Chapter Text
Joan had Kaz Proctor brought to her office. She had arrived yesterday. Joan was aware of the relationship that she and Bea Smith shared. She was very curious about this new inmate. It would appear that she was a vigilante against crimes by men against women. Admirable, to a point.
Kaz entered her office. Business like. No deferential attitude, yet no insolence or provocation either. Total blank neutrality. Hmmm, interesting. Kaz seated herself as instructed. She was wearing the Wentworth teal. It somehow looked good on her. It didn’t disguise the air of authority. Joan was aware that Kaz was not threatened by her in the slightest.
Joan began the interview by making small talk. How was she settling in? Fine. No problems. How was she finding the other inmates? Fine, no problems. Joan realized that she was not going to get anything out of this woman unless she asked a direct question. She was hesitant to do this. She didn’t want to tip her hand as far as Bea Smith was concerned. She asked Kaz what her plans were for her stay here were. Kaz replied that she just wanted to do her time peacefully. She had no wish to become embroiled in prison politics. OK. Joan knew that Kaz would say little else. She was trying to get a sense of the woman as far as her personality and what her weak spots were. Kaz was a blank page. She gave her nothing.
Joan looked into the woman’s piercing blue eyes. She could sense that this inmate was no idiot or pushover. Joan began to feel a sense of grudging admiration. She also noted that Kaz was very attractive. Kaz sat and regarded Joan also. She was observing her. Assessing her. She sensed that Joan was looking for another chess piece for her game. Kaz could also sense Joan’s perusal of her in another way. Kaz found her attractive, but she was not looking for any kind of relationship.
After a few minutes chat, the interview was over.
Kaz had opted for duties in the kitchen. She was a professional chef. She decided to take it slow and gradually get the kitchen staff to realize her abilities and accept her. It didn’t take long. The kitchen began putting out much better tasting meals. The inmates noticed and voiced their approval. Kaz was promoted to kitchen supervisor with the full approval of all the kitchen staff. She was teaching them various techniques in food preparation. They were eager pupils.
Joan noticed this and began to actually request meals from the kitchen. Joan was very impressed with the caliber of food coming from the prison kitchen. She was confident that Kaz would not be as juvenile as Franky was and spit in her food. She was right. Kaz took pride in what she did and would not defile it such a way.
Joan called Kaz to her office once again. She wanted to discuss the kitchen arrangements. Kaz appeared as demanded. Once again, Kaz was neutral and letting nothing slip. Joan asked her if she had any recommendations as far as supplies etc. went. Kaz gave her a few suggestions which were very reasonable. Joan promised she would implement her suggestions.
Once again, they were sizing one another up.
Kaz also requested that she be allowed to spend time in the kitchen after hours. To try out different recipes and expand on them to feed a large group. She explained that it was much different to make a dish for 400 people rather than 4. Joan gave her permission.
One evening, out of curiosity, Joan went to the kitchen. Kaz was there figuring preparation details on a stew.
Joan asked if she could watch. Kaz said of course, it was the Governor’s kitchen after all. The two women got into cooking and tasting and were having a great time. Joan was a not a good cook at all. She only prepared meals for herself. They were very simple and nutritionally balanced. Kaz laughed and told her that by the time she was finished with her, she would be a great chef for more than one.
Joan was getting to like Kaz more and more. In ways that went further than just admiring her cooking abilities. Kaz could sense this. She knew that Joan was attracted to her. Kaz wasn’t going to do anything about this. She and Joan were mixing spices for a dynamite curry when Joan looked Kaz in the eye and stood in close proximity, towering over her. Kaz knew a dominant when she met one. She was that herself. She would be not be submissive. She was no one’s bitch. Kaz stood her ground, looked up into her eyes and instructed Joan to add more salt to the sauce. Joan blinked a couple of times, not sure about what had just happened. She acquiesced and did as she was told. This was uncharted territory for Joan. She just expected all people, inmates especially to back down and allow her power over them.
Joan it would seem had met her match. She was disarmed and very, very curious. Kaz could read Joan so well. She would not allow any type of intimidation from Joan. She realized that Joan counted on people being afraid of her. She wasn’t. She had no wish to become embroiled in a power struggle with her, but, she would not allow the imposing physique of the governor to scare her.
Kaz calmly invited Joan to taste their creation. Joan picked up the spoon and tasted. It was very, very good. She said so and went in for a second go, leaning over her and breathing down her neck. Kaz was having none of it. Joan was so freaking transparent as far as her intentions went. While Kaz found her attractive, she was not going to go there. Not at all. Not with someone who wished to dominate her, and especially not with the governor. She moved aside and began cleaning up. Joan was at a loss. She didn’t know what to do. She had never had this reaction before. Kaz appeared to be oblivious to what she had just done. Joan excused herself and left very quickly. Kaz smiled.