A/N: Okay 10 days later than my last chapter but technically I updated last week so it still counts... So this is the first interlude chapter between season 3 and 4! I'm gonna do a couple of these because there's a lot of potential for some good writing, tension, character development, drama, betrayal etc. This one is kinda an introduction to get your heads round how it's developed since taking in the Woodbury citizens and is the lead on to Glenn and Maggie's wedding. The next one will be their wedding and the one after that will start to see some more new familiar characters come in. It's very hard getting Pol to interact with every character, especially the new ones! So I'll do my best and these next couple of chapters are hopefully going to be some fun ones! emotion filled as well obviously.

Anyways, thanks to all who favourited and followed me and my story! sperosvengence, Reading-Addict-Meg, purplepecky and twojj! You guys made my day and thank you to my reviewers!

Ryane: I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU I MISSED YOUR REVIEWS. ahh I'm so glad you're still reading and I know, it's like the universe is working against them urgh! More drama to come regarding them. I'm sure you'll hate me for it...

purplepecky: I don't want to sound dramatic here but I was having a really bad day then I read your review and I was basically crying with joy. The fact that someone said my fanfic was their favourite? Meant a lot, thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and I'm so glad I made you cry! XD Haha I know I'm not so good with updating but I'll manage once a week, and technically it's still a week on. Ah yes I haven't got as much bonding time in this chapter but I'll try fitting in more in the next one and following ones! Continue to enjoy this story!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead, or any affiliated characters and storyline, only my OC and my plotline.

-Angels and Douchebags

06 March 2018

21:20

Jab. Jab. Jab. Jab cross. Ouch.

I pulled my shoulder back and rolled it trying to get rid of the stiffness of the muscles. I can't believe there was a time that I was able to just go at this boxing bag without stopping and now I couldn't manage a few jabs. Well I guess the zombie apocalypse was a good excuse.

The boxing bag was hanging towards the side of the cafeteria area and it was the only time of day it was quiet, so I could practise in peace. No one could make fun of me.

Daryl found it a few days ago on a run and somehow hauled it back on his motorbike so we managed to hang it up. It was kinda old and falling apart but it was a piece of my old life. The better part of my old life

Okay let's go again. I put my wrapped hands up to my face and began jabbing again slowly before building up. Jab. Jab. Ja-

"Hey looking good on that!"

I turned to the side my face was completely sweaty to see Karen looking somehow perfect despite there being no skincare or beauty care in our times. We found a bottle of shampoo last week and we've been treating it like liquid gold.

"Hey Karen." I chuckled seeing her carrying a crate towards the courtyard.

"Hey," She waved.

"You look like you know what you're doing." She commented seeing the position of my body and my hands up to my face.

"Well I started doing this before, well you know. And since Daryl found it. Why not." I shrugged.

"Where you off to?" I asked seeing the cans in the crate.

"Taking these to Carol outside. Spaghetti Tuesdays." She said.

"Uh it's Thursday." I pointed out.

"Oh I know, Hershel's request." She smiled.

"Ah." I nodded.

"Speaking of, He was looking for ya. Said hope you weren't gonna spend all your time on this and actually start your training with him soon."

"Well however well I train for my boxing championship?" I mock sighed making Karen roll her eyes.

"Soon you'll be able to knockout the guys here." Karen grinned.

"Oh yeah give me an hour and we can test that out." I laughed turning to face her.

"Speaking of guys, how is Tyrese?" I have her a sly smile.

"Bye Pol." She smirked walking off.

Okay where was I? Jab. Jab. Jab. Cross. Hook.

This went on for a good half an hour until I was completely and truly tired. I collapsed to the ground and sat on the floor staring at my shoes. The concrete was a nice cool contrast to my skin which felt like it was on fire.

I looked beside me to see Maggie sit next to me.

"Hey bride to be." I nudged her with my shoulder as she looked down smiling.

"Hey come on now." She nudged me back.

"I still can't believe you managed to talk me into making this a thing." Maggie looked up at the ceiling.

"Every girl should have her dream wedding - apocalypse or not." I defended.

"I'm grateful anyways. I appreciate the effort y'all are puttin' in for me." Maggie smiled.

"Please Maggie it's nothing, we're family." I smiled back.

"Hope you're ready for tonight." Maggie said.

