Love in a Dead World

by dme1994

Sure, people sometimes say, "Life's a living hell." But now that's taken into a literal meaning for Michelle. She's gone through shit in this new God forsaken world that's far worse than anything she had undergone in her time in the military. Surviving is what matters now...but not many can hold on to their humanity when trying to. I DO NOT OWN THE WALKING DEAD

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I open my eyes and find myself lying on a dark red sofa. Lifting myself up to sit, I glance around and see that I'm in a living room, a familiar one – it's my old one. I look myself over and see that my clothing isn't stained with blood and I don't have any wounds of any kind. Confused, I gaze around and see that everything is neatly put; nothing is broken, worn out, no dust…it looks just like it had been before everything went to hell. I suddenly hear laughter of a little girl and man coming from outside.

'Those laughs…' I think to myself. 'I know them…'

I get up and make my way to the sliding glass door and walk out to the back porch. I squint and cover my face with my right hand from the bright glow of the outside as I walk down the porch steps. Glancing over to the backyard, I see two figures sitting on the swing set, their backs facing me. The man is sitting on the first swing and the little girl is sitting on the right one, leaving an empty one in between them. They continue to sit on the swings, talking amongst themselves. I slowly begin to walk toward them through the rich, green grass that dances in the light breeze, keeping my eyes on them. As I approach closer, they both turn their heads toward me.

"Hi mommy!" the little girl says with an excited voice.

"Elena…" I whisper in disbelief. "John…"

"Come sit with us," John says with a smile as he pats the swing in the middle.

I am astonished, still trying to process what's going on. I make my way in front of the swing in between them and take a seat. My eyes gaze at Elena: her semi long, dark curls reach past the collar of her rose red dress. My eyes then turn to John: his blonde hair is spiked at the top and the collar of his buttoned white dress shirt flaps slowly with the wind.

"We were expecting you," John says with a warm smile.

"Am I…dead?" I ask in confusion.

John chuckles.

"Still the same Michelle," he says. "Well…you're here to make a choice."

I gaze into his bright green eyes in confusion.

"You can either stay or leave. It's all up to you."

"Daddy and I had a long talk," Elena interjects. "We'll respect your choice no matter what, mommy."

"A long talk?" I ask turning my head to Elena.

"You can stay or you can return," John explains. "Elena and I discussed that you can choose yourself whatever you wish to do…You can stay with us…or you can go back…But we know that you've found a new family."

I stare down at the ground in contemplation. I then remember everyone back at the prison: Daryl, Michonne, Carl, Judith…Rick.

"So…I can stay here…not worry about any walkers, hostiles…not worry about safety, food, water…and be with you guys…" I say. "But you're right… I have found a new family… I'd hate to leave them…"

"They need you, Michelle," John states. "The kids at the prison need you, the adults need you…Rick needs you."

I glance at him in surprise. John smiles and knows what I'm thinking.

"It's all right, I know," he says. "I'm not angered or offended if you've developed feelings for him; not at all. I mean, I'm not in your life anymore, so you're free to do what you want. He may not say it, but Rick does need you. Not only him, but everyone at the prison – you play an important role in their lives in a world that now seems hopeless. And Elena and I know that's what you do. You instill hope in people – that's why Elena and I want you to go back. You have a purpose there…to start a new chapter."

I continue to gaze down at the ground, still thinking deeply. I suddenly feel Elena grab my hand and I turn to her. She gazes at me with her bright green eyes and smiles.

"We just want you to be happy with them," she says.

"It's not your time to go," John adds. "Like I said: you have a purpose there. And it's best you go back."

My long dark curls dance on my shoulders with the sudden light breeze.

"If I choose to leave…to live…" I begin to say, my gaze still glued to the ground. "…will you both be upset with me?"

"Of course not, silly!" Elena exclaims with a smile. "We really mean what we're saying, mommy."

"Elena speaks for me," John says with a smile. "We just want you to be happy."

I begin to picture everyone's smiling faces from the prison in my head. I recall the crossbow competitions Daryl and I have for the kids; I remember joking around with Daryl, Hershel, Glen, Maggie; I remember playing tag with Carl and the rest of the children; I remember holding little Judith in my arms…and I remember Rick and I sitting outside late at night, talking under the starry sky and when Daryl and I made him smile and laugh. All of that is just beginning…and I don't want it to end just yet.

