Hey! I tried to get out this chapter fairly quickly for y'all to read. I'm going to be working long hours for the next two months so hopefully I'll be able to write in my free time. Enjoy! And once again thanks to those that favorite, follow, and review. :)
I'd sell my soul just to see your face.
And I'd break my bones to heal your pain.
In these times I need a saving grace, but time is running out and I'm starting to lose my faith.
"Stay" by Florida Georgia Line
"As you all know, the number of walkers around the camp has been increasing. We aren't safe here anymore." Shane stated, looking around at each member of the group with his eyes lingering on Clementine.
"Jim is infected and we don't know how much longer he's got. After some deliberation, Rick and I have decided that our best bet will be to go to the CDC headquarters and seek shelter. If anyone is safe and has a cure, then it's them."
Clementine gently grabbed Daryl's arm and held on.
"My parents live around there. Do you think we'll be able to try to find them?" She whispered, leaning in towards him.
Daryl frowned and shrugged noncommittally. It wasn't that he didn't want to help her find her parents but he wasn't sure that Clementine fully understood the gravity of the task ahead of them. Atlanta was completely infested with walkers and the likelihood that her parents were still alive and surviving in the surrounding city was slim to none.
"We'll have to see what it's like there but it ain't likely." He whispered back.
Clementine looked thoroughly disappointed and let go of him.
"So, pack up everything tonight and we'll be ready to leave tomorrow morning." Shane finished, eyeing Clementine and understanding why she looked so discontented. He had heard the hushed conversation between her and Daryl. The physical contact and then lack thereof between them hadn't escaped his attention either. Clementine turned to walk away with the rest of the group members.
"Hey, Clem. Let me talk to you for a second." Shane called out to her.
She spun on her heel and turned to face him. Daryl gave Shane a cautionary glance but didn't say anything. He walked back to his truck, sat on the tailgate, and observed them. She'll give him hell if he says something she don't like, Daryl told himself in an attempt to rationalize why he didn't stay by her side. He was alarmed to see her grinning at Shane like a fool and then embracing him tightly. Shane's face looked just as shocked as Daryl's initially, but a smile quickly emerged on his lips. Shane wrapped his arms around Clementine's small frame, large hands sliding from her waist to her hips, and he scanned the campground quickly. When his eyes met Daryl's he gave him a shit eating grin.
"What the fuck?" Daryl mumbled to himself.
Clementine withdrew from the hug and smiled up at Shane. She said something quickly and then turned away and walked back to her tent. Daryl watched as Shane openly looked her up and down. He clenched his fists tight in anger.
"Hey, Clem. Let me talk to you for a second."
Clementine turned quickly to face Shane. Since he'd cleaned her wounds when she fought Ed she'd tried to be less hostile towards him. He'd reciprocated by leaving her alone, although she knew he was nearly constantly observing her from a far. Many a time she'd look up to see his gaze intently focused on her. Whenever she was with Daryl he would send her disapproving stares but he didn't try to talk her out of hanging around with him anymore.
"What's up Shane?" She asked tiredly.
Shane looked down at her. She was quite a bit shorter than his 6 foot frame.
"Look, I heard you talking to Dixon about finding your parents. They live by the CDC, if I remember correctly."
Clementine nodded.
"I think we should go look for them, even if it's just you and me that go. It'd be a shame to get so close to them and not find out if they're still there or not."
Clementine's face lit up.
"Do you really mean it?" She asked enthusiastically.
"Yes, of course."
Clementine launched herself into his arms, embracing him tightly. She could feel his tight abs flex under her frame as he reached around to hug her back. He was warm and strong and she couldn't help but feel an ounce of attraction to him in that very moment. His hands rested on her waist and slid down to her hips, tracing her curves in the process. She tensed up for a moment and resisted taking a step back. She finally pulled back and stared up at him.
"Thanks, Shane. Your help means so much to me." Clementine stated honestly.
"Much obliged, princess." He replied with a wink.
Clementine jumped into the cab of Daryl's truck as they were about to set out.
"Feels weird to leave here now, don't it?" She asked as she motioned to the now empty area that had been their campsite.
