You and I.
By Elizabeth Fox.
G wing was getting full. The fact was barely noticeable until you saw the bunks themselves. Everyone apart from Yvonne Atkins had a bunkmate or two by now. Still she was sure it wouldn’t be long. She was getting dressed when Karen Betts unlocked her cell door, timing it perfectly for Yvonne to be done dressing.
“Hello Miss.”
Yvonne’s voice was warm and somewhat flirty, a fact most were used to by now. She did it to unease people, although she’d noticed that Betts rarely responded in a noticeable way.
“You’ll be having a new cellmate.”
Karen had been watching Yvonne carefully as she gave her the news and was amused to see the startled look pass over Yvonne’s face.
“Alright miss.”
Yvonne had shrugged, then exited the cell, heading down to breakfast, ignoring Karen alongside her. She had seen Betts do this before and she paused only when she spotted the crowd around the doorway. Betts had begun to make her way into the crowd before Yvonne caught her arm.
“Let me.”
Moments later Yvonne had pushed her way through the crowd, her spiky blonde hair and blue eyes making her look tougher than she really was, the leather jacket she wore guarding her arms from elbows as she pushed past people.
“Back off you lot.”
Yvonne had spotted the frightened woman, about her own age, smaller and slimmer though with blue-grey-green eyes and tousled brown hair. She looked terrified and seemed to be shaking. She stepped into place in front of the woman and spoke up, her voice rough.
“Back off or I’ll take you all out.”
The warning rippled through the crowds quickly and as the group backed off she stepped out of the woman’s way, turning to face her, her eyes gentle and soft on the woman’s face as she spoke.
“You alright?”
The woman seemed speechless but nodded. A quick glance over her shoulder warned Yvonne someone was behind her and she turned, smirking at Betts.
“Let me guess, this is the cellmate?”
“Yeah.”
Yvonne smirked again. “I can handle that.” She turned to grab the woman’s bag. “C’mon… let’s get you settled in.”
Fenner had been nearby but Yvonne ignored him instantly, resting a soft hand on the woman’s back.
“So, what’s your name then?”
“Sarah-Jane… Sarah-Jane Smith.”
“Nice name.” Yvonne’s reply was soft and she glanced across at the other woman. “Yvonne Atkins, top dog around here… and your cellmate.”
“Top dog?”
“The boss, basically. Means if I say to leave you alone then they will.”
Sarah-Jane had smiled a little at that, still evidently nervous.
“You alright love? They didn’t hurt you did they?”
“I’m… fine.”
Yvonne sighed softly, gently drawing the woman into the cell up on the 3s.
“You’ll be alright love, you’re with me now.”
Sarah-Jane hadn’t seemed all that convinced but Yvonne could feel the woman relax under her touch, seemingly calmer.
“So, anyone special on the outside?”
“Only my son…”
The woman’s voice shook at that and Yvonne glanced at her.
“They take him from you?”
Sarah-Jane nodded, tears beginning to fall freely.
“Oh sweetheart.”
Yvonne couldn’t help but feel compassion for the woman, drawing her closer and gently cradling her, unable to stop herself kissing the woman’s hair, hoping to calm her. The woman had continued to cry, shaking weakly in Yvonne’s arms, glad of the company and the gentle way in which Yvonne was handling it.
“Sorry…”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault.”
Yvonne’s words were soft, kind and warm. She was already beginning to fall for this innocent soul who seemed completely out of her depth. They were polar opposites but Yvonne found herself wanting to protect Sarah-Jane.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Look at you, you wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
The words were teasing but Yvonne meant it, really meant it. She hated seeing the way this woman was falling apart. She’d barely been here five minutes, but clearly Sarah-Jane had suffered a lot at the hands of the cons and screws.
When Sarah failed to look up at her Yvonne tucked a hand under Sarah’s chin, gently forcing her to look up, meeting those beautiful and pain-filled eyes.
“I don’t think you belong here.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do…”
The silence that fell between them had been filled with breathing, neither woman looking away, Yvonne found herself feeling drawn to Sarah, longing to kiss the pain from those eyes, to soothe the woman in her arms.
The first kiss had been soft, gentle and sweet, neither woman seeming to be sure who started it although Yvonne had found herself completely bemused by this woman. They had moved apart then, Yvonne forced to head out to get breakfast and go to work, Sarah-Jane left alone.
Yvonne had turned to look back over her shoulder before she left for work, not seeing Fenner enter the room. She heard the pained yell for help minutes later though and heard Fenner’s dirty laugh, the second scream launching her into action as she raced back up the stairs, pushing through people, too late to stop the attack but just quick enough to catch Fenner leaving, cursing him roundly as she entered the room, looking around for Sarah before spotting her curled up on the bed, seemingly in pain.
“Jesus…”
She glanced around then grabbed a blanket, wrapping it tightly around Sarah’s shoulders and pulling her closer, ignoring the work bell and cradling the sobbing woman close, brushing hair from her face.
“God, Sarah… I’m sorry.”
“He…”
“Shhh, I know.”
“Don’t…”
“Leave? Not likely.”
Yvonne found herself looking up in time to see Betts staring down at them, her face hardening as she glared at the other woman.
“I’m not leavin’ her.”
“No, I don’t expect you to. I’m locking you two in though, until I’m sure he’s gone.”
Yvonne smiled a little, nodding.
“Thank you Miss.”
The door shut and Yvonne listened to the key click shut, gently kissing Sarah’s hair, stunned when the woman shifted closer, kissing her neck.
“SJ…”
“Please?”
The woman sounded horribly pained and desperate as she spoke.
“I need to… need to forget.”
Yvonne nodded, kissing the woman tenderly as she stood to undress, gently pulling the woman up to her before undressing her, gently pushing her back down onto the bed, kissing her again as she knelt over her, gently skimming a hand over the woman’s body, taking care to be soft and not hurt the woman. When SJ let out a small moan of what appeared to be pleasure Yvonne smiled, continuing to gently kiss and caress the woman, wanting her to feel safe and loved, unable to stop herself kissing the woman time and again, falling deeper in love every second.