"Miss Bennett to see you Governor" Linda smirked as she introduced her boss into the office, loving every moment of seeing the shorter women in a teal tracksuit and without her trademark bun.
"Thank you Linda, you're dismissed" Boomer grinned cheekily as she watched the Governor take a seat on the wrong side of the desk. Linda laughed as she left and waited outside the door, to escort the 'inmate' back to the unit.
"Enjoying your moment of glory?" Vera grinned as Boomer lifted her legs onto the desk and relaxed into the chair, a Starbucks coffee and a box of donut's sitting proudly on the desk next to her legs.
"Oh yeah... bossing people about it's awesome" Boomer laughed. "How's life in teal?" Boomer smirked.
"Interesting... I'm certainly getting my eye's opened to what really goes on behind our backs... and I will pretend that I didn't see the box of snacks hidden under your pillow" Vera grinned.
"Careful Bennett... you wouldn't want to admit to illegal contraband in your cell... you may find yourself in the slot" Boomer laughed cheekily.
"Right! Like I said, I didn't see them. So why did you call me here?" Vera asked with a smirk, enjoying seeing the happiness Boomer was getting out of this trade in roles.
"Erm... well some officer came to see me and said that there was an incident on B wing and asked me what I wanted them to do about it, I thought I should check with you first" Boomer smiled.
"Well you're the Governor... what do you think they should do about it?" Vera asked.
"That's above my paygrade" Boomer laughed.
"Na uh. You're the governor... you have to make these decisions today Boom's. It's not easy being on the judge and jury end is it?" Vera grinned.
"Nah, I thought about it, but it was too hard trying to think of a fitting punishment, whilst not wanting to hurt a fellow con... I dunno how you do it" Boomer grinned cheekily.
"Well... Miss Jenkin's... I guess you're just going to have to work it out, and learn how to sleep with yourself at night" Vera grinned with a wink as she strode from the room and closed the door behind her.
"Bloody vinegar tit's" Boomer groaned before allowing herself a smirk. Unlocking the computer in front of her and using Vera's pre saved credit card details to order a vibrator which was to be sent to Frankie's office with a note 'Happy Engagement Lesbo. Booms xxx'. With a small giggle at herself for getting one back at Vera, Boomer locked the computer and left the office, her 'escort' following her to the unit.
"Ladies" Boomer grinned as she entered the canteen to an array of wolf whistles. Boomer spun in her 'uniform' and curtseyed with a giggle.
"As you all know, I'm Governor today, so what I say, goes... normally work hours are three hours long, I'm cutting that in half, you only have to work an hour and a half today" Boomer grinned at Vera as the women cheered her on. Vera laughed and shook her head at Boomer's antics.
"The extra hour and a half will be spent in the rec yard" Boomer announced, receiving another round of applause. "There will be a competition in the last half an hour... Con's Vs. Screw's. So choose your team wisely to take on the screws, and make sure it's a fair game, anyone who deliberately hurts a screw will be taken to the slot" Boomer laughed, receiving a round of applause before it turning to heckles at her threat of the slot.
"After rec time... everyone will be brought to the canteen, where we will have set up the room to fit everyone, and we are going to have a little session to blow off some steam, like a talent show" Boomer announced with a grin to a huge round of applause. Vera nodded her approval. "I found a room that had some musical instruments, and a box of fancy dress, so I will have them brought over to the canteen where you can all use them. The winner of the talent show will be determined by a closed vote and will receive a 'get out of jail free card' which they will be able to use against any slottable offence" Boomer grinned when the other women laughed and cheered. She glanced to Vera who nodded her approval.
"Now hurry up and finish your meal's and get your scrag arse's to work!" Boomer grinned as the women glared at her, some laughing. Boomer left the unit and walked around the prison, enjoying seeing it from a different perspective.
"Frankie Doyle for you Governor" Linda smirked as she introduced Frankie and closed the door behind the ex inmate.
"Frankie... what can I do for you?" Boomer grinned, throwing her hands behind her head and relaxing back into the chair.
