Title: An Intimate Offense of Love
Cross Over Between: Bad Girls UK Series/Once Upon a Time
Genre: Romance
Pairing: Regina Mills/Emma Swan and Ruby Lucas/Belle French
Four Chapter Challenge: 'Can you please do a spin off between Bad Girls and Once Upon a Time where Regina is the new Wing Governor of G Wing at Larkhall Prison for Women and Emma Swan is a prisoner? Also include Ruby Lucas and Belle French as a minor couple. No Fenner. Keep Di Barker and Sylvia Hollamby. Put Karen Betts as the Number 1.'
Chapter One
'Love At First Induction'
Excerpt:
"So Rule 47 would put me down the Block," Emma confirmed, arms folded, legs still spread open.
"Yes."
"Disrespecting the Wing Governor..."
"Correct."
She watched Regina's chest heave. "Has anyone ever been put down the Block for...kissing the Wing Governor?"
That did it. Emma watched the older woman immediately stare at her with wide brown eyes that registered utter and complete loss of composure.
xxx
She was doing it again. Over and over again her chants filled the truck as it rattled down the steamy highway. Hot as a sauna in there, it was. Four white walls around her. Scribbles that blatantly reminded everyone who sat on the smelly seat about how shitty life was. Emerald eyes had already glanced over all the quotes like a firefly. Blonde hair stuck to exposed shoulders that were hunched as she ignored the warnings.
'Dead in the Head.'
'This is the last line you'll read, bitch.'
'They fuck us all in prison.'
'Say goodbye to your sanity, you piece of shit.'
'Chuck Norris was never here. Because this is a pig pen.'
'Rot in hell.'
'Kill a bitch, and do life with pride.'
'Talk shit in prison, get hit in prison.'
'Beware of lifers. They have nothing to lose.'
'Screws screw silly girls who sit with their legs open.'
Squeezing her eyes shut, sweaty palms pressed to ears that began to ring from the silence. The silence that kept giving her mind the room to think guilty thoughts. Reminded of what she had done in her past. Everything. The urge to pee was stronger now, ankles crossed tightly. The swaying motion of the truck brought on nausea, the smell of urine turned her stomach even more. To think that people had been in here, probably used the square as a toilet. Soiling themselves because they just couldn't hold it in any longer. She might just let go after another minute. But her pride kept that small bit of embarrassment at bay. Because upon arriving, there would be no way in hell she'd step out wet. Pink in the face.
"I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it."
"Oh shut the fuck up, you whiny bitch!" her neighbor snapped. Fists were slammed repetitively upon the wall to her right. "If you didn't do it, then why the hell are you here?"
"Because I was set up." Her voice was so hoarse after screaming for them to remove the handcuffs. A hearing that centered on two men, one of them possibly the worst mistake she had ever made.
Killian Jones.
Exchanging glances in a club just around midnight in London. Music pulsating around them as dark, intense eyes sought out hers and held a gaze that screamed one thing. Sex. Head swimming in Scotch, must have been her third glass, everything took on a sharper tone. The lights flashed fiercer and fuller. Voices were shrill and the music's beats rocked her body when he had approached a woman who was high and thrilled. Eager hands that caressed exposed skin as hips gyrated. Spinning around in circles, being pulled into him and feeling the rush of the moment. A one night stand that tossed a simple party girl into the world of drugs.
The truck slowed down and gates could be heard opening. Someone slapped the vehicle's right side like a child's bottom and they were rolling forward again. Silence. That's all she remembered. The sound of a nothing. Madness that was slowly seeping in and eating away at her sanity, what little of it remained. Because she had placed her trust in someone for one week. Even though it was always hard to come by. And eventually, he turned out to be a drug dealer who made an aspiring cop take the fall for his fucking stash. Hidden under the cushion of her yellow car. They had ripped the fabric and cocaine came raining out, freed right before her eyes.
Someone slapped the truck again and the door up front was opened at last. Being the first in line, the lock was turned. When their eyes met again, this time the prison officer who had led them from the station wasn't as bitchy as before.
"Come on," a hand gestured to the door. Daylight shone through it like glory. "Get a move on already. We haven't got all day."
"Just the two?" another officer asked outside. Clipboard in hand, blonde as snow, he gave her a look over and frowned.
"Just the two," Officer Wilks confirmed.
Heart pattering like rain that would fall later down in the evening, the soles of her brown leather boots clapped unto the black tarmac. She hardly managed to get a quick study of the prison before entering it. Just like the others. Made of concrete with tiny windows on at least four floors. A small meshed off area with green stone benches. Flower beds and a garden hut. Just within walking distance there was an "Officer's Pub". She watched officers hustle in and received a sharp chuck from behind.
Her companion throughout the ride here sniggered. "You think just because you blonde and pretty with those emerald eyes, you're some kind of Queen Elizabeth?"
She ignored the question and followed the officer into the depths of hell from the looks of it. The contrasting light was enough to create a feeling of gloom. Moving from the hot sunshine and into a smelly facility that housed real criminals. Not like her. These women would be far worse. Murderers and child molesters. Whilst her only charge was outrageously justified by flimsy evidence. An accomplice to a drug dealer.
The officer manning the desk upon entry was a sourly looking lady with short fair hair. The face of someone who had made up their mind to harass people when necessary, ignorant of their opinions, always believing themselves to be in the right. Her name was Sylvia Hollamby and right then, a full scrutiny was given on both of the women sitting before her.
"You," she jerked her chin, "come on, get up."
Tucking blonde hair behind a right ear that still rang from the deafening silence, the desk was approached.
"Name?" a blue ballpoint pen was clicked and hovered above a form.
"Emma Swan." Her mouth was dry, lips peeling from the heat and having not drank any water since yesterday.
A yellow plastic basket was pushed closer to her shaking hands by another officer who actually looked friendly. Sylvia haughtily scribbled on the form and eyed Emma's red leather jacket in disgust.
"All possessions go in here," she gestured to the basket. "Rings, watch -"
"I know the drill," Emma replied smartly, "I've seen cop shows and some about shit holes like these. So don't believe that I'm dumb or something."
"You better watch your mouth," the pen was pointed at her. Sylvia glared back. "With a mouth like that in here, you'll only find trouble."
"I'm not supposed to be in here," she leant over the desk that was littered with papers, "I was wrongfully accused."
