Chapter XXI: Recovery
The mood is gloomy, yet dim over Wentworth. A mixture of emotions dawn upon all the inmates, confusion, despair and relief wash over all, inmates and correctional officers. Tina Mercado was slain mercilessly, by Sonia Stevens, who was already under investigation for murdering her best friend. Now, the police have everything they need, evidence wise, to convict her.
Sonia Stevens was sent to Uxbridge Psychiatric Facility, the same facility that held Joan "The Freak" Ferguson. It houses the criminally insane and psychotic, and those who are at the very top of the hierarchy of those who are deemed a threat to society. The judge ordered that she spent her life sentence there, and that the previous charges for murder be dropped due to lack of evidence. However, she will spent the rest of her life in a padded cell, trying to rehabiliatate for a world that she will never get to see as a free woman again.
As for Tina Mercado, the body was disposed of a day later after the police had finished evaluating the scene and interrogating the key witnesses. Those witnesses were Karen Proctor, Allie Novak and Beatrice Smith. They, of course, all said the same thing. Tina Mercado and Sonia Stevens were in the kitchen, after the count, commencing a fight. All of them got involved in an attempt to try and stop and intervene in the fight, Sonia trying to kill Bea, and instead, Tina getting caught in the crossfire and sacrificing herself. This clarification of witness accounts was imperative to proving that Sonia Stevens' was detrimental that night towards all, and was the exigent evidence that was needed to seal her sentence to spend the rest of her life behind bars.
A month later...
Everyone had since forgotten about the horrors of Sonia murdering Tina in the kitchen. Prison was now stable for the first time ever, and the number of junkies had hit an all time low. Since Mercado was not around to feed their poisonous habit, they had no choice but to go cold turkey, with the perfect timing of Ms. Bennett's drug rehabilitation classes. Vera had since thanked Proctor and Smith for their efforts in trying to get rid of the drug supply, but it seemed that now with Tina gone, the problem had just dissolved by itself.
Overall, it didn't affect the inmates long term, apart from the junkies. Tina's death, miraculously, was good for the rest of the inmates.
When Bea tackled Allie to the floor, she saved her girlfriend from having any sort of PTSD from having seen someone be ravagely murdered in front of her, just as Bea had done with Jacs and Brayden. However, the governor had ordered them to be subject to weekly counselling sessions with Bridget Westfall, just so that she could be seen to be doing something by the board to try and make sure of their welfare.
Kaz was deeply affected by it. She was seeming to be having nightmares, having only injured people in the Red Right Hand, never having the guts to take someone's life. Bridget was considering asking Vera about getting a PTSD counsellor who specialised in the symptoms of nightmares, cold sweats and paranoia that Kaz was experiencing, however, after a few weeks, Kaz seemed to be getting better.
Allie didn't need any counselling, however, she did find it helpful to talk to Bridget about her past and other things, so not all time was wasted. Bea did find the counselling extremely helpful, as she made use of her time also speaking to Bridget about Jacs and Brayden and her remorse. Bridget was taken aback by some of Bea's confessions, yet not surprised, after all, Bea did have another 36 years left of her life sentence to serve, so that was a lot of time for contemplation.
As for Vera Bennett, she was put on a final warning. A meeting by the board where she was shouted at profusely by members of the correctional service higher up resulted in her being issued a warning which stated that if she slipped up the tiniest bit, she would be exiled from her position. Vera took this with a pinch of salt, knowing that in a way, Mercado's death had got rid of the problem for her, and therefore she would have no reason to worry in the future.
Maxine felt lighter than she had ever done before in the last six months, even after losing her breasts during traumatic surgery to remove the parts of her body that she fought all of her life to have. The tall brunette could not stop the smile emanating from her face, to which the guard who let her out of the prison van took note of. He just frowned, and took her into the prison. The regular scheme began, strip search before being sent back to the unit.
