Chapter Fifty-three: Oh, You've had a Day
Rolling up to the gates, they were opened for me and I sighed as I saw my family either already at the gate or running to it. Slowly moving the car forward to where they were all parked, I looked in the rearview to see Rick and everyone moving toward me. Taking a deep steadying breath, I got out, holding up my hand to them.
"Wait." I told Carl as he rushed toward me. Rick looking on the verge of a breakdown. "Baby, I'm sorry." I told him. "I can explain, but – you just – you can't hug me or anything."
He didn't slow down; he simply took my head in his hands and started to kiss me. I melted against him, kissing him back as I gripped his shirt. He tasted amazing. He felt amazing. Wrapping my arm around his neck, I gripped his hair, deepening the kiss until I couldn't breathe. He snaked his arm around me, low enough on my waist that he didn't touch my wound. His other hand was still against my face, leaning away so he could look at me.
"Where the hell have you been?" He asked me.
Smiling, I kissed him again, "I'll tell you all about it. Let's just go home first."
He nodded, taking my hand as we turned to the others. Carl was immediately to me, throwing his arms around me, making me scream, shaking taking over as my vision speckled. He let me go and I fell to my knees.
"Linny!" Maggie said and was in front of me.
Rick's hand gripped me tightly, his other moving to my back, making me cry out again. "Don't touch my back!" I yelled. "Please, don't – don't touch me."
"What happened?" He asked as he dropped next to me.
Letting go of Rick, I gripped Maggie's hands, "I was in a fight."
"You look like hell." Daryl told me.
Laughing lightly, I nodded at him, "I'm well aware."
Rick pressed his lips into my hair, "Baby."
Helping me up, we once again moved toward home. "I need a beer."
"Mom." Carl started.
"Let's just wait until we get home." I told him.
"But, Mom."
"At home, Carl." I shot at him. I didn't mean to be cold and yet there was a sense of satisfaction in it. He had been so cruel to me before I'd left.
"Linny." Aaron said as he and Eric stood outside their home.
"I'm fine." I told them.
Everyone else still looked concerned making my words not believable, but I tried all the same. Going into the house, my immediate family filed in, everyone looking ready to hear where I'd been.
"Are you hungry?" Carol asked as she moved to the kitchen.
"I'm fine, Carol." I called after her. "I was fed." Going to the table, Abraham opened a beer and set it in front of me as I sat down. "You're a god."
He smirked, "I've always thought so."
Laughing lightly, I took a swig as everyone else either sat or stood around me. They were all looking at me expectantly. "So." They all seemed to lean in. "It's not that good of a story."
"The important part is that you're all right." Maggie said as she covered my hand with hers.
"I'm fine." I told her. "And again, it's not that good of a story." They all still looked at me expectantly. "I ran into two men who were being beaten in the woods. They were being toyed with like a cat and mouse game. I saved them only to be attacked by others. They – they slashed by back open, beating me pretty bad before others came to the rescue." I told them. "I was taken to a different community where they sewed me up, let me rest, fed and clothed me, and then escorted me back to my car."
"What kind of community?" Rick asked.
"One that was very different from ours and possibly better. The people were extremely nice." I told him.
"Where is it?" Abraham asked.
"No idea." I stated. "I was led around the woods for hours before I was taken to my car. I couldn't even speculate."
"How many?" Rick asked.
"From what I saw? Enough."
"Why do I feel like you're holding back?" He frowned.
"Why do I feel like you're interrogating me?" I frowned back. "They weren't a threat and didn't want anything but to help me and send me on my way."
"After the Wolves, how can you take the risk?" Michonne asked gently.
I looked at her, "I'm not taking a risk. They don't know where we are. I don't know where they are. No risk. And they were too kind to me to make me want to find them." They all just looked at me. "What?" I asked. "I was gone and now I'm back. That's all the matters."
Downing the beer, I stood and walked away from them, moving upstairs to my bedroom. It was several minutes later when I heard the door. I was in the bathroom with my shirt off, looking at my reflection. I looked like hell. I had thought me just being okay would be enough but they were all so suspicious of everything that wasn't us and here. Looking up, I saw Rick in the mirror, his brows heavily furrowed.
