SUMMARY: Carol and Ezekiel have to survive, cut off from the Kingdom.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of The Walking Dead
RATING: T+
PAIRING: Carol/Ezekiel
ON THE RUN:
THE KINGDOM
MORNING:
Ezekiel woke, and the first thing he heard was the sound of children laughing. Last night he had gone to sleep with Carol in his arms, but now she was gone from the bed. Searching for her, he found her curled in the chair close by. The sight of her still nearby had relief washing through him. Ezekiel sat up, immediately he felt the tug of the needle in the crook of his left arm. With a small growl, he yanked the thing out, and let the tube dangle over the edge of the bed. He held pressure for a few seconds to the small needle puncture to stem any bleeding. Ezekiel straightened his arm to inspect the puncture mark to find only a small amount of blood had welled up. Next, he placed his hand over his bandaged shoulder, thankful that the heat from the previous day had all but died away. He still wasn't back to his full strength, but from inside the safety of the walls, he could heal and be made strong again.
Ezekiel got out of the bed to go to Carol. Leaning over her, he placed a gentle kiss to the side of her neck, and then he did it again after he felt her stir. Yet, she did not wake. He crouched down in front of her, resting his hand on her thigh, and rubbed his thumb back and forth. She groaned, curling tighter for a moment, and ten opened her eyes to look at him. "Good morning," Ezekiel grinned. She blinked at him, closed her eyes, and groaned again. Her head had to be hurting her. "Does your head still bother you?"
Carol took a moment to take a deep breath. There was a small ache behind her eyes, and a slight blur to her vision. By late morning she would be battling one horrendous migraine. She sat up, still curled in the chair. Rather than focus on the pain in her head, she asked, "How's your shoulder?"
"I'm on the mend," Ezekiel said. He stood up, and took a few steps away from her. "But I inquired as to your wellbeing," he held out his hand to her. To his gaze, she looked strong enough to take on the world.
Carol looked at his hand, then up to him, and then back to his hand. With a sigh, she took it, letting him pull her up from the chair. She stood close to him, and suddenly her heart was racing seeing him without a shirt. It had been the same flash of desire she had that night in the tree house. Knowing that he would let her, she placed her right hand on his abdomen. His muscles tensed, but not out of pain. Carol stepped in closer to him. She let her eyes drift down to his lips to see they were slightly parted. Being the bold one, she kissed him. It was a press of lips at first, but as the passion sparked, she applied more pressure. Carol wanted to take a moment, to take something for herself. Kissing Ezekiel was something she wanted with a fierce desire.
Ezekiel placed his hands on her hips, pulling her against him. Her hand moved up his chest and brushed the bandage. Automatically he reacted, a small growl of pain rumbled in his chest as he pulled back from the kiss. "I'm fine," he muttered, arching his right brow. Ezekiel claimed her mouth again, showing her just a hint of passion. Her left arm draped over his right shoulder, her hand cupping the back of her neck. He was lost in the taste of her, the small sound of her gasping, and the feel of her body pressed to his. It was so intoxicating that he nearly missed the door opening. The loud creaking sounded like a grenade going off. Carol jumped back away from him.
"Your Majesty, I brought clean clothes for both of you." Jerry carried in fresh clothing for his King, ad for Carol. It hadn't escaped his notice that she'd stayed with Ezekiel all night.
Carol put herself back in the chair she had slept in, trying to get the blush under control. She had taken a moment to give into her desire for Ezekiel without even thinking about where they were. "Thanks Jerry,"
"My faithful steward," Ezekiel praised. "How fares Shiva this morn?"
"She's waiting for you to take your usual morning walk," Jerry announced.
"Of course, she is," Ezekiel replied jovially. Then he looked at Carol, "Would you care to join me, fair maiden?"
Carol arched her brow, "Uh…. Sure." She retreated from her chair, and left the room. She needed a few precious moments to compose herself. As it was, Ezekiel was far too tempting to her. Carol made it back to her room, she shut the door, and rested her back against the solid wood. She breathed in and out, trying to regain some measure of control that she feared she wouldn't have with him.
Moving away from the door, Carol went over to the basin of fresh water to splash some on her face. "Get a grip…" she scolded herself. He was hurt. He needed time to heal, not to be taken advantage of. If Jerry hadn't opened the door at that very moment, then she knew she would have had him back on that bed. This wasn't like her. Normally, she was cold and detached, wearing a mask for the world and pretending everything was going to be fine. Ezekiel aroused desire in her, and stoked the fires of her emotions. Giving into her feelings might get her killed.
Then, a knock sounded at her door, and a voice filtered through it, "Carol…?"
It was Jerry. "Give me a few minutes," she called back. As quick as she could she got out of her dirty clothes, and used the cloth in the basin to wipe the top layer of grime off of her skin until she could get a shower. She then changed into clean clothes, and put her boots back on. Finally, Carol opened the door and looked at Jerry.
"The King's waiting for you," Jerry smiled. He was happy this morning. His King was back, and now he was able to get back to his normal day to day routine.
