This story is very AU. Instead of Dr. Brenner being at the CDC when they arrive, my OC, Dr. Kelaski is there. The rest of the series changes accordingly.
As soon as they get in the doors there is a voice over the loud speaker.
"What are you doing here?" the voice is gentle, clearly not the voice of someone whose been exposed to the outside world lately.
"We need a safe place... and information," Rick replies.
"That`s fine with me, but there are some terms of entry."
"Name your price."
"This place is setup to self destruct when we run out of fuel. That`ll happen in three days unless you can bring gas. Blood tests when you get in. We have to conserve resources. And we have an underground farm with solar lights. Those who aren`t working to get gas need to help with that."
Rick nodded, "Sounds reasonable. We can agree to that."
With that, a door opens and a blonde woman walks out. She is thin and petite but shapely, and has her hair tied back in a bun. She looks shockingly like a ballerina. She holds out a hand to shake Rick`s.
"Rick Grimes."
"Dr. Grace Kelaski. Why don`t we get everyone inside until tomorrow. Who will be going for the gas?"
The usual group steps forward a bit and Kelaski nods.
"Ok, well we have some anti-puncture suits in the lab. Not the best to run in, but we can probably detach some of the arms to at least give some protection."
"Thank you," Rick says, sounding genuinely grateful.
"If you need anything from outside, get it now. Doors don`t open at night; it draws too much attention."
Once everyone was inside with their things, Kelaski closed the doors and led the group to an elevator.
"I`ve shut down anything unnecessary, to save power. One bathroom in the sleeping area and one in the lab. What used to be an observation room is now the living room, and the old break room is all we have for a kitchen. I moved all of the books down before partial power shut down. The lights won`t turn on anywhere else. Lights are on a sensor so if they shut off just wave your arms." The elevator doors open and Kelaski led the way to the bedroom areas. She pointed out the first room on the right as hers, and showed them where the bathrooms were. "I`ll let you pick your rooms and put your things away. Then blood tests."
Three hours later, blood tests were finished and the group was eating, laughing and drinking. Dr. Kelaski kept checking the clock on the wall.
"Whatcha waiting for there doc?" Daryl asked.
"If you guys are ok here, I`d like to get a few more hours in the lab."
"Yeah, of course," Rick answered.
Kelaski smiled, nodded her thanks and then hurried off into the lab.
"Thought we were here for answers," Shane complained.
"Seems like she`s busy working on it. We`ll ask tomorrow."
The next morning, Dr. Kelaski was already up and ready to explain everything to them. She showed them the video of someone transforming into a walker, then explained.
"Once the brain is dead for that long, there`s no bringing them back. I can`t cure the people who`ve already turned. What I`ve been working on instead is basically a virus to infect them, but not us. I`m hoping I can basically send out something that will either kill the virus itself, or at least kill the brain stem to stop them from moving around. I`ve decided to tackle the immediate danger first. Once everyone stops getting bitten, hopefully society will be able to at least partially recover. I could continue collaborating with other scientists on the cure."
"How far off is this new virus?" Andrea asked.
Kelaski shook her head sadly, "I`d guess I`m at least a year away from it. I`ve been putting out radio signals telling people that Atlanta`s overrun, but if they can make it here they can stay until a cure is found. You`re the first people who`ve made it here. Not sure if that means my radio recording stopped working or if people just haven`t made it. I haven`t been able to make contact with any other research facilities in months, but I know the French thought they were on to something before everyone lost power."
"So where are all the other doctors?" Shane asked.
Kelaski shrugged, "Just me. But now that I have you guys to help with fuel and farming, I should be able to get back to working in the lab full time. Coffee beans growing in the farming area have been the only thing keeping me going lately."
"Well then, why don`t you get some sleep doc? We`ll work on getting gas," Daryl suggested.
Kelaski nodded, "Yeah, ok." She looked to the group that would be staying behind, "Wake me if you need anything."
"Just need to know how to get to this farm," Lori said.
Kelaski smiled kindly at her, "Just take the stairs three levels down," She looked to the kids now, "Stay on this level, housing, and the farm level only. The things everywhere else here can get everyone very sick, ok?
The kids nodded.