I don't own anything to do with Rick or any character from the Walking Dead. I own the OC characters, Ruby and Paul, however, and I adore them.
Summary: Shane's been killed by Rick and the group doesn't trust him anymore. So what does Rick do? Snap. He finds a girl in the woods and takes out his aggression.
Yes, I know if you've read my other stuff you know that I was a Shane girl, but Rick is awesome, too. So I decided to play with him a little. Rate and comment if you like! Thanks, and please, no flames. They are... unhelpful.
The dining room was buzzing with activity when they got there, everyone from the farm seemed to have gathered while the group was having their discussion. The first thing they noticed was that the women sat mostly on one side, the men on the other. Man, did these people separate everything? Ruby thought as Margie ushered the ladies in first. The thought that she would be kept apart from Rick by the house was infinitely depressing, and she fought to grab the seat directly across from him. He gave her an encouraging smile as they sat, and she returned it gratefully.
Maggie and Glenn didn't seem to fall into line as easily as everyone else, and took seats next to each other, despite the disappointed glances Margie and Bob gave them. Perhaps it was because everything was so new, but nothing was said, and Ruby kicked herself for not doing it herself.
"Well, this is a big day for us all. The good Lord has seen fit to send us a strong and brave new group of friends, and we welcome you with open arms." Bob took the lead at the end of the table, and spoke to the people now sat down and watching him. He went on, and Ruby tuned out, taking the opportunity to observe the others.
There were 17 people in Bob's camp, including his wife, daughter, and grand-daughter, all of varying age. The one common thing was that they were primarily white, except for a teenage boy who looked as if he may be native American, and a very light skinned older black woman near the opposite side of the table. Names were introduced around, but it would be a miracle if she remembered them in a few minutes. She was simply too tired and too over trying to understand what was going on here to give her full attention. At one point however, she did notice Jimmy, two seats down from Rick, watching her closely while Bob went on and on about God's grace and generosity. She frowned when he realized she had caught him staring, his eyes going back down to his empty plate. He was a decent enough looking guy, but certainly nothing next to Rick, so dark and strong and tall. When Jimmy blushed and his eyes drifted back up, Ruby focused her attention away, hoping the young man would get the hint.
He wasn't the only one keeping a sharp eye on them, either. Amelia sat next to her daughter and closely inspected them, her eyes boring in like dull little beads on Ruby's face, then to Rick, then back to Ruby. She sniffed conceitedly, loud enough to be heard, and lifted her chin as she turned away. What the hell was that about.
It felt like Bob took forever in his elaborate speech, but finally, he slowed, and Daryl reached forward grabbing a roll nearby. A small, choked cry of protest came from the table and Margie gave him a stern look.
"We say a blessing to the Lord before we eat, young man."
Daryl frowned, taking a slightly frustrated breath as if to say 'what the hell has this guy been doing all this time?', but he dropped the offending bread and crossed his arms over his chest. When the hands began to latch together in preparation, his arms remained crossed. He'd be damned if he was going to hold hands with Paul and some stranger, and Ruby gave him a amused wink. The young man who'd reached out to him faltered, and placed his hand beside his plate instead, blushing embarrassingly. They really seemed like a very naive, young group, and Ruby wondered how they had managed to stay that way, or if it was a very well put on act.
Dishes began being passed, forks clanking gently as they began to eat. Bob situated his napkin and looked to Rick.
"So, what do you think of everything so far?" He asked amiably.
Rick swallowed the mashed potatoes he'd taken a bite of and nodded. "Seems like you have everything under control." Ruby almost laughed out loud. That was the understatement of the year.
Bob just shook his head though, half amused, half almost sad. "Far from it, I'm afraid. We've managed, but we've lost people, probably a lot like you. Amelia's husband, Jonathan, was lost just three months ago, God rest his soul."
"Sorry to hear that." Rick gave Amelia a sympathetic nod, and she returned it, but the emotion didn't reach her eyes. She went back to silently dishing out a plate for Rebeccah.
"But, we can't focus on the sadness, not when such doors are being opened now, can we?" Margie smiled. "Tell us about you. Where are you all from?"