Sylvia scoffed and gave the other officer a look of disbelief. "Would you listen to that, Di? The amount of times we heard that one from you lot."
Emma made an attempt to disguise her gold locket but the move never escaped Hollamby's careful eyes. A hand was outstretched and she waited, smugly looking at the blonde woman standing before her.
"Give it here."
"It's only a locket!" she was protective over that particular piece of jewelry, the only thing left of her mother who had gone missing many years ago.
"I said to give it here or I will forcefully remove it from around your neck!" Sylvia snapped.
Emma carefully unclasped it, pressed a kiss to the warm case and handed the piece over, emerald eyes stinging. There were precisely four things in the plastic basket. A silver ring with a swan that she had bought before college, a silver wrist band with little hearts. Another necklace that had the pendant shaped like a cross. And the locket. Her mother's locket. The one thing she never ever separated her soul from. For over twenty years, that particular piece had been worn. And now this bitch wanted her to let go of a treasure like that.
The strip search followed. As she removed her red shirt and unclasped a red lace bra behind a green curtain, the officer called Di pawed through clothes that had been stashed in a bag in a hurry. Possibly four panties and two bras, six shirts and three denim jeans, one black one. Deodorant and a bottle of Elisabeth Arden 'African Rose' scented perfume, her half empty shampoo and a cake of Palmolive soap. That's it. Oh and a copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Jeans off, she lifted her arms as Hollamby's prying eyes scanned everywhere. "Spread your legs."
She did that and was scrutinized before being able to dress again. Apparently the woman who had arrived with her wasn't a newcomer. From the way Di and Sylvia handled this Michelle Dockley, she was a regular and a pest. Her laugh was horribly evil, chewing gum and giving Emma a cold stare that sent out threats like daggers. Staring was her way of letting someone know who was in charge. Belittling people and purposely harassing them as if that was her duty in life thus far.
The prison wasn't that bad on the inside except for the smell. A slight lingering stench of body odor that drifted from the rooms. Just the thought of spending six months in the place. It was longer than any place else she had resided in. Foster home after foster home when she was a teen. Then living on the streets in her yellow bug. Unto this brick box for half a year. The floors were mopped clean and squeaky as her boots met them. Before they were both placed in a room with two double bunks, a key turned in a lock and women of all looks and figures came through a gate.
"Come on," Di urged her on, "if you want to get a bite to eat, you've got to hurry up."
"I need to make a phone call," Emma said hoarsely, "I need to call my lawyer."
Officer Barker gave her a sympathetic look and smiled wryly. "Of course you're allowed a phone call, love. Just get your things unpacked since you'll be in here. And hurry up for some lunch."
"Hope you're a topper because I'm used to being at the bottom," Michelle said, sending her a devilish smile. The plastic bag containing her possessions were tossed unto the bottom bunk leaving Emma no choice but to indeed take the top. She swung her plastic bag unto the mattress that was painfully thin and eyed her cellmate.
"What are you in for?" it was a brave question but at some point she needed to say something. She needed to say something because she hadn't been engaged in decent conversation for at least a week now.
"The name's Shell for starters," the brunette gave her a full roam over with her eyes, "I broke out of one prison, ended up being shipped back here."
"So you were in here before?"
"That's what I said, you twat," Shell made an attempt to grab Emma's arm but she caught it smartly by reflex and twisted the other woman before her. The brunette's eyes widened. They stared at each other. "Look, I don't want no trouble. Let go of my arm."
Blinking her eyes, the blonde released her grip, flexing fingers that still felt numb. "Shit, I'm sorry. I just —"
"You've got a firm grip there, doll." Apparently the other woman wasn't the slightest affected by her sudden defensive move. "Will come in handy in here. Especially if one of these nutters try to fuck with you."
"I'm just jumpy, that's all," Emma confessed, turning to the door and massaging her right hand slowly. She should watch her reflexes if any hope of surviving in here for six months would be maintained.
"Stop being jumpy and relax," Shell said from behind her. The plastic bag crackled. "I was just teasing you when we came in here. Got three kids on the outside, see? And I can't see 'em. That's why me nerves is always on edge." She pointed to her head. "Because I can't see me kids and they keep throwing me from one shithole to the next."
"That's fucked up," I turned to her and offered a sympathetic look. "They should let you see them. You're their mother."
Shell actually smiled at her. "Yeah, well in here you're either a screw or an inmate. No other title. You're alright." The brunette tilted her head. "Something about you makes me feel alright. Like you're warmer or something. Just don't go soft in here at the wrong time. Keep your nose clean and choose the right crowd. No drugs, no offering favors to the screws —"
"The...screws?" Emma frowned.
"The devils in uniforms," Shell snapped her fingers. "For starters, that fat pig who greeted us when we came in here, that's dear old Bodybag, is what we call her in here. Then the other one is Di Barker. She's a doll but kinda fucked up if you ask me. Heard Fenner's dead which reminds me —" she snatched something from her bottom bunk and tucked it into her short pink pants, "got to congratulate the Julies."
"The...Julies..." she was puzzled again.
Shell rolled her eyes. "Two inmates. Got wind that one of them offed Fenner."
"And Fenner is..."
She received a sharp slap on the shoulder. Shell sauntered past her and into the open outside, "you've got a lot to learn, babe. Stick with me and you'll get along with everyone just fine because when I'm around, I run things here."
"It's a surprise you didn't ask her if she crotched any," a tall, pretty woman said, leaning unto the door frame. She eyed Shell with hateful eyes. First impression Emma got from this woman was that she could be a model.
Whatever did that mean though? Maybe they were speaking about drugs? The blonde didn't want to see or touch drugs for the rest of her life. After Killian's destruction, the world had suddenly been drug filtered. Not even tablets could be a temptation at this point.
"Look, why don't you sod off and go play with yourself or something?" Shell replied.
"Got one year to go, babe. And you've got..." she started to tick numbers off her fingers but then stopped and stared in bewilderment at Emma. "Wait a minute," her eyes returned to Shell, "you've got a life sentence."
"Piece of shit," Shell muttered and walked off.
"If you want to stay out of trouble, you should stay away from her for starters," the hot babe with red streaks in her hair advised. She lingered near the doorway and boldly checked out Emma, biting the tip of her finger. "Fuck, you're gorgeous. What's your name?"
