DISCLAIMER: Bad Girls and its characters are the property of Shed Productions.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
The Rumor
By Outsidethebx
"There's no way, man. I'm telling ya, I don't believe it."
"Come on, Den, I've never lied to you." Shell Dockley stared over at her friend. "Well, I'm telling ya, it's for real. It really happened."
"…just like that?"
"Yeah. What you think of it?" Shell laughed. "It's bloody brilliant, innit?"
Denny Blood jumped up, brushed past Shell, and headed toward the cell door. "I can't wait to tell the Julies about this one." Her lips curled into a smile. "They're never gonna believe it."
"You've got to be joking."
"…yeah, I don't believe it."
Denny settled in, next to the two Julies, and began to eat her breakfast. "Yeah, I know. That's exactly what I told Shell."
"I reckon it was bound to happen sooner or later." Julie Saunders looked up as Nikki Wade sat down.
"'Morning girls."
"All right Nikki?'
"Heya Nikki."
"Having a serious conversation this early? One of you planning to dig your way out of here with your breakfast spoon?'
Julie Johnston leaned forward and looked over at Nikki. "…you haven't heard?"
"…heard what?"
"All right ladies, what's all the fuss about?" Sylvia Hollamby stopped by the table, and looked inquisitively at the women.
"Nothing, Miss." Denny attempted to stifle her laughter as Sylvia crossed her arms and stared down at the inmate.
"I wouldn't trust you, Blood, with my toilet paper before a flush."
"Good thing, Miss. We knew you were full of shit anyway."
The table erupted in laughter, as Sylvia's face turned red.
"You should be on the block for that."
"Oh come on, Miss." Julie Saunders looked up as Sylvia reached for Denny. "She was just having a bit of fun."
"Yeah, Miss." Julie Johnston chimed in. "She didn't really mean it, did you Den?"
Denny shook her head, and put on her best puppy dog expression. "I'm sorry, Miss, really."
Sylvia took a step back and sternly looked at the inmate. "Well, all right then. But I'm watching you, Blood. I know you're up to something."
The girls waited until Sylvia walked away to continue their conversation.
"So, what happened?" Nikki lowered her tone, and directed her question to the two Julies.
"Denny heard it all, didn't she, Jue?"
"Yeah, she was just telling us."
Denny finished up her food, and leaned forward. "Ok, but you can't make a big deal outta it."
"So I heard there's something juicy going around." Yvonne Atkins strolled into Nikki cell, and sat down on the bed.
"Come again?"
"Oh don't tell me you haven't heard. Your ear's closer to the ground than mine half the time."
"Please." Nikki smiled and sat up. "You've shown yourself to be quite resourceful when needed."
"When I needed to get shagged, you mean?"
"Something like that."
"Darling, when a girl needs a good lay, she'll do anything to get her fill." Yvonne grinned. "I was cooped up way too long, I was about to go mad."
"You acted like it was a dire emergency."
"It was."
Nikki grinned, then looked over at her friend. "Well, I dunno how much truth there is, but it started with Shell, then came to Denny, and now you've come asking me."
"Regular ole game of telephone aye?"
Nikki smiled. "Just a bit juicer."
"Just my type of story…"
"All right, Wade, let's have you." Sylvia unlocked Nikki's door and motioned for her to exit.
"Miss…" Nikki walked toward the prison officer, and put her hand on Sylvia's shoulder. "…we've been through this before. You're a little too old…"
"Not now, we don't have time for your mouth. You've an appointment."
"With who?"
Sylvia grabbed Nikki's arm and hustled her through the door. "Miss Stewart."
"What?"
"I dunno…do I look like I know everything?"
"Well obviously not. You wouldn't be working here if you did."
"Thank you Sylvia, we'll be fine." Helen closed the library door, and looked over at the inmate.
"So, how you been getting along?"
Nikki took a step toward Helen, wrapped her arms around the lifer's liaison officer, and gently kissed her lips.
For a brief second, Helen returned the kiss, then pressed her hands on Nikki's chest, and looked up into her eyes. "Not now, Nikki, we have to talk."
"This sounds familiar."
Helen laughed, and playfully pushed Nikki away. "I do have to work, you know."
"Yeah, and my appeal, I get it." She grumbled. "So what you wanna talk about?"
Helen sat down and took out a folder. "I heard there are some rumors..."
"…you seriously brought me in here to rat?"
"Nikki…"
"You always ask me to do favors. One of these days, people will find out."
"This is different. It's about an officer."
"Oh, that rumor." Nikki smiled and began to laugh. "So you heard about it, aye?"
"Bits and pieces, more like. Why don't you tell me the rest."
"All right girls, let's get a move on." Jim Fenner walked up to the lunch line, and motioned for the girls to hurry.
"…heard you're having some troubles, Mr. Fenner."
"No, man, Shell'll be pissed." Denny bit down on her lower lip and shot a nervous glance toward Shell.
"What was that, Atkins?" Fenner took a step forward.
She grinned. "Do you know how to fix faulty equipment?" She laughed. "Ya know…if something isn't working just right? Not staying up perhaps?"
Fenner grabbed Yvonne's arm, and lowered his tone as he spoke firmly into her ear. "I don't know what you're going on about, but it stops now."
"Look girls…" Yvonne pushed away from the officer, and addressed the group. "I've got a rise outta Fenner." She looked over at Shell. "…bit jealous are you?"
"That's it, love. You're on the block."
The End