Thank you so much for reading! As I write this Backroads has almost 200 followers and 65,000 views! Holy Cow I am still shocked at the amazing response to this story. I never expected this.
Anyways thanks for your patience between chapters. I am working through some writers block. Hopefully my work is still up to par.
As always I don't own the walking dead, its characters or story lines. The OC and story lines are mine.
ENJOY!
Rick, Jameson, Daryl and Michonne are sitting in the small home office at Rick's. Jameson requested a sit down with Rick after thinking all night about the illness that had spread so easily and how people reacted to needing to be quarantined. She spoke to Daryl and they both decided they should speak to Rick about it.
"I think we need to enforce quarantines for new people and monthly medical examines for everyone," Jameson said while sipping her water. Rick raises an eyebrow at her.
"What do you mean?" he asks sitting forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
"When someone new enters town we should quarantine them for a certain time. They should be checked for illness or injuries. If we had kept Roger separate from townspeople for a week we would have seen him get sick in a few days. It could've been contained." Jameson explains and then goes on, "And as we saw with Bob and Natalie, they didn't want to admit to Bob being sick. Only Natalie and Deanna died this time from someone turning within the walls, next time it could be worse. Say someone gets hurt, doesn't take care of it, passes from some infection and then changes. If we have check ups once a month to see how we're feeling and so on. Or we can make injuries or signs of being sick a mandatory medical care."
Rick rubs his chin while others look at each other.
"Sounds kinda strict," Michonne states. Jameson shrugs, "Its not like I want to get a check up but if it keeps people from hiding injuries or being sick it'll be worth it." Rick leans back and nods, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "I agree with the quarantine of new people. It'll help us keep an eye on them anyways. Mandatory checkups? I think maybe having a mandatory check up when injured or sick sounds better. We don't want people thinkin' we're controlling 'em."
"That's fine. I just don't want any more idiots not takin' care of themselves and turning over night. There was no reason for three people to die because the guy didn't want to go to the fuckin' doctor." Jameson says crossing her arms. Daryl watches her while rubbing his lip thoughtfully.
"Jus' tell 'em if they get hurt or feel sick they gotta check in at the clinic. Jus' tell 'em why, anyone who sees someone sick or hurt s'gonna tell us. They're all fuckin' up in each others business anyways."
Rick chuckles and nods, "Daryl's right. Won't have to worry 'bout it. Already had two people sayin' they thought so and so was actin' sick."
Jameson snorts, "Ok well that's all I wanted to contribute."
"Shoulda just taken the seat woman," Daryl grumbles while standing up. Rick laughs and agrees with him, "Should listen to your husband James."
"Fuck all y'all." She mutters while stomping out of the office. She can hear them all laughing as she exits the house. Daryl catches up with her and smirks at her. Jameson rolls her eyes, "It just didn't want to be responsible for more shit, okay? It's fuckin' stressful. Already gotta worry about keepin' the monsters on the outside from getting' inside and runs, I don't wanna worry about the fuckin' bureaucracy shit."
Daryl grunts in response and grabs her wrist, pulling her to a stop. "Ain't gotta worry. I'm gonna help shoulder the weight. Okay? Ain't all on ya."
Jameson sighs and looks up at him, "I know."
"I'll just tell 'em all these good idears ya got are mine. Ain't gettin' credit if ya don' speak up." He drawls and gives her a crooked smile. Jameson snorts and steps in close to him, her chest pressed against him. Daryl wraps one arm around her neck and tucks his face into her hair. "Ain't all on ya."
Jameson tilts her head up and kisses him slowly until a throat clears near them. Daryl growls against her lips before pulling away. "What?" he snaps while glaring at Jack. Jack smirks and shrugs a shoulder, "Nothin'."
Daryl glares at him and looks down at Jameson. "Gonna check in with Aaron, I'll see ya later."
Jameson nods and stands on her tiptoes, kissing him lightly and whispering, "Thank you sweetheart."
Daryl rolls his eyes and the nickname but doesn't argue only kissing her again and saunters off. Jack walks forward and says, "So how's everything goin' baby sis?"
Jameson shrugs and says, "Fine. Why?"
"Just wondering, no reason." He says throwing a heavy arm over her shoulder. They walk toward the tower where Sasha is scouting the exterior walls, "What're you up to?"
