Litchfield, twelve years ago.
It was the day after Red got out of the hospital, when she visited Healy's office. He has asked to see her after the brutal attack she suffered under mysterious circumstances.
She entered his office in all her glory wearing her white shirt. Her hair was free tumbled to her shoulders and her nails were painted a bright red. She kept one hand behind her back. He thought that she looked beautiful despite the scratches on her face. The Russian woman greeted him with a sharp nod looking at him with narrowed eyes and pursed lips. He smiled up at her.
"Hello. Please, take a seat", he said, politely.
She obeyed and sat in the chair opposite him. "Do you need something? 'Cause I have to prepare the dinner", she growled.
"Well, I just wanted to see if you're okay."
"I'm fine. My back is in terrible pain, my body is full of bruises and I can barely walk'', she said sarcastically.
Healy looked her seriously in the face. "I'm sorry, Galina. I know I failed you'', he murmured.
"Actually, it is Red now." Then she looked at him, bewildered. "And how did you fail me? It wasn't your fault."
Healy seemed quite nervous. "I feel like it was. Remember what did I tell you when you first came here?"
"Well, you said a lot of things to me", she mused.
"Our first duty is to keep you safe but I wasn't there for you. I should be there for you", he said and bit his lip, regretting his words the moment they were out of his mouth.
The woman sighed and looked at him, confused. "It was just an attack. Let's move on, Healy'' she said and then she widened her eyes in surprise. "I'm sorry. I mean, Mr. Healy", she murmured.
He smiled hesitantly and she couldn't help but smile back in the same fashion. "It's okay, Red. You can call me as you like. But we can't move on. You have to talk to me."
"About what?"
"You know what. Who attacked to you? Basically, I have an idea…"
She interrupted him. "I told you! I saw nothing. They attacked me from behind and Romano found me later. That's all."
"Okay", he answered calmly, "but I don't believe you. Red, I'm not as idiot as you think I am. I see what's happening around and you obviously know how to play your game but probably something went wrong. Well, I was pretty surprised at first… I mean you are here for a little while…"
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean", he answered, blatantly.
She looked down and when she spoke, her voice faltered. "If you know, why am I still here? I should be at max."
Healy bent over his desk and talked to her in a low voice. "Firstly, there is no evidence. You are very cautious, Red. Well done", he said and chuckled. "Secondly, we don't see it as a big deal. Nothing dangerous here. Makeup, facial masks, snacks and the girls are happy. So… it was Parker?"
Red looked at him with glassy eyes and after a moment or two, she nodded.
"Of course Parker. She is a headache to us. I'll deal with it."
"No", she said intensely "I want to forget it, not to get in trouble."
"Red, listen to me. I want to ensure you that you have nothing to worry about and I want you to feel free to talk to me about anything at any time. You will be here for years. It's difficult to stand all alone."
"Healy, I have two questions", she said sharply.
He smiled. "Go on."
"The first is, why are you so good to me? No one is nice here."
"I'm good to everyone, Red. I try to be good at my job."
Fair enough, Red thought. Healy was one of the good guys. He was relatively new to his job and he seemed to like it – in addition, he had the inclination to make her feel safe.
"Okay. And the second is, how did you understand me?"
"Well, let's say I keep an eye on you. Galina, please. Can you promise me that if anything bad happens again, you'll tell me?"
She sighed. "You have my word. But it is Red now", she repeated, "Not Galina."
Then she stood up and left. Healy sighed as she closed the door behind her.
It will always be Galina, he thought.
xXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Red walked down the hall of Litchfield after breakfast time. Her steps were steady and strong as she walked towards Healy's office. She was still shocked by last night's events but she didn't want to show any fear. She has decided to talk to him about the incident. After all, he maybe could do something in order to improve the fucking situation. She knocked on his door and went in hesitantly. His face lit up when he saw her. He stood up immediately and approached her but she drew away from him. Healy looked at her, bewildered.
"Galina? Is everything okay?", he asked cautiously.
"Sam, I want to talk to you. As an inmate talks to her counselor."
He looked more confused than ever. "Okay. Take a seat."
Red sat in the chair opposite his office instead of the couch.
He sat in his office waiting for her to speak. And then, she told him everything that happened to her last night and the way he touched and talked to her. Red could see he was terribly angry. She looked down ashamed.
"Sam, it wasn't my fault. I didn't do anything to provoke him. I don't really know if I'm doing the right thing talking to you or not, but I didn't know what else to do. Ruiz said that you're probably the only one who can help us at the moment and I think she's right but I… I don't feel comfortable at all… I'm very afraid… and ashamed…and I have no idea what to do, Sam. You told me once that I could always talk to you about anything…so…"
Healy stood up and knelt in front of her so that their eyes were on the level. Then, he stroked her hair gently and he could feel her shiver under his touch. Her skin was pale, her eyes were glassy and her hands trembled slightly, as she folded them in her lap.
