A HEALTHY LOVE

CH.5 : McCullough Saves Nicki & Alex

McCullough was watching over C-block at the time of Alex and Piper's visitation was over. She noticed instantly that Alex was upset when she was walking to her cell.  McCullough's first instinct was to run to her, to see if she was all right. However, she knew that she was the last person Alex probably wanted to speak with. Regardless, she decided to keep a close watch on Alex. She passed Alex's cell on her patrol a few times, pausing just out of sight and could hear Alex's sobs.  I'm here. I wish you knew I was here, McCullough somberly thought to herself. Then, she'd walk on.

Later that day, the janitorial crew from D-block rolled their carts onto C-block and Nicky was among them. Her usual appointment at the ICE kitchen was postponed for a few days, due to maintenance on the kitchen equipment, and one of the usual janitors was in medical after a bad fight in the yard. Nicky gladly picked up the janitorial shifts. She found it was getting harder to enjoy her kitchen time of late, given the absences of Red and Shani. Nicky rolled her cart by Alex's cell. She paused in the doorway, noticing that Alex was visibly upset and  distraught. "Hey, Vause. What's got you so fucking down?" Nicky asked.

ALEX: "Nothing..."

Nicky: "Oh please...I call some serious bullshit on that. Why don't we meet in the library tonight? You can unleash your problems on me, and I can unleash my problems on you. We'll be two depressed peas in one miserable fucking pod, eh?"

"That actually sounds good actually.." Alex said, given a tired nod.  They discussed the exact time of their meeting, and then Nicky moved on before the guards got too curious. Of course, Nicky  didn't realize McCullough was keeping such a close eye on Alex, even now.

At nightfall, Alex snuck away to the library. No inmates were supposed to be in the library at this time of night. She slipped inside and waited for Nicky. Nicky arrived a few minutes later. They sat down together at the table. "Okay, Dr. Nichols is in. What's wrong this time? Is it still Chapman?" Nicky asked.

Alex: "I was right. She's seeing Zelda, and I have no idea what to do."

Nicky: "Zelda? Like the video game character?"

Alex whipped out her cellphone and pulled up Instagram. She went to Zelda's profile and then handed the phone to Nicky. Nicky went through Zelda's account, noting all the videos and pictures Zelda had posted with Piper. Nicky gave Alex her phone back. "They slept together. Piper has feelings for her, and I don't think she wants to leave her. But she says she loves me, so…" Alex went on.

Nikki(sighing heavily): "Shit. That's heavy. No wonder you're such a mess."

Alex: "The worst part is that I haven't exactly been faithful either. I don't know where we go from here".

Nicky: "Well, I'm not best person to ask for advice in this department. I just sent the love of my life to Florida.."

Alex: "I'm sorry....what happened?"

Nicky: "Lorna lost it today. I had to get the CO's to take her away. I couldn't help her. Sometimes, the only thing we can do for the ones we love is to let them go."

Suddenly, Alex and Nicky heard recognizable voices in the hallway. They belonged to CO Hellman and CO Alvarez. They noticed that the lights in the library were on."Looks like we might have some inmates who are out of bounds" Hellman huffed.  "Good. I haven't gotten to write any shots all day" Alvarez dryly returned. Just as Hellman started to open the library door, McCullough intercepted him. She stood between him and the library. Alex and Nicky, who had ducked under the table at this point, saw her.

"Sorry about that, guys. I left the light on" McCullough said. She knew full well that Alex was in there, as she had noticed when Alex slipped out. "I went in to check for contraband and forgot to turn the light back off." Hellman rolled his eyes and jeered at her. "Jesus, McCullough. Don't get us excited like that. Close things up properly next time."

"I'll take care of it" McCullough said. Hellman and Alvarez continued on their way down the block. McCullough waited until they had left to step into the library and tapped on the table. Alex tapped Nicky on the shoulder, signaling it was safe to stand. They stood and faced McCullough. She looked between them with a stoic expression. "Take your time in here,Vause. I saw that something upset you earlier. I'm not going to keep you from your friend, but I am going to have to shut the light off. I'm sorry" McCullough said. Alex looked at McCullough and gave her a small nod. "Thank you" Alex replied.

"Sure.." McCullough said "..And if you ever need…never mind. Just... try to be back in your beds by count." McCullough shut off the light and closed the door. Alex and Nicky moved to the back of the room, using Alex's phone flashlight to guide them. Nicky just stared at Alex as she had picked up on the clear tension between Alex and McCullough. "Don't tell me Texas is the one you were fucking with. Funny how she doesn't have an accent" Nicky said.

Alex: "She isn't from Texas. She got that tattoo because of something she learned in school about Native Americans when she was a kid."

Nicky: "Oh shit..you like her, don't you?"

Alex:  "What? No. I was with her to protect myself. She was distraction, but we're over now."

Nicky: "Didn't seem that way to me."

Alex: "She obviously wanted things to continue...she says she crazy about me."

Nicky: "Do you believe her?"

Alex: "Even if I do, it doesn't matter. I have a wife. As fucked up as things are right now."

Nicky(heavily sighing): "That CO saved both our asses just now. We should probably get back to bed, like she said. Count is going to be any minute."

Alex: "Hold on..what am going to do about Piper?

Nicky: "I can't answer that question. Only you and Chapman can decide that. You know, I love both of you to the moon and back, and I'm always rooting for you two. That being said, I know from personal experience that being in love and being in a healthy relationship are two very different things. You have to decide if all the bullshit is worth it, or if you're hurting needlessly. Love might be pain, but we get to choose if we want keep suffering."

Alex: "Thanks for advice. And...I'm sorry about Lorna.

Nicky: "Thanks..and don't mention it.  Just out of curiosity, how is Texas? Like on a scale from one to ten. One being the worst fuck of your life and ten being the most mind-blowing sex you've ever had."

Alex(glaring at her slightly): "How many times do I have to tell you..I don't kiss and tell."

Nicky: "That good,huh? She is kind of pretty. Maybe I should get to know her."

Alex: "Don't fucking think about it. She is very vulnerable right now and she doesn't need another inmate taking advantage of her."

Nicky: "Uh-huh."
Alex: ""What's that 'uh-huh' supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Goodnight, Vause. We'll talk again soon, okay?" Nicky said as she exited the library. Once Nicky was gone, Alex took a moment to look at her cellphone as she pulled up the photograph Piper sent of herself from the gala. Alex looked at Piper's beautiful face for a lingering second. Then, she locked her phone, watching the screen go black.