" You're a little faker, your arm is fine. "

Adira spoke in a forward but playful tone. She threw Floyd Lawton's arm back at him, the brutal motion causing him to loudly groan.

She'd put off seeing him for some time, but had gained the confidence and gotten enough sleep, to come back to this cesspool. Lawton had been patient enough, so she owed him a visit.

Lawton got a vitamin shot and some fluids as well. He was complaining about some minor pain in his wrist.

" You probably have a small spiral fracture. Have you been in any fights with the guards recently? "

Adira leaned back into her chair and crossed her legs, before slightly tilting her head at him. He shook his head quietly, and Adira looked to her left, noticing the large, body sized punching bag hanging from the ceiling.

" What about that? "

She motioned lazily to the bag, and Lawton nodded. She took a few moments to herself before answering him.

" You need to ease up on exercising with the punching bag, and before you say anything, you're going to really fuck up your wrist if you don't. "

Floyd let out a hard sigh that slowly turned into a deep laugh. He looked up to her and nodded.

" Well what the hell am I supposed to hit? "

" Use your legs and kick it, or get into a real fight. The same repetitive motion is putting too much stress on your wrist. I know Griggs is super sensitive about his new haircut, so maybe start a fight with him. . "

Adira glanced at her watch, noticing how slow her night was going.

" Big date? "

Lawton mocked her and she sent a hard glare his way, feeling the tips of her cheeks begin to warm.

" You-you alright? "

Lawton interrupted her train of thought, and brought up the one uncomfortable question that had been on both of their minds. In response, she held up her wrist, the cuff of her lab coat falling down and revealing a few left over bruises. Most of which were completely healed.

" He deserves to get the shit beat out of him, Adira I-"

" No, no. Just stop, everything is fine. I haven't seen him in almost two weeks so, it's okay. I'm fine. "

She paused, and there was a lingering moment of tension between them.

" So how's your daughter. "

Lawton's face caught a light that she hadn't seen in a long time. His mouth fought off a wide grin as his eyes filled with temporary life.

" She's, uh- great. She's really great. "

" Tell me about her. "

For the next fifteen minutes Lawton spoke about Zoey, and showed Adira some of the photos he had of her, and the various letters he had received. Adira would chime in once in a while, saying how lucky he was that she took after her mother, and not Floyd's ugly ass.

Adira had retreated to her office at around two am. She'd had a ton of paperwork that needed to be approved and sorted. A few of the inmates in the regular half of the prison had needed her assistance, and now she was a little behind.

She'd taken home the file that was left on her desk two nights ago. It had every crime that Digger had been convicted of in the last ten years. She was too tired to read it that night, but had managed to go through it the next day.

She only assumed that this was one of Runner's many distasteful jabs at Digger, in an attempt to make him look more dangerous or to avert her attention from him. In all actuality it had made her more curious.

Adira ignored the idea, but she knew that many of the guards on staff had to of noticed her affinity for Digger, although there was no hard proof. The episode from the other night had cemented the rumor, as before she had left for her shift, she'd let Griggs and a few of the other day guards get a fucking mouthful.

She'd threatened to turn them into the Ethical Penitentiary Committee, which she was sure Waller had jurisdiction over, but the fact that she was holding her ground, made them that much more angry.

Griggs had cowered from the petite doctor, and he threw his arms up in a gutless gesture, rambling on and on how it wasn't his idea, but Pierce Runnner's. Apparently, Digger had let his mouth go off about how only a coward would threaten a woman, a sentiment that Runner would take personally. Later that evening Runner had gathered a dozen guards and ambushed Digger, nearly killing him.

It still boiled her blood just thinking about it. Runner's lack of morality and empathy was, arguably, worse than Ganes. At least Ganes had tried to be discreet about the awful shit he was doing.

That little prick had the nerve to do what ever he wanted when ever he wanted, and slowly she was planning her retaliation. It wouldn't be anything grand, but she knew it would be enough to get him fired. Or, at least, moved from this prison and to another, hopefully one that's far-far away.

The main thing that had been crossing her mind all day was visiting Digger. After the situation with him a few days ago, and him almost bleeding out on a bathroom floor, she'd quickly realized how fast things can change. Tonight was the night that she'd let some of pent up feelings rise to the surface.

The file that had been anonymously dropped off onto her desk, had held within its contents, every crime that Digger had committed in the last ten years. Most of which were expected, and if she was impartial with herself, she'd admit that she was very curious. There were numerous listings of thievery, battery and a few murder convictions, but those were expected. Adira, was however interested in a crime that was committed July 16th, 2014. Which involved burglary, a pink unicorn plush and three different reckless endangerment charges.