"Nice Boom's... it suit's you" Frankie laughed, placing a green smoothie on the desk for her friend who glared at it. "It's a kale smoothie, it doesn't taste the best, but it's good for Rugrat" Frankie nodded as Boomer took a sip and turned her face in disgust.
"It tastes like fucking shit" Boomer announced.
"Probably... but like I said, it's good for Rugrat, so you should drink it" Frankie warned as she took a seat opposite Boomer who placed her feet on Boomer's desk with her trademark smirk.
"How are you enjoying being the big boss?" Frankie laughed.
"Ahh you know, it's alright. I've gotten a good idea of the shit that Vinegar Tit's is up against" Boomer admitted.
"You know, she spent the night at our's last night, drinking in preparation for today" Frankie grinned. "She slept in your bed too" Frankie winked.
"Cheeky bitch... I hope you're gonna wash the sheet's before I get there" Boomer grinned.
"I think she was worried you were going to do something embarrassing to her" Frankie confided seriously.
"Nah... I'm not like that Frank's... I've actually changed a few things around to see how it changes thing's for the women, I'm hoping they play ball so that Vera might actually change it for the long haul and make things better for us women" Boomer grinned, remembering her little prank for Frankie, courtesy of Vera's credit card, and tried to hide her smirk.
"She was quizzing me last night about changes she could make to help the women, I think I gave her a lot of food for thought" Frankie grinned. "I like this... you and me chatting like this, not feeling like an officer is going to come along at any second... I'm looking forward to you getting out" Frankie confessed almost shyly, a slight blush rising to her face.
"I bet you aren't looking forward to it as much as I am... I don't know how I can ever thank you, for getting me a parole hearing, and getting Maxi's sentence reduced. You're the best Frank's" Boomer smiled lovingly.
"Well we still have your parole to deal with, I have a date for it, it's in two weeks. So next week I'm going to come in and talk you through what you need to say and do. Gidge is going to give you a glowing reference, and Vera has agreed to speak on your behalf as well, so be nice to her" Frankie grinned knowingly.
"Oh I have been very nice. When Vinegar Tit's logs in to her computer tomorrow she will find a document on her desktop listing several places for her to look into at a time that isn't obvious that the Intel came from me. I found out how Tina and her crew are getting the drugs in, and have left her a little memo on where to catch the supply and when. I also listed all the places and ways you used to get the supply in, and all the way's I would get the supply in for her to keep an eye on. I hope you don't mind Miss Doyle" Boomer grinned, getting up from the desk and getting a bottle of coke from the bar fridge and pouring them both a glass. She had a sneaky suspicion that Vera had put the coke especially in the fridge for her.
"Want Vodka in that for you?" Boomer grinned cheekily, showing Frankie the bottle Vera kept at the bar.
"Nah, I have to drive back to the office later" Frankie grinned, avoiding mentioning that it was her who had drained most of the bottle already.
"You know, Vera is really gonna appreciate that document Boom's. I really doubt she will be expecting it" Frankie said questioningly.
"Well you know, it's time the women got clean... Tina has hurt enough people with her shit drugs, hopefully Vinegar Tits will be able to catch her in the act and get her out of our hair for a while" Boomer smiled wisely.
"You know, if the women find out about it... you're going to have a huge target on your back" Frankie warned lovingly.
"By the time Vinegar Tit's catches her out, and Tina get's out of the slot... I should hopefully be long gone, and will be enjoying one of those god awful smoothies at your house" Boomer laughed.
"Right you filthy scrags... whose going first at the talent contest... I reckon inmate Bennett should go first" Boomer grinned as the women laughed and Vera flicked a finger at her.
"That's a slottable offence Bennett, you would be wise to respect your Governor" Boomer laughed, winking at Frankie who was sitting next to Bridget and enjoying the show.
"I apologize Governor... but I really don't think I have anything prepared for the talent show... I believe Liz does though" Vera grinned as she pushed Liz in front of her and the women cheered as Liz entered the area set out as a stage and grinned.
"What's your act Liz?" Boomer laughed as she sat beside Frankie, Bridget and Will.
