Sometimes you wake up, open your eyes and you have this strange feeling that this day will be beautiful. You don´t know why and you don't know how you know it – you just do. Today is one of those days. Sun is shining at least that is what beams coming through the small cell window indicate and the prison is quiet with comfortable silence.
Silence is always strange in Wentworth. It can be an omen that something bad is going to happen or it can be a sign of a lovely day when the reality of your situation doesn't hit you as hard as usually. There was no question about how awesome this day will be when Allie woke up with her face practically pushed into Bea Smith´s toned stomach. It was a pure miracle that she had successfully fought the urge to moan and press herself hard into the soft fabric covering those surely tight muscles.
This whole "they are after me and want to kill me" thing suddenly didn't felt so unsettling and scary. Sleeping and waking up on the top dog´s lap was worth it. Allie smiled and she felt her breath speeding up at the memory of Bea´s fingers sliding through her hair. She was startled by a soft voice.
- Allie, are you alright? – Maxine asked she was sitting next to her on the couch since they came back from the breakfast. – You must be tired. Have you slept at all?
Allie nodded, she never slept better. Maxine gently stroked her hand.
- You are grinning like you have lost your mind. Do you want chamomile tea? I think that you need it, you must be stressed like hell, honey.
- Yeah, you look weird. – Boomer added looking at the young blonde with concern.
- I´m fine, really. – Allie smiled. – Just being lost in my thoughts that is all.
- Are you thinking about that old bitch? Don't you worry, we will take care of her. Sucks though that she is so mean to you. I thought she liked you.
Allie had to blink twice. "What?" Boomer is always frank, what does she mean? "Old bitch?" that is too harsh. "She doesn't like me?" … what the hell?
- I wish that Bea would allow me to bash that blonde head of hers. It is not cool conspiring with screws. – Boomer said whispering the last part.
Allie chuckled. "Right, she is talking about Kaz." Obviously, Boomer and Maxine are assuming that her head is full of Kaz Proctor and the impending doom she is facing.
- I will make you that tea. – Maxine wanted to stand up but Allie stopped her.
- Oh no, really! I don't want tea, I´m good. We will have to go to laundry room soon anyway. Are we waiting for Bea here, or will she join us there?
- It depends on when she will finish with the governor.
- Alright. – Allie said her mind shifting back again to earlier this morning. Bea was already up when she stirred on her lap. When she turned on her back and looked up, set of brown eyes was looking back at her. The redhead sported a sleepy but utterly adorable face. She patted her leg and said:"Come on let's go shower." Allie had to bite her lip at the memory. Well, fuck! Those words sent chills through her spine and warm flood into her abdomen. Implications of those words are more than enough to make her blush and dizzy, but they were said with a raspy morning growl which had an even bigger effect - it made her throat and some other parts clench.
The magic was gone as soon as Bea knocked softly on Boomer´s and Maxine´s cells and Allie realized that she will be part of the top dog´s morning routine. Bea, Maxine, and Boomer showered together every morning. Under "together" is meant that they went together to the bathrooms where Boomer stayed outside guarding the door while Maxine and Bea showered. Then they swapped. Not all the time, it was depending on which one of them wanted to go. But because the bathroom is one of the best places for attacks they always went together. Making sure nobody could jump them.
After the shower which was not as sexy as Allie thought as Boomer was yelling some questions through the door and Maxine was laughing and chatting with Bea so the whole thing was very quick and left no room for dreaming, they went for breakfast. Bea ate way too quickly even if Allie scolded her and then she went to see the governor while the rest of them finished their breakfast and walked back to H1. Liz, Sonia, and Doreen left to check something in the library for that project they were working on and that left the three of them where they are now sitting on the couch and waiting for Bea.
Bea knew that it won't be easy, but she never expected that the governor will be so stupid about it. With time they have learned how to work together and it had been months since they had last time trouble to agree on something.
- I need proof, Smith, you know that.
- Yes, I do, but I´m sure that there is something we can do until then.
- What do you want me to do?
- Make sure that his shifts will be far from H1 for starters. But do it without getting too suspicious of course. If they find out that we know it will be impossible to get proof.
Vera shook her head. Smith must be mistaken this time for sure. There is no way that Jake is mixed up in some illegal stuff or ganging up with Proctor.
- Maybe we should slot Proctor for something. – she said.
- No, - Bea disagreed right away. – they would know that we are up on them. Just make sure he is far away for now. I need few days to collect information.
- Alright. Even if I doubt that you are right this time. Mister Stewart is not that type who would do such a thing.
