Chapter 4 - "So Close"

This is not what Kate had expected at all. Pregnant? In this mess of a world? She couldn't wrap her head around it. That was something that she would never want now. But she was also there to do her job, and it wasn't up to her to judge. Ezekiel pointed to one of the men standing next to him, and the short man jumped off the stage and motioned for Kate and Simon to follow him.

"Be not weary, my lady. For even though you live in the heart of evil, you are still as beautiful as a flower." The King called after her. She felt a shiver run through her as she walked back out into the sunshine.

For the next few hours, Kate met with the two women who were not only pregnant, but very close to giving birth. At first they were hesitant to let anyone from the Saviors camp near them, but they soon warmed up to Kate when they saw how gentle she was with them. Kate performed physical exams, and determined that the babies could come at any time.

She had helped deliver a few babies in her time at the hospital, even delivering one in a taxi cab in the parking lot, but she was nervous. There was no high tech medical equipment, and she sure as hell didn't want to administer an epidural. That would be too dangerous.

When she was finished, the sun was setting and she felt her stomach grumble. She realized that she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, and headed towards the kitchens. Simon was waiting for her, something that she was starting to get used to. And as she shook her head, she realized, it was something that she had started looking forward to.

He had two sandwiches in his hands, and held one out to her. They found a bench to sit on, and she unwrapped her dinner.

"So, how did it go?" Simon asked, wanting to break the silence.

"Good. I've prepared some of the women to know what to do, and what to expect, if they deliver after we leave. I think they'll be alright. Childbirth is, at best, unpredictable now. I mean, we're back to Civil War times here."

Simon finished his sandwich quickly and jumped up, brushing his hands on his jeans.

"Well, since you're finished, would you, um, like to take a walk?" Simon asked, but held his breath, afraid that she would refuse.

"Why not." Kate rose and walked next to him.

They followed the path down to a more secluded garden. There were stone benches and fire pits, surrounded by manicured foliage and flowers. She walked over to one of the plants and ran the leaves gently between her fingers.

She had so many things on her mind. She was still uncomfortable with all the violence that the Saviors dealt out. She hated being 'owned' by anyone, let alone a sociopath like Negan. She also didn't like knowing that if she didn't turn a blind eye to the men and women that she helped at the compound, she might end up on the end of a stake.

She also wasn't sure of the feelings that were starting to stir inside of her, where Simon was concerned.

"Kate?" Simon asked, walking towards her.

She drew in a sharp breath as he stood close enough to touch her. She couldn't contain her thoughts. She looked at his plaid shirt and wondered if it was soft. She wondered who he was before the world ended. Was he married? What did he do for a living?

Simon raised a hand and brushed the hair away from her cheek. He bent down to kiss her, and she placed a gentle hand on his chest.

"Simon. I don't know if this is a good idea." He moved closer, their bodies touching.

"Why?" He whispered into her ear.

Kate felt her body melt into his. She tried to think of a million reasons to say no, to push him away. But in this moment, her mind was blank.

"I don't know if this is the right time. The right place." She lied, looking sideways.

"Have you looked around? The world is burning. Tomorrow isn't promised anymore. Nothing is. When I look at you, I feel something real. I feel like maybe, just for a moment, life isn't shit." He leaned down and gently pressed his lips against hers.

She knew he was right. Nothing was guaranteed anymore. She leaned in to kiss him harder, when she heard footsteps running down the path towards them.

A teenager stood frozen and realized that he was interpreting. Simon spun around and grabbed the kid by his shirt, nearly lifting him off the ground.

"What the fuck do you want?" He growled, and the kid, obviously scared, could only point to Kate.

"Jesus, Simon. Put him down." She ran over and Simon let him go.

The kid handed her a piece of paper. She scanned it quickly.

"Well, it's time. One baby is coming. I've got to go." The kid ran off as Kate folded the paper up and put it in her pocket.

"Kate, wait, " Simon pleaded, but she ignored him.

As she ran off, Simon turned and punched the wooded wall of one of the buildings. He was angry at himself for pushing Kate. He was angry at that kid for interrupting them. He was just angry.