She'd save that one for later.

Adira had recollected the quiet moment that they had shared while talking about the darkness of their pasts, and how she insisted, that the ugly parts of a persons past were the most beautiful. To most, it took a lot to see someones ugliness and to still love them. The bitter aftertaste of finding out who or what someone really was, could be unbearable to some, but to Adira, it was like a breath of fresh air.

She'd had more ugly baggage to carry around than she'd like to admit, so seeing someone else's luggage out in the open, well it made her feel more at home. Things that Digger may have done that he thought were unclean or unattractive, were remarkably beautiful to her. She loved that he had a seedy past, and she loved that he had refused to let his inner spirit become dampened by this horrid fucking place, and she absolutely fucking adored the fact that he was a crazed man with a big heart and an even bigger mouth.

The file was meant to deter her from him, but in all actuality, it had made her realize something that she had been fighting; something that she knew she needed to do.

Their dynamic could easily be misinterpreted, and although Adira knew how she felt about him, if for some reason the feeling was one sided, well she wanted things to be crystal clear.

She needed to tell him how much he meant to her.

She'd taken the time to visit him just an hour before she was scheduled to go home.

Adira waited for the guard to open the steel plated door to Digger's cell, her weary mind checking over everything she'd done that night. Going over each patient she'd treated, she'd quietly gone over a mental run through of her routine. The light distraction was needed, because what was coming up next would be difficult.

The door closed behind her and she watched as Digger remained seated on his bunk in his orange prison pants and a plain white Tee. He didn't get up to greet her, not like he normally did, but he did just go through a physically traumatic experience, so for now she'd let it slide.

" Merry Christmas. "

Adira spoke in a light, airy tone, adjusting the medium weight bag on her shoulder that held her schedule, reports and a few other goodies, within it. She walked across the room, her high heels clicking against the tough floor below her, while with the swift motion that she walked, forced back her mid length, white lab coat.

Digger's back was relaxed forwards, as he rested his elbows on his knees. His focused eyes watched attentively as she swept across the room and happily greeted him. She found the closest chair in the room and pulled it over to where Digger was sitting, eventually stopping and sitting directly in front of him. She rummaged through her bag for a moment, eventually pulling out a small round item that was in a greasy wrapper.

" So it's not a beer, but. "

Adira held back the emotion in her face, but her elated voice gave away her excitement. She unwrapped the gift and sat it down on the table next to her, before taking off a small piece and happily eating it.

" I'm not sure if they celebrate Christmas in Australia, but, " Adira chewed a few times before talking, eventually finishing the small piece of food and immediately wiping her greasy hands onto her lab coat, " I figured you could use a holiday pick-me-up. "

" It's a little cold, but it's from Big Belly Burger, I'm sure you could use some real-ish food. The things they serve you in here can barely be called edible. "

She examined his face from her sitting position, before briefly pushing herself to her feet and attempting to reach forwards to examine the stitches on his shoulder. Digger jerked his shoulder away, as though her mere touch would burn him.

She hesitantly let her hands fall to her side, and she quietly examined his wounds from her hovering position. Like always, Digger was healing pretty well. The stitches on his back were probably still uncomfortable and sore, so she'd ask about them later.

" Your bruising looks okay, make sure you're cleaning your stitches though, alright? You don't want to get an infection, especially in here.. "

Her voice trailed off as her brow furrowed, she quickly realized that he was being much quieter than normal. Adira tried to match her eyes to his, but any time she did, he'd quickly avert them.

" Are you in any pain or feeling sick at all? "

Adira looked genuinely concerned, but Digger cleared his throat, and glanced up to her gaze.

" No-no, I'm fine. "

The corners of her mouth twitched as her lips pouted, her face tried to fight off the urge to smile, and she clenched her jaw tightly. Aira shifted in her sitting position uncomfortably, as her eyes widened in suspense, and her body took in one final deep, lasting breath.

" Digger. "

This was it. It was now or never. Either she was going to tell him how she felt about him, or she was going to burry her feelings, and never revisit them again. This was the time to be brave.

Her voice was warm and sweet. She had still managed to hold off that wide fucking smile that was just welling up inside of her, all the while her stomach turned over onto itself with anxiety. The muscles in her face were strained, as she held her smile in just a few moments too long. The nails on her fingers pressed tightly into the bare skin of her thighs, and without noticing, she'd begun to make impressions into her own body. The sheer anxiety that this was giving her was indescribable. It was as though someone was hunched over her, putting their full force of weight onto her back and joints. She was exhausted, but so unbelievably elated. This had been something that she had needed to do for a while now, and their last interaction had sealed the deal.

