Red opened the door to Marka's apartment to the less than soothing tones of a screaming baby. Her brow furrowing, she dropped her bag by the door and followed the shrill sound, her worry mounting. Despite the weeks passing, there still didn't seem to be any routine present in the house. Marka stood over the crib, a phone tucked between her shoulder and ear, gently rocking the baby as she tried - unsuccessfully, it seemed by her pained expression - to make a business deal.

Red crept into the room. Whilst she didn't want to overstep the mark, she couldn't stand to see Parker crying so forcefully. The urge to quiet the noise and comfort the infant came from deep inside, a primal need; so powerful that she couldn't ignore it any longer, not even to appease Marka.

"Ms Nichols," Red said quietly, coming further into the room. "Go take your call. Let me deal with this little one."

Marka didn't resist. In fact, she looked grateful for the help, and quickly backed out of the room, a harried expression marring the features that reminded Red so much of Nicky. As she closed the door, she mouthed a thank you to Red.

Red scooped up the newborn. Her skin was mottled with the effort of crying, and she quieted almost immediately upon being picked up. A relieved smile settled on Red's face. "Hi, Parker," Red whispered. The baby whimpered pitifully, and Red's heart clenched for her, and for Nicky, who was undoubtedly even more upset than the baby she was holding. She desperately wished she could comfort her own daughter, and her mind was filled with awful thoughts of Nicky compromising her sobriety to forget what had happened.

But she focused on the little girl she could comfort, and it brought her peace knowing that she could tell Nicky all about her precious daughter when she finally saw her next. "I know, you miss your mama. She'll be back soon," Red assured her, more for herself than Parker. She stroked the baby's forehead, leaning in close to breathe in the smell that is unique to babies. "I'm your babushka. Not by blood, but that doesn't matter, does it?"

She sat down in the rocking chair on the other side of the room and held the baby close to her. In the other room, she heard Marka's voice, her laugh echoing through the apartment. Both women were in their own element now - one as a businesswoman, and one as a mother and grandmother.

"Your mommy misses you, I know she does...but you and me, we'll get through this together, hmm?" Red chuckled at the frown on the baby's face. "You don't look like you have much faith. That's okay, honey. I'll prove it to you. And people are gonna tell you all sorts of bullshit over the years," she mused. "I know you're not gonna take any of it. You just do you...that is always good enough for us."

By us, she of course meant herself and Nicky. Red knew that Nicky never felt good enough growing up. And she was more than enough. She wouldn't have her granddaughter feeling the same way. Not whilst she was around.

Red was still tending to Parker when Marka eased the door open. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized there was no more crying, just a contented baby and Red. "Everything went well with the deal," Marka announced, smiling.

"Good," Red said, largely uninterested in business. "Everything went well here too. Do you want to hold her?"

It would be a wrench to let go of the little love, but Red knew she needed to foster a good relationship between the two. Nicky was relying on her and Marka to provide a good life for Parker until she could do it herself.

"I would, but I actually need to get going." Marka checked her watch worriedly. "My meeting is soon, and the nanny has called in sick." Marka bit her lip.

"You have a nanny for her?" Red asked. She tried to contain the disbelief but it seeped into her tone regardless. Marka looked at Red plainly.

"Of course I do," Marka said. "Hear me out. I know I made mistakes with Nicky, I am trying harder this time. But I need to make a living," she said worriedly. "And I'm so old now, Galina."

"Old?" Red laughed. "If you're old, then I'm ancient."

"I feel it, when she won't stop crying," Marka admits. "I just need the nanny for when I'm at work. I can't look after her and take calls, and if I take time off then there just won't be enough money."

Red glanced around at all the things Marka had but didn't need. She doubted that there would ever be not enough money, but clearly Marka needed some time for herself. "I see," she said after a moment.

