Several deep groans could be heard through the forestry. Soft footsteps cautiously crunched on the snow to avoid detection. The traveler's bag was partially full from her current scavenge for supplies. She paid no mind to the monsters. They were a regular thing in their current world now. Nature had decided the fate of even the fittest and smartest of mankind. She didn't know how she continued to survive every day but she pushed herself to live still. As she marched forward, a cluster of groans could be heard to her left. This only urged her to keep moving, until she heard a piercing cry. She froze and glanced back. Were her ears deceiving her? She knew it was stupid, but she had to check it out.

Riko brushed some branches apart and came upon an abandoned house in a clearing. She grit her teeth together as the crying continued to agitate the dead. She circled the house for a way in with fewer zombies in the way. Both front and back doors were crowded. She counted bodies and decided that the back door had better chances of survival. Plus the cold weather slowed them down. She snuck up from behind and stabbed a few in the head until she had a clear path inside.

Once inside she shoved the fridge over to barricade the door. She quickly surveyed the house to make sure it was safe. She sooner rather than later found herself upstairs and opening each room in search of the noise. In the last door, she finally found it and her eyes widened. A basket laid in the middle of the room with a faded gray blanket thrown over top. She slowly peeled back the material and gasped. An infant laid crying in the makeshift carrier. A tag stuck out against the handle.

'I'm so sorry sweet Olivia.'

Riko's heart dropped into her gut. Someone had left their child behind to die in order to save themselves. They probably couldn't afford to have a crying baby if they didn't have a permanent home and were traveling. Babies attracted walkers like moths to a flame. She sighed and then grimaced when glass could be heard shattering downstairs. She needed to move fast. She looked for better means of carrying the child in order to use both arms to make it out alive but found nothing. However, she did find baby supplies on the nightstand. She swept the supplies into her backpack and took off her coat. She placed her coat underneath and around the child to keep her warm. The walkers finally busted down the front door. Riko quickly pushed over a bookshelf to block to bedroom door. She swiped the basket in one hand, and rammed open a window with her other hand.

This was completely stupid. She was going to get herself killed over an orphaned baby. Internally she knew that the only way for their world to continue was to have someone to leave it to.

Riko kneeled on the roof and searched for a way down. There were fewer walkers on the front side now that they were coming in. This was her chance. She tested the sewage pipe's strength on the side of the house. It seemed rickety but it would have to do. With a firm grip on the basket she slid down. It began ripping away from the foundation halfway through her descent and she dropped to the ground with about ten feet to the ground still. She landed on her feet, constraining her knees to take the force of the impact. While it was beginning to snow, there was only a tiny layer so it didn't help cushion the impact by much. She grunted in pain and surveyed her surroundings with a wince. Her free hand grabbed her gun as some zombies noticed her and advanced. There was no point in being sneaky now that she had a crying baby in her arms. She fired her gun twice at walkers who got too close and forced herself to run for a successful getaway.

"We were supposed to meet up after we split during the run. Why isn't she back yet?" Karina asked aloud to Mako.

The man shrugged and continued to maintain his guard duty over the eastern wing, though he did think it was strange that Riko still wasn't back. Karina's footprints lined the roof from her pacing. "I'm going to look for her. Something must be keeping her up."

Mako didn't want to state the obvious reason she wouldn't return, but he also couldn't let her go back out on her own. "I'll go with you. If she's in danger, then you will be too."

"I'll be fine, Mako. It's not like-"

Both went wide-eyed as a red flare suddenly shot through the sky in the distance. In an instant, Karina slid over the side of the bus and was running in the direction of the flare. Mako sputtered in shock. He told the other guard to get help before following after the tan woman.

Riko keeled over and rested her hands on her aching knees, but she refused to let go of the basket. She learned from before not to let go of the very thing that she was protecting. 'Don't let go…'

She huffed as she pulled herself upright and was about to continue the journey home when she heard a shout. "Riko!" She glanced up and smiled in relief. Karina engulfed her in a tight hug. "You scared me! What-"

The groaning of monsters interrupted her. Riko pushed her forward with new vigor. "We've got to get out of here. I just kidnapped a life from the hands of death."

Karina was about to ask what she was talking about when a brash cry answered her question. A baby? Out here?! It was almost impossible to imagine. Mako caught up to them and quickly ushered them to follow him back home after stabbing a few stray zombies.

Together they made it back to the compound. The town leaders which included Korra and Asami were waiting for them at the wall. They could see Korra pacing on top of the bus as they approached. Asami tugged on the tan woman's sleeve and pointed over to them. Korra practically jumped off of the bus and ran towards them.