"So, what did you all decide?" I asked him. "Are you going to storm the woods until you find them? Are you going to question me until I give something I don't even know? What, Rick? What did you all conspire about when I walked away?"
He was staring at my back, "You seem to not think very highly of us."
"You are overly cautious. I get it. I know that it's needed. But I'm telling you to leave it alone. They were kind to me. That should be all that matters." I told him quickly.
He stepped up to me, gently touching my cut, making me flinch. Shutting my eyes, I felt his lips against my shoulder, trailing them up to my neck and into my hair. "I'm sorry." I let out a shuddering breath, bowing my head. "Baby, I'm sorry."
"Yeah." I said and started to finish undressing, getting into the shower.
"Linny." Rick said as he started to undress.
"Don't bother, Rick." I told him, seeing his shadow pause.
"Too bad." He said and kept going.
He stepped in and his lips were immediately against my skin again. Sighing, I wanted to be annoyed. I wanted to stay mad at him, but I couldn't. I loved him too damn much and I knew that everything he did was done for the good of us and our people. A lot had happened and he was right to be cautious. I just wished he'd trust me just a little bit more.
"I love you." He told me. "I'm happy you're home safe."
Turning in his arms, I took his head in my hands, "Then trust me, Rick."
He nodded, "I do trust you. I put an end to the interrogation."
"I shouldn't need to be interrogated." I stated with a raised brow. "I live here. This is my family."
"I'm sorry." He repeated.
"I know." I smiled, leaning up and kissed him. "And I love you, Rick. I love you so much."
He smiled and kissed me again, pulling me against him by my hips. "I might have to insist that you don't go out alone again."
I laughed and shook my head, "It was a freak encounter. I don't expect it to happen again."
He nodded and sighed. "Carl's been pretty upset. He feels like he drove you away and when you didn't come back…"
"He did drive me away." I stated with a hard tone. "I can't handle him being angry with me anymore. I can't have him talk to me with the disrespect that he has been. I'm not his punching bag."
He nodded, "He sees that now. He wanted to send a search party out for you when the sun set and you hadn't come home yet."
"Let him feel guilty." I frowned.
He laughed lightly, "I did. I let him feel pretty damn guilty. Only then I was just as worried when we did go looking for you and didn't find you."
"Did you find the car?" I asked.
He nodded, "We did. But we left it just in case you needed it."
Smiling, I kissed him, "And I did."
"You smell like a barn." He stated as he pressed his lips to my shoulder.
"I got to ride a horse." I grinned at him.
He laughed lightly, "I'm sure you loved that."
"I did."
He laughed and kissed me again, "Now then, I want to give you a proper homecoming."
"Well, Mr. Grimes, I just might have to let you." I grinned as I wrapped my arm around his neck.
By the time we were dressed, parts of my back had to be bandaged, and I couldn't get the grin to leave my face. Rick was pretty much perfect. I gripped his hand tightly as we went back downstairs, seeing everyone still there.
"How are you feeling?" Maggie asked me.
"I'm fine." I told her.
"Are you sure?" She asked as she took my head in her hands.
"I've been cut and beaten before. This isn't anything new."
"You were gone for four days." She frowned at me.
Smiling, I gripped her wrists, "Maggie, I was taken care of. I'm going to be fine."
"The last time you were beaten like this you hated Rick for months." She stated.
Laughing lightly, I nodded, "Yeah, I did. But this is nothing like that. It was a wrong place at the wrong time sort of thing. Only I saved a couple lives so it wasn't all bad."
She nodded, "Yeah, that's a good thing. I kinda love you, you know."
"I know." I said and wrapped my arms around her. "I love you more."
She hugged me tightly and I didn't care about the pain she was causing in my back. I hugged her just as tightly, not wanting to let her go. She let me go first and I turned to everyone, hugging them tightly.
"I plan on escorting you from here on out." Abraham told me as he hugged me tightly.
"Yes, sir." I smiled up at him, saluting him.
Looking around, I saw Carl sitting on the couch. Sighing, I slowly walked over, sitting on the coffee table in front of him. He wouldn't meet my eyes. He was sitting forward with his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor.