"Emma," the blonde warily stepped outside and watched the women begin a game of pools.
"I'm Ruby. Call me Red," a slim hand was offered, nails painted in a glossy red. The blonde took it.
"First question to let me pass judgment on you," the handshake was held a little too longer than expected. Their eyes met. "Jane Austen or Stephen King?"
Emma frowned. "Uh...both. Why?"
A smile spread across Red's red painted lips. "We're going to be best mates, you and I. Come on." Without waiting, Emma was tugged along. "I want you to meet my mobile library."
xxx
"The women are suggesting that we start up the drawing class again," Karen inclined her head and glanced at the woman by her side as they walked. "Frankly I think it's long overdue. What in the world caused Grayling to stop the sessions is beyond me."
Neil Grayling was the previous Wing Governor.
Their heels clicked as the two women entered the kitchen area. "According to his report, someone attempted to stab another inmate in the eye with a crayon."
Karen raised an eyebrow at Regina. She hugged her clipboard and actually smiled. "You're referring to those soft crayons that practically melt when someone holds them too tightly?"
"The same," brown eyes swept over six women near the serving counter. She recognized five of them but the sixth one had never been here. The shade of blonde hair that wasn't familiar, choppy and just reaching waist level. Her manly stance as she stood with a green tray outstretched.
With her back facing the approaching women, Emma quoted Darcy from Pride and Prejudice and the two Julies listened with fascination. Lucas had an arm around her girlfriend, Miss French who was serving time for stealing books at a library. Her lover according to prison gossip was in here for assaulting an officer who had manhandled her ex-girlfriend on the outside. Her time would be up in less than a year, providing that she kept her nose clean. But recently, Regina had detected a certain amount of suspicious behavior between Red and a prison officer. Officer David. The two of them were seen sneaking conversation together in whispers. She'd handle that later.
"I need a word with Lucas before the week is out," Regina stopped, her eyes still lingering on the new inmate.
Karen turned to her and frowned. "What's she done now?"
"A bit of chatter with Officer David," she didn't want to divulge more at the moment. "Just a few questions."
She could feel Karen's eyes boring into her left cheek. But ignored the Number 1 nevertheless. The blonde woman at her side was sitting in one seat higher than hers at the moment. Frankly, Regina didn't want the chair. Being Wing Governor gave her a chance to be in control of G Wing and interact with all of the women personally if needed. To make changes, you needed to be closer to the bottom of the ladder.
"Good afternoon, Miss Mills!" the two Julies chanted in unison, "And Miss Betts, it's so good to have you back."
"The place feels safer with two women running things around here,"
"Much safer."
"Two hot women if you ask me," Red licked her lips and eyed Karen from top to bottom. Her scrutiny continued on Regina who boldly stared back. "What a new fucking gorgeous Wing Governor. A nice change from Grayling who was gay and ugly."
"Lucas," Karen warned, rolling her eyes. "Get a grip."
"I'm just saying," Red pulled out her red chewing gum and seductively eyed Regina's chest, "if she could run things in my life, I'd be one hell of a happily satisfied woman."
"Well if you don't zip it, you'll get slapped with Rule 47," Betts warned. "So have some respect for Miss Mills."
"Yeah have some respect," one of the Julies crossly added. The taller one. Mills could not understand how they could be called the same name and be singled out when necessary. Red received a slap on her arm with a spoon coated in mashed potatoes.
"You must be Emma Swan," Betts smiled wryly at the blonde woman. "She arrived today with Dockley," the woman informed the Wing Governor.
"I'm back, bitches," Shell laughed before walking off with a tray of food. "Where's Denny?" she asked a couple of friends from behind the bars where they played pools.
From the time Emma's eyes met Regina, she couldn't look away. Actually upon turning around when the two women approached, she couldn't look away after then. Something about the brunette was seriously captivating. Possibly the way she seemed to hold authority and maintain it without effort. Her sharp gray pencil skirt outfit was carefully tailored and was a fit of perfection. Black stockings that hugged shapely legs, ankle high black boots with heels. She had two buttons of her purple shirt undone and emerald eyes guiltily checked out a chest that heaved. Red lips parted, she was also being scrutinized from head to toe. And she willingly accepted it.
"Before the day ends, I'd like to speak with Miss Swan...as part of her induction," brown eyes were diverted as the brunette held her breath. She studied the empty trays stacked upon one another instead. "Lucas, I'd like to see you in my office tomorrow before lunch time."
"What for?"
"Just a quick chat."
"Any time, babe," Red smiled widely. Belle gave her a sharp kick and frowned. Then taking her girlfriend's arm roughly, the two of them walked off.
"Ignore Lucas," the taller of the Julies advised Regina, "she's as bold as they come. But she's really nice and smart. Was actually thinking about getting us women to start a Reader's Group. How about she run it with you, Miss Mills?"
Regina inhaled deeply and her eyes flicked to Emma. "She must know the procedure. If she wishes to suggest the initiation of an activity, then she should put her name on the list to see me."
She was fierce. Emma was stunned.
Karen Betts was looking at her and smiling. She immediately got a vibe from the other blonde woman. Obviously her gaydar hardly worked before. She had always been blatantly trying to prove to herself that there was a possibility of being terribly confused. Never identifying as a full out lesbian, Emma had stuck with being bisexual. It all arose from her last relationship with a girl in college that ended badly. And after that, the string of men she dated were nothing more than flings that were filled with sex and no attachments. But her gaydar went off the charts when she set eyes on Betts. The woman obviously was seriously gay. And she was checking Emma out.
Realizing her unintentional scrutiny, Karen cleared her throat and tapped Mills on the right shoulder. "I'll return to my office. Chat with you later."
Regina nodded and turned to the three women before her. Emma offered a wry smile and set off to sit at a table. She watched her go and wondered what the newcomer was in for. Introductions would be made later of course, but by just wondering why some of these women were banged up in here was a headache by itself. The amount of times she had debated taking this job just because it called to be tougher than usual in facing the struggles behind these walls. And now a woman who looked like a simple college student or slightly older was thrown in here for who knows what. It was always the shy ones who were dangerous, she remembered. The ones who smiled back and offered kind words. One would be amazed at how closed up minds worked.
"Have you two been keeping a close watch on Amelia as I requested?" she asked the two older women behind the serving counter.
"Yes, Miss," both of them replied in unison.