"Right," Carol nodded. She didn't wait for him to say anything else to her. She closed her door, and headed for the stairs. Outside, she was stopped by the sight of Ezekiel in his cream colored shirt, and Shiva at his side. She did see that his left arm was in a sling, but it did nothing to dampen his usual smirk. Carol couldn't help staring at him, she was so enthralled by him that she nearly missed Shiva coming towards her. "Uh… what's she doing?" she asked him.
"Remain still," Ezekiel advised as he remained where he was. To his pleasant surprise, Shiva rubbed her head against the outside of Carol's thigh. The great cat lifted her face, placing her muzzle against Carol's belly and snorted, then resumed rubbing her head against Carol's thigh. Shiva had accepted her as part of their community, and was marking her as a friend.
Carol made sure she stayed stock still while Shiva was close to her. She kept her gaze locked with Ezekiel's, and what she saw had a small smirk curving her lips. Then she felt a puff of hot air against her wrist moments before warm fur touched her palm. Carol looked down to see that Shiva had rested her brow against the palm of her hand. Slowly, she curled her fingers, giving the giant cat light scratches. "I take it this is a good thing?"
"A very good thing," Ezekiel confirmed. Moments later, Shiva returned to his side. He motioned for Carol to come walk with him. She fell into step with him and as they walked, her shoulder would brush against his. His lips still tingled from the kiss they had shared a little while ago. Her passion had taken him by surprise.
"Should you really be up and moving around?" Carol asked. She was trying to keep her mind on safe topics that didn't involve thinking about him standing in front of her without a shirt.
"The doctor would have me convalescing a while longer, but I saw no wisdom in remaining within the confines of my sick bed," Ezekiel stated in his usual colorful manner. Remaining in bed, when there was so much for him to do, made him feel worse. He had chosen to be a King, so that's what he needed to be.
"You were shot," Carol reminded him, again. All of a sudden, she had images of him doing too much around here, pulling his stitches, and bleeding again.
"Yes, but not seriously debilitated," Ezekiel argued, showing his arm still in the sling. Then he stopped, reaching out to touch her arm. She didn't pull away from him.
"So help me, if you pull even one stitch…" Carol started to threaten, quietly. She wouldn't have him set back his recovery because he was stubborn and thought it was a good idea to move around.
"It would be my honor if you would dine with me this evening." Ezekiel said. Their part of the battle was done, the rest lay with Rick and his compatriots. Before the next crisis came calling, he wanted to take a few minutes to be with Carol.
"Ezekiel…" Carol was feeling the sudden urge to put distance between them so that she could rebuild the walls that had come crumbling down. Being out there, alone with him, had her feelings emotions she thought she'd locked away.
"We should explore what had started to happen this morning," Ezekiel said gently, taking a few steps closer to her. They had a fire burning between them that needed to be tended to.
"With stitches in your shoulder?" Carol asked, her brow arched. It wasn't that she wanted amenable to the idea, but she didn't want anything to cause him pain.
"There are ways," Ezekiel chuckled. He had never hungered for a woman quite in the same way as he did for Carol. She was a force of nature, and she was powerful. She made him feel real, not just a fiction he'd created for his people.
Carol's gut reaction was to turn down his invitation. He needed rest more than he need… other activities. She looked away from him, choosing what answer to give. "We'll see," she said.
Ezekiel took her answer for what it was; a stall tactic. She was looking for ways to run from him, after the blatant desire she'd shown him earlier. It was all hitting her. "Jerry, remain with Carol today, and see to whatever she needs."
Carol pinned Ezekiel with a stare, "Jerry, stay with your King." The last thing she needed was a babysitter. Besides, he would need the services of Jerry, the gentle giant, more than she would.
Jerry took a step back, holding his hands up, "Yeah, I'm not getting in the middle of this." It was the smartest move he could make on his part. At the end of the day, whatever order his King gave to him, he would follow. Even if that meant sticking with Carol for the day.
"He'll remain with you, just for this day," Ezekiel said in a gentle arguing tone.
"I'll be fine on my own," Carol said calmly. The last thing she wanted was to have Jerry nipping at her heels. She was debating whether she should go to Alexandria or Hilltop so the others knew she was alive, and so was Ezekiel. The Kingdom had been dealt a harsh blow, but they weren't out of the fighting yet.
"I sense you wish to traverse the road, perhaps return to Alexandria and show your family that you are still of this world." Ezekiel mused. "Should that be what you intend, it is prudent to have a second accompany you in case there is danger."
"Show's what you know," Carol replied, even though he hit the nail squarely on the head. The messengers that would have gone to Hilltop and Alexandria would have reported they were missing, or possibly dead.
"Then tell me, fair maiden, what are your plans for this day?" Ezekiel asked.
"I'm going to sleep," Carol replied. And she was lying through her teeth. She had to this urge to be away from him, to get her head clear. The only way she could do that was to be out in the world, on the road, and focusing on other things.
