Chapter 32

It was early morning, much earlier than Kate was used to waking. She could tell because the cell was light enough to just make out the shadows of their tiny home. The curtains hung motionless in the doorway, their blue and yellow flowers only shades of gray in the dim light. The cell block was rarely so quiet, at least not with the hours she kept, and she strained to hear the sounds of life. She thought she could make out the shuffle of feet on the cement floor downstairs and maybe even a sweet coo from Judith. Daryl's breath was warm on her neck and the weight of his hand heavy on her ribs as he anchored her to him even in sleep. She considered the day ahead of her and thought of the cucumber beds and the possibility of helping out at the fences now that the clusters were getting harder to manage. Her stomach growled and gave the slightest of lurches, reminding her of the life growing inside of her and its determination to leave her feeling perpetually under the weather. Slowly she extricated herself from Daryl's side, hoping he would continue to sleep. She leaned over his body, careful not to jostle him, and grabbed the package of crackers off the upturned crate next to their bed, settling back on the blankets with her legs tucked underneath her. The seeping sun slowly illuminated the room and her eye caught the crossbow propped up in its spot in the corner, still covered in blood, the remnants of yesterday's ill-fated run. A memory of Zach on the day of their picnic flooded her mind, how he made such an effort to get to know them all with his easy, carefree manner and the way he got under Daryl's skin with his questions. The world was so cruel and undiscerning in the lives that it robbed them of. Her eyes travelled to Daryl's face and even in his restful state he didn't look at peace. The pillow caused the skin under his eyes to bunch, drawing attention to the dark circles that permanently resided there. He looked weary and older somehow and she worried about how hard he worked. Her stomach turned again and she unwrapped the crackers as quietly as possible and stuffed the first one into her mouth, trying her best to chew it silently.

"You're gettin' crumbs in our bed again." Daryl said without opening his eyes. His voice deep and even zzraspier in the morning.

"Carol said if I eat them when I first wake up it can help me not feel so sick." She explained around a mouthful of stale Saltine.

Daryl rolled on his back with a groan, bringing his arm to rest on the pillow above his head, and watched her through half closed eyes. He was still wearing the black long sleeved shirt she'd left him in last night, but she could make out the curve of his bicep through the thin material. She shoved another cracker in her mouth and wished he wasn't wearing a shirt at all. Her eyes drifted down to his chest where the top buttons were undone and then to his throat where she could see his skin jump slightly with every beat of his heart.

Motivated by the sudden desire she had to see his bare skin, she abandoned the crackers and got up on her knees, inching her way across the small space of mattress that laid between them. Daryl reached out his arm and clamped his hand on her hip. She could feel his strong fingers dig into her muscle through the cotton of her shorts as he curled them around to her backside. He let out a noise, somewhere between a growl and a grunt and tugged at the side of her shorts with a hopeful look. She laughed, happy to oblige, and laid down next to him, raising her hips and pulling her shorts and underwear off in one movement before tossing them across the cell where they fell onto the cement floor in a pool of pink and white stripes. Turning into him, she pressed her naked hips against his side and hooked her leg over his. He snaked his left arm around her head, letting his fingers tousle her hair and looking at her face with nothing short of adoration before using his forearm to pull her towards him. He kissed her slow with an excruciating tenderness that made her feel frantic and like a puddle at the same time.

The sounds of C Block waking up for the morning distracted them momentarily. Carl's alarm started jingling from downstairs and she heard Rick's voice, although she couldn't make out the words. She laughed again, this time against his mouth. They'd gotten used to having sex in such close quarters, but it was always a little unsettling when you were reminded how easily sound travelled.

She worked on the rest of his buttons, pushing the sides of his shirt open and running her hand from the lowest part of his belly, over his firm chest, letting her fingers tangle lightly in the hair that was scattered over his skin. He shivered underneath her touch, breaking out in goosebumps, and reached down to still her hand. She smiled up at him devilishly. She freed her hand and reached up to grip one of his impossibly broad shoulders, using it to pull herself up onto him.

"Good morning." She whispered with a smile, pushing his hair out of his face.

"Mornin'. You're up early."

She shrugged, kissing him again and letting her lips trail back down his neck, his chest and his stomach. She rose up on her knees, resting between his legs, and pulled her t-shirt over her head, throwing it across the cell where it managed to snag itself on one of the hooks on the wall. She raised her arms in the air in a naked display of victory and Daryl let out a short chuckle, more of a gasp than a laugh, as he eyed her. He sat up, reaching for her face, her hair tangling in his fingers as he pulled her towards him to kiss her mouth. She wrapped her legs around his waist and deepened the kiss as he ran his hands down her bare back and up her arms before laying a thick hand on each side of her neck and just brushing her collarbone with his rough thumbs.

