Title: Release
Author: Cath
Rating: G
Spoliers: Possible Series 5..maybe?
Word Count: 273
Pairing: Karen/Yvonne
A/N: This was written for the Heat drabble challenge at badgirls_tv

***

The clang of a key unlocking her bolted cell door awoke her. She dare not breathe. It was way past lock-up & that in itself she thought probably wasn't a good sign.

"Yvonne, it's Karen," she heard, whispered through the darkness.

Her heart jumped & she sat up.
Karen smiled as she made her way across the barely lit room & sat on the edge of the bed.
It was an unlikely sight. A Wing Governor & a con - allies.

"I just wanted to thank you again for helping me jam up Fenner."

Yvonne covered Karen's hand with her own, softly stroking it. "You're welcome. That bastard's had it coming to him for years with the amount of hell he's put some of the girls through.." Anger pulsed through her body & she felt flushed. "& for what he did to you."

A solitary tear rolled down Karen's cheek. She had told Yvonne about the assault when she felt there was no one else she could turn to that would listen or even believe her story. Without knowing it, Yvonne made Karen feel loved & cared for like no one else had before.

Karen's heart quickened & she leant in to hug Yvonne. She needed the closeness of another. She needed release.

Yvonne held her for what seemed like hours. Pulling away from the warmth she herself had missed, Yvonne's lips brushed over Karen's temple before cradling her face in her hands. "You know I've got your back...always," she whispered.

Karen said nothing but nodded & smiled. For the first time in a while she felt safe, & that's all that mattered.

/fin