Sorry for the delay - working on getting these chapters rewritten!

Thanks for your patience!

Smut alert - warning you! :-)

Sarah's breath caught in her throat.

"Wha - why do you ask?" she asked Carl, dreading his answer.

"Well," he replied, looking at her, "when you and dad were here with me one day, I could hear you talking. You were stretching my legs and when you stopped, I heard Dad thank you for loving me and for loving him. And you said 'always have, always will'," he looked at her expectantly. Sarah's mouth was dry and she was unsure how to answer him, not wanting to upset him or Rick, feeling it wasn't her place to have this conversation with him.

"Carl," she started, "I do love you and your dad - "

"But do you love, love him?" he asked, his brown eyes eager, as she looked down at her hands, trying to figure out what she could say. "Because I would be okay with it." Her head snapped up to his face again.

"Really?" she asked him, her heart skipping a beat.

He shrugged. "Yeah. Noah and I talk all the time about how cool it would be to be step brothers."

Sarah laughed. "You do?" she asked incredulously, her smile bright and green eyes twinkling.

"Yeah we do. Ever since you and Shane got divorced. We always hoped y'all would get married. I always wanted a brother and sister. I love Noah. Olivia too." Sarah felt tears gather in her eyes as she pulled Carl to her gently in a hug.

"We love you too, Carl." He held her close and she felt relieved that he was on board with her and Rick being together.

"You two okay?" she heard a voice behind her.

She let go of Carl and turned to see Rick standing there in a fresh T-shirt, tears running down his cheeks as he watched them.

"DAD!" Carl said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Carl," he said as he all but ran to the bed and gently enveloped his son in a hug. "Carl, Carl, Carl...I am so happy you're awake!" Rick sobbed into his son's hair. Sarah cried silent tears as she reached over and rubbed Rick's back, understanding just how happy he was in this moment. Rick closed his eyes as he held his son tightly to him.

"Dad, you're squishing me," Carl mumbled from Rick's chest.

"Well," he said as he gave him a little space, still not letting go completely, "you'll be okay. I'm not letting go. Ever." Carl laughed and Sarah saw him roll his eyes and smile at her from his position against Rick's chest. She laughed at both of them and sat back some. Rick grinned at her and she smiled through her happy tears, resisting the urge to lean over and kiss him full on the mouth in front of his son.

"Carl!" she heard Olivia squeal as she and Noah came running into the room. Rick smiled and reluctantly let go, ruffling Carl's hair before he stood up and moved, as Noah and Olivia hopped on the bed.

"Hey now," Sarah told them both, pulling Olivia to her side of his bed and settling her on her lap, "y'all be careful. He's still pretty sore. Let's not jostle him too much."

"They're okay, Sarah," Carl said as he gestured for them both to lay by his sides, putting an arm around each of them, hugging them tightly against him. Olivia rested her head on his chest and Noah rested on his shoulder. Sarah's tears spilled over again as Rick walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them tightly. She looked up at him and he grinned through his tears. She reached up and put her hand over his.

She felt some of her worry briefly slide away...

Lori came in shortly after, followed by John who was also back from his search for Max. Sarah and Rick moved out of the way so Lori and John could get to Carl. John leaned over and kissed his forehead, Olivia and Noah still laying with him as Olivia read to them from the book Beth gave her. Lori took Sarah's position on the bed and smiled at the kids.

"Why'd you change your shirt?" Sarah asked Rick, tugging on his shirt tail.

"Got a little messy out there with some walkers, but it was nothing Daryl and I couldn't handle." He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead.

John walked over to Rick and gave him a hug. "Boy, I know you're happy he's finally awake," he said as he clapped him on the back.

"Yeah brother," he replied, smiling brightly. "He looks good."

"Sure does," John said, turning to give Sarah a hug too.

"Doing okay?" she asked John, who looked tired and had blood and dirt all over his shirt.

"Yeah, just fine. Everyone got back safely. Jovan and I didn't find anything though." He turned to Rick. "You and Daryl have any luck?'

