Disclaimer: Whilst this story will be based in a UK prison, it will not be a realistic representation. I didn't want to be concentrating too much on the prison side of it all. Therefor this fic will include goings on and procedures which are unlikely to happen in a real prison. It's an AU fanfic. I hope you enjoy!
Peter slammed his locker shut and adjusted the belt on his uniform. Ready to begin his shift back after a week off. He was about 10 minutes out of morning handover and was trying to process all the new information he'd just been fed. In most jobs, not a lot would change in a week, but in a job like Peter's, things changed by the hour. New battles, cell changes, new inmates, releases, transfers. He glugged down the remainder of his coffee and placed his cup in the sink.
"Code red. Code scorching red Buddy" Peter's attention was drawn to his fellow guard and best pal Ciaran who was as per usual, stood looking in the mirror that hung on the wall of the office
"Oh yeah?" Peter rolled his eyes at his mates eye for the ladies; even the ones banged up. 'Code red' was his and Ciaran's way of telling the other that a new inmate was easy on the eye. Not just because it was typical lads chat but also because it meant there was likely to be trouble for her. The inmates never seemed to warm to the prettier additions, either that or they'd take too much of a liking to them. "Which one's that then?" Peter's curiosity now had the better of him. It wasn't often the 'code red' label was used and he'd just been briefed on three new inmates who'd joined the ladies prison in which he worked at, so he knew it had to be one of them
"Trust me, you won't miss her" Ciaran replied with a grin, giving his mate a pat on the back and walking out of the office, ready to begin his shift.
Peter exited shortly after, checking what wing he was manning on the timetable and heading straight for it. Before he even had chance to get there, the familiar sounds of women screeching and a commotion taking place was what he was welcomed with upon entering the block of cells
"Right, break it up ladies" he spoke, sauntering into Wing C, the crowd of women suddenly parting at the sight of the guard. "Jackson.. I should've guessed that it'd be you" he interjected, stepping in between the two inmates who were merely exchanging harsh words.
"Listen Barlow, she started it" Jackson replied, aggressively pointing her finger towards the inmate she'd got into an argument with, strangely enough an inmate she was usually quite tight nit with. "She's been nowt but aggro for that newbie"
"Yeah well, if she didn't come in here thinking she owned the place then there wouldn't be an issue. Stuck up cow thinks she's better than us" Matthews shouted back as a figure emerged from Cell 8.
"Oh change the record will you? We're all in this shit hole aren't we? I wouldn't say any of us are exactly privileged" Peter's breath hitched in his throat as he caught sight of the woman stood against the doorway of her cell. Her dark brunette hair tumbling down over her shoulders as she stood with her arms folded. It had to be her. Code Red. "I just want an easy life okay. You've made it evident that you don't like me so I'll stay out of your way and you stay out of mine? Yeah?"
"There she goes! Trying to call the shots again!" Matthews tried to retaliate but the woman simply shook her head and walked back into her cell. The huddle of women surrounding the commotion soon spread and they continued on with the mundane tasks of prison life. Soon enough most inmates had either wandered off or gone to complete their daily duties and Peter found himself pacing the cell block up and down before he caught sight of her again. Code Red.
"The pack of hyenas not about then?" She spoke as she stood propped up against her cell door, emitting a small smile from Peter's lips
"I reckon you've got about 15 minutes until they adjourn for feeding time on another inmate"
"Perfect amount of time to make a cuppa then" the woman walked across from her cell over to the hot water machine, allowing Peter to fully take in the sight that stood before him. Her petite frame was complimented by an all black outfit. A black long sleeved top teamed with a pair of black leggings and some black converse. The outfit was tight and clung to the woman's curves in all the right places. It was simple attire, just like all prison wear, but she pulled it off in a way he'd not seen before. "D'ya want one?" Peter's thoughts were interrupted by the woman's husky voice
"Err.. a drink?" Peter responded, quite taken aback as the woman simply nodded, holding up an empty plastic cup "Erm, yeah go on then. Sorry.. I'm not used to the inmates actually offering out drinks. Well, not unless they've ladened it with something anyway"
"Well.. As you can see, the only thing I've got to offer you is a teabag and some milk. Sorry to disappoint. Can't even offer you some sugar as this lot in here neck sachets back like it's vodka" The brunette finished making up the two drinks and placed them on the table that was centred in the middle of the block. Pulling a chair out, she took a seat and placed her hands around the cup in an attempt to warm them.