"I'm gonna talk to Sasha. I wanted to see if there'd been any activity beyond the walls." Jameson says while glancing up at her brother. "What's goin' on Jack?"
"What I can't walk with my sister? See how's she's doin?" he says with an eyebrow raised.
"No." Jameson says with a laugh, "Just ask me whatever or tell me whatever."
"Truthfully? I was just seein' how you're doin' with everything…" he says while shrugging a huge shoulder.
"I'm fine Jack. No more nightmares. I'm doing fine." she says as they reach the door to the security tower.
Jack stops with her and pulls her into a hug, "Good." He pulls back and adds, "I just wanted to makes sure you weren't still hurtin'."
Jameson smiles lightly and nods, "I'm good big brother. Let's have dinner tonight yeah?"
"Definitely. See you later sis." Jack says with a grin, "Oh! I got my hands on the last of the bottle of Jameson." Wiggling his eyebrows animatedly he walks away backwards, "Wanna get shit faced?"
Jameson smiles and nods, "Sounds good, see you later."
Jameson climbs the stairs of the tower until she reaches the landing. Sasha glances back and smiles, "Thought you were my relief showin' up early." She remarks before glancing back beyond the walls.
"I can if you wanna get off early. No big deal." Jameson responds sitting down on the ledge, her feet dangling off the floor. Sasha shrugs and says, "I'm in no rush or anything. Whatcha need?"
Jameson laughs and shakes her head, "Nothin'. I was just wondering if you've seen anything odd out there?"
Sasha raises and eyebrow, "What are you excepting to see?"
"I'm still on edge from the run… those people we saw. I am probably being paranoid but I just had a feelings we got away too easy." Jameson says chewing her thumb, "I don't wanna freak you out or anything. Its just the way my mind works."
"I get it. I haven't seen any movement bedsides walkers out there and no weird marks popping up or anything. I haven't done any exterior patrols though." Sasha says while pulling out her binoculars and handing them over, "Here take a look."
Jameson smiles and nods, "Sorry. I'm just paranoid."
Looking through the binoculars Jameson scans the area. Her eyes skipping over the woods and abandoned homes. Nothing catching her eye she lowers the gear and looks over at Sasha. "How's John?" she smirks.
Sasha laughs and bites her lip before answering, "He's good. I… like him but," she trails off.
"You feel guilty." Jameson supplies with a raised eyebrow. Sasha sighs and nods slowly. "Feel like I'm cheating or like… what I had with Bob or losin' Tyreese means nothin' to me. Like I'm bad for movin' on."
Jameson nods while leaning against the ledge, arms crossed. "That's perfectly normal. Having that guilt for surviving, for moving on, its part of grieving. Especially with the way the world is now. The ways we lose people, how traumatic the way we lose most people is nowadays. Its normal and not easy to get past but its possible."
Sasha nods and asks, "Did you go to school for psychology or something?"
Jameson laughs and shakes her head, "Nah. Just lived a shitty life before and bartended by night. I was the psychologist for the lost and the downtrodden."
Sasha laughs and rubs her face. She sighs and says, "How are you? I know something else happened on that trip. You… something happened while you were away from the group, I could tell."
Jameson smirks and shakes her head, "You're too observant."
She nods, "Yep. It's why I'm up here right? To observe." Jameson laughs and nods her head. "Yeah I suppose you're right."
Jameson shifts slightly and rubs the back of her neck, feeling flushed. "You know the guy who questioned you while you were being held?"
Sasha sets her rifle down and leans back, "Yeah. Older guy, they called him the Colonel."
Jameson chews her lip and feels awkward. She knows that her father had not only threatened Sasha but hurt her and John. 'How do you tell a friend your father was the sadistic bastard holding them hostage?' Jameson asks herself.
"Um well I saw him before I left the city… " Jameson pauses and finishes quietly, "He was my dad. My dad was the guy who hurt you, hurt John."
Sasha's eye widen and she lets out a sharp breath, "Jameson… he was, was he like that before the fall? I mean I've heard things about you and Jack and you mentioned something on the trip about broken ribs but…"
Jameson nods and looks away, "He was like that. Truthfully, I'm surprised you two walked away less injured."