"Actually, Daryl did. He's heading out again with Christy shortly. He wanted her help with the trail since she's pretty decent with tracking too. Asked him to try and be back by nightfall." Sarah's stomach flipped, conflicted emotions regarding finding Max and sending her family - Daryl was like family now and Christy already had been like a sister - back out to search in the evening and possibly night when walkers were harder to see and hear.

Rick saw her face and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her tightly to his side. "Don't worry," he told her. "Daryl and Christy will be together. They'll be okay." He kissed her temple lightly. "Daryl thinks the kids are close. The trail he found was pretty recent, about two days give or take, so he's hopeful they found a house to hide in." Sarah and John both nodded.

"I'm gonna go make sure Christy and Daryl have everything they need before they head out," Sarah said, leaning up to kiss Rick's cheek. He smiled and hugged her tight. She stepped away, leaving Rick and John to talk about the search.

"Hey you two," Sarah interrupted Olivia's story, "why don't you come with me?"

Olivia got visibly upset. "No Mama. Carl needs me right now." Olivia looked downright serious as Noah smiled and nodded.

"Well okay then, little miss." Sarah put her hands on her hips. "Let's make sure it's okay with Lori."

Lori laughed. "They're fine. I'll keep an eye on them." She winked at Olivia who looked relieved.

"Okay," she agreed and addressed her kids, "but when I come back, we need to get some dinner and make sure Carl gets some too."

"Deal, Mama!" Liv said, making Carl laugh.

Sarah headed out to the camp to find Christy and Daryl and waved to Dale and Glen who were on top of the RV. As she got closer to the campfire, she saw Shane sitting there alone. She stopped in her tracks and turned around quickly, hoping he didn't see her.

"Well, well," Shane said to her back. "If it ain't Dr. Sarah Jenkins." She made a face and counted to five before she turned back around, her hand coming to rest on the butt of her gun on her hip. "I could hardly recognize you without Rick's tongue down your throat."

She swallowed hard, working hard to keep her face straight and ignore his comment about Rick.

"Shane. What are you doing out here? I thought you were supposed to be resting in your tent." She gave him a fake smile. "Christy said you have a bum ankle and a head laceration."

He scoffed. "Well I needed an expert opinion, but you were too busy to come check me out like the supposed professional you are." He rubbed a hand across his face and looked at her again. "Your ex-lover and little nurse friend both told me I'd be fine. Thanks for your concern."

She ignored the jab, especially when she remembered that he used to call her a 'Doctor Wannabe' when she was in PA school.

"Well the jokes on you, Shane. I am an expert in my field, no thanks to you and your lack of support, and I can choose who I help and who I don't." She smiled sweetly at him, her words dripping with sarcasm and her heart racing at the confrontation they were currently having. "And Jovan was and always will be just a friend."

"Yeah whatever. Guess now that you're whoring around with my former best friend, Jovan's out of the picture anyway."

She nearly laughed out loud. "Wow Shane. You sure sound like a jealous ex-husband."

He glared at her, his lip twitching up into a hard sneer. "Me? Jealous of Rick? Nah - I'd hardly call it jealousy," he spat. "Remember, Sarah, I've had you before and trust me," he continued, "I've had better." He smirked, folding his arms across his chest.

She let out a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah..." she took a few steps backward, keeping her eyes locked on his as she backed up toward the house, "I remember that. And now that I'm finally with Rick...so have I, Shane." She spoke the next three words slowly, her anger coming to the surface. "So. Have. I."

He stood up, his face contorted in anger and she felt both vindicated and ready for a fight. All of his previous verbal, emotional, and physical abuse fueled her hatred of her ex-husband and right now she didn't care that she was poking the bear. She was ready for a fight.

"Wha's goin' on here?" Daryl asked from behind her. She turned to see both Daryl and Christy standing behind her. Daryl looked ready to defend her and Christy looked proud. Sarah smiled sweetly as she looked back at Shane.