Boomer was probably the first one to notice a change in Maxine since she came back. "What's got you smilin'?" Boomer asked curiously as Bea and Allie came around the corner, hand in hand, followed by Liz and Doreen, the four of them engrossed heavily in conversation. "I'm in remission!" Maxine vocalised, Boomer jumping straight up to her feet squealing. "You're in remission?" Bea asked, Maxine confirming. A stray tear fell down the brunette's cheek as all of them came to give her a hug and to congratulate her. "No way. I can't believe it!" shrieked Boomer, everyone smiling as they saw the two embracing in a hug.
"Now you've just gotta focus on getting out of here" Boomer recited, holding Maxine's hand with both of hers. Maxine smiled at the thought of being a free woman, being the woman she was always meant to be. "How long have you got left, Booms?" Doreen asked, everyone else aware that she was moving to Perth soon to be closer to her son and partner, Nash.
"Five years" Boomer shrugged, sitting down on the couch. "Then you can get parole in three years" Doreen smiled, Boomer clapping her hands like a child. "Oh yeah, never thought of that" she giggled as Maxine rubbed her back on the couch. "Maybe you should speak to your lawyer, love. See what they can do for you" Liz offered, Maxine nodding her head. "I'll ask Vinegar Tits tomorrow for you, if you'd like" Boomer said, Maxine shaking her head at her friend's kindness. "It's fine Booms, I can do it myself" the brunette spoke. "But, you're still healing so you need to be careful, yeah?" Boomer hinted. Maxine chuckled to herself at her Boomer's protectiveness, but was grateful.
"Why don't we get some Monte Carlo's, Boomer?" Liz asked, Boomer shooting straight up from the couch like a horse and off into her cell to fetch them as quick as she could, not wanting to leave Maxine's side for a second after finding out this extraordinary news. "She's sweet" Allie mused as she squeezed Bea's shoulders before manoeuvring round to plump herself on Bea's lap, everyone else missing the quiet sigh that uttered from Bea's lips as she did so.
Boomer came back shortly after, offering everyone a biscuit. "So what did the doc say?" Boomer chirped as she took her seat next to Maxine. "Well, I went in and he told me that I had responded very well to the surgery and to the aftercare that they'd given me. He even said that some patients don't recover until two years after, and that I was the fastest person he had ever seen to go into remission" Maxine smiled with a buzz, all of the H1 girls over the moon for her. "Well it's great to finally have some good news after the incident last month" Liz finally said, looking down at the floor.
"So, have you been told anything about the investigation, Liz? Won't you get rewarded for your co-operation or something?" Bea enquired, all of the girls now knowing of her plot to try and find out evidence that Sonia had killed her best friend. "I have a meeting with Detective Caplin soon. But, you heard the rumours right?" Liz asked, all of the women shaking their heads.
"She has apparently been acquitted of the previous murder accusations and instead, she's only been convicted for Tina's murder. If that's the case, I doubt that I'll get any reward or recognition for it" Liz stated, all of the women sighing in amazement. "They used me" the older blonde shrugged, Bea shaking her head. "I'm sorry Liz. You can't trust the police these days. I mean, look how long it took for the Freak to get locked up. And we all knew what kind of a monster she was" the redhead said, all of them agreeing. "Is" Allie corrected her with a frown as she encircled her arms protectively over Bea more.
The conversation drifted much lighter after that, discussions of Doreen's parole and Maxine's remission making for a steady conversation. Evening count came shortly after their conversation which seemed to have gone on for a few hours, where Allie stood at her cell that she barely ever used. Bea knew that look that the blonde was giving her: it was a coy look, one that she was greeted with every single evening. There was no point in trying to hide anything from anyone anymore, Bea and Allie were in a loving and healthy relationship, and that was that.
As the blonde stood inside the redhead's cell dressed for bed, led against the now closed door, she saw Bea's face light up at the sight of her. Without a doubt, they were both hopelessly in love with each other, no matter what anybody else thought. Allie was dressed in a tank top and shorts while Bea never bothered to get changed, still donning her teal shirt and tracksuit. She knew that there was no point in even getting changed, Allie was going to take her clothes off anyway.
