Daryl paced the length of the roof. Dusk was falling and he was hoping to be able to catch a glimpse of flames or at least a glow that would let him know where this other group was. The roof of the motel gave a good long range view. He glanced toward the long restaurant window facing the courtyard. Everyone else was gathering in the restaurant right now. Merle thought people should know about the potential threat and Rick agreed.
Daryl watched as Beth and Hershel walked along with a waddling Lori to the building. "Lord help us" he thought to himself "If we have to try to make a run before that baby comes." If that happened survival might mean that they would have to make a choice between Lori and the baby or their own lives.
"That's everybody except Daryl. He's on watch." Merle said.
"Well Rick. You want to tell us what this big meeting is about?" Hershel asked.
"Other people around here somewhere." Glenn said. "We saw a busted window in town today."
The group shifted restlessly. They were remembering the Randall situation.
"Now that don't mean they's automatically hostile." Merle said "But we got to be prepared for the worst in case they is. Everybody that survived ain't as friendly as me n Daryl ya know."
"That's true, but Most of us didn't think the two of you were too friendly at first." Rick said remembering his first meetings with the brothers.
"That's why ya'll been stockin them cars. Worst case we can hop in em and leave real quick like. But we need ta work out a plan so we all know what to do. Can't have no panickin and confusion if we need to un-ass the area in a hurry." Merle said.
"Not again." Carol said. "We're just getting settled in here."
"We know Carol but we have to accept that putting down roots may not be what life allows us right now." Rick added. "At least not while there's this many walkers roaming around.."
"Gonna have to post round the clock guards too. Couple of hours at a time. Me and Daryl fixed a way to get to the roof, ya can see more from up there. We're hoping to spot where this other group might be by a campfire or somethin. If they's city folk they won't know how far firelight'll carry. City folk probably less of a threat, no offense but when it come's ta survivin most of ya ain't know your asses from a hole in the ground back at the quarry.
Ya doin better now but ya'll still ain't on the level of somebody grew up out in the sticks like me n Daryl and ya'll still do stupid things now and again." Merle said.
"Going to start driving lessons tomorrow for Carl and Beth." Rick said.
"Carl's too young to drive." Lori said.
"Age ain't got nothin to do with it. He can reach the brake and the gas. That's the only requirement now." Merle said. "Everyone needs to be able to drive a car or a pickup. Mickie, Andrea; Daryl's gonna start teachin ya'll to handle that bike. Ya'll both good wit your weapons, Ya tha best ones ta be on point."
"Well at least we'll have a plan this time. It's just dumb luck we all found each other after the farm fell." Glenn said.
"We don't want to depend on dumb luck anymore." Rick said. "Everybody get a good night's sleep tonight. Daryl Merle and I will cover tonight but starting first thing in the morning everyone is going to have to take a turn on watch."
"Rick, Have you thought about Lori?" Hershel asked joining him as the others left. "If we have to move anytime soon moving her isn't going to be easy or safe."
"I know but if it comes to that, we won't have a choice. We'll have to take our chances with her and the baby. I'm just hoping it doesn't come to that." Rick said.
"Beth said you wanted to see me?" Carol asked.
"Yes, we haven't talked much recently. I wanted to know how you're doing." Lori said. "And since the pains started I wanted to have someone here who knows what it's like."
"You're in labor?" Carol gasped. "Where's Hershel?"
"They just started, it's going to be a while. I just wanted a distraction." Lori said.
"Did Hershel tell you to stay in bed?" Carol asked.
"No, I'd like to walk around a bit." Lori said.
"Okay, here let me help you up." Carol said helping Lori up out of the bed. "We can walk around in here it's a pretty big room."
"Thanks Carol. I appreciate this. I mean I know you're spending a lot of time with Merle Dixon lately. He probably wouldn't like you spending time with me." Lori said. "I'm not exactly his favorite person."
"Let's not talk about Merle...or Daryl. Let's talk about the baby." Carol suggested. "Have you picked out a name yet?"
"I'm going to name him Shane." Lori said firmly.
"You know it may be a girl." Carol said. "Have you picked out any girl's names?"
Lori stopped as a pain hit. She bent over and clutched her stomach. Carol shook her head.
"That was a hard labor pain. Come on let's get you in bed, I'm going to get Hershel." Carol said helping Lori back to the bed.
"Daryl, Hershel asked me to go to town, to the hospital." Glenn said.
"No way Glenn. The hospital is the last place we want to go. Them places are loaded with walkers." Daryl said.
"He needs stuff we can only get from a hospital or a medical supply store." Glenn said.
"Lori?" Daryl asked.
"He's going to have to do a C-Section. He needs the equipment." Glenn said.
"Well shit. Let me get a couple of guns, we're gonna need em." Daryl said. "We'll look for some medical supply place, Hospital is last resort. If we get there and see any walkers, we ain't even trying. We're gonna turn around and come right back here. We ain't puttin ourselves at risk."
"What about Lori? If we don't get what Hershel needs..." Glenn started.
"Then Hershel will just hafta improvise and hope for the best." Daryl replied.