into clear gray eyes.

They ordered room service and then wobbly stood up, pulling off all the sheets before taking a quick shower together and ending up eating brunch seating indian style over the bare bed and feed each other tiny bits of food.

•          This is heaven – Piper whispered, hanging by the infinity edge of the pool watching as Alex swan to her, holding a joint she just rolled between two fingers above the water – I wish we didn’t have to leave tomorrow.
•          We will be back - Alex replied, stretching the hand that held the gun over with a challenging raised eyebrow.
•          I never…. You know did… do drugs – Piper replied, shaking her head.
•          Are you fucking kidding me? - Alex replied letting out a raspy laugh before taking a long, generous heart and holding it, staring at Piper amused. – It’s just pot!  Plus is kind of ironic that you won’t even take a hit, considering your girlfriend business interests…. – Alex said, blowing the smoke right at Piper’s face.
•          Alex! – Piper whined dramatically fanning the smoke away from her.
•          Live a little, Pipes – Alex said, rolling her eyes, pushing her glasses up to in her hair and sneering– don’t be so anal.
•          I am not anal – Piper protested splashing a bit of water into Alex’s direction.
•          You like it, trust me – Alex said, offering her the joint again after taking another hit and blowing the smoke in Piper’s face, again.
•          What if we get too high and drown? – Piper asked, frowning.
•          Really, Pipes – Alex replied, smirking her eyebrows raised – drown? Don’t be over dramatic.
•          Fine – Piper said, taking it as she muttered something about “second hand smoke” that made Alex grin.

Piper prepares herself before she brings the joint to her lips and pulled, she not even sure if she inhaled even a tiny bit of smoke, but she immediately exhaled it with a puff and a fit of coughs. It was pathetic really and predictable that Alex laughed, really fucking laughed, a deep, throaty, husky laugh that made Piper’s toes curl.

•          Here, let me teach you – Alex said with a soft smile She placed it between her lips and inhaled deeply, her chest expanding as she took the smoke in her lungs – Like this… you have to actually inhale it, Pipes – Alex said, her voice  strained due to the smoke and then she slowly exhales without coughing like a fucking pro.
•          Piper laughed, took the joint from Alex fingers holding the joint between her thumb and forefinger demonstrating before pulling on the paper harder and inhaling, holding and slowly releasing, managing to only cough a few times.
•          There you go – Alex slurred beside her and leaning in and kissing her neck.

They shared the joint until it burns out, drinking mojitos and beer, snaking on a range of oysters, fruit, pizza and other discordant food that was scattered on the deck at the corner of the infinity pool. All the worries and questions and fear disappeared. Now it’s just her and Alex. Nothing else matters.

•                      How do you feel? -  Alex asked, taking another quick hit.
•                      Good, light, great – Piper replied giggling and smiling before playfully kissing Alex – you taste like weed and mojitos. – Piper slurred her blue eyes darker and unfocused – You are so hot.
•                      I know – Alex answered, smiling smugly taking another hit – and people point it out repeatedly.
•                      I always found arrogance so unattractive – Piper said, scrunching her face – but somehow you make look sexy. It just works…..It's very annoying.
•                      Sorry – Alex replied, smiling without looking sorry at all – you are very cute when you are high – Alex said, stroking her neck and playing with a strand of wet blonde hair.
•                      I think I’m behind of my orgasm tab – Piper whispered into her ear- I hate to be behind.
•                      I hope you are aware of the compounded interest – Alex said flintily.
•                      I intended to pay it off in full- Piper whispered against her lips and sliding her hands over Alex’s black halter top swimsuit.

Piper lifted her head, reaching up to hold Alex’s neck, crushing their lips together before Alex pulled away, lifting her glasses up and setting them carefully at the edge of the pool.  She smiled at Piper, a miraculous smile that looks like it's made of pure light and then they kissed again, softer, gentler with all the tenderness they were capable off. Just like that time slowed down, fluffy pink clouds that looked like cotton candy gleamed in a sky streaked by brushes with purple and pink as the sun began plunging into ocean and in that moment the world felt warm, magical and simply blissful.

