Disclaimer: Janet owns the characters. I am just borrowing them for awhile.

The Prisoner

My life as I know it is over. At least that's how I feel at this moment.

My name is Stephanie Plum and I am in jail. Not even the holding cell at Trenton Police Department. I am in prison. More specifically, the Women's Penitentiary at Clinton, by Newark.

How could this happen to me, you ask? It seems that New Jersey really does frown on carrying concealed without a permit. I was wearing my shoulder holster with my Glock in it. It was cold out and I had on my favorite Rangers team jacket that evening but it was so cold and my POS car's heating had broken down, again, so it was partially snapped up. When Officer Gaspick pulled me over for a broken taillight, he saw the handle of my gun. He then charged me with assaulting a police officer when I accidentally slammed my car door on his face and broke his nose. It really wasn't my fault. I was opening the door as he was looking down and his face and my window met. I guess on top of that, when he cuffed me and was putting me in the back of his police car, my knee accidentally connected with his crotch. Probably that was not one of my smartest moves, but at the time my satisfaction seeing him bend over in extreme pain overrode the realization that there might be some serious criminal repercussions later. As I was escorted into the Trenton Police Department by Gaspick, and cuffed to the bench I had so many times cuffed my FTA's to, I realized that I might be in a pile of shit.

Eddie came over with some concern on his face. As I explained what had happened, I noticed behind him, Big Dog and Carl smiling and exchanging money. Once again, I was entertainment and a source of income for members of Trentons' finest. I was fingerprinted, photographed and placed in a holding cell.

I had to use my one phone call to ask Dickie Orr to be my lawyer. When we met, Dickie gave me the song and dance that it was such a minor charge, at least in Trenton, that I might as well plead guilty. I would probably only get a fine, or some Community Service.

Connie came and bonded me out. I spent the next few days rounding up my skips, getting groceries, and visiting my parents for supper. I now had a bond to pay back. As scheduled, I appeared later in the week in front of the judge, prepared to plead Guilty. I had things to do, FTA's to pick up, and rent to pay. Ranger had been in the wind for some time and thought I would drop in to Rangeman afterwards and check on any news.

Imagine my surprise when the Judge sentenced me to 12 months incarceration. She said she had taken into account my apparent lack of respect for the law, my other minor brushes with members of the force and my obvious inability to contribute as a law abiding citizen taking my BEA job too liberally. As I was led away in handcuffs, I looked back at Dickie. He met me in the prisoner holding area. I asked "Are you going to appeal; everyone appeals, right?" Dick shrugged his shoulders. "Honestly Steph, it was so cut and dried it would waste the courts time. I talked to the judge and she said she is sick and tired of BEA's circumventing the law and running on the gray side. She wanted to give you more. With good behavior, you will only be there for a few months." I looked at him with disbelief. What do I know about the court system?

My thoughts turned to Rangeman. Why didn't I call them first? I am sure someone could have helped me there better than the Dickhead.

My parents came to see me before I was transported. Mom just stood there wringing her hands and muttering that nobody had a daughter in prison in their neighborhood. Dad just stood by me and spoke quietly. "Pumpkin, I don't pray a lot, but I am going to pray tonight that you are safe there. We will try to visit you as much as we can." He took a breath. "I want you to be safe. Be careful. I am going to find out how this happened. We trusted Orr to do his job. He just wanted my money." Frank was in full rhino mode.

He continued after another breath. " I called your Grandma last night. She is still on her bus tour and won't get back for a couple of days. She sends her love and promises to visit you when she gets back." He mumbled under his breath." I just can't believe it. This is so not right!" He sighed and rubbed his hand up and down my arm before giving me a hug. Dad gently put his arm around Mom's shoulders and led her to the door where the guard opened it and they walked out. Stephanie could hear her mother begin to sob.

Mary-Lou, Connie and Lula waited to talk to me. All we could do was hug. They promised they would visit as much as they were allowed. Lula even promised to try. I knew how hard it was for her to be anywhere near police stations, or even courthouses. I cannot even imagine her going into a prison. Mary-Lou promised to look after Rex. Her kids loved him and he usually grew fat in their care. Coming to see me in prison was such a leap in faith that all I could do was tear up at the thought.

They left and Hal from Rangeman stepped in. The whole core team have been in the wind for over a month and Hal has been trying to get a message to them, but there has been no word yet that they got the message. "Bomber, is there anything I can do for you?" All I could do was lean into his big, strong chest as he hugged me. I was becoming emotional .

My hands were now re-cuffed and my legs shackled as he murmured that he would do all he could to figure out how this had turned into such a clusterfuck. As the female guard looked at her watch and stepped closer, I pulled back and mumbled, "Thanks for all you tried to do Hal. I still cannot believe that I got such a long sentence. I thought something light, like a fine, or even Community Service. I am really scared. I put some of those people in there. I hope the training I got from you guys will protect me now."

Hal wiped the tears from my cheeks and pushed the strand of hair over my eye behind my ear, a familiar gesture that Ranger used to do when I was upset. He kissed me on the forehead and whispered in my ear. "Everyone at Rangeman is livid. I know we take liberties with the law a bit, but this is really harsh. We have dropped everything to find out what the hell happened. The guys send their love. I have left all kinds of messages for Ranger to call me, but he must not be in cell or internet range. Rest assured, Bomber, we will get to the bottom of this and get you out as soon as we can."

The female guard took my arm and guided me out of the room. The click of the metal door made my heart drop.

I was locked down in the prison van, and our circuitous journey to prison began. We arrived at the gate and my voyage into this hellhole began. We were unloaded in a secure garage and led to a waiting room. Still in handcuffs and shackles we were processed, checked over by the prison doctor, and handed our clothing, bedding and necessary toiletries. Finally uncuffed and unshackled, I was led to a cell and am now sitting on my bed feeling completely drained.

My information sheet says I am working in the kitchen for my first rotation. Was this someone's idea of a joke? I burn water! I am given the schedule of when to get up, when to shower, when to eat, when to work, and when to exercise.

The guard who escorted me to my cell mentioned that they all knew what I did for a living. I am not a cop nor am I anything special . I firmly believe I am in for a rough ride here. If I can stay out of trouble, I can get out of here in 5 months.

My emotions catch up with me and tears pour down my cheeks. I hug my knees to my chest and give in to a good cry.