"Today Boomer, I'm going to be singing a bit of Dolly Parton for you" Liz announced to a mixture of applause and groans. She grabbed the microphone that had been set up an began singing, a light country tone lilting in her voice as she sang out the word's to '9 to 5' and received a round of applause as the women enjoyed her show, she even threw in a few country and western moves in.
"Bloody hell, she's actually quite good" Frankie laughed as Boomer and Bridget nodded their agreement.
The acts moved on, Juice doing a stand up skit of mainly sexual innuendo jokes, Kaz singing some country and western song about abusive men, Doreen reciting an aboriginal tale, M doing an Eminem rap with one of the other women singing the Dido parts, Tina Mercado got up and sung a Beyonce song. The women were loving the atmosphere, forgetting that they were locked up and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Vera watched on, impressed at how relaxed the women were, how they came together as a whole group and all crew division's seemed to disappear, she couldn't help but admire Boomer's success and vowed to grill her for other idea's on how to get the women to pull together.
"Oh here we go, blondie is getting up" Frankie laughed with amusement, glancing at Bea who looked an even mixture of surprised and shocked.
Allie walked towards the pile of instruments, picking up a guitar and picking a few strings, tuning it by ear as the other inmates watched her intently, she could feel the blush on her cheeks as her nerves began to take hold.
"When your leg's don't work like they used to before, and I can't sweep you off of your feet" Allie sung as she plucked softly at the acoustic guitar, every person in front of her silencing in shock, but she turned her attention to Bea who was looking at her in surprise at how good her voice was.
"Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love, Will your eye's still smile from your cheeks" Allie smiled at Bea who was watching her with her mouth wide open.
"Oh darling I... will... be loving you... till... we're seventy. And baby my... heart, could still fall as hard, as twenty three. And I'm thinking bout how... people fall in love in mysterious ways... maybe just the touch of a hand... well me, I fall in love with you every single day, and I just wanna tell you I am. So honey now... take me into your loving arms... kiss me under the light of a thousand stars, place your head on my beating heart, I'm thinking out loud... maybe... we found love... right where we are"
Frankie glanced between Allie and Bea, smirking at the loving glances between the pair. Turning to Bridget she whispered quietly "Reckon we could convince Vera to let her sing at our engagement party?" Bridget turned to her with a smile.
"I will speak to her... she is amazing!" Bridget gushed, causing Frankie to roll her eyes.
"When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades, and the crowd's don't remember my name... when my hands don't play the string the same way.. Mmmm... I know you will still love me the same" Allie grinned lovingly at Bea, hoping that the older woman would understand that she was singing the words directly to her.
"Cause honey... your soul... could never grow... old... it's evergreen. And baby... your... smile's... forever in my mind... and memory... I'm thinking bout how... people fall in love in mysterious ways... maybe it's all part of the plan... well I'll just keep on making the same mistakes... hoping that you'll understand... that baby now... take me into your loving arms... kiss me under the light of a thousand stars... place your head on my beating heart... I'm thinking out loud... maybe... we... found...love... right where we are"
Bea was mesmerized by Allie's performance, she couldn't believe the skill with which Allie was playing and singing. She couldn't tear her eye's away from the beautiful blonde that had stolen her heart.
"So baby now... take me into your loving arms... kiss me under the light of a thousand stars... oh Queen Bea, place your head of my beating heart" Allie smirked as the women began to wolf whistle and cheer at her little ad lib, but her eye's were stuck firmly on the brown eye's of her soulmate.
"I'm thinking out loud... but maybe we... found love right where we are... oh baby... we found love right where we are... and we found love... right... where... we... are" Allie played the final chords, smiling shyly at Bea before standing up and bowing at the women who were cheering crazily for her. She put the guitar back and walked back to her chair, Smirking as Bea grabbed her and pulled her into a searing kiss.
"Jesus red, get a room will you" Frankie laughed, breaking their trance. Bea and Allie spun around and flicked the finger at Frankie causing her to laugh loudly.
"Leave them alone" Bridget nudged her with a smirk.
"I think Frankie is feeling a little jealous of Allie's charm" Boomer grinned, wondering if she could play this to her advantage. Frankie glared at her, and Boomer glanced back, raising her eyebrow challengingly.
