A/N: Thank you guys so much for your reviews. Hope you continue to enjoy the story. Story is developing faster in my mind than I can write. Don't want to give too much away. I know that Shane and Lilli have only known each other for a short time, but people have to live life in the fast lane in this time. Never know when death by zombie can happen. Reviews/alerts/faves are always loved. Thanks again guys.
Lilli's music blasted through her headphones, making it impossible for her to hear anything. Her breathing was labored. She had just finished running two miles and had barely returned home. She ran up the steps of her front porch and opened the door to her house.
Her house was located in the countryside and had quite a lot of flat land on it. It wasn't a farm and she had no farm animals.
It was a perfect day out. A gentle breeze cooled her as she ran, but her clothes were still covered in sweat. She hummed to the tune of her song as she walked into the kitchen. She grabbed an apple from the counter and opened the fridge. She slammed the fridge shut after she took out a water bottle.
A hand grabbed her, causing her to jump in surprise, dropping her bottle of water.
"Son of a bitch!" she yelled as she took out her headphones.
Jessica smiled, evilly at her. "How are ya, sis?" she asked as she hugged her sister.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Lilli said with a laugh as she returned her sister's hug. "What brings you here?"
Jessica moved back and Lilli spotted Mark behind her. "I told her you hated surprises," Jessica's husband said with a laugh. "But you know your sister. Once she has her heart set on something she refuses to change it." The two hugged and Lilli laughed, nodding her head.
"Don't tell me you flew all the way down here to scare me?" Lilli teased as she looked at her sister.
Jess smiled mischievously. The two looked very similar in appearance and height. Except, Jess had a small scar on her cheek and her hair was short and blonde. Lilli was a brunette and had more muscles than her sister.
"I'm going to have a baby!" Jess said happily.
Lilli shrieked in excitement as she grabbed her sister. "Congratulations!" she said and laughed.
Jess pushed her back and winked. "Now you have to find yourself a man and get yourself pregnant so that you're not left alone."
Lilli giggled. "We'll see. Have you told Gabby yet?"
Jess shook her head. "Keep getting his answering machine. Tried to contact Bridgett to see where he was at, but she hasn't answered either. Where's dad?"
Lilli shrugged. "Hasn't been home for a couple of days. I was going to call him today."
The three headed toward the living room.
"Jesus, Lils," Jess said as she looked at the answering machine. "Do you even answer the phone?"
Lilli laughed. "Yeah? Why?" She walked over to the machine and frowned. The number 52 blinked. It had been maxed out. Lilli went to press play when she froze.
Jess frowned. "You alright?" she asked when she noticed that her sister paled.
The woman stood behind everyone. She had long curly blonde hair and wore a white dress. She looked almost ethereal. Lilli's voice was trapped inside of her throat. She couldn't warn Mark.
Mark screamed in pain as he collapsed to the ground. Jess turned and screamed in horror as a woman pulled the flesh off of Mark's neck. "Fuck!" Jess screamed as she kicked the woman in the face, sending her flying onto the ground. "Baby!" she said in concern as she went to grab her husband.
Lilli grabbed her sister and pulled her away from him. The other woman staggered to her feet. "Jess," Lilli cried as her sister pulled away from her.
Jess gave out an animal scream as she lunged at the crazed woman. "I'll fucking murder you!" she screamed as Mark gasped and tried to press his hand against his wound.
Lilli grabbed her sister and pulled her back. "Stop fighting me," Lilli cried out as she dragged her sister away.
"You will die by my hands!" Jess spat at the woman.
The woman staggered to her feet. She bore the nail scratches on her face and suddenly howled as she ran at the two.
"Shit!" the sisters screamed as they ran.
Lilli slammed a door shut behind them and they heard the woman slam her body into the door. It held. The two women ran out the back door and into the woods. They didn't stop for what seemed like hours. Finally, Jess slowed down and Lilli followed suite. Jess started to cry as she dropped to her knees.
"Fucking hell," she cried out.
Lilli fell to her knees and looked at her sister. Then she saw the bite mark that was on her shoulder.
A chill ran down Lilli's spine causing her to wake up. She opened her eyes and quickly sat up in bed. She took in deep breaths as chills ran up and down her body. Why had her mind decided to replay the events of that terrible day?
Lilli looked around in confusion. She didn't recognize her surroundings. Shane mumbled something and she turned to look at him. They were both naked in bed. It was then that she remembered.
After she put Sara to bed and made sure that the girl was asleep and safe she and Shane went upstairs. What a night. The instant they entered the room both of their clothes were off. They didn't even make it on to the bed.