"She's hardly been out though." The taller one frowned.
"She's been scared shitless since her last visit."
"And all Hollamby does is taunt her about being a wicked little girl."
"But she was being manipulated by that sodden pimp she called a boyfriend." The taller Julie sighed. "She's so young. Out on the streets by herself. No wonder he managed to chuck around an innocent girl like that."
"That innocent girl managed to stick a broken bottle in a lawyer, mind you," Regina returned sternly. "She's on a murder charge, a possible life sentence."
"For something she did in self-defense," The shorter Julie seemed angered a bit. "He was chucking her around and she did the right thing."
"Killing someone is never the right thing," the Wing Governor replied. "Anyway, she's still on suicide watch. So if anything seems out of the way with her, you report it to an officer. Is that clear?"
Both of them shared a look and offered a forced smile. "Sure thing, Miss. Any time."
"Oh but Miss," Regina was about to leave but she was turned back. The shorter Julie frowned a bit. "There is one thing to report."
"What's that?"
"She's been in her room since last evening. Haven't come out since. "They both shrugged. "We were on kitchen duty and then it was lock up time. And then this morning we had to clean out the 3s."
"That's no excuse!" Regina angrily returned. "You're supposed to at least check in with her every now and again."
Without sparing a second, Regina sought out Di Barker and asked her to immediately check on the 3s and assess Amelia's condition. Through the bars, she spoke whilst emerald eyes eavesdropped and roamed a body that was covered in too much clothes. One year since college ended. Graduation had been just last November. And she could clearly remember Lily's dramatic exit from her life. Kissing another senior in plain sight just after the ceremony. Emma remembered all of it, the pain of recollecting like a fresh wound opening up slightly. Eyes burning, she snapped her eyes away from Regina.
"Who's Amelia?" Emma asked the Julies, chewing on mashed potatoes that tasted like fluff instead of real food.
"Aw, she's just eighteen, she is," the taller one said. "Got a crack head as a boyfriend and he sold her out to his own clients. In the end, she couldn't take it and stuck a bottle in one of them. The boyfriend planted drugs on the poor thing and reported her to the police. She was found with drugs and arrested."
"Been in here only two weeks and she's as depressed as one could get," the other one said to Emma who gripped her spoon from anger. "She sent a visiting order to her brother and he showed up instead. Give the poor girl a scare, is what he did."
"Poor thing," they clicked their tongues.
"He should die, the piece of shit," Emma voiced her anger. "All of them deserve to be in here instead of us. The ones they pushed around and manipulated."
Their eyes widened. Regina turned to Emma sitting at the table, legs spread apart and stared at her for a few seconds. Something about the other woman was seriously catching her attention a little too much. Perhaps it was the air in which she carried herself. Easy going, relaxed, yet somewhat composed enough to handle everything perfectly fine. With a strong mind. Perhaps the need to keep things in order if so be. A streak of rebelliousness might crawl out some time. The blonde was massaging her numb wrists and looked up just in time to see the Wing Governor walk out of the eating area. Heels clicking as she went, Red catcalled and hung unto the bars.
"You're in here because of a pimp?" one of the Julies asked her.
Emma cleaned her plate and drained her orange juice in one go. She stood up and returned the wares to the counter. "Let's just say that I ended up meeting the wrong guy who used me and planted drugs in my car. If I ever meet him again, I'll probably stick a bottle in his crotch. But not to kill him. To just...give him a warning."
"Good girl," they both said, and smiled.
"What's the 3s?" Emma asked, totally confused.
"It's the third floor up there, where those on good behavior are put."
"Get your own room and all," the taller Julie said. "We're up there. Mostly lifers get up there but if you behave yourself, Miss Mills might give you the vacant cell."
Emerald eyes widened at the thought. "There's a vacant cell, like right now?"
Both of the Julies nodded. "Vacant and ready." They both frowned. "But right next to Amelia's cell. Poor girl."
Even before she could make her way to the opened gate, to return to the area where Red was, a scream filled the air above them. Startled women began to whisper, rearing their heads upwards as the Julies pitched out from behind the serving counter. It was Red who managed to use her long legs, climbing the steps three at a time. Everyone's attention was focused upwards as Sylvia muscled her way through them and approached the stairs.
"What's going on up there?" she asked.
"Oh fuck, she's dead!" came Red's voice from above. A scuffle ensued and Emma darted out, joining everyone. Betts was quickly approaching them as officers held back bewildered women from climbing the stairs. "Guys!" Di tried to pull Red back but she was too strong. "Amelia topped herself! She's hanging in here like a freaking rag doll!"
Immediately, the women around her erupted and began to protest loudly. Eyes wide, her neck began to ache as she continued to stare upwards.
"Alright! Back to your cells!" Sylvia ordered, snapping her fingers and gesturing for the other officers to step in. "Get back to our cells, all of you!"
Shell was the one who shouted "it was the screws who made her top herself as usual! Wouldn't be surprised if Hollamby heard the poor thing crying out last night for help and she turned a frigging blind eye!" And that's when the real uproar began. Suddenly, Emma had no idea what was happening but she was sandwiched between the women as they pulled Sylvia down. Fighting with all the strength she had left, the blonde woman tried to get away from the scuffle and ended up standing next to Betts who rested a hand on her shoulder. Immediately she froze up but the other woman was too busily focused on the commotion to notice her reaction. It wasn't just the touch. It was her gaydar spinning out of control.
"Get into your cell," Betts told her, she strode forward and yelled. "All of you, stop this immediately and return to your cells!"
But that wasn't exactly an inviting order. No one seemed to pay the older blonde woman any attention. Emma was still trying to gather composure from Betts being touchy with her and she stood there processing it all. Someone moved past her and she was pushed. However, in her cell Emma did not get chuck into. Instead, she was suddenly pushed into no other than Miss Mills, the two of them moving away from each other immediately as if stung by a bee. Staring at each other with wide eyes, the Wing Governor blinked fast and snapped her eyes elsewhere.
"Swan, ignore the racket and get inside, please," she gestured to the blonde's new room.