Frankie rose from her chair and stomped towards the guitar, picking it up before walking to the stage with a swagger.
"Alright blondie... my turn" Frankie winked as she threw the guitar strap over her shoulder and stroked the guitar's neck, hoping that she wasn't about to make a fool of herself.
"It's been a while since I last played" Frankie smirked at the inmates, who cheered her on.
"I want to dedicate this song to the love of my life, my soul mate, and my fiancé" Frankie winked at Bridget before glancing down at the guitar and trying to remember one of the only song's she knew, it was a song that she had been taught by another girl at one of the foster homes she was at.
"Would you dance, if I asked you to dance?" Frankie sang softly, ignoring the smirks from the inmates who were laughing at seeing this soppy side of her, she focused on the guitar, ignoring the embarrassment and focusing on the chords.
"Would you run... and never look back? Would you cry... if you saw me crying, and would you save.. My.. Soul... tonight?" Frankie glanced to Bridget, smiling when she saw the pride and love in her eyes.
"Would you tremble, if I touched your lips?... would you laugh... oh please tell me this... now would you die... for the one you loved?... Hold me in... your... arms... tonight" Frankie winked to Bridget, feeling the song coming back to her, her confidence building as she phased out everyone else in the room but her love.
"I can be your hero baby... I can kiss away the pain... I will stand by you forever... you.. Can... take... my breath away" Frankie smiled shyly, ignoring the wolf whistles being directed at her.
"Would you swear... that you'll always be mine... would you lie?... would you run and hide... am I in too deep... have I lost my mind?... I.. don't... care... you're... here... tonight... I can be your hero baby... I can kiss away the pain... I will stand by you forever... you can take... my breath away... oh... I just wanna hold you... I just wanna hold you.. oh yeah" Frankie smirked at Bridget who was gushing as she watched her fiancé serenading her.
"am I in too deep?... have I lost my mind... I don't care... you're here... tonight... I can be your hero baby... I can kiss away the pain... oh yeah... I will stand by you forever... you can take... my... breath... away... I can be... your... hero... I can kiss away the pain... I... will... stand... by... you... forever... you can take... my breath away...I... can...be.. Your hero" Frankie smiled lovingly at Bridget, causing a round of cheering and cat calls from the women, removing the guitar strap from her neck she glanced at Allie and smirked, throwing her a flirty wink before returning to her chair where Bridget beamed at her.
"Why is it that I am just finding out that you can play and sing?" Bridget grinned.
"I only know like three songs... and they are all poncy love songs" Frankie grinned, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"You were beautiful baby" Bridget cooed.
"Aww... Frankie's pussy whipped" Juice called, smirking when her boy's laughed along.
"Juice, shut your fucking mouth" Bea glared with a warning, the large women silencing instantly and looking very unsure of herself.
Frankie watched on, seeing the protective streak in Bea's eyes and knowing that something must have happened between them.
"Hey Juice, don't be jealous that my pussy is getting whipped and yours isn't" Frankie threw her trademark smirk at juice before winking at Bea to tell her to cool it.
"Least I ain't a fucking screw lover Doyle" Juice glared.
"Least I'm getting some" Frankie grinned mischievously, ignoring the glare from Bridget.
"Yeah, from a fucking screw... you're a fucking turn coat" Juice stood up threateningly.
"Really? I'm a turncoat? What because I got out of this shit hole... turned my life around... fell in love with an amazing woman and convinced her to marry me?" Frankie smirked, standing up and showing Juice that she wouldn't back down from her.
"Frankie" Bridget warned softly.
"Nah, it's ok... see what's happening here is Juice cant handle the fact that unlike her, I don't need my buddies to restrain a woman down while I fuck her... isn't that right Juice? How about instead of focussing on my love life, you focus on yours... how about instead of fucking away your time in here, you use what is being handed to you to get the help you need... get that fucked up head of yours sorted, and give yourself a chance at being on the outside, having a normal relationship, and living a life that is worthwhile" Frankie glared at her former nemesis.