"I've decided…" I say out loud before looking up.

John and Elena stare at me as I stand up on my feet. I take a few steps forward and turn to face them. They watch me, waiting for me to say something.

"I'm going back," I finally say with a smile. "It's not my time yet…my time with my new family back at the prison is just beginning."

John and Elena gaze at me with bright warm smiles. Elena suddenly jumps off the swing and runs to me, embracing me in a hug.

"I'm glad you're doing what makes you happy, mommy…" she says.

John stands up and walks over. Elena backs away to give me and her father some room. I look up at John and gaze into his bright green eyes, his blonde hair flickering in the light breeze.

"Go back and don't be sad about us," John says. "Now you know that Elena and I are fine and happy…and it comforts us that you're now at peace and happy as well."

My eyes begin to tear up as I smile at him and place my hand on his cheek.

"You seem to have a thing for men in the law enforcement," John jokes, referring to Rick.

I look down and laugh at his remark and look back up at his handsome, smiling face.

"You'll always be in my heart…" I say to him. "Siempre…"

He leans closer and kisses me on the forehead. Suddenly, a bright light shines from behind me. I turn and see that a wall of bright white light and thin mist has appeared just some ten feet away from us.

"That's your cue," John states.

I move forward and we take each other in a tight embrace.

"Go kick some ass…" he whispers to me, causing me to laugh a bit.

We let go and I kneel down in front of Elena.

"I'm scared I won't see you again…" I say to her.

"Don't be scared, mommy," Elena reassures me.

Elena jumps forward and embraces me.

"I'll always be in your heart…" she whispers into my ear. "Siempre…"

I wrap my arms around her tightly.

"Siempre…" I whisper back.

After a few seconds, Elena and I let go of one another. John puts his hand over Elena's shoulder and pulls her next to him. I take a few steps backward toward the bright wall of light as I stare at them with a warm smile, both of them returning it.

"Thank you…" I say to them with a tear rolling down my face as I smile.

After taking one last look at them, I turn forward and am consumed in the bright wall of light.

I slowly begin to open my eyes. My vision is blurred a bit, so I blink slowly a few more times until it clears up. The bottom of the top bunk bed is what I see, and I figure out that I'm lying on my bed in my cell. I attempt to move a bit, but a sudden wave of pain and soreness runs through my body, causing me to groan a bit.

"Don't try to move so much," I hear a familiar voice say.

I slowly turn my gaze to my right and see Hershel sitting next to the bed on a chair. He gazes down at me with a smile.

"Glad to see you're still alive," he jokes. "Though I wouldn't be surprised if Rick comes in here and finishes the job…You got him really upset."

A smile cracks from my mouth at his words as I look back up at the bottom of the top bunk.

"How long have I been out?" I ask as I manage to feel my torso wrapped in medical tape underneath the oversized, red, sleeveless shirt I'm wearing. I'm only wearing my underwear but am covered with my blanket.

"About two days or so."

"Damn…" I say in surprise. "That long and Rick still hasn't killed me?"

Hershel chuckles a bit at my remark. I reach to my face and feel a bandage above my eyebrow and a small cloth taped over my cheek. My hand reaches down to my neck, and I feel a cloth patched over where the dark red hickey is that I remember Jake gave me.

"Ya had lost quite a lot of blood," Hershel explains. "It's a miracle ya even survived."

"Let's just say I'm lucky…" I say wincing a bit from pain.

"The stab wound you had before opened up a bit, so I had to fix it up, along with your fractured ribs and bruised up face," Hershel exclaims. "I guess you can consider that lucky…"

I laugh a bit but am forced to stop because of the pain coming from my sides. Hershel stares at me with a serious gaze, but I avoid it by looking back up at the bottom of the top bunk. I can sense what he's thinking.

"Rick told me how you ended up like this…" Hershel breaks the silence. "He told me how he found you in that room…"

I know that he's referring to my jeans being pulled down and unzipped along with the hickey. A shiver rolls down my spine as I recall how Jake grinded up behind me and pulled on my jeans. I lay there and don't say anything.

"I won't ask you about what happened in that room," Hershel continues. "But Rick will…He's been worried sick about you. I had not seen him in so much despair since Lori died…In fact, it was almost as if he was reliving it."

I continue to stare upward, feeling bad about what Hershel is telling me.

