James Ryan

James Ryan was the deputy governor of Fairbanks Prison. But the secret was Ryan was really Philip Purcell who had gone into hiding after his attack in season 6 of Underline.

Going To Fairbanks
As Phil had left Underline he did so making sure that he needed to be clean shaven when he had to deal with Underline Prison during his tenure as deputy governor. Phil took on the name James and began as deputy serving alongside Greg Smith and going to see Jackie Miles after the explosion at Underline, both Jackie, Tuck and Greg knew about this.

Season 15 ep 30
Greg was in his office at Fairbanks doing paperwork. He rubbed his head as he was about to stand up the office door flung open with a guard who was out of breath. Greg looking up said "What's the matter?" "Governor, there's been an explosion at Underline!" Greg standing up said "What? What happened?" the guard turned on the TV and showed Greg. "That's right breaking news here at Underline Prison, the prison is being evacuated after a cylinder used for cooking exploded in the prison kitchen. There are still prisoners and guards trapped inside, one guard who made it out has said it is 'utter chaos', Tuck Hampton of the corrective services as spoken with the media and released this statement." it cut to Tuck talking about the explosion. "Yes, we still have guards and prisoners trapped inside the prison, it is a difficult and arduous task of manually unlocking all security points to get them to their safe zones. Put when prisoners have been pulled out of the prison they will be taken to another facility that can hold them. Our nearest prison is Fairbanks, we will inform the governor of Fairbanks to expect prisoners within hours. I also extended a hand of the media to shut down their cameras until this matter is resolved, thank you.." "Mr Hampton is the governor still trapped in the building? Have you heard from her?" Tuck lowered his head. "We haven't heard from the deputy governor, nor the governor." as guards were rounding up prisoners who made it outside, Tuck was looking around and saw prison buses arriving. Inside the building there was smoke everywhere. Diane who was wearing a breathing apparatus said "We need to get them out of here. How come the override hasn't come through yet?" "I dunno, but we need to get out of here soon.." "What happened in that kitchen should not of happened.." "But it did, no time to argue about it now. Come on." the guard followed Diane. "Sierra 11 to command." outside Hampton who was holding his radio said "This is command, go ahead." "We're making our way out now. How many other guards have made it out?" Hampton looking to guards who were marking prisoners off and putting them onto prison buses. "At least a dozen. No word on who's trapped still." "Alright, we'll get back to it." Hampton lowered his head and said into his radio. "Command to sierra 5, come in sierra 5." Jackie was in the governor's office, her desk on top of her, with radio in hand, coherent and in agony. Jackie tried to push the desk off of her. "Sierra 5 come in." Jackie managed to get her leg free and use it to push the desk off of her. Jackie rolled over and grabbed the wall rail and got up. "Sierra 5 to command." Tuck breathed a sigh of relief. "Jackie are you still inside?" "What happened?" "A cylinder in the kitchen burst, the entire prison is being evacuated. Governor, where are you?" Jackie looked around her office and it was dusty and smoky, but she managed to make her way over to the window to see the lower half of the admin building was on fire. "Shit.." she said as she went to go step and her leg gave out. "Fuck.." she said as she stood up again. "Governor?" "I'm still in my office. The explosion. The kitchen is right underneath this office." Tuck looked worried and said "Can you get out?" "I'll find a way." Jackie opened the door to her office as she put her radio back in her belt, Jackie looked and saw her receptionist was face down on her desk. Jackie lifted her head and felt for a pulse, there was none. "I'm so sorry Sue, so so sorry." Jackie put Sue's head back down and opened the medical cabinet, there was a breathing apparatus ready for use, Jackie put it on and made her way out of her office looking at Sue in sadness, Jackie looked around and could see nothing but smoke, Jackie decided to go through it knowing that the security doors would all be open due to the fire. Jackie made her way out of the governor's block into the main part of the prison. As rumbles were heard, officers were still making their way out. "Governor?" said Douglas. Jackie turned and said "Yes?" "Fire is out of control. We've lost the admin block." "I was just there. My office is totaled." Jackie looked up as Douglas said "You're bleeding, governor." Jackie touched her forehead