Emma watched the brunette swallow hard. She didn't want to obey because if Amelia topped herself then by all means she understood this more than anyone in here. She understood what it was like to have a pimp as a boyfriend. Being manipulated. She should be protesting as well. But somehow when brown eyes met hers, the blonde bent to the other woman's orders. They tore their eyes away from each other and before locking the door behind the newcomer and her three cellmates, their hands brushed. It was like a tingling sensation that traveled up her right arm and melted Emma's heart immediately. She felt a small rush in her chest, a dizzying feeling. Weak in the knees, she gazed through the rectangular opening on the door and managed to catch the bounce of Regina's dark choppy hair as she rounded on the other prisoners.
"All of you, get back to your cells!" the brunette ordered in a voice that had such an effect on Emma, she tried to stop the feeling immediately.
As the other three shouted, pounding the walls, Emma went to her bed and climbed on top. Sitting there, she didn't massage her right hand this time because it wasn't numb. It was a really breathtaking feeling. The numbness had been replaced with a slight heat that awakened her arm and sizzled her body. Just where their fingers had met she felt it. She felt it as sharply as she couldn't forget the brunette's perfume. Sitting there, the blonde bit her lips and realized that she hadn't taken one full breath since Miss Mills bumped shoulders with her outside.
xxx
They were let out three hours after, almost close to 4pm. Emma immediately sought out Red and stayed in their company whilst all of the women whispered about the injustice within these walls. As much as it was somewhat cozy sitting at a table with other women, Emma still felt seriously anxious about being in there. The things that went on in prison. The harassment and drama. If this was the beginning with a girl hanging herself, then what would come after?
"Screws who ignore the seriousness of our situation," Red spoke purposely loud enough to be heard. "Amelia was fucked up in the head and they didn't give a shit –"
"That's enough, Lucas," Di warned, sending her a warning look.
"No if you people in here believe that us women are lost causes," Red glared at her, "that we don't deserve to live or to be treated as humans, then this is a violation of our rights. As a woman you should understand this more. We don't give a shit about the male pigs who work here as prison officers because they can't understand us."
"Just when we thought things would change around here with two women at the top," Shell piped up, sitting at another table. She lifted her head, gave the third landing a look and frowned. "If you ask me, the new Wing Governor is as shitty as anything. She doesn't give a shit! All sophisticated and stuck up like a rich brat –"
"Shell!" Di stepped towards her, hands planted on wide hips. "All of us are upset that Amelia hung herself. But it's not the Wing Governor's fault."
"It's Bodybag's fault, that's what it is," Shell threw a look around the room of women. "Not the first time she's done it."
"I thought she was on suicide watch?" Emma spoke up boldly, "doesn't that mean she's supposed to be under close supervision?"
Di Barker couldn't answer that one. She clamped her mouth shut and remained there, staring at Emma. Apparently the other women were nodding in agreement. They acknowledged the newcomer for the first time since her arrival.
"Look, it's not nice to be used, okay?" Emma directed this to Di Barker. "She was young, she was obviously scared and her pimp was actually allowed to see her one last time. What the hell he told her, could have been what made the girl top herself. What I don't get is how you people managed to screw up a simple visit that was supposed to have her brother here instead. And it's my first day here, and you supposed officers seem to be really fucking up your duties –"
"Swan, that's enough."
Emma glared at Di. "If you could neglect your watch on a suicidal girl in here, then I wouldn't like to think what else happens."
"The screws getting all handsy," Shell wiggled her fingers and smiled around madly, "Fenner is dead but they're still fucking with us in here. All of them. Just imagine what one of them must have done to poor Amelia up there in her room alone…"
The gate was opened to the front and when Emma saw the Wing Governor step through it, she immediately froze up. Looking fatigued and obviously tired from a long day, especially after the recent episode, the brunette stepped into the midst of the women and rested a hand on the pool table. No one was playing at the moment. None. Just everyone sitting around, still horrified over one of them topping herself. Having enough of life. Possibly being threatened and deciding to end it all.
Miss Mills had a sensational way of breathing through her parted lips. It could really drive Emma crazy because for someone to appear breathless. For that same someone to stare at an inmate whilst appearing to have some difficulty in breathing. It wasn't just a look. It wasn't just a look to Emma. Brown eyes that were severely intense stared around as she remained silent. And suddenly the whispering stopped. Everything just went dead silent as once again, Emma realized that Miss Mills could have extreme power in a room.
"To begin by being fair in issuing a statement on the developments to what happened earlier," she said in that low, hoarse voice of hers, "the officers who were on duty today since the morning shift will report to my office at precisely 9am tomorrow. Why?" the whispering began again but a hand was held up and everyone went silent again, "I specifically gave orders for my staff to keep an eye on Amelia Ward 24/7, beginning two days ago. The two Julies have informed me that she hadn't left her room since yesterday. Now to my knowledge, not only my officers are responsible for what happened to Amelia –"
"What?" a couple women were puzzled, "blame the screws! They're the ones who did it!"
"Whilst most of you claimed to be her friend," Regina announced, looking around sternly, "never attempting to check on her as well, urging Amelia downstairs and out of her room. Leaving her to segregated and then when my officers were attending to other duties like handling your incessant rudeness and slip ups, she managed to be left on her own for hours. How is it," the governor searched the room and held Emma's stare, "that you can find fairness in blaming Officer Hollamby and Officer Barker when there are close to sixty of you in here and with six officers on duty, they only managed to be born with two pairs of eyes?"
No one answered. Emma was being stared at and she felt uneasy. She felt uneasy because her fingers began to feel something again. The brushing of hands earlier, the lingering stares. Gazes shared across the room and it had only been a couple of hours since they met.
"If you wish to hold someone responsible," Mills added, "then back up your accusations with actual evidence instead of personal conflicting opinions that are ridiculously selfish. Have a good evening." And with that, brown eyes lingered on Emma once more and flicked to someone behind her.
"Miss Betts," Red piped up, suddenly appearing cheerful, "going home at last, aren't you?"
"I suppose so, Lucas," Karen smiled wryly. "How are you? On your best behavior as promised?"
"Since you asked nicely," Red leant over the table, and Emma stared at the swell of her breasts. "I've been a really good girl. Don't want to disappoint the Number One, right?"
Belle rolled her eyes and smiled.
"You never disappoint me, Lucas. Enjoy your evening."
"Seriously?" Emma whispered in her new friend's direction. "Flirting with Betts out in the open?"
"She loves it. She's even told me her coming out story —"
"She did?" the blonde was impressed but slightly doubtful of that even occuring. Belle nodded as if reading her mind and emerald eyes widened. "She's actually gay?"
