A/N: This chapter is a bit of a snooze I have to admit, but it had to be done. I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed and read! Every review makes me all smiley! Awesomeness guys, just pure awesomeness! Now I know some of you are wondering when the heck Rick and Alice are going to come clean to about how they feel to themselves and each other. Soon enough my dears, soon enough.

Special thank yous to Padme4000 and tanakaL. I'm a fan of Padme4000 so you should go read what she has written!

tanakaL, your comment made me super cheesy! I really appreciate every review I receive, you have no idea how much it makes my day better.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Walking Dead cause I suck, but i do own Alice. Alice miiiine! Can you tell that I'm bored?

Alice sat in the passenger seat while Dale drove the RV. No one spoke, the only sounds heard were Jim's low moans of pain and the RV's motor. Glenn was in the back with Jacqui, helping to keep Jim comfortable. Every bump they would hit, Jim would let out a hiss of pain. He was getting worse, but no one wanted to admit that he would die before they reached the CDC. Jacqui had told Alice that he was delirious. Not much could really be done for him.

Their group had gotten smaller. Morales and his family decided to go on their own. They had family in Alabama, and wanted to be with them. They weren't sure if their family was still alive, but they were willing to find out. Rick had given Morales a revolver and Shane bestowed bullets upon him. Alice had said a prayer for them before they set off.

Dale glanced at Alice. She was fidgeting with her bracelet. He was pleased that she had decided not to ride with Shane. Dale had overheard her telling Shane that she needed to keep an eye on Jim. Shane looked upset, but didn't say anything else. She had watched him walk off in a huff. Dale could see her fighting the urge to run after him and follow him around like a lost puppy.

There was a shift in Alice; it was hard for Dale not to notice her staying away from her husband. After what he had witnessed Shane do in the woods, he was glad she was putting space between them.

Dale shifted in his seat, drawing Alice's attention. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again. He let out a deep exhale before he opened his mouth again.

"I think you should keep your distance from Shane." He spoke calmly, not taking his eyes off the road.

"Why?" she asked, her light brows shooting up her forehead.

"I saw something today when we went to do the sweep."

"Alright?"

"He… Alice, he aimed his gun at Rick when his back was turned."

"Shane? No, you must have seen it wrong. That's his best friend. Why would he… Shane would never…"

"Alice, I know it's hard to accept, but I know what I saw."

She looked down at her hands that rested on her lap. They started to shake from the new information. "Shane's a lot of things, but not a murderer…"

"These are different times Alice. No one is how they used to be. This new world won't allow us to stay the same."

"Are you sure you saw Shane aim his gun at Rick's back?"

"Yes, I'm sure." The RV started to slow down before coming to a full stop.

"Why are you stopping?"

Dale frowned. "I'm not." He honked his horn once to get everyone ahead attention "The hose is messed up again."

"I see something up ahead. If we're lucky, it's a gas station." Shane lowered his binoculars and looked back at the group. "How about I go look and you hold it down here Rick?" Rick nodded. The two men smiled at each other. Shane didn't look like a killer to Alice. "Come on Glenn." Glenn opened his mouth to object, but quickly closed it when Shane glared at him.

Alice watched Shane's movement and behavior closely. He would never aim a gun at Rick, would he? He seemed fine now. He didn't act like a man that had a problem with his friend. Rick and Shane were acting fairly normal. Minus the whole Shane sleeping with Lori thing, everything felt the same between the two for the most part. Maybe Dale was seen wrong, she couldn't believe him until she saw it for herself. She trusted Dale, but it didn't sit well with her to know that Shane would aim a gun at Rick, his best friend and brother. She wasn't sure if it was denial on her part or a visual mistake on Dales.

Shane may have loved Lori, but to kill his best friend over it? That was just absurd. He had known Rick long before he and Lori became an item. They had years of friendship, brotherhood. Shane may have crossed the line by sleeping with Lori, but he would never kill his brother over a woman. Would he? That didn't sound like her husband at all. Alice couldn't allow herself to think too deep into it. It was more trouble than it was worth she felt. Just as she did with every stressful situation, she put it in the back of her mind.

A few moments after Glenn and Shane left, Jacqui came rushing from the RV. Her hands were visibly shaking and her usually calm demeanor was gone.