"Are you hurt?!" Korra questioned as she cupped her daughter's face.

Riko shook her off. "No, I'm fine now that we escaped from the walkers."

"What happened? You're usually so careful. How-" Korra's questions were halted by abrupt crying from below. She looked down and gasped when she saw the baby. "Is that…" Korra glanced up to her daughter to receive a nod. She quickly ushered them back inside to safety. "C'mon, let's get inside so we can figure this out."

"I can't believe you would do something so reckless! You know the rules! We have a partner system for a reason!" Korra yelled at the two women sitting in her office. It had been a few years since the town was established and was very well populated now. Korra and Asami had turned their first floor into an office now that they were leaders of the town. Riko and Karina eagerly moved into their own house, happy to finally get some real privacy along with renewed safety.

"We said we were sorry." Riko mumbled.

Korra scoffed. "No, you said it was no big deal! Look at yourself!" Riko pouted as she was well aware of the pain in her knees. "I can tell you're injured."

"It's not that bad, mom."

"If you had Karina with you then maybe this wouldn't have happened."

"I saved a freaking baby! What more do you want?!" Riko yelled in return and hastily staggered to her feet. Both women huffed in rage.

Karina cautiously stood in between them. "I know we broke a rule by splitting up. It won't happen again I assure you, but Riko did save a life."

Korra sighed and sat down at her desk. The young couple sat back down too. "The council was very upset about you breaking that rule. We have it for a reason. They decided that you both are suspended from runs for a month."

"What?!" Both women jumped back to their feet in an instant. "That's ridiculous!" Riko yelled.

"For once I'm with Riko. We're your best runners!"

"And that's why we can't risk you!" Korra roared. Both younger women recoiled in surprise. "The rules we have are in place for a reason. You travel in teams for safety and strength. We can handle a month without your skills, but we would truly suffer if something were to happen to you because of your carelessness. And I will not lose you two to something so stupid…" They blinked in shock as a different emotion slipped through. "If you can't handle that, then it's your choice to change your contributing job."

The girls hung their heads in shame and understanding. One after the other, they both sat back down. Korra sighed inwardly. "Now we have the matter of the child you saved." They perked back up at this. "You're not obligated to do anything for her now. You did do an incredible deed by saving her, something she will never be able to repay you for. She's safe and alive because of you."

Riko sighed, happy with her decision. "So what will happen with her now?"

Korra grinned. "This is up to you." Riko furrowed her brow in confusion. "You alone saved her. If you want to keep her as yours, I see no problem with it. If you don't, we will take care of her together as a team. It does take a village to raise a child."

Riko's eyes widened at the thought and she quickly looked to her girlfriend to see her reaction. Karina had an even more surprised expression on her face. "Are you serious?"

Korra nodded. Riko got out of her seat and paced a few steps until her pain got the better of her. She rested her forearm on the wall to keep standing. "B-But we've never taken care of a child before! We've never even talked about it since it would be pretty much impossible! How can you expect this out of us?!" Riko asked not in anger but more in shock.

"Like I said, it's up to you."

Riko dropped her head in thought. She felt a hand slip into hers and glanced back up. Karina smiled down at her. "While I think we should think this over, I'd still like to meet her. I didn't get a good look at her before she was taken to the clinic."

Riko smiled and looked at her mother. Korra nodded with a smile and shooed them off.

A soft knock came on the clinic door. The town doctor glanced over her shoulder curiously with a bundle in her arms. "Come in." She smiled when she saw Korra's daughter and her girlfriend. "Ah, just the girls I wanted to see. I heard you took quite a tumble saving this little one."

Riko smiled nervously while rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, but I'm okay. How is she?"

Kya just chuckled to herself and sat the baby back in the crib. "She is fine. Not a scratch on her. I'm more concerned about you. You know you're supposed to come straight here after your runs."

Karina sighed. "Korra felt the need to lecture us immediately."

Kya laughed aloud this time and wandered over. "Of course she did. She was so scared that something had happened to you two. Now sit down so I can examine you."

Riko groaned and sat down on the examination table. She gasped when she saw her swollen knees after Kya rolled up her pants leg. "Holy shit. I didn't think it would be this bad."

"Yeah well I'm not surprised from what I was told. I don't know how you managed to walk all the way back."

Riko grimaced in pain as Kya poked her kneecap. "I had to make it back. It wasn't just my life on the line. And I'm feeling the repercussions of it now."