"Sit back." I told him. He sighed and did as he was told; now staring at his hands. "Carl, look at me." I said firmly. He slowly lifted his head, training his one eye on me. I took in the gauze that covered his other, wrapping around his head. It looked clean. The bleeding may have finally stopped. Taking his face in my hands, I focused on his eye, "You are beautiful, Carl. You are everything to me and your dad. You and Judith. So I need you to stop feeling sorry for yourself and stop treating me like your punching bag. I've only ever wanted to help you and you know that."
"I know." He nodded. "I'm sorry."
"I don't want you to be sorry, Carl. I want you to be the sweet boy I love. This angry and hurtful one is someone I don't want anything to do with." I frowned at him. "Can you at least try for me?"
He nodded quickly, "I will."
"Thank you." I said still sounding angry. "Now hug me." I added as I stood.
He was on his feet a second later and his arms were around me tighter than anyone else's. "I'm so sorry." He said and started to cry, burying his face in my shoulder. "I was scared."
"Shh, sweetie, I know." I told him softly. "I'm sorry, too."
"I love you." He told me.
Smiling, I hugged him tighter, "I love you, Carl. So, so, much."
"It's getting late." Rick said walking over to us. "Let's turn in early."
"Still planning that run?" I asked him.
He nodded, "The walls are nearly complete. We're running low on things so Daryl and I should get a jump start in the morning."
Sighing, I put my hands against his chest, rubbing it. "Yeah."
He pulled me against him, "I know I should stay with you, but…"
"I get it, Rick." I replied. "It's important for everyone that you go."
He nodded and pressed a kiss against my forehead, "Only if you're okay with it. If you want me to stay, I will."
Smiling, I ran my fingers through his hair, "I'm not selfish enough to ask you to stay."
"You could be, you know." He stated, taking my hands in his, gently playing with my fingers.
I shook my head, "No. I couldn't. You'd never ask that of me. I won't ask that of you."
"I'd ask you to stay." He nodded at me.
Smiling, I stared up at him, whispering, "I'd ask you to stay in bed with me if I had a choice in the matter."
"Mom." Carl scolded.
"What?" I asked still staring at his father. "It's no secret."
"And that's our queue to leave." Maggie smiled and moved toward the door.
Following her, I gently gripped her fingers, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes you will. And every day after." She told me matter-of-factly.
Laughing, I hugged her, "I'm okay with that."
"Rest up." Glenn smiled before hugging me gently.
Smiling, I gripped him tightly, "I'm going to need a proper hug."
He chuckled and hugged me tighter, "I didn't want to hurt you."
"I don't care." I told him. "It feels good."
He tightened his grip, burying his face in my neck. "Don't do that again." He told me softly.
"I won't if I can help it." I smiled. "I love you, Glenn."
"I love you." He replied.
Everyone left accept for the ones who lived here, leaving the house much quieter. Turning, I was met with a bear hug. Wrapping my arms around him, I started to shake, burying my face in his shoulder. Feeling tears, I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath of him. I could feel his emotions. Knowing the words that he would never say. Sighing, I moved my arm around his neck, gripping his hair. He pressed his face into my neck.
"I know, Daryl." I whispered to him, running my hand down the back of his head.
He let me go; nodding at me as he gently bit his lip. Leaning up, I kissed his cheek, wrapping my arms around his neck. Letting him go again, he offered me a small smile before heading downstairs. Carol put her hand on my arm before she followed him. Then it was just me, my boyfriend, and our kid.
"Well, it's always fun coming home wounded from an unplanned extended trip." I told them nonchalantly. Neither of them seemed amused. "You both are wearing the same expression." I frowned at them. "Wipe it off." Walking past them, I went to the kitchen and got a glass of water, standing at the island. They followed, both just watching me. "You really are father and son." I stated with a raised brow.
"Now that it's just us." Rick stated, looking concerned again. "Should I be worried?"
I smirked at him, "You weren't worried less than a half hour ago."
"Ew." Carl said and walked away.
"Linny." Rick said with seriousness. "That was me showing you how happy I am you're home. Now I need to know if I should be worried. Just say the word and I won't go."
"No need to be worried." I replied honestly. "This trip has been delayed long enough. And the walls look great."
He nodded, "The expansion is going very well."
"And I'll see that it keeps going well while you're gone." I smiled and finished the water. "Now, let's go upstairs."