"Jim's getting worse. It's not looking good." she somberly informed them.

Alice and Rick rushed into the RV.

"Please, no, not this…" Jim mumbled to himself. He was sweating profusely. Alice reached out to feel his forehead, but before she could even touch his skin, she felt the heat.

Jim was not going to make it.

Alice looked to Rick and shook her head, her eyes getting misty. She sat down next to the man she had grown to call a friend.

"Jim, it's me, Alice. Rick is here too." He opened his eyes and looked at them wordlessly. "What can we do to make you comfortable?"

"I want to be with my family Alice."

"Jim, your family is dead. You're delirious." Rick informed him.

"No, this is the clearest I've thought in a while. I don't know how long it will last, but I know what I want."

"We're almost there Jim. You just need to hold on a-"

"Rick, listen to me. I can't do it. My bones feel like glass. Every time we hit a bump it hurts so bad. I'm in so much pain."

"What are you asking us to do Jim?" Alice asked. She wanted to place a comforting hand on him, but it was making her hot just sitting next to him.

"Leave me."

"But-"

"No, Alice, this is what I want. This is my last clear thought, I know it."

"We have to inform the others and see what they say."

"Do what you have to deputy."

"We can't just leave him out here to die Rick!" Lori hissed, holding Carl close. It was clear that the boy was not as oblivious to the situation as everyone would have thought. He knew Jim was going to die, he knew it wouldn't be painless, but he also knew that Jim was going to heaven to be with his family.

Rick frowned at his dark haired wife. "I know, but it's what he wants."

"I think we should do it." Dale spoke. "It's not about us." Jacqui nodded in agreement, her arms folded over her chest.

"I know that, but we're so close to the CDC. And look, I see Shane. We can get him there. He came this far Rick, the CDC might be able to help him." Lori argued. "We'll kill him if we leave him."

"You guys thought I meant we kill him when I said I agree with Daryl earlier, didn't you? I meant we let him decided what he wants to do."

"We know want he wants to do. He ain't gonna change his mind." Alice chimed in.

"Alice, not you too! He has a chance-"

"Lori, he doesn't… He's burning up. I feel it without touching him. Honestly, we got another two hours before we reach the CDC. He won't make it that long. This whole ride has been hurting him. Makes no sense to keep torturing him."

"I still say we put a bullet through his head. He's gonna die anyway." Everyone turned their attention to Daryl, shocked by his nonchalant tone. He was casually leaning against his truck with his crossbow dangling in his hand. "Don't ya'll look at me that way. He wants to die."

"He doesn't wanna die." Alice corrected, feeling a little more bold talking to the arrogant redneck. "He just doesn't want to keep going with us to the CDC. It's too much for him-"

"Then what difference is a shot to the head? Either way, he's gonna die. Way I look at him, we're doing him a favor."

"It's not a favor if it ain't what he wants. He wants to be left and let nature take its course."

"So he wants to become a walker?" Alice stood quiet, not sure how to counter. "Thought so."

Rick stepped forward. He was proud Alice spoke up, but it was time for him to take over. "Look Daryl, it's his final wishes. It ain't no harm to us, so we do what he wants." Daryl rolled his eyes, but didn't reply.

Shane pulled up beside everyone and got out of his land rover. He looked around the group sensing the tension. Glenn followed behind, holding a worn out looking hose. He looked far from happy and Alice couldn't blame him. She knew what it was like to ride with Shane. He hardly ever spoke while driving unless it was serious.

"What's going on?" Glenn asked, handing Dale the hose.

"It's Jim." Jacqui answered. "He's… Gotten worse."

"Another tree, huh?" Jim joked as Shane and Rick sat him down. A soft breeze blew, bringing a little relief to Jim's hot skin. Shane gave a sad smile at the joke.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Rick asked. Jim nodded. "Will you at least take a gun?"

"For what?"

"Protection."

Jim laughed slightly. "I'm gonna die soon. I doubt I'm really need it. But thank you."

Jacqui leaned down and placed a feather light kiss on his burning forehead before hurrying off. She felt her tears start to roll down her cheeks, but didn't want Jim to see her cry. Everyone else said their good byes before walking off, none really knowing how to handle the situation. It was different to be bitten and die right away. No one had to watch them suffer. But it was everyone's first time dealing with someone who got bit and lived through it until the end.

