A/N: What can I say? It's been a while, huh? Well unfortunately, I just started college and then my Internet went on the brinks as well.
LilAngel12558: Yeah, I know you don't like Salima, but thanks for sticking with my fic anyway. It's well apprecited. Babymar-mar: Here's the update for you

Warning: This chapter has a twist at the end

Chapter Ten

After lunch. The noise was tremendous as the dorm halls were chock full of inmates, some in conversation, and some relaxing outside their rooms. Salima frowned. She hated to think what the games-room looked like.

Patrolling the halls, she made no distinct eye contact with anyone whatsoever, but she could feel them all staring, their eyes filled with curiosity and conviction. They were all hungry for fresh blood. She could sense it and she wondered who was going to attempt to trouble her next.

"SON OF A BITCH!!!"

The retort could have been screamed out for the whole prison to here, as a large crash followed and Salima swivelled around to see that a chair and table had been turned over and upside-down. A small group had gathered around two angry looking characters as a fist was thrown and connected with someone's jaw. That's just what she needed. A fight to break out.

"FUCKING CUNT!!" Another punch was thrown, followed by another and before long a much larger crowd had been drawn, inmates screaming whoops of joy and cheering on the competitors. It wasn't until she sighted a reddish liquid that Salima snapped into action.

She attempted to fight her way to it, though the crowd was monstrous and she became surrounded and squashed by hostile inmates. Her voice was unheard over the crowd as the fight continued and she had no form of device to make herself known. Seconds later, she felt herself being drawn backwards to which she landed on the floor with a thump, the keys and handcuffs on her belt, digging into her waistline. She then winced in pain as a foot trampled over her hand, but with all the confusion, it was impossible to tell who.

I've gotta stop it. This is my chance to prove myself.

Once again, she snapped into action, standing up and finding her communications device that was fitted onto her belt. She altered the signal and made to speak into it, before she lost her grip and the walky-talky tumbled onto the floor aimlessly. More inmates seemed to be filing in now to get a piece of the action and one kicked at the device as he moved in to get a better look. The walky-talky became lost in the crowd.

Shit! She screamed inwardly. What was she to do now? She couldn't get through it. She couldn't call backup. She'd just have to get help the old fashion way.

Hoping against hope that the bloodshed wouldn't get any worse, she bolted away from the dorm hall and down one of the narrow corridors towards the staff room. She fumbled with her keys and drew out the one needed for that particular gate, before shoving it in the lock and rotating it until it clicked open. Slamming it shut, she raced again towards her objective and sighed in relief when she saw it in range.

"I need backup!" She yelled once she forced open the door.

Then her face dropped.

"Well, we're on our coffee break," Came the reply, as the redhead set eyes on two female characters sat on the faded green sofa, each with a mug in their hands.

"What!!!" Salima almost shrieked, panicking inwardly. "Where is everyone?"

"Apparently, a fight broke out on the wing. They've all gone to stop it!"

"Oh shit!" Salima cursed, out loud this time.

Without even bothering to close the door, she bolted back towards the scene of the moment, back through the gates; down the narrow corridor; and onto the wing, where the noise seemed to have subsided.

She gasped, panting heavily.

Though the crowd was still there, in the centre she could openly see a tuft of purple hair and the pale skin that accompanied it.

"Take them to the hospital wing and then to the segregation unit,"

And as instructed the two prisoners were hauled roughly through the crowd, by several officers, who had handcuffed them. Both seemed severely drenched in blood.

"Well done for alerting everyone, Hedges," She saw Mr. Jurgen state, nodding towards one of the other officers.

Her head sank low. She knew what was coming.

"Who was supposed to be patrolling this unit with you?"

There is was. The dreaded question and it rang out like a church bell. She saw the one known as Hedges circle the room with his eyes until they lingered upon her own. She stiffened and then gulped. Closing her eyes, she slipped through the crowd, with less difficultly this time, appearing in the centre.

"Me sir," She replied sadly.

She saw his lips tighten and the crowd around them suddenly burst alive with a barrage sniggers and sneers, much like a primary school.

"SILENCE!" Jurgen's voice rang out over the vast majority with its tone of authority, stopping them almost as fast as they had started up.

"See me in my office, Miss Yamaki, now!" The order was simple and level, as he advanced passed her, filing a path through the crowd and leading the way.