"You're a strong woman," Hershel continues. "And I can tell something between you and Rick is developing."

I turn my head to him with a surprised gaze. He gives me a small smile.

"He sees somethin' in ya," he says in a lower voice as he leans toward me. "And you see somethin' in him."

"Even if that's true…" I say in a bit of denial. "I wouldn't push it too quickly…I respect him and I respect the fact that he recently lost his wife… I can't just barge into his family with Carl and Judith…It would be disrespectful."

"I understand that…and I respect ya even more for sayin' that. But Rick has gone through rough times in his previous relationship, and he wouldn't want to go through that again with you…I'm not forcing ya to start something with Rick right away or at all…but I'm sayin' that you can be what Rick needs in his life right now. You have a positive influence on him."

I turn my head to face him and gaze into his eyes. He gives me a small smile and I can tell he wants me to think about what he's just said. Suddenly, someone appears at the doorway of the cell. Hershel and I turn and see that it's Rick, gazing at me with a serious look on his face. Hershel sees that it's his signal to leave, so he stands up and heads for the doorway.

"Try to be easy on her," Hershel pleads in a whisper as he stops next to Rick. "She's already gone through so much."

Rick doesn't look at him and just gazes down at the floor. Hershel knows Rick won't make any promises and leaves. Rick then walks into the cell and pulls the curtain down that's nailed on the left side of the entrance, covering the doorway down to the floor. The curtain isn't too thick, so a bit of light comes through to light up the cell. I turn my gaze to the wall next to me on my left. Rick slowly walks over to the chair next to my bed and takes a seat. I feel his stare on me but I continue to ignore it. He sits there in silence.

"How are you feelin'?" he finally asks.

"Could be better…" I answer blankly, still looking at the wall.

There's another moment of silence between us.

"I wanna thank you…" Rick says. "You took a bullet for me…we've only known each other for about a month, but you still took it…why?"

I turn my head and face him. He gazes at me with those blue eyes of his.

"I did it because that's what I do," I answer firmly. "I protect people, especially those who I care about. I would've done it for Daryl, for Michonne…for anyone in this prison…You guys are my new family."

Rick looks down at the floor.

"How'd you end up bein' kidnapped?" he asks. "I thought we made it clear that we wouldn't split up."

I can hear the bit of anger in his stern voice. I look back upward and begin to recall what had happened.

"I followed some footprints that led to the warehouse of that department store," I answer. "I remember being knocked out when I walked in there, and then I woke up in that room with those men…"

Upon recalling my actions, I feel stupidity run through my mind. I knew the worst thing to do was separate from the group, but my stubbornness got the best of me. Rick rests his elbows on his thighs while leaning forward, looking down at the floor.

"That man…" he begins with a low voice. "…the one you killed in that room…did he…"

I continue to stare at the wall, recalling the disturbing feeling I felt with my experience with Jake. I bite my tongue, not wanting to explain, but I know he won't leave me until he knows what happened.

"He beat me…" I finally say. "He gave me a damn hickey…He took me to the table… unzipped my jeans and tried to pull them down…I ended up taking the blade from his holster and that's how I killed him."

Rick looks at me in desperation.

"Did he or did he not rape you?" he asks sternly.

"No, he didn't…" I answer not looking at him.

"Michelle, look at me…" he says moving closer to me. "I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me."

I turn my head toward him and gaze into his eyes. I can see the desperation and anxiety in them and feel so bad for making him feel the way he's feeling.

"Rick…" I say placing my hand on his shoulder. "He did not rape me..."

Rick continues to gaze at me before nodding and a sense of relief runs through him.

"I'm so sorry…" I say. "I'm sorry for angering you and having you go through all this worry…I made a stupid mistake and paid the price for it…But thank you…Thank you for coming to rescue me…"

He looks at me as I give him a smile.

"Just promise that you'll never do something like that again," he states.

"I can't guarantee my own safety, but I can promise that I can check my stupidity," I say jokingly.

He nods and leans against the back of the chair, turning his gaze at the floor. I look back up to the bottom of the top bunk and sigh.

"Rick…" I say after a moment of silence.

"Hm?" he looks at me.

"Am I…wearing Daryl's shirt?"

Rick stares at me for a moment and can't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"Yes, you are," he answers. "He insisted on lettin' you wear it…he calls it his lucky shirt. He said you could wear it to help you get through."