and said "You were caught up in that blast aye? You don't look well." "If you remember, my office in above the kitchen." "Did you lose consciousness at all." "I don't think so. But I may have broke a few ribs.." "Governor come on." "I know the way. You go, I'll be right behind." "Gov!" "No buts, just go." as Jackie looked around, she felt the pain of her ribs overcome her. Hunched over in pain, Jackie managed to get to the lower floor the middle floor. Outside Hampton was getting nervous. "Command to all units, can I get a fucking progress report." "We've lost the top half of the admin block, it's been totaled completely. The governor's office is in ruins." "Please tell me Jackie was not in there.." "No sir, Sue the receptionist was." as Julia made her way outside she was coughing, and she was taken by paramedics for oxygen. Hampton walked over to Julia and said "Tell me, how bad is it.." Julia with an oxygen mask on her face, "If Sue is the only death I'll eat my name badge. We still have prisoners in there being moved, some have been taken out the back brawler way and put onto buses." "Did you see Jackie at all?" "No, I didn't. But I know she got out of her office. She's a warrior." back inside Jackie's screams in pain were masked by the mask. Jackie got to the elevator and put her back to the wall for a second as another rumble happened. Then a massive explosion ripped through the building, blasting an already hurt Jackie forward. Outside screams were heard "Oh my fucking god." said Hampton. Firefighters over the radio then said "It's massive. It's a massive blaze. It's an inferno." Jackie was still in the building, managed to get to the stairs and miss the falling debris. Jackie looked up but everything looked blurry, she moved the best she could, but she found ground and put her back to the wall. "Oh god.." Jackie slid down the wall and put her head against it holding her ribs in the process. Douglas who was in the brawler bay said to a guard "Get the rest of these prisoners on board." "Where are you going.." "I have a feeling someone is still in there." "Are you insane, let the firies handle it." "No, not this time." Douglas ran back through the back entrance, all he could see was flames and smoke, but he kept going, Douglas his way to the lower floors, and he peaked over the rail and saw someone lying on the ground. "Shit.." he rushed down to see who it was, it was Jackie. "Jackie!" said Douglas, "You need to get up, you need to get up." Douglas knelt down and held Jackie's shoulders, "Governor, get up, you have to get up." Jackie opened her eyes and said "That explosion took me out.." "That's not the only thing it took out.." Douglas grabbed Jackie's broken respirator. "Shit.." "Can you stand?" "Help me up first.." Douglas nodded, and helped Jackie up. "Let's go." said Douglas. Jackie took one step and collapsed in agony in Douglas' arms. "Shit.." said Douglas. Jackie looked at Douglas said "I'm not gonna carry you." "Just do the support thing, you don't have to carry me." Douglas rolled his eyes as he picked up Jackie's bad leg and held his arm around her neck. "Come on, lets move." as they hobble walked out of the room, they managed to get outside of the building but they were too far away for anyone to see them. Jackie was exhausted as she said "I said something years ago. But me into perspective right now." she said taking in a deep breath. "Yeah, what was that?" "I'd come to an explosive end.. Never thought." "Jackie.." said Douglas who then lifted Jackie into his arms said "Not today." out further Hampton saw two people walking out of the building. "Hey! Look!" Diane and Julia sighing deep relief. "Jackie, we made it.." Douglas looked at Jackie who was out cold. "Get a gurney!" said Hampton as Douglas made it with Jackie in toe. "How is she?" "Adrenaline finally ended for her. Poor thing. Put she was caught up in the governor's office, then the explosion." Douglas put Jackie down on the gurney as she was being given oxygen, and she started waking up. The paramedics checking her injuries. "We have a broken leg here. cuts, bruises. Ribs are tender.." said the other. As a car door closed, Greg had mad his way from Fairbanks to the prison, where he was stopped by Hampton. "Tuck, you gotta get out of the way." "Greg, you need to calm down." "What happened?" "A fire broke out after an explosion in the kitchen." Greg's eyes widened. The radio then went off confirming the news. "This is sierra 7 to all units, the prison has been evacuated, everyone is out. But the ambo's are requesting a helicopter for the governor." Greg tried to run off but was stopped by Hampton. "You have to leave it Greg." "But that's my wife!" "I know, just leave it for the moment." The paramedics working on Jackie who had started struggling