CHAPTER 10 – HEAVEN

Rick's POV

Carl's surgery went well and when Hershel stepped out on the front porch and said he was stabilized I almost passed out from the sheer relief. I sent Lori to Carl and went inside with Hershel to tell Patricia about Otis. I spent a few hours at Carl's bedside along with Lori and then went to check on Kiara and tell her the news. When I entered her room, she was sleeping soundly. I crouched next to the bed and kissed her forehead to wake her up. She opened her eyes sleepily and then shot up, seeing as my face was still wet from tears of relief.

"Carl? What happened?" she asked, her voice laced with panic.

"He's okay. Shane got back and Hershel did the surgery. He'll recover." I said and grabbed her hand trying to calm her down. She sighed in relief and relaxed to my touch. "I can't believe I fell asleep. You were having the worst day of your life and I was here having a snooze," she started but I cut her off.

"Shut up Kiara. You were tired and injured and had every right to rest. You needed it ever since we got out of CDC."

"I guess you're right, but still. I should've been there with you." she quipped guiltily.

"You were," I retorted and kissed her palm. "You're always there for me."

"Lori's with Carl?" she asked.

"Yeah, she's going to sleep next to him tonight."

"Will you stay here with me?" she asked sheepishly.

"I thought you'd never ask," I joked making her giggle and scooped myself on the bed right next to her. I fell asleep immediately savoring the sensation of her warm body cuddling against mine.

Kiara's POV

I was standing beside the window of Carl's room, watching others load the barrow with rocks. Hershel was checking his vitals and Lori and Rick were sitting in chairs right next to his bed. When the little fighter finally woke up the first thing he asked was whether Sophia was okay. It made my heart swell with pride. He was just shot and almost died yet he still cared for his little friend. Rick didn't want him to worry so he said she was fine. A moment later T-dog came in announcing that the rest of our group was here.

We had a service for Otis and it brought up lot of memories of my mom. When Hershel asked Shane to speak for Otis he seemed very uneasy. He said they were down to pistols and Otis said he would cover him and then got swarmed. That didn't make any sense though. I knew Rick lent Otis his Python but Shane brought it back. What the hell was he laying cover fire with then?

Later that day we were about to head out and search for Sophia. Everybody was gathering in front of the Cherokee and Maggie brought a county survey map of the area.

"This is perfect, we can finally get this thing organized," Rick said hopefully. "We'll grid the whole area 'n' start searching in teams."

"Not you two. Not today," Hershel cut in, gesturing towards me and Rick. "You gave too much blood. You wouldn't be hiking five minutes in this heat before passin' out."

"And your ankle," he continued looking at Shane. "Push it now; you'll be laid off a month 'n' no good to anybody."

"Guess it's just me," Daryl chimed in, crossbow already slung on his shoulder. "I'm gonna head back to the creek 'n' work my way from there."

Rick looked disappointed but agreed it was wiser to postpone the search for the day. I didn't like it any better but it was true. We needed rest. Shane offered to drive back up to the interstate with Andrea and Carol to see if Sophia wandered back there. When he mentioned gun training, Hershel said he would rather have us not carrying guns on his property and we obliged, some of us reluctantly though. Rick as least managed to convince him to have one rifle on the lookout.

Rick and I were sitting on the front porch stairs enjoying the sun when we saw Daryl walk by. Rick jumped up and went to talk to him.

"Hey! We've got a base. We can get this search properly organized now," Rick started.

"You got a point or we just chattin'?" Daryl cut in with his typical attitude.

"My point is, it lets you off the hook. You don't owe us anything."

Daryl just shrugged and started towards the woods muttering: "My other plans fell through."

"You underestimate him," I said making Rick turn around at me.

"How's so?" he asked.

"Daryl, he cares about this group more than he cares to admit," I said. I knew guys like him. They were good at heart but people were always expecting the worst from them and they never bothered to prove them wrong. It was easier after all to leave people with their narrow-minded presumptions.

"I guess you're right," he sat back next to me and kissed my shoulder. Moments later, Hershel stepped out with two canteens and a map, ready to head out with Rick. I chose to stay behind and help others. It was a busy day. We set up our camp, found out here was a gross bloated Walker in one of the wells and when we tried to pull it out it snapped in half, its guts spilling right back into the well, ruining the water for good. Glenn and Maggie went on a pharmacy run and when they came back I knew something happened between the two. Maggie had a way too innocent expression on her face and Glenn was following her around with his eyes like a lost puppy. I managed to corner her and made her spill the beans and I was right, they hooked up. I was quite happy about it. In a weird way they seemed perfect for each other.

Later in the evening I was in Carl's room reading him one of shi favorite stories when Rick walked in.

"Hey, can I have a minute alone with Carl?" he asked.

"Sure thing," I said and went out to a front porch. Moments later I was walking back in and saw him walk out of Carl's room and stop in front of a dresser with a mirror. He started to take his uniform shirt off and then put the badges into a drawer. I saw the expression on his face – a mixture of fatigue, fear and qualm. I knew he was feeling lost, that he was tired of people looking up to him for answers and I didn't blame him. It was a heavy burden and I wanted to help him carry it. He shouldn't do it alone. I wanted him to know that I am with him no matter what. He was trying so hard and I knew he felt like he was failing everybody.

