CHAPTER TWO

Red looked up from the pot she was stirring when she heard her prisoner number being called over the PA system. She was to report to Mr Caputo. She could only guess what it was about. Caputo and Sam Healy and a few other CO Officers knew that Zoe was part of her family but Joe Caputo was the only one who knew they were in a relationship.

" Mr Caputo?"

" Reznikov," Caputo replied " You can visit McKenzie in medical. She'll be staying there an extra day."

" I've been told she's staying two days. What happened?"

" There was a setback," Caputo paused, " I'll only allow a short visit though. I've told the doctor to allow 15 minutes. That's all."

" Something happened didn't it?" Red demanded.

" You'll find out soon enough. Go now before I change my mind." Caputo answered.

Red bit her lip and headed to medical. Caputo would have never allowed visits unless it was serious.

Red digested the news that Zoe just told her. " Why didn't you tell me any of this?"

Zoe shrugged, " It never bothered me before. The doctor is being a little too cautious if you ask me."

" A heart problem is serious." Red said. She was sitting beside the bed, her hand in Zoe's. " He's right, you need an easier job like the library."

Zoe decided not to tell Red about her request to join the kitchen staff. Red would likely try and talk her out of it-even though it meant they could spend more time together. Red would put Zoe's health and well-being first.

" It just depends where Caputo puts me," Zoe took a sip of water, " Anyway, I've missed you."

" I've missed you too," Red stopped being angry as she leaned over to kiss her.

" When I get back, I think I'll let Sophia dye my hair," Zoe decided holding out a strand of long brown hair, " Or at least cover my greys." The subject of her heart condition was closed.

" Time's up, "the doctor called from his desk nearby. Red stood up, " I'll see you when you get out," Red said leaning down to kiss her quickly. Zoe could tell she was still a bit miffed at her for keeping such a secret from her.

Red went back to the kitchen feeling irritable and cranky. She was angry at Zoe for keeping her heart problem a secret from her and also about the fact Zoe had to stay an extra day. She took her anger out on the poor kitchen staff and even Norma by giving them extra work. She then went to visit her girls having their lunch.

" Where's Zoe? She still in medical?" Nicky asked Red as she gave them each a container of yoghurt-her way of saying sorry for being such a bitch.

" She's staying an extra day just to be on the safe side," Red replied as Piper Chapman joined them. She chatted with them for a while before heading back to the kitchen to oversee clean-up.

Things were notably strained between Red and Zoe when Zoe returned from medical. Zoe hadn't been assigned to a job yet so she used her free time to recover and catch up on her reading.

An hour later, Red was surprised when Zoe showed up at her cube. " We need to talk," Zoe declared.

" Yes we do. Are you going to explain yourself?" Red asked and Zoe bristled.

" What do you mean explain myself? Red, I kept my health problem a secret because it's my business."

" But it's a serious heart condition. We're meant to be in a relationship, we don't keep secrets,"

" You don't own me Red." Zoe shot back and Red felt her temper building. The two began a heated argument and Zoe stormed off. It wasn't a loud argument but Nicky heard it all from the next cube over.

" You okay Red? I've never heard the two of you fight like that before."

" That's because we never fight," Red sighed, " Did everyone hear it?"

" Not many are here, it is rec time."

" Good." Red said and pulled the quilt over herself, " I've never been this angry at her before."

" I'm sure the two of you will kiss and make up soon," Nicky predicted. But they didn't. Four days went by and they still weren't talking. Red was making her kitchen staff lives miserable and she was snappy at her family. Zoe spent most of her time with other friends. Red was also confused-where she and Zoe over for good?

" She completely overreacted," Red muttered to herself. The following day Zoe was not at all pleased to learn she was reassigned to the kitchen. A week ago she would have welcomed the chance to see and work with Red all day.

Red was not at all pleased to see her either and put her on dishwashing duty. Normally two of the kitchen staff did the dishes but out of anger, Red made Zoe do all the work herself.

Red felt a twinge of guilt when she saw how pale Zoe looked. Zoe was halfway through the dishes when Norma appeared and put a hand on Zoe's arm and gestured to the dishes that needed putting away.

" Norma, there's no helping her," Red warned the mute woman. Norma frowned and glanced at Zoe.

" It's okay Norma, I'm nearly done here." Zoe wasn't about to let Red see that she was struggling. Her back ached, she felt dizzy and her heart was pounding like a jackhammer. Her whole body was shaking but she threw her shoulders back, stood up straighter and continued doing the dishes.