"Everywhere, really, but we really got together here in Georgia. I was a police officer in Kings County." Rick said, taking the stress of explaining off the others. "We found Hershel's farm later, and stayed there a good while."
"Is that right?" Bob said, interestedly.
"Yes, but it wasn't as large as this, or as well protected, unfortunately." Hershel said over his fried chicken. Ruby listened as they went on about histories, families, and picked at her chicken.
"Ruby, Maggie, I notice you're carrying guns. Is that something you do often?" Margie asked, looking at them critically.
Was this lady for real? Maggie looked over at her with wider eyes that usual. "Of course." Ruby responded, confused.
"Bob and the others make sure we're very well protected here, dear. You don't have to worry about continuing that practice, especially in the house with the children." Margie spoke finally, like a decision had just been made. They'd dressed her like a church lady and now they wanted her unarmed? Why? Because she was a woman? Oh hell no...
She suddenly felt claustrophobic at the large table, in such a big but deliberately plain room, surrounded by people who were watching them all the time. Bob's group was so different from theirs- they just sat there listening like bumps on a log, faces registering only slight interest here and there. A hot flash swept through her chest and rose to her face, and she took several deep breaths to calm herself.
"Hey." Beth whispered from next to her. "You ok?"
Ruby smiled weakly. "Just tired."
Beth didn't seem convinced, but she left it alone and gave Ruby room to breathe. Margie seemed to notice, and changed the subject.
"I expect you're all just about worn to the bone, being out there so long. I can't even imagine." She said, and when they just quietly nodded, she continued. "But I think you'll find that getting back into a routine here will do you good once you do. We're hard working people, we abide and go on. Does no good to dwell on the past, don't you agree?"
"How do you protect yourself then? It's hard to ignore what's going on out there." Paul retorted gently as he could.
"God's provided a way, we listen and follow it." Bob said like it explained everything, and his group let out a round of approving nods.
"I got nothing against God, sir, not at all. But I have to tell you not a lot of people feel that way out there. At least, not the ones we seem to have run into." Paul continued, despite the curious glances from the others. Ruby understood, though. He was a long time atheist, a subject they had had many late night conversations over pitchers of beer out on the road.
"Well," Bob said, his face growing slightly dark. "I guess it's good you found us, then, isn't it?"
With that the tone seemed to change a little. Everyone was slightly uncomfortable, and dinner became a little more rushed, the conversation softer and more banal. Finally, Margie rose and took her husband's plate.
"Why don't you ladies give me a hand clearing up. We have coffee we can take outside."
Ruby looked at Rick in shock as Bob led the men away. What was this, 'wait on our men folk day'? He gave her an uncertain shrug as they made their way out of the room, and she let out a deep breath. This is not the way she preferred to spend her time, fitting in some old fashioned and out of date woman's role. In fact, Carol, who had spent the majority of her life with Ed in exactly such a role, looked a little green. Ruby put a hand on her elbow comfortingly as they went back into the kitchen, gaining a small smile from the woman. When it was time to retire to their respective rooms, it was both a blessing and a curse.
"I hate this." Maggie groaned from her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her sister looked over to her compassionately as she brushed her long blond hair out.
"I know." She said softly. She wasn't having any more fun than Maggie away from the rest of their group. Quite frankly, it gave her the heebie jeebies. Rick, Paul, Daryl and Glenn had proven to be more than capable, and being away from them gave her a decidedly unsafe feeling. Honestly, she wanted nothing more than to sit somewhere next to Paul and just listen to him talk. He was so comforting.
Maggie groaned again and sat up. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Beth looked up from the bed she sat on at her sister, and twisted her fingers together nervously.
"I want to see Ruby." Maggie answered, her face a mask of determination. The house lay quiet for such an early hour, and they weren't seen as they slipped from their door to the one next door.
Ruby jumped visibly when Maggie opened the door and she and Beth slipped in quietly. She'd been sitting at the window beside Carol looking out, hoping to catch Rick passing by. The space between them since coming here had been growing increasingly painful. She knew it was for him, too. The look on his face when they'd been taken away to sleep for the night spoke of longing, and not a tiny hint of lust. Even in those horrid clothes, she thought to herself with a smile. She'd changed into a teeshirt and boy shorts as soon as she and Carol were alone, and the two of them had fallen into an almost sad silence there at the window together.