"Gay as ever, and it took her a while to accept it. But after Fenner harassed the poor soul, that was her breaking point. She decided to come out, be proud and now if you look at her carefully, the woman is seriously radiating with happiness."
She stared at Betts. Indeed there was a sort of radiance about the boss. Glowing and a bit bubbly. Emma watched her approach Regina and they brushed shoulders. Whispering something to each other, the prisoners all tried to listen in but could not catch a word.
Suddenly Bodybag showed up and the racket continued for a slim minute. Lifting her hand, Regina silenced all of them and continued to speak with Karen whilst Emma stared at them without realizing. It was Red who nudged her and laughed. Moving closer, the brunette with red streaks in her hair tugged her new friend in.
"Karen was sacked for being framed for a hit and run. Later, she was proved innocent. Served as prison officer and Wing Governor before getting sacked all because of Fenner."
"Who is this Fenner everyone's referring to?" Emma asked, frowning.
"A lady's worst nightmare. Used to abuse the women in here. He killed an inmate and blamed it on someone else. But we all knew what he did. Until one of the Julies couldn't take it anymore and she stabbed his beer gut. Fucking twat he was. Now we have two ladies," Red whispered, staring at the women in question, "let's hope they can make some change. Mills sounds like she's got her head on."
"She's fierce," Emma said, staring too. The brunette in question had her eyes lowered and was listening as Betts spoke. Dark hair clipped up, she was seriously beautiful, with high cheekbones and red painted lips that were pressed together. Honey colored skin, graceful fingers that gesticulated often as she spoke. And that intense stare that could melt Emma's mind in seconds.
"She's hot. Not my type of woman though. I'm more into the shy, bookie ones like Belle." Red gave her girlfriend a look of divine love and smiled. The other woman had a book parted open, a copy of Mansfield Park. Emma had read that one before. Pride and Prejudice still remained her favorite though.
"How long have you and Belle been together?" she was curious, studying her hands that were dry and needed moisturizing. She needed cream soon. And sanitizer in this place.
"A couple months, since we got in here. Some bullies were trying to harass her and I protected the doll like a white knight. Then everything else happened in the library."
Emerald eyes widened and turned to the other woman. "Seriously? You two sneaking a moment in the library? How romantic!'
"Yeah," red streaked hair fell into a narrow face that was beyond pretty. "I get all mushy about it. But she started quoting from The Notebook to me and I just kissed her."
"Geez, I wish I could meet someone who actually gave a shit about me," Emma confessed, her heart aching, "I've never met someone who could really melt my heart and felt the same way about me. All the time I'm played. No one ever loves me back more than I love them. It's shit."
"Wrong men or wrong women?" Red was fishing.
"Both. And the horrible part is, when I end up trusting someone, they fuck me over."
"Like the fucker who pushed you in here?"
Emma stared at her.
Red shrugged. "Most of the women in here were thrown in by men. Shitty men. So I only assumed you were the same."
"Yeah, you're right actually." Somehow Emma trusted Red. She seemed like the kind of woman who actually did care. Especially how Belle was treated, there was actually some love in this woman's heart. Genuine love. But flirting with Karen Betts openly in front of your girlfriend? Now that was probably something to wonder about. Unless their love was so intense that jealousy could never get in the way.
Huddled closely together, none of them noticed the table was approached. Emma was so caught up in Red explaining the terms and phrases used in there. Everything about the officers. Di had been married to this Fenner guy. Sylvia had been scammed by her ex-husband. Officer David was happily married to a woman on the outside and she was Ruby's mother's close friend.
"I have two moms, see?" Red confessed. "Dianna was my other mother since I was a baby. The two of them have been together for years and they've both helped me through life. But the reason I'm in here is because a cop was getting handsy with my ex and I shoved him away. Bartender reported me and the cop screamed abuse. Mom and Dianna were upset but were totally on my side. No one's supposed to harass a lady, got me?"
"Damn right," Emma agreed.
"Miss Swan."
Regina's voice startled Emma so much, she practically jumped in her seat. Face upturned, the blonde stared at her, completely speechless. Karen was there too, arms folded. But her presence wasn't felt as much as the woman standing by her side. That lingering scent of perfume, White Diamond by Elizabeth Taylor. The smell of apples somehow and a cleanly pressed suit. Emma could hear Regina breathing and she couldn't understand how that was even possible in a room full of chatty women.
"Yes, Miss Mills?" her voice was lower than usual. She cleared her throat.
Regina blinked, lips parted. "I'd like to complete your induction now before I leave for the day."
"Yeah, okay," she stood up, knees feeling suddenly weak. How it was possible that a stranger could have such an effect on her, Emma had no idea.
"Okay, so I'll wrap up things on my end and be leaving for the day," Betts sent a look around the room. "Until tomorrow, ladies. Good evening."
It was like being in high school again and led by the Principal to her office upstairs. Leaving the room full of women, still strange faces, the blonde followed the brunette through the gate and out of the wing for the first time. It was like leaving prison and entering a space where criminals didn't dwell. Flexing her fingers, she realized that nerves were sparked up. Regina was shorter than she was by a couple inches. Not that it should matter. But somehow she felt significantly affected by everything the other woman did. From the way she walked, hips swaying to the careful attempt in avoiding Emma's eyes. Leading her on, that's what most of them did. Woman who were suddenly affected by her and somehow chose to tease a response, acting the part of being seductively important. Trying to get a rise out of someone they probably would never love back as much.
Somehow the situation never changed on her part. Always falling in love with the straight ones. Her biggest fuck ups ever. Moving in and kissing a woman who wanted to sleep with a man in the end. But to have a woman make love to her as part of experimenting. Then when the blonde fell too deep, they'd all leave, running back to stupid men who played them like an instrument. She couldn't count the amount of women who had fucked with her heart over the years in college. After that, seeking company in men was like trying to rebel in some way. Killian was the last devil, hopefully.
Upstairs in this part of the building smelt better and was comfortably different from G Wing itself. Nodding at her secretary, a geeky looking guy with round glasses, Regina pushed open the door labeled 'Wing Governor' and stood back. Those eyes, making Emma stall a little longer than expected, staring. Something was seriously happening here and she was afraid all of a sudden. To be so close to a woman who was completely attractive. She couldn't pass by her without a weak heart stopping. And all because of growing lightheaded, Emma accidentally brushed hands with Regina again.
