AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is my first fanfiction. Please be kind and review. I fell in love with the show the first episode. I've fallen in love with the Beth and Rick fics here. I love all the writers who have brought their amazing stories to us, I get lost in them. I only hope that they and more others share their stories and this is my first contribution, I hope you follow and review. Apologies in advance for any spelling and grammatical errors.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Walking Dead or its characters

WARNINGS: Car accident scene/possible death

This will be a slow build up of friendship could possibly turn to something more... I already have two endings, depending on the response, I will see which ending to go with.

Anything in Italics are thoughts

Loved Back to Life

Chapter 1

Turning into the road, all Rick can see is the flashing of blue and amber lights illuminating the sky from the emergency service vehicles blocking the road. Taking a deep breathe at the scene ahead, Rick pulls up next to Shane's patrol car and switches off the engine. There's silence in the car and he takes a moment and looks at the photo of his wife and son that lives under the visor. He climbs out of the car grabbing his hat and places it on his head, the panic and noises of the chaos now surround his ears.

His eyes sweep the area. He can see two sets of tyre tracks on the road, one of which seems to belong to a bike and the other a bigger vehicle, both vehicles looking to have swerved trying to get out of each other's way. Eyes following the skid marks towards the large tree off the bend, Rick sees a silver truck rammed up against it. A couple of yards away from the tree laid a bike completely smashed with shattered glass everywhere. Looking at the bike, his stomach lurches. Whoever was on that bike couldn't have survived. A crash similar on this same road flashed through his mind, the driver of the Harley died a slow and painful death. The carnage before him gave him the same stomach turning feelings of that devastating day.

Spotting the group of officers hovering over someone, Rick makes his way over seeing Shane kneeling down. He sees a teenage boy sitting on the floor being checked over by an EMT. Walking closer, he stops, his eyes squint recognising the teenager and the worry lines appear on his forehead, his hands move to rub his face as if to wipe away the worry and exhaustion. It was Kenny Spencer. Rick could only assume that this was an accident, he didn't suspect Kenny of reckless driving or driving under the influence. Kenny was a prankster but he was a good kid. His dad was a recovering alcoholic. Rick remembered the troubles the family had gone through. He had many times been called to a bar or their home to deal with Henry Spencer's drunken outbursts. Henry had become physically violent towards his wife and she ended up in the emergency room with a broken wrist and black eye. Rick decided to help the family by all the means he could, he convinced Henry to go into a rehabilitation programme and family counselling. He was going to give Kenny the benefit out the doubt. The blindside at the bend was what he suspected was the cause of the crash, he would need to file a report and make a case with the town hall again to deal with this problem. He cursed himself for not being more aggressive in his argument as today may have had a different outcome.

Rick notes the firemen had to cut the door off to get Kenny out, he had blood on his face which looked to be from a cut on his forehead, the medic was attending to the wound and Shane was asking him questions but Kenny was just stuttering, he was clearly in shock, he had escaped death.

Rick looks up at the truck and he feels like the wind has been knocked out of him. There, on the hood of the truck, laid the top half of a man. Rick breaks out in a cold sweat, he can see that the man's bottom half is sandwiched between the vehicle and the tree. He closes his eyes trying to collect himself, seconds later he feels a hand on his shoulder. Opening his eyes he sees Shane looking at him.

"Twenty-five year old male, name's Zack, knocked off his bike and slammed into the tree." Shane looks to Rick "Kenny was behind the wheel of the truck, says it happened fast and didn't see the bike in the turnin'. He hasn't been breathalysed yet, was waitin' for you,"

Shane can see the look of guilt in Rick's eyes. "Hey man, this weren't your fault, I know how much you fought to do somethin' about this road, damn morons on that council just don't give a shit! Stop beating yourself up!" Rick nods his head.

"But it's bad man, the medic says he's not gonna make it, too much damage's been done, lost too much blood and he can't be moved, it's only a matter of time."

Shane just looks to the ground shaking his head. Rick closes his eyes and nods in understanding but then focuses on the man again.

"Has anyone notified his family? they need to get here asap" Rick asks finally looking Shane in the eyes.

Shane clears his throat "Yeah, Alby has been sent to get the fiancée, they just moved into town, she'll be here soon".

Rick lost in thought, a fiancée, this is one part of his job he hates, delivering bad news. Shane did good to send Deputy Alby, he's a kind-hearted man and knew what to say and do in these circumstances having more years' experience under his belt than most of them in their team.

"You want me to call up Lori and tell her you were called back to work, I can smooth things out for ya?" Shane asks.

Rick slightly irritated dismisses Shane, he didn't need Shane to give him advice or smooth things out for him, he loved Shane like a brother but sometimes Shane poked his big nose into Rick and Lori's marriage more often than not. He'd become a third wheel.

"No, I've already spoken to Lori, she's not happy but she knows that I'm needed here, Chief's out of town and I'm on call. Let's just focus on the job, when the fiancée is here, let me know".

Shane nods and walks to his car. Rick walks over to the medic and fireman in charge to get statements and accounts of the accident before going to speak to the injured man.

"Zack, I'm Deputy Rick Grimes but please call me Rick." Rick crouches down facing the man.

This will be a slow build up of friendship could possibly turn to something more... I already have two endings, depending on the response, I will see which ending to go with.

Reviews are always welcome but please be kind...