Lilli laid down and stared at Shane. He lay on his stomach and had his head turned away from her. His arms were under the pillow, so that it lifted his head higher. She was tempted to run her hands down his smooth back, but she didn't want to wake him up.
The night had been fun, to say the least. Both of them needed the release that sex brought to their bodies. And she was positive that this was the first time that either of them slept so soundly. It was a strange situation for her. She had few boyfriends in her life, and never had sex with anyone so soon after meeting them. She didn't know much about Shane and he didn't know much about her.
But it was for comfort that they turned to each other. She realized that she had no fantasies of marrying Shane. Maybe, when they truly got to know each other and if they were right for each other. But at the same time neither knew how long the other would survive. She liked being with him. It comforted her to be able to be in the arms of a man and to hear a heartbeat other than her own. But would she really like him when she truly got to know him? The far better question would be would he like her once he found out all her secrets?
Lilli got up and quietly got dressed before she left the room. The hallway was partially lit from the morning sun. She made her way downstairs and into the dining room. She needed to think.
"Mornin," Dale said cheerfully as he looked at her. "Wow, you're glowing."
Lilli blushed and waved her hand, dismissing his comment. "You're up early," she told him.
Dale chuckled. "So are you," he said. "Made some coffee." He held up his cup then pointed to a coffee maker.
"I'll stick with water," she replied as she grabbed a bottle of water and sat down next to him. "Caffeine tends to make me super bitchy."
"Ah," he said. "You know. I'll be surprised if more people wake up this early. I'm an old man and my body just wakes me up at this hour. But everyone else," he shook his head.
She giggled and nodded her head.
"It's so nice to see people getting together, despite all the… stuff that's going on out there," he pointed to the covered up windows. "And that kid," he paused and shook his head. "He really needed someone," he mumbled, more to himself than to her.
She blushed again and smiled.
"And this is a good place," he said, nodding as he looked around. "Nice to actually have a bed to sleep in. And the back? We could start a garden back there or even up on the roof. Saw plenty of bags of seed for food. Your Lt. Gonzalez thought of a lot."
She nodded. "Yeah," she said. "He planned ahead for the future."
Dale reached out and grabbed her hand. She looked at him and tried to smile but she couldn't. "It wasn't your fault," he said. "You couldn't have done anything to stop it."
Lilli nodded. "I think I'm more upset about is the fact that I could so easily move on. I mean," she paused, thinking about the words that she wanted to use. "Here I am, enjoying my life and they are dead. I was never close with them. Only with Lucy, but I think that's more because I saved her. Sara…" she stopped and shook her head. "I don't feel guilty or that upset about their deaths. I should, but I just can't." She shrugged.
Dale watched her for a minute and she finally returned his gaze. "It's okay," he said firmly. "Looks like you've been able to adapt a little better with this situation than others have. We all come and go in this life, and especially right now. But we have to learn to keep on living. Someday this will be past us, and then we can rebuild. But we need to learn to continue living, even after our loved ones die."
Lilli looked down and swallowed.
"Heard you played the piano," Dale said, changing the topic.
She smiled and nodded.
"Do…" Dale stopped talking as he thought. Finally he continued. "Do you happen to know the song 'Fur Elise'?"
She nodded her head. "One of the few that I memorized."
"If you don't mind," he said, almost nervously. "I would like to hear you play it once we find a piano. My wife, she used to play it." He leaned back and smiled, thinking about the memory. "I'm glad she wasn't here to see this."
Lilli nodded her head. "Well," she said as she stood up. "I'll see you later, Dale. I'm going to get changed."
Dale nodded as he leaned back and took a sip of his coffee.
Once again, the adults were sitting in the meeting room. Rick had called the meeting for them to discuss their next move. It was right after breakfast and just before they were going to go out and fence in the back.
Shane made sure that he sat next to Lilli. She smiled at him. He wanted to reach out and grab her hand, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to be so open with her just yet.
"So," Rick said as he clapped his hands. "As you all know, there is that place in South Carolina. They say they have the cure. It will probably take us all day to get there. But we're not doing so bad here. We have food, beds, electricity, running water, and few walkers to deal with. If we set up the fence in the back we'll be completely surrounded. Dale even said that he found seeds for vegetables. We can grow a garden and can probably last here for a good while." He paused as he looked at everyone. "I want to know what people think," he finally said.
"I think we should stay." Lilli was the first to speak, surprising everyone. "We have all the comforts right now. What is the rush in going to South Carolina?"
"Maybe they have limited space," Georgia pointed out.
