Fridget life//Chapter eight: Cuts and Bruises

"Oh my god.." Franky was immediate with running over to her and bringing her horrifically scarred body into her arms, not caring that she was covered in blood and it was now getting on her, with the phone in her hand dialing a number frantically.

"Vera? You gotta come over now.. I think Bridget's been attacked." She said out of breath placing it to the side seconds later. Wrapping her arms around the distressed shaking blonde. Sobbing into her now ripped shirt.

"I'm so sorry." She managed to say through her sobs. She attempted to pull her back to look into her eyes but Bridget just clenched onto her tighter panic gasping and crying hard. Franky not being able to hold back her tears anymore, this was one of her worst fears. She heard the door opened close followed by a gasp minutes later; she knew Vera must have speeded.

She looked at Bridget and then to the governor mouthing the word "help" Vera dropped to her knees next to them.

"Bridget.. listen to me, I'm gonna need you to calm down.. and let us see okay?" She said softly, yet she didn't obey, her grip remained on the brunette. Franky pulled her up so she could whisper to her.

"Babykin.. shhhh." She began, able to have some control over her sobs. "Just let us see, your safe now I promise.." Franky whispered kissing her neck, attempting to pull her back slightly to inspect and get a closer look, keeping her forehead pressed against hers looking down at her bruised and cut open in many places stomach, gasping quietly. Vera came back down with a wet washcloth, some bandages and an ice pack.

"Oh my god.." she whispered to Franky looking at her stomach, then moving to her back that had a medium sized wound.. Franky pulled her forehead slowly away from Bridget's revealing her black eye.

"Fuck" Franky whispered. Bridget was pale, still crying and shaking, she was horrified.

"It may seem impossible right now, buy try to calm her down, it'll make it easier and we can find out what happened." Vera explained, dabbing the stab wounds with the washcloth. Franky was trying to keep in her sobs.

"Franky look at me.." Vera said softly placing one hand on her back. "I know this is scary, you saw this kind of stuff happen all the time in the prison and experienced it yourself, I know this is a huge fear for you, to see her go through what you went through, but you have to bare with me and she's gonna be just fine.." she explained with sympathy in her voice.

Franky nodded and grabbed Bridget's shaky hand and pulled her closer into her arms. Yet out enough so Vera could clean and work on her torso. "Gidget.. breathe with me." She softly said sniffling. She started taking deep breaths hoping Bridget would follow in her path.

Bridget attempted, but failed. "I c-can't.." she managed to get out before sobbing again.

"Look at me" she whispered turning her chin towards her, gently putting her forehead against the blondes. "Your safe, I got you.. the door is locked.. Vera and I aren't gonna leave you here." As her sobs started rising higher again

Franky soothingly shhed her swaying ever so slowly. "It's gonna be difficult, but try to close your eyes and take your mind to a different place." She spoke quietly, leaning in kissing her lips softly over and over again until her breathing returned to somewhat normal and her sobs slowly subsided. Bridget rested her head on the brunettes chest eyes closed, while Franky's head rested on top of hers watching Vera bandage her stomach.

"Your doing great Franky, I'm nearly done with this area, just the one on her back and the few on her arms and she should be good." Vera said with a slight smile.

"When did you get so good at doing this sort of stuff?" Franky questioned.

"As a child instead of getting to go out with my friends, this was one of the things I was forced to practice." She explained. "I'm glad it came in handy." Franky nodded, looking down at Bridget, eyes closed her face was buried into Franky's chest frowning.

The brunette caught a glimpse of her unbuttoned pants. "Gidge.. did you get raped?" She asked hesitantly. Bridget swallowed "Almost." She whispered. "Oh B..." Franky said softly, closing her eyes tightly while kissing her head, running her fingers through the silky blonde hair.

"Your a real trooper." Vera added. "Okay, Your torso area looks good, I just need to get at your back and arms" Franky lifted her up very slowly turningher back to face Vera while her face was buried into her shoulder. Bridget winced at this one, her eyes welled up.. it was bigger than the rest. Franky kissed her neck lightly to take her mind off of it.

