A/N: Please accept my apologies at the huge delay in publishing the next chapter, I would love to report that I won the lottery and have been travelling the world but sadly work, responsibilities and the bloody holidays are my only excuse. I hope everyone had a terrific holiday and hopefully the chapter lives up to your expectations.
RRH
Chapter Fourteen
Bridget Westfall's Home
Leaning against the wall Franky continues to stare at her girlfriend sitting on the couch drinking her wine, the silence is overwhelming but neither woman seems to be in the mood to continue their talk. From outside the sound of car doors shutting draws her eyes back to the window.
"What is happening Franky?" Bridget asks.
"Looks like Zalia has arrived and is introducing herself to our uninvited guest," Franky says staring hard into the first parked car, "and she brought back up, there's someone else with her in that car."
Standing up Bridget walks over to stand beside Franky, both of them staring out the window at the car, a few minutes pass by then an older woman gets out and walks back to the other car parked behind the first. With a small wave to the house she gets in and they hear both cars start, the first one rolls forward and makes a right with the second car following close behind.
Turning Bridget asks, "What was that Franky?"
Just as the question was asked Franky's phone goes off, taking it out she looks at it and chuckles, "It's from Zalia," she answers, "apparently it is someone who works for the Freak, she said she's taking care of it and will pass along more when she can." Typing a quick reply Franky puts the phone back in her pocket and looks at Bridget.
Stepping closer Bridget places her right hand on Franky's cheek and asks, "Are we okay?"
Leaning into the hand on her cheek, Franky reaches out and places her hands on her girlfriends hips, pulling her closer she drops her face into Bridget's neck while inhaling deeply, enjoying the fading scent of Bridget's perfume. Standing there for a few minutes as the tension drains away both women begin to enjoy the quiet of the house, the warmth of their bodies touching, until they are interrupted by a beeping sound from the kitchen.
Moving her lips up to Franky's ear Bridget whispers, "I put some leftovers in the oven, if your hungry there's enough for the two of us. We can finish our discussion over a meal and wine." She offers.
At the mention of food Franky's stomach lets out a long deep growl of hunger, laughing softly she says, "That sounds good Gidge, I'll go wash up and meet you in the kitchen." Reluctantly letting go Franky drops a brief kiss on Bridget's lips and heads down the hall.
Staring after her Bridget wonders if a talk will help them work through this or will it take something more, a second beep from the kitchen announces the impending doom to dinner waking Bridget from her thoughts, she walks over and grabs the wineglass and bottle on her way past the table heading to the kitchen.
Sandra's vehicle
Zalia continues to give instructions to Sandra, watching as the passing buildings become more run down, "Slow down and make a right at the next street." she says, "keep going until it ends."
Sandra does as she is told and notices that the new street is mostly industrial buildings, they are all dark and some of them look to be abandoned. She knows one thing for sure if she screams or tries to run there isn't anyone around to help, figuring she survived Joan Ferguson she can survive this too she makes the decision to cooperate until she can get free.
Seeing the sign ahead advising the street ending she is about to ask what to do when that quiet voice in the back says," Turn left into the laneway, drive around to the back of the building, stop when you see the blue door."
Doing as she's told she makes the left, in the mirror is the flash of lights from the car Marge's driving still following them, Sandra figures she can work the girl behind her but Marge will be a different story. Ferguson told her Marge ended up on the streets after her release, using drugs and sleeping in doorways but the woman she has seen doesn't look like she's living rough.
Seeing the blue door she pulls the car into a spot and turns it off waiting, the other car parks beside her and Marge gets out, the quiet voice says, "Before we go any further I'm gonna explain a few things so there's no misunderstanding, this is a fight between Ferguson and me, you can either be an asset or a casualty it's your choice understand?" the quiet voice pauses waiting for Sandra's agreement, she quickly nods her head yes. "Good, second thing there's no one around here that isn't either related or allied with me, try to get away you won't make it and the gloves come off all the way." again the voice pauses waiting for Sandra to answer, so she nods again rethinking her plan to run off, "the last thing lie to me, omit any details and I leave you to Marge and the others."
Not waiting for an answer this time the girl gets out of the car leaving Sandra to wonder what she meant by 'others', hearing a knock on the window she opens the door and gets out, pulling her purse out with her she feels it taken away very quickly, turning she sees Marge staring intently at her. Deciding to look elsewhere she turns to the building which doesn't look any different from the rest, seeing Carol's daughter start towards the blue door she follows with Marge and her dark glare following behind.