Sasha sighs and steps forward. Jameson looks at her expecting the worst. She's expecting her friend to freak out, maybe even be mad at her for it. "What happened? When you saw him?"
Jameson laughs humorlessly, "Good shit , bad shit."
"Gonna explain?" she asks when Jameson just quiets, her arms crossed tightly.
"He saved my life. Then got bit and I put him down." Jameson says quietly while looking beyond the wall. She's surprised when Sasha grabs her wrist and pulls her towards her open arms, "Come here."
Jameson smiles sadly and hugs her back. She blinks her eyes and sniffs. "Its dumb."
Sasha pulls back and shakes her head, "No it's not dumb. Doesn't matter what kinda dad he was, seeing that happen and having to do that… no one would be able to go through that and not be upset."
"I know. It's just weird to spend my whole life hating the man and then mourning him. I've been thinking about it a lot… I kinda feel like I'm mourning the idea of him. Maybe even just mourning the hope that I had for him being different. Changed." Jameson tells her "I mean his last words were I'm sorry and I think maybe subconsciously I got some kinda spark of hope. Like if he lived he would've…"
Jameson swallows hard and looks away for a moment, her heart slamming into her ribs. She hasn't really spoken to anyone about this. She hasn't voiced these tangled thoughts yet. The plan was to talk to Daryl once she had weeded through them but Jack's question earlier had her mind focusing on it again.
"Like maybe if he lived he would've loved me… like maybe I would've been good enough now. Maybe he would've been nice." She says but adds quickly, "I know intellectually he would not have been. What he did to you and John… I don't want you to think I wasn't thinking what he did was wrong or anything."
"Its fine Jameson. I get what you mean." Sasha says pulling the binoculars out and looking around, not saying anything else for a moment.
"I think you mourning the idea of a good father is normal. Mourning him despite the man that he was is normal." She says after lowering the binoculars and facing Jameson again, "You're a good person and you deserved better growin' up and you should never have to put family down like that."
Jameson nods and chews her cheek, her eyes staring at the floor. Looking up she smiles and Sasha, "Thanks."
Shrugging Sasha says, "I owe you for helping me out before. I was in a dark place and you helped me get past it. Its what we do for family."
Jameson wipes her nose on her sleeve and the dampness from her cheeks. "Thanks anyways." She clears her throat and says, "Well I gotta go. I'll see you later?"
"Of course," she smiles and turns back to the walls. Jameson walks down the spiral stairs and ends up on the street again. She doesn't having anything scheduled for the day so she decides to use the free time for training. After the supply run she realized her training was lacking. Jameson also noticed how hard she was struggling to breath when she was running through the city. She needed to stop smoking again. It'd been a couple days since her last smoke but that was mainly because she was out and trying to not bum them from Daryl. Living with a nicotine free Daryl is somewhat unpleasant.
After Jameson changes she starts her jog around the interior walls. She found an iPod Nano with a few bands she recognized. Flipping through she decides on something fast and hard to get her pace going. Megadeth blaring in her ears Jameson makes her first lap. Her eyes mainly focused on her path but she does get glimpses at the activity in the town. Some people are still healing from the illness but the farm is up and running again, so is the school. She sees the kids attending classes outside and playing on the playground. After the fourth lap Jameson sees Sam helping a girl onto the swing set. She smirks at the sight and waves at the girl when she passes her. On the next lap she sees Derrick talking to Sam at the playground. Her steps falter at the sight and she grinds her teeth. Jameson slows down and does some stretches while keeping an eye on the pair. She can see Sam's posture is closed off, her arms wrapped around her torso. It screams uncomfortable. Derrick is leaning in, his presence looming almost. Jameson sighs and wanders over to the playground.
"Hey Sam how's it goin?" she says while pulling her ear buds out and draping them over her shoulder. Derrick looks up and narrows his eyes at her. Jameson smirks at him and his obvious irritation with her interruption.
"I'm good. I was just getting the kids back inside." She says stepping backwards away from the man next to her. She looks at Jameson with wide eyes and shift toward the man before walking away quickly. Jameson can tell the girl had been feeling uncomfortable with the guy. Derrick watches her retreat and then turns back to Jameson.
