Allie was sitting on her bed and staring in front of herself. Her eyes fixed on the point where the sunbeams from the small cell window landed on the floor. She has been nervous since morning. After her so-called talk with Bea last evening, although it was anything but talking she couldn't sleep. She was tossing and turning around until her eyes finally closed. The morning wasn't better either. Bea made damn sure to avoid looking at her during the morning count and she continued in it successfully during their shift too. Doesn't matter how angry the older woman is. Allie knows that she is doing the right thing. This is the best way to get rid of Stewart and without him keeping Kaz in check and the prison under control will be easy.
The cell door slowly opened making soft noise which made Allie turn her head just in time to see Bea slip in. She leaned back against the door as they watched each other.
- Be careful, alright. – she said seriously. – No bullshit, do you hear me?!
Allie nodded smiling softly - Bea's presence calming her instantly.
- Are you coming? – she asked with a low voice. Bea nodded.
- Yes, but you will be forgiven just if you survive without any problems.
Allie quickly stood up and walked to the older woman and hugged her tightly. Bea returned the hug but not enjoying it as she used to. Her body was stiff and she couldn't wait to let go.
- Listen, - she pushed the younger woman away – we will go to the yard as usual. I will stay at the table with the girls and you do your thing. Do you know what to tell him?
Allie nodded.
- I will tell him that with Kaz in the slot we, meaning you are more relaxed and that you don't watch me so strictly these days. Then I will tell him that I feel unsafe and that it would be good to have some strong male on my side. – Bea wanted to vomit. That asshole will surely like it.
- Yes, that might work. I will follow him with one girl from H3, he will look for our crew to follow him and not the others. Plus as you said with Kaz in the slot he might be less careful.
- Well, if not my plan won't work. – Allie said bitterly.
- Let's not even think about it, alright. It has to work. – Bea said. Suddenly her throat tightened and some sort of cold unease washed over her. She was looking into nervous blue eyes not even knowing what she was looking for. – Allie, if you feel that something is wrong just run, alright. Don't try to be a hero or something. If you feel something is off or you will get scared just bolt. Trust your instincts and get out. Just run for the stairs and before you know it I will be there.
Allie nodded as she didn't trust her voice. She felt nervous and scared what was not a common thing for her. Even when she lived on the streets she never knew what fear for her life was. Of course, she was high most of the time. They have walked together out of her cell and made their way to the yard. As they were walking Allie glanced at the beautiful woman walking by her side and she knew why the sudden fear. She had a lot to lose this time. Maybe Bea is angry with her at this moment and maybe she will never love her back. But even being a friend with this gorgeous, brave and caring woman is something she doesn't want ever to lose.
XXX
The old office was dusty and dark. The only source of light is just a small table lamp flickering over the laptop. Will Jackson was watching the split screen intently and trying not to pay attention to the redhead pacing behind him. He could see Allie walking through the first screen and then walking into the supply room.
- I can see her. – he said. Bea stopped pacing and she stepped closer to the table.
Will grab his phone and sent a message to the guard downstairs to get ready and take his position as soon as Jake Stewart passes him.
They both jerked when the door behind them opened. They have turned around to see who is the intruder. Will let out a relieved sigh.
- Geezus, you scared the hell out of me. – he said to Vera.
- Good to see you are prepared. – The governor said as she got closer to the table. – what is going on? – she asked.
- Nothing so far. Allie is in her place and we are waiting for Stewart to show up.
- I really don´t get why you think that this silly trap as you call it will work. Mister Stewart is not the type who would bring drugs in or go with inmates. This whole thing is crazy. – Vera said. Bea felt sorry for her. The governor´s voice was trembling and it was clear that she was not so sure about what she just said. The time was ticking and everyone was getting little frustrated and nervous. All of them had a different reason though. Mister Jackson was hoping that he can finally reveal the truth about Jake Stewart, Bea was worried about Allie while Miss Bennett was afraid that they are right.
It took ten minutes until Jake Stewart showed up on the first screen. He was going down the stairs without even looking back if he was followed. Then they spotted him in front of the supply room as he opened the door. By the time he closed the door behind himself a guard appeared on the steps taking his position. Watching him made Bea feel a little better but now she focused just on Allie. She was smiling shyly and talking to Stewart. Bea was mad that she couldn´t listen as the only speaker was on Mister Jackson´s head. Actually, maybe she was glad that she couldn´t hear a thing because from the pictures it was obvious that it didn´t take a big effort for Allie to get him where she wanted him. Jake stepped closer to her and reached up to play with her hair. Bea flinched and her heart was racing as she looked at the woman standing two steps away from her. Vera Bennett was pale like a ghost.