"That Daryl…" I say with a small laugh. "How is everyone doing?"

"Everyone's doin' their usual duties…they're all worried about you."

"Ah, yes, of course…Well, at least they'll know I'm awake now."

"Let's hope Daryl doesn't come in and pounce you."

"I was actually afraid you would do that."

Rick laughs a bit and looks at the floor with a smile. I stare at him for a second. I've come to notice that it's rare that Rick smiles and laughs like this. I'm happy that he is, though.

"It sucks that I was nearly recovering from my stab wound from a month ago," I say as I look back up. "And now had this happen to me…I might have a habit of getting my ass whooped…"

I laugh and Rick just smiles.

"Oh, I brought you this…" Rick says as he reaches behind him in his belt.

I look and see that he's holding my favorite gun.

"My baby!" I say as I take it into my hand.

"I wanted to give it to when you finally woke up," Rick explains. "I wanted to make sure it got back to you."

"Thank you, Rick," I give him a smile of appreciation.

He nods. There's another brief moment of silence between us.

"Before you fainted in the SUV…" Rick begins to say. "You explained what happened to your daughter, Elena…"

Rick rubs his chin a bit while looking down at the floor.

"I'm sorry to hear what happened to her…" Rick continues. "No child should ever have to die like that…it really does amaze me that you still keep on goin'."

I then recall my near death experience with John and Elena.

"Grab my backpack," I tell him as I point to the backpack that's under my bed.

He grabs it and hands it to me. I open it and search inside of it, pulling my wallet out. Rick watches me in curiosity. I place the backpack on the floor and open my wallet. Inside, I see one of Elena's school pictures and another family picture.

"This was her," I say as I hand the small photo of Elena to Rick.

Rick takes it and gazes at it. He looks at her semi-long, dark curls and her bright, smiling face.

"She looks a lot like you," he says with a smile.

"That photo was taken a few weeks before she died. I remember her being excited for that picture day at school. She was so excited that she spilled her cereal on her pajamas that morning," I say with a small laugh.

I then take the small family photo out of my wallet and hand it to Rick.

"That's your husband?" Rick asks as he looks at the photo.

"Yup…John Foster. Elena got her bright green eyes from him," I say with a smile. "But everything else she got from me. Personality, looks…I'd tease John about it and say that the only interesting thing she got from him was his bright green eyes."

"You had a beautiful family," Rick says to me with a smile as he hands me the pictures back.

"And now I'm part of a new one," I gaze into his eyes.

"Yes…yes you are," he says with a smile.

I place the pictures back into my wallet and place it on my bed next to me. Rick and I then stare at one another. There's silence between us, but we can express ourselves just by looking into each other's eyes.

"Michelle!" we hear someone yell from outside of the cell.

Rick and I turn to the doorway in surprise and see Daryl fling the curtain open and lunge inside.

"Hershel told us you're finally awake," he says in excitement. "See, Rick? I told ya my lucky shirt would help," he pats Rick on the back. "I ran here from outside and yelled out to all the kids that you've woken up."

"You what?" I ask him in confusion.

Suddenly, we hear voices and footsteps come from outside my cell. The curtain flings open and the kids walk in and are happy to see me: Luke, Molly, Lizzie and Mika surround my bed.

"Michelle! We're so happy you're okay!" Mika exclaims with a smile.

"Yeah, we were worried!" her sister Lizzie adds.

"Did you kick the guy's ass who beat you up?" Luke asks.

"Hey, watch the language, young man," I say while pointing my finger at him and smile. "And of course I did."

"Yes!" Luke says as he balls his fist up.

"Can you tell us the story?" Mika asks.

"Yeah, tell us the story!" Lizzie pleads.

"Alright, kids," Rick stands up, knowing I won't want to tell them what happened. "Michelle needs her rest."

"Yeah, cm'on, guys," Daryl begins to help Rick lead them out of my cell. "The more rest Michelle gets, the sooner she can get better to play with you guys again."

"Get some rest, Michelle!" the kids call out before leaving the cell.

Daryl quickly turns back to me at the doorway.

"Better rest up so we can get back to our competitions!" he says as he points a finger at me.

I laugh and he walks out of the cell. Rick turns to me before exiting.

"Thank you," I whisper loud enough for him to hear me.

He smiles and nods before finally flinging the curtain out of his way and exiting the cell. I turn my gaze upward and sigh.