It was strangely unsettling when the plane took off and they looked through the window taking a last peek down. They hadn’t realized it, but they fallen impossibly hopelessly in love with Cambodia. Despite all beauty they had witnessed in every country they had traveled Cambodia felt unique, it wasn’t only the fascinating Khmer empire ruins, or the magnificent beauty that suddenly crept out, surprising them with gorgeous rolling rice paddies, stunning undiscovered beaches or striking landscapes of jungles and cities or the deliciously unexpected food they tasted; it was something else, some lovely and intangible that seems to wrap around the country and make them feel it. Cambodia was flawed and damage in so many ways, poverty beyond everything they had ever conceive was apparent in every corner, tragic stories of annihilation and death evident in the bombed out roads, in the bullets encrusted in Angor Wat, on the thousands of mines still buried everywhere, in the stories told and retold by tuk-tuk drivers, tour guides and anyone they took a second to talk too and especially in the mutilated children and adults everywhere.  So being in Cambodia should have been difficult, rough, but instead it was easy, even laid-back. There was a serenity, a contagious joy in the air apparent on the meditating monks, on the dancing circles, on the perpetual smiles, quick laughs and simply disarming kindness of the Khmer people. They didn’t know why or how it happen; maybe love was essentially an inexplicable force pulling them closer, like gravity…. Maybe it was the resilience of a country so badly war-ravaged but that still could, somehow, preserved its beauty, but whatever it was made them fall in love and love Cambodia not matter how many times it broke their hearts. 

After the seven-hour long flight, they landed at the impressive swanky clean Incheon airport in Seoul, where the massive floor to ceiling windows gave an airy open feeling and an impressive view of planes flying off and landing on the runway in the clear late summer day.  They were used to the long layovers so they promptly followed their routine, storing their carry-ons before checking into the first class lounge.

•          Are you sure it won’t be a problem Mom? – Alex said, smiling into her cell phone – Don’t you have to work? We could just take a taxi….
•          Don’t be fucking ridiculous. I miss you – Diane said warmly – both of you. Is Piper there?
•          Yeah, right here – Alex said, glancing at the blonde who was relaxing next to her, sipping an orange juice and muttering “say hi to me” – Piper says “hi”…..They said it was delayed 2 hours……
•          That sucks, babe – Diane said – don’t worry, I will there.
•          Call the airline and check before heading to the airport, Mom – Alex said, smirking - I don’t want you to be stuck in the airport waiting forever….
•          Yeah, yeah - Diane said, sneering – I have to go. See you tomorrow. Take care, love you babe.
•          Love you too- Alex said, smiling before hanging up.
•          I told your mom would still want to pick us up – Piper said, smiling and quickly glancing up at Alex – Do you want to check out the cultural center? They seem to have this architecture and art exhibit…...
•          What if I am tired and want to sleep? – Alex said, smirking.
•          You never sleep in airports – Piper said, rolling her eyes and dragging Alex with her.

They took pictures of the royal procession, stopping by the Korean cultural museum, listing to the live performance at the mezzanine, admiring the local crafts and window shopping through the duty free stores wandering in whenever something caught their eyes.

•          Do you think it ….maybe…too much? - Piper asked, picking the clothes for the rack for the third time.
•          I think if you tried to – Alex said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head - and picked it is because you like it and that's all that’s matters.
•          But I asking your opinion – Piper whined – is it too….
•          It’s Prada and you look fucking beautiful and sexy – Alex replied her green eyes’ gleaming heatedly behind the black flames as she let wander down Piper’s body – you don’t have to look like you walked out of a fucking Polo or LL Bean catalog if you don’t want to…. – Alex said sardonically – You are not bland, boring or predictable Pipes - Alex said tilted her head, eyes and smile softening into something tender – so don’t force yourself to be. Fucking wear and do what you want.
•          You are right – Piper said, beaming, drawing Alex close and kissing eagerly in the middle of the store.

No amount of begging or promises persuaded Alex to take a picture with Piper in the kitschy seats of Hello Kitty Café after stumbling on it as they strolled around the airport in the typical “traveling clothes” of comfy baggy pants, jeans and wandered in the luxury duty free stores where Alex bought a long black leather trend coat from Burberry and a pair of knee high leather boots from Salvatore Ferragamo and Piper purchase a couple of things from Channel and Hermes and a bunch of cosmetics and perfumes from several places for both of them before having a hearty Korean lunch and heading to the first class lounge to take a shower and wait for their departure.

