It is another sunny and warm day here at Wentworth and everybody is relaxed and calm – at least that is how it looks like. Having a few months behind her already, Allie knows that not everything is as it seems between these walls. Women can smile and appear carefree but deep inside they can boil and one word is enough for them to explode. Wentworth has its own rules and dynamics, without exaggeration we can say that it is a different world.
And this world is ruled by one queen. Allie smiled and flipped her head to look at the reigning redhead. She was currently working out with Maxine. The taller brunet was doing squats while Bea was kneeling with one leg on the bench propped with one hand and pulling the dumbbell with the other. Allie had to use all her willpower to turn away and focus on the two older ladies sitting in front of her. If she will keep up with this drooling and ogling someone will catch up on it quickly.
- Allie, are you still not talking with Doreen? – Sonia asked.
The young blond shook her head. Sonia and Doreen were talking a lot lately, she was not sure what the older woman thinks about their feud.
- We never talked that much before, so it kind of makes no difference. It is not like I hate her or anything, we just don't have a lot of common.
- She is not a bad person. I have spent with her a lot of time during last weeks and mostly she means well, but I have to say that her attitude is horrible.
Allie beamed at the smirking older woman and smiled.
-Yeah, she is not bad, just annoying. – Liz added.
- Oh my god, you two! – Allie laughed. – I thought you both like her?!
- I do, - Liz answered. – she is a nice girl, but still annoying – sometimes.
- Mostly. – Sonia added laughing.
- Geez, now I really don´t want to know how much you like me. – Allie said jokingly. As a matter of fact, she liked both of the older women. Liz was closer to her than Sonia, but she was still happy that they both think that Doreen is annoying.
Allie comfortably crossed her legs and turned her head a little bit just so she can throw a glance at the workout area. The smile she was sporting suddenly disappeared. Will Jackson.
Allie Novak never considered herself a jealous person, but it looks like she is. She never had a reason to be jealous until she has noticed how Bea Smith and Will Jackson could cozy up. There is something between them, god knows what, but something is making them whisper and lean close to each other on a regular basis - exactly as now. Will was leaning closer to the fence obviously whispering something.
Of course, everyone knows that Bea has "allies" between the screws, that she has some sort of free hand to deal with things, but Jackson was different. Their closeness is different, Allie had that feeling from the beginning and she couldn´t shake it off. Even if she should. She really should do that as one of her steps to get over Bea Smith. Jealousy is just a very good way how to ignite her crush again. Not that it is extinguished for good, unfortunately, it is still there, even if not so strong than before.
These days Allie Novak could exist in the close proximity of Bea Smith without being utterly rendered speechless or having her mind fogged with a thick cloud of lust. She could talk to her with normal voice instead of a shaky crackling one, she won't spoil this by letting jealousy taking the best of her. She won´t let that burning fire deep within her get strong again just because Bea is talking with Jackson. She is the top dog, she must talk to him, right? Yes, that is right. Allie took a calming breath and forced herself to smile. Trying this way to convince herself that everything is alright.
But then, well fuck! Bea and Maxine stopped working out and they were coming obviously their way. Shit! Allie clenched her teeth. "Why in the hell she doesn´t use that towel?" – she thought as she watched top dog approaching. Her skin was glistening in the sun with sweat and small droplets were running down her face and neck. "Wipe yourself for fuck sake!" – Allie screamed internally. She knew that she is starring, but there was no way to turn her head. That small bead of sweat sliding down the redhead´s neck had her captivated.
Allie swallowed a huge amount of saliva which has gathered in her mouth. Biting her trembling tongue, she tried to look casual. The two women stopped at their table and Bea finally wiped her face.
- Tina is coming back. – Maxine said. – Jackson is going to pick her up right now. We are going to great her.
- Be careful. – Liz smiled.
- We have no time for a shower before the shift, would you mind taking this and just toss it into my cell?
Maxine folded her towel and handed it to Liz.
- Of course love.
- We will be back in time, but in case we won't, just do everything as per usual. – Bea said and wiped her forehead again.
- Bea! – Someone said behind her. – May I talk to you? There is something I would like to discuss with you.
Bea turned around and found herself face to face with Janie, she was the leader in G block. She didn't look too distraught or anxious. The top dog had a more pressing issue now.
- I´m sorry, I have to go now, don´t have time to talk. – She smiled at the older woman. - But Allie here will talk with you, ok? You tell her everything, you can trust her and she will tell me what is going on. – Bea pointed at the empty bench near the back wall. – Go there and wait for her.
