A/N: This chapter is dedicated to the officers that we hardly see. I apologise for the delay, but I finally got another day off. Just for the record, I do not dislike Hillary or Salima in anyway. I am not bashing either character in this chapter. CarmenTakoshi: Glad you made an account and you're right. Rei is adorable when he's all like that. Thanks so much for the chocolate! –stuffs face- shadowcat: Kai/Tala won't be showing up I'm afraid. It was only used at the opening to cause some scandal, which is littered all over this fic anyway. And Kevin's gonna get 'played'. That's all I'm saying.

Chapter Seventeen

Salima smiled to herself as she entered the staff room that morning after her rounds. She was feeling large and in charge and the entire Wing knew it. Being employee of the month was one thing, but being promoted to Primary officer was another. She'd shown those runts that she was a doormat no longer, but an officer to be feared and respected. She'd even received Jurgen's approval and though he hardly showed it, it was definitely saying something.

Over the past month, she had settled an argument between enemies, stopped a few fights and sent a bunch of the criminals down the block. She was on fire and she knew it. Even Hillary, the one she had looked up to beforehand, was now begging her to reveal her secrets. Taking on women had been one thing, but men were easy. Like big kids in a pen, you just needed to know what made them tick and you had them. It was all clear now and she had Rei Kon to thank.

Her grin broadened as she sauntered toward the coffee table, placing her baton to the side and adding the caffeine-based contents to a mug before pouring the hot liquid from the kettle over it. She really had to repay him somehow for making her feel so strong again. All her worries had crept up on her, burying her inside so much she had forgotten why she'd joined the force in the first place. But Rei had made it all seem worthwhile.

In the mornings whenever she unlocked his and Lee's dorm, he'd always greet her and sometimes they'd become engrossed in friendly conversation. Lee was as bitter as ever. She remembered she'd asked about it and the shorter of the two Chinese had replied with a shrug and a mere "You wouldn't understand" putting more emphasis on the word 'you' as if it were a dirty word. Once he had left, Rei had told her not to worry about Lee and that he'd still not quite adjusted to being at Stanheld. She'd laughed then. That was just like Rei. Putting things into perspective. Having the ability to understand anyone, even if they never understood themselves.

She loved being in his company. He was always bright eyed - such dazzling eyes­- even if he was unwell. She sighed. He was perfect.

She gasped just then, dropping the teaspoon clumsily on the floor. How could she be thinking like this? He was just a criminal, right? But he was different. He understood her. He didn't shun her. He didn't fear her and yet, she was glad for it. He had made her feel so…

But it was forbidden anyway. The rules firmly stated:

No working officer is allowed to have relations to or any form of intimate associations with any prisoner. Doing so will automatically result in termination of employment

She knew this. In fact, she'd gone over the rules in her handbook more the once, but this was one rule she kept close with her for fear of what she might do. Being the Personal Officer of Rei was murder in itself anyway, and if she asked to transfer then it would appear more then suspicious. Plus she didn't want anybody else. Forget Tyson. Apparently, he was going through some stuff and Hillary couldn't get it out of him. She'd tried, but the blunette was just too stubborn. She'd even tried to get it out of the other inmates, but everyone was remaining tight lipped. Now Hillary was getting stressed. But the brunette couldn't even begin to contemplate what was going through Salima's mind right now.

Salima huffed, retrieving the teaspoon and throwing it in the sink. She couldn't help her feelings. They were true enough, written right in front of her in legible handwriting. But what now?

-

Robert sat in his office that afternoon filing through his paperwork. It had been somewhat a very easy day. Only minor problems on the Wing seem to crop up and the officers seemed to have everything under control. The Governor for the entire prison had commended him the other day at their monthly meeting, stating that he had done a wonderful job with F Wing. It had been nearest to the happiest moment he'd had in Stanheld, where he'd actually felt proud.

The Wings starting from A all the way down to G were in a mild competition with each other. F Wing had been nearest the bottom but was suddenly rising. Robert was glad. His employees were doing their jobs and the prisoners were finally keeping in line. Paperwork was on the decrease. Even the newbies that were sent to the Wing were adjusting fast.