"What do you mean? It's just a little girls night, a kinda bachelorette party." I stated.

"Well yeah, uh it was. 'Cept now, Karen found some tequila on the last run." Maggie started eyeing me cautiously.

"Oh great." I said sarcastically shaking my head.

"I know you don't drink Pol, so I just wanna run it by you. If it was alright, I totally understand if you say no." Maggie argued.

"Nah it's okay, I don't really mind. Me and Beth can just take shots of coke. Same effect." I grinned.

"I guess." She chuckled standing up.

"You nervous?" I asked following her lead.

"About gettin' married? Nah. It's the one thing I've been sure of since this happened." She gestured around her.

"I'm glad for you." I nodded.

"I'll see ya later. When you're clean and smell less." Maggie pinched her nose mockingly.

"I will come and hug you if you're not careful." I said warningly as she put her hands up in surrender before leaving.

I walked out of the cafeteria area down the corridors passing several people back to C block where we were staying. Since taking in everyone from Woodbury, the prison was buzzing with activity and life. It was a lovely pleasant feeling, it had also been 9 days since someone had died. And that was honestly a gift.

I got back to my cell picking up fresh pair of clothes seeing nobody around and sat down on my bed sighing. Sure we had a whole new bunch of people to call family and friends but I felt more alone than ever.

Everyone was always busy with chores, runs at different times so I hardly saw them as much or even got to talk to them. And Rick.

I was falling more in love with Rick everyday, as pathetic as that sounded. It was getting almost unbearable to be around him. My heart threatened to beat out of my chest and my stomach erupted in butterflies every time our skin made contact.

I wanted to tell him. Okay I was going to, this time for sure I was going to tell him. Tomorrow night, after Glenn and Maggie's wedding because there's something about him, like he might feel something for me to. I can't have imagined it. I just can't.

Finally snapping myself out of my thoughts I ventured out of the ghost like C block and almost walked into the man himself. Who seemed to be much happier these days, but his relationship with Carl? Well it was strained since he took Carl's gun away.

"Woah, easy." Rick steadied me with his arms as I looked up into his blue eyes.

"Hey there." I almost melted at his touch.

"Hey, where you off to in such a hurry?" Rick asked letting go. To my disdain.

"Uh shower. Have you seen me?" I chuckled.

"Yeah, you do look uhm-" Rick was lost for words.

"In need of a shower." He finished.

"Very smooth." I narrowed my eyes playfully at him.

"Looks like I'm not the only one." I looked him up and down seeing the dirt on his jeans and t-shirt.

"Yeah well Hershel has me digging fields and planting crops." Rick said looking at himself.

"Ah well that's a good skill to have." I said appraisingly.

"I feel more useful with a gun in my hands. Honestly don't think I've done much lately." Rick said running a hand through his hair. Man it looked so soft.

"Don't beat yourself up Rick, most of us wouldn't be here without you. You've saved my life many times." I defended him.

"And you've saved mine." He shot back.

"Okay so we're even. But you still owe me that leather jacket." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"When I get it, you will." Rick stated with a promise.

"So you guys are having a little party I heard," Rick changed the subject.

"Oh so you've been listening to idle gossip?" I smirked at him.

"Umm no." He scratched his neck.

"News spreads round here like crazy." He defended.

"Sure man." I grinned.

"It's just a little get together. They'll drink, we'll talk. I'm sure it'll be a blast. Karen's fun, Maggie's the bride, Carol will impart some great life wisdom, Sasha's funny and Beth's cute." I explained shrugging.

"And you. What about you?" Rick asked.

"What about me?"

"You're funny. Witty. Incredibly smart. A Rocky Balboa on the boxing bag I've heard." Rick listed smiling at me.

"That's sweet of you to say." I beamed at him feeling happy and grinning at his reference.

"Thanks Adrian." I winked at him making him laugh.

"Adrian and Rocky were married right?" Rick asked making me pale realising what I had just insinuated between us.

"Yeah, they were. But you know I meant like Adrian was his support you're like my constant support, not like we're married or anything." I babbled as Rick raised an eyebrow at me.

"I know what you meant. And I Appreciate that. Thanks." Rick laughed.

"You should give yourself more credit Pol." He nudged me on the shoulder walking past.

"Thanks Grimes. You're not too bad yourself." I called out as he punched the air with his fist making my laugh echo out in the cell block.