Holding out my hand to him, he quickly took it and we made our way up the stairs. Carl took Judith into his bedroom and I could hear him open a comic before he started to read to her. He was going to be fine. It made me finally feel like I could relax. Going into our room, I swiftly changed, pulling on a pair of shorts while Rick once again tended to my back.
"Too many hugs." He frowned.
"I needed them." I replied softly.
He nodded, "We all did. Everyone was worried about you."
"I'm glad people care." I smiled. He still wasn't amused. "I didn't mean for it to happen."
"I know." He said and pressed a kiss against my shoulder. "I'm just happy you're home."
"Me, too." I said kissing him.
When he was done, I pulled on a tank, dropping onto my stomach. My bed felt amazing and I just wanted to lay here. I hadn't thought I was tired but now that I was lying down, I felt exhausted. I stared at Rick as he stripped down to his boxers, getting into bed next to me. He turned his head and met my eyes, reaching his hand up and trailed his fingers against my shoulder. Smiling, I leaned over and kissed him deeply, pressing myself against his side.
"I won't be gone long." He told me. "I should be back before dark."
"I'll still miss you." I replied.
"We need this."
"I know."
"I don't want to leave you." He said meeting my eyes. "You've been through something and I feel like I should be staying close."
Smiling, I kissed him again, "Baby, I'm gonna be fine."
"You always are."
"I'll have plenty of distractions while you're gone. Carl. Maggie being pregnant. Licking my wounds."
"I wanna lick them for you." He replied. Laughing, I just shook my head at him. He laughed with me, pulling me to him for another kiss. "You know what I mean."
"I do." I smiled. "I do know what you mean."
"Are we going to talk any more about what happened?" He asked me.
"No." I replied. "It was just a freak encounter. We'll probably never meet each other again so it doesn't matter. I'm okay and I'll stay okay. I'm just happy to be home."
"Me, too."
"And that there are other communities out there." I added. "And that they're nice."
"I guess we couldn't be the only ones. I mean, Alexandria existed. There has to be others."
Smiling, I stared at him, "We're not alone in the world."
He smiled back before he kissed me again. "I love you."
"I love you." I replied and kissed him again.
We stayed up for a while longer, talking and just being with each other. It was nice and normal. I loved my home and being here with him made all the difference. I fell asleep first, listening to the sound of his voice. I loved the sound of his voice and the feeling of his touch. I loved the kids he gave me and the life we were living together. We had a family and purpose. We were surviving this new world and I couldn't think that somehow this new world was better than the old one I had. There were people and things I missed but I almost felt like I was made for this new world. The real me was able to come out. I'd survived more than I thought I would be capable of. So much more. I liked the me I was now. Not the quiet me from before that had no ambition or reason to break out of the norm.
I was happy.
When morning came, I was on my side; Rick's arm was underneath my neck, his other around me as he pressed against my back, his face buried in my neck. Making a soft noise, he pressed his lips against me, tightening his hold on me. Rubbing his arm, I smiled, not wanting to move. I was warm and safe and I just wanted to lie in bed with him all day. But I couldn't. We couldn't. He had things to do and I wouldn't let him leave without getting up and seeing him out.
"Baby?" I said softly as I looked at his hand.
"Hm?" He said.
"You're not wearing your ring." I stated.
I felt his bicep move as he bent his arm looking at his hand. He briefly reached his other up and rubbed where it used to be. "Yeah. It was time."
Smiling, I gently rolled so I could look at him, "You sure?"
He smiled, putting his hand against my face, "I'm sure." I rolled again, wrapping my arm around him. "I love you, Linny." He said and kissed me. "It was time."
"I love you." I grinned and started to kiss him repeatedly. "I love you, Rick."
He just grinned back at me, "I'm happy I met you."
"I love you." I said and kissed him, letting my lips linger against his. About to show him just how much, there was cooing and a knock on the door. "No." I complained. "Things were just about to get good."
He laughed and kissed me again. "Then reality sinks in."
"This is our reality." I smiled as I rubbed against him.
"And I wouldn't want it any other way." He smiled before rolling out of bed.
I did the same, moving to the door, opening it to see Michonne holding my daughter. "Morning." I told her and I took my daughter. "Good morning, sweet pea." She bounced and touched my face as she gripped my hair with her other. "You are so very much awake."
"I'm gonna get in the shower." Rick said and he kissed my shoulder.
