The day was finally over. After they had learned of their new roles, and before the presidential address, they had spent the middle part of their day following around their assigned TL's. Stephanie was very thorough in her explanations and descriptions of what their jobs would be, and Rick took it all in the best he could, all the while wondering if this was really something he wanted to do.

One of the biggest blessings he felt was the fact that he was no longer in a leadership role. He had the chance to reset himself, step back and evaluate the situation without completely feeling as if everything was weighing on his shoulders. Somehow, he just kept getting himself placed on top, without even trying.

Rick was walking down to level B with Michonne, going to check on Judith and her recovery. The levels were quiet, it being well into the evening now. Michonne reached out and grabbed Ricks hand, and he gave hers a squeeze in return.

"Penny for your thoughts," she said softly. He turned to her and smiled softly.

"Just all movin' so fast. Just got here and now they want me to be Vice President? I dunno if I want that responsibility." Michonne smiled and ran her thumb over the back of his hand.

"Of course you do," she said smiling. "I know it all seems a little crazy, Rick, but whether you were given the role or not, you would've stepped up. Because it's what you do. What kind of person you are." He grunted in response, before turning his smile back to her.

"As long as you like the kind of person I am, then I guess I'm doin' something right." Michonne smiled at him as they stepped onto the elevator. When it closed behind them, she turned so that they faced each other. Grabbing his shirt in her hands, she pulled him toward her and kissed him passionately.

"I definitely like the person you are," she said smiling, pulling back and staring into his eyes. The door dinged, signally that they were on their requested level, B. Rick swiped his new access badge and the elevator door opened. He retook her hand and they walked toward Judiths room.

"When are you going to let Carl come see her?" Michonne prodded gently. She thought he could've come tonight, suggested it even, but Rick told them both it was too soon.

"I want the wounds to heal. I want her to look like she's just sleeping and that's it. He's seen enough ugly in this world, I can't let him see his sister as just another one of the dead."

Rick swiped his badge again at Judiths door, and was surprised to find Manuela hovering over her when they went inside.

"What's the news, doc?," Rick asked as he stepped up to Judiths other side.

"You'll be happy to hear..," Manuela said smiling over at him. "Judith has a heart beat."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Stephanie was finally making it to the top level so that she could rest. They were planning a run in the next couple of days, and in the mean time she had a lot of other stuff to deal with inside the Unit.

Her night was not yet over, because sitting in her living room when she opened her door was S.P Johnson. He smiled at her and gestured for her to take the seat across from him. She did as she was told, and then accepted the steaming cup of coffee he held out to her. She took a sip and moaned out loud, not having had a good cup of coffee in months.

"That's so good," she said smiling at him.

"I thought you might enjoy that. Don't leave home without it." She nodded as she took another drink. "I suppose you're wondering what on Earth I'm doing just hanging out in your private quarters," he said smiling his fatherly smile at her. She nodded and set her cup down. "There was another reason why I decided to come to Unit 15," he said as he followed her actions and set his cup down in front of him. He folded his hands in his lap, and Stephanie thought he sounded a little nervous.

"Stephanie, I'm sick," he said softly. Stephanies eyes widened and she looked him over. He seemed fine, had all day. What could possibly be wrong with him. "Leukemia," he explained as if reading her thoughts. "Now I don't want you to worry yourself," he continued when she began to speak. "I have plenty of time. At least a year. And that's all I need to train my replacement. You." Stephanie shook her head.

"Sir, you can't possibly believe that I could be the leader of the free world. Or that the other Unit Presidents would even consider it."

"I want you to come back with me. I want to train you to take my place, make you my Vice President. Stephanie, I know you have it in you. You have the heart and the intelligence and the following. Contrary to what you may believe, the other Unit Presidents adore you, and many have so much as told me so themselves." Stephanie sat back, trying to take in what he was requesting. He wanted her to eventually become Supreme President.

"I know you've suffered a few tragedies as of late, and that it has probably had an effect on the way you view yourself as a President. But rest assured that this Unit has the least number of monthly fatalities, the least number of ambushes and outbreaks. And you have led the crew that discovered the Ophioyaws cure. I need you." Stephanie shook her head, trying to wrap the idea around her mind.

"Can I have some time to think about it, Sir?," she asked politely, as she fidgeted with her hands. He nodded.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, but I'll return in one months time , hopefully to bring you back with me. I will also be picking up Eugene then. I want him to have a little more experience working with the cure before I set him up with his own laboratory." She nodded as SP Johnson stood up. Normally, she would've gotten up as well and walked him to the door, but her head was spinning and she was just trying to not freak out. He walked to her and kissed the top of her head, before leaving the room, and leaving Stephanie to her thoughts.

A/N: Another short one, but not quite as short. The last two chapters were technically supposed to be one, but that's just not how it worked out. So? What do you think about Ricks Vice Presidency and about Stephanie being asked to eventually replace SP Johnson as Supreme President?

Coming up: A Carl based chapter, with a little bit of Rick and Stephanie. We're also going to release the cured. I wonder how that will turn out!? Keep reading! And as always-Review!