"Tell me again why we came here." Maggie almost hissed as she flopped over Ruby's bed and put her chin in her hands.
"Because we didn't fancy getting eaten." Ruby said grimly.
"Oh, right." Maggie answered flatly, and Ruby had to let out a little chuckle.
"Hey, did any of you get your clothes back yet?" Beth asked, and they looked around to each other.
"No, but it hasn't been long." Carol said.
"The way the women work around here they should have been done by now." Ruby said. She hadn't thought about it, being too preoccupied all day.
"Maybe they want us to do them ourselves." Beth reasoned.
"Then wouldn't they have left them with us, not taken them away." Maggie answered. "I bet they won't give 'em back. Tank tops are the devil's attire, right?"
They chuckled at that, but they obviously didn't think she was too far off the mark. "Man, I really hope you're wrong. It's not like we have a lot to begin with, finding something else is going to be a bitch, and I am NOT wearing this crap the rest of my life." Ruby sighed, picking at a discarded skirt nearby.
"Yeah." Beth said softly. The four of them fell quiet, not knowing exactly what to do, but being grateful to at least have each other to talk to for a moment.
"What do you think happened to Amelia's husband?" Maggie asked, anxious to break the quiet.
"They said he died." Said Carol.
"No, they said they 'lost him'. Maybe the poor bastard ran away." Ruby said sarcastically, but she felt a little bad immediately. He did leave a daughter behind, after all. She opened her mouth to correct herself, but the sound of Paul's bird whistle sounded outside, low and secretive. She darted to the window, Beth close behind. They spotted him standing in the shadows outside beneath a tree looking up at them.
"Hey you." He said, and she grinned, glad to see him.
"How's it going up there?" He asked as he looked around, for a way closer to the second floor. He settled on a tree, and quickly climbed the broad trunk, coming to rest on a large branch closest to the window. He was almost eye level from his perch several feet away, and they could speak easily now.
"Better now." She said, throwing a teasing glance Beth's way. She was rewarded by a furious blush and downcast eyes that quickly returned to her handsome friend. "How are you guys?"
"Deaf, I think. Bob is a talker, man." He grinned and they all laughed softly.
"How's Glenn?" Maggie asked longingly.
"Missing you. If he sighs one more time he just might hyperventilate."
Maggie looked very pleased with that, and he continued. "And before you ask, Rick and Daryl are moping around too, but I can't imagine why."
He was teasing harder this time, and Carol raised an amused eyebrow at him but stayed silent.
He chuckled. "How'd you get away?" Beth asked softly and he tilted his head a slight shrug.
"Not hard if you're careful. Just had to avoid some guys at the front keeping watch. Thought I'd come see if a jailbreak was in order."
"On the first night? You have no willpower, man." Ruby gave him a serious shake of the head and he looked reluctantly at her.
"Oh yeah? Well, I guess I can always leave you guys here..." He started to push off of the branch, but their whispered protests made him stop and grin. "That's better."
"I still don't get the whole separation thing." Maggie said, frustrated. "What are they so afraid of?"
Paul gave a low scoffing chuckle. "Girl, the way you and Glenn are always making eyes at each other, they're probably worried about a few little Rhee's running around."
"The world should be so lucky." Maggie retorted, and when they looked at her with wide eyes she corrected herself. "Someday! I meant, someday. Not right now. Jesus, people.
"All I'm saying is that I only care what my own father says about who I want to be with, and he loves Glenn. Why should we put up with this?"
"It's just for tonight. We'll talk to them about it tomorrow. We just needed to get some sleep, lay low the first night, not cause too many waves straight off. We are guests here, after all." Paul said.
"I guess it just felt like we were going to be doing this forever." Ruby said. "How's Rick, really?"
"Feeling the place out. Looking for any weak spots, making sure we're safe. But he's not any happier about it than you are, trust me."
She wanted to ask him so badly how he knew that, but a sound from the main driveway drew all their attention. Paul hunkered down in the tree, waiting to be sure they were still unnoticed. "I better get back." He whispered after a few minutes.
"Can you wait? Just a few minutes, ok?" Beth said, and he smiled at her.
