I love you guys. Love love love love.


Rick's voice wavered as soon as he began to speak to me, "Isabelle…put the bottle down…please."

The others joined in calling the girls name, Andrea, begging her to put the gun down.

"I'll put it down when she puts the gun down," I gritted through my teeth, I'll wait here all day if I have to, "Simple as that."

One of the men in armor stepped closer to her, between us, and sternly told her to back off. She kept going on some stupid rant about how we're all gonna die and how it was Rick's fault. I could only scoff and shake my head in response to her poor use of logic.

The man had balls though, I had to admit, he even dared her to shoot Rick. I just wanted her to make a move – any move, so I'd have an excuse to hurt her.

She finally turned her head to the man and put the gun down, letting go of Rick's shirt. Damn right, bitch. I placed the bottle on a metal shelf, and before I could say something, the man who calmed her down dragged Rick by the arm ahead, scolding him about us shooting up the streets.

"What the hell else were we supposed to do?" I asked, annoyed.

My question, of course, was ignored, as a black man complained that every walker in the vicinity had heard our gunshots.

We reached a small boutique, and stared at the windows in front of us. The black guy was right, it looked like we'd alerted every single walker in Atlanta. Even though I'd seen many and killed plenty, I still cringe when I see them clawing and gnawing at the windows.

I suppose the group was trying to make a point to us: don't use guns. I already knew that myself, and I really didn't appreciate the tone they were using, they could've at least been a little nicer about it.

"Did you guys not see the situation we were in? We were being chased!" I exclaimed.

The bulky guy turned to me, "Just don't make sure it happens again," he warned, "You two are lucky Glenn found you when he did."

"Right." I replied dryly.

The windows started to creak as the walkers kept pounding on it, we were going to have to leave soon. The group started to move back towards the store, scared. I joined them, and we all huddled together to come up with a plan.

The blonde bitch turned to Rick and I to ask us what we were doing out there, but I let him answer. I don't get how he was able to act civil towards the woman who pulled a gun on him, but to each their own, I guess.

The black guy, T-dog, was told to get his radio out to contact the "others". Others? That makes things a lot more interesting.

Rick must've read my mind, because as soon as he heard that he asked the same thing.

The black woman answered his question and explained that there was a refugee camp outside of Atlanta that contained other survivors, and I could feel Rick's hopes arise. But of course, our conversation was interrupted by a loud gunshot that didn't sound too far from where we were at.

Andrea looked up with horror written over her features, "Shit. Was that Dixon?"

"Wh-" I started, but the group rushed upstairs, while Rick grabbed my forearm and pulled me away from the window. Hopefully, the walkers had short term memory.

As we were making out way upstairs, a generous amount of gunshots continued to ring out. Is this guy an idiot?

I nudged the black girl to ask her name, "Sorry, didn't have time to introduce ourselves," she whispered, "I'm Jacqui, Morales is the one who talks a lot. Andrea is the blonde one, Glenn found you guys, and T-dog has the radio. Merle is the idiot upstairs who keeps shootin' his gun."

I nodded as thanks and continued upstairs.

"Hey Dixon! You crazy?" Morales shouted to a man across the rooftop, who had a very interesting choice in attire. I wasn't too sure if he was wearing a shirt or tank under that leather vest, but I was more concerned with the fact that he was able to wear leather in this Georgia heat.

The man, Merle, turned around with his rifle ready and only laughed at Morales. Asshole.

"Hey man you ought to be more polite to the man with the gun! Only common sense!" He joked, jumping down to meet the rest of the group.

T-dog ran ahead and shouted back, "Man you're wasting all our bullets we ain't even got! And you're bring all the damn walkers over here! Man what the hell is your problem?"

I waited behind for the scene to unfold, should I step in? Or not? Surely, Merle could take me down easily since he was a hell of a lot bigger than me, but I could at least distract him so the others can step him. The way the group stayed behind without saying a word made me start to wonder why they left this man in charge, and made me hope that he wasn't the leader of the whole refugee camp as well.

He stepped closer to T-dog, and I could feel the heavy tension in the air, "Ey man I gotta listen to some taco vender all day and now ya think I'm gonna listen to you? That'll be the day," he smiled at the end, clearly trying to provoke T-dog.