"This is pretty serious, Riko. You might be stuck to a bed for a few weeks." Kya said.

"What?! You're crazy, doc."

Kya rose a brow. "You're walking today, but you will definitely be feeling this in the morning and for a while after. You put a lot of strain on your knees just trying to get home. Now sit still. I can tell you already have a fever, too."

"Wha?" Riko stopped to examine herself. She did feel warm in the cheeks and her stomach was feeling unsettled. A giggle broke her out of her train of thought. What she saw brought a smile to her face. Karina was standing by the window with the baby wrapped in a bundle. The woman was gently rubbing her cheek with her thumb and beamed when the child grabbed her finger. Riko sighed happily and plopped back into the bed. "It was all worth it."

Kya gently smiled at the thought that Riko was already in love with that child. She hoped that they would want to keep the baby for themselves, but first they all had to be healthy. "Alright, open up. I gotta check your temp."

Karina paced slowly with the bundle of joy in her arms. While she was worried about Riko, she was a grown woman who could take care of herself. This little baby was completely dependent on them. Her heart swelled at the thought of having this baby as their own. It would probably be their only chance. She picked her head up in surprise when she heard Riko's shouts of pain.

Riko arched her back as Kya continued to evaluate her knee injuries. She honestly didn't think it would be this bad, but damn this was one of the worst pains she ever felt. She threw her arms over her face and held onto one wrist. She felt someone grab her hand and peeked open one eye. Karina stood over her and smiled reassuringly. "You're okay. I'm right here with you. Olivia's asleep now as long as you keep it down."

Riko nodded thoughtlessly and shivered. Karina noticed and grabbed a blanket from the supply closet. Her girlfriend eagerly took the blanket from her and curled her upper half into the material. The older girl lovingly rubbed her head in an attempt to distract her. "You know you can probably take your coat back now. I don't think Olivia needs it anymore."

Riko shakily giggled. "I'll get it on my way out."

Karina shook her head good-naturedly. "I still can't believe what you did. That was such a selfless act that could've got you killed, but I couldn't be more proud."

Riko sighed and inwardly agreed. After a few more minutes of pain, Kya stood. "This is going to sound crazy, but you need ice on your knees."

Riko groaned. "It's winter! I'm already cold enough!"

"Settle down, child. Don't worry, I've got a plan."

After 20 minutes of putting everything together, Kya's plan was in place. Riko's upper half was bundled up in several blankets. A bag full of icy snow was placed on each knee. Then more blankets covered her feet. A cold rag was atop of forehead to calm her raising temperature. Riko felt quite cozy actually.

"Alright Kya, now how am I going to get home?" Riko asked curiously.

Kya chuckled as she hauled a portable box heater into the room. "Oh, you're not going anywhere tonight, hun. You're staying right there until morning."

Riko almost sat back up to argue, but Karina quickly ushered her back down by her shoulders. "Do you mind if I stay with her?" Karina asked gently.

Kya smiled as she hit a switch to turn on the generator. "I urge you to actually. This one of the only houses with actual heat. Though I only turn it on when there are patients here."

Riko pouted as Karina smirked at her. "Looks like you're getting sleep tonight."

Riko scoffed. "Yeah right, I'll still be up. An injury isn't going to put me down."

The two older women chuckled. Kya then motioned Karina to the other examination table to check for injuries. It was just a safety precaution to get seen by the doctor after leaving the safety of the walls that was enacted after someone returned with a bite and didn't tell anybody.

Two hours later, Riko was fast asleep. Karina was peacefully asleep in the other bed. Somehow everything had turned out alright today. They were all exhausted. Soon, a sharp cry woke her up. Karina sleepily sat up and slid over to the crib to pick up the baby. The smell was evident that she needed changing. Karina didn't give a second thought about it and gently laid the child back down to change her diaper. Afterwards she rocked her in her arms to soothe her back to sleep but the crying didn't stop. She rose a brow in confusion and glanced down at the baby. She heard gentle footsteps coming from upstairs. Kya appeared around the corner with a smile.

"Did you change her?" Karina nodded. "Maybe she's hungry then."

The young woman looked around for the supplies her girlfriend found. "It's a good thing Riko found these with her. I'm sorry we woke you up."

Kya chuckled and helped mix the formula. "It's fine, dear. I usually get up to check on the patients anyway." She handed the bottle to Karina and then wandered over to her actual patient. She slowly removed the now watery bags from her knees. "She won't be needing these all night. You know how it goes – 20 on, 40 off. Though I did fall asleep and left them on a bit longer than that."