"Oh nothing," she replied. "Just two exes talking about better times." Shane looked pissed and Sarah grabbed Christy's arm. "I was coming to find y'all anyway." Daryl watched Shane as he limped off to his tent, pissed at the world.

"You lightin' some fires?" Daryl asked her, a smirk on his face.

"Who me?" she asked, feigning innocence. "Never."

Christy barked a laugh. "That's my girl!" she said, high-fiving her. "I love Spunky Sarah!"

Sarah laughed, her anger fading and tension fading away as she looked up and saw Rick making his way to them, his confident stride making her heart flutter and the familiar pit build in her stomach. He looked incredibly sexy in his blue jeans, black t-shirt, and gun belt, his colt python hanging on his hip.

"Spunky Sarah?" he asked as he reached them. "What's she doing now?" He grinned at her, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Nothing at all. Just taking care of business," Christy replied, putting her arm around Sarah's shoulders. "Daryl and I are gonna head out for a couple hours."

"Yeah, I just wanted to make sure y'all had everything you needed for the trip. Food, water, flashlights, guns and ammo, hunting radios..."

"Got it," Daryl replied, gesturing to the backpack on Christy's back.

"Good," Sarah replied. "Y'all please be careful. Try to be back before nightfall."

Rick and Daryl both smirked. "Yes, ma'am," Christy replied, pulling her in for a quick hug. She squeezed her tight before backing up.

"You too, Daryl. Please watch out for my girl," Sarah said, hugging him too. He awkwardly hugged her back and grunted his response. Rick and Sarah watched as they walked to Daryl's truck and waved to them as they drove away.

Rick grabbed her hand, quickly leading her in the direction of the horse barn without saying a word.

"Rick?" she asked as he gently but quickly pulled her along, flinging the door open and shutting it behind them. "What is going - ?" She tried to ask when he turned around and pulled her tightly to him, crashing his lips against hers. She moaned his name as he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, her hands gripping his hair as they kissed feverishly. He carried her into an empty stall and put her down. "Rick," she panted against his mouth. He broke their kiss and leaned back to look at her, his hands coming up to her face.

"I heard you talking to Carl," he said softly, pressing light kisses to her swollen lips.

Her heart skipped a beat. "I'm sorry. I know you probably wanted to have that conver - " He leaned in and cut her off with another searing kiss, his tongue meeting hers in a frenzy, causing her to lose her words and her breath. She put her arms around his waist and pulled him flush against her, his erection pressing against her belly as his hands tangled in her dark hair and she moaned again. He broke their kiss when they both ran out of air.

"No...I'm glad he asked you," he said as he tilted her head to the side, leaning down and kissing her neck. "He wanted to hear it from you and I love that you two have a close relationship. It makes what we have that much stronger and special."

"Officer...what's gotten into you?" she asked as he kissed up to her ear and ran his hands down her sides to her hips, causing her to shiver.

He shook his head, pulling her hips to meet his. He kissed her soundly again, his fingers digging into her hips as she clutched his biceps. His eyes were closed as they broke again for oxygen, her head swimming with lust and want. He rested his forehead against hers and opened his eyes again. "I might have over heard your confrontation with Shane just now. I was standing on the porch."

She smiled up at him, biting her lip. "You just happened to be there, huh?" He nodded, brushing his nose against hers as he kissed her again. She moaned and gripped his shirt in her hands. "You looking out for me, Officer?" she asked against his lips. He brushed a light kiss over her lips.

"Maybe?" he replied, reaching under her shirt and running his hands over her skin, leaning down and nuzzling her neck with his lips. "I hate that he's such an asshole to you, but you really put him in his place." Her breath caught in her throat as he moved one hand to the front of her yoga pants, sliding down to run his thumb up and down her slit. She moaned and her head fell back. "Spunky Sarah really is a turn on," he whispered against her exposed neck as he continued to rub her clit through her pants. She moaned as she clutched his sides, moving against his hand to create more friction. "You're so sexy."

"Fuck," Sarah whispered as she reached down for his erection, rubbing it through his jeans. Breath hissed through his teeth. "Rick, I need you now."