Daryl just looked at her but didn't respond. They rode in silence for a bit before Clementine attempted to make conversation again.
"Alright, what's your issue?" She asked bluntly when he failed to say anything again.
"Don't have one,"
Clementine undid her seatbelt and moved into the middle of the bench seat so she was right beside Daryl.
"Is this because you saw me hugging on Shane?" She asked staring directly at him.
He took his eyes off the road and quickly glanced over at her.
"Maybe,"
"Daryl, first of all, it ain't like I'm yours anyway. Second of all, Shane said he's gonna help me find my parents when we get to the CDC."
Daryl was quiet and stared straight ahead at the road.
"That ain't a good idea." He responded.
"Why's that?"
"Cause he ain't thinking about your safety like I am. Your momma and daddy aren't gonna want you to get hurt trying to find 'em. You know that."
Clementine bit her lip and looked down.
"I gotta try," She said softly.
Daryl could see all the hurt in her eyes. He drove with his left hand and wrapped his right arm around her, pulling her close to him.
"Come here, girl." He drawled.
She leaned onto his shoulder and placed her head on his neck. She inhaled and was enveloped his masculine scent that reminded her of leather and pine needles. Clementine sighed, trying not to drown in his pheromones.
"I don't like the way he looks at you."
"Who?"
"You know who." He said giving her a slightly annoyed look.
"That's funny cause he told me the same thing bout you." She said with a small laugh.
Daryl stiffened up and growled gruffly.
"That ain't funny."
"Well I sure as shit ain't got anything else to laugh about right now." She replied with a bit of an attitude in her voice.
Dale's RV's break lights flashed red up ahead and pulled to a stop. Clementine pulled away from Daryl abruptly. She yanked open the door and hopped out. She don't even look around for walkers first. That girl sure is a handful. Daryl thought to himself while shaking his head. He stepped out too, quickly grabbing his crossbow from the truck bed.
He walked towards the group. Dale, Andrea, and Carol had carried Jim out of the RV and placed him on the side of the road leaning against a tree. Jacqui was still fussing with the bandage on his arm despite his obvious condition. He watched as Shane walked over and positioned himself directly behind Clementine.
"Are you sure this is what you want, Jim?" Rick asked with a frown on his face.
Jim solemnly nodded.
"I just want to see my family again." He muttered despondently.
Clementine shook her head sadly but realistically she knew that nothing could be done for him now that the virus had advanced so far. A heavy hand was placed on her shoulder and she turned to find Shane behind her. While the others said their goodbyes to Jim, he motioned for her to follow him. He walked her to his Jeep.
"We aren't too far away now. I think we should try to go to the CDC first and then – do you need something Dixon?"
As Daryl approached, Shane's tone and body language changed completely.
"Just want to know your plan is all. I ain't gonna let your stupidity get her hurt."
Shane stepped towards Daryl in an attempt to be intimidating.
"Don't you worry, Dixon. I'm gonna keep her safe and sound." Shane countered, putting his face about a foot away from Daryl's.
"Seriously, y'all need to stop." Clementine interjected.
She stepped in between them and put a hand flat on each of their chests and pushed them in opposite directions of each other.
"That man," she began, motioning to Jim.
"Is over there dying and both y'all are strutting around like roosters. It's a damn shame. I don't think I need either of your help. I'll go by myself if it's going to cause such a ruckus."
"You ain't going by yourself," Daryl and Shane said simultaneously.
Clementine rolled her eyes.
"Well I ain't goin' with either of you." She said before turning around and stomping off.
Both of them watched her stamping away, their eyes tracing her cowboy boots up to her toned legs, past her short denim shorts, and up to her thin waist. She climbed into Dale's RV and disappeared from their view.
"Boy, she's fiery but that's just how I like 'em." Shane said with a smile.
Daryl gazed at him with disgustedly and walked away.
The front of the CDC was littered with empty military Jeeps, sandbags, and even a solitary tank. Soldiers with blood stained fatigues were sprawled along the steps. It looked like a literal warzone. The small convoy of cars parked and then they got out of their vehicles. Daryl spotted Clementine stepping out of the RV behind Andrea and jogged to her side. Argument be damned, he wasn't going to leave her in a dangerous situation. They fled to the front of the CDC as the some of the soldiers they assumed were fully dead began to rise.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Lori shouted as she pushed Carl to run faster in front of her.