Karina smiled at her as the baby suckled on the bottle. "I'm sure Riko will be fine. She recovers fast."

Kya chuckled in understanding and pulled up the blankets over the girl's knees. "Well I'll need her to be able to feel her knees in the morning so I can really see where she's at."

After everyone was settled back in bed, Kya stopped around the corner to think. 'They really should take her. I can tell they've both already connected with her. Karina even tried to take the blame for waking me up. Heh…'

Riko slowly woke up the next morning when a faint cry woke her up. The commotion of the morning became louder as she regained consciousness. She didn't feel cold anymore but still pulled the blankets tighter to her. The crying in the room stopped as the dull sound of a bottle being used was heard.

"Wake up, sleepyhead." Riko peeked open one eye and saw her girlfriend hovering over her with the baby in hand. A smile slid onto her face at the sight. She didn't understand it yet but she was falling in love with the idea of having a family.

Karina walked away with a knowing smile and Riko sat up with a groan. "I wouldn't get up yet if I were you."

Riko rose a brow. "Why's that?"

Her girlfriend chuckled. "Kya said you'd probably wouldn't be able to stand up on your own."

She scowled. "Yeah right." She then proceeded to slid out of the bed and fall directly onto the floor like dead weight. "Owww…"

"I told you so."

"You really should listen to your girlfriend. She's quite smart." Kya commented as she entered the room and helped Riko sit back on the bed.

"Yeah and she's a vixen, too." Riko replied.

A deep blush covered Karina's face. "Riko! Why would you say that?!"

Riko laughed with a smirk. "It's true. I think the whole town knows when we get busy."

"Alright smartass. That's enough." Kya stopped her. She grabbed the girl's hands and motioned for her to stand. Riko took a deep breath and forced herself to her feet. "Ahh!" She grit her teeth as pain erupted through her legs. Kya had a firm grip on her forearms. Karina watched with worry and finished as fast as possible with the baby to help.

Riko's legs began to wobble and she was slowly losing her focus to stand. Kya noticed and urgently ushered her to sit. She gasped in relief as she no longer felt pain surging through her.

Kya sighed and rubbed her chin. "Just like I suspected last night. You're gonna be on bedrest for a while."

Riko groaned and laid back. "Well we're already suspended from runs so what's it matter."

Karina finally walked back to them. "So what now?" She asked the doctor.

Kya shrugged. "Let her rest here for a bit until she's feeling better and I guess return home so she can crash in her own bed. I've got some painkillers you can take and I'll come by every few days to check her progress.

Karina nodded and ran a hand through her hair.

"So how am I getting back home?" Riko asked curiously when she was feeling better 20 minutes later.

Karina didn't answer immediately as she was packing a bag with their supplies from Kya. Then she tossed it onto her back and marched over. Riko slid back in unease at the look her girlfriend was giving her. Suddenly she was hoisted up into two arms. She peeked open a scrunched eye and blushed. Karina stood proudly and began walking towards the door that Kya held open for them. "I'll see you girls soon."

Riko pouted and held tight to her girlfriend. A few townspeople were up and eyed them confusingly. "You know this would be sexy if it wasn't so embarrassing."

Karina smiled. "You should be proud. You saved a baby."

Riko sighed and threw her head back so her vision was upside-down. "Just get me home please."

The house was quiet as Karina cooked dinner a few nights later. Riko was laying in the living room, playing cards by herself. Ice bags sat on her knees as her daily treatment. The past few days had been boring since they weren't going on runs like regularly. After some time Karina walked in with two plates of dinner and removed the bags from her girlfriend's knees so she could sit up. Riko smiled her thanks and they began to eat from the couch.

Karina carefully sat down her plate when she finished and sighed. "This is wrong."

Riko finished her last bite and sat her plate down as well. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I think we should keep the baby as ours. And it's not just because we're bored. It just feels so right. It all felt so in place when I took care of her at Kya's." She glanced to her girlfriend. "How do you feel about this?"

Riko gulped and shrugged. "I mean I want to keep her but I don't have much experience dealing with babies. What if I'm not good enough?"

Karina held her hand and rose a brow. "You think I'm not scared, too?"

Riko shook her head. "No, but I already saw you handling her. You were doing great."

Karina slid closer to her. "We're in this together. We'll learn as we go."

Riko took a breath, peeked up to her girlfriend, and smiled.