—

Showered and cleaned up I headed to the courtyard following the sweet aroma of Spaghetti-Os. I had never had them before this but now every time Carol made them, I couldn't help it.

"Carol you've outdone yourself." I groaned through mouthfuls of spaghetti.

"Literally all I've done is open a can and heated up over the fire." She shrugged looking at me amused.

"Yeah, don't I get credit for carrying the crate?" Karen asked helping her plate it up and equal sized portions.

"Nah I don't think that's how it works." Sasha came taking a plate from the rack as Karen glared at her.

I took one and followed Sasha as we sat down on one of the benches watching the others happily enjoying lunch around us.

"So Maggie told me, Karen found some tequila." Sasha began eating her food looking at me questioning.

"Uh yeah you heard right." I smirked.

"One sip of that shit and it'll go to our heads." Sasha shook her head smiling slightly.

"Your heads." I corrected.

"You're not drinking?" She checked as I shook my head noticing Beth, Zack and Carl eating lunch together.

"I don't drink." I stated turning back to face her as I continued eating the spaghetti.

"Really? At all? Is that like a personal choice or?" Sasha asked firing her line of questioning.

"Yeah personal choice." I said feeling slightly uncomfortable.

Sasha was nice and all but I didn't know her as well and she didn't know some things about me either. Those are private. Personal.

"Ah don't worry I get it." She said putting her hands up.

"Tyrese and Karen seem to be getting along well." I pointed my fork to where Tyrese and Karen were talking and smiling at each other.

"Yeah it's nice that my brother found someone." Sasha gave a small smile observing them.

"He was never good at that kinda stuff. But I'm happy for him. Neither am I to be honest." Sasha said.

"Oh I'm the same." I agreed.

"It's she's finding someone to share your time with. Especially with the world going to shit." Sasha chuckled.

"You're telling me." I smiled.

"I think when you find that someone. You shouldn't let it go, you should take chances. Leap of faith." Sasha said pointedly to me.

"You wanna say something Sasha?" I raised my eyebrows at her accusing eyes.

"I know you got a crush on Rick." She said point black as I told her to lower her voice.

"Yo shhh, gossip spreads like wildfire!" I looked around making sure no one had heard.

"Who told you?"

"No one told me. Girl I just watched, the way you look at him when he's not lookin' I've caught him lookin' at you too. But none of you idiots do anything." Sasha said with a great level of sass.

"Uh," her speech rendered me speechless.

"He's been looking at me?" I checked to make sure she wasn't making me feel better.

"Yes. And not in the creepy stalker way. In the hey, she looks real fine kinda way." Sasha smirked nodding her head over to where Rick now was in the courtyard.

I followed her line of sight seeing him standing there in new clothes and looking freshly showered. He laughed at something Carol said and looked around the courtyard before his eyes focused on me. He raised his hand in a wave as I waved back.

"Really?" I turned back to Sasha who was shaking her head.

"Really." She confirmed before getting up.

"Hey Sasha. Thanks." I smiled gratefully.

"For what?" She asked.

"For the confidence boost." I grinned sheepishly as she returned it.

"Anytime. Hope you take my advice." She raised an eyebrow leaving me by myself at the table.

I looked back towards where Carol was but there was no more Rick to be found. I decided to go find Hershel who was no doubt in B block taking care of everyone as usual. I walked into B block which was smaller than the rest and generally used as an infirmary. We had a few painkillers, oxygen pumps but no antibiotics or any way to operate on anyone at all. Luckily enough, people usually came in with superficial injuries, usually cuts, bruises and burns.

"Ah good you're here." Hershel looked up from one of the younger girls Mika who had blood covering her knee and looked like she was in a considerable amount of pain.

"Mika honey what happened?" I knelt down in front of the little girl beside Hershel who was wiping away the wound.

"She tripped and scraped her knee in the courtyard." The voice of Lizzie her sister made me jump as I saw her appear from around the bed. Lizzie was a strange girl, I know she was young but she always unnerved me.

"Ah okay thanks Lizzie." I briefly flashed a smile at Lizzie who sat down on the bed beside her younger sister.

"Okay watch and learn Pol." Hershel instructed as he wiped away the dirt from her cut and pressed a linen on it to stop the bleeding. After a few minutes he stopped and removed the linen seeing that her cut had stopped bleeding, it wasn't too deep. Thrombosis had already started taking place and the platelets would be closing up her wound soon.