"Sure."
"I'm going to get some sleep." Ruby yawned, and he nodded. "You two hang out long as you want."
The invitation to stay in her and Carol's room was a welcome one for both Maggie and Beth, neither of whom really wanted to increase the already tense separation.
"'Night Starlet, Carol, Maggie." Paul called out and Ruby blew him a friendly smooch, retreating from the window to give Beth the semblance of privacy with her crush. Beth settled in the window frame, and Maggie walked back to Ruby's bed.
"There's room to share, Mags." Ruby said, pulling back the covers for her friend, and the smile she got spoke volumes. Maggie curled up into the pillow on the other side of the bed, and as Ruby fell asleep she could still hear the faint whispers of Paul and Beth at the window.
Morning came quickly, as she had hoped, and when Ruby opened her eyes she saw Maggie still sleeping hard next to her. Sitting up, Beth was curled up with a blanket in a chair near the window. From her posture, she'd fallen asleep still talking with Paul, and Ruby grinned.
"They are so cute." Carol whispered, and Ruby looked over to find the woman awake and snuggled in bed watching the sleeping young woman.
"I never thought I'd see Paul like that." Ruby said gently. "He acts like such a big toughie, but I think that girl's got him whupped. I love it."
Carol smiled, sitting up and stretching deeply. The two of them set about getting ready quietly, so as to let the sisters sleep a little longer. A sharp knock at the door, however, ended that when the girl's both woke violently, startled.
Ruby frowned and answered the door. Amelia stood there with an alarmed look on her face, but relaxed a little when she saw Maggie and Beth behind Ruby.
"There you are. We were worried when we didn't see your beds slept in." Amelia said curtly.
"Stayed up late talking, Amelia. They fell asleep here, it's ok." Ruby said, not knowing how to take the woman's reaction.
"Hm. Is there a problem with your room?" Amelia asked, and Maggie narrowed her eyes.
"No." She said flatly, refusing to grace her with any more of a response.
"Good. Mother wanted me to remind you, should I find you, that sleep is necessary to a healthy mind and body. Hopefully you can be comfortable enough tonight to stay in your own room." Amelia raised her chin a little haughtily and backed up a step. "Breakfast is being made, I trust you'll want to come help."
"I'll go." Ruby said quickly, noticing the deep redness over Maggie's offended face. She was more than pissed herself, but she struggled to keep her composure as she looked at Amelia.
"Don't you want to get dressed first?" Amelia looked critically at the jeans and sleeveless teeshirt Ruby had retrieved from her bag. She looked past to Carol, who had also donned her old clothes. There was nothing wrong with Carol's shift dress, it was a pretty blue color, even if it was worn more than a little.
"I am dressed." Ruby said curtly, leaning over to hand Amelia the stack of clothes they had lent to them earlier. "Thank you for loaning these to us, but we're ok now."
Amelia looked taken aback. Stuttering for a moment, she took the clothes Ruby pushed into her arms, and she and Ruby disappeared out into the hallway, closing the door behind them.
"Maggie, it's going to be fine." Carol said, but Maggie was obviously still fuming.
Carol continued. Ruby will get to Rick, and we'll get this straightened out. It might not be so bad, Bob at least doesn't seem too unreasonable."
"Yeah, we'll see." Maggie said reluctantly. She left the room to retrieve her bags from the other room.
Carol finished getting ready quickly. She wanted to get down to the kitchen to back Ruby up, the thought of the poor girl down there with Margie alone made her nervous.
"Oh, that's IT!" They heard Maggie shout from the other room, and they were out the door in a flash. They found her standing in the middle of the room going through her mostly empty bags. She looked up at them, her eyes wide and furious. "They took them! All our jeans, shirts, even the underwear!"
"What?" Beth squealed, going to her own duffel in the corner. Sure enough, her clothes were gone too, all that was left were her personal care things. Hairbrush, toothpaste, things like that.
"I'm gonna kill em." Maggie growled, and as she tried to launch herself out the door Carol grabbed her arm.
"Maggie, hold on. You can't go down there like that. You're too angry." Carol looked at the tank top and tiny shorts Maggie had slept in. "We don't know them well enough, get your stuff and come with me. Besides, Margie sees you like that her head might explode."