"I do love her," Marka said. Red wasn't sure who she was trying to convince. "I tell her that, too," she continued softly, coming over to stroke her granddaughter's cheek. "I know Nicky never knew it. But I loved her too. I never thought I'd have any grandchildren. Parker's a blessing, but she's a handful, too."

An alert sounded on Marka's phone, abruptly ending the bittersweet moment. The color drained from Marka's face. "Damn it." She shook her head. "You can never trust staff!"

Red looked up at Marka, one eyebrow raised. "Is that so?"

Marka dropped her phone into her purse and threw Red a half smile. "I don't mean you, Galina. You're more help than all of them put together. It's just...the nanny was supposed to take Parker to see Nicky today. With everything happening and the nanny cancelling, I'd forgotten...oh, she's going to be so disappointed."

Marka sat on the chair by the window, her head in her hands. Parker stayed sleeping peacefully, but Red's heartbeat sped up.

"I can't take her. I have a meeting, it's very important," Marka said, and once again Red didn't know who she was trying to convince. "I can't even call her."

Red shifted so that Parker laid in the crook of her arm. She hesitated. "How about...how about I take her?"

"Oh, Galina. I couldn't ask you to do that."

"You didn't." Red stared into Marka's eyes. "I'm offering. This little girl needs to see her mama," she said, and her voice dropped to a whisper as her mind flitted to Nicky. "And I'm sure her mama is desperate to see her."

"She is," Marka admitted. "But you're not on her visitor's list."

"I am," Red said instantly, and then she backtracked. "I am very persuasive. I'm sure they won't be able to resist this little face, either."

"No," Marka smiled. "I'm sure they won't be able to." She stood, and squeezed Red's arm. "If you're sure. Nicky will be so grateful. Will you tell her that I'm sorry? That I can't make it myself, I mean." Her voice trailed off.

Red nodded. "I'll tell her," she said softly.


Nicky sat down in the visiting room, her leg bouncing nervously. It felt so unnatural to be apart from her baby, and she couldn't wait until she saw her, even if that meant suffering through a visit with Marka. She'd walk through hot coals for her baby. It made her feel even guiltier that she'd spent so much time resenting the life growing inside of her. Anxiously, she hoped that Parker hadn't spent months knowing she was unwanted inside of her.

As she sat, she heard a baby crying. Something deep inside of her told her that it was her baby, and she craned her neck. A flash of red hair was the first thing she saw, and her heart skipped a beat. She flew from her seat despite knowing the rules, and tackled Red into a bear hug.

"Nichols, sit the fuck down," Luschek called from his desk. He didn't stand though, and Nicky obeyed, desperate to see her baby, who remained tucked in her carseat.

"Red," Nicky whispered, clasping her hand tightly and resting her cheek on it. She gestured to Parker in her seat, and looked utterly confused. "How…?"

"I found a way," Red said. "Marka sends her love."

"Does she?" Nicky said, her eyes fixed on the baby. It wasn't important to her anymore. She reached into the carseat and cradled Parker in a tender grip. "Oh, look at her," Nicky breathed. The baby began to stir, and tiny cried echoed through the room. Nicky felt stares on the back of her neck, and she looked at Red worriedly. "She doesn't remember me."

"Hold her close to your chest," Red said, gently pushing Nicky's arms up. "Let her hear your heartbeat. That's the only thing she needs. It was her lullaby for nine months. And besides," Red smiled. "Who could forget you, hmm?"

Nicky did so, and to her amazement, the cries did quiet down. "Do you remember that, Parker?" Nicky asked softly. "You're already bigger."

"Yes," Red smiled. "She eats well. Makes a lot of noise, too, like her mommy." Nicky beamed at Red, and she was relieved that her spirits didn't seem too low.

The time passed in the blink of an eye, and Red felt her anxiety rising as the last few minutes ticked by. When one of the guards called time on visiting hours, Red reluctantly scooped Parker up. She placed a kiss on Nicky's temple, her lips lingering for longer than usual. She missed her girl more than words could possibly say.