"I think I know how to clean up cuts Hershel." I chuckled as the older man gave me a withering stare.

"Don't sass me young lady." He glared playfully as I gave him a mock salute.

"Alright Mica you're good to go, you be careful now." Hershel said to the younger girl who ran off with her sister trailing behind her.

"Where's Dr S?" I asked looking around seeing no sign of Caleb anywhere. My help wasn't needed as much down here with one of our newcomers Caleb who was a doctor and Hershel both treating people. But they still thought I could be useful as an assistant or even have basic medical knowledge in case anything happened to them.

"He went out to lunch. I said I would cover for him." Hershel said wiping his hands withna towel.

"Follow me." Hershel indicated as we moved to the next cell where one of the new guys Patrick was lying in bed shivering.

"Woah." I said as I leaned down beside him and observed him. He was shaking and shivering and his forehead was laced with sweat, his eyes kept rolling back and when I touched his head it was hot.

"What's the diagnosis?" Hershel asked me.

"He's clearly got a fever, he's burning up, possibly hallucinating." I said.

"That's right. So what do you suggest?" Hershel asked.

"Well antibiotics would be great but we don't have those. We need to wet linens in cold water to try and cool him down, he needs to stay rehydrated and possibly we could use some painkillers?" I suggested.

"Very good. I actually do have a small stash of antibiotics for bad cases. And well this constitutes as one." Hershel admitted as my eyes widened, he pulled out an antibiotics tube from his back pocket.

After seeing Patrick I followed Hershel around for another couple of hours until it was mid-afternoon seeing various other patients, who were mainly just feeling unwell. But all they needed was rest, water and maybe some painkillers - its not like we had advanced medical equipment nearby but it was nice to do something worthwhile in the prison. Helping out a lot more.

"I'll see you same time tomorrow Pol? Before Glenn and Maggie's ceremony." Hershel said as I washed up.

"Yeah sure! You're still up for actually marrying them off? Because Lizzie and Mika's dad Ryan said he could do it because he did become a pastor." I suggested alternatively but Hershel shook his head.

"I will be marrying my daughter off." Hershel said with a glint in his eye.

"Great. Bye!" I grinned walking off. I came out of B block and bumped into Carol who was holding about 10 candles with a few jars in a basket.

"Oh these are for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, we found them as you asked on the last run. Well Daryl did and I quote 'i ain't meant to be out here findin' these girly things' unquote." Carol grinned doing her best imitation of Daryl.

"Hey that was pretty good." I laughed.

"I'll be sure to thank him, just dump those in my cell?" I asked as Carol nodded walking off.

I walked into the courtyard and there hiding in one corner were Zach and Beth who looked like they were in the middle of a heated um make out session.

"Beth," I said softly from around the corner but she couldn't hear me.

"Beth!" I called out a bit louder as they jumped 5 feet apart from each other.

"Oh Pol, sorry didn't see ya there." Zach scratched his head flashing me a smile as Beth looked embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it Zach, I just need to borrow Beth for a moment. It's about tonight." I explained as he nodded before looking back at Beth.

"I'll see you later?" Beth said sweetly to Zach as he smiled and gave her another kiss before rushing off.

"Well you look happy." I nudged Beth as we walked through the yard.

"I am." She smiled blushing and looking down at the ground.

"Anyways I wanted to say that Sasha and Karen said they found this white dress on a run in a department store and you've got it? For Maggie to wear tomorrow." I asked her.

"Yeah, I hid it away real safe." Beth answered.

"Okay." I nodded ticking off the mental checklist in my head.

"Rick said he found a blazer that's bout Glenn's size and it's in his cell." Beth said.

"Oh that's great! Okay, okay this is turning out to be good." A wide smile made its way onto my face. The way that absolutely nothing has gone right in this apocalypse? This wedding was turning out to be promising.

"I'll see you tonight, cafeteria 9 pm." I pointed to her as she nodded walking off.

"Sasha, Karen." I walked over to where they were sitting by the grill laughing and joking.

"Hey Pol, are you okay? You look stressed." Karen said as she turned to face me.

"Nah I'm fine just making sure that we have enough food for tomorrow?" I stood slightly breathless with my hands on my hips.