Daryl was beginning to agree. He shot two advancing soldiers in the head before putting his hand on Clementine's lower back and urging her forward.
"It isn't open!" Andrea shouted as she reached the front of the building. A thick silver sheet of metal was in place to separate the CDC scientists and workers from the rest of the world.
"Oh God!" Carol cried out, pulling Sophia close to her.
Shane held his gun level and began firing at the advancing walkers. The sound of gunshots piqued the interest of others and soon more began to rise. They began their slow shuffle towards the survivors, the only fresh meat they'd seen in a number of weeks.
"We need to get back in the cars!" Shane shouted.
"No!" Rick hollered.
"There's a camera! I saw it move! Let us in!" He screamed as he banged on the thick metal with his fist.
Clementine finally felt fearful. She understood why Daryl didn't want her going to look for her parents. The sheer number of walkers surrounding them was incredible. He pushed her behind him and backed further towards the building.
"Rick, we need to go now!" Shane yelled back.
"Let us in! If you don't let us in, then we are going to die!" Rick cried out desperately.
A moment passed and then the whirr of a motor was heard. The metal door slowly lifted, revealing a glass door that led into the building. Rick pulled the door open and pushed Lori and Carl through first. He held it open as Carol, Sophia, Dale, Andrea, Jacqui, Clementine, Glenn, Daryl, and finally Shane went through. Clementine turned around to see the walkers less than five feet from where they had been standing outside. The motor whirred again and closed the metal door back down. They panted in relief. Clementine turned to Daryl and leaned on him heavily. The rush of adrenaline left her a little dizzy and knock kneed. He slung his crossbow around his torso and held her up.
"You alright?" He asked worriedly.
She nodded as the world spun around her.
"Are any of you infected?" A voice asked over an intercom.
"No, we're not." Rick responded, looking around for a camera.
"Will you all agree to a blood test to verify that?" The voice questioned.
"Yes," Rick called out.
A metal door opened, revealing a balding blonde man in a gray t-shirt. He held a military rifle at his hip and aimed it at the group. Daryl quickly put himself between Clementine and the man. He surveyed them quickly as if to check for odd behavior and then lowered the weapon.
"Now that those doors are closed, they will not open again. Do you understand?" He stated calmly.
Everyone within the group nodded.
"Then follow me," He said as he waved them into a large metal elevator.
When they were all inside, he pressed a security code and they began their descent.
"Sir, thank you so much for opening that door. You saved our lives," Rick said quietly.
The balding man looked at them all and nodded curtly. The elevator doors opened they all filed out into an area that looked like a laboratory.
"Have a seat," He said motioning to the metal tables and chairs.
"The test will be quick."
Clementine found herself sitting between Daryl and Shane. She still felt weak and she had a throbbing pain in her temples. The man grabbed sealed syringes from a drawer and took a blood sample from each of them.
"I'm going to test these now. It won't be but a moment." The man said as he slipped out the room and locked the door behind him.
The group sat quietly, except for Sophia who cried quietly from being stuck with the needle. Carol comforted her and gently shushed her. Ten minutes later the man walked into the room with a bit of a smile on his face.
"You're all okay," He announced.
"Come with me," He motioned for them to follow him through the door.
They followed him through a long metallic hallway out to a large conference room area.
"I am Doctor Jenner. Feel free to make yourselves at home. Down that way are showers, rooms where you can sleep, and cabinets full of food. Why don't you take your time to clean up and rest for now and then we can have dinner together? I can answer some of your questions then if you'd like."
"That sounds great, doctor. We'd be glad to do that. I have one question for now though. Where is everyone?" Rick asked, voicing an unspoken concern for the entire group.
"I'm afraid that I'm all that's left." He replied gravely.
Murmuring ran through the group.
"You mean there aren't any other scientists working on a cure?" Lori questioned.
"No, unfortunately they all left when things began to get serious or opted out." Doctor Jenner said with a distant look.
"Opted out?" Clementine asked quietly.
"Yes, they killed themselves."
Hope you enjoyed it!