Red settled on a goodbye that would be reassuring, not depressing. She wasn't sure if she could hold the tears back if she said a heartfelt farewell.

"I'll look after her," Red promised. Her free hand raked through Nicky's hair, and Nicky leant into the familiar feeling.

"I know," she rasped.

"You'll look after yourself," Red said firmly, tilting Nicky's chin up. "She needs you, you know. When you get out of here, she'll be waiting for you."

Nicky nodded, her eyes glued to the floor. She couldn't bear to watch Parker being taken from her, not again. It almost killed her last time. "Just go, please," Nicky begged. Tears splashed down her cheeks and she wiped them away fiercely. She didn't want her baby seeing her like this. When Red didn't move, Nicky pushed her arm firmly. "Take her, Red!"

With one final kiss, Red turned to leave. She watched Nicky the whole time she left, even through the glass as she craned her neck to see her. She was sobbing, the hysterical cries audible even from the waiting room.

Red closed her eyes as she sat in her car in the parking lot. She glanced at Parker in the rearview. "We need to get your mommy home, don't we? You must miss her so much, Parker." Her voice broke on the last word, and she leant against the wheel as she finally let her own tears flow.


Luschek lumbered over towards Nicky, his hands shoved into his pockets. He didn't look at her, his gaze instead focused on the TV, as he asked if she was okay. "Everything good after this morning?"

"Careful, Luschek, you almost made it look like you care." Nicky cocked an eyebrow at him, leaning back on her chair. Her tone was icy cold, and he was half concerned, but the smirk on her face said otherwise.

Luschek feigned hurt, leaning against the table she was sitting at. "Of course I care. Who else is going to provide quality drama in this place? Sure, the methheads are entertaining, but there's no substance."

"You're a sick fuck, Luschek," Nicky said, rolling her eyes. She looked up at him through mascara laden lashes, her eyes suddenly soft. "Did you see her?"

Luschek straightened, nodding. "Yeah," he said, exhaling. He'd been the CO on duty for visiting when Red had brought the baby in, and as much as he hated kids - because really, what do they bring to the world? - he'd sneaked a peek at the little one. He cleared his throat. "She looked like you."

Nicky laughed. She gestured to her prison uniform. "Well, I sure as hell hope she doesn't end up like me."

Luschek again averted his gaze from Nicky's piercing eyes, and scuffed the floor with the toe of his shoe. "You know, Nichols, there are worse things she could end up being like."

She wasn't sure if it was still the hormones swirling through her system, or if becoming a mother really had softened her, but she felt tears pricking at her eyes. Still, she pushed her hair back and flashed him that infuriating self assured grin. "There you go again with the caring," she said, raising her eyebrows. "These women already think you have a crush on me."

"What?" Luschek snorted a laugh. He lowered his voice. "Half of these women are morons or have their brains fried by drugs - they think I'm the father."

Nicky nodded. She chewed a hangnail on her thumb. "I know," she said. "But maybe I'm the sick fuck, because honestly, I almost wish you were." Her mind floated to the real father of her baby, and she felt sick. He was disgusting, and had taken advantage at her most vulnerable state.

"What the fuck, Nichols?" The look on Luschek's face was a mix of horror and disbelief.

"Yep," Nicky continued. "You'd have given me more drugs for it, I'm sure of it. He was stingy as fuck." She leant back on her chair, closing her eyes. As much as she tried to push the thought of heroin from her mind for her baby's sake, it still stayed there like a flashing beacon. She inhaled as if reliving that night. "Still enjoyed every moment of the high, though."

Luschek glanced down at Nicky. "He was a piece of shit."

"Yeah," Nicky agreed, resigned to the fact. "He really was."


A/N:

Hiya! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Please let me know what you thought in a review.
For the confused reviewer, hopefully this chapter cleared up your question - no, Luschek is not the father.
I just have a soft spot for him, so he shows up now and again.
Hope you're well!
- Star xo