Tim wakes up to an empty cell. The entire cell block was quiet. The only sounds were coming from down in the lower level. It took a few minutes for the fogginess to leave his mind. 

"Visitation day." He groans as he sits up on the side of his cot. He was actually thankful that Adam had let him sleep. He really needed it.

Tim reaches for his pants and begins putting them on. He stops long enough to examine the black and purple bruises on his side and the cuts around his wrists from the handcuffs. He moans slightly from the pain as he stands to finish pulling up his pants and fastening them. Grabbing his shirt, he stares at himself in the mirror as he slips it on.

"I'm not going to let you get by with this, you son of a b*tch." Tim says quietly as he stares at the bruises on his face. "You will pay and you will pay dearly. That's a promise."

Slipping on his shoes, he heads out of the cell. The brunette was in dire need of a shower and thankfully everyone would be at the visitation. He definitely wasn't in the mood for conversation.

"How you feeling this morning, Tim?" Toby asks as Tim walks up to the counter for his supplies.

"Oh, I've had my better days." Tim says with a slight chuckle as he gets a clean uniform and a towel.

"Well, you have the place to yourself. Enjoy a nice hot shower." Toby smiles.

"Thanks, I need it." Tim nods as he slowly makes his way into the shower room.

"Mr. Austin? I hope you know that your days are numbered." Toby says quietly as he leans back in his chair and continues thumbing through the magazine he had been looking at.

Tim seemed to have lost track of how long he was in the shower. He had zoned out letting the hot water ease his aching muscles.

He slowly opens his eyes as he hears footsteps echoing on the tile floors of the shower room.

"You okay?" Toby asks as he gathers up the dirty laundry.

"Yeah." Tim nods.

"You'd think these guys would know to put their dirty clothes and towels inside the clothes hamper and not beside it on the floor." The attendant complained as he throws the clothes into the hamper. Toby turns around to see Tim slowly washing his body. He notices the dark bruises on the brunette's side. "You are gonna make him pay, aren't you?"

"Oh, yeah." Tim nods as he washes his chest. "He'll pay."

"Good. I can't stand the cocky son of a b*tch." Toby replies. "If you need any help, just let me know."

"I'll keep that in mind, Toby. Thanks." Tim smiles as he glances around at the cowboy.

The hot shower was exactly what Tim needed. Now, for a cup of the cafeteria's disgusting coffee and he would be good to go.

"Sorry, but you missed breakfast, Foust." Old Red said as he swept the cafeteria's floor.

(Some inmates, such as Red and Toby, took jobs to help pass their time. Others took jobs in the library, laundry room, etc.)

"Yeah, I kinda figured I did." Tim says as he puts cream and sugar into his coffee. "I'm good though."

"You didn't go to visitation?" The old man asks as he leans on his broom.

"Naw, wasn't feeling up to it. Decided to sleep in." Tim answers as he takes a sip of his coffee. "I'm feeling a bit better since I had a hot shower. I may go out to see what's going on."

"What's your momma gonna say about those bruises on your face?" Red asks.

"She's not coming. They're having some bad storms back home and she and my sister decided it would be best to stay at home and not be out on the road." Tim says.

"I was in a tarnada once. (yes, I know I spelled it wrong. lol) Not very fun." Red chuckles.

"I bet." Tim smiles as he pats his friend on the shoulder. "I'll let you get back to your work. I think I'll go to the yard for a bit."

"Have fun and stay safe." Red says as he returns to his work, singing as he sweeps.

Tim smiles as he watches the old gray-haired man as he seems to be waltzing with the broom. He wondered after spending most of his life in this God-forsaken place, how could Red continue to love life. Was he happy because with each passing day, his life sentence was getting shorter?

"God bless you, my friend." Tim whispers as he turns around to head out to the yard.

~~

Several of the prisoners turn to look at Tim as he walks through the gates out into the yard. They really didn't expect to see Foust up and about so soon after the savage beating from the guard Austin.

Yes, his body still hurt like hell. But he was determined not to show any weakness as he felt eyes watching him.

"Well, look who decided to join us." Chris smiles as he catches sight of his brother-in-law walking toward their table.

Adam turns his body to see who Chris had spotted. A huge smile comes across his face as he sees his husband nearing the table.

Tim leans down and kisses the blonde softly before sitting slowly down beside him.

"How are you feeling?" Adam whispers in a worried tone. He didn't want Tim to overdo it. The doctor said that he needed to rest.

"Better. Hot showers work wonders on sore muscles." Tim answers.

"Adam was telling us what that sorry guard did to you." Austin says in a lower whisper. "Did they fire him?"

"No, they suspended him for a month without pay." Adam replies.

"Just enough time for me to get completely healed up." Tim says as he glances around to make sure that there were no eavesdroppers.

"I'd definitely have to kick his ass if I were you." Chris says as he lights up a cigarette.

"Can I get a cigarette from you? I left mine in the cell." Tim says.

"Sure." Chris says as he hands Tim a couple of cigarettes and his lighter.

"Oh, I plan on doing more than kicking his ass." Tim says as he lights a cigarette, blowing the smoke up into the air. "I plan on killing the motherf*cker."

"He'll probably come back to work with a vengeance." Adam adds.

"Yeah, he'll be blaming you for him getting suspended." Chris nods.

"Exactly." Tim nods. "The chip on his shoulder will be bigger than it already was."

"You think he'll be blaming the other guard too? I mean, he did testify against him, right?" Austin asks.

"Hmmm." Tim hums. He never thought of that. That could possibly work in his favor.

"I can almost see the wheels turning in your brain." Adam smiles at his lover. "What are you thinking?"

"Well, I got the impression that Dwayne hates him even though they were assigned as partners." Tim says in a hushed voice. "He's almost lost his job a few times because of Austin. And another thing, Austin was a buddy of Clooney. He did his best to get me accused of Clooney's murder. Chance has never confessed to me but I think that he had help getting rid of the video evidence."

"So are you thinking that Johnson helped him?" Adam asks.

"I have no proof but I would bet money on it." Tim says in a low whisper as he sees Dwayne walking across the yard heading in their direction.

"Hey, Foust, it's good to see you out and about." Dwayne says before leaning down, placing his hands on the table. "I just want you to know that I am truly sorry about what he did to you." He adds in a lower voice.

"I don't blame you, Dwayne." Tim says, shaking his head. "But, I'm giving you a head's up, he will pay. He's going to be leaving this place in a body bag."

"I kinda figured that." Dwayne says softly as he leans closer. "If there's anything I can do to help just let me know. I can't stand the asshole."

"Actually, I probably could use your help with what I'm working on." Tim says in a quiet voice. "That is if you're being serious."

"Hell yeah, I'm being serious. Just let me know what you need." Dwayne says before raising up.

"We'll talk soon." Tim smiles.

"Stay out of trouble." The guard chuckles as he walks away.

*********

What could Tim be planning for Mr. Austin? 

If you enjoyed this chapter, please let me know by smashing the VOTE button and by leaving a COMMENT.

Thanks for reading!!!!