AN: So thank you for your reviews, as always they are very appreciated. Now, I forgot to mention this before hand, but I have this story also published on wattpad with pictures of Nate and Cricket, so if you want to see pictures of them you can always check this story out there and see them. The story is on my account, 'Pandiemore'. Also if you guys want more Nate chapters then I'm more than happy to do them, so let me know what you guys think and what you guys want more of. I hope you enjoy the new update and I hope for more of your wonderful reviews. :)
"Why can't I come with you?" Nate rolls his eyes as he slips his boots on. "Nate, come on-
"Amy, you were just puking the other day."
"I'm fine now. I feel tons better."
"Amy," Nate sighs and turns to face her. "I don't want you going out to the woods searching for Carol. What if you got sick again, huh? One of us would have to go all the way back here to bring you here to rest because there's no way you'd be able to continue if you got sick again." Amy falls silent as she looks at Nate.
"I just hate being useless."
"Amy," Nate sighs and walks over to her, pushing her blonde hair out of her face, and resting his forehead against hers. "You're not useless. They know you haven't been feeling good and they'll totally understand you not coming, but Amy you are not useless, okay?" Amy looks up at Nate's captivating blue eyes and frown.
"I... Be careful out there, Nate." He smiles and kisses her.
"Always."
"You'll come back right?" He rolls his eyes as he pulls back to look at her.
"Nah, I think I'm going to go find a tree to sleep in tonight, one far in the middle of the woods."
"Nate, that's not funny," Amy says, hitting in the chest, causing him to laugh.
"Amy, obviously I'm coming back. We're just going into the woods for today to look for her and we'll be back before nightfall, okay?" Amy nods with a sigh as she looks up at him. "Look, Ams, if you really want to help then you can stay here and help look for things that we might need for when we leave. Look for some meds and some food and stuff, okay?"
"Okay," Amy says, feeling happy with having something to do than just sit around doing nothing.
"Good, now I have to go and meet up with the others. My dad and Rick are going to talk about the trip out there and such."
"Alright." Amy takes Nate's hand, causing him to roll his find.
"By all means come along."
"Stop being an ass, Nate." He chuckles and kisses her temple before the two head towards everyone else. They can see everyone already gathered around waiting for Rick to get whatever he is getting and to say whatever he needs to.
Daryl glances over as Nate and Amy make it to the group. He nods to Nate as Nate shoots him a smile. Cricket smiles a warming smile at both Nate and Amy, which they return. Rick comes over with a rolled up object before dropping it on the hood of the car that they are surrounding. The object unrolls, showing an arsenal of weapons, no guns, however. "Everbody takes a weapon," Rick says, but Nate doesn't bother. He already has his own weapons, which are the quiver of arrows and his bow on his back, a large and sharp hunting knife on his hip, and a pistol resting on his other hip, the left hip.
"These aren't the kind of weapons we need," Andrea says, causing Amy to glance at her older sister. Amy hasn't really talked much to Andrea since Andrea almost committed suicide. Amy has seen a side of Andrea that she did not want to see and now it's changing Amy's thoughts on her sister, which is why she needs space to get an understanding of these thoughts. Amy has noticed that since spacing herself from her sister that her sister has grown to become more and sharper and a bit aggressive towards everyone who dares goes against what she thinks or says. "What about the guns?"
"We've been over that." Nate bites his thumb nail, watching the scene unravel. He personal thinks it's a great idea not to have everyone carrying because god forbid if a bunny crosses their pass unexpectedly, they probably would put a whole clip into the poor thing before realizing it was only a bunny. "Daryl, Nate, Rick, and I are carrying."
"You're letting a kid carry?" Andrea questions, her tone suggesting that she thinks Nate is incompetent compared to her.
"I've been trained," Nate speaks sharply to her. "I learned how to shoot a gun when I was five. I am well aware of how to use a gun." Nate says to her. "You were given a gun, you never said you knew how to use it."
"Nate's right, we can't have people popping off rounds every time a tree rustles." Shane agrees with Nate as he nods.
"It's not the trees I'm worried about," Andrea says.
"Well, when you learn how to shoot a gun maybe then we'll give you one, Andrea," Cricket says. "You don't see me complaining about not being given a gun. I don't know how to use one, therefore, I think it's best if I don't get one until I know how to use it, so just grab one of these and stop complaining." Cricket says before grabbing one of the knives and stepping back beside Daryl. Andrea glares at Cricket, but Cricket's not even fazed.
"Say somebody fires at the wrong moment, a herd happens to be passing by, see, then it's game over for all of us," Shane says. "So you need to get over it like Cricket says." Nate bites on his thumb, trying to not smile at how great the look on Andrea's face is.
"The idea is to take the creek up about five miles, turn around and come back down the other side. Chances are she'll be by the creek. It's her only landmark." Sophia goes to grab a weapon, but Rick catches her hand.
"Sophia, I think-
"She's my mama and I'm going," Sophia says, cutting Rick off. "I think I should have a weapon just in case."
"Sophia-
"Rick, I'll keep an eye on her if you want," Cricket says, causing Sophia to nod. Rick looks at Sophia then at Cricket before nodding. Sophia goes for the weapons again, but Rick stops her once more.
"I think it's best if you get a less sharp one, we don't want you hurting yourself."
"Here, Soph," Nate pulls out a pocket knife and hands it to Sophia. "It'll get the job done, while also preventing you from getting to badly hurt in case an accident happens." Sophia takes the weapon from Nate and nods.
"Thanks, Nate." She goes and stands beside Cricket, allowing the men to continue.
