Title: Behind Bars 1/6
Author: Mandi
Main Characters: Faith & Cruz w/supporting cast
Summary: Faith and Cruz bond under unusual circumstances
Disclaimer: They are not mine
Authors Note: An alternate version of the whole Donald Mann/IAB Capt. Finney and all that good stuff. Faith & Cruz were my favs on the show, ironic, but true, so I gotta admit, I enjoyed writing this series.
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Everyone in the prison all of a sudden went off, they were all screaming murderous threats, having violent out bursts, and a countless number of them were glaring hatefully at the two newcomers making their way silently down the roll of narrow cells. Maritza Cruz lifted her chin high, showing them all that she wouldn't cower in fear. She walked as if daring anyone to make a move, come after her, try anything, she'd be waiting for them. But in truth, Cruz knew she wouldn't last long in here.
Cruz glanced to her right at the woman walking next to her. Faith Yokas walked with her eyes downcast and a slight slump in her shoulders. Faith was just too tired to deal with their current predicament, she was tired period. She had nothing left in her to keep her head high like Cruz, and unlike Cruz, Faith accepted the fact that they probably weren't even gonna last a day in prison. As they passed the cells, one after another, both Faith and Cruz recognized faces, many of whom they had arrested over the years of working law enforcement. And one after another, each familiar face mocked them, spit at their feet, and some even threatened their lives.
Cruz leaned slightly toward Faith, whispering so that only she could hear, "you gotta keep your head up, Yokas. We can't let them think we're scared."
Faith sighed to herself, shaking her head, and glancing sadly down at the smaller woman, "Does it really matter? We're dead in here anyway."
"Yokas—Faith, what the hell are you talking about? This is only temporary, till the trial. What we really have to worry about right now is how are we gonna get out of what we did."
"What I did." Faith corrects, tearing her eyes away from Cruz's and looking down again. "You didn't have to get involved."
Cruz shrugs, also casting her eyes downward as they continued to walk, "yeah, well, you didn't leave me much of a choice. And I knew Bosco wouldn't be too happy with me if he found out I ratted you out."
Cruz watched as Faith flinched at the mention of Bosco. Cruz had almost forgotten Bosco was still lying in a hospital bed at Mercy, still recovering from being shot four times in the chest and once through the jaw. But what she couldn't forget was the fact that Bosco had gone down shielding Faith. In that moment, when she didn't hear Bosco answering Faith's calls for him, she knew something was terribly wrong. To know how much Bosco would risk for Faith, made Cruz realize that there was no way in hell she could let Faith go to prison for killing Donald Mann. Without a doubt, Faith killed Mann for Bosco. And Cruz in return would protect Faith for him.
"Our differences set aside, Faith, I think what you did was a public service, no jury in their right mind would send us to prison."
"Look around, Cruz. We're already in prison—and we're not gonna last a day here."
"Hey! You two!" The female prison guard barks from behind them. "Shut the hell up."
Cruz bites her tongue, wanting so badly to respond, but Faith nudges her slightly with her elbow, giving her a warning glance. The last thing they needed was to piss off a prison guard. The prison guards were probably their best defense against the angry inmates all waiting for a chance to snuff Faith or Cruz in their sleep. But then again, Cruz knew there was such a thing as corrupt prison officials that probably would gladly help to get rid of her and Faith.
"The open door on your left." The female guard spoke up again, gesturing to the open cell coming up on their left. Faith and Cruz exchanged glances as they approached the cell.
"We're sharing cells?" Cruz couldn't bother but ask.
"You prefer sleeping with some girl you locked up?" The guard snaps back. She waits a few seconds before she smirks at Cruz's silence, "I didn't think so." The three stop in front of the cell, Faith and Cruz glancing between the guard and their new home. The guard just stares back at them, emotionless.
"Well, get in there." She orders harshly shoving Cruz then Faith into the cell. She closes the door, making sure it's secure. "Welcome to your new home ladies. Enjoy the stay."
For the next few minutes, there is complete silence as Faith and Cruz just stand, both numb and both looking around at their slightly grungy cell. There's a sink, a toilet, a few magazines scattered on a small counter top and a bunk bed in the corner. The reality of the situation hadn't hit neither of them till this very moment as they realize finally where they actually are and for how long. They'd have to be tough to survive, they couldn't let their guard down for a second because it may be a second of weakness that costs them their lives.
"So," Cruz finally manages to speak as she walks toward the bunk bed, "you want the top or the bottom?"