Disclaimer: Do not own The Walking Dead or any associated characters. Only what happens with them in my head.

Warnings: Language

Authors Note: I know I sort of left Rosie's death up in the air with the last chapter, as of right now I am still not sure if she's alive or if she'll die. I truly haven't decided. It's only because I really do love her character, as troublesome as she could potentially be.

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Conrad frowned as he stood atop the wall, his pale eyes dancing over the fields. The full moon certainly helped to keep things lit up, which meant that he didn't need to strain his eyes nearly as much as he would have any other night. Of course, he still had to a little, what with his being awake for near 49 hours straight. With half the guard dead, sick or on the raids it meant that he spent more time watching the walls for invaders or the return of their crews. When he saw headlights in the distance he straightened up, the realization that someone was coming put him onto high alert.

As always he was prepared for the unknown, but when the car swerved off the road and turned toward the trapdoor he knew it was his own people. Without a word he quickly climbed down the ladder and rushed toward the door. Unfortunately the car didn't stop once it was inside, it drove straight on through and down the street toward the quarantine building. With furrowed brows he chased after it, skidding to a halt beside the empty car only a few minutes later.

The guard at the door told him that the people in the car had all clambered out of the car fast, carrying a sick Michonne with them. He swallowed hard and cursed under his breath, knowing there wasn't much more he could do here. All he could hope for was that they had enough to get everyone back on their feet and keep anyone else from being infected. With a defeated sigh he brushed his hands back through his hair, ignoring the shake in his hands from exhaustion, and quickly made his way back to the wall.

After he dropped down onto the podium and leaned back against the pole his eyes closed unwillingly. He was exhausted, through and through. As he sat there his mind wandered to the past, to a time when things were different and better. He thought of his childhood. Growing up in Austin, Texas was simple enough. His father owned a ranch, raising livestock to sell off or send to slaughter. They made more than enough money to keep themselves happy as well pay for the hired hands. Of course, Conrad had had to help out more often than not.

He'd go to school, come home and do his homework, go out and help feed the cattle and muck out their stalls. When he was finished he would come inside and clean up before dinner, then help his mother with whatever chores she'd had for him before bed. Everyday was roughly the same, until he'd decided he wanted something more out of life than to own the ranch when his father was too old to do it anymore. One of his brothers could easily take over.

Conrad had come from a big family, his mother and father had started relatively young and by the time they'd finished building their family they had five strapping boys and two daughters, who could easily compete with any of their brothers. He tried not to think about his family too much, to think about whether or not any of them had survived this crazy world. If they had, God only knew what they were doing now.

When he was seventeen and graduated from school he'd gotten his fathers permission and signed up for the marines. Six months to his eighteenth birthday and he was in boot camp. Rigorous training that would forever be etched into his mind. Most days he still lived as if he were in the Marines, stillm4x fighting war that just couldn't be won. Conrad had been granted the ability to go home and see his mother and father and siblings for his eighteenth birthday, two days later he'd shipped out to Afghanistan.

The third world, where the terrorists lived. At least that was what he'd believed before. Once he got over there it wasn't difficult to see that so many of the people were just like Americans, albeit with less rights and certainly less technology. They weren't that different. Yeah, there was a good amount of people that they had to fight against, many people who fired on them or planted bombs in the road or in their Humvee's. Conrad remembered that at one point his younger brothers words had played through his head. "Thing is, Conrad, you're going to be the terrorist. You're going into another guys land and taking things from him, you're firing on them. You can't expect them not to defend themselves." Sage logic from a kid of fifteen.

He sighed as he rubbed at his face, remembering so many friends falling over there. He watched so many people bleed out, so many people blown up and shot to death. Hell, some even died from something as simple as food poisoning or a scorpion sting. Of course, a good amount of men went out from dehydration, too. Some even turned on their friends, just to go home. Conrad had been told that he'd spent five years over and then he'd be home again. His five years stay turned to ten, then to twelve, then to fifteen. Had it not been for the bullet that had lodged itself in his skull he was certain he would have been over there when the dead started walking again.

It'd been nothing more than a peaceful day, working around base and taking care of the men. Lunch had finished and everyone was getting back to work, for him that meant training the new guys that had just been choppered in. Someone started firing on their base from beyond their fences. Many died, he didn't even know how many, a lot more were injured. He was struck and miraculously lived. The bullet apparently hadn't had the force to go through his helmet and skull and lodged itself firmly against the bone. He'd been Med-Evac'd home where they'd taken the bullet out in D.C. He'd gotten a medal and had gone to Florida only a couple of weeks later when he'd healed up enough to get out of the hospital. He was supposed to be flown back over the next day.. and then all hell broke loose.

The dead started walking again and the whole world went crazy.

He'd teamed up with a lot of people from the base, most were inexperienced and died a lot sooner than they should have. The only ones who lived past the first couple of weeks were the ones who'd had a couple years of training under their belts. In the end his whole group of well trained Marines died, or branched out to find their own things. Most were searching for their families, with little hope of finding them alive. In the end Conrad was left with Rosie and Gavin and a few others. They picked up stragglers along the way and finally wound up here. Everyone was too tired to keep walking and along the way they'd discussed finding a town and settling in. That was what they'd done.