- I will snap your neck you bastard! – Will Jackson´s voice startled them. Bea quickly turned towards the screen. He must have said something that triggered that reaction as on the screen everything was like before. Mister Jackson pressed the button on his radio. – Sierra five, can you hear me? Jake where are you? – he asked watching the screen in front of him. Jake slowly reached for his radio.
- Sierra five here, what is it Will?
- I have to talk to you. Where are you?
- I´m busy Will.
- Busy? You are off the clock in five minutes. Don´t work so hard mate. Where are you? I will go to you if you are busy. – Will knew that what he heard on the tape is enough for the serious accusation. Stewart was stupid enough to let his mouth rant freely. But it would be better to have more evidence against him and Proctor too. This was enough for sexual harassment but he never talked about the drugs. He has to lure him out, blowing Allie´s cover would kill their chance to get him. He heard him swear in the speaker and then Jake gave up.
- I will be in the staff room in five.
- Alright, waiting for you, don´t be late or I will make you stay overtime. – Will Jackson joked trying to stay casual. And with that, it was over. Jake turned on his heels and left the supply room. Allie smiled into the camera giving them a thumbs up. Bea snorted with relief. Fuck! She did it! Mister Jackson grabbed his phone.
- Jeff come up quickly he is out. – he instructed the guard.
- You have my permission to place a bug in the staff room. I will call internal affairs. – Vera said.
- I'm sorry Vera. – Will reply but she was already halfway through the door. – She did it. – he turned towards Bea. The redhead nodded smiling with relief. – She was brilliant. – Mister Jackson smiled.
- I bet she was, it took her less than five minutes. Speaking of which. Are you sure that you will make it into the staff room in five?
- No worries, Smith! – He said as he stood up. – Go and get Allie, she is already on her way up as I see.
Bea glanced at the laptop screen spotting the young blonde literally skipping up the stairs with a huge smile on her face. Bea smiled too. Allie will be smug as hell.
XXX
Time after the evening count is like when you come home from work and you can leave the stress of the day behind. Gates close and you can feel somewhat safe. Especially in the case that you don´t have enemies in your unit. It must be awful living locked up with someone who might want you dead. Thank God in H1 the atmosphere is friendly and the nights are mostly spent in a relaxed manner. Today is not an exception. Boomer and Maxine are sitting at the table reading a magazine. Allie is sitting next to them sipping tea with her book next to her ready to be opened as soon as she will finish the tea.
Sonia has already retired to her cell while Liz was sitting in the chair also sipping tea and unwinding after the day. The top dog of the prison was sitting comfortably on the sofa with drawing pad on her lap. She guided the pencil around the page with ease. Brown eyes were focused on the drawing but her mind was far away. Glancing up at the blonde sitting at the table Bea let out a long sigh. The young woman completely turned her life upside down and Bea Smith first time saw it clearly. There was no denying it anymore. Suddenly she was aware of every glance she throws at the young woman, every small smile formed on her lips when Allie made or said something cute, every flip of her stomach and every beat her heart skipped when Allie was close.
Bea looked up, her eyes landing on the blonde again. She was leaning over the table and peeking into the magazine. Maxine and she were listening how Boomer commented on every question in the quiz they were doing. Bea caught just bits and pieces of their talk as she was preoccupied with an attempt to organize her feelings – without luck. Not just that she was scared and surprised at the depth of the feelings she had for the young blonde but she had to fight the other circumstances too. Practically she was in shock after discovering that she doesn´t like Allie Novak as a sister, then there was the Kaz thing and Jake as well as the whole top dog thing. Never mention that surely Allie is looking at her just as someone who keeps her safe. Bea slid her eyes over Allie´s form once again. „Shit." – she thought. The thought that the young woman could feel something for her too, terrified her even more. She had no idea what to do in a case like that. What would that mean? She flipped to a new page and started another drawing. She should stop this thinking as it has no point.
Allie is young, beautiful, she will get out in few years and she will have a hopefully happy life. She deserves it for sure. Bea wanted to kick her own ass. Why in the hell is she even thinking about this? She should stop right now. Hope is the most dangerous thing in the world. Hope can destroy you easily in outside and here locked up in Wentworth it is an even more potent danger. Nothing good comes out of dreams. There was just one good thing in her life – Debbie. Her daughter was the only good thing what happened to her and it was incredibly painful to know that she died because of her. When she was younger Bea used to think a lot about why she deserves all the pain life threw at her. Probably she must have been really bad in her previous life if there is something like that. Or it was just simply her destiny. Maybe things in life have to be even and she had to pay for being blessed with a daughter as Debbie.