She reached down and unbuttoned his battered black pants.

"I got it." He whispered hoarsely, as she moved to let him off the bed. He stood, and Kate laid back, propped up on her elbows, feet planted on the mattress, swinging her knees teasingly back and forth in the air. She was in a playful mood. It was the first time she had felt so lively since she'd found out she was pregnant and Daryl was going right along with it. She hadn't realized how badly she had missed it until this very moment.

He shrugged out of his shirt and kicked off his pants, looming over her, his pupils so wide they made his blue eyes dark. A laugh, made of desire and nerves bubbled out of her, the sight of him intimidating still after all these months. His face broke into a self-conscious grin.

"What?"

She just shook her head looking up at him, not even being able to come close to forming words that would describe how she felt.

He climbed back onto the bed, hovering just inches over her, suspended by his forearms planted on either side of her head. She could feel the heat coming off his body and the tickle of his chest hair on her bare skin and he was suddenly looking at her with such intensity that she had to force the giggle that was threatening to erupt back down.

"I'm glad you're back." She whispered, relieved that he had decided to stop heading out every morning, but thinking more about the dark cloud that seemed to have lifted off of them.

"No place else more important for me to be right now." He said, swallowing hard. "My family needs me here."

Rick, Carl and Michonne were just heading out to the yard when Daryl and Kate made their way to the common room, exchanging looks Maggie would have called them out on if she hadn't been, at that very moment having a similar exchange with Glenn in the tower. Michonne paused at the door to the yard as she watched them walk into the room.

"Heading out to Macon." She said, watching Daryl's face closely. "Thought I'd give it a try."

Daryl came to a stop and eyed her, his face dark with concern. "You sure?"

"I am." She said, setting her jaw determinedly, a sharp contrast to the doubt in her eyes.

Kate knew Michonne felt compelled to keep searching for the Governor, but everyone wished she'd stay home.

Daryl gave a jerky nod, pressing his lips into a thin line and accepting that her mind was made up. "Watch yourself out there."

Michonne looked at him, her face softening and for a second Kate thought she might be swayed, but she turned and followed Carl and Rick out to the yard.

Kate carried two bowls of dry cereal to one of the tables and Daryl slid in next to her, taking one from her hand and propping his elbows up on the scratched metallic surface.

"Don't know why she's gotta keep headin' out." He said, digging his fingers into the flakes. "She ain't gonna find him."

Kate knew there was a part of Daryl that felt guilty for letting her go on her own. Another burden he insisted on carrying.

"She's got to figure it out on her own Daryl. For whatever reason she wants to be out there."

"Governors an excuse, she's just runnin'."

Kate gave him a sympathetic look. "Sometimes running is just another way to hide. You of all people should get that."

He looked up from his bowl and she immediately felt bad for saying anything. There was guilt there in his eyes, but hurt too.

She took his hand in an attempt to soften her meaning, afraid she could send him back to that place they seemed to have just escaped.

"I shouldn't have said that."

"It's ok. I deserve it."

The door to the tombs swung open and Hershel made his way into the common room, a flashlight in one hand and a book under his arm. He'd been making a habit of spending his sleepless mornings in the library and Kate realized she wasn't the only one who had been

awake before the sun was up.

"Good morning" Hershel said. "How are you feeling today, Kate?" He patted her on the shoulder as he passed.

"Not too bad. I think Carol is on to something with the crackers first thing in the morning."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it." He moved slowly, limping noticeably on his prosthetic leg, towards the cell block where they could hear Beth singing to Judith.

"Maybe it wasn't those crackers got you feelin' so good this mornin'" Daryl said under his breath, giving her thigh a squeeze under the table. Kate swatted at this arm, her face going red, but happy to see her comment about running hadn't left him in a sour mood.

"What are you two smiling about?" Sasha asked as she crossed the common room, eyeing them suspiciously as she poured coffee into a tin mug and handed it to her brother before pouring a second cup for herself. Daryl pulled his arm back onto the table and concentrated on eating his cereal.

Tyreese took a spot next to Kate, his smile somehow always arriving before he did.

"Hey Kate, I was going to talk to Rick, but maybe you know. I was wondering if maybe…"

Whatever Tyreese was going to say was cut short by the blast of gunfire, deep and booming, followed immediately by another. Before Kate even realized what was happening, Daryl was to his feet, crossbow in his hands. Sasha moved quickly to the gate to the toombs.

"Sasha, lock that gate." Daryl barked.