'My new family…' I think as I smile to myself.

After a few seconds, I decide to close my eyes and drift into a nap.

I'm woken up to the sound of clinking in my cell. I squint to see what's going on and see Maggie preparing some tea in a tea cup. Her sister Beth is standing with Judith in her arms. She turns to me and sees that I'm awake.

"Sorry to wake you from your nap," Beth says as she takes a seat on my bed next to me, sitting Judith on her lap. "My father wanted us to give you some medication along with some tea to help you feel better."

"No need to apologize," I say as I try to stretch but wince from the pain from my sides.

"How are you doin'?" Maggie turns to me. "It's about time you wake up, missy."

"Not too good, but it could be worse," I respond before yawning. "How's little Judith doing?" I glance at Judith and take her little hand in mine.

"Just fine," Beth answers smiling down at Judith. "Just finished a bottle of her formula."

"That's a good girl," I play with Judith's hand, causing her to smile a bit.

"We heard what you did for Rick…" Beth says as she glances at me.

"Seems like that has gone around well."

"It was a brave thing…" Beth continues. "And we all appreciate you saving Rick and what you've done for this group."

"I appreciate everyone's concern and help, but my duty as part of this group is to look after everyone…and protecting everyone is exactly what I'm going to do."

"Thank you," Beth says with a smile.

"Here's your tea," Maggie says as she kneels down next to my bed. "My father made it and mixed some medicine in it."

I attempt to sit up but pain brings me back down, causing me to wince.

"Don't try to sit up," Maggie says as she places a hand on my chest. "I'll use a spoon to pour the tea into your mouth."

Maggie takes some of the warm tea in the spoon and holds a napkin under it to catch any spills. I open my mouth and Maggie carefully pours the large spoonful of tea into it. I cringe a bit from the bitter taste, to which Maggie smiles a bit.

"The medication made the tea bitter," she explains as she goes for another spoonful of tea. "The tea is actually pretty sweet."

"Did Hershel purposefully put a lot of medication in it as punishment for me?"

Maggie laughs as she pours another large spoonful of tea into my mouth.

"Has anything interesting happened?" I ask after swallowing the mouthful of tea. "How's Glen doing?"

"Glen is fine," Maggie answers as she goes and pours another spoonful of tea into my mouth. "Everything is pretty calm for the most part…just you that we're all worried about."

I swallow the spoonful of the bitter tea.

"My father will be coming in later in the evening to check up on you before you fall asleep," Maggie says as she gets another spoonful. "He wants to check your condition to make sure you'll be fine to sleep."

"I'm sure I will be," I say before Maggie pours some more tea in my mouth. "Overall, how are you ladies doin'?"

"Same as always," Beth replies with a smile and shrug. "Have little Judith here to keep me entertained while she plays with her cups back in our cell."

"I love watching her play with those damn red cups," I smile as I look at Judith. "I can't wait to be able to move again to play with her some more."

"She misses you."

"Awwww," I tickle Judith's foot.

"Alright, here goes the last of the tea," Maggie says with a smile.

I open my mouth and she pours the large spoonful of bitter tea. I cringe and stick my tongue out a bit from the bitter flavor. Maggie and Beth laugh.

"And now time for some food," Maggie says as she pulls out a clear bottle filled with what appears to be milk.

"That's food?" I ask with a smile.

"You can't be eating when you can't even sit up," Maggie replies with a laugh as she opens the bottle and inserts a pink straw in it. "You might choke or the food might not go down so well. My father said he'll explain everything later in the evening when he comes to check up on you."

Maggie then places the large spoon into the tea cup and holds it on her lap as I take the bottle from her. She gazes at me with awe in her eyes.

"We're really glad you're okay," Maggie says with a smile.

"Thank you," I return the smile. "I appreciate you taking care of me."

Maggie moves some of my curly hair from my face and pats my head lightly. There's a knock at the entrance. We turn to see Carl come through the curtain into the cell, his hands behind his back, gazing at me.

"Carl," Beth says in surprise.

"Is everything okay?" Maggie asks.

"Can I get some time alone with Michelle?" he pleads.

"Yeah, of course," Maggie responds. "Michelle's all done with her delicious, medicated tea."

"Very tasty," I play along with her sarcasm in between large sips of the liquid from the bottle.