to breathe. "Governor.." said Julia as Jackie said "I was going back for someone. Someone's still in there." "No governor, no one is left behind, we just got the all clear, no one is left inside." "Sue.." "Firies were too late Jackie, the flames got her." Jackie lowered her head as Greg managed to push past everyone. "Jackie!" Greg knelt beside her and said "Are you alright?" Jackie sarcastically replying "Peachy. mate, thanks." "I heard, you called in a chopper? Why what for?" "There's a diversion on the roads, we wouldn't make it to hospital in time." "What are you talking about?" the paramedic then delivered the news. "Her broken ribs are a massive concern, it may have punctured an organ. She's lost a lot of blood and her blood pressure is dropping. We're trying to monitor pain as best we can." Douglas who appeared from behind said "That explosion would've killed anyone else. I found her." Jackie was in so much she grabbed the arm of the specialist paramedic and said "Knock me out.. please." the medic then said "Are you sure of this?" the other paramedic was trying to realign the leg at the same time and he did so with a scream coming from Jackie as a result. "Do it." "Is that safe?" said Greg. The medic turned around and said "I think it's our only option. Her GCS is 12 but it's going to go down with how much pain she is in. the ribs and the leg are our main concern. We can maintain her breathing.." Jackie who was then overcome again in pain grabbed her chest as she passed out again. Medics not taking any chances took over her breathing just as the chopper landed. Jackie was taken away as Hampton looked at Diane and said "You know what this means, acting governor." Diane nodded. Hampton then said to Greg. "I'll drive." a few hours later the fire in the admin block was out and the damage was inspected. Diane was allowed into the building to inspect the damage. The police and the firies were still there. "You the acting governor?" "Yes why?" "The explosion was caused by this." the firefighter holding up a canister. "A gas canister in the kitchen." "Oh no." "Governor, I'd ask myself, why there is gas cylinders in the prison kitchen." "We used gas to cook with." "Was there a work detail in the kitchen?" "Security footage shows that a team and 3 guards were in here. But nothing has been touched." "What we can gather is a build of oxygen in the cylinder. That's what caused this." as Diane was about to continue her phone rang. "Hello, Diane speaking." "Diane, its me Greg." "Greg? How are you?' "I'm ok, but Jackie could be better." "How is she?" "She's critical Diane, she's out of surgery and in the critical surgery unit. Doctors say she might not make it." "What?" "Her injuries are far more extensive then we first thought. She broke her leg in two places, two ribs had to be plated. She lost a lot of blood." "Jesus." "That's not all. She has a chest tube in and is on heavy sedation. She has to be monitored for seizure activity." "But she was cleared of seizures years ago?" "There worried that this one would kill her." "Oh god." "Look I have to go, try and pop in hey?" "I'll try." Diane got off the phone and the police officer said "What was it?" "Jackie's critical, might not make it." "And if she does?" said the firefighter. "She'll have a battle for sure. broke her leg in two places, two ribs had to be plated, bad blood loss and she's in the critical surgery unit.." "Meaning?" said the firefighter. "Meaning she could be taken back into surgery at any moment, dickhead.." said the cop. "You're pushing it Lomax.." "It doesn't matter, we have nothing criminal to investigate here." "A build up of oxygen just doesn't happen." said Diane. "It can, but its normally outside. Inside it had no where else to go." as Lomax pointed to the wall, police were removing the body of Sue the receptionist. Diane turned around and said "Is that?" "Our only fatality. Found her in the governor's office hallway." the cop walked over to Diane and handed her a letter. "This was on her person. You may want to read it." Diane put on a glove and opened the letter it contained the words. "I'm ending it today. I'll go home and leave my husband." Diane said aloud as she pulled out the rest of the letter. "These are divorce papers?" Lomax looked at the cop and said "A trivial piece of information with nothing to do with this." "What if it does?" said Diane. "Someone wouldn't go to the lengths to blow up a prison for divorce papers.." said the other cop. "Then again did you know the husband?" "Ex army vet with severe PTSD. He would get violent. He was an ex prison officer, but he resigned after a prisoner attacked him and he retaliated with a coward punch. Almost killed the woman." Diane then said "Give me a minute ok." Diane called a number and said "I need to