"Well, it's a good job I carry my own supply out from the office then" Peter smiled, pulling two sachets out from his pocket and taking a seat across from the woman at the table. "Do you take sugar?" he asked, stirring a sachet into his own cup
"Ooh I'd kill for one" the woman spoke before realising the words that had just left her mouth, "Not literally, obviously.." Her whole demeanour suddenly changed and panic etched her face as if she'd really said something wrong
"Don't panic. I'm not wired up" Peter tore open the sachet and emptied it into the woman's cup, smiling at the contentment on her face as she stirred it and took a sip of the hot beverage
"It's amazing how a week in a place like this can even have you missing the simple things in life like sugar" the woman's tone was sad despite the smile that was subtly spread on her face. "Anyway, I've not yet seen you about?"
"Ahh I've been on a week off. First day back today. I'm officer Barlow. And yourself?"
"You mean you've not heard all about me yet? I'm Carla. Carla Connor. Or in here, better known as the woman who tried to murder her Ex Fiancée" Carla looked down into her drink, still embarrassed by the situation she found herself in
Now Peter knew her real name as apposed to 'Code Red', the information he'd been given on her in handover suddenly began to flood back. She was still on trial for the attempted Murder of her Ex Fiancée and business partner Frank Foster. Any details other than that were kept from the likes of Peter but there was something about this woman; something that instantly made him feel like there was a lot more to her story. "Listen, I'm not here to judge. I'm simply here to look after you women and make your time in this place as safe as it can be. Whatever you may or may have not done, is irrelevant to me" Peter's tone was soft and clearly got through to the woman who sat across from him
"Thank you" She gently smiled. There was something about this guard. Something different to all the others she'd come across in her short stint. The others liked to make their power known, walking about with smugness etched on their faces and speaking down to the women in the most patronising manner possible. Officer Barlow seemed kind though, genuinely kind.
"So how you coping in here then?" Peter broke Carla's thought process as she continued staring down into the hot beverage sat in front of her
"Well... I won't be leaving a five star review on trip advisor, that's for sure. The rooms are tiny, the beds are uncomfortable, the food's diabolical and don't even get me started on the noise levels" Peter let out a chuckle as Carla sat across from him smirking
"Well I'm ever so sorry madam, I shall report back to my boss right away and we will work on rectifying all issues you have with the establishment" Peter kept up the pretence as Carla laughed in return, her facial expression suddenly changing as realisation dawned upon her. Peter sat quietly, not wanting to probe her too much. From experience, he knew she'd talk when she was ready
A few seconds passed before Carla spoke up, knowing her sudden change in demeanour had become evident. "Sorry, it's just I'd forgotten what it felt like to laugh. I guess it feels like I shouldn't? It's not exactly the environment to be sat laughing in, is it?" Carla shook her head in annoyance at herself
"Hey, don't be silly" Peter waited for Carla to make eye contact with him. "It's tough in here. What you're going through is tough. But you're still human. You're allowed to laugh, cry, even have good days. It won't change your verdict"
"It is tough, tougher than I imagined" Carla provided an honest answer to Peter's earlier question. "I like to consider myself quite strong, resilient even, but this place.. I'm scared it'll be the breaking of me"
"Well so long as I'm around, that won't happen. I'm not going to pretend you've got an easy ride ahead of you but any issues or worries, you come straight to me okay" Peter offered gently and Carla gave a small nod "Don't ever be afraid to let your guard down around me"
"Terrible pun but I'll let you off" Carla quickly added as Peter laughed, catching on to what she meant. "Seriously though, thank you. It's nice to know you're not all dicks in here" Peter proudly shook his head as Carla stood up from the table, chucking her polystyrene cup into the bin behind her, ready to make her way back towards her cell. "Ta for the chat Barlow"
"Anytime Connor. In fact.." Peter stood up himself, closing the gap between him and Carla as he delved into his trouser pocket, pulling a few sachets of sugar out as he reached down and grabbed carla's hand, placing the sachets into it and closing her fist around them "These are for when I'm not on your block, on the promise that next time I am, you'll make me another one of them cuppa's?" Peter held eye contact with Carla as she looked up at him, his hand still enclosed around hers with neither of them rushing to change that
She tutted and shook her head in response "Even have to make the staff drinks in this establishment too.. terrible service" Peter smirked as he finally released her hand and watched her as she made her way to her cell "But I promise, Barlow" she spoke over her shoulder with a grin before she walked out of sight, leaving Peter stood in the middle of the block. Code 'scorching' Red she was indeed.