"Alright, stay quiet and stay sharp," Rick says. "Keep space between you but always stay within sight of each other."
"Everybody assemble your packs." Shane orders.
"Dale, keep on those repairs, we've got to get this R.V ready to move," Rick tells Cricket's dad as the man stands.
"We won't stay here a minute longer than we have to." Dale glances at Rick before moving his eyes to Cricket. "Good luck out there. Bring Carol back and be safe."
"We'll be safe, daddy, don't worry," Cricket says, kissing his cheek before heading forth with Nate and Daryl.
"Hey, uh, I'll catch up, okay?" Daryl raises an eyebrow at Nate as he steps back. "I, uh," Nate scratches the back of his head. "I should really go say bye to Amy." Cricket bites back a smile as Daryl rolls his eyes.
"Hurry up," Daryl says, earning a look from Cricket.
"Stop being a grouch. I think it's cute." Nate blushes before turning and heading over to Amy. Amy rests against a car as Nate approaches.
"Hey,"
"Hey."
"You'll stay with everyone here, right? No wondering off."
"Nate, don't worry, I'll be okay." Nate nods before kissing her.
"I just hate having to leave you."
"I could-
"And we already talked about that, Amy, it's safer here for you." Amy sighs but manages a nod as her eyes go to Andrea.
"She hasn't even said bye."
"Maybe she feels like she can't," Nate says as his eyes go to the older blonde. "I mean you're the one ignoring her."
"She's the one who was willing to die."
"Amy..." Nate sighs as he turns her head to face him. "What Andrea did was selfish, we all know that, but maybe you should talk to her, have her explain."
"What is there to explain, Nate. After everything, she was willing to die and leave me. She knew I wouldn't stay and yet she almost did."
"I don't know, Amy, but she's your sister and as much as she's not really my favorite person, I'd hate if you turn your back on her. I mean family is really all any of us have anymore. Any day they can be taken from us. I just don't want you to do something you regret."
"I know, but how can I have her in my life when she was so willing to leave it, plus she can't even accept my feelings for you. It has always been her way or the high way. What if I want my way for once?" Nate frown, and steps closer to Amy, so that he was right against her, while she was pressed against the car and him. Nate leans down and kisses Amy, causing the girl to relax and kiss him back.
Her arms wrap around his neck as his arms wrap around her waist, pulling her even more against him. She fights back a groan as he pulls back from the kiss. His lips move to her ear. "Better?" His breath ghosts against her ear, causing her to shiver.
"Yeah." She answers breathily, causing him to chuckle before giving her one final kiss and stepping fully back.
"I got to go, but you stay out of trouble here." Amy smiles as she feels her bruised lips. Nate grins at her dreamy and an out of it nod. "I'll be back soon." Nate heads back over to where his father and Cricket are waiting.
"What took you so long?" Daryl says in a tone that suggests he is getting already irritated. Nate rolls his eyes and wraps an arm around Cricket.
"What, Cricket annoying you while I was gone?" Cricket chuckles and glances up at Nate.
"You keep it up," Cricket says in a warning tone, causing the boy to grin down at her.
"Or what? You'll put me in time out."
"If you keep that up maybe." Nate laughs as Daryl shakes his head at the two of them.
"Nate," Daryl suddenly says, causing Nate to glance at his father.
"Hmm?"
"I want you to be in the back, just in case I miss something, plus I want someone I trust in the back in case those people need protection." Nate nods at his father's words, going seriously once more.
"Got it."
"And keep an eye on Sophia, I don't want her running off into the woods because she thought she saw Carol."
"Got it," Nate says as Sophia make their way towards them. "Looks like you're with me kid," Nate says, causing the blonde to look up at him. "So, keep close, got it?" She nods as the others join them and they all start for the woods.
Nate walks behind Sophia as his father is up front with Cricket. "I thought I'd be with Cricket," Sophia says, but Nate shakes his head.
"Nah, my dad wants you with me. Cricket doesn't have a gun nor knows how to use one, I do have a gun and know how to use one. He probably figured you'd have a better chance with me." Sophia nods as she glances at him.
"Okay."
"Shane, look." Nate looks forward seeing Shane walking in front of Sophia and Carl in front of him. "Dad said I could carry it and mom said as long as I was-
"Keep it down. We're looking for Carol." Nate frowns at Shane's tone towards Carl. The poor kid just wants to talk to Shane, after all, he does look up the man. "You need to focus on the task."
"Carl," Nate calls, causing them to glance over at him. "How about you help me keep an eye on tracks that might have been left by her. I can show you the different ones if you want."
"His parents-
"I'm sure they won't be mad, Shane. They said for him to stay with the group and I'm part of the group, Shane. Plus he'll be learning something useful under my watch." Carl nods as he walks over to Nate and Sophia. Shane shakes his head at Nate, giving him a glare before moving forward.
"I think Shane's mad at me," Carl says to Nate in a soft tone.
"Shane's always grumpy, Carl. I'm sure he's just stressing about Carol. When grown ups stress they get cranky and a bit harsh sometimes."
"Does your dad ever get mad at you?" Carl asks, causing Nate to chuckle.
"Yeah, but like I said, Shane isn't mad at you, so don't worry. I'm sure once we find Carol then Shane will sit for hours on end listening to your stories." Carl nods as he looks down at the ground.
"What we looking for exactly?"
"Yeah, I want to learn too," Sophia says, causing Nate to smile.
"Alright, tracking 101 will commence." The two kids giggle, glad that Nate is able to distract them from their worries and to be helpful.