"Okay." I told him.
"How's your back?" Michonne asked. She was standing in a bathrobe with a towel around her hair.
I sighed and nodded at her, "It's healing. And is a little itchy."
She laughing lightly, "I'll lotion it for you."
"That'd be nice." I replied.
Putting Judith down, I handed her a few toys before I took my shirt off, holding it against my chest. It didn't take long for Rick to come back out, getting dressed as he talked to his daughter. Smiling as I watched them, he smiled down at her as he put his gun on. When Michonne was done and had redressed a few of the areas that were still struggling to close, I changed.
"I was actually coming here to see if either of you have any toothpaste left." Michonne smiled.
"No, 'cause someone has been borrowing it every day for two weeks." Rick smiled at her.
"We're out of toothpaste?" I said with shock. "No, no, we can't be out of toothpaste." I complained. "Rick."
"What?" He smirked at me. "We share around here."
"I know." I replied. "But I love toothpaste. I like a clean mouth."
"Sorry, baby." He smiled and kissed me.
Then there was banging sound. Sighing, we all knew what it was.
"Carl." Michonne and I said together.
"What? Denise says it's PT." Carl called back.
"I can't hear you." Rick stated. "Come on out."
"What?" Carl asked as he came into sight.
Rick and Michonne looked at each other, saying together, "Denise said this is PT."
"You heard me." Carl stated.
"Yeah." Rick smiled.
"It's time to change your bandage." I told him. "And apparently we need to borrow some toothpaste."
"Okay, but I'm out of toothpaste." He replied.
"No." I said with furrowed brows.
"Bye, Dad."
"I'll see you later." He said and picked up Judith. "Come on, sweetheart."
"You be good out there." Michonne told him.
"Yeah, we'll see. And thank you." He told her, giving her a low five as he walked away.
"Oh. Spearmint and baking soda. That's my favorite." She called after him.
"Soon as I get it, you will." He stated.
"I'll walk you out." I told him.
"I'll help Carl." Michonne told me.
Smiling at her, gently gripping her hand, I followed Rick downstairs. "I'm good with any toothpaste. Just find some." I told him.
He laughed lightly at me, "Who knew dental care was so important to you women."
"Have you seen some of the teeth on people we've come across?" I frowned at him. "Hideous, baby, they're hideous and I will not let my teeth get like that."
He laughed, handing me our daughter, "I'll do my best."
"Thank you." I smiled.
He leaned in and kissed me deeply, "I'll see you later."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Ready?" Daryl asked him as he wrapped his arm around me.
"Yeah." Rick nodded. "Let's go."
"See you later." Daryl said and pressed a kiss into my hair, then against Judith's, before they both left.
Watching them leave, I went back inside, slowly closing the door as I looked down the road one last time. Sighing, I pressed my lips against Judith's temple, bouncing her a bit as I walked into the kitchen. Carol smiled at me sadly, taking Judith from my arms.
"It's always hard watching them go." She said sadly.
I nodded, "You think I'd get used to it, but – as I've already proven – anything can happen."
She just smiled at me sadly, "You missing is far worse than them. They can handle themselves."
"So can I." I frowned at her.
She smiled, "I know, Caroline."
"I can, Carol." I frowned harder at her. "If you remember, I was out there alone a lot longer than I've been with all of you. I've put in my time. I know what I'm doing and I sure as hell know how to handle myself."
"I'm sorry." She told me. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"Just because I got into a situation doesn't mean I can't take care of myself." I went on. "I got myself out of it just fine."
"You nearly got yourself killed." She stated nonchalantly.
"I did." I nodded. "I got lucky. Doesn't mean I can't handle myself. It just means I need to work on my perception and ability to sense when someone is coming up behind me." She simply smiled at me. I sighed, picking at a towel. "I've gotten sloppy since I don't have to be on edge like I used to. But I am capable, Carol. You know I am."
"I know." She smiled. "I do know that, Linny. Things are just…different now."
"Ain't that the truth?" I stated with a scoff. "At least we're all safe."
"And Rick's in charge."
"Just how you wanted it." I smiled at her.
She smiled and nodded, "It'll be better for everyone."
"And the ones we've lost?" I asked. "Deanna? Jessie? Her kids? All the others?"
"We're still here."