Shortly after Vera fixed up some small ones on her arms. Vera taught Franky how to change them every 2 days or so, and home remedies for making the pain go away faster. Bridget explained she was taking a shortcut through an alley to get to the store like she usually does, and a man pinned her to the wall and attempted to rape her, she was successful in getting away but it was difficult as she got punched and stabbed with a shiv. Thankfully they weren't extremely deep. "Thank you so much Vera.." Franky said hugging her tightly.

"No problem kiddo.. call me if you need anything" she replied as she left. Bridget was traumatized. Never in her life she thought she would have to go through that. Her whole body ached. She whimpered and winced as she held onto Franky, trying to fall asleep. Franky started tearing up again when she looked down at her. They were still in the same spot, just out of the hallway to the door. Tears started streaming down her cheeks as she looked away with her eyes pierced shut.

"Baby.." Bridget said with worry. Franky looked down to see the older woman staring up at her, then attempting to get up wincing. Franky immediately stopped her, and laid her back down in her arms.  

"Don't.." Franky whispered.

"It's not your fault.." the blonde said softly.  Franky shook her head.

"I didn't have my phone on, that's what could have saved you.." Bridget bit her lip, trying to find another way to turn it off of Franky, when she opened her mouth to speak Franky just put her finger over the little mouth. Franky stood up carefully, and placed Bridget on the couch.

"Do you want to sleep in your bed tonight? I can stay out here." Franky asked quietly, wiping the tears off of her face Bridget shook her head.

"Wherever you sleep is where I'm sleeping." She replied. Franky wasn't going to force the woman to do something she didn't want, so she just nodded.

Franky's eyes burned as hot tears kept welling in them. She went into Bridget's room to grab her some comfortable clothes, and slowly helped her change into them it wasn't past 6:30 quite yet.  Vera said she was going to stop by in the morning to see how things were going. She also gave them a spare air mattress she had in her car to set up in the living room so it would be easier to access the kitchen and such. She forgot Vera had blown it up for her before she left. She grabbed it and set it up in the living room with pillows and the softest blankets Bridget had. She scooped her up and placed her carefully on the mattress carefully.  She grabbed the ice pack that was in the freezer and layed next to her slowly.

She pulled up her shirt slowly revealing the bandaged area. Tracing slowly around it with her fingertips before placing the ice pack on it and applying a little bit of pressure. Bridget tensed up and whined at the touch, wincing and gripping the edge of the air mattress trying to pull away. Franky pulled her back slowly applying less pressure this time, moving up to her ear.

"Shhh, I promise it'll get better as the coldness numbs it." Franky whispered moving to Bridget's face kissing her until she got used to the touch. After the kissing was over looking down at the injured torso and covering it up with her shirt, taking Bridget's hand and placing it on the ice pack area. Before looking back up and placing one more kiss on her lips, smiling faintly.

"Your not gonna like it.. but before we go to bed I have to put some ointment on the one on your back.." Franky said tracing her fingers along her bruised eye. Bridget tensed up buy nodded knowing the ointment would burn slightly but it would help a lot.

"Just get it over with.." she whispered. Frank bit her lip and nodded, she came back with it and picking her up so she wouldn't try to move away. She put some on her finger and opened up the bandage just enough for her to slip her finger underneath, she felt Bridget tense up and close her eyes.

"Hey.." she said quietly.

"I'm fine, just do it.." Bridget whispered

"Kiss me.." Franky said quietly

"What?" Bridget questioned opening her eyes. "You heard me, kiss me." Franky laughed. Bridget still confused, once she started kissing her she felt the ointment go in and Franky's finger slipped out seconds later, the afterburn rose and Franky knew it as she kissed her deeper and more passionate, gently grabbing the ice pack and placing it on the area. Bridget whined and started to curse from the pain. Franky grabbed her face and pulled away softly to catch her breath before saying

"Focus on me, and this, don't think about that.." Franky said quietly before kissing her again. Bridget put her arms around Franky, as she sat them both down, laying Bridget down and the kisses became slower and lighter every time. Franky hovered over Bridget.