He finally noticed my reflection in the mirror, but didn't say anything. He didn't need to. I knew I loved him and I decided it was time for him to know it too.

Rick's POV

I saw Kiara looking at me in the mirror, her face understanding and laced with another emotion I couldn't quite puzzle out at that moment but it somehow made me feel better. She stepped behind me and helped me take off my T-shirt I was wearing under the uniform. Her hands were lingering over my abdomen caressing my scar lightly making me shiver. She didn't ask any questions. She understood. She kissed me on my shoulder and hugged me resting her head against my back. I wanted to tell her that Hershel was expecting us to leave as soon as Carl would be fit for travel, but I just couldn't bring myself to. I made him promise to reconsider but nothing was definite at that moment. We stayed there for a while, just enjoying the closeness of our bodies and the unspoken feelings lingering between us.

Then she stepped back a little taking my hand in her tiny one and dragged me into her room. She sat me into an armchair and brought a basin with some fresh water from the bathroom. She straddled me and started to wipe away the dirt from my face with a washcloth kissing me and gently caressing my face.

"I love you," I said out loud before I could stop myself. I froze momentarily waiting for her reaction but she smiled, the emotion was clear in her eyes now.

"As I love you," she whispered looking deep into my eyes and kissed me fiercely. I couldn't restrain myself anymore; the feeling of being consumed by her fire was absolutely overwhelming. I snaked my hands around her waist and pulled her tighter against me caressing her back. Her hands were entwined in my hair and she started to grind against me sending shivers of pleasure throughout my whole body. I moved my hands down to her backside caressing it lightly and then squeezed it making her moan against my lips. I could feel a bulge growing in my pants and I knew I needed her, all of her. I stood up from the chair lifting her up along with me, her legs crossed around my body and her lips never leaving mine.

I laid her down on the bed and almost lost it when I realized she was wearing that beautiful white dress of hers. I set out to explore more of her body, moving my lips to her neck and nibbling at the sensitive skin above her collarbone, her hand grabbing my hair clearly telling me to continue my administrations. She started to grind against me again and I had to still her a bit because I wouldn't last much longer if she kept doing that.

I started to pull down the straps of her dress along with her bra and soon she was lying in front of me only in her panties, her wild hair fanned out on the covers, looking into my eyes with pure adoration. The perfection, I thought to myself as I made my way to her ample breasts, caressing one with my hand and nibbling at the other with my lips and my teeth. The sounds she was eliciting made my blood boil. I started to move my hand lower and lower and slid her panties off, caressing the soft skin of her thighs and calves as I did so.

I started to play with her wet slit exploring it carefully and observing her reactions. One moment she was closing her eyes and arching her back, her mouth hanging open, the other moment her eyes were open wide and staring into mine, burning right through my soul. I slid two fingers inside her and started to pump in and out, trying to find that sweet spot that would send her over the edge. I could see she was getting a bit impatient and it made me chuckle under my breath. She grabbed me and started to rub me through the fabric of my pants. I took her hand away and pinned it against the bed watching her squirm under me. She was adorable. Her face was a mixture of love, devotion, innocence and carnal need and I needed to feel her immediately.

I released her hand and she started to franticly work open my belt buckle and then pushing my pants down along with my briefs. I stepped out of them, pinned her against the bed with the weight of my body and propped myself on my elbows staring deep into her eyes.

"I love you so much Kiara," I muttered and kissing her hard I entered her, making her buck her hips against mine and moan into my lips. I started to rock my hips, finding the rhythm we were both comfortable with. The sensation of her warmth enveloping me made me moan loudly. I buried my face into her beautiful breasts and we rocked together, our hands everywhere, caressing each other, our lips exploring every inch of our bodies and whispering sweet nothings to each other.

I saw she was close by the way she was arching her back even more and clutching the bed sheets with her hands, her moans becoming louder. I silenced her with another scorching kiss and quickened my pace, working her clit with my thumb as I did so. She hooked her legs even tighter around me making me go deeper, her fingernails digging into my back, making me groan loudly. And then she was there, her eyes wide open, staring straight into my soul, mouth shaped in a perfect 'o'. I adjusted my pace, deliberately going slower and deeper, letting her ride out her orgasm and she pulled me in close and bit my shoulder trying to silence the guttural moan that was ripping out of her mouth. That sent me across the edge. My movements became erratic and with one last thrust I spilled myself inside her, marking her as mine forever, moaning her name as I did so.

We laid there for a while totally spent, motionless and silent, enjoying the blissful moment, kissing and caressing each other. I still couldn't believe this beautiful young woman was laying there beside me. I loved her. I loved the way I got completely lost in her. Her presence and her words making me forget everything that was happening around us. I knew I found my harbor, my heaven.

AUTHOR´S NOTE: So how´d you enjoy smutt written from Rick´s POV? I really hope it was "readable". Feedback is welcomed as ususal :-)