She laughs as she stands up with the tea cup and spoon in her hands. Beth also stands up with Judith in her arms. Carl moves to the side so that they can get to the doorway.

"Get some rest soon, Michelle," Beth says turning to me as Maggie holds the curtain up for her.

I nod to both of them with an assuring smile. They then walk out of the cell. Carl continues to stand near the doorway with his hands behind his back, his gaze down at the floor.

"What's going on, Carl?" I ask with a smile before drinking out of the straw. "You okay?"

He doesn't answer and just walks up next to my bed.

"I came to show my appreciation and to apologize," he finally says while gazing down at me.

"Apologize?" I tilt my head slightly. "Apologize for what, Carl?"

"I asked you to do me the favor of watching over my dad…And because of that, you ended up getting shot."

I then recall his favor and understand where he's coming from.

"I shouldn't have put that pressure on you," he continues, looking down in guilt. "I feel partly at fault for what happened to you…I hope you can forgive me."

He moves his hand from behind him and holds a small bouquet of yellow and red flowers in a tall, clear plastic cup.

"I know it's not much, but I wanted to give this to you to show thanks and appreciation for what you've done…" he explains.

"Carl…" I say as I take the cup full of flowers with a smile. "Have a seat…" I point to the chair next to my bed.

He sits down and faces me, giving me all of his attention. I finish the last of the liquid inside the small bottle and reach my arm down to place it on the floor next to me bed.

"Don't feel guilty for what happened to me," I begin to explain. "The majority of it was because of my stupidity. As for the shot, yes, I did remember your favor…But it wasn't just because of it that I took a bullet for your father…I would've taken it regardless of the favor…I'd take a bullet for anyone here…because I care about all of you."

He stares at me in astonishment.

"Come here," I motion for him to lean closer.

He listens, and I plant a kiss on his forehead through his dark brown bangs. This surprises him as he looks at me in wonder.

"As for the flowers," I say looking at them. "They are beautiful…Thank you, Carl. I appreciate your gift and your concern."

Carl's surprised expression then turns into a warm smile. I return it as I take a hold of his hand and squeeze it lightly. A yawn then escapes from my mouth.

"I should leave you to rest," Carl says. "You still need to recover a lot."

"Yeah, the medicine Hershel gave me is making me drowsy…" I rub my eye.

Carl takes the cup of flowers from me and places it next to my bed on the floor. He stands up from the chair and looks down at me.

"Thanks again, Michelle," he says with a nod.

"You're welcome, Carl," I smile.

Carl then makes his way to the exit and leaves. I smile to myself and slowly feel my eyes close.

'Such a nice boy…' I think to myself.

After a few minutes, I finally fall asleep.

I hear some noises inside my cell and feel someone sit on the edge of my bed. I gasp and dart my eyes open and jerk my body up in fear, thinking that an intruder is in my cell.

"Whoa, whoa, easy, easy…" Rick says as he leans over me and lightly pushes me down. "It's just me…"

"It seems you're dealin' with some post-traumatic stress," Hershel says as he sits on the chair, stirring some tea in a cup.

I sigh in relief as I place my hand over my forehead.

"I guess the assault from two days ago triggered my PTSD…" I say with my eyes closed, trying to calm my breathing. "I haven't had that happen to me in so long…"

I notice that the room is slightly darker with only the lantern lighting up the room.

"Is it night time already?" I flinch in pain from my sides.

"Yep…" Hershel says as he leans forward to me with the cup of tea in his hand. "Everyone's about to head to sleep…I've made you some more of the tea Maggie gave you earlier today."

"Oh, that medicated tea, yes…"

I open my mouth and Hershel pours a spoonful carefully into it. I cringe a bit at the taste.

"How are you feelin'?" Rick asks.

"Still in pain…" I say as Hershel goes to give me another spoonful of tea.

"Judgin' by your condition," Hershel says as he gets another spoonful of tea. "You'll take about two months for a full recovery."

"Two months?!" I say almost spilling tea out of my mouth but then swallow it. "Ugh, that's horrible…"

"Ya should be able to move about within three weeks," Hershel pours another spoonful of tea into my mouth. "But you're banned from runnin' or doin' any sorts of physical demandin' activities until you've made a full recovery."