Hershel and Beth appeared at the door from the cell block.

"Walkers?" Sasha suggested, eyes wide. "Think they got in from the back somehow?"

"I was just there." Hershel shouted. "I didn't see or hear a thing."

"It sounded like it came from D." Daryl said, already at the door to the courtyard, Sasha and Tyreese at his heels. "Hershel, stand guard. Kate, you get inside the block with Beth. Lock yourselves in."

Beth, Judith on a hip, opened the barred gate to let Kate into 'C Block' and Hershel made his way to the gate. Daryl disappeared into the yard. More shots rang out and they could hear shouting and screaming. Kate wrapped her hands around the cold metal bars and prayed silently. Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears.

"What do you think it is?" Beth asked, desperation in her voice, clinging onto a whimpering Judith and absentmindedly patting her back. "Walkers?"

"Ya. Probably. I don't know." Kate tried to think of all the threats they had faced since they'd been here.

"Could be an outside attack." Hershel suggested. "Do you girls have your guns?"

"Good idea." Beth said, heading to her cell for her's. Kate turned quickly from the gate and made her way up to the cell to grab her weapon.

Ever since she'd been farming with Rick, Kate had tried to honor his determination to only carry knives. She knew he didn't expect her to, but she always felt safe enough within the gates, and if it helped set a good example for Carl she was all for it. It drove Daryl nuts. Now she realized it was probably foolish.

It seemed like forever before the door clanged open and Maggie and Carl helped a hobbling Michonne into the common room. Hershel had long ago left to investigate further and Kate was starting to panic.

"Hello?" Maggie called out into the empty common room.

Beth and Kate, who had taken Judy into Beth's cell, flew to the gate at the sound of a familiar voice, unlocking it and peppering questions at the trio.

"What's going on?"

"Michonne, are you alright?"

"Is everyone ok?!"

Maggie and Carl lowered Michonne down on one of the stools at the table. Maggie turned towards them, her face white and eyes troubled.

"Rick said it was Patrick, he got sick and died. He turned and attacked the cell block." She explained.

"Oh, not Patrick." Kate said, the all too familiar ache squeezing at her heart. "How many? Who? Is Daryl ok? Glenn?"

"Did you see Dad?" Beth asked. "He went out there a few minutes after the rest of them did."

"They're fine. Rick said they're still in there, but they're ok I guess." Maggie explained. "He said we lost a lot of people though."

"Sickness? What kind of sickness?" Beth asked.

"I think he said some sort of flu. Rick had to head back in. The rest of us are supposed to stay away from anyone that was in there." Michonne explained.

"What? Why?" Kate asked, her voice high and panicked.

"They might be contagious."

- DARYL -

Dary threw a shovelful of dirt onto the growing pile and eyed the body lying on the ground at the mouth of the grave. It was wrapped tightly in a sheet, a stain where blood had seeped through the material from a head wound that insured she wouldn't rise again.

Her name was Jenny and he was surprised he could even recall that much, but he was sorry they couldn't save her. Her's was the first of a dozen graves. He prayed there wouldn't be more, that whatever had caused Patrick and Charlie to die so quickly in the night, would spare the rest of them. But he knew they usually weren't that lucky.

His breathing was stifled from the handkerchief that covered his mouth and nose and he could feel the blisters start to raise on his already calloused hands, but stopping wasn't an option. These people deserved to be put to rest and besides, it was when he had nothing to do that his thoughts got the best of him and the horrificness of the situation threatened to overwhelm. He didn't have that luxury.

"Hey."

He had just dug the head of the shovel into the brown earth when her voice, always a welcome sound to him, pulled him out of his thoughts.

He turned around, leaning on his shovel but making no move to climb out of the grave.

"Don't get too close."

"I know." She said, planting herself about four feet from the half dug hole and looking down where he stood knee deep in the dirt. "I thought you could use a drink."

She held up a battered water bottle, its label having long ago fallen off after multiple washes. He held out his hand and she tossed it down to him. He caught it easily and unscrewed the top, yanking the handkerchief down and bringing the bottle to his lips, taking a long draw of tepid water.

"Who is that?" She asked, motioning with her head to the body, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"Jenny. From the college group." He squinted up at her. "You know her very well?"

"I knew them all." Kate said, a thickness in her voice that let him know she'd been crying.

He nodded and took another drink.

"She was from Memphis and going to school in Atlanta. She had a boyfriend, but he died a few weeks before you guys brought them in. She was quiet, liked to draw. She was the one that got the kids working on crafts." Kate paused, looking back down at Daryl, her eyes narrowing with concern. "Are you ok?"