"Good technique hey?" Franky whispered before planting one more kiss on her lips. Bridget replied with a slight blush rising on her cheeks. Franky giggled acting like she was happy, but the older woman could see that she was pushing back major emotions and it was causing her anxiety. She put the ointment on the table and pulled the blanket over Bridget tucking her in lightly and layed next to her, leaving some distance so Bridget could have her space.

"Why are you being so distant?" Bridget questioned softly. "I told you I'm not upset with you.." she added reaching for her.

"I just don't want to put you in any more pain.. that's all." Franky explained. Bridget shook her head.

"You won't.. please come closer" The blonde replied in barely a whisper, she needed someone by her to feel safe as she was still horrified. Franky slowly obeyed scooting in closer, shakingly placing her hand around her stomach and her other arm going around her back, away from the bandaged wound.

"I love you more than anything.. I hope you know that.."  Bridget whispered, placing her hand on the tensed brunettes thigh.

"I love you too.." she whispered kissing her temple

The night went smoothly for the most part.  Franky couldn't sleep for a majority of it, she was too worried.  Bridget passed out after taking some strong medicine to help with the pain.

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"Franky.." The green puffy eyes opened slowly. Looking up at the governor. Vera saw the mascara stains on her cheeks.

"Rough night?" Vera whispered, Franky nodded,

"I've dropped off some more supplies on the table if you need it. The pain is going to be a lot worse today. Bare with her.." Vera added.

"Always have always will." Franky said. "Thank you" She added before hugging her and letting her be on her way. She looked down at Bridget slowly lifting up her shirt to reveal the swollen skin around it. Looked way more painful. Franky thought she should change the bandages while she was still asleep and put some pain relief cream on them with the ice pack. As she got to work slowly taking each individual padded wrap off of each wound, she saw Bridget wince, and heard her whimper.

"I'll be done soon gidge." Franky whispered putting the pain relief cream and a little bit of ointment in each stab divot. Bridget drifting in and out of sleep. She started replacing gauze pads and sterile bandages. She had lost a lot of blood so she was sure she would be semi out of it today. Towards the end Bridget fully woke up and started crying. Franky tried to finish fast but make sure it was done well. She finished the last one and immediately went up by Bridget's face while placing the ice pack lightly on it. Bridget was wincing as the silent tears sprung out of her eyes.

"Shhh, I'm all done babykins...your so brave.." Franky said quietly before kissing her neck attempting to calm her down. Frowning at how she was trying to hold it in, she slowly placed the older woman into her arms trying to get her to go to sleep.  Franky was trying to keep her cool, seeing her like this brought her whole world to a halt, and it came crashing down. Her entire genuine focus was on the woman laying in her arms.

"Make it stop.." Bridget whispered between one of her sobs. Franky teared up at the sentence.

"I really wish I could gidget.." she replied softly, slowly putting her back down as Bridget was fighting to stay in her arms. She leaned to put her down and started kissing her, making Bridget release her grip on her and lay down, her cries slowly subsided.

"Your too hard to fight against." Bridget said with a sigh catching her breath. Franky pulled the blankets over the top of her.

"Try to go back to sleep.." Franky whispered..

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"She's in a lot of pain, I've barely looked at her since the incident, it's really hard keeping a lid on it.. breaks my heart"



"It hurts you just about as much as it hurts her.. Have you have her any pain medication?"



"No.. she was asleep when I decided to change the bandages, I was nearly finished before she woke up and felt it, I told her to go back to sleep so she wouldn't be in a lot of pain.." Franky teared up as she was speaking, yes she was tough, but she couldn't help this sort of situation..  Bridget's eyes slowly opened, she was curled into Franky, facing her. Feeling the soft fingertips glide on her abdomen. Franky looked down feeling a slight adjustment from Bridget.

"Hey gidge.." She said quietly. Bridget looked confused at first, still half asleep, but smiled faintly after a few seconds. Franky let out a small laugh.

"Didn't know where you were for a second did yah?" Franky chimed tiredly, trying to cheer Bridget up slightly.

"Where's Vera?" Bridget finally spoke quietly. The governor came around the corner and bent next to her.

"Hey Bridget, how do you feel?" She questioned

"Everything hurts" she laughed slightly.