With her head bowed once more, she walked her 'walk of shame' through the swarm of inmates, each and everyone of them watching her intently, their eyes once again hungry. From the side she could see Hillary along with a few of the other officers, some whispering, some staring at her with sympathy in their eyes. But how could they know how she was feeling? How could they even begin to empathise?

-------------------------------

"Take a seat, Salima" Jurgen had said, once his office door had been closed.

The room was rather content, surrounded with lavish walls and varnished floors. Plastered around the room were portraits of unknown characters and unknown settings. A bookshelf and a lamp stood in one corner, a couple of filing cabinets in the others and right in the centre stood, Jurgen's desk, complete with a large black leather chair and two smaller versions which stood in front of her.

She sat down, anxiously, waiting as Jurgen took his seat in the large chair, resting his elbows on the table and ringing his hands.

"Now Salima, I have been very patient with you, but for the pass few weeks, you have had a string of oversights and I am not impressed," He began. "You have been late on many an occasion and have failed to uphold most of your duties...

As he continued, she swallowed, her thoughts flying towards Ian...and his boys. They were the main cause of her depression at Stanheld, them and the subtle fear she had of Jurgen. She remembered when she had first met him and he had seemed quite pleasant as oppose to now, where he reminded her of a strict school principal.

"Are you having any problems here, Salima...?"

Once again, the redhead's thoughts suddenly flew towards Ian. She should tell him. Now was perfect.

"...Because if you are, then we may have to transfer you back to Rackmore Women's Prison"

Salima gulped again. Anything. Anything but that.

"No, sir!" She replied, a little too suddenly.

"Well in that case I have no choice, but to put you on a week's probation because there is no possible excuse for your behaviour today," The Senior stated, opening one of his draws and pulling out a blue sheet of paper that resembled a contract. "You must know the rules by now. You do not go running off in the middle of a situation that requires your immediate attention."

"But I lost hold of my communications device, sir. There was nothing I could do," She tried to testify.

"I am well aware that you were not alone on that unit, Salima," Jurgen explained, pulling the pen wedged onto his jacket pocket, off and beginning to write. "They may well have already requested backup and therefore you should have found them if you were unsure of how to handle the situation."

Now she definitely felt like she was back in school, making excuses for her actions. But now she was older and able to admit that she had been in the wrong. She should have never left the unit.

"Right!" Mr. Jurgen lifted his head after signing the parchment himself. "You have a week, Salima...or we may have to consider if you are eligible for this job."

This time, she swallowed hard.

"You may leave now!"

As she got up and exited, she felt tense. She could neither breath, nor speak. Figuratively, her heart had stopped. She had a week left and that was it. That would be the end of it. She would be unemployed. She'd fall into debt and that would be the end of her.

Her head began to spin as she stretched out her arm and found support in the shape of the wall. As she walked on, she found herself hyperventilating as a pain settled in her stomach, rigidly. She held onto it and pushed at the wall, soon sighting a nearby door and pushing on it.

Advancing into the room, the door swung closed behind her as she passed the many washing machines and dryers, slumping into the nearest corner where she pressed her back up against the olive coloured walls. That's when she could take it no more. The tears began to surface, sliding down her cheeks furiously, as she wept. She lowered herself to the floor in defeat, her hands hiding her face as she did so.

If there has ever been a time she'd felt so low, now was that time. She wished that the world would open up and swallow her whole. At least it would take away the pain that she was currently feeling. Her pessimism had long grown to the point where there was no going back. Not even Hillary's words of comfort could reassure her anymore, and she had been doing so for the past couple of weeks.

You're only on your third week. It takes time.

Salima cried even more. After this week, there'd be no time left.

Hearing the door open suddenly, the redhead stabilised her agonising sobs. She'd forgotten that she'd entered the laundry room, where prisoners were given access. Anyone could have walked in just now, possibly looking forward to taking advantage of her vulnerable state. Once again, her stupidity had gotten the better of her, but she guessed there was no point, but to stand up and take it. She only had a week left anyway.

As she stood up, wiping her tears, she caught sight of the white and blue overalls that layered the character, who now stood with his back to her. She in took her breath instantly, making the individual start. With his garments rested on top of his shoulder, he turned instantly.

"Oh Miss, I didn't even realise you were...Miss?" It was Rei Kon. "Are you okay?" And he had noticed her current state.

Salima sniffed again. By now, she guessed that her face must have been red with her tears.

"No! I'm not alright!" As she spoke, she noticed that she sounded as if her nose was blocked.

"Is there anything I can do?"