"But we're safe here. We have enough food, water and power to last us a couple of weeks. We can hit the town that's nearby and get more supplies. There aren't many walkers here, just enough that a small group can handle. We sleep comfortably here and we can really make this inn our home. So they have a cure? I mean, if they do what will that do? It'll exclude the chance of us getting infected, but not the chance of us getting eaten." She stopped and looked at everyone. "Maybe they have limited space. Why would you want to trade the comfort that we have for possible discomfort? And…" she paused as if unsure how to continue. "I don't know the people you guys have come across. But if these people really do have a cure or vaccine or whatever there has to be a price. There is always a price for these things," she finished.
Rick and Shane both nodded in agreement.
"The woods out back probably haven't been picked clean either," Daryl said, breaking the silence. "Could probably find a deer or two."
Georgia let out a sigh.
"If anyone wants to leave we won't stop you," Rick said as he looked at the older woman.
She raised her arms in defeat. "I ain't leavin' you all," she said, shaking her head. "I'm an old woman and not up for that type of travel on my own."
Rick looked at Lori who smiled.
"Right now," Lori said barely loud enough for everyone to hear. "I think comfort and security is what we all need, at least, our group. We haven't been able to rest or be at peace since this whole mess started. And this is good for the children."
Carol nodded in agreement.
"Maybe we can get a couple of folks to raid the school or a bookstore for some books to teach the children," Lori added. "Maybe even get some survival guides.
Michael calmly stood up. "I'm going to South Carolina," he said, changing the subject. Everyone looked at him in surprise.
"Okay," Rick said with a nod of his head.
"But," Lilli started but stopped when the old man glared at her.
"I will go there," he stated firmly. "I will see if they have this cure or whatever. If they do then I'll be back to tell everyone. Give me two or three weeks to return."
Georgia frowned and sat up straighter. "It won't take you that long to…"
"I'm not going straight there!" Michael snapped then he sighed. "I have somewhere else that I want to go first."
Georgia turned red as she looked away.
"We'll give you some supplies that should last you the time," Rick said softly.
Michael shook his head. "I got what I need. Just wanted to tell ya'll that I was leaving."
Shane noticed Lilli clench her fingers. Neither Michael nor Lilli seemed to be on good terms, yet she appeared to be upset by his decision. Before anyone could say anything else, Michael left the room. The silence was awkward as everyone slowly followed him.
Rick, Shane, Lilli and Daryl followed Michael out of the inn. Michael's car was a two door Alero and it was clear that he had already packed what he needed.
"Good luck," Rick told him as he shook his hand. "I'll make sure to leave directions if we end up leaving this place before you come back."
Michael smiled. "You are a good man, Rick" he said. "Keep doing what you do and keep these people safe."
"Wait!" Georgia shouted as she ran over to them. She had a plastic bag in her hands that she had placed some food in. "We got plenty and can get more. It'll be more difficult for you," she stated as she placed the food in the front seat. She hugged him and let out a deep breath as she walked away. Her body shook as she tried to control her emotions.
"Don't forget," Rick said as Michael opened the driver's door. "You're always welcome to return for any reason."
Michael let out a small smile as he nodded. Suddenly, he gasped in surprise as Lilli rushed over to him and hugged him. Shane and Rick were surprised by her actions.
"Don't get yourself infected," she commanded as she let him go.
He seemed just as surprised by her words as the others. Before he could answer she walked away. Shane followed after her. Without another word Michael left.
"Wait!" Shane called after Lilli.
She stopped and looked back at him. He grabbed her and took her into the backroom where the employees used to be in.
"Are you mad?" he asked her.
"Why would I be mad?" she asked in surprise.
"About last night," he continued. "I thought it was… well… You got up and left without waking me."
Lilli chuckled before sighing and placing her head on his chest. "I'm not mad, Shane," she finally said as she pulled away. "We just… I jumped this too quickly. But, I don't regret it. Don't know when one of us will die. It would be nice if we properly dated, but in this time?" She chuckled. "I don't want Sara getting up without me in the room. But I don't want us to be in the room. Not yet. I don't want to scare or scar her in anyway. She has enough to deal with. If you want me to I'll wake you up when I get up."
Shane sighed. "I just don't want you to think I…" he paused, thinking about his words. "We don't know each other very well. I want to get to know you better. I just feel…"
"Kind of weird about topics?" she asked.
He nodded his head.
Lilli giggled. "I know," she said. "Don't know when it's good to talk about the past and what's the point in knowing someone's favorite song when you can't play it?"
Shane smiled. "I'm willing to try to make it work if you are," he said.
"Hmmm," Lilli said as she pondered. "I don't know. I think I like using you as my little sex toy."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck, making her scream in delight.