They'd set up Terminus and more people stumbled across the place over time, adding to their community. Everyone was welcome, their pasts meant nothing now. After all, it wasn't as if they could actually find out if some of these people were truly good. Everyone had their demons, everyone had to deal with them. Terminus was a new beginning for everyone.

When their community was large enough they began making runs to find supplies while building the town, they picked up people along their raids and brought them home. They gave everyone a new life, the only thing in their past that mattered was their career. Doctors and farmers and military men united until Terminus was thriving. And now it was dying.

It hurt to know that the community he'd built–basically with his own two hands–was crumbling because of a disease that not only couldn't they control, but they couldn't figure out where the hell it had come from. He and Stookey had discussed the possibilities and in the end they came to no true conclusions, only speculations. Sammi's belief was that it had been nothing more than a cold or a flu that had mutated over time.

"Viruses mutate all the time, Conrad. We're just used to having researchers who can find cures for them and study them until we're safe. We're used to having round the clock vaccinations and health care. Our bodies can't fight off things like they used to. Not anymore." She'd told him only a couple of days before. "We just have to hope that the group comes back with something to help." Conrad was certain that she was only putting on a brave face, but she had no real hope of things going well.

If it weren't for the fact that he'd built this town, that he'd worked so hard to make everyone feel safe here Conrad would have taken those who weren't sick and left. Or at least, he'd considered it. Abandon ship and all that.

But he couldn't leave people behind, he couldn't just walk away from all this. No. What was that old saying? A captain always goes down with his ship? Sure, that was more literal toward captains and ships, but he was a Captain in the military and Terminus was his ship. If it were going to sink then he'd damn sure drown with it.

He'd been here for close to eighteen months and he'd poured his blood sweat and tears into this place, along with Sammi and so many others. He couldn't just walk away when shit got too hard.

A sigh slipped from his lips as he felt himself beginning to slip off toward dreamland and he'd had to jerk himself awake. Conrad climbed back to his feet to keep himself alert, though nearly stumbled once he was standing. He knew that he should rest, get some sleep, but it was difficult to do so when there was still another group out there and so many were still sick. He was still the head of the guard and that meant he needed to pick up any slack there might be.

"Hey." Sammi's voice caused him to jump as he turned quickly on the podium. The Hispanic doctor smiled lightly up at him, holding out a chipped plate of food toward him. "Didn't remember seeing you at dinner, figured you could use something to eat."

Since the infection had spread so much many people were just gathering together to eat their meals. It was simpler to just cook for the whole lot rather than just have people cooking in their homes. He smiled softly before settling back down in the seat he'd occupied only a few minutes before. "Thanks." He said while reaching out for the plate. Green beans and some rice were covering the plate, what looked like some pork sat off to the side. Probably the last of the pig Daryl had killed a couple of days back.

"You look exhausted, Conrad." She scolded and sighed at the same time. "Are you getting any sleep?" His shoulder rose and fell in response but didn't answer since his mouth was currently full of rice. The woman sat a canteen of water at his side and frowned, "you're no good to us if you're dead on your feet, you know?"

He nodded, now. "I know.. just.. I gotta keep an eye out, Sam." The woman frowned at the name he'd used, much preferring Sammi. Conrad was the only one she allowed to get away with calling her Sam.

"Anyone make it back yet?" She asked, knowing that it was a losing argument.

He nodded again and after swallowing the bite he'd taken pointed toward the quarantine building. "Sasha's group got back a couple of hours ago. Guard said Michonne's pretty sick, from the look of it, I don't know much more than that right now."

For a while the only sound that filled the air was his fork scraping across his plate as he ate slowly. When all that remained was a few specks of rice and the bone from his meat he set the plate off to the side and looked down at the pretty doctor. "How's things on your end?" He asked now.

The woman released a pent up sigh and shook her head tiredly. "Same old, same old, I guess. Everyone's worried about everyone else and themselves. It's hard not to be. I haven't seen them roll anyone out of quarantine since Daryl helped Bob the yesterday. Think things are slowing down in there?" She asked hopefully. Conrad's silence was enough and she rubbed at her face while shaking her head gently. "There's just not enough people to help bring out the dead anymore, is there?" She asked now.

Conrad shook his head and frowned. "Not really. When I talked to Stookey earlier it seemed like a lot of 'em in there are pretty much done for. I'm hoping things get better. Hell, I'm just prayin' they found the right meds to get everyone better." He stated while letting his gaze dance over the empty fields.

Sammi sighed softly in response and nodded. She, too, hoped that things would get better soon and that Sasha's group found what they needed to. A small gust of wind blew a chill through the air, sending a faint shiver down his spine before the woman's hair blew across his face. She flashed an apologetic smile before tying it back behind her head in a loose ponytail. Both shifted their eyes to the sky, storm clouds were forming on the horizon. Looked like everyone on duty, the few who were left, would get a good nights sleep. Couldn't see much through the rain. If it came.