She was shocked. Both at his sympathy and his want to help her and yet, he hadn't really bothered about her before. Perhaps he felt guilty.

"No!" Salima snapped and she made to head for the door.

"Well I've heard it's better to talk about things rather than bottle them up," She heard him say.

Salima sneered. Even though she thought herself childish, she had a hunch that he was just looking for a bit of gossip to tell the fellas. She turned and looked at him

"I wouldn't tell you anything if my life depended on it. You criminals are all the same," She scorned. "You're all lying deviant little creeps, who deserve nothing more than to rot in this hell hole!"

All of it. All of her contempt; her hate, was riding on this one moment. From her earlier years at Rackmore to the few weeks in Stanheld, she had voiced it all and yet Rei appeared neutral. Not even a dirty look was visible. She was hoping he'd say something to provoke her more, but nothing. She felt even smaller now for stooping to their level, because that's what they were like; angry, aggressive deviants. But not Rei for some reason. He stared back at her blankly.

"I know you're upset Miss, but I just thought you'd like to get it off your chest," He replied, earnestly.

She stared into his golden orbs, looking for the slightest bit of mistruth, but she couldn't seem to find any. Perhaps, he was being honest. Was it possible that maybe he could be genuine?

"Why are you doing this me?" Salima's face reddened even more, the tears threatening to escape again. "Why do you want to torment me?"

Rei's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He advanced towards her anyway.

"I don't understand," He replied.

"I never wanted things to be like this," Salima sniffed. "I thought working with men would have been better. Would have been easier. But it seems I can't do anything right."

As she spoke, she felt pathetic. Pathetic for snivelling like she was, and pathetic for her actions in front of this criminal.

"Now that's not true," The Chinese adolescent placed a hand on her shoulder. "Everybody's good at something."

She tensed as he smiled down at her.

"And then there's that guy – Ian – he just drives me crazy and I let...I let him," This time the tears did come and she covered her face, praying that somehow her assigned individual had not noticed.

When she peaked through her fingers, she sighted that Rei had found a towel and was now holding it in front of her. Taking her hands away, she stared up at him, receiving the towel gratefully.

"Thanks!" She sniffed, wiping away her excess tears.

"Don't worry about Ian," Rei replied. "He's just a jerk. He's easily controlled once you show him who's boss. You've just gotta be smart."

Salima smiled, weakly.

"But I don't know how, and what's the point," She threw the towel to the side. "I've only got a week left. After today, I'll have everyone on my case."

"Maybe you should stop putting yourself down," Rei stated, sympathetically. "They obviously gave you this job for a reason. You just have to show them your authority. I mean Jurgen's got everyone under his thumb, even Tala, and that's saying something"

Salima chuckled a little. He was right of course. She had it in her, but she'd been so preoccupied with her doubts that it had led her to forget her strengths. She shouldn't answer to Ian, Ian should answer to her and rather than running for cover whenever he came into view, she should just stand up to him. Once he was neutered, his boys would soon follow.

"But what do I say? Threatening never works," She questioned.

"It depends what you threaten him with," Rei added.

What could he say? The Chinese teen liked to think of himself as a peacemaker. He had a weakness for troubled souls, especially those of a fragile nature. He just couldn't resist helping them and because of this, Rei had come very close to telling the officer about Ian's little secret. But then of course, Kevin was liable to get dragged into the mess and it'd probably jeopardise their friendship, regardless of the fact that he was already risking his friendship with Lee. He didn't want to loose both friends now and become open to assault and at the end of the day, what Ian and Kevin did was their business. Plus, he still had to remember that no matter how confidential his talk would remain with Miss Yamaki, he was still a prisoner and she was still an officer. There would always been a line dividing them. "You'll figure it out!"

Salima smiled up at him thankfully. He had reminded her of how she used to be. The strong independent woman. She could turn things around. She could show Jurgen the best of her; show the others her hidden talents and most of all, show those inmates not to mess with her.

Before that conversation, she would have never considered that Rei could be so thoughtful and kind. She'd thought of him as a sheep, a follower of Lee, much like most people followed one another, but now he seemed different. How was it that a person such as he got himself shacked up in this place? He was too gentle, too caring and much too attractive to be locked away.

Salima blushed at the thought, but the more she thought of it, the more she began to believe it was true.

"Thank you, Rei!" She smiled sincerely, the tightness of her tearstained face, fading gradually.

Rei nodded genuinely.

"You're welcome!"

TBC

Yes! I know! You could probably see this coming, but it is a twist is it not?