Chapter 3 - "Road Trip"

Almost a month had past since Kate had become the new doctor to the Saviors. She had seen more violence in that time than she had seen in her whole life. Everyday someone came into the hospital, needing to be stitched up or bandaged. She tried her best to keep to herself. She wasn't comfortable with the privileges that her station seemed to earn her. Someone brought her meals to her, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She had actual hot water in her personal shower. Not to mention that Simon seemed to be following her everywhere she went.

One day, she was walking to the kitchen to get water for the hospital, when Simon seemed to step out of the shadows in front of her.

"There are people to do that, you know." He pointed to some of the men behind them.

"I know. But I can do this myself. I need to boil some water to make sterile bandages. Those

prepackaged supplies won't last forever."

"Why don't you ever come out and say hello? I mean, you hide in your room, or you hide in the hospital. Anyone who can fix these assholes up like you do, shouldn't have to worry so much. What's wrong? Aren't you happy here?"

"Happy? I don't think that's the right word. I'm just not, comfortable. I can't wrap my head around why I'm so different from other people. I don't like being put on a pedestal." Simon laughed as Kate picked up two gallon jugs of water and pushed past him.

"I'm sorry. Are you complaining about being on top? Most people have to fight to get to that point. They have to do a lot of shit that they aren't proud of, to get what you have. You have a special talent, you've proved you're capable. What? You want me to tell Negan that you'd rather work for points? You want to be thrown in the pit and made to fight?"

"No. Just leave me alone. Unless you're bleeding to death." Kate pushed past Simon and made her way back to the hospital.

He watched her walk away, and couldn't help but wonder what she was like, underneath the pain and the anger. She was beautiful, he could see that. He'd noticed it when he found her on top of the shed in the woods, fighting to stay alive. Her black hair was always in a messy bun, and he found himself wanting to run his fingers through it, to feel the softness of it. To know what she smelled like, to touch her skin.

Someone shouted his name and he was pulled back to reality. He looked towards the hospital but Kate was gone.

Negan kicked open the door to the hospital and laid Lucille down on the desk. Kate stopped her daily inventory, and turned around.

"I've got a job for you. I need you to go to The Kingdom. They don't have a doctor, and I hear they are pretty fucking hard up." He sat down and propped his feet up.

"Why do you care you about them?" She risked asking, knowing that she should just shut up and accept what he had to offer her.

"Well, they've done pretty well with getting me the shit that I want and need. They don't fight back. And I am a stand up guy. I want to show them that they've earned a little something. Keep the people happy."

Negan pointed Lucille to the clock, and stood up from the chair.

"Pack your shit, and be ready to leave in an hour. Oh, and Simon is going with you."

Kate did what was asked of her. She packed everything that she thought she might need. Medical supplies, water, a few protein bars, some clothes, and her badge. She had to laugh at herself; why did she feel that she still had to wear that thing? She wasn't an official doctor, but since the world had gone to hell, she was the closest thing that there was for the Saviors.

She still felt bad about being placed ahead of Carson, the other doctor. She had only been there a month, and he had been there since the beginning. Still, he didn't seem to mind. Actually, though she knew he would never admit it, he was happy to just be 'on call'. He spent most of his time in his room, reading, or sleeping. Everyone coped with the New World differently. She couldn't hold it against him.

Kate headed to the gate, where Simon was loading up one of the pick up trucks. He saw her and stopped, rounding the vehicle to approach her.

"Well, looks like we're going on a road trip. Ready, doll?" He asked.

"Let's just get moving. How long does it take to get to this place anyway?" She tossed her bag in the back and climbed in, without waiting for him to answer.

One of the men opened the gate and they pulled away, hitting the open road. Kate looked around at the woods and the fields as they drove. Everything was abandoned, empty. She felt like she was in a movie, to be out here with no one around. She lowered the window and felt the cool Autumn air on her hand.

