Ch. 29

The first thing that Rick became aware of was the sound of a woman's voice.

She had a French accent and was talking to someone else - a male.

"We'll make sure that he gets his medicine," the woman said, reassuringly. "I promise."

"Alright, I believe you. I just wanted to remind you."

"Oui. It will be fine."

Then there were footsteps, and apparently, the man left.

It was then that Rick cracked open his eyes. The source of the female voice was immediately apparent. A beautiful, red headed young woman sat near him, gently dabbing his forehead with a wet rag. She had pale, smooth skin and beautiful green eyes. She looked almost like an angel.

"Bonjour," the woman greeted him, smiling.

"Hi."

"You were asleep for quite a while! Gave your friends a scare, but we got you in time."

Rick nodded and looked around. He was in a makeshift hospital, which, he had to admit, was pretty nicely set up, all considering. The mattress he was lying on was soft and comfortable, and his head rested on an actual pillow. A yellow blanket covered him.

"Where am I?"

"You are in Fe. Your friends brought you here for help."

Rick searched his memory, trying to dredge up anything related to coming there, but he couldn't think of anything.

"My name's Rick," he finally said. He moved to shake her hand but was pulled back by an IV line.

The woman smiled again.

"Je suis Amelie. Do not move, or you will dislodge the IV."

"Okay." Rick looked around some more. He noticed that another man was sitting in a bed across from him.

"Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey," Daryl grinned, waving at him.

"Daryl."

"That's me."

"Why're you here?"

"Well, being six months pregnant took its toll. I'm on bedrest for the rest of it."

Six months? Hadn't Daryl been closer to five months just a few days ago?

"Just how long have I been here?" Rick finally asked.

"Oh," Amelie replied, "You've been in and out for about three weeks."

Rick considered this.

"There's a lot to catch up on then, I guess."

00

It turned out that Fe was an oasis of sorts. Almost a utopia. The community was made up of both young and old alike, and everyone contributed in some way shape or form.

It had been started by a small band of survivors from Greenville. They'd been neighbors when the virus had broken out, and they'd fled to the state park, high in the mountains where they could see any walkers.

Slowly, they'd built up a wall. Then they'd built a village, utilizing structures that were already in place and building some of their own.

Anyone who wanted to join was allowed to enter, though there was a month long trial period, at the end of which a vote was cast by the permanent members. If the new person didn't seem to work well with the others, they were made to leave.

There wasn't any currency. Everyone shared the skills that they had. Farming was done in various locations, with every plot of viable land in use. Those plots were worked by people who had been farmers previously or who had experience working with gardening.

Two school teachers taught the children, ensuring that they received at least a basic education. Once they became teenagers, the plan was for them to work as apprentices in whichever job they found most interesting.

There was a blacksmith, two tailors, four hunters and a butcher. And, of course, there were guards. Men and women whose sole job it was to watch for walkers and take them down.

It seemed too good to be true. Almost like Woodbury, but slightly less modern, and run in a truly democratic manner. All major decisions were voted upon, and unnecessary violence towards any member of the community was grounds for immediate removal.

As he learned about Fe, Rick also learned about the past month's events.

He learned how Carl, Beth and David had taken care of him (he didn't remember anything about being in the shed at the overlook) and how Maggie had driven him there.

Apparently, he had been quite close to death, but Marco - Fe's lead doctor - had managed to save him with some antibiotics. He'd been resting in the nurses station since.

Apparently, Carl and Judith had moved in with David, Beth and Elena. The citizens of Fe had helped to build them a small home, something they did for all new residents.

Maggie and Glenn were living together, too, while Michonne had joined the guard team and was living with a woman she had met at work.

That just left Daryl and Carol.

A shelter had been built for them, as well, though Daryl hadn't spent much time in it. Within two weeks of entering Fe, he'd started experiencing dizzy and fainting spells, hence his residence at the station as well.

Amelie explained all of this as she and Rick walked through the small village. It was beautiful, truly, and he sincerely hoped that he and his group would be allowed to stay. He had volunteered to work the guard team, or to work as a farmer, whichever was needed more, in the hopes that it might push the residents towards letting them become permanent.

Amelie had smiled at that.

"We already voted," she told him, leading him over to a small stream. The two sat down near the waters edge and watched it flow.

"You're all welcome here, but," she looked him straight in the eyes, "You must take your medication."

Suddenly, the guilt of everything hit Rick like a ton of bricks. How he'd caused a car accident that had hurt Carol. How he'd injured himself, and thus made the rest of the group's lives harder.

The sad look on his face made Amelie frown.

"Rick… I believe you are a good man. I believe you are a strong man. But I must hear you say it - will you take the medicine? We cannot risk the lives of others here."

Rick opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

He wanted to take the medicine, he really did, but it made him so weak! Useless, really!

"...It has very bad side effects, Amelie," he tried to explain. "It made me weak as a kitten! I wouldn't be any good to you if -"

"About that," she cut him off, "While you were resting, I discussed with David the amount of medicine you were taking. It was far too great. Marco feels that you will have much more success with a smaller dosage, but you must commit to taking it."

"I… Yeah, okay," Rick agreed. "But if it messes me up… Please, let the others stay. They're strong and they're good."

"You have my word," Amelie promised.

00

Three nurses worked at the nurses station along with Marco, but Amelie was the one who spent the most time with Rick.

She amazed him, really.

So beautiful, and kind and carefree. She reminded him almost of a child, her eyes lighting up if she saw a butterfly or fireflies in the evenings.

Every morning, she would rouse him, allowing him to wake to her smiling face. Then she would give him some breakfast, and his medicine, and they would talk.

She smelled like lilacs. Always seemed to smell like lilacs. It was intoxicating and Rick wondered how she managed to smell so nice all the time.

They spoke of many things, from her childhood in France, to Rick's previous life as a sheriff in Georgia.

Amelie was young. Twenty three, she'd told him. But just as Rick had Carl and Judith, she, too was a parent. Her son Chrisophe was about the same age as Judith. Sadly, the boy's father had passed.

Sometimes, the two spoke of loss. Rick of the loss of his wife, his best friend and his previous existence in general. Amelie of her beloved husband and homeland.

There was a connection there. Rick could feel it. He sometimes wondered if it was the medicine - Marco had been right, the lower doses did have less side effects, and he hadnt seen Lori in quite some time - but for the first time in years, he felt happy.

Truly happy.

Amelie made him feel that way. Amelie and her lilac scented body and beautiful face and wavy red hair.

When another month passed, and Rick was deemed 'cured', it only seemed natural for him to take Carl and Judith to live with himself, Amelie and Christophe.

Maybe he could have a real family again after all.