know? Of course but this is important. Fine alright. It's a 939 with 404." silence fell as Diane hung up and said "It wasn't him." "How do you know?" "Because he was found dead in his care room 10 hours ago. The fire happened 5 hours ago." "What was it?" "Suicide." Diane then said "I'll let you get on with it." Diane walked away as an officer walked with Diane and said "We'll rebuild." "What's the point." "It matters, we are more than this. You know that." "You sound alright." "And you sound like you given up. Jackie is a fighter, you know that, we all know that, she'll pull through this." "How would you know?" "Anyone who could survive being hit by a car and shot twice is a fighter in my book. I've met strong people but Jackie is the only one I know who could pull through major injuries to return to full form." "She'll never be the same again after this." "What do you mean? She survived a building explosion, broke her leg and had more damage then was expected, she was conscious and talking when Douglas got her out. The reason why she got sedated is because she knew her body couldn't cope." "She knew what to do." "Don't sound defeated, because if we're defeated she may never recover." Diane nodded gingerly and said "Thank you Francis." "I've been in this job long enough to know a survivor when I see one." Francis walked away as Diane said "How are the prisoners?" "Shaken, but ok. Fairbanks' deputy governor is looking after them. James Ryan was an ex lawyer too. Knows what he's doing.." Diane looked up and said "Ex lawyer?" "Yeah worked for a firm in Queensland before making it big in the states." "Fair enough as long as we got some ours over there?" "Yeah we do." "Good.." Diane walked into the empty staff room and went over to the computer and sat down. She googled Fairbanks and got their official website, where it showed the governor and deputy governors photos. Diane was reading the deputy governors bio and it said "Served as a lawyer for 15 years in major cases and served on the supreme court, went into corrections for a new challenge and has been working in corrections for 10 years, serving as deputy governor after the resignation of former deputy governor George Lidscome." Diane closely looked at the photo and stopped looking and the face seemed like she knew someone but she couldn't put her finger to it, she closed the tab and signed out of the prison, as it was empty. She made her way to hospital to check on Greg and Jackie. Diane walked to the surgical ICU and saw Greg sitting next to Jackie. "Greg.." Greg looked up and said "Diane, you made it." "I did, how is she?." "She's been bumped up to stable. Still got a long way to go though." "She's a fighter, always will be." "I asked the doctor and said to him that she asked to be sedated." "And what did they say?" "She saved her own life." "How?" "By relieving the pressure. Her body would've never coped if she was awake." touching her forehead Greg said "What do you knowing that you're so far away from it all." "You keep doing what your doing. It's what she would want." Greg nodded wiping a tear away. "The doctor said she was lucky with the leg breaks. Normally the leg would just snap, but it was a simple break in the fibula, two places." "No shin bone?" Greg pointed to the wall, it was Jackie's xrays. Diane walked over to them and said "These are remarkable.." One showed her plated ribs, another showed the leg and neck. "The spine was clear for damage, CT was clean to." "That second explosion should have killed her. What kept her going?" "Determination." as Diane lowered her head she caught a glimpse of the TV news report. "We cross live to Hector Davis who is outside Underline Prison with news." "Yes, that's right. The prison lays empty after prisoners and staff were evacuated after an explosion rocked the prison. Prisoners have been transferred to Fairbanks for the time being. But we have official confirmation one person has died and the prison governor is in a critical but stable condition, with corrective services leader Tuck Hampton issued a statement with police confirming a gas cylinder used for cooking exploded in the kitchen and no foul play was recorded, Hampton is working closely with staff of both Underline and Fairbanks with acting governor James Ryan and the Underline guards working in sync. We'll have more news when it comes to hand." the TV cut out as Greg laid his head on Jackie's chest. Diane lowered her head. A few days later doctors were taking Jackie off the oxygen tubes as she had started breathing on her own. The ICU staff awing her recovery "She's breathing on her own now that has to be something.." "It is a good sign, her body is doing all the right things. But if we can't get her out of sedation then she'll be in a coma for a long time." "Isn't