Rick didn't hesitate as he let go of her to undo his gun belt and dropped it to the ground, quickly shedding his belt, pants, and boxers. At the same time, Sarah pulled down her pants and underwear, kicking them to the side. Rick reached out for her and pulled her to him, lifting her and securing his arms under her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She put her arms around his neck and laced her fingers in his hair, tilting his face up to her mouth.

She kissed him deeply as he leaned her back gently against the wall and pushed inside of her.

"Shit," he mumbled against her lips as she moaned loudly, his hips meeting hers, the angle and depth making him hit her g-spot full on. His head fell to her shoulder. "You feel so fucking good."

She hissed from the sensation and raked her finger nails against his scalp, lightly pulling his hair as she tilted his head up again. "Fuck me, Rick," she urged, pulling his mouth to hers again, pushing her tongue into his mouth, not giving him a chance to say a word.

Rick pulled out and slammed back inside of her, making both of them moan loudly. He did it again and again and continued in a punishing rhythm. "Oh my god...Rick..." He kept the pace, hearing in her voice that he was bringing Sarah to her peak faster than she ever had before. She watched him watch her, lust in his eyes, as her chest and face burned bright red, her orgasm washing over her whole body. "Oh shit," she mumbled against his lips, her whole body shaking with her orgasm. She whispered his name as she gripped his shoulders tightly. He kissed her exposed neck as he continued to push into her a little slower. She moved her hands back up to his neck and leaned down, kissing him soundly on the lips as she came down from her high.

He moved her back off the wall and slowly pulled out of her. She pouted at him and he smiled, grabbing her hand as he turned around and sat with his back against the wall. He pulled her over him. She smiled as she grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it off. His breathing became more erratic as he looked at her black bra-covered breasts. She slowly sat down to straddle his lap, grinning as she slowly sank down onto him, inch by inch, until he was buried inside of her again. He let out a hiss of breath through his teeth as he put his arms tightly around her back and pulled her chest against his, resting their foreheads against each other, staring into each others eyes. She stayed still for a few seconds, loving the feeling of being so close to him. She had never experienced such incredible intimacy and she was so amazingly happy in that moment, she would have stayed there forever if she could.

She smiled and leaned back, bending her knees up and putting her hands on his thighs for leverage and slowly started to move up and down, back and forth. "Fuck," Rick said as he watched her move, his hands moving under her thighs to help guide her. "Holy shit," he muttered, his eyes roving over her as she was on full display for him. "God you're fucking beautiful," he whispered as he moved one hand to caress her breast, lightly pinching the nipple through her bra. She shuddered and moved a little faster, the heavy feeling deep in her abdomen returning full force as she watched him watch her gyrate on top of him, his eyes roving over every part of her.

Their breathing came in gasps, this new sensation causing another tug in her lower abdomen. He raised his hands to her face and pulled her closer again, crashing his lips into hers as he met her thrust for thrust, their bodies colliding at a more frantic and uncoordinated pace. She put her arms around his shoulders and gripped his neck, her orgasm suddenly washing over her. She felt him still inside her, reaching down to pull her hips over his and kept her in place as he came inside her, saying her name over and over into her neck as he moved his hips with every spasm of his own orgasm.

She leaned in and rested her head against the top of his, closing her eyes as he moved his arms up to fold her into a tight hug, pulling her chest against his neck, her arms snaking around his neck. They sat there for a few minutes, enjoying their post-coital bliss in the quiet barn.

"Will it always be like this with us?" Sarah asked him quietly, breaking the silence, her heart rate returning to semi-normal, considering she was still naked from the waist down, pressed against Rick, and he was still inside her.

Rick laughed, squeezing her to him. "God, I hope so...we have a lot of years lost to make up for..." They both laughed as she moved back and bent down to kiss him lightly on the lips. "I hope so..."

As the happy couple slowly got dressed, sneaking kisses in between articles of clothing, they had no idea they had an audience of one, watching from a slat in between the wood panels of the barn.

And he was not impressed.