Big chapter yahoo! So this is another one of my faves and I hope you like it to. I know these have been kinda cliff hangery (if that's a word) but it's for a good reason! I swear! Rick and Eve...poor souls. Please read and review, I love all reviews! Thanks bunches!
Eve put her hand over her mouth and Rick was so mystified he didn't know what to do. He dropped his gun and stared at Eve. She looked at the man she had been trying to get to for almost four months and cried. What had happened to him? Michonne looked over and saw what was happening. She stood there, frozen like everyone else. Carol looked at the scene and realized who this was. She had heard about Eve many times, it was something that the group didn't talk about much for the sake of Rick's heart and sanity. Rick thought he was looking at a ghost. He thought he was imagining this whole thing, Eve couldn't possibly be standing less than five feet away from him at this very moment. He muttered, "Eve?" She sobbed and turned and she was gone. Morgan and Daryl followed as Michonne went with them too. Jessie, who saw this all going on wondered through her addled mind who this woman was. She didn't get a very good look, but she did see that she was beautiful. She and Rick had been somewhat close, close enough for her to feel things for him since his group got to Alexandria. She instantly felt guilty for thinking these things while her husband lay dead on the ground.
Eve stumbled away, feeling as though she was going to be sick. She knew the others were following her but she kept walking. Michonne screamed, "EVE!" Eve stopped in her tracks and turned to see her old friend, sobbing, "I thought you were dead." Michonne ran to her and took her into her arms. Eve grabbed onto her and cried, "What did I just see Michonne, what the hell is happening?"
"It's a long terrible story…let's take a walk." She said as Daryl and Morgan came up. Morgan looked just as mortified and said, "Eve, are you ok?" She didn't know how to answer that but for the sake of her friend and somewhat father figure she said, "I'll be ok Morgan…I just need to…" Daryl walked up and held her hand, "I don't know what just happened…but I know he wouldn't have done anything like that without a good reason."
"We're going to take a little walk." Michonne said as she led Eve away. Morgan and Daryl looked at each other and Morgan said, "That girl doesn't need this. She doesn't need this madness. I will protect her from this no matter what Daryl." Daryl nodded and said, "It will all work out…I hope." Rick ran up to the men and said, in a shaky voice, "Where is she? Where did she go?" Morgan stepped up to Daryl's protest and said, "She needed some time. What the hell is going on here Rick?" Rick's mind was racing and he couldn't understand why Morgan was here let alone that Eve was alive, "Where is she?" Rick seethed. Daryl placed his hand on his friend's shoulder, lightly pushing him away from Morgan, "She needed to take a moment, and she's with Michonne."
"I need to…I haven't…I thought she was dead!" Rick said as he started to cry. Daryl nodded and looked in his friend's eyes, "You need to give her a minute. She just saw you shoot a guy in the head. She hasn't seen you for months…she's been through a lot of shit to get here." Rick broke down and fell to his knees as Morgan said, "We've been on the road…together. We've been trying to find you for months. She was alone for months before that. Leave her be for now." Rick looked up at his old friend and nodded.
Eve sobbed as Michonne and she walked. She felt like she was losing her mind. She didn't expect to see that when she was reunited with Rick. "Who was that Michonne? Who was he?" Eve said through sobs. Michonne still couldn't believe that Eve was standing right there next to her and said, "His name was Pete. Jessie, another person who lives here, is his wife. Apparently he beat her…Rick got into an altercation with him a few days ago…they beat each other to a pulp. That, what you just saw was our meeting deciding to keep Rick here or send him away. Pete came in and killed the leader, Deanna's husband. She gave Rick permission to kill him." Eve threw her hands through her long hair and said, "This is insane." Michonne nodded and said, "I know it feels that way." She took a breath and stopped, "Things have happened since the prison Eve. A lot of terrible things have happened since the prison." Eve wiped her tears and straightened herself up. "I will not run away. I've been through hell to get back to him, to all of you." Michonne took her into her arms again and said, "I know you have, I can see it in your face. You've changed. We've all changed. Sometimes not for the better."