that what you are doing? Weening her off the sedation?" "Greg.." said another doctor from behind. "Her body went through something huge. We will ween her off the drugs, but she'll wake up in agony. If we cannot control the pain from when she wakes up.." "She'll be drug dependent for the rest of her life." said Diane. Greg looked up from the bed and said "Do it. Wake her up." "Greg!" Greg stood up and said to Diane, "She knows what she in for Diane, we can't leave her like this." "She needs to recover, fully!" "She'll recover better if she's awake and knows what is going on, that's how you recover." "Can you guys leave us for a minute?" the doctors nodded and left the room as Diane said "What the hell Greg? You know a lot better than that." "And what if I dont? Jackie can still hear us, she doesn't want to be in a coma, but she is in one." "Are you sure you know what your doing." "Believe me I do. I fucking do." Greg walked over to Jackie and kissed her forehead as he said "If she ends up drug dependent she could end up behind bars again, and that wouldn't be good for anyone. We ween off the drugs.." "She'll still have to taken some sort of pain medication. Broken ribs are nothing to laugh about." "I'm fine with that, but what happens if its a bad day huh?" "Then we deal with it." Greg and Diane were about to come to blows when Jackie said "I'll deal with it my own way." the two turned around as Greg said "How long have you been awake for?" "Ever since they took the tube out. I've heard every word." Diane called in the ICU doctors who confirmed that they weened Jackie off the drugs hours ago and that she had been sleeping to feel better. "But how are you feeling?" "Sorry and sore.." "That's normal." "Tell me, was anybody else killed in that explosion?" "The police investigated, nothing came of it, it was an accident. But Sue's husband died at his care home." "Oh no.." said Jackie. "He committed suicide." "OH no.." then the TV in the room came back on and another news report happened. "We have some more breaking news here at Underline Prison. Police and firefighters have pulled 5 bodies out of the rubble, with police confirming the bodies that were found were 4 prisoners and one officer, the officer still had his radio in his hand and has been identified as Senior Officer Paul Tracy, the official death toll has been confirmed at 6. And no foul play is suspected." Greg turned the TV off and said "You can't listen to this Jackie." "Get me some media." "You just came out of a coma. Are you insane?" "Get me media." an hour later Jackie was infront of media at her bedside with the broadcast going live. "As Governor of Underline Prison I would like to send my love and sympathy to all involved in this terrible tragedy. It's never easy dealing with an event like this and I would like to extend a hand of mourning and forgiveness." as Jackie went on she broke down in tears saying that the prison will be rebuilt again and every person involved will receive help, she offered praise for the police and firefighters as well as paramedics and doctors. As the media left, Jackie started crying uncontrollably. The doctors coming in and one had to hold Jackie and said "You keep crying Jackie and we'll have to sedate you again." "Those prisoners and the officer died while I was in charge." "It wasn't your fault Jackie, none of this was your fault." the doctor holding a syringe said "If you don't calm down you could do some real damage to yourself. I know its terrible but you have to move on from this and prove to yourself it's more than just a place you work at." Jackie lowered her head and said "This I'll never get over." "I know." the doctor gave the nurse the syringe and the nurse put it back in the draw. Tears kept streaming down Jackie's face as the doctor held her hand and said "Those are people who made mistakes, bad ones, you see past that almost everyday. I think you can see past this." the doctor smiled and walked out of the room. A few hours later Jackie requested to be let outside. "I can't stay coped up in here. I need to look at the sky. Please?" the doctor nodded and said "I'll make a chair available. You won't be leaving hospital any time soon if that's what your wondering." "Hospital I don't mind, but I can't lay here." the doctor turned around and leaned out the door and said something to a nurse. "Tell me the truth, doc.. how close was I too death?" "They brought you in in the chopper. You had extensive smoke inhalation, the broken ribs caused a collapsed lung, the broken leg and bleeding. You had a GCS of 9 when you came in. We heard your request to be knocked out, and that's what saved your life." the nurse came in with a wheelchair and another nurse. Jackie was helped to the chair as the doctor wheeled her outside. "Had you