"But is the cost worth it?"
"Yes."
Keeping her eyes for a long moment, I finally smiled and nodded at her. "Yeah."
Spending the day walking around town, talking to everyone. At one point I ended up going over gear and supplies with Tara and Heath. They were going to be going on a two-week run. They needed to be supplied enough to make sure they got back home. We couldn't afford to lose anyone else. Not for our community. Not for our family.
"You sure we can take all this?" Tara asked.
I nodded, "You'll need it if something should happen." She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Just try not to lose it." I added with a smirk.
"We'll bring it back." She told me.
"Thank you." I told her. "You still coming for dinner?" I asked next. "At least one more good meal before you leave?"
She smiled, "Yeah. Can I bring Denise?"
"Of course." I smiled. "I'm playing nice."
She laughed and shook her head, "You're trying and I appreciate that."
It didn't take long for the sun to start to set. Another work day done. Going home, Carol and I set to cooking, making a pretty decent meal in my book. Well balanced, opened a bottle of wine, and Denise even brought dessert. Though Carol had already made a pie and hers blew Denise's cookies out of the water. But she tried.
It was dark when everyone left, leaving our family alone. Carl had taken Judith out onto the porch, leaving the door open so I could still hear them. It was nice listening to him talk to his sister. I knew that she would always have him looking out for her. He would teach her how to grow up in this world. She'd know how to fight and how to use weapons and how to be strong. She would probably be the strongest of us all. Her and Maggie's baby. They were our future.
"You know, you could have one, too." Carol said as if she were reading my thoughts.
Laughing lightly, I shrugged at her, "Well, we're not stopping it. It just…hasn't happened yet."
"It will when the time is right."
Smiling at her, I nodded, "I'd like that. Another blessing in a world from hell."
She laughed lightly, "It might be for us but for them it'll just be the world. We'll all be happy again one day."
"We are now." I told her. "It's just a different kind of happy. Found in a different world. But it's still happiness." I looked at her. "I'm happy. Aren't you?"
She put her hand against my face, "I am."
As soon as the kitchen was cleaned up, I took my glass of wine and moved to the doorway, looking at my kids with all the love I had for them.
"See that bright one?" Carl asked her. She cooed in response, looking at his finger. "Yeah, that's the North Star. It's at the end of the Little Dipper." She made more noises, though it was just at the sound of her brother's voice. She didn't know what he was telling her. Not yet. "Yeah. If you get lost at night, just find that star."
"Where you been?" I asked Michonne as she came up the steps.
"Just…needed a walk." She told me. Then she was looking at Carl. "Hey."
"Hey." He replied.
"You have a good day?" She asked him, but her tone was telling.
I frowned at them, looking at Carl. He was nonchalant as he replied, "I guess so. I'm gonna take her in." He stood and smiled at me.
Smiling back, I put my hand on his arm, but Michonne wasn't done. "Carl. I saw what you did…with Deanna."
"What?" I frowned. "What about Deanna? Carl?"
"Yeah?" He said but was looking at Michonne.
"You should've left her or killed her." She told him.
"Michonne." I said with warning. "What are you talking about?"
"No, that's stupid." Carl shot at her.
"Were you in the woods?" I asked Carl.
"He was." Michonne frowned. "Only, what's stupid is that he was out there when he doesn't have to be."
"You did the same thing." Carl shot at her. "You didn't – you and Spencer didn't have to go out there, but you did."
"That's different."
"It's not. I wasn't going to leave her out there like that. You wouldn't." He said and got a scoff in return. "You wouldn't. I know it. I couldn't kill her."
"Why not?"
"Because – be –"
"You could've killed her." She repeated.
"No, I couldn't. I wouldn't."
"Carl." I frowned at him. "What did you do?"
"Were you playing some sort of game out there?" Michonne asked him. "Did you think that –?"
"No!" He interrupted her.
"Then why?"
"Because it should be someone who loved her, someone who's family, and I – I'd do it for you." He told her. "Both of you." He added looking at me. I sighed at him, nodding. I understood what he was saying. "I would."
"Me, too, sweetie." I said gently playing with his hair.
"Come here." Michonne told him, pulling him into a hug. "Me, too."
"Take your sister inside." I told him.
"Okay." He smiled at me.