"All the same, Jerry will remain with you as I am unable to be at your side due to my lame shoulder." Ezekiel needed to know that she would have someone at her back. It made him feel better. Before she could argue further, turned, and walked away. Some of his people hard started to construct a memorial for the fallen, and those who returned would be there. He needed to be there, to let his people know that he shared in their sorrow.
Carol shook her head. In the end, Ezekiel got his way, and she would have to get over it. He had seen right through her claims about returning to bed. She should have been bothered at his need to protect her, but it meant something to her that he was entrusting her care with one of his people. Carol didn't need anyone to watch her back, she could live on her own; she'd done it before. "Ok Jerry, let's go…" she sighed, heading towards the main gates.
"Where are we going?" Jerry asked, following after Carol.
"Hilltop," Carol said. The gates opened for them, and she headed down the street to where the car was stashed. She had the urge to go back to Alexandria, but thought against it. If she went to Hilltop, then Maggie would send a messenger to let the others know she was alive.
HILLTOP:
Maggie came to the front gates as the opened. On the other side she found Carol, alive and in one piece. Not caring how the people would see her, she went to her, and hugged her. "They said you were missing, probably dead…" Maggie said, pulling back.
Carol scoffed lightly, "Nine lives, remember?" She'd been hard to kill ever since he prison, when she survived for two days in a death row cell.
"Though, by now, you got to be down a few," Maggie laughed lightly.
"Who knows," Carol shrugged one shoulder. She glanced back at Jerry. He'd moved inside the gates, and went to talk with some of his people that had come back to Hilltop after the initial assault on the Sanctuary.
"You got a side kick?" Maggie asked. She knew the man was named Jerry, and he worked closely with King Ezekiel. She was partially shocked to see him here, with Carol.
"Ezekiel insisted," Carol answered, rolling her eyes. She was being gracious about keeping Jerry around today, though, she suspected that getting rid of him would prove terribly difficult. The moment Ezekiel told him to do something, Jerry hopped to, and carried out the command to the letter.
Maggie didn't miss the way Carol had called the King by his name, rather than his assumed mantle. She just had to tease her, "Ezekiel, huh? Not the King?"
"You're not funny," Carol furrowed her brow, but her tone was playful. She let her gaze rove over the modest land inside the walls of Hilltop, and there she saw a barbed wire pen complete with prisoners.
Maggie knew what Carol was seeing, "It was Jesus. They're all from the radio dish outpost. They surrendered…" She was still on the fence about keeping them, but they had the potential to be used as bargaining chips. At least for the interim. "We're hoping we can use some of them to get our doctor back."
"And if not? Are you prepared to execute them?" Carol asked.
"If it comes to that," Maggie said. It would have to be done, and she would have to be the one to do it. Rick would, and because she knew that, she knew she could.
"Send for me, if and when the time comes," Carol offered. Maggie didn't respond.
By late afternoon, Jerry had spoken to most of their people temporarily assigned to the defense of Hilltop. From what he gathered, there were no other Kingdom fighter casualties. After that, he went in search of Carol, and found her at a table outside sharpening her knife. "Are you ready to leave?"
Carol looked up at him, drawing her blade down the sharpening stone. Since being away from the Kingdom, she found she had this growing sense of anticipation welling up inside her. She was eager to go back and at the same time apprehensive about what it could mean if she settled in one place. Carol wanted to stay in the Kingdom. She wanted to stay with the King. "Yeah, Jerry, I'm ready to go."
At the car, Jerry moved the driver's seat back, and slid behind the wheel. He hadn't given her much of a choice this time, and he could see the annoyance written on her face as she sat in the passenger seat. Rather than let it get to him, he started the car, and headed back towards the Kingdom.
"You didn't have to come with me, you know," Carol muttered.
"Yeah, I did," Jerry replied. Before she could start arguing with him, he added, "He cares about you, and since he couldn't travel with you, he wants to know someone will have your back in case there's trouble. The more you protest, the more he'll feel justified in keeping you protected."
"I can protect myself," Carol said halfheartedly. After that, neither of them spoke again until the gates of the Kingdom were insight.
SUNSET:
There was an orange glow to the sky, but darkness in the courtyard. Ezekiel struck a fresh match to light the few remaining candles. Carol had spent the rest of the afternoon shut away in her room. When he asked Jerry about their travels out on the road, his faithful steward told him that she hardly spoke to him. Ezekiel hoped that she would come to him, that she would give him the pleasure of her company. Suddenly, a sound caught his attention, and he turned. He saw Carol partially shrouded by one of the apple trees.
Carol had been watching Ezekiel for a few minutes, seeing how he moved around the small table, lighting candles to illuminate the small space. He looked handsome cast in the yellow light, shadows playing around him. She had debated whether or not she was truly going to show up this evening. Then, because she wanted to see him, she left her room, and made her way down to the royal courtyard. She hid for a moment to watch him. Carol liked watching the way he moved.
"I'm happy you decided to show," Ezekiel grinned.
"I couldn't leave you out here all alone," Carol said, stepping out from behind the low branches.
"Then please, come sit," Ezekiel motioned to the small table that had been set up.
TBC….