Ever since the two of them consummated their relationship, Bea found that her confidence with sex increased everytime. She knew for a fact that it was due to experience with Allie, and how kind and patient Allie had been during the course of their relationship. There are many things that make Bea think that maybe Wentworth isn't so bad after all. Allie is one of them.
Bea stood up from the bed and motioned her index finger, silently telling Allie to come forward. Allie pressed herself off the back of the door with her hands before coming to stand before Bea. A moment of silent admiration and glances exchanged between the two, before Bea winded her fingers in the back of Allie's hair, before pulling her in for a soft kiss.
It started off soft and light, tongues barely brushing against one another, the minimum friction of their lips sparked off electricity in both of their bodies. The feelings that Bea felt, as if her mind was levitating above her body, was also felt by the blonde. That's what made their relationship so loving, so consuming, and so everything. As Allie's hands rested on Bea's hips, they continued to cavort with each other with their mouths passionately.
After a short while, Bea pushed Allie back on to the bed, her eyes midnight black with nothing but absolute desire. As if a bulb had been flicked on inside of her, Bea suddenly felt hungry for her lover. Secretly, she didn't know how much Allie was loving it. Allie loved the Bea that was commanding, domineering, and just took whatever she wanted when she wanted, but this was the first time that Bea had ever done such a thing when they were having sex, not like Allie was about to complain.
However, Allie had other plans for her lover tonight. As Bea's body collapsed on top of hers, she managed to flip them over in a second, Bea's hands still wound up in Allie's blonde locks, and Allie caressing the base of Bea's throat, whilst passionately ravishing her mouth like no one has ever done before. Allie took this moment to strip Bea of her armour that she wore on a daily basis, her top dog's armour, so that she would prevail over all the other inmates, to make sure that order was within the prison.
As Allie's fingers entwined around her top, she flew it behind her, her eyes dropping down to Bea's bra-clad breasts, Allie licking her lips as she did so. "You are so, so beautiful" Allie husked into the shell of Bea's ear, sending jolts of electricity down her spine. As Allie connected her lips with Bea's once more, she reached round to undo Bea's bra, watching as her breasts fell out, biting her lip as she took in the extraordinary sight that is Bea Smith.
As she kissed her way down the redhead's neck, her lips connected with her collarbone, eventually down to the swell of her chest before biting down gently. Bea hissed at the pain, which soon then turned to a moan as her tongue connected with Bea's skin. As Allie's hooded blue eyes connected with Bea's brown orbs, she took her left breast into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the bud which had now hardened in her mouth.
Bea wasn't actually realising how loud she was being, but to be honest, she didn't care either. She had every right to enjoy herself, and damn she was enjoying herself as Allie changed breasts, eventually clamping her mouth down lightly on her right breast, all the while still maintaining eye contact with the redhead. Bea knew for a fact that she was extremely aroused by the sight of Allie devouring her breasts, not that she cared.
Allie lifted her head up to connect her lips with Bea's that she loved so much, Bea now dominating the kiss. Bea then took the opportunity to strip Allie of her tank top, smiling at the fact that she had no bra on. As Allie lay elevated over Bea, the redhead decided to return the favour, taking one nipple in her mouth while teasing the other. Allie let out a breathy moan as she cradled Bea's head as the older woman's tongue danced over her breasts.
The blonde ducked her head down to kiss Bea once more before roaming her abdomen before playing with the elastic of Bea's pants. Getting the visual confirmation she needed from Bea, she removed both her pants and underwear which were soaking wet, before climbing back on top of her. As their tongues danced with one another, Allie's thigh made contact with Bea's core. A moan escaped Bea's mouth as she grinded her hips down on Allie's thigh, desperate for some sort of friction, and desperate for release.