This time, without holding it in fast enough, the brunette's sharp intake of breath was heard in the slice of silence. It was enough to stop Emma in her tracks. It was so breathtaking, she couldn't compose herself because the proximity was driving a sudden sizzling sensation. A feeling of drawing closer and closer and acting on the rush of the moment. A moment that consisted of so much more. Thoughts racing through her head. Blinded by fresh feelings for someone who was obviously disturbed by this new acquaintance.
She stood there with both of them upon the threshold and faced the Wing Governor. Wide eyes suggested a deliberate attempt to reveal the effect of the situation. Both of them stared at each other but it was not to last longer. Instead, clearing her throat, Regina lowered her eyes and awaited the entry of a young woman into her office who was seriously creating some new-found effect. It was alluring but dangerously provoking to be alone at last with this strange person. This strange individual who had just showed up and was already drawing every ounce of every breath she took. Becoming breathless was an understatement.
They sat on opposite sides of the polished oak desk. Legs spread apart, emerald eyes lowered, Emma decided to avoid all possible eye contact in the hopes of riding out this meeting without fucking up things. The flip of a green file, the rustle of papers, the click of a pen. The sound of a clock ticking and her heart hammering away. Breathing couldn't be accomplished easily. Everything about this room screamed privacy and extreme tension. The tension was so thick between the two women, you could cut across it with a knife.
"Emma..."
Swallowing hard, the younger woman looked across the table and held her breath. Was she just referred to by her first name? Wasn't that a step away from being professional?
"Yeah?"
The brunette frowned. "Even though I just addressed you by your first name, Emma, I'd like some formality to be returned."
"Sorry," Emma licked her lips, "Miss Mills."
A smile was offered, pen still poised above paper. "Perhaps I should refer to you as Miss Swan instead. But your first name is quite nice. Therefore I shall call you by that."
She didn't understand the beginning of this game.
Regina frowned. "Forgive me, did I say something wrong?"
She took awhile to respond but eventually did with the shake of her head.
"Is it not okay to call you Emma?"
"You can call me whatever you want," the blonde said, eyes lowered to the desk. "I don't mind."
The seconds that ticked by after that statement were quite long.
"Moving on, I have read your file thus far. The charges slapped upon you. Your education level; a Degree in Law. You signed up for the Police Academy which is quite...incredible..." brown eyes rested on Emma's lowered eyes then lingered on her lips. "So you wish to be a Police Officer?"
"Isn't that why someone signs up in a Police Academy?" she didn't mean to be so harsh. But something was seriously eating away at a heart that was fluttering without stopping.
"Do you have any interests...per say...in working with prisons?" Regina's voice wavered a bit. "Because it is an intriguing area of study."
"Why the hell would I want to work in a prison after serving time in one?" emerald eyes met brown ones. She regretted being so harsh immediately.
"There is no need to be so blunt with me, Emma." The brunette's voice was steady but took on a different tone, one that suggested she was offended and somewhat confused. "I am merely trying to assist you here and it is in my best interest to do so. Please comply with me."
Emma sighed, "geez, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so stupid."
"Do not confuse stupidity with fresh nerves," Regina spoke in a gentle voice, "it is understood that you must be severely conflicted right now based on your current situation. I wouldn't be quick to attach such a word to your responses."
How could she be so well spoken? Emma stared at her and wondered how many Degrees the Wing Governor had. Because if someone could handle everything in such a professional yet gentle way, then they must be severely intelligent. Composed too, well trained and possibly holding unto a talent that consisted of handling even the toughest situations delicately but firmly. She had been in a bad mood just now, honestly a conflicting mood. Conflicting feelings about the woman sitting across from her. Confusing thoughts about her six months sentence. And just like that, Regina managed to change her whole mood into one that was more tranquil.
"Will you speak to me now with a different attitude?" the older woman asked, waiting.
"Yes, Miss Mills, I'm sorry. It's just that —" she held her tongue and looked away, eyes burning.
"What is it?" the brunette urged, leaning slightly over her desk. "I'd like to assist you in any possible way. So please elaborate..."
"I'm not supposed to be here, okay?" she couldn't stop herself and decided that when there was only the meeting of eyes as a response, then perhaps a continuation would be alright. "I was set up. And I wasn't using drugs or smuggling any. But he just used me. He used me and made me take the fall whilst his buddy was released instead."
Regina blinked fast. She swallowed. But Emma never did catch the look of sincere sympathy offered. The way the brunette gazed at her for a few seconds, actually allowing herself to be drawn in by the younger woman's injustice. It shouldn't have happened. It shouldn't ever happen.
"Your lawyer will do his best," she said at last. "Currently you are here and my job concerns everything that happens on G Wing."
"I just feel like shit, that's all," Emma confessed.
"Then might I suggest the counselor?" she was only trying to be helpful.
"I don't need anyone looking inside my head," Emma replied in a cross manner, "I already know what's inside. I don't give a shit about what other people think because they never care when they claim they do."
"There you go again being quite defensive when I am just trying to help you —"
"I really don't need your help," the younger woman replied, tears in her eyes. "How the hell can you help me when you don't know nothing about me to begin with? Like why I'm in here? How do you even expect to help me on G Wing as you put it when you don't even give a shit about what happened before here? I don't need people promising me things, trying to be nice and then shit happens."
Regina inhaled. She bit her lips. "Miss Swan, is it so hard to actually believe that I genuinely care about you?"
No. Don't do this to me, please. Refusing to answer, emerald eyes were lowered and squeezed shut because this wasn't the first time someone promised that. They all did that. They all confessed that a genuine interest was sought out and then everything turned upside down. That's how Lily drew her in. Claiming that she really cared. That she cared and knew what it was really like to be alone. They bonded and were intimate with each other. An awakening that forced Emma to believe in being attracted romantically to another woman. They could make you believe the world in them and then the only path afterward led to someone else who was preferably a man.
"I have a general belief in life," she eventually said, never looking up but pulling at her numb fingers. "I believe that if someone moves from calling me by my first name to referring to me in a professional and formal manner. Then genuinely they don't care at all. All they care about is doing their job right. And they're only doing a job because they're getting paid to do it. So don't expect me to believe a word you're saying to me because I'm not an idiot who will honestly believe that you care." She finally looked up and met brown eyes that were widened. "It takes a lot from someone for me to believe that they give a fuck."
