S4E3P2

"It's spread." Hershel said, looking forlornly around the group. This time, Michonne and Andrea attended, standing a good distance away from the others. "Everyone who survived the attack in cell block D. Sasha, Caleb, and now others."

"Oh, Jesus." Daryl said, rubbing his chin. He shared a look with Ava, gesturing to her head. She touched the back of her head and winced, shrugging in a so-so way.

"So what do we do?" Carol said.

"First things first." Hershel explained. "Cell block A is isolation. We keep the sick people there like we tried with Karen and David."

"What the hell we gonna do about that?" Daryl asked.

"Ask Rick to look into it." Carol said. "Try to make a timeline of who's where when. But what are we gonna do to stop this?"

"We need things like alcohol gel, face masks, gloves, to limit all physical contact. Thing is, I don't know how we're going to manage that. Firstly, we don't have those supplies, secondly, we're in close quarters by necessity, not choice. We can't just avoid everyone."

"Ava's right," Hershel said. "In the past these things were prevented by minimising public gatherings, keeping everyone distant. We can't do that. So there is no stopping it. You get it, you have to go through it."

"But it just kills you?" Michonne said.

"Yeah, if the plan is to just let it run its course, no offence, Hershel, but that's a dumb plan." Andrea said, sending Ava a concerned look. She didn't notice how hard she was gripping the table until her knuckles went white.

"The illness doesn't kill you." Hershel clarified. "The symptoms do. We need antibiotics."

"We've been through every pharmacy nearby." Daryl said. "And then some."

"That veterinary college at West Peachtree Tech, that's one place people may not have thought to raid for medication." Hershel pointed out. "The drugs for animals there are the same we need."

"That's 50 miles. Too big a risk before. Ain't now." Daryl grabbed his crossbow and stood. "I'm gonna take a group out. Best not waste any more time."

"I'm in." Michonne said and Andrea agreed.

"You haven't been exposed. Daryl has. You get in a car with him..."

Andrea shrugged. Michonne snorted.

"He's already given me fleas."

Everyone chuckled quietly and Ava stood.

"I'm coming too,"

"Ava," Daryl said. "Are you sure? You just got a nasty knock on the head and the kids…"

She swallowed hard, trying not to think of Aidan and Amy.

"Jeff and Beth are looking after them. I can't even see them, Daryl, what can I do for them staying here? Besides, I'll actually be doing something for them by going – and my head is fine, just sore. Right?" She turned to Hershel. He nodded reluctantly.

"I can lead the way." He said. "I know where everything's kept."

Daryl shared a look with Ava.

"When we're out there, it's always the same. Sooner or later we run."

Everyone looked uncomfortably at Hershel, who sighed.

"I can draw you a map. There are other precautions I feel we should take."

"Like what?" Carol said.

"There's no telling how long it'll be before Daryl and his group return. We haven't had the chance to do what Ava suggested last time, but now we need to separate the vulnerable. Thankfully, Aidan and Amy are taken care of, but now we need to get the other children and the elderly away from the general population."

Ava nodded.

"Use the administration building. Separate office, separate room. And Andrea," Ava turned to her friend. "I hate to say it, but can you get that sorted?"

"Me? Why?"

"You're the only one on the council that hasn't been exposed. I think it's better we keep it that way."

"Why not Michonne? She hasn't been exposed either."

Ava rolled her eyes at her friend.

"No offence to either of you, but Andrea, you've known the people in this group longer and they know and trust you. Michonne has spent most of her time out looking for the Governor-" Another worry Ava had half-forgotten about. "-and Michonne will be good on the run because she uses a silent weapon."

Andrea and Michonne shared a look before shrugging.

"Suppose that makes sense," Andrea said, looking away. "But you'd better not go dying on me."

Ava smiled.

"It's a deal," she turned to Daryl. "Get the group together. I need to find Rick."

Rick sighed as Carol grunted, shoving at the make-shift water pump. It was very clearly not working, churning out muddied water before giving up on even that. The hose spat out mud then gave nothing.

"Give me another go at it." He said.

"The whole line's mudded up." Carol said. "The end is dragging the bottom again. We'll have to go out there and clear it. Set the bird, go out through the tombs, swing around through the forest route."

"We got enough for now." Rick said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That's tomorrow's problem."

Carol turned to him.

"Rick, five more people have come down with it since Sasha went in. There's not a lot of us left. What if you get sick?" she said. "What if I do?"

Rick nodded to the fences.

"What if we get in trouble out there and don't come back? Let's get this up to the people who need it. Let's get what we have to get done first."

Rick picked up the empty bucket, tipping out the dregs of muddy water. When he turned back to Carol, he saw Ava heading towards them with a bag on her back, spear in her hand. He already had a good idea about what she was going to say.

"Is Carl pretty pissed about going into quarantine?" Carol asked.

"Of course." Rick sighed. "But it's better to be safe."

Rick turned from Ava and spotted Tyreese digging furiously. A hot wave of anger rushed through him, there and gone. It would be a while until he got over what he'd done to Ava, but that didn't mean he didn't feel sorry for him.

"You should talk to him." Carol said. Rick nodded.

"We should both pay our respects."

Carol looked away.

"I'll take this up first. Meet you."

He watched her go, frowning, as Ava caught up.

"Hey," she said. "Problem with the water?"

"Nothing serious. We'll get it sorted tomorrow." He reached out, tracing the hastily sewn tear in her leather jacket. "How's your head?"

"A little sore, but nothing serious. The bruise hurts more than the concussion."

Rick nodded.

"Glad to hear it." He sighed. "Why do I get the feeling you're leaving?"

"Daryl's doing a run for medicine. Hershel says the sickness will pass, but the symptoms kill us, so we need supplies. It's far, but we should be back by tomorrow morning. Hopefully they'll last that long."

"Hey," Rick said. "They will. Our people are strong. We'll survive this. I know it."

Ava swallowed hard, managing a smile before wrapping her arms around his middle. He reciprocated in kind and held her close.

"I don't think I can sleep here, knowing Aidan and Amy aren't near. That I can't go to them. It's tearing me apart."

His grip on her tightened and he leaned down, pressing a kiss on her forehead. She tilted her head up and he kissed her again, on the lips this time.

"Beth and Jeff are with them. They can look after them. So can Carl."

"I know," she sighed. "I've just never had to leave them before. It was different on the run. I knew I would be coming back." Her voice cracked.

"It's always hard the first time – and you will be coming back. I know it."

Ava smiled.

"Rick, your never-wavering faith in me is always a surprise."

"It shouldn't be. That faith is based on everything I have ever seen you do. Trust me. This is nothing."

He kissed her again, smiling, and pulled away.

"I'll see you when you get back."

Ava smiled bravely.

"Don't be getting sick while I'm gone."

He chuckled, turning to head towards Tyreese.

"Yes, Ma'am."