" Hey, wake up." A voice whispered into her ear. She didn't know how long she had slept for. She opened one eye and saw it was Nicky, peering down at her.

" Nicky…what time is it?"

" It's nearly 7…a bunch of us are meeting in the greenhouse for snacks. You want to come?"

" Will Red be there?"

" No she's having a nap," Nicky paused, " You slept for an hour. Must have been a long day."

" It sure was. Let me get freshen up and I'll meet you there?"

" Sure." Nicky agreed and disappeared. Zoe freshened up in the bathroom before heading out to the greenhouse. Between the hours of 7 and 9 were free time. She neared the greenhouse and the door opened.

" Hey, glad you can make it." Nicky said happily, " Come on in."

" Are we even allowed to be in here?" Zoe asked her and when she saw who was in the greenhouse she froze.

" I thought she said she wasn't coming," Zoe accused Nicky.

" She said the same thing to me about you, " Red replied frowning at Nicky " If she's going to be here, I'll leave-"

" No one is leaving. You two are staying put until you sort things out. Whether you make up or break up, you guys have to talk." Nicky left then, shutting the door behind her. Red immediately headed for the door and tried to push it open but it was stuck.

" They locked us in," Red said in dismay ," Just wait til I get my hands on Nicky."

They sat down at the nearby bench but neither of them said a word. Zoe sighed. Both were as stubborn as each other. It amazed her that they lasted as long as they have. Maybe she should be the bigger person and talk first.

" That was really petty of you to make me do all those dishes by myself," Zoe said, " I know very well that two people usually do them."

" Petty? I was just showing you that working in the kitchen is not as easy as you might think," Red retorted, " But if you think a little hard work won't do you any harm, then…"

" It's never given me any problems before and it won't now. I wanted to be reassigned to the kitchen so I can see you all day! We don't have much time to be alone together as it is."

" I know that, but the kitchen is hard work. It won't be any good for you in the long run. I know I shouldn't have made you do all those dishes on your own but I was trying to teach you a lesson-"

" You were hoping that I'd fail?" Zoe broke in, " Were you hoping I'd give up? We've known each other for ten years, you know I won't give up easily!"

" I didn't say that!" Red snapped back, " You were struggling, I know you were." This isn't getting anywhere. Red thought wearily.

Zoe sighed " You were right, I was." She confessed suddenly. " but I wouldn't have been struggling if I had someone to help me."

" I know," Red replied, " and that was horrible of me to do that to you. But I really was trying to teach you a lesson."

Zoe chuckled, " Believe me, I won't forget it in a hurry." She stood up and winced, " my back is aching something terrible. Today was the first time I've truly felt my age."

Red snorted, " Fifty is not old," she scoffed. " I have a whole ten years on you."

" Look at us," Zoe grinned, " This feels like old times. "

Red stood up also and smiled back, " So you forgive me?" she asked.

" I forgive you-I think I overreacted earlier when you got angry at me for keeping a secret from you. I guess I would have been angry too if I was in your shoes."

" I forgive you too. I suppose I was a bit hard on you but I was worried." She pulled Zoe in for a hug and Zoe put her arms around her." I missed you," she murmured before her lips settled on Zoe's. They kissed tentatively but the kiss grew deeper and Zoe surrendered herself to the rising passion between them.

Outside, Nicky and Lorna stood on a couple of crates and peered through the high windows. Nicky grinned, " Well, I guess our planned worked." She said as they watched the two older women share a long kiss.

" Wow, they are really going for it," Lorna raised her eyebrows, " I didn't realise they were so-"

" In love?" Nicky finished for her, " Yeah they really are. And I-" she stopped then when saw that Red was helping to take Zoe's shirt off.

" We better leave them alone," Lorna said, stepping off the crate and tugging at Nicky's arm, " Red would be so embarrassed if she knew we were watching."

" Do we have to? It's just getting good!" Nicky complained.

" C'mon Nicky." Lorna pulled Nicky off the crate and they left.

" We better go back," Zoe said a little while later. " It's almost lights out."

Red nodded, " I suppose we must," she replied, putting her arm around Zoe's waist and the two headed back to the dorm.

They went their separate ways but Red was happy that she'd get to see Zoe first thing in the morning. But she was still worried. She knew deep down Zoe wouldn't be able to handle the job-even if she was working with someone. She had to do something about it-but what?