That wasn't all on the horizon, either. "Conrad." Sammi's voice caused him to shift his gaze downward, looking toward the second set of headlights he'd seen that night. Just as Sasha's car had done, they veered off the road toward the trap door, the two men on the wall quickly raised it to allow them through as Conrad and Sammi climbed down the ladder. He rushed toward the van as the engine cut off and the doors opened. His brows furrowed, noting that they were two short.

"Where's Tyreese.. where's Jada?" He asked Gavin. The guard frowned and shook his head softly to indicate that neither made it back. Sammi rushed to Conrad's side, her dark eyes focused on Cole.

"Tell me you found medications while you were out there?" She plead. The jovial laughter from the group was cut off as they looked around, realizing just how empty the place seemed. Sure, it was night and most people would be in bed, but there were even fewer people than normal out.. actually, it looked almost like a ghost town. At least that was Cole and Gavin's thoughts.

Cole began to make his way to the hatch, smirking quickly at the doctor, "of course we did. Quite a bit, too."

"Good, give them here." Conrad quickly demanded causing everyone to pause.

Cole stood still at the back of the van without opening the door, once more his gaze darted around the immediate area a frown etching its way slowly onto his lips. Carol shifted her attention around as well. Of course she was still new, she didn't really realize how many people there should be awake, even at this time of night. Paul shifted uncomfortably while looking between the doctor and the captain. It was Gavin who spoke, his deep voice resonating as he stared at Conrad. "What's going on?"

Sammi and Conrad exchanged a quick look before the woman stepped forward, "is anyone in your group sick? A headache, a sniffle, a cough? Anything?" She asked and when they shook their heads she sighed in relief. At least one group was safe. "What happened to Tyreese and Jada?" She asked now.

The group quickly glanced between themselves before Gavin spoke, "we split up, though it was safe enough, they got hit by some walkers in an apartment. We didn't find out until it was too late.."

While it was disturbing news, Sammi and Conrad both breathed in relief, which only furthered the worry on Gavin's face. "What's going on, boss?" He asked now, staring hard at the Captain.

Conrad frowned and brushed a hand over his tired face. "Near everyone's sick. A lot of people have died already. Looks like y'all managed to escape it. Sasha and a few others went out to find meds, don't know how much they found or how much it's gonna help. Best you guys stay here for a little while. Camp out in the car."

"Come on, boss, I need a shower." Paul complained.

Conrad shot the man a quelling look before turning to the male doctor. "I need those meds, son." Without hesitating a moment longer Cole lifted the hatch and grasped the brown backpack. While Gavin had driven them back to Terminus he'd sorted the supplies to make it simpler to sort when they got back. He tossed the bag to Conrad before dropping down to sit in the small trunk space.

"Should I tell Beth?" Sammi asked as she walked alongside the male.

He considered it for a moment before shaking his head. "No, not yet. Let's find out what Stookey can do with this first."

The doctor sighed almost silently as she rushed to keep pace with him, "can I come with you?" So far she'd completely avoided the quarantine building, only because she was with Beth more often than not and didn't want to risk getting the girl, her unborn child or Judith sick.

Conrad quickly shook his head again. "No. Just in case this ain't what we need. Go fill in Cole." He instructed before parting ways with the pretty doctor.

It didn't take long for him to make it to quarantine, especially with as fast as he was walking to make good time. Once at the door he was gloved and masked before he was allowed to enter. As he walked through the halls he peered into various rooms, checking for where the good doctor could have gone. He passed by so many sick people, so many people that should have been alright. It hurt to see all these faces of people he knew and cared for. Each dead walker he passed only caused his heart to break a little further. Of course, seeing those who were still alive and able to walk gave a little relief, but not enough to stop the ache.

Conrad passed Daryl and Michonne and while both looked close to death, he was glad to see the two of them up and moving around. It made things a little better to know that two people he'd grown close to might make it out of all this craziness. He continued walking, unaware that the two were behind him, and peeking in rooms until at last he found Stookey, surrounded by Sasha, Maggie and Glenn.

They glanced up as he entered, the doctor's brows furrowing. "What's going on Conrad?" He asked from behind the mask.

A smile pulled Conrad's lips as he held the backpack out toward the doctor. "Cole's group just returned, with a lot of meds."

Bob's eyes widened, quickly snatching the back from the other male's hands to flip it open. After dumping the contents onto the table he'd been working at he laughed. Without a word to anyone he leaped from the chair, cheering and whooping loudly. While he laughed he ripped the mask from his face, grabbed Sasha and pulled her close to kiss her deeply. The woman stood in shock for a moment, barely returning the embrace when he pulled away. "I'm guessing there's enough now?" She asked, sounding slightly stunned.

"More than enough.. We'll even have extra antibiotics." He replied cheerfully.

Sasha turned her gaze now toward Conrad. "So, Tyreese is back?"

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