"Don't stress girl, Caleb, Norris and Chloe just came back with the food you asked. They actually found some good stuff." Karen said.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, the found about a dozen canned beefs, 6 cans of potatoes and 4 cans of tomatoes." Sasha counted off.

"Oh wow, okay so we got some good food for tomorrow. I'm just a bit worried that if we eat all the beef tomorrow we might not have enough later on-"

"Polaris. Relax." Sasha put her hands on my shoulders.

"You know we already rationed the food and stored them in the basement, it's okay for us to have a little luxury tomorrow." Sasha said calmly as I relaxed.

"And since we cleared the field a few days ago we can have dinner in the courtyard. As long as no one get's crazy we'll be okay, shouldn't attract any of the Walkers." Karen explained as I let out a sigh of relief.

"So we're on track." I said.

"Yeah, nothing to worry about." Sasha beamed.

"Okay I'll see you guys later, 9pm?"

"We wouldn't miss it!" Karen beamed.

After finally getting back to C block I had some time to kill before our party. I took the blazer from Rick's cell, and the dress from Beth's cell and folded them in my room where they had been recently cleaned. Making a mental note to thank both Carol and Daryl later I decided to relax and sit on my bed writing in my journal about what had passed.

The past 9 days had been fairly uneventful but it had been crazy busy. On day 3 we set about clearing the field which with new people it helped. Daryl would go on runs regularly with Glenn and a few others to come back with supplies such as food and half the time they came back with new people.

Our little family was growing bigger and bigger. We had developed a community, we had efficiency, rules, boundaries but more importantly we all had each other. I put the last book I had finished back on the small growing piles of books on the floor. Rick couldn't find my leather jacket but whatever books he could find he brought them back to me, because I told him how much I loved to read before all this happened.

The last book I read was a medical dictionary which he thought would be useful for my training with Hershel. The book I started reading now as called Perks of Being a Wallflower and it allowed me to escape when things were getting too much. But I could hardly complain, there had been no attacks, no accidents, no deaths since. Since Andrea. I closed the book and sighed remembering how scared she looked, how alone she felt. At least me and Michonne were with her in the end.

"Got a minute?" I looked up from my bed seeing Rick poke his head around the cell door.

"Sure come in." I gestured as he came in the cell standing awkwardly in one corner with his hands behind his back.

"I won't bite." I chuckled as he came and sat on the bed beside me.

"What you got there?" I asked seeing his arms still behind him, he moved his arms in front and revealed the front cover of a book. Lord of the Rings.

"No way! You found it!" I gasped looking at his hands.

"Found it a couple days ago, wanted to surprise you." Rick smiled slightly handing the book to me. I took the book from him and pressed it to my chest.

"You do know that this is my favourite book of all time. For ever." I emphasised.

"I know. You told me to keep an eye out for it." Rick chuckled.

"Thank you. I love this." I closed my eyes as I felt tears threating to spill over.

"Hey, are you alright? Didn't mean to upset ya." Rick looked down at me his hand just touching my shoulders in a comforting manner.

"Oh no I'm fine honestly. It just. This means a lot to me." I wiped the tears feeling a bit embarrassed I was getting emotional over a book.

"Yeah?" Rick asked as he removed his hand from my shoulder and placed it on the bed just a couple of centimetres away from mine.

"I told you about my childhood right." I started as Rick nodded.

"From all the terrible things my father used to do, books were my escape. And in particular I loved this one the most. The characters were so brave and heroic and it was a whole other world to imagine! They made films on it too. I went to go see them in cinema when it came out and it was better than I imagined. Just thank you Rick. Thank you." I smiled at him.

"Your welcome." He said softly smiling back as his eyes glanced up to mine.

"So uhm, me and Michonne were gonna check the perimeter, just to make sure the fence is secure." Rick said as he began standing up.

"Oh it's fine." I said pulling my legs back up onto the bed.

"You'll be alright though?" he checked brushing the hair back from his face.

"Go go, I'll be fine really." I gave him an encouraging smile.

"Alright." He drawled as the corners of his mouth turned up he left the room.

I pressed the book to my chest once more, savouring the one happy piece of my childhood I had left.

A/N: Well, what do you guys think of this self written chapter? Did I do good with no episode guideline to follow? Let me know your thoughts, I'll update soon!