The young blonde tugged on the redhead's lip before dragging her tongue down Bea's body, never stopping eye contact along the way. "Wait" Bea said nervously, tapping Allie's shoulders, aware of Allie's aim. Allie lifted her head, waiting for a response. "No one's ever...I mean, I hav-" she stuttered before being silenced by Allie's lips brushing against her own. "Hey, we don't have to do anything you don't want to, okay?" Allie reassured her as she took her hand in her own. Bea took a moment's contemplation before waiting for Allie's response.
Suddenly, Allie's mind dawned back to the time into the equipment room where Bea's body stiffened under hers when she was intending to do the same then. Instead, she didn't question nor did she expect Bea to answer, and instead, crawled her way back up her girlfriend's body, the experience completely forgotten.
"If you want to give it a go you are more than welcome to, beautiful. How about we try it, and if you don't like it, I'll stop straight away?" Allie offered, Bea nodding but nervousness still displayed on her face. "I promise you babe, I will only ever do something that you will enjoy and are okay with" Allie stated, Bea smiling at the compassion from her. Allie placed a kiss on Bea's knuckles before dragging her tongue down the navel of Bea's breasts, down to her abdomen, all the way down to her pubic bone.
Allie looked up at Bea before placing kisses on the inside of her thighs, biting gently before soothing the bite with her tongue. She slowly made her way towards Bea's outer lips, where Allie admired her beautiful body. The redhead was so wet and swollen, and the visual of it made Allie's mouth water, and her throb violently between her own legs. Kissing Bea's knuckles once more whilst keeping hold of her hand, Allie licked one long strip from Bea's entrance all the way up to her clit, carefully avoiding the enlarged bulb.
Bea could've sworn that Allie could've not made her feel better in that moment. "Oh my God" she moaned loudly, Allie lifting her head up and smiling, getting the audio confirmation she needed to continue her movements. Moving her tongue lazily over Bea's centre, drawing different kinds of shapes and engorging herself in the unique taste that is Bea, she could've sworn that she was enjoying it just as much as Bea was.
Bea felt like she was in heaven, and could feel her orgasm building rapidly. The way Allie's tongue flicked over her centre so perfectly made her eliciting sounds from her mouth that she wasn't aware of, which she didn't even know was possible. Bea could feel her walls clenching and tightening at rapid speed as Allie licked at Bea's outer lips tentatively, before circling her tongue firmly around Bea's clit.
This rewarded the blonde with a loud moan before she looked at Bea once more before sucking her clit into her mouth. Humming in delight at the taste of Bea's clit only made the redhead aroused more as she moved lower to place her tongue lower. As her tongue dipped into Bea's entrance, the redhead could not believe how good she was feeling and how pleasurable it was for her. As she continued place her tongue inside Bea, Bea's grip on Allie's hair got tighter, and her fingers were digging into her scalp, Allie knowing that she was now close.
The younger woman moved her mouth up before closing it on Bea's clit, making one final move to place her tongue and swirl it around the redhead's bulb. A silent but guttural moan fell from the lips of Bea Smith as she came undone underneath Allie's mouth. The blonde loved seeing this side to Bea, seeing her surrender herself to her completely. As she felt the tremors and contractions against her tongue, she licked Bea clean before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, rising herself to lie next to the redhead.
Bea could've sworn that she was seeing stars, her energy had completely gone. "That was amazing" Bea mumbled breathlessly as she opened her hazy eyes to look at the gorgeous blonde that was across from her. "So you enjoyed it?" Allie asked curiously, wanting the verbal confirmation. "The best I've ever had" Bea smiled as Allie connected her lips with the redhead's, allowing her to taste herself from Allie's mouth: yet another new experience for her. "I love you" Allie said, biting down on her lip. "I am so in love with you too, Allie Novak. And I'll never get tired of saying it" Bea chuckled as her girlfriend kissed her once more, before they both fell asleep in each others arms.