•          Sleepy? – Alex asked, placing a kiss on the colorful fish tattoo.
•          I think I ate too much – Piper said, smiling, snuggling into Alex on the leather couch where they were spooning – I need to go on a diet. 
•          Don’t be ridiculous - Alex said, smirking – You are… - Alex began before her cell phone interrupted her – Business – Alex whispered as they moved in well-practiced synchronization and Alex stood up, walked away and answered – Vause.
•          Alex – Fahri voice greeted her - How are you doing? – He dryly asked her.
•          Currently stuck in Incheon Airport – Alex replied wryly – But otherwise, great.
•          Good to hear – Fahri proceeded –When are you arriving? There are several things we need to discuss.
•          I am flying into JKF. I will arrive tomorrow evening – Alex replied cautiously – I was planning to spend a couple of days with my mother….
•          I see you in 3 days – Fahri said, cutting her off – Dinner at Eleven Madison Park, Friday 7 pm.
•          Ok – Alex said, swallowing a sigh of frustration – anything else?
•          No. Have a good trip, Alex – Fahri said before hanging up.

 Alex walked to the long brown sofa, lying down and patting the space next to her and uneasy feeling lingering after the call. 

•          Yeah – Alex replied elusively – I have a meeting on Friday so I won’t be able to spend as much time at my mom’s.
•          You can’t push the meeting back a few days? – Piper asked, her fingers skimming over the hand Alex’s had wrapped around her waist.
•          If I could I would have-not said yes to it in the first place – Alex replied grimly.
•          Ok – Piper said – You mom will understand. Why don’t we see if she wants to come over to the city? We could do take to play or musical…
•          I think is a good idea – Alex whispered in her ear, kissing her in that sensitive stop bellow the ear – Hopefully she agrees, you know how stubborn she is about work.
•          People are looking at us - Piper mumbled, trying to move a bit to the edge, but felt Alex pull her back.
•          Let them – Alex said – we are on a sofa, in a corner in a huge lounge that is almost empty and we have the right to be here. Plus, we aren't doing anything…. Yet. – Alex chuckled in her ear.

Piper laughed swatting at Alex’s arms as she turned around, her eyes roving over Alex’s face.  After a bit Piper picked up her canon digital rebel camera holding it slightly up so they could look at the pictures that she hadn’t transferred to the laptop, laughing at the silly, dorky faces in a few, rambling on about this and that place or sighing at the pale beauty reflected back at them as they clicked forward. When their flight was announced an hour early that expected, they stood up, stuffing a few things in the bags and walked behind their escort to the gate.

•          I loved Cambodia - Piper whispered sticking the camera back in the carrying case.
•          Me, too – Alex sighed, looking at Piper with loving gray eyes and squeezing her hand.

Footnotes

*The title of this chapter is a quote from "Being There: Travel is like adultery"  By Anatole Broyard.

[1] Cha Ca La Vong is an iconic dish of Hanoi made with chunks of grilled, smoky catfish and seasoned with dill, turmeric and galangal served on top of thin rice noodles, chopped peanuts, and a side of dipping sauce.

[2] Trimbach 2000 Cuvée Frédéric Emile Riesling

[3] Gỏi cuốn is translucent rolls with greens, herbs sometimes shrimp. Canh  is soup,  Ca Kho To is a fish braised in clay for hours.

[4] Nước chắm accompanies just about every dish,  is the dipping sauce and comes  in different styles such as  sweet, spicy, sour, fishy

[5] Bánh rán deep-fried glutinous rice balls in syrup, Bánh chuối sweet banana cake or bread pudding, Bánh khoai cake made from grated cassava, sugar, coconut milk

[6] Named Ho Chi Minh City after communist government. I will use Saigon, no for political reasons. I just like it, Reminds me of books and movies that I love

[7] Boîte, small restaurant or bar usually family owned.

[8] Pho tay is an touristy area with lively nightlife covering the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien, De Tham, Do Quang Dau in Pham Ngu Lao Ward in District 1.

[9] Bia hơi Draft Beer typical of Vietnam. Very low alcohol.

[10] Pho simple broth that includes ingredients like noodles meat, herbs ginger, cloves, star anise and served with pastry batons,

[11] Xe om A motorcycle that functions as a taxi transport in Vietnam

[12] Ado Hai is traditional Vietnamese dress for woman used over pants fitted to the body very tight and made of 100% silk, similar in general to a kimono.

[13] Guoc Moc Wooden clogs with vertical straps to protect the toes.

[14] Tuk-tuks are generally of the style of motorcycle with an attached enclosed trailer with curtains

[15] Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.

[16] Khmer Rouge The name of the followers of the Communist Party in Cambodia. It was the ruling party in Cambodia from 75-70 led by Pol Pot.,

[17] Apsara A female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Apsaras are beautiful, supernatural female beings. They are youthful and elegant, and superb in the art of dancing.

[18] These are all Asian fruit that are popular are markets ever where.