As soon as he was gone, I shut the door and turned to Michonne with a frown. "Do not talk to him like that."
"You don't know what he did." She frowned at me.
"My guess is that he and Enid were in the woods – probably reading comics – and he saw you and Spencer. Then he came across Deanna and led her to her son." I replied. "How I'm doing so far?"
She frowned harder, "Surprisingly well."
Laughing lightly, I nodded, "He wasn't wrong, Michonne. If Rick died and turned…I'd want to be the one to do it. I'd want to see him once more instead of never knowing or worse, knowing that he was walking around the woods somewhere rotting." She nodded at me with a sigh. "I know I couldn't stand the thought of you walking around out there. I'd look for you. I'd make sure you got the death you would want."
She smiled before pulling me into a tight hug, "I'd do that for you, too."
"Thank you." I replied, pressing my face into her neck, taking a deep breath. "I love you."
"I love you." She told me. "Now let's get me a glass of wine and come out here and sit for a while."
Smiling, I nodded, getting her a glass and refilling my own. Sitting outside, we talked and laughed, enjoying the night air. It was a beautiful night and I knew that neither of us would sleep well while Rick and Daryl were still gone. I knew that I probably didn't have to worry, but at the same time…I always worried.
"A tiger?" She grinned at me. "And you cuddled with it?"
I laughed and nodded at her, "I did. I really did. But don't tell Rick. I've kept what happened pretty under wraps."
"Only because they asked you to." She replied. "So, why are you telling me?"
"Because you're my sister and one of my best friends." I smiled at her. "Between you and Maggie, I don't have secrets."
She smiled at me, "I appreciate that. The same is for me."
"We gotta stick together." I went on. "Too much is at stake to not just be honest with each other. To not trust each other."
"I trust you." She smiled at me.
"I trust you." I told her.
"Linny?" Daryl's voice interrupted us.
I was on my feet a second later, putting my glass down before rushing down the stairs to him. "You're back." I said throwing my arms around his neck.
He hugged me briefly before letting me go, taking my hands, "Come with me."
Frowning, I nodded at him, "Okay." Then I looked at Michonne. "Keep an eye on things?"
She was standing now, nodding, "Yeah."
He put his arm around me and I could feel his tenseness. "Are you gonna tell me what's going on?" I asked him.
"You'll see." He nodded at me.
Following him to the infirmary, he opened the door for me and I saw Rick and Denise standing over a body. Hearing the door, Rick turned and swiftly moved to me, wrapping me in his arms.
"Hey, baby." I told him softly, running my hand down the back of his head. "You okay?" I asked taking his head in my hands.
"Yeah." He nodded and then kissed me deeply.
Smiling, I gently rubbed his chest, "Who do we have here?"
"Jesus." He stated and looked at him. "We knocked him out after chasing him down. He completely ruined what we found."
"I hope it wasn't anything too exciting." I frowned at him.
"An entire truck full of supplies."
"Toothpaste?" I asked.
He nodded, "Probably."
"I'll kill him." I said and moved toward the table.
He was a man who looked to be around my age. He had long straight brown hair. A goatee encircling his mouth. He was dressed ready for anything. At first glance he looked like a nice guy. But knowing that he had ruined my boyfriend's run made me want to hurt him. But they had done that already.
"Well?" I asked Denise.
"He's probably got a concussion." She stated.
"Or he's just really enjoying the rest." I replied.
"Just – just check him out." Rick stated with annoyance.
Looking at him, I sighed, "Why don't you go home? I'll be there in a little bit."
"I'll take first watch." Daryl nodded.
Rick took a deep breath, letting it out roughly. "All right."
"I'll walk you out." I told him, taking his hand as we moved to the door. Going outside, I shut the door, sighing as I looked up at him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." He nodded, putting his thumb in the corner of his eye. "I'm just tired. It's been a long day."
Nodding, I smiled, wrapping my arms around him. "I'm happy you're home."
"Me, too." He said hugging me tightly. "I love you, Linny."
"I love you." I told him before kissing him deeply.
He offered me a small smile, "Don't be too long."
"Don't wait up for me." I smiled back.
He nodded, kissing me again, "I will anyway."
Watching him walk away, I sighed and went back inside. "Have you started an IV yet?" I asked.
"No." Denise frowned. "He doesn't need one."