"She doesn't need a babysitter and neither do I," he says while approaching Jameson. She snorts and shakes her head, "Not babysitting. I'm checking up on a girl who is like a little sister to me. You have any siblings Derrick?"
"No," he says leaning against the swing set, his arms crossed as if to flex his muscles and show off his heavily inked arms. She is sure that others would be intimidated by his presence but she just thinks it's amusing. Jameson looks him up and down and smirks again. "Yeah figures. Well just to educate you, siblings are protective of each other, especially older siblings. That being said there isn't much I wouldn't do to protect my family. From walkers… from people. You get me?"
"No. What are you implying?" He asks leaning forward, his voice getting sharper.
"I wasn't implying anything. I'm stating a fact. Someone fucks with my family they have to answer to me… So don't fuck with my family. Don't talk to Sam, don't look at Sam. I've told you once before, this is my last warning." She says leans forward her voice getting quiet but forceful, "You won't live long enough to regret fuckin' with someone I care about, got it?"
"You can't threaten me." He snaps, his finger poking into Jameson chest.
"I'm not threatening you. I am telling you how it is. It's a fucking promise." She snarls while looking down at the finger jabbing her, "and touch me again you'll pull back a bloody fuckin' stump."
She glares at him and lays a hand on her hunting knife. He narrows his eyes again and steps away, "It's been a pleasure Jameson. See ya around."
She watches him walk away and grinds her teeth. The guy has always given her the creeps and now he just seems dangerous.
'We have a fox among the sheep. ' she thinks while she starts jogging again. Jameson decides she will have to speak to Rick and Michonne about the development. There is no way she is letting something happen to Sam while she is inside the walls. Jameson brought her in and she promised the girl she would be safe while inside. She's not breaking that promise.
Jameson finishes her lap and heads over to the small building used for the kid's classes. Sam is cleaning up after an art project when she arrives. Wiping her face with a bandana she approaches the girl. Sam looks up and smiles while rolling her eyes.
"He wasn't doin anything but flirtin… I just don't like it." She says throwing the last of the craft paints into a basket.
Jameson rubs the bridge of her nose and sighs, "Ok. I spoke with him again and I'm going to talk with Rick. Its inappropriate and I've already talked to him about it. He needs to back off."
Sam chews her lip and wrings her hands, "I don't want to make a big deal about it. Maybe I gave him the wrong impression or something."
"No he knows you're aren't comfortable. Anyone can see that. He knows and he's trying to take advantage of your age." Jameson says sitting on top of the circle table, her feet resting on a chair. Sam sighs loudly, slumping into a chair. Jameson smiles and says, "Look its not your fault that the guy is a damn pervert. You do your best to avoid him. If he tries to approach you, you go the other way and you find an adult. I'm gonna speak with Rick and hopefully Derrick will listen to a man telling him to back off. Derrick already has a problem with me so I think he's not listening on purpose."
"Why does he have a problem with you?" Sam asks.
"A few reasons. When he got here he flirted with me, I told him to fuck off. Daryl had to step in. Then we had a run where I made a judgment call he didn't agree with. Now I'm telling him not to talk to you. I think he's got an issue with women telling him what to do." Jameson explains leaning her elbows on her knees.
"Well should I come with you? To Ricks?" Sam asks while twisting the end of her sleeve. Jameson smiles at her nervousness, "If you'd like to but if you're nervous you don't have to. Rick is a great guy and protective of his family."
"I'm not family though." Sam says her voice small sounding. She looks away with watery eyes. Jameson reaches over and grabs the hand twisting her shirt. "Sam I consider you family. You're like the kid sister I never had. My family is Rick's family. He'll protect you like his own. Okay?"
Sam chews her lip and looks down, tears finally spilling over. Jameson climbs down and says, "I'll give you a hug but just a warning I'm really sweaty."
Sam chuckles while wiping her face and standing up to hug Jameson. "Ugh you weren't kidding." Sam groans but doesn't step away.
"Sorry. I was training. Hey do you wanna train with me some days? I run and then do some weight training." Jameson says stepping back changing to subject to something less emotional. Sam wipes her face again and nods, "Yeah that'd be nice. I don't wanna get weak by living here. I'm used to running and walking. Now I watch kids run around. Except for the patrols I do with you and that supply run I sit around."