"Thank you for everything..I will repay you.."



"No problem! You don't have to repay me.." Vera said while she shook her head.

"Franky, let me show you some of the pain medications and their effects." Vera said heading towards the kitchen. Franky nodded and got up slowly. Vera held up the bottles and explained the doses, what they did, and wrote down the times.

"And finally this one.. give her two of these every eight hours. I am going to warn you though.. the side effects result in being irritating and emotional, starting about 15 minutes after taking them, I'm sure she'll contain herself since it's you taking care of her, it only lasts a few hours.." Vera explained carefully as she wrote down the last times. Franky nodded and thanked her.

"How do you feel..?" Vera questioned knowing this was impacting her as well. Franky looked down and crossed her arms shrugging.

"I hate every second of it.." she finally spoke, her voice breaking at the end. Vera gave her some comfort and hugged her sending she needed one. When she pulled away wiping some of the wetness that had sprung from her eyes away.

"Time will fly by and she'll be alright.. I promise.. bye Franky" she said quietly with a smile before walking out.

9:30pm- Franky got a glass of water and the pills Bridget needed to take. Franky slid her hands under her arms and sat her up, letting the older woman use her as something to lean on, after taking them laying her back down. Franky went to make her some soup and came back to her crying. She set the soup down on the coffee table and ran over by her.

"Hey.. are you okay?" She said quietly running her fingers through her hair.

"Do I look like I'm fine?" Bridget said raising her voice, gritting her teeth together through the sobs. Franky attempted to wipe the tears off of her face but she was swatted away by Bridget's hand. She turned off the lights but leaving a dim lamp on. She laid on the air mattress silent, on her side facing Bridget, looking for a show to watch, hoping the blondes reaction to the pill she took would be over soon.. But Bridget still had some steam to blow.

"None of this would have happened if you would have checked your goddamn phone!! Can't you just do something right for once?! You'd be better off in the prison working the steam press!!" She yelled angrily. Franky's mouth was slightly open, hurt and stunned that those words came out of her mouth. Bridget slowly covered her hand with her mouth.  Realizing what she said and who she said it to. Franky looked down, her eyes welling up again, letting out a short quiet gasp exhaling. Bridget bit her tongue, she forgot how sensitive she was out of prison, and how she hates talking about it..

"Franky honey I didn't-"   

"Don't." The brunette interrupted shaking her head. She turned her back towards Bridget, not letting her see the sadness and disappointment . Neither of them spoke.

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12:48, Bridget hadn't slept one minute. She had been hesitating whether to wake Franky up and apologize or if she needed her space. She couldn't take the guilt rising over her any longer. She managed to sit herself up, although is was a long process.  She scooted herself over by her. Eyes welling up as she gently put the brunette on their back and saw her red eyes.

"Franky.." she whispered lightly scratching her scalp. "Sweetheart wake up..". Tired green eyes opened and looked confused, her eyes shifted to the older woman.

"Bridget..?" She whispered wondering how she got over by her side.

"Honey I didn't mean any of that, I don't want you back in the prison.  Your doing a fantastic job and none of this is your fault.. I-I-" She tried to go on. "I love you and I'm so sorry." She finished shedding tears, hoping Franky wouldn't actually go out and put herself back in Wentworth.  

Franky sat up and slowly put the older woman in her arms, moving her thumb up and down along the bandaged part of her back, rubbing her stomach softly with her fingertips of her other hand. Swaying slowly.

"Why are you being so nice after the shit I just said? I don't know what got into me, I just re-"

"Shhhh." The brunette cooed before kissing her neck lovingly. "Because you're adorable when you try to apologize for something that practically wasn't even your fault.. After awhile I realized I overreacted and those side effects on the meds you took really got ahold of you, and you couldn't control it.." she spoke softly resting her head on the shoulder of the blonde, still tired.

"Still, I shouldn't have even thought that.." Bridget replied trying to pin it off of Franky.

"either way I'm not mad.. just let it go.. have you slept at all?" She questioned. Bridget shook her head, Franky sighed and laid down with the older woman in her arms slowly. Not releasing her grip all throughout the night.

older woman in her arms slowly. Not releasing her grip all throughout the night.