Of course, she is defending the young and handsome guard. Bea knew that it won't be easy to convince her to go against a guard. Understandably she can´t imagine that someone from her staff would be involved in something illegal.
- What is going on with that project in the library? – Bennet asked steering away from the topic.
- As far as I know all is good. Doreen is taking it pretty seriously. Sonia, Liz and some other girls are helping her so I think it will be good.
Vera nodded.
- Good, women need these projects. It is good if they are occupied and have something to do.
- Yeah, less work for me. Bored women are hard to handle. – Bea smiled trying to keep the mood friendly. There is no need to piss the governor off.
It was after the evening count when Bea told them the short version of her dialogue with the governor. It didn't change anything for them. The same precautions apply for the next few days. They will have to stay alerted until new information is gathered. Everyone understood and went on with their nightly routine. Sonia went to sleep early while the rest of them stayed. Doreen pulled out a magazine and sat down on the chair. Liz grabbed the cards and with Maxine and Boomer, they started playing.
Bea nudged Allie´s elbow before the blonde could sit down to the table with the others.
- Come with me. – she nodded towards Allie´s cell.
Allie smiled and almost started skipping after Bea with excitement. Looks like she is going to get one on one time with the redhead and even if it was not for the first time or even fifth, it always made her happy. The cell door closed behind them and Bea slid her shoes off sitting down on the bed. Allie did the same, taking place on the other end.
- What is it? – she asked knowing that there must be a reason behind this visit.
- I just want to tell you the more detailed version of what is happening.
Bea never gave out information easily. She tried to keep the women of H1 out of the top dog´s business as much as she could. Everyone knew just what they had to. Maxine was the only one who got a full closure of things. But now Allie was in the middle of this mess so she was entitled to know the details.
- The governor is not really convinced that Stewart could be mixed up in this. She wants proof before she takes some steps.
- Shit, what proof does she want? It´s not like we can wiretap them or something.
- They will slip and we will know it. Kaz is being watched already and I will talk to mister Jackson and ask him to keep an eye on Stewart from outside.
Allie couldn´t help herself and rolled her eyes. " Here we go, Jackson again." She had no idea why she was so jealous. Bea having a thing for Will Jackson is much better than if she had a crush on some woman. She can´t compete with a guy but losing to a woman would be devastating.
- What is between you and Jackson? – it was the question which was bothering the young blonde for moths now.
- What? Nothing!
- Are you sure? You talk about him like he was your best friend or what. Are you sleeping with him?
- What the fuck! Are you insane! – Bea hissed at the young blonde.
- There must be something, you two look really cozy.
- Why does everyone assume this?!
- Because it looks that way.
- What are you talking about? We barely talk with each other.
- You are always whispering something to each other.
- Because he is giving me information. Messages from the governor or all the relevant gossip he heard and I do the same. Why nobody accuses me of lagging? Everyone is concerned about me sleeping with him instead. Why must everything be concerned about sex around here?
- Because we are in a prison Bea and the women are horny. – Allie laughed. Bea didn't she blushed instead.
- Well, I´m not sleeping with him or anyone else.
- Why not? You could have anyone.
This time it was Bea who laughed.
- Anyone? Are you crazy? There are just screws around and I definitely don't want to get into mess like that.
Allie felt the familiar tightening of her throat and stomach as she always did when Bea stressed her heterosexuality.
- There are other options Bea. – she tried to sound nonchalant despite the huge lump in her throat. Bea rolled her eyes.
- I´m not gay and even if I was, that doesn't mean that I would sleep around. Look at you. You are gay and you are not having sex either.
- That is different.
- Why? I´m sure that you could have anyone you wanted as well.
Allie Novak never did anything so hard in her life than to keep her mouth shut at this moment. Her jaw clenched painfully. Well, she has to breathe through this, it would be really stupid to say that:"Hell no Bea, I can´t have who I want because she is straight and not interested at all." She really couldn't say that, so she just nodded.
- I think that you have a point. Prison or no prison, some of us still want connection and affection more than a simple fuck.
Bea smirked, her eyes getting a cheeky sparkle.
- So, no one caught your eye so far? Prison full of desperate women should be like an open buffet for someone like you.
-Someone like me? – Allie tried not to take offense, what the hell she means? She could just hope that the top dog is not referring to her past. That would crush her, a lot of people didn't understand that being a prostitute is not something that defines you, she hopes that Bea is not one of those people. She had to do it to survive and even if people think that there are always other options, sometimes there are not. She lifted her eyes dreading the words which were about to leave that beautiful mouth.