Truth is that after losing her daughter and getting a life sentence she knew that her life was destined to end like this. There is nothing good to come, she has accepted that and settled into a somewhat easy way to live her life within these walls. She had her friends and something to do. Ending every day alive without bruises and knowing that she has helped few women to have a better life here. Making them feel safe was all she needed to tick the day off as good. Until Allie Novak came along and messed all up.
The redhead was so lost in her thoughts that she didn´t notice how the three women sitting at the table were watching her. Calling her few times but not getting any response made Maxine chuckle and Boomer laugh as she tore one page out making it into a ball and tossing it at Bea.
- Hey, Bea! - the paper ball landed next to Bea thanks to Boomer´s bad aim. – Who is the hottest Australian actor?
Bea lifted her head and looked up noticing three pairs of eyes on her.
- I don´t really care. – she said feeling a little bit angry and annoyed. Being quickly pulled out of her not so comforting thoughts made her agitated. She felt suddenly exposed under their gaze as they would know what she was thinking about.
- Oh, come on! You are here for a long time. I´m sure that you think about someone before you go to sleep if you know what I mean. – Boomer teased.
- For fuck sake! – Bea rolled her eyes hoping they won't get into some stupid talk. She was not in the mood for that so she continued drawing not paying attention to them.
- Yeah, Bea who is your celebrity crush? – Allie asked smiling.
- I'm not twelve. – Bea replied.
- Everyone has a crush. People crush all the time, into teachers co-workers, the barista or neighbor. It´s a normal thing.
Bea flipped her drawing pad close and stood up.
- Maybe I´m not normal then. – she said looking quickly at the stunned blonde but turning away fast as she felt bad watching how the young woman´s smile faded.
- What is up to your ass? Still pissed at me? Or moody in general?
Bea just shook her head and walked into her cell without adding a word.
- You said that you will forgive me if it worked! – Allie yelled after her and then turned back and smiled shyly at the two women sitting across her.
- Sorry guys, this is my fault. She will be like this for few days I assume.
- It is not your fault. – Maxine said. – She is acting weirdly last days.
- True, there is something up her ass for real. – Boomer agreed.
- She is probably just stressed. – Maxine stood up. – I will check on her. – she said and walked to Bea´s cell. She knocked and then opened the door. Bea was sitting on her bed exactly as she did on the sofa. With the drawing pad on her legs, she was running the pencil quickly over the page.
- What is going on? – Maxine asked without any attempt for a small talk as she sat down next to Bea.
- Nothing.
- Stop the bullshit!
Bea lifted her eyes.
- I said that all is good.
- What about your outburst during the dinner? You kept snapping at Allie and then almost ripped off the head of that poor girl from H3. She did nothing wrong by the way it was you who stood up abruptly and bolted for the door.
- I finished my dinner and wanted to leave, she should have watched where she went.
- You almost hit her with your chair when pushing back from the table and when she yelped with surprise you went at her throat.
Bea wanted to say that it was not true but she didn´t want to argue with Maxine. She knew that the brunette won´t stop.
- And now? What was that? – Maxine indeed had no intention to stop.
- You know that I don´t like this type of talk.
- Don´t give me this crap. You know as much as I do that something else has you this stressed out.
- I´m not stressed out!
- Bea, talk to me. – Maxine smiled softly. – Is it Allie?
There was no need for Bea to answer. The fear in her eyes spoke volumes.
- Oh Bea, - Maxine lowered her voice. – that is wonderful.
- No, it is not! Not at all! – Bea exclaimed firmly but in a whisper.
- Why not? Allie is great.
- Yes, she is but I´m not gay.
- What does it even mean? Do you think that wearing a rainbow shirt and waving a flag would make you gay? That word doesn´t mean anything. What matter is what you feel.
- You can stop it. It all doesn´t mean anything. There is no point.
- What are you talking about?
- I won´t put her in danger.
- She already is there and it won´t get better. You very well know that your friends, your unit we will be always in some sort of danger. So, what do you want to do? Kick her out?
- Of course not. I just have to make sure to stay away from her.
Maxine rolled her eyes. That is really not going to work. Allie most definitely drew in Bea´s attention as a magnet. The redhead can´t stay away from the blonde and Maxine noticed that. This will be interesting. Maxine hoped that the young blonde is strong enough to get through Bea´s walls. It seemed so at least she is on a good way.