Adira knew she loved him.

Would she outright say that? Of course not.

But could she mention that of all the minutes and hours that occupy her day, any time she spends with him is her favorite?

That he's the one she thinks about when she is happy or tired? That he is the one person that is able to give her goosebumps and make her heart stand still, just by saying her name?

That was probably a no go too. She had gotten up the courage to speak to him about this multiple times, but each time that she'd tried to approach him, her courage would vanish.

This was it though, sink or swim. He was sitting in front of her, silent for whatever reason, and allowing her to work up the courage to tell him why she hated being away from him.

Adira's lips parted, and lingered, waiting for her brain to unjumble the words she knew she needed to form an appropriate sentence. She could feel the peaks of her cheeks begin to tinge pink, as she finally took a deep enough breath to clear her head.

" I really like coming to visit you, Digger, and- "

There, was that so fucking hard you coward?

She couldn't help but mentally scorn herself for not being able to say such a simple sentence earlier.

" Listen, Adira.. "

There was a pain in Digger's voice, one that slowly faded the growing smile on her face.

" I don't think you should be comin'to see me anymore. "

Her head tilted to the side just slightly, as she looked on confused. The uncomfortable, and pained expression on his face said the opposite of what he was saying to her, and it very clearly looked like he was just saying something with no backbone. She had this tugging feeling that he was lying.

" Is this about the file? "

Adira's face twisted and she looked on at him puzzled. There was always a chance that Runner had somehow tried to threaten him in some way with it. She needed to make sure he knew that she didn't care about it.

" I don't care about what you did, Digger. It's fine, I've seen all of it. "

Digger's exasperated expression led her to believe that the file wasn't the answer, and that it was something else that was bothering him. She leaned in closer to him, watching as his back straightened out, and he withdrew himself from being close to her.

" Listen luv, it's nothing personal, I just don't want you to come and see me, anymore. "

His words contradicted how he had acted all of the four months that they had known each other, but they hurt nonetheless. The whole situation was overwhelming her, and it was difficult for her to believe what he was saying.

Without thinking her hands had come up to touch him, but Digger's reflexes had stopped her cold in her tracks. She was left in emotional limbo, and unsure of what to do. So she stopped thinking, and acted.

Adira's emotional expression and bleary eyes continued to show how confused she was, but even though their current circumstance was shifting, she knew how she felt. In one last ditch effort, she let her body fall forwards and kissed him.

Digger held onto her wrists tightly, convinced that this was the way to go about restraining her. His rough, worn fingers easily enveloped hers, but he hadn't expected her persistence.

The moment Adira's soft lips touched his, she began to feel the constriction on her wrists start to ease. Digger's entire body shifted forwards, and released her wrists. His hands feverishly worked against her, briefly touching her neck and jaw line. She felt his lips press longingly against hers, before eventually breaking and drifting away. He lingered there for a moment. Letting his warm breath touch her bare neck and jaw.

Adira's beautiful tawny colored eyes matched his bright green ones, and for a few moments they were both quiet. Adira swallowed hard, before glancing next to her and immediately picking up her black shoulder bag, and rising to her feet. As she turned to leave she was unaware of Digger's reaching hand, which slowly withdrew back to him as she cleared the floor of his cell and was released from his room.

She was a fucking idiot.

The only thing she could think about was how this whole thing was possibly a farce to him. That she was his play thing for the remainder of his sentence. It was incredibly stupid and naive of her to think that she'd make a meaningful relationship with someone who was confined to a cell.

He was just looking for a way out, or maybe she was. An escape from her mundane life, a departure from the feeling of boring normalcy. She'd always felt off, as though she was missing something, and for a few fleeting months, Digger had been that thing to fill the empty edge of her missing puzzle piece.

Adira left the cell and thanked the guard that was posted outside.

" Leaving early Ms. Langley? "

The friendly young man that was stationed outside Digger's cell was curious, and questioning her departure time. She flashed a small smile back at him as she continued to walk down the hall.

" Actually, I'm on time! "

She spoke with a growing grin that eventually dissolved the further she walked down the hall. She never left early or on time, but for today, she didn't have a reason to stay.

The sun was beginning to peak across the Louisiana skyline, and Adira welcomed the bright rays of warmth, as they touched her bare legs and tired face. She crossed the parking lot to her car, trying the best she could to distract her brain from the last thirty minutes, but it would take some time.