I tried to step forward, but the look of "don't bother" from Glenn and Rick holding me back stopped me. I whispered to Rick, "We can't just stand here and let things escalate!"

Glenn replied quietly, "Just stay out of it." And Rick nodded his head in agreement, to my disappointment.

I huffed and stayed behind, I wouldn't be able to do much if I stepped in right now since no one else would even support me.

"That'll be the day?" T-dog repeated, "What the hell you tryin' to say?"

Shit. This was getting bad, and quick.

Merle leaned closer to T-dog, while Morales kept his distance trying to calm them down, telling him that it wasn't worth it. What kind of group lets this shit happen?

"Wanna know the day? I'll tell ya mister 'yo', it's the day I take orders from a n*****." He spat hatefully, only for T-dog to try and throw a punch, but miss.

I couldn't listen anymore, I broke away from Rick's grip and grabbed Merle's shoulder before he could butt stroke T-dog with his rifle, hoping I could distract him long enough.

He surprisingly turned to his attention to me, and yes I was scared as hell, but I distracted him more, "What the fuck is your problem man? Not his fault he has more common sense than your dumbass, it's like you're trying to draw walkers fro-"

"My problem?" He cut me off, but keeping his distance from me, "You sayin' a n*****'s smarter than me?"

I saw Rick closing in on him from behind, but not fast enough because as soon as Merle finished speaking, he lunged at me and I felt the back of his hand meet my face, sending me to the cement. Ouch.

Jeez, I thought I could hold my own a little better than that, I guess not though. I held my lip as I tried to bring myself up, and I knew I was going to hear it later from Rick. It was only a small gash though, not too much blood.

One moment I'm on the ground holding my lip, and the next Merle is there too face down. I scooted away as I saw Rick drag him to the large pipe on the roof, put his knee in the middle of Merle's back, and handcuff him to it. He pulled a pistol on Merle and started speaking to him, but I didn't hear it as Jacqui rushed to me to ask about my injuries.

I kept nodding my head, waiting for her to finish so I could speak, "How's T-dog?" I asked, but she ignored my question and insisted that she check my injuries. I continued to swat her hands away, "I'm fine. How is T-dog?" I questioned again.

"He's fine, thanks to you and Rick. You got nerve girl, he could've hurt you."

"I'm aware." I answered with an annoyed tone, and she stuck her hand out to help me up.

I wasn't sure what the hell happened between Rick and Merle, but as soon as they were done talking, Rick stormed off with Morales following close behind.

It stung a little that he didn't ask how I was, but it was understandable. I was the reckless person who just had to step in, but did anyone not see it from my point of view? If I didn't step in, then who would've? Was everyone just going to wait until T-dog was beaten to a pulp before doing something?

Speaking of T-dog, he ran over to me (along with the rest of the group) to thank me, but I could only nod my head. I wasn't some hero, I was just doing what was right. After asking him if he was okay, I went over to Rick to see what was up.

"You better pray when I get loose you pig!" I heard Merle shout behind me, and I shouldn't have turned around but I did. Watching him writhe around was pathetic, but I almost felt sorry for him since he must've been raised in a pretty shit family – it was hard to blame him for the way he was acting. Regardless, he still was an asshole and a racist piece of shit.

"You stupid bitch!" He shouted at me, but I crossed my arms and shrugged at him nonchalantly, "I've heard it all before, shithead." I told him, only for him to try to reach out at me again.

He stopped panting and finally relaxed – or so I thought because he still couldn't keep his fucking mouth shut, "You better watch your mouth before Merle'll have to teach ya a lesson." He told me with a smug grin.

I laughed the insult off and then kneeled down beside him, "Fuck you." I spat, hoping to get the last word because had he said something else, I probably would've given him a swift kick to the ribs. Fortunately, he was able to take the hint, but I knew he wouldn't stay quiet for too long. I know his type.

Rick was waiting at the other side of the roof, observing the streets quietly. "Rick," I started, waiting for a response, and to be honest, I expected him to start lecturing me, but instead he turned to me and raised my chin like he was checking my face for any scratches.

I thought he was done, but instead he leaned in to give me a tender kiss on the lips. I was confused, but hell, a kiss is a kiss.

When he pulled back, he ran his thumb over my lip, "Don't do that again, Isabelle," Here comes the lecture I was talking about… "I can't stand seeing you getting hurt like that."