Robert sighed cheerfully. It had been a long time since he'd actually patrolled the Wing himself, only showing up for big events, such as power-outages, deaths or fights that got too much out of hand. Otherwise he was here in his neatly laid out office, filling in forms and what not.

It was lunchtime anyway, so he drew out a sandwich from the mini fridge that was stationed under his desk – very convenient. Just as he unravelled the plastic seal however, an officer burst into the room holding a small piece of paper in his hand.

"Sir, we just received this warning in the staff room," He stated, holding the piece of paper out.

Robert sighed. Just when things were starting to improve. He settled his sandwich to the side, reaching out and taking the paper.

He glanced at the badly written writing, eyes widening in recollection.

The officer stared back, awaiting orders.

"Send all Primary Officers to the staff room immediately for a private meeting," The Governor instructed.

The officer nodded and left instantly.

-

After the alert had been sounded, Hillary slipped into the staff room and onto a velvety couch as all the primary officers filed in and congregated into the room. Some were huddled by the coffee table, others standing around in friendly conversation or greeting people whom they hadn't seen in a while. She saw that Salima and another officer were in deep conversation, Salima laughing as the other had probably cracked some sort of joke.

Salima. Salima. Salima. That's all anybody seemed concerned about. Officer of the fucking Month. Who cared? She was still a rookie. So what if she'd previously worked in a woman's prison. It didn't mean she knew this place better then she. Hillary had been working here most of her life; seeing prisoners come and go; witnessing and breaking up the worst of brawls, and yet Salima had only been there a couple of months and she'd already been promoted to Primary Officer; a position that had taken herself years to achieve.

That should have been her face in the frame above the words Officer of the month. She was good. She was a role model. Heck, most of the criminals respected her too. Right?

Ah, what did it matter. Salima was already better then her. She had a title and a promotion that proved it. But she had started off neurotic and weedy, so how was it possible for a rookie to suddenly hit the officer's hierarchical ceiling after a few months? It just didn't seem fair to Hillary.

She could see the redhead approaching her with a confident grin. The brunette wished she would rip that smile off her face, but then if she could, she'd only be accused as envious and so what if she was. It just didn't seem fair.

Jurgen entered suddenly, closing the door loudly so that everyone was aware of his presence. He stationed himself in front of the white board where everyone was facing and soon everyone was taking their seats. Salima sat herself next to Hillary nudging her in a silent greeting. Hillary smiled back reluctantly and the room was soon filled with silence.

"You are probably all aware that a note was filed under these doors this afternoon," Jurgen began. "And the contents of the note are very important, as it states that the whereabouts of the source of drugs that were found a few months before are actually on this Wing".

A light chatter circled around the room, before halting to a silence.

"But the prisoners could be setting us up for something even bigger," A random officer said

"Yeah! How do we know it's not a prank or something?"

The light chatter began again, Jurgen shushing every up instantly.

"Listen. I know we can't be sure if it is just a joke, but it is a very serious matter and that is why I am advising you all to keep your eyes open," Jurgen replied.

Just great. Hillary rolled her eyes at herself. More work. How was she supposed to keep her eyes peeled for a drug dealer when she couldn't even keep track of the prisoners she was Personal Officer to.

"Just for the record, we are moving drug checks up to next week," Jugen informed. "I am counting on you all."

Salima stood up just then.

"Don't worry, boss," She said. "We'll crack this, won't we guys?"

She turned to the group who starting cheering loudly. Most of them respected her. Others wanted to be her. Even Jurgen smiled at her enthusiasm and that just pissed Hillary right off. Jurgen was supposed to be a hard man..

She's such a show off. She though to herself, remaining neutral. Anyone would think she was trying to start up a revolution.

"Come on Hillary,"

The brunette looked up at the newest Primary Officer. She wanted to glare hard daggers. Badly.

"Why don't we go to lunch?" Salima invited, her eyes gleaming brightly.

Hillary wanted to gouge them out.

"We've got the next shift together anyway,"

Hillary smiled her reluctant smile.

"Yeah! Sure!"

TBC