Simon reached over and opened the glove box. His arm brushed her leg, and it sent a surprising sensation down her spine. She closed her eyes as he fumbled to retrieve the CD he was looking for, his arm still resting on her thigh. Kate should have shifted in her seat, or shot him a disapproving look, but she didn't. She wasn't sure if he meant to do it or not, but as soon as he found what he was looking for, both hands were back on the wheel. He put the CD in and turned up the volume.

"Do you like Johnny Cash?" Simon pushed a few buttons to find the track he was looking for. 'Cocaine Blues' blared from the speakers and Kate smiled.

"Actually, Folsom Prison is one of my favorite albums."

"Well, damn. I never would have guessed."

Simon focused on the road, because if he kept focusing on Kate, he was sure that he was going to crash the truck. When he had touched her leg and she didn't move, he could feel things stirring inside of him that he hadn't felt in a long time. He didn't have wives like Negan did; no women at his beck and call to satisfy him in any way. Sure, there were women. He was second in command and had the pick of almost anyone he wanted. But Kate was different, and he was starting to realize this.

They rode in silence, enjoying the music. Kate wondered what 'The Kingdom' was like, and decided to pump Simon for some information.

"So, this place we're going. What's it like?"

"It's smaller than our compound, that's for sure. But they do alright for themselves. They have horses, and a tiger."

"A tiger?" Kate wasn't sure that she heard him right, but he was smiling ear to ear.

"King Ezekiel, they call him. They guy who runs the place. He has a pet tiger. So, watch yourself Little Red Ridding Hood. Don't think about snooping around, or going places that you shouldn't."

"That's a wolf, not a tiger."

"What?" Simon asked, not sure what she meant.

"Little Red Riding Hood. It was a wolf in Grandma's clothing, not a tiger."

"Well, then you know to be extra careful then, don't you? They have a small clinic, and a guy who was an EMT, or something like that. I'm not sure what they need, but make sure you do your inventory of the medicine. If they have anything extra, take it."

"What if they need it?"

"Don't think for a moment that you can let them make you soft. Everything belongs to Negan. Do what he told you to do, and everything will be fine. We shouldn't be there more than a few days."

The rest of the drive was done in silence. Kate continued to look out the window, listening the deep voice on the stereo of the truck, and wondering just what she was going to do once they arrived. Were people injured? Who needed medical attention? She had to admit, while she was happy to be helping people, she didn't like the fact that there were strings attached. But everything came with a price, it seemed. Her safety depended on how well she did her job. Her whole livelihood depended on how Negan felt she saved lives, or how she mended his men after a fight.

Simon made a turn and before she knew it, they had arrived at the gates of The Kingdom. The massive metal gate opened, and they drove inside. There were people wearing body armor, standing in a line, watching them. These folks didn't have guns; they had spears and swords. She saw a few people riding around on horseback, but mostly, the people were just going about their day. There was a large garden on her left, and a few large buildings. People were washing laundry, talking, and laughing.

"Where's your king?" Simon demanded, as he exited the truck.

"King Ezekiel is waiting for you. He asks that you speak with him first." A man in body armor motioned to them, and they followed.

People were staring, and not in a good way. She could feel their cold glares as they walked past the women washing clothes. Kate couldn't help but wonder what Negan had done to them, to deserve such treatment. Together, she and Simon walked into a building behind the garden, and into a large auditorium.

Simon wasn't kidding. There was a man sitting on a throne, holding a large chain that was attached to a real live tiger. Kate swallowed hard and walked behind Simon, down to the stage.

"Welcome, fair lady, to The Kingdom. I am King Ezekiel. I am pleased to see you here. We have a few subjects that are in need of medical attention, and I am hoping that you will serve them well." King Ezekiel spoke in a booming voice that filled the whole room.

Kate was taken aback. This guy talked like he belonged at a Renaissance festival. Her eyes darted from him, to the tiger, and back again. She cleared her throat and approached the stage.

"Yes. I am hoping that I will be of some assistance. Negan told me that there were a few people that needed immediate attention. Are they seriously injured?"

Ezekiel laughed loudly, and smiled. Attaching the chain to the throne, he walked to the edge of the stage and crouched down, his face inches away from Kate's.

"My dear, they are not injured. They are pregnant."