Eve and Morgan sat at a fancy kitchen table in one of the fancy houses that lined the streets of Alexandria. Eve stared forward, feeling very out of place. She still hadn't seen Rick, which she thought was so odd, but at the same time at this point she didn't even know what she would say or if she wanted to see him at this exact moment. They were in the leader, Deanna's home. They were rushed there soon after what had happened and had not seen anyone since. Morgan reached over and touched Eve's shaking hand, "Its ok. Just breathe." Eve nodded and took his advice. Morgan also took his own advice. They heard the front door open and both stood at alert. They watched for who it was, and it was Rick. He was cleaned up, but still had bandages all over his face. Eve just stared at him, she had her Akikido at the ready, and so did Morgan. She held it strong as she looked at Rick. Morgan saw the both of them staring at each other and said, "I'll be outside." Morgan excused himself and the two of them were left by themselves. Eve didn't move and kept the Akikido in front of her. Rick put his hands out and pleaded, "Eve, please put that down…I am not going to do anything to you." He saw tears pouring down her cheeks, but she didn't make one noise. He got on his knees and looked up at her, "Please? Please?" Eve dropped the stick and sobbed. Rick went to her then and wrapped her in his arms. She collapsed and held on to him. He held onto her and said, "I thought you were dead…all those walkers…I…" He couldn't finish his sentence, he was sobbing so hard. Eve shook her head, "I'm alive." Rick grabbed the sides of her face and looked into those eyes he never thought he would see again. He didn't know if he should and he really didn't care if he should so he captured her mouth with his. Eve reciprocated and threw her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. She thought she was never going feel this again and she was desperate to feel it, even though she had just seen him execute a man. Rick lifted her up in his arms and she threw her legs around his waist. Rick reached into her hair and they bumped against the wall, making some of Deanna's stuff fall to the floor. Eve grabbed onto him tighter with more desperation. Rick moaned and said against her mouth, "I love you, Eve…I need you…" She looked at his battered face and took his lips again. Just then they heard, "Oh...sorry to interrupt…" Rick and Eve looked at each other and then Eve jumped down. Rick turned around and saw Carol standing there with a slight little smile. Eve was feeling so much, she didn't even have time to feel embarrassed. Rick nodded and said, "Yes, Carol?" Eve looked at the older woman and remembered her name, she had heard the group mention her in the prison. She had killed people, Rick had banished her. She looked at Rick and then at Carol. Carol put her hand out, "I'm Carol."
"Eve." Eve said taking Carol's hand a little hesitantly. Carol smiled and said, "I've heard a lot about you." Eve nodded, "I've heard of you as well." Carol smiled and looked at Rick, who was staring at Eve and she just looked to the ground. "Well, we have a house…right across the way for you and Morgan…I know you must be exhausted." Eve nodded and picked her pack up along with her Akikdo. Carol smiled and looked at Rick and then said, "I'll just be outside." Eve nodded as Carol walked to the porch. Rick looked at Eve and said, "I know you're confused, and probably scared…I understand if you don't want to stay with me right now…" Eve looked at him, "I want to. I just can't, not yet." Rick put his hand on her face and kissed her gently and leaned his forehead against hers, "I love you Eve. I always have and I always will. I'm still me. I'll answer any questions you have…"
"Rick, I love you too. I've spent every second since we got separated trying to get back to you." Eve said as she felt tears run down her cheeks again, and she could feel Rick's too, "I don't know what I saw tonight…but I need time…" She laughed as she wiped tears, "It's so crazy isn't it? I've wanted you so desperately for so long…I finally have you…well, do I have you?" Rick reached around her waist and pulled her close again, "You will always have me." Eve stared at Rick and him at her. Eve touched the bruises and bandages on his face and lightly kissed him, "Carol and Morgan are waiting." Eve kissed him one more time and started to walk past. Rick stopped her and said, "I'll see you tomorrow right?" Eve smiled at him reassuringly, "Yes."