"I want you to stay in our cell block as much as possible. Or out in fresh air. We don't know who else could have this. Keep your distance from everyone."

"Daryl, I was just with Patrick yesterday. I ate dinner at the same table with him. He was right across from me. If I'm going to get it..."

This revelation made him uneasy, he cut her off. "Still, we ain't takin' any chances. I'm gonna sleep in the guard tower tonight. I feel fine, but just to be safe."

"Okay." She shook her head. "I'm going to go over to the shed and grab another shovel. I think Maggie and Glenn are gonna head down here too and help."

"No. I got it. You don't need to be around the bodies"

"Daryl, I'm not gonna stand around and watch you work yourself into one of these graves. We all want to help. I'll wear a mask, I won't handle the bodies. I'm pregnant, not disabled."

Daryl nodded and watched her walk off and the fear of losing her gripped him again. Today's losses were heavy, but it could've been so much worse. They'd let themselves believe that they were safe, that the threat was contained outside of these fences. Fences that at this very moment were weakening as the dead continued to pile up against them. They had elderly people living here, did they think they were going to live forever? If any of them died in their sleep it would have been the same thing. At any time someone could slip in the shower and hit their head, choke on something, have a heart attack. They all just slept in their cells, vulnerable, with their doors wide open. The thought that it could have just as easily been them, been Kate, was frightening. And now Karen and David were sick, Tyreese could be next, any of them could be next.

- Kate -

Rick kept discouraging them from naming the pigs, but she and Carl did it anyway. Violet had been her idea, it felt weird just calling her 'the pig'. Kate had come across a copy of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in the library and watching the pig chomp her food reminded her of the little gum chewing girl in the story. Once the piglets were born, they'd named all five after other characters in the book: Charlie, Veruca, Augustus, Mike and they'd christened the runt of the litter little Wonka. Everytime Rick heard one of them call a pig by name he'd frown and remind them they shouldn't get attached, these pigs weren't pets. As she watched Rick throw them one by one, cut and bloody to the walkers, she'd wished she'd listened.

Maggie's frightened cry had alerted them to the situation and she had run with Rick and Daryl from the gravesite to the bowing fence. A particularly large snarl of walkers had piled up against a portion of chain link that was threatening to fall completely. There were seven of them, working to down as many walkers as possible, but it was clear it was a losing battle. The fence leaned dangerously low, allowing one walker to nearly come over to their side. They frantically had pushed back, trying to find any hold on the fence that would keep their bare hands from the deadly, snapping teeth. Finally Rick had ordered Daryl to get the truck and they led the walkers away, sacrificing the piglets to save themselves. A move necessary, but sickening to them all. The fences were secure, for now. They'd reinforced them the best they could, but it wouldn't hold forever. Still, it had bought them some time and she and Daryl, now joined by Maggie and Glenn, were back to digging graves. She was standing two feet deep in the freshly dug soil, watching the smoke from the smouldering remains of the pig pen coil up into the sky and trying to get the sound of the squealing pigs out of her head, when she saw Tyreese come barrelling down the grassy slope. Carol was behind him, struggling to keep up. Even from this distance it was clear that there was something wrong as he headed towards Rick.

"Daryl." She called out to get his attention. His back was to the prison, but he stopped digging and turned just as Rick came to meet Tyreese in the long grass.

Tyreese, normally so calm and gentle, was clearly angry. He was shouting, but Kate could only make out a few words: fire, blood, Karen.

"What's going on now?" Maggie mumbled, pushing her hair out of her face. The four of them had abandoned their digging, transfixed by the scene in front of them. It was hard to believe that the day could get worse, but something had to be really wrong for Tyreese to be behaving like this.

Rick was struggling to keep him calm, holding his palms out towards him and nodding. Carol had caught up and was standing quietly behind him, arms crossed over her chest. Daryl climbed out of the grave, ready to get involved if things escalated.

Rick finally looked over towards them. "Daryl." He shouted, motioning for him to join them. They'd turned and headed up towards the prison and Daryl took off in a sprint to catch up. Kate watched him go, wondering what could have happened and worrying about Karen.

Twenty minutes later and Daryl emerged from the prison alone. She could tell by the way he was walking, a slump to his shoulders and his head hanging, that the news wasn't good. He approached the growing cemetery and came to a stop as the three of them scrambled out of the graves, anxious for an explanation.

"Gotta dig two more. It was Karen and David." Daryl started. Kate and Maggie had stopped a safe distance away from him and Kate struggled to hear, his voice was so low and weary.

"They're dead?" Kate asked, fear shadowing her features.

"We just saw her a few hours ago, it was just a cough. How could it kill them so fast?" Glenn asked.