Alice watched Rick walk off, leaving her and Jim alone. She opened her mouth to speak, but words seemed to fail her. She didn't know what to say. She had mentally gone through all the cliche things to say, but it just didn't feel right to use on Jim. Her chest tightened as she gazed at him. He could barely keep his eyes open and kept releasing low moans of pain. How it felt to slowly have ones body shut down, she had no idea and she really didn't want one either. One look at Jim was enough for her. She crouched down in front of him and gave him a sad smile. It was all she could offer him.

"Why so sad? You look like someone died." he joked dryly. He never could tell a great joke. That's what his wife would always tell him.

"That ain't funny Jim."

"I know," he admitted. "but I tried."

"I'm gonna miss you."

"Don't." he weakly pointed to the sky, his thin index finger trembling. "I'll be up there, happy. I'll be with my family again. I can't wait to see my beautiful wife."

"She'll be happy to see you."

"Alice?"

"Yeah Jim?"

"Don't be afraid."

"Of what?" she asked, confused.

"Of anything. Now's not the time to be weak and depend on those around you. Don't be afraid." He repeated, hoping she took his words to heart.

"I won't Jim. I won't for you." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Her lips burned, but she held it there for a few seconds. Her lips felt numb as if she had kissed a flame. She stood up and began to walk off.

"Alice." He weakly called. She stopped and looked at him. "Say… Say a prayer for me, would you?"

"I was going to, even if you didn't ask." She shot him one last smile. It was weak and full of sorrow, but it wasn't a happy occasion. She was never going to see him again. At that moment she regretted taking so long to get to know him.

Jim looked at the sky once more, hearing them drive away. He wanted to go with them, he wanted to live. His time had come, and he was scared. All he could do was sit there and wait.

Everyone left their vehicles. The moment Alice stepped outside, the putrid scent of death and decay assaulted her. Decomposing bodies laid everywhere. She had to step over a severed arm. The arm was bloated and grey with maggots crawling from the shoulder that lacked a body. Its fingers were balled into a tight fist and a gold bracelet on its wrist. For a moment, she felt the contents of her stomach rise to her throat, but quickly forced it back down. It would have been both disgusting and embarrassing to throw up. She wondered if this person had been alive when their arm was torn from their bodies. Had walkers done it? Was the person already a walker? She had to shake the thoughts from her head. With careful steps, the group walked to the CDC building, trying hard not to gag. Lori walked close behind Rick and held their son close. She looked as if at any moment she would pass out. Shane walked close to Alice, his gun drawn and ready for action. He walked through the streets of death as if he didn't see or smell anything. Glenn, however, had it the worse because of his sensitive stomach. Every few steps his cheeks would puff from the vomit that he tired to hold down in his stomach. He wasn't cut out for this.

"You can't be serious!" Daryl hissed once they reached the building. The metal gates were down all around it and no one seemed to be inside.

"I knew we should have went to Fort Bennet." Shane mumbled, rubbing his face in frustration.

"No…" Rick shook his head in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. "No, this isn't right!"

"Rick, we need to go. It's getting dark." Lori had that tone again, the tone that drove Rick mad. Disappointment. She was disappointed in him once again. "We need to get out of here before the walkers come." Lori reached out to pull him away from the gate. He yanked his arm away and began banging on it.

"What are you doing?!" Shane yelled. "You trying to get us killed?!"

"I know someone is in there!"

Alice reached for her gun when she spotted a walker. "Rick, we need to go. They're coming." Daryl aimed is crossbow and shot it in the head.

"Let's go!" Shane started to pull Rick away.

"That camera! I saw it move! Shane let go! Someone's in there!"

Lori looked at the camera, but saw no movement. "You're seeing things."

"No! Open up! I know you see us!"

"Shut up Rick! You're drawing attention!"

"You're killing us!" Rick violently thrashed against Shane's hold. "We have women and children. We have a little gas and food! Please help us!" he begged. "We need help! You're going to kill us!"

"No one is in there!"

Suddenly, the gate rose up. Everyone shielded their eyes from the blinding, bright light. For a moment, no one moved, shocked that someone had actually been inside.