Forever With You

Chapter Thirty-Three

          During dinner, Franky gets an unexpected call from Vera. "I'm sorry to bother you Franky, but Boomer is beside herself. Apparently, her counsellor told her you don't have a bedsit set up for her and she's afraid she's gonna be stuck on the street. I know it's after hours, but would you mind stopping in and calming her down? She's gonna get herself slotted..." Franky cuts her off. "I'll be there in twenty." Vera lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Tell Bridget I'm sorry for interrupting your evening." Franky looks at Bridget and smiles. "I'm sure she will understand."

Bridget watches Franky end the call and down the rest of her drink. "What was that all about?" Franky frowns as she walks over to Bridget. "Caroline did exactly what I asked her not to do. She told Boomer I didn't have a bedsit set up for her yet. She's going nuts and they are gonna slot her if she doesn't calm down soon." Bridget stands up from the table and wraps her arms around Franky's waist. "So, let her stay here until she can find something." She says before gently kissing the younger woman's lips. Franky raises her eyebrows. "You sure about that Gidge?" Bridget smiles and holds Franky tighter. "I let you stay, didn't I?" Franky blushes. "But that's a little different. You wanted to get into my pants." Bridget lets out a soft chuckle. "And I still do." She kisses her again. "Just until she gets something sorted." Franky states. Bridget nods before kissing her and patting her behind. "Deal." Franky looks deep into her eyes. "I frickin love you." She rubs her nose against Bridget's. "I love you too. Now go before she stuffs up her parole." Franky kisses her nose and heads for her jacket. "Oh, we should buy a set of noise cancelling headphones. Ya know, just in case." She gives Bridget her iconic grin, while watching her shake her head. "I'll be there as soon as I can." Bridget nods before watching the brunette slip out the door.

An hour later, Bridget sits in the interrogation room with Joanne. She has yet to get anywhere and decides to just play along. Maybe Joanne will get tired of the game and just tell them what they want to know. She watches as a small smile begins to form on Joanne's lips. "So, Ms. Westfall. What do you miss most about Franky? I hear she was quite good with that tongue of hers. In more ways than one." Red looks at Maxine and grimaces. This is not where they wanted Joanne to go. They don't know what happened after Bridget and Franky left last time, but it was rushed, and Bridget was obviously stressed. Bridget shifts in her seat. "I would prefer not to discuss my fiancé." She says while rubbing the ring on her finger. "It's unproductive and not something I can discuss freely." Joanne catches a glimpse of the engagement ring. "How long before she left?" She nods at the ring. "What made you so obsessed with hurting Franky? What good would that have done?" Joanne looks down at her hands. She owes Bridget an explanation at the least.

"Auntie Joan wanted you hurt, for ruining her plans to take over the prison. You wrote your evaluation deeming her psychopathic and ruined her ultimate goal. She wanted me to end you. But she also wanted to end Franky like she did Bea Smith. She knew it would devastate you and you would self-sabotage everything else with her loss, therefore, she became the target. She wanted me to harm her at your home, but..." Joanne pauses and looks up at Bridget. "No one ever made me see the good in myself like you have. I resented having to hurt you, after all you helped me with. But Auntie Joan threatened me. Showed me how much of a waste I really am." Bridget cocks her head to the side. "After everything we have discussed, you still believe that?" Joanne frowns. "I have no choice. I'll end up like my Mom if I don't do what she says. Targeting Franky was a way to kill two birds with one stone. Auntie Joan would finally leave me alone." Bridget taps her fingers on the table. "Until her next plan arises." Joanne's head snaps up. Bridget can see the wheels turning in her head. "You'll never be free until she is put away for good. Unless you help us."