"Naw. Wasn't the flu." Daryl shook his head. "Someone killed them, set their bodies on fire."

Kate brought her gloved hands up to her face in horror, smearing dirt all over her nose and cheeks in the process.

"Who would do that? Why?" Glenn asked. Daryl just shook his head again.

"Tyreese found them like that?" Maggie asked. "How awful."

"Ya, poor bastard lost it. Punched Rick. Rick saw red, had to pull him off Tyreese. I think he's up having Hershel look at his hand now. I left Tyreese up there with the bodies. He wouldn't leave."

By nightfall the dead had been buried. Fourteen additions to their cemetery which was already bigger than it should be. Kate couldn't remember a time in her life where she had felt more exhausted. Not in the days before the prison when they had wandered endlessly or in the days since when they'd worked so hard to make this place a home. Her muscles were aching from hours of digging and clearing and reinforcing the fences. Waking up before the sun had done her no favors either and the baby zapped whatever energy she had to spare. She was emotionally drained, they hadn't lost so many people at one time since the night the quarry camp was attacked. She longed for the comfort of her bed, even if Daryl wouldn't be in it tonight. The sun was all but gone when she exited C Block, arms clutching onto a pillow and blanket. Daryl was leaning against one of the picnic benches in the courtyard, holding onto his crossbow and chewing on the inside of his mouth.

"Brought you some bedding." She said, placing it on the table top. She knew Daryl would never ask for it, but she didn't like the idea of him sleeping in the tower without it. She didn't like the idea of being away from him at all tonight, not after everything that had happened, but she knew Daryl wouldn't bend.

"Thanks." He looked her over, searching for something. "You feelin' ok?"

"I am. Just tired." She struggled to hide the weariness from her voice.

He nodded his head, but she knew her reassurances did little to stop his worry.

"I want you to shut the cell door tonight. It might be a good idea to lock the gate downstairs too."

"I will. You have a counsel meeting in the morning?"

He nodded. "Go on and try and get some sleep."

"Ok. Goodnight Daryl. I love you."

She turned and headed to the gate, feeling awkward not being able to kiss or touch him.

"Kate?" He called after her, just before she reached the prison. "In my pack, in the cell, I brought something back from the Big Spot. Meant to give it to you yesterday, but with Zach and everything after…"

He trailed off.

"OK. I'll look."

"It's ain't a big deal. Just wanted to let you know before I forget."

She gave him a sad, weary smile and waved, before she turned and walked through the heavy metal door and disappeared inside the prison. She clicked her flashlight on, crossed the empty common room and climbed the stairs to their cell. The prison felt like a different place tonight. Quieter than normal. She wondered how the group in Cell Block D were doing, how much worse the silence must seem for them.

Karen and David weighed heavy on her mind. The knowledge that someone who they lived amongst everyday, someone that was under their roof right now was capable of cold blooded murder was chilling. The thought had angered and shocked her before, in the light of day with Daryl standing at her side, but now in their dark cell alone it scared her. She flipped on the lantern and clicked the flashlight off. The cell door clanked as she pulled it shut and grabbed Daryl's pack from where it sat against the wall. Dropping onto the bed, her overworked muscles singing in relief, she pulled his heavy canvas pack onto her lap and unzipped it. Digging past granola bars, a water bottle and a pack of beef jerky, her hand finally closed around something soft and fuzzy and she pulled out a stuffed, yellow duck. It was made from soft terry cloth, it's little bill and webbed feet a rubbery material perfect for a teething baby. She let out a laugh that caught in her throat as tears stung at the back of her eyes. She let the pack slip to the floor and crawled underneath the blankets, falling asleep quickly with her hand curled around their baby's first toy.

Kate woke up early in her gray and lonely cell, covered in sweat, with a pounding headache. Cursing herself for overdoing it the day before she realized she probably hadn't been drinking near enough water to keep her and the baby hydrated properly. Her sore muscles screamed in protest as she sat up and reached down to get the water bottle she saw in Daryl's pack last night. She drank it quickly, the water soothing her dry, scratchy throat and thought for a second about getting up and ready for the day. Her pillow looked soft and inviting and its pull proved too much to ignore, deciding she could afford to lay back down for a few more minutes.

It was a cough that woke her finally. A jarring and violent bark that wracked her body and made her chest burn. She sat up and gripped the side of the bed for support as another hacking fit tore through her.

"Kate?" Beth's voice echoed up the stairs. "Is that you? Do you need help?"

"Beth, stay down there." Another cough interrupted her and Kate struggled to get her breath. "I need to go see Dr. S."