"How about I come over there and carve that smirk off your turncoat face with a nice sharp shiv?" Juice took a step forward, her heart pounding. She knew she would face Bea's wrath for the threat, and she knew she had just issued a threat in front of several officers. But that Doyle bitch was challenging her and she wouldn't back down.
Frankie softly shrugged Bridget's hand from her arm and strode forward confidently, hoping that she wasn't about to get herself thrown back inside with her actions.
"What's wrong Juice... you know that I'm right so your turning to what's easiest instead... threat's of violence... that's all you've ever known isn't it Juice... beaten up as a kid, beaten up as a teen, beaten up as an adult... no one to love you, so you have to force your love on others" Frankie grimaced, hating herself for saying the words that she knew would cut deep into the other woman.
"How about I force my love on the Psych over there" Juice smirked threateningly. Her smile dropped as Frankie strode towards her, stopping right in front of her, she could feel the ex inmates breath against her face.
"Juice... never... ever... make a threat against Bridget. That is your one and only warning. That isn't a threat it's a promise" Frankie threatened, glaring down at the rotund inmate with eye's full of fury.
"Now you have two options... you can either get the help you need and make an effort at changing your ways... or you can keep going the way you are, and end up being shivved by some scorned inmate who you tried to rape... the choice is yours" Frankie growled, turning on her heel and striding away, showing no fear by exposing her back to the other woman.
"You think just because you got out, all of us can... your full of shit Doyle!" Juice yelled angrily causing Frankie to spin on the spot and stride back towards her. Frankie grinned slightly as the inmate cowered as she leaned into her and whispered into her ear before walking away and leaving the room.
"Frankie... are you ok?" Bridget asked, entering her office to find Frankie sat at her desk with her head against the wood.
"Yeah... of course. Don't worry, I wouldn't have decked her" Frankie smirked angrily, before returning her head to the cold wood of the desk.
"Stop... right now... you know you don't need those wall's with me, and you know I trust you and know you well enough to know you wouldn't just lash out anymore, so stop punishing me for no reason" Bridget snapped, walking towards the former inmate and pulling her into an embrace.
"Sorry" Frankie breathed almost silently.
"No apology needed. Just don't shut me out baby... all I want to know, is if you are ok... that was pretty intense and it must have dredged up some old feelings for you" Bridget soothed, sitting on the desk and running her fingers through Frankie's hair.
"It wasn't the best. It started out that I felt this urge and need to protect you, and make it clear that she won't touch you... but the angrier I got... I dunno... I just thought that people have tried every tactic with Juice, and nothing has worked... but nobody has ever gotten into her face and called her out on her shit... and I doubt many would have the balls too... who knows if it will make a difference to her... just promise me that you will be careful for a while, she may strike out at you in revenge to me" Frankie frowned sadly.
"Well I wont need to worry for a few weeks... Governor Boom's sent her straight to the slot... Will complied and monkey marched her away" Bridget smirked at the memory.
Their conversation was interrupted by a light knocking on the door, at Bridget's instruction, Will Jackson entered with an apologetic smile. Eyeing Frankie to make sure that she was ok.
"Frankie... this is going to sound strange...but Juice is requesting to speak to you... she said it's important, and she will only talk to you about it" Will apologised.
"Will, that's probably not a good idea" Bridget frowned.
"Nah... let's go see what she has to say for herself. I'm assuming that you will be there should I need back up?" Frankie asked, Will nodding his agreement.
"Juice" Frankie announced her arrival, surprised to find the normally volatile women sat on her bed, her eyes red from crying, her shoulders slumped in a defeated manner.
"You were right" Juice offered, not once looking at the former inmate.
"About what?" Frankie asked, kneeling down next to the door and watching the inmate intently.
"About everything... I'm sick... I have a disease... no one has ever shown me any form of love that didn't come with a beating... I project that pain onto other people to try and mask the pain and disgust inside myself" Juice offered, finally glancing to her visitor and finding herself surprised to find her crouched on the floor at eye level with her. She stood up from the bed, walked a few steps closer and sat down on the concrete floor, her back against the bed.