"I heard my diet is going to be altered…"

"Yes, you'll be drinkin' a lot of protein shakes, which are made of water and protein powder, and other liquids for a while," he says before giving me another spoonful of tea. "The protein shake will provide ya with enough nutrients until you're able to sit up and eat solid food. Ya can't eat solids layin' down because they won't digest well, especially being bedridden for weeks."

"So my meal plan is sipping a few protein shakes a day through a pink straw – awesome," I say after gulping down another spoonful of bitter tea.

Rick scoffs at me with a smile.

"That's the last of the tea…" Hershel says as he pours a spoonful into my mouth. "Here's your protein shake to help work out the meds in it," Hershel says as he hands me the clear water bottle with the straw in it.

I take the bottle from him and begin to sip through the pink straw.

"These shakes will fill ya up and cut your hunger so ya won't starve," Hershel adds.

"I feel like I'm back in the military again…"

"Then be glad you're used to it," Hershel jokes back.

I smile as I sip through the pink straw.

"Well, I'll be headin' to bed now," Hershel says as he stands up. "Make sure she finishes that bottle, Rick," he points at me. "She survived bein' beaten to a pulp and a shot to the chest; we'll be damned if we let her die of starvation."

I nearly spit the protein shake out of my mouth due to laughing at Hershel's remark. Rick begins to chuckle a bit as well.

"I'll be sure to do that," Rick reassures Hershel with a nod.

"Very well, then…" Hershel says as he makes his way toward the doorway of the cell. "Good night to ya both," and walks through the curtain.

"I love Hershel," I say as I continue to sip through the straw. "He is hilarious."

"Yeah, that's Hershel for you," Rick says as he smiles at me.

"How was your day today?" I ask after gulping a mouthful down of the protein shake.

"Pretty good…typical day; worked on the farm with Hershel, inspected around the prison gates…the usual."

I continue to sip the protein shake through the straw as I listen. Rick turns his attention to the flowers in the clear cup beside my bed.

"Who brought you the flowers?" he asks.

"Carl," I respond after swallowing some protein shake. "He felt a bit at fault for what happened to me."

"Because of the favor?"

"Yeah…he apologized to me for putting that sort of pressure on me. Of course, I comforted him and told him it wasn't his fault at all – I still would've saved your ass regardless," I sheepishly smile.

He chuckles a bit.

"He also expressed his guilt to me the day after you blacked out," he says. "He was relieved when I told him you finally woke up today…Disappeared I guess to find you some nice flowers."

"He's such a sweet boy," I say while holding the straw in my mouth.

"Yeah…he is…" Rick says as he gazes down at the floor with a small smile.

There's a moment of silence. I study Rick and see that something's on his mind as he rubs his chin.

"I don't think I'd be able to handle seein' one of my kids the way you did with Elena…" Rick states. "In fact, I'd probably go insane…I'd probably have no reason to live…What you went through was very traumatic…"

I sit there and listen to him, staring at him as I sip through the straw.

"You lost all of your family…yet, you still find a reason to live…to help people," Rick says as he gazes at me with wonder in his blue eyes. "You continue to keep a smile on your face and stay hopeful…That's remarkable."

I gaze at him in awe at his words. He then places his hand over mine and gently squeezes it.

"I admire you for all of that," he continues. "And I want you to know that you aren't alone…You really do have a family here…a home."

"You're gonna make me cry, Rick," I say as I cover my face with my hand and smile. "You're making me blush…"

Rick chuckles lightly as he continues to gaze at me and squeezes my hand gently. I look up at his mesmerizing blue eyes and feel a bit shy, so I look away and sip some more of the protein shake through the pink straw until I feel that no more comes up. I look at the bottle and see that it's empty.

"Well, I finished the shake," I say while shaking the bottle in front of me. "Won't be dying of starvation," I nervously laugh.

A yawn then escapes from my mouth.

"I'll let you sleep now," Rick says as he lets go of my hand, realizing that he's been holding it for a while and is now embarrassed.

He gets up on his feet and turns to the doorway, avoiding my gaze.

"You know my cell is just down there," he says not looking at me. "You call if you need me."

With that, he walks through the curtain of the doorway. I stare after him in wonder, holding the water bottle on my chest.

'Well…looks like Hershel's right…' I think to myself. 'No matter how much I'm in denial…I know I am developing feelings for this man…'

I then reach my arm down to the floor and place the empty bottle there next to my bed. The lantern is dim, so I manage to close my eyes and drift into sleep.