My eyebrows crinkled together in confusion, "Why aren't you mad?" I know didn't come out the way I necessarily intended it to, but how else could I put it?

"I was, believe me. After handcuffing him, I wanted to shoot him for what he did to you, but I walked away. I had to…" He trailed off, almost ashamed.

I gently grabbed his hand, "Don't worry, you were the better man by walking away." I was about to lean in for another kiss, but it was interrupted by more garbage spewing from Merle's mouth.

We went back to meet with the group, and I left Rick to talk to Morales while I kept an eye on the streets, hoping I could spot our bag or maybe even the horse. I snorted to myself at Andrea's obtuse rejection to Merle's offers in exchange for setting him free. I didn't like her much, but at least she wasn't that stupid.

I overheard bits and pieces of Rick and Morales' conversation, and my head perked up when I heard sewers. Sewers? All the manholes had to be in the main streets and those were overrun with walkers, or "geeks" as Glenn liked to call them.

Jacqui spoke up, "Old building like this had to be built in the 20s, big structures often had drainage tunnels into the sewers for floods." Before anyone could question her credibility, she continued, "I know this because I worked in the city's zoning office."

Everyone shared a quick glance, and we all left for the stairs, leaving T-dog behind because the radio received a better signal on the roof and to keep an eye on Merle.


"Are…you sure this is it, Glenn?" I asked skeptically while staring down at the dark tunnel before us. Not too sure on where it led to, but was sure as hell it would take a lot of convincing to make me go down there.

Glenn shone his flashlight around some more to get a better view before responding, "Well, yeah," he hesitated as he continued to observe, "It's the only place that goes down. Never been down there before, who would want to?"

All of us stared at him, and although he looked disappointed, he went on to explain that he wanted to go down there alone anyways, that he didn't want us following behind him. It made sense, so I wasn't going to complain. Andrea insisted that someone go with him as backup, but each time he refused.

After a small pause, he finally gave in, "I'll take one person only," he started and Rick moved to volunteer, but Glenn quickly shot him down, "Not you. You're good with a gun and I'd feel better if you were watching the doors." He pointed to Andrea and told her to stay behind with Rick in the store (which I wasn't much comfortable with), and instructed Morales and Jacqui to stay up there in case of anything going wrong. Which left me.

"Uhh…" I hesitated, "I guess that means I'm going, right?"

"I guess so." He said, and sounded gloomy about it. Thanks, Glenn.

I cleared my throat and ran my fingers through my hair, "Right, well," I turned to Rick and he gave me a quick 'be careful' look, "after you." I motioned to the ladder, to which he cautiously slid down.

When I joined him down there, I looked back up at Rick and shielded my eyes from Andrea's flashlight, "Not in the eyes." I grumbled, and gave a small wave to Rick.

I let Glenn lead the way, and nearly had a heart attack when he accidentally stepped on the tail of a rat, causing it to squeal and break the silence. "Be careful!" I whispered.

"Sorry." He whispered back, shining the light down at his feet.

We took small steps as we progressed through the tunnel, and because of the constant obstacles lingering around, I moved closer to him and kept one hand on his shoulder.

I could tell he wanted to make small talk, but I was too busy watching where my feet were going to pay attention to learning about him. We have time for that later.

"There.." I started, waiting to get closer to get a better look, "There's a gate up ahead."

"Yep, Jacqui was right, there's a sewer tunnel," he agreed, "How could we get through?"

I shook my head, "We won't be able to get through it," I glumly replied.

Glenn shone his flashlight around to get a clearer look inside, only for us to be face to face with a walker eating one of rats. Good news, it was eating those disgusting rodents. Bad news, it was growling at us and trying to reach us through the gates. That's cute.

I shuddered at its hisses and smacked its hand away, "Shut up," I grunted and grabbed Glenn's shoulder, "Come on, let's go back."


Thanks for the reviews guys, sorry for the short-ish chapter. Hope everyone enjoys their new years!

Padme4000: as always, thank you for your review

Willow the Collie: no they're in the story, thanks

ChaosUmbrella: thanks you, and whether they're a thing or not? Who knows? :D

Chlexfan10: I'm agreeing on the Rick part, I should've fixed that. Sorry

Guccileopard: my brain melts from talking to u….just kidding I love you

Merle Dixon: im going to kick your ass for hitting isabelle.