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Bridget's eyes slowly opened as she felt the sharp pains going up her stomach again. Franky always tried to change the bandages while she was asleep so she wouldn't feel is as much. But she always woke up in the process. Her arms were pretty easy because the wounds weren't so deep. Her stomach and torso was the worst area along with the really deep one on her back. As she finished she put the ice pack over the top of it like usual and moved up to Bridgets face to kiss her, slowly taking her mind off of the pain. Though her eyes were closed as if she was asleep, Franky could see the wincing and sudden tensing up. Bridget attempted to reach down and look under one of the bandages as Franky moved to her neck. Breathing heavily at the sensations she was creating. She stuck her finger under one of the bandages feeling the scar. She gasped and immediately pulled her hand out as it burned, her whole body tensed up. Franky looked down knowing that noise wasn't from what she was doing. Franky pulled her hand away from the bandaged area Then looked back up at Bridget who was staring at the ceiling frozen.

"Don't touch them babykins." She whispered bringing her hands above her head, curling into Bridget, lingering a kiss on her shoulder.

"Your so amazing.." Bridget whispered in a blush defeat. Breathing heavily.

"I take it you enjoy my ways of forcing pain away?" She said tiredly. "More than just enjoying it." Bridget replied, grabbing Franky's thigh. Franky's mouth opened with a smile.

"You little minx!" Franky said quietly before teasingly lingering her lips over hers. Bridget looked to the side nervously giggling slightly.

"Tease!" She whispered under her breath. The younger woman placed her arms around her neck, placing their foreheads together.

"I would take this further" she started talking, playfully biting the blondes bottom lip and afterwards kissing it. Causing Bridget to gasp slightly

 "But not while your in this state. I'm sure you'll be fine in a couple of weeks"  she whispered slowly rubbing her side for a little while before curling up next to her.

7:10 pm-  Franky crouched next to Bridget. Tracing her bruised black eye that was fading slowly.

"You gotta eat something.." She whispered. Bridget shook her head.

"I'm not hungry, I feel like throwing up.." she said trembling a little bit. The pain meds were wearing off.  

"You know why? Because you have no food in your system.." Franky replied,

"if I make you something light would you at least try to eat it? I don't care how fast or slow you eat it, I just don't want you fuckin fainting." Bridget nodded, no expression on her face, just wincing at every breath she took.

"What's wrong Gidge?" Franky said looking concerned.

"Just in a lot of pain." She replied. Franky nodded frowning. "I'll get you some more pain meds." She replied, minutes later bringing them back leaving out the one with the worst side effects, instead of water, chasing them down with ginger ale. Franky brought out a few crackers and a bite of soup. Bridget ate it slowly, gagging at the feeling of food being in her mouth after so long.

"God your such a little bean."  Franky said rubbing her back, she was still trembling. Franky went to the kitchen and came back with another spoonful of the soup she made. Bridget was able to walk around with Franky's support. She could walk slowly, she didn't want to twist or bend her stomach, so she usually just stayed down. Franky left again and came back with the ice pack, something on her finger, and yet another spoonful. After the blonde ate it Franky picked her up unexpectedly and swayed slowly smiling at her.  Bridget was utterly confused, wondering what she was up to, she faintly smiled back, within a few seconds looking down in shyness.

"What are you doing?" She said quietly under her breath looking to the side blushing, she was tired and her stomach was turning at the food that had entered her body. Franky gave no response as she moved towards her neck and began kissing it. "Franky.." the older woman whispered as she rested her head on my shoulder, taking defeat, that was until she felt a hand go up her shirt and under the bandage on her back,slowly coming out, and then feeling a burn as the ice pack went on top of it slowly. She tensed up and pulled her head off of Franky's shoulder wincing.

"That's what you were up to.." she whispered, cracking barely a laugh. Franky laughed and laid her down slowly. Walking back into the kitchen to clean it up. When she came out a while later Bridget was asleep, she was on hold with the place she had an interview for, wanting to reschedule the date with the condition Bridget was in. She scheduled it for two weeks from the original date after a bit of convincing and went to sleep.