They watched each other for close to a minute. A minute felt like an hour. In that time, the blonde stared back whilst the other woman simply considered her with mild disbelief. What began as a stare ended up changing into a gaze that was enacted without effort because the woman who claimed she really cared was captivated intensely by the bold streak shown. That captivation could not be concealed even behind her well built walls to block out personal feelings with inmates. She could always draw the line with these women in here. It had been such an easy task for almost two weeks now. However, the tables had turned and Regina found herself in a very intimidating position.
She simply couldn't speak.
Emma never looked away. Her throat began to ache terribly because of the feelings rushing through a heart that ached for more to be said. More to be discovered. Two buttons undone. The sexual tension that was building up as none of them found it possible to say a word. One word. Silence. But this time the silence wasn't torturing and deafening as in the truck. Instead, the blonde was reveling in the attention she was receiving from the older woman.
Folding her arms, fingers trembling, she sighed. Her entire body trembled instead. "How can I get into a room on the 3s?"
Behind Regina, there was a window. A truck could be heard entering the grounds, the crunch of gravel. It was too late for new arrivals to show up. Unless there was an emergency transfer.
"Good behavior and a display of complete respect to other inmates, prison officers, the number one who is Miss Karen Betts." Regina still couldn't breathe properly. "And myself."
"Is Miss Betts in a higher position than you?" Emma tried to take deep breaths. She focused on red nails resting on her file, supposedly. A right hand that was sexy as hell.
"Yes."
"What time do I have to wake up in here?"
"Before the time was strictly 6am but gradually the inmates worked to move it an hour later."
"That's not bad, considering that I hardly sleep anyway." She couldn't look at Regina just yet. "I'm not suffering from insomnia or anything like that. It's just that I partied mostly after midnight during college, and slept in between classes. So it worked out."
"But that's not an ideal sleeping pattern."
"It works for me," Emma replied bluntly, "I guess I'll replace partying with reading since I'm in here for six months."
"What an intelligent idea..."
Emma stared at the woman finally. "Who's being blunt now?"
Regina was thrown off balance. "I am not...being...blunt." She cleared her throat, toying with the edge of the file. Bending it slightly, almost caressing the material.
"I think you're doing your job wrong." Emma was really being courageous with her statements. "You're supposed to be asking the questions and telling me what's what. Not me. You're in control. I'm just your prisoner," she never looked away from Regina. "Right?"
"Lock up time is 6pm," the brunette replied in an unsteady voice. She cleared her throat and stared at the stack of folders. "If you misbehave in any way, an officer has the right to put you on report immediately. Which can add time to your sentence. Extreme and out of control behavior books you a room on the block. Where you are segregated, kept in isolation for a prescribed time."
"So Rule 47 would put me down the Block," Emma confirmed, arms folded, legs still spread open.
"Yes."
"Disrespecting the Wing Governor..."
"Correct."
She watched Regina's chest heave. "Has anyone ever been put down the Block for...kissing the Wing Governor?"
That did it. Emma watched the older woman immediately stare at her with wide brown eyes that registered utter and complete loss of composure. Lips parted, she became the object of incredible awe. It had to be done. It really had to be achieved because Emma could not stomach the growing tension inside of her any longer. She needed a reaction of some sort to prove the obvious. That more than 'genuine care' was involved here.
A need to see in the best interest that an inmate was taken care of.
It wasn't just that. It was more. It had been more than just a look when they first met in the kitchen area. The meeting of eyes that sent so much across distance. The need to stare and gradually gaze. Lingering looks that eventually rested on parted lips. Silent scrutiny that was diverted when the other party looked up. Regina wasn't making an effort to hide anything either. It was all out in the open. But Emma had no idea what she was capable of doing. The Wing Governor wasn't the kind of woman to reveal her feelings so easily. Composure was an art of hers to uphold in any situation.
But someone had come along that managed to smash the ice and force her way in.
"If anyone ever was put down the Block for doing that," Emma bravely continued, "then I admire them a great deal."
Regina's move was to sit back, purposely feeling the need to create more distance between them. Diverting her eyes, those manicured hands were rested on the table in plain sight. And when Emma eventually saw the ring on the older woman's left hand, she felt her insides grow colder and colder. Frigid. It was done deliberately, that simple and sudden display that had gone unnoticed before.
Once again, there it was in the open. Toying with your feelings, leading you on somehow, making you believe that there was something more. Then everything collapsed when the guy came in the picture. So she had someone. Of course she had someone to go home to. Emma could take one look at her and realize that any man would want a woman like Regina Mills. Because she wasn't just beautiful and sexy as hell. She was smart and compassionate, genuinely ambitious. She was a man's perfect and ideal woman. Whoever he was, he was the luckiest man in the world. Because her throat was aching so much now and the urge to allow the tears to show was being fought back.
She swallowed hard nevertheless. "I guess I shouldn't continue asking questions since you probably have to go home to your husband."
Heart galloping, her eyes burnt but it was always best to handle things this way. To hold yourself out, take the bite and then brave it through the pain and hurt. A quick way to get over someone before they managed to take up residence in your heart.
Regina swallowed, and she couldn't look at Emma. She couldn't look at her at all. About three minutes slipped by and tears filled Emma's eyes.
"I guess that silently means that my induction is over," she rose up, and reached up to bat away tears, "I'll leave now. Have a good evening."
She reached the door and was suddenly intrigued by the painting on the wall. Depicting a landscape that detailed a pathway in the forest, emerald eyes studied it in silence. The use of a fine tip brush to finish a beautiful piece of work. A small house discovered between the trees, almost hidden but there. And when she noted the painter's signature at the bottom, her breath was held. It was signed by Regina.
Swallowing hard, she stepped to the door without looking back.
It was all she needed. To leave without looking back.
But the second her trembling hand reached out to take the bronze colored knob, and the door was pulled open, Regina appeared beside her.
Emma gasped when the Wing Governor pressed the door close, standing less than a foot away and completely breathless..
xxx
A/N - If you have reached the end then do feel free to take a second and leave a response. I'd like to know if you are a Bad Girls fan and you were driven into raptures by this fantastic crossover thus far. As I always ask, SHOULD I REALLY CONTINUE THIS?