A/N - Sorry for the slow progression, been kinda busy lately. Your reviews are appreciated immensely; gives me a feel as to how I should continue the story. Thank you, thank you!
The lack of information from the infirmary took the forefront of Mali's mind, weighing her down. It had been almost a month with no news. It wasn't as though she'd completely withdrawn herself from life - that wasn't even an option here. There was just a dull ache inside of her that simply missed Red's presence. She missed the twenty-four hour therapy service. She missed the cynicism which complemented the Russian's accent perfectly. She missed the badgering about her diet, and how she never ate enough.
But an uneasy feeling was creeping into her mind like an unwanted weed, and no amount of distraction would keep it at bay. With Litchfield's reputation, Red could've snuffed it days ago…
No.
She wouldn't continue like this. She had to know something, anything. Shoving her feet into her boots, she trudged down the hallway and paused in front of the door. It was likely that this was a waste of time, but there was the tiniest chance she might succeed in her endeavours. Try. Mali persuaded herself. With a final, nervous crack of her knuckles, she rapped on the door.
"Mr Caputo..?" She asked hesitantly, pulling the door open a fraction. A grunt of a response permitted her to enter and she stood gingerly, picking at a hangnail on her thumb.
He peered at her from behind his glasses, before returning to his paperwork and speaking in a flat tone. "Look, if you're here about Rezni-"
"Yeah, I am," Mali interrupted. "What's goin' on with her? Why ain't she out yet?" she pursed her lips to stop the questions tumbling out of her all at once. Caputo sighed and took off his glasses; he already had this conversation with Nichols a week before.
"You don't need to know that. We're under no obligation to give you any information regarding hospitalised inmates," he recited as though he had swallowed a whole copy of Dismissing Inmates 101.
Mali clenched her fists - she wouldn't accept defeat that quickly. She briefly considered her options: he wasn't in a sympathetic mood, so tears wouldn't work like they normally did.
"Just tell me. Please," she uttered the last word through gritted teeth, reluctant to reduce her demand to a plea. Caputo stared blankly back at her and spoke loudly, as if trying to drill it into her skull.
"We are under no obligation to give you any informa-"
"Bullshit!" Mali exclaimed. I shouldn't have said that. She pulled a hand up to her mouth, willing her remark to be withdrawn.
"Excuse me?" Caputo asked incredulously, his moustache bristling.
"Nothin'," Mali mumbled through her hand, her eyes darting around the room to avoid his stare.
"No, no. You said something. Please!" He gestured for her to continue, leaning back in his chair. The inmate's eyes darkened as she looked up to glare at him. He's enjoying this. She thought, catching the glint in his eyes as he watched her squirm.
Have it your way, asshole.
With a huff, Mali obliged. "I said bullshit, okay? It's bullshit, what you're doing, actin' all secretive and shit..."
You are so going to the SHU for this, Mali.
"That's enough-" Caputo raised his voice, but Mali wasn't finished; past the point of reason.
"No, I mean it. You want us to 'preciate you? Respect you? Don't leave us in the dark!" She was smiling in disbelief at her own audacity. "We all wanna know. So how 'bout instead of sittin' there with your lil' desk plant… you grow some balls and tell me if Red's okay?!" Her voice faltered as she stared Caputo down, her face a mix of anger and regret. She had just blown it in a fit of rage… There was no way he'd tell her anything now, no way in hell. She bowed her head and scratched her ear, moving towards the door, until Caputo spoke. "She's stable."
It was like a million fireworks had just been set off in her head. As she fumbled with the doorhandle she looked at him genuinely. "Thank you."
On the other side she fell into the wall and bit her nail.
Stable.
It wasn't much, but it was better than dead, which Mali had feared since that infamous morning. She grinned inwardly. Did I really just insult Caputo's ball size and get away with it? It seemed too absurd to be true.
"What's got you all smiley?" Chapman had appeared from somewhere and was looking at the younger inmate. Mali nodded her head toward Caputo's door.
"He says Red's okay," she smiled, pushing herself off from the wall, walking with Chapman.
"I thought he has no obligation to tell us about hospitalised inmates?" She mocked.
"I uh, stepped on his manhood a lil' bit," Mali admitted, fiddling with her sleeve. Chapman gave a chuckle of approval and they continued to walk in silence - something the pair was used to doing.
The weather had turned around in the past few weeks and it was warm enough for the inmates to lounge around outside. Mali caught sight of a mane of hair which could only belong to one person. She split from Chapman and walked briskly to the table where she sat, sliding onto the bench opposite.
"She's okay," she said through a smile, anticipating the Nicky's reaction - it wasn't often that she was the first to know something. The older inmate needed no context, no explanation. She looked up to meet Mali's gaze.
"How'd you know?"
"Caputo."
"Asshole," she said hitting the table with her fist. "Wouldn't tell me shit," she leaned in, frowning. "What exactly did he say?"
Mali shrugged, idly tapping the wood. "Not much. Just said she's stable."
Nicky ran a hand through her hair and sighed.
"Guess it's better than the alternative right? You told the others?"
Mali shook her head, peering over the courtyard.
"Ay, Gina!" Nicky shouted behind her back. The inmate looked up and squinted her eyes. "Red's okay."
Turning back around, Nicky smirked. "There. Now the whole prison should know by dinner."