Jameson nods and pushes sweaty hair off her forehead. "Sounds good. Let's compare schedules and see if we can get two days a week at least to train together."
Sam smiles and nods again. "I'll go with you to Rick's I just have to finish here."
Jameson agrees and tells her she'll shower and meet her at Ricks in an hour.
"Ok so what's this about?" Rick asks sitting behind the desk in his home office. Jameson and Sam sit across from him. Jameson raises an eyebrow to Sam but the girl just chews her lip anxiously. Jameson smiles and says, "Derrick is the problem."
Rick's eyebrows raise and he motions for Jameson to continue. "I've spoken to him a couple times about staying away from Sam. He's a grown man, she's sixteen. I caught him eyeing her up and told him to steer clear. Today I caught him flirting with her at the playground. She was obviously uncomfortable and he disregarded it. I may have threatened him a little."
Rick snorts and sits back, "And what pray tell did you threaten him with?"
Jameson smirks and says, "The first time I told him I was going to gut him if he kept speaking to her or looking at her with his skeevy eyes. This time I told him he wouldn't live long enough to regret fucking with my family."
Rick sighs and scrubs his face, "Sam what exactly has he said to you?"
Sam chews her lip and looks at Jameson who smiles back. "He tells me how pretty I am and compliments my clothes but not… like 'that's a nice shirt' like 'that shirt looks real good on you'. He stares at my chest and sometimes he'll touch my arm or back. It's… creepy. His eyes are… He just really creeps me out."
Jameson is grinding her teeth and looks at Rick with a raised eyebrow. Rick clears his throat and nods. "Ok I'm going to speak with him. I want you to avoid him at all costs. Try to stay with an adult at all times. I know that this isn't your fault. I am not trying to punish you for this okay?" Sam nods and looks down.
"I want to keep you safe. Like Jameson said, no one messes with our family. Okay?"
Sam nods and looks up finally. "I don't wanna cause problems. Like maybe I did something to like interest him or something?" she whispers, her brow furrowed.
Jameson reaches over and takes her hand, "You didn't do anything. This is all on him. He is a grown adult and knows that he is doing is inappropriate."
Rick stands up and the crouches down in front of Sam. "This isn't your fault. Like Jameson said he is the adult in this situation. He knows better and he's been warned. I will take care of this. I want you to come to me or Jameson, hell any of the people that live here and tell us if he does anything else. If he tries to speak with you, anything at all okay?"
Sam nods while biting her lip. Jameson can tell she's struggling to not blame herself for the problem. Rick pats her knee and stands up. "Sam how about you come to diner tonight?"
She nods and smiles sadly. "Ok that sounds good."
She stands and Jameson walks her out before returning to Rick's office. He's sitting in his chair scrubbing his face.
"Goddamn perverts." He grumbles while leaning back in his chair.
"I know. Truthfully I want to just cut the guys balls off. He's a predator Rick. That's the vibe I get off him." Jameson says sitting down heavily.
"Ok I will speak with him. He isn't allowed to have contact with Sam or anyone under the age of 18. Be careful Jameson. He's going to be very pissed off at you for this." Rick says looking across the desk at her. Jameson nods and says, "No worries. Truthfully this would be much easier if he just came after me. I could take care of the problem very easily."
Rick shakes his head and says, "I'd prefer to avoid that but protect yourself just the same. Keep an eye on Sam. Maybe I should pair her up with you?"
Jameson nods and says, "That'd be fine with me. We already decided to start training together. She wants to stay in shape and not get soft from living behind walls."
Rick nods and rubs his chin, "You're good for her."
Jameson smirks and shrugs a shoulder, "I've felt kinda connected to her since I found her in the forest. Seems like a little Jameson. Told she's the kid sister I never had."
"Its good. For you and her. I'm glad you're looking out for her." Rick says smiling while crossing his arm. "I'll take care of this problem okay?"
Jameson nods and stands up, "I knew you would."
She knows Rick will take care of the problem but she has a gut feeling the situation won't be easy to take care of. The guy seems to have gotten worse longer he's been in town. Derrick feels dangerous now.
Thanks for reading! Please favorite, follow and review. Also checkout my other fanfic, Merle/OC