not requested it you would've had a stroke, we removed a blood clot from one of the broken ribs, if we hadn't it would've traveled to the brain." Jackie sighed as she said "I don't know how.." "You keep surviving things like this? Because you never give up. A lot of people do, they just lose the will to live, you surprised all of us. The ICU staff especially, normally when someone is brought in with that much damage it's too late." "Doc.." "Please, call me Simon." "Simon.." "I know what you're thinking, but you'll go through physio and maybe in a few weeks you can return to governor's duties. Baring complications." Jackie looked at Simon and smiled as he was about to walk away as Jackie said "You mind staying here? I don't think I could be by myself.." as Jackie said that she saw a familiar face walking up to her. "James, what are you doing here?" "Greg's on shift and relived me for the day. Simon." "James." "Good to see you awake and outside. Had me worried." "Would you like me to stay Jackie?" said Simon. "I'll be ok, thank you." Simon smiled and he walked off. "You look like hammered shit." Jackie laughed a little and said "These bags under my eyes come naturally." James sat on the chair and faced Jackie. "What's going through that head of yours?" "Beside the usual? I think I'm done, James." "As governor?" "As an officer full stop." James lowered his brow and he grabbed Jackie's hand holding it and said "Look at me Jackie." Jackie looked at James as he said "You can't give up now." "But people are dead." "We work in the prison sector, death is a common occurrence. You can't give up now." "I have no energy anymore, not after what happened." "Then you find that energy, you find something to keep you going, you find that reason to get back in that governors chair and help those women, they're also mourning the loss of their friends." "I can't. Not anymore." "Then you let down every person you fight for then." Jackie looked up and said "No.." "Yes. I've never seen you give up, but seeing you attempting to just leave everything behind is sad." "I almost died!" "You weren't the same person I knew when you were governor of Fairbanks. You had fight, determination, you've just given up.." James stood up and said "With all that you've lost Jackie, I believe you have to get back on your feet, and walk through those gates and show that you can still govern the place. You have to, not just for the prisoners, but for your staff, they are the ones suffering as well." James was about to walk away when Jackie grabbed his hand, James turned around and gave Jackie a hug as she broke down in his arms. "You can do this Jackie." as Simon walked back outside, he saw James kissing Jackie on the head and handing her a tissue. Simon walked back over to Jackie and James and said "I have to get you back inside Jackie. The physio would like to see you." "Excellent.." said James, as Simon said "This will take a lot." Jackie looked up at Simon and said "I'm ready." A few days later Jackie was doing physio and getting stronger after the explosion. Jackie was walking around with the aid of crutches, but had no pain in her plated ribs as she continued her physio sessions and a week later she was released from hospital. Jackie decided to return to work the next day. Jackie signed in for work and surprised everyone. Jackie made time for a media conference and faced her return to the fire. "Breaking news from Underline Prison, Prison Governor Jackie Miles has made a sensational return to work 3 weeks after being caught in the explosion that forced renovations at the prison to take place. Workers finished up work after finding out the explosion and fire only caused fire damage." the camera panned to Jackie standing and handing her crutches over to Diane as she stood at the dais. "It's time. No one can change what happened, but what we can do is ban together and work on this. What happened was a tragedy and everyone will remember the people lost and the people who helped saved lives." "Governor?" said a member of the media. "Yes?" "Are you fit enough to resume duties as governor?" "Probably not. But a talk with a close friend made me rethink. I planned on resigning and walking away from all this. But not now." Jackie answered some more questions before ending the media conference and returning to her office. At Fairbanks watching the interview, James smiled and said "That's my governor." Jackie sat down in her office with Diane following saying "I thought you were done." "I thought I was to. But speaking with James made me realise I can't just leave this place." "That's bullshit and you know it." "I know. I was ready to quit. Ready to walk away. But what James said made sense. Everyone's hurting, and will hurt for a long time, we just have to deal with it."