- Alright, thank you, Bea. – The woman said and did as she was told. Bea watched as she walked away and sat down. Then she turned to the young blonde and stretched out her hand. Allie looked at her speechless, maybe a little bit confused and very surprised. She placed her hand into Bea´s and as soon as the strong fingers wrapped around her hand she felt a strong pull. Suddenly she was standing in front of the top dog, staring into her eyes.
- Just listen to her alright, don't give her advice or anything. If it is about something small like missing cups or stolen snack, then get the name if she knows who is it, so I can scold them. In case it is something more serious just get as much information as you can. That is all.
With that, the redhead pushed her towel into Allie´s hands and turned to Maxine.
-Let's go!
They were walking away side by side with quick pace leaving a stunned blonde behind. Allie was in a mild shock and her hands were burning as she was tightly grasping the slightly damp towel. What has just happened? She looked at Liz and Sonia, both women were smiling and Liz even winked at her.
Allie must have used all her will power to control herself and stop herself from bringing the towel to her face and nuzzle into it. That would be a really big faux pas. She throws a last glance at Bea and Maxine. The duo was already disappearing behind the door and then she slowly walked towards the woman waiting on her.
Every unit is the same in every block. Same walls, same blueprint, same furniture, same floor and same cells. All the same and yet so different. Bea was perched against the table while Maxine was standing quietly at her side. They were quiet, not because they were scared or anxious, but because there was not much to say. After they walked into the unit everyone who was there ran away, they know better than to get mixed up in the top dogs business.
They didn´t have to wait for long. A few minutes later Tina walked through the gate with Will Jackson right behind her.
- Do you want me to guard the gate?
Bea shook her head.
- We are ok, thanks.
Jackson just nodded and he was gone.
- What do you want Bea? – Tina was surprised to see the top dog in her unit.
- I want to welcome you back in your unit, as this is the last time. Next time you won't come back. Stay away from drugs and keep your women on a leash. – Bea pushed herself off the table and walked to the young Asian. – This is not a warning Tina, this is a fact. You are already dead, you are here just because I let you, one more mistake and you will be just a memory. I´m tired of your shit, so give yourself a favor and use your fucking head. – Bea growled and not letting Tina to even open her mouth she walked past her. Tina stood frozen, the first time in years she had a feeling that she is really walking behind the limit and she must step back. Something in Smith changed, she looked that she meant every word.
- Welcome back. – Maxine said with a huge amount of sarcasm and walked after Bea, both of them heading out of the unit
- Do we have time to shower? – Bea asked.
- No, we have to go to the laundry room. – Maxine chuckled. – Do you read this stuff in books or you prepare speeches like this?
- It comes to me naturally. – They both laughed. – Was it too dramatic?
- Little honey, just a little. It was effective, though. I think she got the message, plus lines like this will look good in your memoirs.
- My memoirs? Are you kidding, I´m not interested in writing any memoirs.
- Oh, honey, I´m already doing that. – Maxine said with a serious tone. It had its effect as Bea stopped dead in her track.
-You are kidding, right?
Maxine looked over her shoulder and laughed. Bea quickly caught up with her.
- Do you think she will stop bringing the drugs in?
- Yes, at least for a while. – Maxine said. – I´m sure she will be informed about Wang soon and until she deals with her, she would behave. She can´t afford a war on two fronts. More than the drugs she needs control over the Asians.
- Yeah, that is true. – Bea agreed.
- Bea? – Maxine slowed down a little and softly asked. – Are you alright?
- Of course, why wouldn´t... "I", the redhead was about to finish the sentence when she has realized that Maxine is not referring to Tina and all this mess, but the day which was closing on her once again. – Yeah, I´m ok. – she whispered.
They didn't talk a lot during the rest of the trip to the laundry room. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts.
The shift started as usual. Maxine and Bea were not late and mostly they were not harmed. Liz felt relieved. The possibility that Tina would try something right after coming out from the slot was minimal, but you never know at Wentworth. So, the old blonde felt relieved watching them coming in time and smiling. Both of them took their places and started working.
Allie was glad too. Alright, she was always happy to see Bea, so it doesn't really count. She continued folding the clothes opting rather waiting a little bit until the women calm down and settle into their routine before approaching Bea with the new problem she has to solve.