"Doesn't mean some fluids wouldn't do him some good." I replied. "I think we can spare a liter." She just looked at me. "Fine. I'll do it."
"He doesn't need it." She repeated.
"If he don't need it, why give him it?" Daryl frowned. "This guy ruined our day."
"He's still a person." I told him. "And I was taken in by others and given what I needed without question and without asking for anything in return." He sighed and nodded. "I'd like to offer him the same courtesy. We're not bad people."
He finally nodded at me, "Do it."
Smiling at him, I put an IV into Jesus's arm, making sure it was going in nicely before I gave him a once over. Denise was watching me with a very judgmental expression. He was out but I didn't think he would be any worse for wear when he woke up. Injecting him with a mild pain reliever, I checked his vitals once more before going to where Daryl was leaning against a desk.
"Is he gonna live?" He asked.
Laughing lightly, knowing he would love to kill him, I nodded, "He's gonna be just fine."
"That's what I said." Denise piped up.
Sighing, I cocked my head at her, "And I'm sure they believed you. However, sometimes it's nice to have the opinion of someone you trust a hundred and ten percent."
"They'll never trust me if you keep coming whenever they call." She shot at me angrily.
I didn't want to fight with her. For Tara's sake I didn't want to fight with her. They had made things official and I respected and loved my family and the decisions they made. Even if I didn't agree with them one hundred and ten percent.
"Why don't you go home to Tara?" I asked her kindly. "Daryl and I will watch over him."
She looked at me for a long moment before nodding, "Fine."
Smiling, I nodded at her, "I'll get you if I run into any trouble."
"Thank you." She said making it sound like she'd won something.
Daryl and I watched her leave before we both sighed heavily. "That was big of you."
"I'm trying." I said and started to pace. "For Tara, I'm trying."
"She'd be proud then." He told me.
Smiling, I crossed my arms, pacing circles around the man. "What do we know about him?"
"He's from another community who's in need of supplies. He's a frickin freak."
"You sound angry." I said and looked at him.
"Linny, we chased this guy all damn day and because of him we lost one hell of a sweet pot." He replied. "You should have seen that truck."
"But you're home safe. That's all that matters."
"And if we run out of supplies because of this prick?"
"Then we'll deal and we'll figure it out."
"Just like that, huh?"
"Yeah." I smiled at him. "Just like that."
"Come here." He said and I swiftly moved to him, hugging him around his center. He gently ran his fingers through my hair. "How's your back?"
"It's good." I told him. "Healing well."
"Good." He said and pressed a kiss in my hair.
Staying for a few hours, we talked and laughed and kept ourselves awake, always keeping one eye on our guest. I was surprised when Denise and Tara arrived for a changing of the guards for both Daryl and me. I couldn't deny that sleep sounded amazing but I was also a little wired, but it wasn't enough for me to argue.
"Night." Daryl whispered when we'd let ourselves into our home.
I hugged him tightly, "Night."
"It was nice getting time to just talk."
"It was." I grinned at him. "I'll see you in the morning."
He nodded and disappeared down the stairs. Listening to the silence of our home, I went upstairs, letting myself into Carl's room, seeing him sleeping and Judith rolling over in her crib. Grinning at her, I gently rubbed her back, getting a small noise in return before she sighed, settling down on her stomach. Going to Carl, I pressed a kiss against his forehead before I left, shutting the door before letting myself into my bedroom. Rick was asleep and I couldn't help but stare down at him. I knew he wouldn't be able to hold out for long. He was exhausted and needed the sleep. I didn't mind. He needed sleep far more than anything I wanted to give him.
Changing, I crawled into bed, moving against his side as I rested my head next to his. It didn't take long for him to shift, pressing a kiss against my forehead, "Hey."
"Hey." I said kissing his cheek.
"Everything okay?" He asked.
"Yeah. Everything is fine."
"Good." He replied. "Love you."
"Love you more."
He chuckled, "Not possible."
Even though it was just two words, it filled me with warmth. Nestling closer to him, we fell asleep together. We were home and we were happy. But – like most good things – it didn't last. We both jerked away when a voice said Rick's name. We both shot up, grabbing our weapons from our nightstands before we trained them as the figure standing at the end of our bed.
"Jesus?" I frowned.