Season 17 ep 2
Jackie was in her office when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in.." she said as she lowered the book she was reading. The door opened and it was Diane. "Governor, you have a visitor. The deputy governor of Fairbanks." "Send them in." nodding Diane moved out of the way and let the deputy in. "Will that be all?" "Yes, thank you Diane." Diane nodded again and closed the door. "It's been a long time." said the deputy governor. Jackie standing up said "How did they NOT recognise you?" "I lost a lot of weight and maintained my clean shaven appearance since then." Jackie then said "Of course, but Phil you don't understand that you went into protection after Adena.." "Fuck Ferguson. After I heard what happened, I needed to come back here." "I'm sure you needed to, but after everything that's happened, Phil, you need to make sure no one is hurt in all this." "When you go under the name James Ryan for almost 10 years is something I don't think I could do again. I'm just glad Greg knew who I was or else I would've been toast before it began.." "Well of course, myself and Hampton knowing all these years you were fine was just what we needed to make it believable." "This was all Adena's fault you know. She used everyone." "Don't I know it.." "You walked into it." "We all walked into it." Phil looked down and said "I'm just sorry I had to do that. It destroyed me." "Oh yes. We mourned you, but prepare. You are going to have to explain yourself, Diane may not be happy." "I know.." "Are you ready?" "As ready as I'll ever be." Jackie nodded and yelled out "Diane." Diane walked in and said "Yes governor?" "Can you please get as many officers you can. Mr Ryan would like to tell you all something." "Of course governor." Diane walked out of the room. A few moments later officers were in the governors office. Phil started talking with the officers and said "Now I know a lot of you personally and I may look a little familiar to some. And thats because it is me Phil Purcell." "What the fuck?" said Diane. "How?" said another officer. "It's a long story, but when I went to Blackmont to take a look around the prison I ran into Adena Ferguson, little did I know she manipulated me into letting her be the deputy governor of the prison." "So you faked your death? How many people knew?" said another officer. "Only 3 people ever knew of the plan we had. But it didn't go the way we planned it I was supposed to be injured but not the way I was injured in. I did spend time in hospital after being stabbed by a prisoner, they stabbed me so hard the knife went into bone. My heart did stop. But I survived, spent about 2 months in hospital while we worked out the details." "Whose ashes did we spread then?" "I wasn't told. I had to make a choice and I regret the one I chose." "You know the hell we went through with Adena? She made the job worse. She used everyone she came across. I'm just glad the day she quit was the day the entire prison service jumped for bloody joy." said Douglas. "I think we all felt that way.. I know that going into hiding and working somewhere else is little consolation, but I wanted to return so many times, but couldn't. If I had my way I would've left Fairbanks and kicked her out of the governors chair when Julia had her heart attack." "Leopards can't change spots, do you know what she did to the prison? She had 4 counts, everyone in their units by 6 and work at 9. She had the women strip searched every second day for contraband and by the third month, the prisoners refused searches and they ended up in solitary. The women deserved better treatment than what they got Phil, not only did Adena abuse the situation she was in she knew it as well. She was in power until Julia came back, then Adena quit she fucked off to Highmore, but like a cockroach came back for more." "Wait a sec.." said Diane. "You were the deputy governor at Fairbanks all this time?" Phil nodded and said "I went back to senior officer after Greg Smith became governor and he elected a new deputy, but brought me in again. I did what I had to." Diane turned to Jackie and said "All this time you knew?" "I did. But so did the board, we had to keep Phil safe." "Safe? Do you know what she did to you? Do you remember?" Jackie looked up and said coldly. "Yes, I remember. I will always remember. I'll never forget it." "You seem to have a short memory. Let me begin." "Alright enough." said Phil. "I know you deserved better than that and it didn't plan out the way we wanted it to." "Of course.." "Do you want to know something else?" "What?" "Anita Collins was cleared of all her charges. The assault charge was dropped after the manslaughter charge for Linda's death was revealed. Anita is working at the Supermax in Roburn." "Fair call I guess." Diane looked at Phil as Phil said "I know I let you down, but I worked on the board at the same time. When I went to Blackmont I heard the rumours of Ferguson wanting to take over as governor, but her time as deputy was just as bad. The staff were scared of her, some refused to come into work and they wanted her gone." "Oh so, you gave her to us and pretended you were dead for a decade. Fair point." "Why don't you fuck off back to Fairbanks." said another guard. Phil then said "I can't go back. The hiding is over. I have to return to Underline." Diane looked on and said "Don't think I'm stepping down from the deputy governorship for you." "No, I'm coming back as an officer." Jackie stood up and said "Alright, shows over everyone. Back to work." "I hope you know what you're doing.." said Diane. As other officers walked out talking to each other, Phil who was already in