Suddenly there was some commotion and noise in the back and when Allie turned that way she saw that it was Doreen and her friend from H2. They were hanging out a lot lately. Allie did not care at all, she was not fond of Doreen before and especially not after their fight two weeks ago. It was nothing serious. Simple spat in the unit kitchenette. Doreen was running her mouth and complaining as she usually does, Allie told her to go and chill what led to a fight. Allie Novak is not mean, she doesn't start fights. Not even with someone like Doreen, she meant it as a joke. Of course, the other woman took huge offense and it blew into a fairly big fight or maybe it is better to call it a loud argument. Since then they have barely greeted each other.
Allie looked around and seeing that everyone was focused on their jobs or lost in conversation, she slowly sauntered to the steam press. Bea was slightly smiling, it looked like she was lost in her world too. Her movements automated after all those years. She noticed Allie just when the young woman stood next to her their arms brushing.
Allie looked around and smiled cheekily, her blue eyes were sparkling.
- So, this is how the top dog sees the world.
Bea glanced at her trying to suppress the smile forming in the corner of her mouth.
- Queen Bea watching over her slaves. Oh, wait not slaves, let's say, peasants. Word slave and a mental picture of spanking or a whip in your hand would make few women uncontrollable. I personally think that black latex is probably the only thing that won't suit you.
Allie looked slowly to her left in an attempt to gauge how the redhead takes the teasing. Whatever happened with Tina must have been good and it left the top dog in a good mood as she just smirked.
- Don´t know about latex, but I think the leather gear I had for riding suited me well.
Well fuck! How is that saying:"Who lives by the sword, dies by the sword."? Or how is that for fuck sake. Allie licked her lips but gave herself a huge mental slap. This is not what she wanted to know.
- Riding? – she asked, her voice croaked and failing within one word.
- Yeah, I used to have a bike. – Bea smiled at the memory. – A long time ago, had it from my granddad, but sold it when I met Harry.
Well, double fuck! Allie tried as well as she could to suppress a moan coming deep from within her body. No question how she will fall in sleep tonight. Hell, this is not helping her work of getting over Bea Smith.
- Shame you sold it. – She said sincerely. – I brought up the spanking and slaves as I want to talk to you about it. – Bea´s eyes went wide and Allie blushed. - I meant that, do you remember those two new girls who offered themselves to you?
Bea nodded and now it was her turn to blush.
- Well, Juice has her eyes on the blonde and when I say eyes I mean hands too. That is what the lady from G3 wanted. They are in her unit and they are getting harassed. I told her you will fix it. It involves Juice, so that is out of my reach. I really don´t want to be near that woman.
- Yeah, that is right. Stay away from her. Thanks for dealing with it.
- No worries, my pleasure to help out. What are you going to do?
- I don´t know yet, but honestly, I have enough this. I´m tired of them not listening. It is a freaking Catch 22, I can´t really do anything. They are keeping their women in check if I would take them out some of the women would step in and trying their luck with some bullshit.
- Yeah, I got it. Plus devil you know is still better than the one you don´t.
Bea nodded, yeah, that is true. She knows how to deal with them, even if it is tiring. They lived in some sort of crazy symbiosis. Tina, Juice and now Kaz pulled out some stupid move and she put them into their place. Simple as that. This must keep the women occupied and entertained enough to be grounded. Nobody else ever tried to do something stupid. They were living quiet lives, just trying to get over their sentences.
Bea felt the blonde shift next to her. She turned her head to look at her while carefully opening the press. Her brown eyes found themselves staring into blue ones. Allie was starring.
- What? – Bea asked gulping at the intensity of the young woman´s look. Allie smiled and gave her the next sheet ready to be ironed.
- Nothing. – she said never trying to break their eye contact. – Just thinking about the first time when we stood here together. – she said flexing her hand.
- I´m so sorry Allie. – Bea whispered sincerely. She felt guilty and regretted hurting the young blonde.
- No worries Bea, it was my fault. I deserved it. Even if I have to say, that I had no idea about that plan. But that was a long time ago. Look at us now. We are unit buddies now.
Allie winked and Bea chuckled. Allie Novak is weird, really weird. Bea knew that she is being honest. She was forgiven. But then, Allie forgave her the beating she got and that was much worse than the burned hand.
Allie Novak is strange and weird, that much is obvious. She is a bundle of positive energy, tough yet so sensitive. She is so childish, but so smart and wise in the same time. She can laugh and goof around with Boomer and the next moment she is in a deep conversation with Liz or discussing Victorian literature with Sonia. Allie Novak is so strange and weird and complex, Bea never met anyone like that before. They have met under difficult circumstances and yet Bea had a feeling that it won't be an obstacle in their friendship. With every passing day she felt that the young blonde just belonged to H1.