"Promise?" Maggie said through clenched teeth, but heeded the advice and contained herself long enough to follow Beth and Carol back to her room. Carol took the liberty of grabbing a combination of her and Ruby's clothes for Maggie to wear, and by the time the young woman had thrown on the pants and shirt Carol handed her, her fury had seemed to become more focused. No less deadly, but focused nonetheless. Carol swallowed hard as she followed the rapidly moving Maggie down the stairs and to the main kitchen where they knew they would find Margie.
Ruby filled the glasses around the dining room table with water before everyone gathered for breakfast. Two of the women, Honesty and Carlene, filled the table with plates of eggs and homemade biscuits. She hadn't tried talking to them, she was far too busy looking for any sign of Rick to come through the door, very much wanting to talk to him. When she heard Maggie's voice in the kitchen, raised and angry, her heart leap into her chest, and she rushed toward it.
"I want them back, Margie. Where are they?" Maggie was saying, palms flat on the center island of the kitchen, face drawn and pissed off. Carol and Beth stood behind her anxiously, and she met Carol's worried eyes.
"What's wrong, Maggie?" Ruby cut in quickly. Margie was standing by the stove, a large spoon in her hand and a calm expression on her face, but something about it creeped Ruby out dramatically.
"Your young friend here apparently doesn't appreciate our hospitality." Margie said, and Maggie's eyes narrowed.
"Appreciate?" Maggie's voice went several octaves higher. "You went through our stuff, took all our clothes! Why the hell would I appreciate that?"
"Do NOT curse in here young lady, I am warning you. We do not tolerate vulgarity in this household." Margie said sharply, and Ruby put her hands up to calm both of them.
"Wait. Just wait. Margie, can you please tell us where our clothes are?" She said as evenly as she could.
"I did her and her sister here a favor. Those tight little shirts and tight pants aren't appropriate. Do you know what temptation you put on men when you dress like that? Especially now." Margie answered plainly, like it was a perfect explanation, and reasonable at that. Everyone's eyes widened, and Maggie began to visibly shake. Her mouth opened and closed silently, her fury taking away any words she might once have had.
"Margie, give us the clothes back." Ruby said, her own anger taking over.
"It's too late, they're gone." Margie turned back to the stove and stirred a pot disinterestedly. "We gave you clothes, Maggie, which you and your friends rudely returned, in fact. You'll thank me, young lady, when you find a good god fearing man that respects you and doesn't just want your body."
"Margie." Ruby spoke low, and the danger in her voice made Margie pause and look at her curiously. "Where are the clothes?"
"We burned them."
"You WHAT?" Maggie's voice came back all at once. She launched herself toward the older woman, but Ruby grabbed her just in time and struggled to pull her away. Speaking over Maggie's outraged shouts, she looked over to Carol in desperation.
"Go upstairs, get our stuff. Beth, go with her. And hurry!" Ruby shouted and when Carol and Beth went for the door, Carlene and another woman stood in their way.
"Oh, no you don't." Carol said, shoving past them and taking Beth's hand. Ruby heard them clatter up the stairs and turned back to Margie, who was gesturing to one of her group silently.
"Rick!" Ruby started yelling as loud as she could while taking off with Maggie toward the front door. Maggie wanted nothing more than to get to Glenn, away from Margie and this damn farm, and they barreled together toward the sunlight streaming through the open screen door. As they got to it, however, Jimmy appeared on the other side and held the door closed. Ruby found herself nose to nose with the young man through the screen. Screaming for Rick again, she yelped when Maggie let out a grunt and a thump came from behind her. Looking back in terror she saw Margie, that same heavy wooden spoon in her hand, standing over Maggie's limp body. The bitch had actually knocked her out. Taking her distraction as his advantage, Jimmy let himself in the door and grabbed Ruby from behind, twisting her arms around behind her and clamping his broad hand over her mouth.
She screamed, but it was muffled by his hand, and she fought so hard Margie lifted the spoon again to hit her.
"Don't bother, I got her." She heard Jimmy say, his voice low and determined. He wrapped his arm around her neck, cutting off her air supply. As her vision and hearing dimmed, just before she passed out, she heard Carol scream her name.