Chapter 6: Learning

A few days after the supple run Rick and Glenn had gathered the former Woodbury residents in the yard. Men, women, and teenagers all stood in front of them anxiously waiting for them to say something. The original prison group needed to figure out who would be able to fight if the time ever came and who could help out with watches when needed. "All right who here has had any kind of weapons training?" Rick asked the group.

A few women glanced at each other while a couple men raised their hands. Looking them over there were a few older men, teenage boys, and a couple of women. "How many of you at least know how to shoot a gun?" Glenn spoke up.

A few more raised their hands. Now only a handful still had their hands by their sides. "Ok the ones who know what to do, you're gonna go with Glenn for some target practice. The rest of you you're gonna be with me and learn how to shoot."

"Why are we doing this?" A man yelled.

"Because if all of you are gonna live here you need to start pulling your weight. I understand things at Woodbury were different but its only fair to those who were already here that you help out." Rick explained. Placing a hand on Glenn's shoulder he told everyone. "Ok now follow Glenn, everyone else with me."

Rocking Judith to sleep Beth heard the sounds of bullets coming from outside. Tensing up it brought back memories of when the Governor attacked. Taking a deep breath she concentrated on getting Judith to sleep. Carol had told her about the upcoming weapons training and she wanted to join in but the baby was her first priority. Back on the farm Shane and T-Dog had helped them learn how to shoot but she knew she needed more practice. When Judith was asleep she gently placed her in her crib before telling Carol she was heading outside.

In the yard she noticed Rick standing behind a group of six people, all with handguns. He seemed to be teaching them the proper way to hold their weapons. With her pistol in hand she headed over to join them. "Hey, I thought you knew how to shoot?" Rick questioned.

"Yeah I do, but it doesn't hurt to learn the basics right?" She smiled holding the gun out in front of her with perfect form.

Rick shook his head with a small smile on his face. He would never admit it out loud but seeing her was like a breath of fresh air. She radiated positivity and it was impossible to not enjoy her company. Placing his hands on his hips he observed the rest of the group, he could tell none of them knew what they were doing. Most of them looked terrified even to be holding a gun, he couldn't imagine how they would react when a walker came towards them. "We gotta lot of work to do," He mumbled to himself.

Throughout the day the group slowly started to improve, they knew how to work a gun but some were still having trouble aiming. As they walked towards the cellblocks for lunch he noticed a teenage boy approaching Beth. He looked maybe eighteen or nineteen with an athletic build. When Rick saw Glenn coming towards him he spoke up. "Hey who's that kid?"

"Liam I think," Glenn answered. "He's a pretty good shot, he volunteered to take watch tonight so that could give us a break."

"We'll see," Rick sighed watching the two teenagers walk off together.

Beth was surprised to see Liam running towards her. Ever since she met him they barely saw each other. Looking at him he reminded her of one of the preppy boys from her school, a total jock that had all the girls fawning over him. He was cute but she just couldn't feel anything towards him other than friendship. Turning her head she noticed Rick staring at them. "Um, I'll see you later ok?" She told Liam, walking off before he had a chance to say anything. With Rick's eyes burning holes into her back she went straight into the cellblock to check on Judith.

Later on during the night Rick was up in the guard tower when he heard someone coming up the metal steps. He expected Daryl or Carol but he was surprised to see Liam. "Rick right?" He asked.

Nodding once Rick waited for what else the boy had to say. "I don't think we've ever met, I'm Liam. I just want to say thank you for letting us all stay here."

"It was the right thing to do," The older man answered. "So what are you doing up here?"

"I thought Glenn told you I could help keep watch? I've known how to shoot since I was a kid and I'm used to staying up all night."

Rick didn't know if it was his cocky attitude or just the fact he didn't know anything about this guy but Rick didn't trust him. "Well I appreciate that but I think I need to learn more about you before I let you take watch. Its a big responsibility."

"I understand." Liam said. "Then get to know me." He smirked leaning against the railing.

"Where ya from?"

"Savannah, until I went into the military, the Marines. I was home on leave when all this broke out."

"How old are you?"

"Nineteen, about to turn twenty."

He answered every question Rick had quickly and like he already had his answers work out before the older man had a chance to ask them. Rick had to admit the boy had some amazing qualities but there was still something about him he didn't trust and he wasn't about to trust a stranger with the lives of so many he cared about.

In her cell Beth couldn't sleep and it appeared Judith couldn't either. Rocking the baby back and forth she tried her best to coax her to bed but she just wasn't having it. "Judith everyone else is asleep why can't you?" Beth whispered.

Leaning against the cold wall she let the little girl rest against her chest. When she finally settled down Beth couldn't help but think about Rick. Maybe she was imagining things but it seemed like she was slowly growing closer to him. She was still a big hesitant when she spoke to him but talking was getting easier as the days past. When he brought Judith by her cell she tried her best to make conversation with him, her aim was to make him smile at least once. She succeeded a few times but mostly he just stood close by in silence watching her interact with Judith. During those moments she saw a different Rick, he wasn't the leader or the fighter everyone was used to. He was just a father who loved his kids. She was happy she was able to witness him like that, it was so rare she always kept close to her heart.

Early that morning Rick stepped down from the guard tower to get some rest. When he headed into the cellblock he decided to check on Judith first. Peaking into Beth's cell he saw the young girl laying on her bunk with the baby resting on her chest. The sight brought a smile to his face. As quietly as he could he gently took Judith out of Beth's arms. The sudden loss of the child instantly woke her up. "Hey sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." He muttered.

"Its ok," She yawned. "I didn't even realize I fell asleep. Judith was a little fussy last night, she would only stay quiet if I held her."

"And we all know how grumpy everyone gets when they don't get enough sleep."

"Exactly," She chuckled but was cut off by a yawn.

Rick's eyes softened. "You get some sleep, I'll take her for a few hours."

Shaking her head she stood up. "No, you were on watch all night, you need your sleep more than I do."

Sighing Rick looked into her blue eyes. "I appreciate what you're doing but you shouldn't overwork yourself. We all need sleep."

She knew he wouldn't back down. "Maybe Carol can take her, you need some rest just as much as I do."

"Ok," He agreed. "I'll talk to her, now you get some sleep. We're having another shooting lesson later this afternoon."

"I'll be there." She smiled laying back on her bed.

Looking back once he saw her slowly start to drift off to sleep. After handing Judith over to Carol he went straight to his cell. Stripping off his boots and shirt he laid on his bunk and closed his eyes. An image of Beth holding Judith was the last thing he thought about before he fell into a deep sleep.