officers uniform said "Just give me a minute to get Diane back onside." "I don't think you'll get her back onside Phil." Phil waved off Jackie and walked outside. Jackie rubbed her head and said "Bloody hell." outside "Diane.." said Phil running after Diane said "Diane stop.." Diane walked over to a door and opened it as Phil followed behind. "Diane. Can we please talk?" he said as he closed the door. Diane turned around and she slapped Phil across the face. "I deserve that one." "What is left to talk about. Phil you've been dead to this entire prison for almost a decade. You left this prison in the hands of a psycho, you never once told me anything. There's nothing to talk about Phil." "I never stopped loving you after all these years." Phil held Diane's shoulders and he said "Just let me show you who I can be." Diane pushed Phil away and said "You better learn that the prisoners aren't going to take kindly to someone they trusted." Phil then said "What about us?" "There is no us anymore Phil. There hasn't been an us in over a decade. I've moved on Phil, and its time you found someone else." "But we'll have to work together." "Yeah, we'll have to. We're colleagues and thats what it will be from now on." Phil lowered his head and said "I'm sorry." "I'm not the one you should be saying sorry to. Jackie is the one you should be saying sorry to. Because of you and allowing Adena to come here, Jackie went through hell, she served 6 months in this prison after Adena managed to use her hand to knock herself out, Jackie was attacked on her first night and suffered febrile seizures for years afterward, she came back to work, but was sent to Highmore where she was attacked accidentally by guards during a riot, it broke her jaw in two places, she came back to Underline, and she became governor of Fairbanks in that time. She lost her governorship there to her own husband, returned to Underline again, to be told she'll be promoted to governor. Adena was done at that point." "I know. Adena quit because she was sick." "No Adena quit because her body couldn't take the abuse anymore. Adena had a change of heart after her 6 month stint as governor of Highmore. Meg Morris taught her a thing or two. Jackie Miles is the bravest and strongest woman I know Phil. You let us all down. You're gonna have to learn respect like that, has to be earned." Diane then walked out of the room and Phil stood there stunned. Phil left the room and walked to the staffroom, where he opened the fridge and pulled out his food which was left over spag bol. Phil sat down and started to eat his meal cold. "Fuck me these prisoners are on fire today.." said an officer walking in with Julia. "Well at least they like to go outside when its raining." Phil looked up and said "No riots today?" Julia scoffed and said "You have a lot to re-learn Phil." Phil stood up and said "You know what, I deserve more respect then what I am getting today. I did work here for 5 fucking years." "I won't get started then. Just finish lunch. You're needed on J block shift." Phil walked out without saying anything. "Think we should stop?" "Who cares." Jackie who was sitting in her office doing paperwork heard a knock on the door and the door opened. Phil came in and said "I'm going home." "Of course. Feel free." Phil deflated said "I'll be in next week, when everyone is in a better mood." "I told you Phil. I told you they weren't going to be happy." Phil scoffed as he walked out of the room and out of the building, Jackie said to herself "I don't see the way you're acting as the way you should return.." Phil when he got home went to the fridge and grabbed a beer, he opened it as he turned on the TV to a news report. "We cross live to breaking news tonight. Corrective Services boss Tuck Hampton has confirmed Phil Purcell is alive and well after Purcell was forced to go into hiding after former Blackmont officer Adena Ferguson became the deputy governor after manipulating the entire board into doing so. In other news Anita Collins who was charged with manslaughter and assault had her charges dropped and she has been exonerated after her crimes were revealed not to be hers, but to James Mitch, Ferguson's husband, which also may have played a role in Mr Purcell's hiding. Hampton also confirmed it was known by just 3 people that Mr Purcell would have to go to such lengths but it understood Ferguson's manipulation caused a mental breakdown. Mr Hampton said this 'We had a plan to get Phil out of Underline at the time, but the plan didn't go the way we wanted it to. We legally faked his death, and he worked under a new name for almost a decade, Mr Purcell was regretful that he couldn't tell his colleagues about it and that it made it hard for him to work at another prison.' in further statements Mr Hampton said that Purcell returned to Underline for work." Phil turned off the TV and he drunk his beer. A few days later Phil came back into work, but he hadn't shaved over the week. Phil walked into work where he signed in and saw where he was located for the day. As Phil made his way into the staffroom Julia was there standing with a few other guards. "What?" he said as he put his belt on. "You look like hammered shit." "Thanks. I'm not here to impress you know that. But I will tell you one thing, I lost about 10 kgs after I went into "hiding" I had been the healthiest I'd been in years. I may be an arsehole, but you owe me some respect as well. All of you do." Phil walked off as Julia laughed and said "Of course.." Phil was roaming the corridors and seen a prisoner. "Hey." "Yes sir?" "Remember me?" "Now that you have stubble, yes. Mr Purcell." "Good. Keep it that way.."