The girl opens the door and waves her in, Sandra steps in a few feet and waits for her eyes to adjust to the darkness until she hears a small click and a light turns on overhead, she realizes they are standing in another room. Another door is opened and she enters the main warehouse, she can hear soft voices talking in the distance the sound of a baby crying as well as a lullaby being sung by really young voices.
Turning to Marge she asks, "What is this place?" watching closely as Marge looks at the girl then back to her but before she can answer there's a cry of welcome and the pounding of little feet.
Looking over her shoulder Sandra sees a dozen or so women with at least 30 children heading their way, she hears the girl say, "This is Safe Haven." Getting down on one knee she is immediately surrounded by the children, all of them reaching for a hug or begging for a story from her. The women finally reach them, taking in the situation they start to gather the children up telling them that Zalia and Marge would see them later.
An older woman reaches them and grabs both Zalia and Marge into hugs, telling them how good it is to see them again, when she steps back Marge says, "I wish it was under better circumstances Barb," turning to point at Sandra, "we brought her here…" the rest of the sentence is cut off as the woman Barb whispers "Sandra what are you doing here?"
Stunned she realizes she's looking at Barb Perry, she didn't recognize her from before with her gray hair and eyepatch but before she can say anything Zalia jumps in and says, "Barb can you get the others and meet us in the conference room on the second floor.?" Seeing the woman nod yes, Zalia grabs Sandra's arm and pulls her towards a set of steps, dragging her forward she pushes Sandra to start the climb, at the top she directs the woman through a set of double doors into a large conference room.
Once inside Zaila points at a chair and says "Sit there, don't move and don't speak." Hearing the implied threat in that voice she obeys watching as Marge opens a drawer and pulls out some restraints. "Secure her wrists to the chair please Marge." Sandra watches Marge approach her, the restraints are pressed to her wrists as they are linked to the armrest of the chair, without a word Marge finishes and stands up to walk away. Looking at the girl she sees her pull out a laptop, taking a seat she opens it and begins typing.
"What's going to happen to me Marge?" she asks using her calmest voice
With a glance at Carol's daughter Marge answers, "Justice Sandra," she looks back, "You will face your accusers, defend yourself and be judged by a true jury of your peers."
Just as Marge finishes the door to the room opens, standing up Zalia directs the new people to certain seats, either around the table or against the wall. Looking closer she starts to recognize some of the women taking seats at the table they had been in prison with her and Ferguson, with growing horror she realizes each one looks 10 years older then they should and they all are staring at her with only one eye.
The closing of the door shakes Sandra to the core, she watches as Carol's daughter takes her seat again with Marge at her right hand, she glances around then back to Sandra and finally speaks, "thank you everyone for joining this meeting, we are here to listen and determine the fate of Sandra Benson" pausing here to let the information sink in, "We'll begin with Marge."
Watching Marge stand Sandra realizes there will be no escape or rescue, her eyes move to Carol's daughter catching the young girl staring at her, the words she spoke earlier in the car echo back 'you can either be an asset or a casualty it's your choice understand'. In that moment Sandra's survival instinct kicks in, Ferguson isn't here but her victims are and for the first time in a long time she fears someone other than the ex governor.
Wentworth Prison - H1
Shocked at the question my eyes close and I try to swallow past the lump in my throat and I say, "I don't really know Bea, I can only assume the guards told you something." I whisper, "I do know when you returned from the hospital you had a visit with Doreen and told her that I was a part of the attack, Boomer almost bashed me in the shower over it. I did try to visit you in medical but the guards forced me out and later when you were released to general I tried to talk to you again but you sent me away, telling me that Kaz had already told you I was a part of it."
"She came to me in medical, apologized for believing the Freak and for working against me, she sounded sincere" at her pause I open my eyes and turn to look at her, "she also apologized for having you prostitute yourself to get to me."
Feeling fresh tears over Kaz's betrayal I tell her, "The same day you returned to Wentworth she was released from the slot for what happened in the kitchen, I confronted her over the rumors and could see in her eyes that she knew what Ferguson was going to do. I begged her to tell you I had nothing to do with it," again the lump makes it hard to speak, swallowing hard I continue, "that's when she found out that you and I were on and she kicked me out of her room. I can only guess she was thinking to protect herself from you by keeping us apart, so I didn't tell you the truth about her and Ferguson."