- Yeah, someone young and beautiful.
Allie let out a loud hearty laugh. Well, this is unexpected but awesome. She smiled brightly and shook her head in disbelief. It is unbelievable how strong hold this woman has on her. Putting her into a dark hole with one word just to lift her up with other.
- I´m far from beautiful and I have been busy lately surviving instead of looking for a romance.
- Oh come on, I´m sure that you have someone in your crosshair. Tell me, it is not fair that you guys always grill me about my none existent sex life and I can´t do the same.
Allie growled internally. "No, this is not happening." She has to get out of this conversation soon.
- Seriously, I have been busy settling down here and then there was that beating and moving here and all, so it was not on my mind at all.
- At least tell me what is your type.
"Well fuck!" - Allie thought.
- Hmmm, my type are smart and kind women, so that is making my pool here very small, almost nonexistent. – she said and watched how Bea chuckled. – Let's go back to your plan. Do you think it is possible to prove that Stewart and Kaz are buddies?
- We will find a way, don't worry. We are watching them closely, they have no chance getting to you. If there is something mister Jackson will find it.
Allie winced again, she just couldn´t help it. Just hearing his name gave her knee-jerk reaction. Glancing at Bea she saw that the older woman got serious. She looked away nervously drumming her fingers on her legs before turning back to Allie.
- When Debbie died, he did me a favor. – she looked at the young woman. – He visited her in the morgue, making sure that she was alright and… and he gave her a message from me. I won't forget that. He is a good guy Allie, he had my back few times. I owe him a lot. That is all.
The young blonde barely took a breath while Bea was talking. The air suddenly became heavier and colder. Brown eyes were full of emotions sliding from Allie´s face to the door looking for an anchor which could ground her in this turmoil. Talking and reliving that time was still hard and it always will be.
Saying sorry wouldn´t be enough. Allie felt bad about how this conversation started. She had no way to know, that is true, but it hurt anyway. She was shallow and childish. She should have known that her Bea is not like that. That she wouldn´t fuck a screw and that the friendship between them must have some real and strong base. Bea Smith is guarded and a dignified person. Of course, she is not sleeping with Jackson that would be way below her. There was nothing much to say, the silence was more telling as they just simply looked into each other eyes.
Bea and Allie joined the others around ten minutes ago. They were currently sitting on the couch. Allie was flipping through a magazine while Bea just watched the others playing cards. She felt tired after the long day she had and probably the conversation she had with Allie made her feeling little uneasy too.
- Going to make a tea, do you want something? – she asked quietly leaning closer to the blonde. Allie shook her head and watched the redhead standing up and walking to the kitchenette. She poured water into the kettle and turned it on. The blonde gulped, unbelievable, how come that Bea can make even a simple thing as tea making look so sexy? She didn´t have too much time to think about it or enjoy the view because Doreen walked to join the redhead in the kitchenette and Allie rather focused back on the magazine.
Bea just took her cup from the shelf when she noticed Doreen approaching. She looked all business and Bea groaned internally. This will be painful again.
- Bea, I want to talk to you.
- What is it, Doreen? – Bea opened the tea box and took out one bag placing it into the cup.
- I just want to ask how serious is this thing?
- What thing?
Doreen nodded her head towards the couch where Allie was sitting.
- That thing.
- What do you mean?
- I mean is she really in that kind of danger? Are we all in danger? Are you sure that she is not playing you? Maybe this is their plan to get us all.
Bea let out a long sigh.
- I trust her, if I didn't she wouldn't be here and yes she is in danger. But she will be alright because we make sure of it.
- We? We never agreed to this, you brought her here and put us all in danger.
- So you think that I should let her be killed? That is what you want?
- No, of course not! But you could have placed her in some other unit.
- This is the safest place in Wentworth and I wanted her here. I´m sorry if you don't like it, but that won't change a thing, so live with it. – Bea hissed at her and then looked around checking if the others could hear them. Obviously, they couldn't as everyone was still engaged in their previous activity.
- Let it be Doreen and let the girl alone, do you understand? She is one of us and it will stay like that. - The kettle turned itself off and Bea grabbed it to fill up her cup. – Anything else? – Doreen shook her head and walked away. She was obviously pissed assuming from the way she walked into her cell and closed the door with more force than necessary.
Bea took her tea and walked back to the couch sliding back to her place next to Allie. She felt an urge to wrap her arm around the young woman and protect her. It was just Doreen and there was no need to be concerned, but Bea felt irritated anyway. She can fight the others, but she can't have doubts about her own unit.