''Red – Galina, don't feel ashamed. What happened yesterday it was none of your fault. Please, don't think like that. We'll fix it up, my love. I will never let you down again, I promise'', he whispered.
She didn't say anything and they stared silently into each other's eyes. Red leaned in to kiss him gently and stroked his face. Healy kissed her forehead in response and then, stood up.
''I'll talk to Caputo'', he exclaimed.
Red scoffed as she regained her composure. "Why?! He lives in his own world. I am sure Humphrey will blame me and I'll get thrown at the SHU. And of course, Piscatella will defend him."
"Red, I won't allow it. Besides, Caputo cares about the prison but MCC presses him a lot. I believe he will kick Humphrey out of here. Otherwise, we have a witness to - Ruiz."
Red stood up too. She looked confused.
"Sam, I don't know. I don't want to get you in trouble. Maybe I shouldn't talk to you. We could forget it and…"
Healy shook her gently by the shoulders. "Red, look at me. I know you have been through a lot but you have to pull yourself together. Please, trust me. You know things could be worse. Humphrey maybe will do the same thing to other girls or he has already… we have to speak up."
Red looked at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. "You're… you're right", she sighed. "I don't know what happened to me, I guess I'm just tired. Sam… you're the only man in my whole life who doesn't let me down. Please, Sam, never let me down", she said and hugged him tightly.
"Oh Red, "never" is a big word. It declares that we'll be together for the rest of our lives", he said and chuckled.
"Well, I hope we will.''
Healy looked at her, his mouth agape. "What… what did you say?", he asked in a faltering voice.
She laughed bitterly. "What did you hear?"
"Was it a love confession?"
Red's lips curved in amusement. "Well, it could be."
Healy tightened his arms around her and kissed her eagerly.
"I feel so good with you, Sam'', she said, her face pressed against his chest.
He smiled. "Me too, Galina."
Suddenly, he looked at her, astonished. "Red, why were you out of your bunk last night?"
B'lyad, she thought. "I had to pee. What else?"
Healy raised his eyebrows. "Is there something else you've not been telling me, right?"
She sighed. "Sam please, don't do this to me now. You should have a little faith in me."
"I do", he exclaimed, "but I can understand that you're planning something. I mean… it is obvious by your attitude, your half smile, your glance… After all, you're the most scheming woman I've ever met."
She burst out laughing and Healy felt proud of the fact that he could make Galina Reznikov laugh like this. "Well, you know me well", she stated. "Okay, I have something in my mind but I can't tell you."
"I don't want to put a pressure on you Red, but please be more careful. Sneaking around after lights out is not a good idea", he said sharply.
"Obviously. I have to go. Please, don't look at me like that. I'm just doing the right thing."
He nodded silently. "I trust you, Red"
Then she backed him against a wall. "Kiss me, Sam before I go. I miss you all the fucking time we're not together."
He laughed and kissed her fiercely.
She rubbed her bottom against him. He moaned and then she kissed and sucked his neck.
"Oh, fuck", she sighed, "I'll leave a mark on your neck'', she said a bit worried.
He chuckled. "Never mind. I love being marked by you.
"When I'll get out of here, I want you to kiss me and fuck me all the fucking time. You'll be only mine'', she whispered.
He giggled. "I promise."
xXxXxXxXxXx
Red was lying in her bed reading a book when Nicky entered the dorm.
"Hey ma", she greeted and sat next to her.
Red smiled. "Hello, Nicky."
"Ruiz talked to me. How are you now?", she asked looking a bit worried.
"I'm fine. I talked to Healy and he'll tell Caputo."
"Fine. So… we're waiting."
Red nodded.
"Okay. Ma, I want to ask you something."
Red narrowed her eyes. "Oh! Should I be frightened?"
The younger girl grinned. "No, no… just… what's going on between you and Healy?", she asked quickly in a low voice.
Red widened her eyes but then she scoffed. "What are you talking about?"
"Come on, ma", she protested, "I won't tell anyone. I just want you to be happy."
"Nicky! Nothing happens."
"Come on! You glow, you smile more often, you're more vulnerable and you smell like him all the fucking time - and I really could see that coming."
"Fuck", she cursed. "Is it so obvious?"
"Not to everyone, but I know you. I'm your daughter after all."
Red chuckled and lovingly patted Nicky's cheek. "Yes, you are and… I have an idea. You could help me with Piscatella."
"Yes. What?"
"Well, I need a distraction to get him out of his office. So, I could invade and search for something useful. Documents and stuff. I need some scandal, girl."
"Fine. Should I provoke a fight or something?"
"Yes! A fight! But you gotta be very careful with him. Don't piss him off. He could hit you or send you to SHU."
"Yeah, I know. I could pretend to fight with Lorna."
"Take Frieda, not Lorna. Lorna is a crazy, crazy girl. She could get us in trouble."
"Fine. When?"
"As soon as possible."