I can see her eyes go distant as she recalls something then I hear her murmur some words so quietly I didn't catch what she said so I lean closer and ask, "What was that?"
"A memory that didn't make sense until now," she answers, "I'm so sorry Allie."
"For what?" I asked confused at the apology.
"For calling you a lying junkie street whore, for believing Kaz and especially for not listening to you," she confesses, "I can only say I was confused, hurt and so very use to people using me or trying to bash me I was too ready to believe the worse about you."
A small gasp escapes my lips at her words and I ask my question, "What do you remember after that scene in your unit?"
"Mostly speaking with Maxine and her telling me that you didn't play me," a tear escapes her eyes as she continues, "a couple flashes of you fucked up on gear, your face bloody as you plead with me to listen to you, I remember saying 'that's a shame' when you said you love me," more tears trail down her cheeks, "Mr. Jackson telling me you were trying to keep me alive after the attack, Maxine again, telling me it wasn't too late to help you, to take a second chance." She stops there, lost in the memories.
Clearing my throat I say, "My relapse wasn't your fault Bea, it wasn't even Kaz's," looking out at the water, I continue speaking, "that was all me, in the past if I couldn't handle what was thrown at me I would turn to drugs to dull the pain so I could get through the day, so it was all me fucking up again."
"I remember going to the Governor to request your move to H1, did that happen?" she asks after a few moments of silence.
"Yeah, a couple of days later you showed up at my cell with a guard, opened the door and started packing my things didn't even say 'hi'," turning back to Bea I give her a small smile, "when you were done you looked me in the eye and told me to follow you. We walked to your unit where you told your girls that I was taking the spare cell, that night you helped me through the withdrawal and gave me a heart attack in the morning."
"Heart attack? " She repeats.
Looking at my hands, I rub my left palm with my thumb, "After one of the worse nights of my life I woke up with someone lying next to me, after being alone for so long it startled me to be wrapped in strong arms, to feel someone's warm breath on my neck and to hear a soft snore in my ear. It took me a moment to remember where I was and what had happened to make me feel so tired, when I did I realized who was behind me and turned slightly to see you sleeping beside me."
Hearing a small snort of laughter I look at Bea as she says, "I don't snore! But yeah I had a flash of that night too, you were pretty out of it while that shit ran out of your system. I remember going for a glass of water and coming back in to find you asleep, I pulled a blanket over you but just couldn't leave you alone I was too worried, so I laid down with you hoping it would help keep you calm as you slept."
"Well it startled me, I thought you hated me especially after our talk in the showers and how I was behaving," I say, "I wouldn't have blamed you if you did but instead you took care of me, cleaned me up," I stop talking when I see her move from sitting beside me to her knees, leaning forward her hand lifts to cup my cheek.
"No Allie it wasn't hate, sadness for sure, desire to right a wrong, show you that someone still cared," I look into those eyes holding my breath, the hand on my cheek drifts back clasping my neck and my heart stops as she stares intently at my lips. Not sure what she's thinking I stay quiet and wait, after a minute her eyes rise to mine and I can see desire and determination in her eyes. The hand on my neck draws me forward until our lips meet, hesitant at first, a gentle greeting, then her tongue slips out to lick my bottom lip and that touch releases my desire, with a groan my hands bury themselves in her hair and I pull her closer.
My ears are buzzing and I open my eyes, instead of the beach and sky I see the four walls of my cell and hear the speaker advising inmates to get ready for the count and I let out a groan of frustration, brushing the hair from my eyes I swing my legs to the floor, getting up I walk to the sink and splash cold water on my face.
Glancing up I see the faded image of Bea again looking at me from the mirror, her shy smile in place but this time I see the love in her eyes and it braces me to face the day, quickly changing into my clothes I open the door ready to begin a new day of games within games.
Safe Haven
Leaning against the upper railing Zalia watches as the ex-prisoners escort Sandra to the holding room, feeling Marge step up beside her she turns her gaze to the older woman as she hears her ask, "What do you think?"
"Can't say for sure just yet, she's the first we've caught," Zalia replies, "the only thing I know for sure is Sandra is an excellent liar, she knew to give us only what we asked for, didn't offer anything else we could possibly use."
"So this means what?" Marge continues, "we let her go, hold her or kill her?"
"My background search isn't finished yet that's why I didn't ask anything this time, that will come later but from what little I have seen we aren't letting her go." The last said with a glare at the departing Sandra. "but we can't kill her just yet, so hold her it is."
