Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Rick and Carl jumped into the Suburban and rode with them up to the prison. Even in this predawn hour the prison was abuzz with activity. The vehicles were loaded with everything they could carry and it looked as if the prison was going to be evacuated. Rick ushered them into the common room so that everyone could hear the news. Michonne most of the talking, she explained how they had discovered the Governor and his army, had come back and got enough weapons to fight, and had went back. Her lawyer voice was clear and concise until she described how Bob had died. She cleared her throat and went on. knwShe estimated that they had managed to kill at least fourteen of the Governor's army and that the walker herd moving toward that site probably killed even more. She couldn't guarantee that the Governor was dead, didn't know if he had more soldiers, and guessed that he had access to some serious fire power. Tyreese had been in the army years ago and he said that everything he saw looked as if they access to an army base with all its equipment. He had found large caliber rifles and rocket launchers in one of the trucks as he and Bob had planted bombs last night.

Rick spoke to the prison "inmates" about the fall back place. It was smaller than the prison and a good distance away. He and Daryl had been stocking it with food and water for months. He felt that they should move to that place and stay until they knew what the Governor was going to do. There was no other alternative, they could stay if they wished but he would not be coming back if they changed their minds.

Michonne, Tyreese, Carol, and Daryl sat together, knowing that they had bought some time with their attack but that if the Governor was alive he would be breaking down the doors as soon as he could.

Carol looked at Daryl's smeary blackened face and knew that she must look equally bad; she decided that she was going to go get a shower and clean clothes. She told Daryl that she leaving to get cleaned up. Daryl just watched her go with amazement; their whole damn world was falling apart and Carol goes to take a shower. He had a brief mental image of a wet naked Carol and then he remembered that Carol was always horny after a scary run. Daryl decided that a shower was in order. Hell, you never knew when your number was up, so you might as well be clean when it happened.

Daryl went to their room to get his stuff for a shower, but couldn't find the bag that he put his shower supplies. He broke out into a grin when he realized that Carol had already taken it with her and probably his clean clothes as well. She really was quick and quiet, no wonder she was such a stealthy fighter. Don't underestimate Carol he reminded himself as he headed off to the showers.

He found her waiting for him in the shower. She let him in and locked the door behind him. Yeah, she was definitely going to take advantage of him this morning. The warm soapy water felt wonderful and they enjoyed it and each other. He washed her hair and teased her about taking a shower while their world went to shit. Carol laughed and said, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness and just a few minutes ago you were calling for your God." Daryl almost blushed as remembered what was going on a few minutes ago. "Don't be sacrilegious, we need all the help we can get," he warned. "We need to get dressed and find out what is going on out there ". Carol washed his hair, and somehow seduced him yet again.

Carol and Daryl met Michonne on their way out and on her way in. She took in their scrubbed and glowing faces and rolled her eyes. "You haven't missed anything while you took up all the hot water. There are eggs and biscuits in the cafeteria. Everyone is eating before they leave so you better grab something. Most of the food is already packed". Daryl piped in, "We left some warm water but you should conserve as much as you can. Maybe I can find Tyreese and you two could save the environment by conserving water". She gave him her impassive face but smiled as she went into the shower. Tyreese should be along at any time.

Carol grabbed some egg biscuits and Daryl got the coffee. Michonne might have been doing her morning guzzle of caffeine but she had left some in the pot. Rick came in looking for them and not for the first time he realized that he envied Daryl's relationship with Carol. He sat down across from them and caught them up on the news. He and Daryl discussed how they could keep an eye on the prison and move to the fall back location. Daryl volunteered to stay back and keep an eye on the place from a distance. Rick wanted Daryl to take "drag", that is follow their convoy and make certain that they weren't followed. Daryl agreed and Rick reminded him that they would be taking "the long way around". Carol was barely following the conversation; she didn't know where the fall back was located and she didn't want to know. Not knowing meant that you could never give up the information if you were captured.

Carol went back to their room and checked their bags. The advantage of not having much meant a fairly light pack. She rechecked to make certain that her blue diamonds were hidden in the pack. Daryl had shown her the rest of his blue diamond collection and said he was good for Christmas presents for a decade. She kept Daryl's Hard Truth paper in a water tight baggie with the jewelry. She gathered all her knives, swords, guns, and ammo. She realized that she had a lot more weapons than personal items.

She checked his bag and added more clean underwear. She was moving things around when she found the wedding bands. She sat down on her chair and looked at the solitaire diamond with matching band. Daryl could be the most stubborn rude asshole in the world but he was also the most sensitive romantic man she had ever met. The rings were beautiful but they didn't seem real to her; they belonged in another safer world in which engaged couples shopped for a ring. Carol was putting the ring box back in when she found the other box. She opened it up to saw a man's wedding band. That's when she cried: Daryl Dixon wanting a wedding ring was enough to make a rock weep. She dried her eyes and rechecked their bags. She added a couple of books that were going to be way overdue from the prison library. She put all of Daryl's tools to make arrows, extra ammo, and some warmer clothing in another bag. She didn't know why but they were facing so much uncertainty. Daryl came in and helped carry everything to the Suburban. Tyreese and Michonne were there looking squeaky clean as well. Daryl and Tyreese checked the oil and filled the gas tank. There was also a couple of five gallon cans in the back. The Suburban had some water, food supplies, and extra ammo. Every vehicle had been designed to be self-supporting in case something happened. Something always can happen.

The line was formed and their vehicle was last. There would be very little space between the cars leaving the gate so that walkers would not clump in between. Rick, Carl, Judith, and Karen were in the first vehicle. Carl opened the gates and jumped back in. The procession moved quickly because no one wanted the line to get stalled. Daryl got the inner gates shut but the outer gate was still open. Carol noticed that no one in her car turned to look at the prison as they left: she did take a last glance at the wooden crosses in their graveyard. She didn't say goodbye to the dead; she knew by now that you always took them with you wherever you go.