Frankie watched her intently, surprised by her actions, when the woman was settled on the floor, she stood up and walked to join her, taking a leap of faith and following her gut. She knew that it could be a ploy by Juice, that the woman could pull a shiv and stab her at any second, but something inside her told her to take the chance. She perched next to juice, sitting down against the bed, their shoulders resting against each other's.
"You know... the one thing about having a sickness... there is always a way to be cured... you know that if you really want the help Miss Bennet will do everything she can to help, and Bridget will help. And I will do what I can. You aren't alone in this Juice" Frankie whispered soothingly.
"I have done so many fucked up things, I don't think I'm worthy of being given a chance" Juice admitted as the tears streamed down her face.
"You know... when I was sat in your position... and I was being told to give myself a chance... I sat and said the exact same thing's that you're saying right now. I'm not worth it. I've done too many bad things. I don't deserve to be given forgiveness... and it wasn't easy to get to where I am now, I had to fight... fucking hard. But it was all worth it. I remember looking in the mirror and feeling disgust... feeling sick at the sight of myself, feeling like I was a worthless piece of crap... then one day you look in the mirror and it has all changed, you can see the sparkle of fight in your eyes... you don't feel as much hatred for yourself, the disgust has simmered away, and suddenly you want to repent for all the terrible shit you have done, you want to do something that will make some kind of amends... and I promise you Juice... if you trust me, and trust yourself... you can have that too... it won't be easy, but it is possible if you just give yourself that chance" Frankie turned to smile at the inmate.
"I'm not you Frankie... you had the doc to help you" Juice almost sneered through her sadness.
"No... I had myself. Bridget and I didn't get together till I was on the outside. I didn't have anything more than you have right now" Frankie promised.
"You really think I can change?" Juice sobbed.
"I think if you really want to change, and you really try, then with my help, and Vera's help, and Bridget's help, and Will and Linda's help, and the women on the unit's help, then you can absolutely turn your life around... you can absolutely be someone that you are proud of, that you can look in the mirror and look yourself in the eyes... it's possible Juice, and it all starts with trusting yourself and giving yourself a chance" Frankie smiled softly.
"I will give it a go... I can't promise anything though" Juice frowned.
"All you can do is try, and if you mess up... you try again, and if you mess up that time then you try again. But you have to want it Juice, really want it, otherwise there is no point in wasting anyone's time" Frankie took a chance and wrapped her arm around Juice's shoulder and pulled the older woman into an awkward embrace.
"Could you speak to your Mrs... see if she could make an appointment for me?" Juice asked nervously.
"Absolutely... how about I get my ugly arse out of here and let her come in and talk to you... let you take that first step. Just promise me something Juice... if I let her come in here... you have to promise that you're not going to try and settle a score with me against her" Frankie stared into Juice's eyes, hoping that if the woman had some kind of sinister plan, she would be able to see it through her eyes.
"I swear Frankie... if it would make you feel better, then Mr Jackson can be here too... you all seem to trust him as well so I guess I should take that step to trust him as well" Juice offered and Frankie nodded her acceptance.
"Ok Juice, I'm going to go and get Bridget, she's just outside... just trust her ok, give her a chance, even if it feels like the questions she is asking are too hard... just trust that she knows what she is doing, and she has no ulterior motive... and know that anything you say to her won't be repeated, not even to me... if there is anything you want to me to know, you can tell me yourself... and when you're ready for it, I will help you get out of here and get back on your feet ok?" Frankie smiled warmly, watching as Juice nodded.
"Gidge, can you come in here please?" Frankie called, rising to sit on the bed, her hand on Juice's shoulder in a silent show of support. Frankie smiled when Bridget walked into the cell a few minutes later, glancing between the two women and the way they were sitting.
"Juice would like to have a first session with you, she would like your help overcoming her demons and making amends for some of the things that she has done on the outside and inside Wentworth... I have assured her that you will be able to help, and that everything she says to you will be confidential, from everyone including myself." Frankie smiled warmly, patting Juice on the shoulder. Throwing a warm smile over her shoulder, Frankie left the inmate in the capable hands of her partner, and whispered to Will to keep her safe.