"We really don't have the manpower to watch her 24/7, what do you suggest?" says Marge.
"We sick Caleb on her, tell him she's a shapeshifting alien or some crazy shit like that, the kid won't be able to keep his eyes off her," with a small grin Zalia adds, "if she tries anything he'll raise the alarm quicker then any of the traps, should give some relief to the guards."
Chuckling Marge looks up to the window to see the sun cresting the horizon, "She should sleep for a bit so I'll get Caleb now and tell the others to get some rest for 4 hours, he should be good for that much time, then I'll set up the rotation before I hit the sheets, what are you going to do now?"
"Have to get rid of that car and head back to the other site to see how things are progressing and make sure the kid is sleeping." she answers.
"Gonna give the car to the boys?"
"Yep after I get the tracker out of it, it's almost time for the delivery trucks to start their runs so I'll slip it to one of them and have them deposit it far from here or Westfall's home." She answers.
"Why?" Marge asks, "just disable it, don't muck around with this keep your eye on the prize we only have a couple of days left."
"Let me ask you this, if you were Ferguson and you were spinning a web like her, would you leave a person like Sandra to work on her own?" waiting while Marge thought it through, she finally continues when she sees her friend shake her head no, "there are more helpers out there and I want to see just who comes looking. I have my suspicions about who will show up."
"Care to share?" Marge asks.
"Not this time lady, once I have what I want I'll hand the person over to the boys just like the car so the less you know the safer you are." Stepping back Zalia wraps Marge in a tight hug, kisses her cheek then says, "Your in charge while I'm gone, if anything comes up and you can't get a hold of me make the best decision you can."
Letting go Zalia starts down the stairs with the weight of Marge's stare on her back, arriving at the ground floor she waves goodbye to the women and kids starting to wake, reaching the outer door she turns back salutes Marge and walks out.
Once outside Zalia walks over to Sandra's car, opening the door she pulls the lever for the hood, sticking her head under she starts the search for a tracking device, checking the whole vehicle she doesn't find it until she checks the rear license plate, chuckling she grabs it and slips it into her pocket. Zipping up her coat she walks towards a smaller building at the back calling out "Yo Bryan I got something for you and a small job for one of the boys."
Bridget Westfall's Home
The sky is still dark as the sun has barely crept above the horizon but Franky is still on prison time, expecting the count buzzer to sound off she rolls out of the bed and before her brain kick starts reminding her where she is, deciding it's futile to go back to sleep she pulls the covers over her girlfriends naked body and kisses her softly on the lips. Moving to the end of the bed she borrows the house coat laying on the bench, pulling it on she walks over and opens the bedroom door carefully so as not to wake Gidge.
With quiet steps she walks to the kitchen and over to the coffee pot, changing the filter and filling the coffeemaker with new grounds and clean water she sets it to boil. Looking out the back door she can see the sun is now half way past the horizon, figuring she has an hour before Gidge wakes up she decides breakfast in bed would be a nice gesture for her girlfriend.
Turning to the fridge she scans the inside for ingredients and decides she needs to start shopping again as she sees container after container of take out and leftovers. Deciding the eggs, bread and fruit should be enough for french toast she takes them out and places them on the counter, opening the cupboards she takes out the mixing bowl and spices then locates the pan under the counter.
Her hands know what to do from here so her mind drifts to her friends and Wentworth, the plan to free Bea sends a tiny trickle of fear down her spine at the thought of being caught and sent back but the Doyle brashness kicks in, easing the fear a bit just not enough to wash it completely away. Thoughts of Boomer and Liz draw a smile to her lips, she deeply misses talking and laughing with them, her hands move slower at this and her eyes again move to the backdoor and the sun now fully above the horizon. As she stares at what could possibly be one of her last sunrises for awhile she is unaware of being watched until two arms slip around her waist in a hug.
"What are you thinking about Franky?" she hears.
"Sunrises, my girls, about what I will do if I end up back in prison." she answers while turning to wrap her arms around Bridget's waist slipping her hands under the shirt she is wearing, slowly her hands drift up to stroke bare skin, "about what you'll do if I end up back inside, I can't see us submitting a request form for a conjugal Gidge. On the other hand I would love to see the Governor's face if we did." she says with a small laugh.
Chuckling as well Bridget closes her eyes enjoying the feeling of Franky's hands on her back and says, "If worse comes to worse I will get a transfer to another institution and come visit you." opening her eyes she leans in for a soft kiss and asks, "What are you making?"