Her electronic remote opened the locks on her car, and she hastily threw her bag into the back seat. One of her hands rested against the car door, as she heard her name called.

" Hm," Adira quietly answered to herself, her knees bent slightly as she went to take off her heels and put on some flats. Only once she looked over her shoulder, she felt heavy, frigid sensation in her back and shoulders. It was Runner.

" Woah-woah, listen, hey. I just wanted to catch you before you went home, and-uh." He paused to release a soft sigh and run a free hand through his short, dark locks of hair.

" Apologize, I wanted to see if maybe we could start fresh? We both work here, I think it would probably be the best thing, you know? For the staff and the inmates? "

Runner slightly exaggerated the word inmate, leaving Adira with the impression that no, this was not an apology, but another one of his bullshit warnings. Either she buddied up to him again or he'd go after Digger.

She was completely done with his shit. His hostile advances on her, his disturbingly low voice, and whatever he fucking used to wash himself in; all of it was revolting and she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. He could blow this mock-apology straight up his tight ass.

" It's going to be a no for me. " Adira spat at him, turning her attention to her heels. She clumsily took them off, letting her bare feet touch the pavement for a few seconds, before slipping on a pair of comfortable flats.

" You're fucking serious? "

There he was. The crude, rude asshole that was hiding underneath that super soldier facade. He wasn't going to change, and the best he could do to try and see her more often, was threaten her.

Fuck him.

Her thoughts were filled with anger and fatigue. She was hungry and needed a shower, not even he could stand in the way of that.

He shot forwards, slamming a hard arm into her shoulder, knocking her against her car, and nearly ramming the base of her back against the hard metal door. The moment his hand touched her shoulder, instinctively she reacted to his action.

Adira was physically pretty weak, and she knew that. She was a doctor, and in being one, there wasn't much muscle building. She was however a military brat. Her father had trained her around guns since she was a young child, and she had some basic hand to hand defense moves. One of those would involuntarily take over the moment he touched her.

Adira used the base of one of her palms to knock his arm off of her and shot a quick jab at the base of his throat before trying to get away.

Runner's expertise in demobilizing inmates, however, was much more effective than her few years as the daughter of a sergeant. He quickly recovered and grabbed at Adira, violently throwing her against her car's door, before quietly closing in on her. Her body bounced off of the metal of her door before she fell to the ground.

" Amazing, to think you'd have this many surprises under your belt, Adira. "

The way he said her name gave her a trembling fear that was gradually growing into a red hot hate. She grew to her feet and fled into her car, trying to close her car door behind her, but Runner wasn't done with the chase.

He easily pried open the back door to her car to try and get to her. Adira brought up her foot and slammed it into his face, crushing into his nose and causing his face to burst open with fresh blood. She scrambled away, not noticing that she had quietly screamed twice while he had tied to get at her. She fumbled with her keys, and finally managed to hit the red panic button.

Her car began to scream in alarm, and any hope Adira had of getting some kind of help, began to grow. She just needed to keep him away from her for as long as she could.

The blow to the face hardly phased him, and within moments of getting the injury, he was back after her. Adira's hands feverishly fumbled through her backseat, trying to find something, anything, that she could use to ward off this cunt.

Runner put his hands onto her legs and easily maneuvered his way on top of her. She squirmed and moved, trying to get away from him, but to where? He was blocking the only open exit. One of her hands fumbled up behind her, trying to open the other back door, but Runner was quicker than her. He grabbed onto her hand and used his own strength to slam the back of her palm against the closed window.

One, two, and finally for a third time. Adira screamed in anguish as Runner broke her left hand. The window above her was now covered in a thin pat of blood, as some of the bones in her hand had broken the skin and were letting small streams of fluid run from the punctures.

" It doesn't have to be this difficult! "

Runner's voice was just below a scream, as Adira's flailing began to slow down, and her body began to go into shock. She hadn't noticed him almost completely rip her black pencil skirt from her hips, before unbuttoning his own pants and hunching over her.

She pulled up her right hand, her hazy eyes frantically tried to lock onto where he was, as she sent a hard jab up. The fist connected with Runner's already broken nose and sent him spiraling. She began to slip away from him, turning her body, and using her one good hand to open the door that was behind her.

The alarm to her car was still going off, but she couldn't hear it anymore. The only thing her mind was registering, was getting the fuck away from him. She pushed her body from the back seat of her car and through the doorway.

But she didn't get very far.

Runner had recovered again, but this time he was done messing around. He grasped onto her bare thighs and dragged her half naked body back up and into the car, she screamed once more before turning to face her attacker, only to be knocked out by a hard blow to the face.