Taking back her hands she checks the toast in the pan and answers, "Well it was going to be breakfast in bed for my girl but she ruined it by getting out of bed, so I guess it's just breakfast for my girl."
"Well your girl appreciates the thought," Bridget says placing another kiss on Franky's lips, "I'll go get dressed and we can eat, do I have time for a shower?"
Looking up from the fruit she is preparing Franky asks, "It's early yet, why don't you save the shower for after, that way we can both jump in and save on the water by sharing?" offering up a slice of orange to Bridget she watches as her lips open to accept the piece, Franky gets a bit worked up at a memory flash from last night when those same lips were pressed against her skin, kissing and licking their way down her body.
Raising an eyebrow at the rising lust in Franky's eyes, Bridget answers as calmly as she can, "As long as it's a quick wash, no funny business Franky, I can't be late for work and you have classes today," she starts to walk down the hall when she hears 'Gidge', glancing over her shoulder at Franky she sees the smile on her girlfriends face and knows she's about to get a cheeky offer.
"No funny business I promise," she says as her smile grows wider, " I guarantee with what I want to do to you right now you won't have any thought of laughing."
Feeling her body getting warm at the thought, Bridget reluctantly shakes her head no, "Not that I don't want to Franky but I have a heavy schedule today, would you accept a raincheck for tonight?" she asks.
"Only if I can spend the night again," Franky says, "Not because I want to have sex or wrap myself around you as we sleep, you have a better mattress then mine and I get a better nights sleep on it."
"Sure Franky," she says, "I'll be home around 7 we can eat, then sleep on the really nice mattress."
"Don't forget the shower Gidge," Franky calls out as Bridget walks away, "I really need a good back wash, front wash possible some leg action too."
Deciding not to answer Bridget continues to the bedroom, closing the door then leaning her head against she breathes deeply to settle her desire down at the images in her mind from Franky's parting comments. Standing back she heads to the bathroom for a nice cold shower, cool herself down before heading back out for round two.
Wentworth Prison - H1
After the count we walk towards the cafeteria for breakfast, Liz, Doreen and Boomer in front, Maxine and Sonya beside me, Maxine keeps looking at me with a strange look until I finally say, "What?"
"Everything okay last night hun?" she asks hesitantly.
"Why do you ask Maxine?" I answer her question with a question.
"I got up for a cuppa because I couldn't sleep and walked by your door, I heard you talking in your sleep," looking around to make sure no one else is listening, "to Bea. Were you just dreaming?"
Startled I look at Sonya and see she's staring at me as well, "Let me guess you couldn't sleep either?" I ask her.
Shrugging slightly she answers, "I have not slept more than 4 hours a night in years, I am usually up before the sunrise everyday."
A bit shaken at this information, I wonder exactly what she has heard or seen since I've been back, I turn back to Maxine and say, "Can't talk about it now, can you meet me in my cell during free time before we go out to the yard?" I ask, at her nod I continue, "Also I need to speak with Doreen and Liz, then Juice, in that particular order, can one of you arrange it?" deciding to include Sonya in my request.
Both women say 'yes' in a whisper, as we arrive at the cafeteria door I stop and say, "For now keep your ears open for anything useful to the guards, especially drugs or bashings, I need to feed them something and soon." Opening the door I walk through and grab a tray watching as Sonya walks up to Liz and whispers in her ear, Liz shows control by not turning to look at me just nods her head yes. Moving along with the line I see Maxine doing the same with Juice but her control is somewhat lacking, those reptilian eyes glance at me as a look of unholy glee washes over face, eventually she gives a nod and Maxine walks over to join the food line.
Turning back I look at the breakfast for today and decide the eggs don't look poisonous, spooning some on to my tray I debate what else to grab, feeling eyes on me I look up and in the doorway stands Tina and Kim I stare back at them until Maxine jostles my arm and says, "Keep moving Allie, now's not the time."
Nodding in agreement I continue to spoon food on my tray, not looking anywhere but at them, as I leave the food line my lips curve into a smirk and I wink, watching their eyes narrow I know I have gotten a bit in their head. Leading the way to the table I pull out the chair across from Boomer and sit, I can still feel them staring until Boomer looks up and catches them "Oi Allie whaddya gonna do about Mercado? Cause she's staring daggers at ya right now." She asks around a mouthful of toast.
"Nothing yet Booms, nothing yet."