Smut alert - don't say I didn't warn you! ;-)

Sarah spent the rest of the morning with Lori and Carl, allowing Christy to get some much needed rest.

"Thank you, again," Lori said softly as she and Sarah sat facing each other on the window seat, watching the flurry of activity outside as the kids ran around the yard while the adults set up a mini campsite on the grass under the trees. "You saved my baby."

Sarah looked at her cousin and best friend and nodded. "Absolutely...Carl is my blood. I love that kid."

Lori nodded and looked at her lap. "I still can't believe this happened."

"I know. It was surreal...but it turned out okay. We made it here and found all the supplies we needed. Christy, Hershel, Patricia, and I were all here to help and it couldn't have been a better set of circumstances." Lori nodded again and looked back down at her lap. "He's going to be just fine." Lori nodded and they fell silent again, turning their heads to the window again.

"Sarah...I...if anything ever happens to me - "

"Stop it, Lori - " Sarah said as Lori looked at her with tears in her eyes.

"No, seriously. Let me get this out." Sarah shut her mouth, feeling tears fill her eyes as her throat filled with dread. "I need to know that if anything happens to me, Carl will be taken care of. Life was never a guarantee before the world went to shit, but now we don't know if we're going to make it five minutes from now and I can't - I have to know that my baby will have someone to watch out for him and protect him with their life."

Sarah nodded as tears overflowed. "You know I will...and I know you would do the same." Lori reached over and grabbed Sarah in a tight hug. "I love you Lori."

"I love you too."

Maggie, Beth and Sarah enjoyed a long afternoon with the kids and horses. Maggie taught Noah how to post, canter, and trot on her horse Toby, while Sarah rode with Olivia on Beth's horse Dakota in the small show ring next to the barn, Beth helping lead the horse and answering all of Olivia's 1,789 questions.

Noah's face was flushed with excitement and exhaustion as he lead Toby over to Maggie and dismounted. Maggie grinned from ear to ear as she helped him lead Toby into the barn. Sarah could hear Maggie telling him how important it was to take care of the horses after riding them and Noah asking if he could brush him. Beth was smiling as she grabbed the saddle from Maggie and followed behind them.

"Okay, Liv," Sarah said, "it's time to let Dakota rest and go get ready for some dinner." Olivia sighed and reached out to run her hand over the horse's neck.

"But she's so pretty, Mama. I could ride her forever." Sarah smiled and hugged her sweet daughter to her, closing her eyes and breathing in her scent and the very sweet moment with her child. "Ricky!" Olivia called out and Sarah looked up and saw Rick approaching with Glenn in tow. She lead the horse over toward them and Rick stepped into the arena and reached up to help Olivia down. She was talking a mile a minute while Rick held her on his hip, smiling and nodding as he listened to her daughter's excited chatter about her day. Sarah's stomach flipped, the butterflies coming on as she watched them interact.

Rick put Olivia down and she took off for the barn, calling out for Beth, Noah, and Maggie. Sarah looped her foot into the stir up and threw her leg over the horse when she felt Rick's hands at her waist supporting her.

"Thanks, officer," she said, turning over her shoulder and winking at him as she slid to the ground and leaned against his chest.

He grinned, his blue eyes shining. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I missed you today, sweet girl."

"I missed you too." She smiled and leaned forward, reaching over to grab the reins. "Y'all looked busy today. I should have helped out..."

He grabbed her hand as they walked toward the barn. "No. You and the kids needed the down time today. I would have done all the work myself if I had to just so I could see those kids smile and laugh like that." She grinned at him and leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek. "We got it all done, made some plans..."

"What kind of plans?"

"A few supply runs we're going on tomorrow. Otis gave us a few places we can hit for more food and equipment from his ventures into town. He and Maggie have both been out so they know what's been hit."

Sarah's stomach clenched at the thought of any one going to off the farm. "Who all is going?" she asked.

"John and I are going to hit Dollar General and the police station, Glenn and Maggie will head to the pharmacy, and Shane and Otis are going to the local hospital. Daryl will stay here and hunt. Dale and Andrea signed up for watch duty. "

Sarah stopped and looked at him. "Are you sure the hospital is a good idea?" She shuddered thinking about her narrow escape a few weeks prior.

Rick ran his hand over his face and shook his head. "I didn't think so either...but Hershel said y'all will need more supplies for Carl and more just in case anything happens to anyone else."

Sarah nodded. "Yeah...we will need more wound and dressing materials and stitch kits for Carl, an AED if you can find one...they would have better supplies at the hospital than the pharmacy...but it makes me so nervous." Rick stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them lightly.

"Otis was an EMT so he knows what to look for; Shane is a sharp shooter and light on his feet, so he will be a good lookout. We're hoping that it's pretty clear by now." Sarah's chest tightened as she reached out and put her free hand on his hip. "If they can't clear it and get the supplies they need, then we will all go the next day." Sarah squeezed his hip tightly. "Can you, Christy, and Hershel write up a list for us? One for the pharmacy and one for the hospital?"

"Sure," she replied, "we'll take care of it." He nodded and reached over to grab the reins from her hand, turning toward the barn, grabbing her hand and intertwining their fingers. "I've gotta get these kids washed up and fed. I'm taking the night shift with Carl. I'll sleep on the futon in his room and Lori and John will sleep in the room upstairs with Liv and Noahbear. I guess that means you'll have to crash with me on the futon?"

"Yeah, I told Lori she needed a break for a good nights sleep and that I would stay with him tonight," he pulled her close to his side and dropped her hand, slinging his arm around her shoulders as they walked. "He looked a lot better this afternoon. I went up and spent a couple of hours with him so Lori could eat and nap. Christy said his eyes were fluttering some today."

"Yeah, she told me when I popped my head in to check on him before we went riding. His color looks better too. Shouldn't be much longer before he wakes up. He's a trooper. He's strong just like his parents."

Rick laughed lightly. "Nah...He gets it from Lori. You too. It must be in your genes. You got it from your mothers."

Sarah laughed. "Well you've got that right - Lisa and Sheila are two of the strongest women I've ever known."

"Yes...a family of very strong and very stubborn women!"

"Hey now! Stubborn?! You better watch it, officer!" Sarah joked, nudging him with her hip as she laughed.

Rick stopped just shy of the door and turned to her, gently pulling her flush against him and securing his arm around her waist. He leaned closer to her face as she put a hand on his hip and the other pressed to his chest. She looked into his bright blue eyes, staring into hers with a fierce intensity that took her breath away. "You have no idea what your laugh does to me." Sarah shivered from his quiet confession.

She tilted her head to the side and moved her face to his, putting her hand on the back of his neck as she brought him closer. "Why don't you show me?" she asked boldly.

"Mama and Ricky! Come look at this!"

Sarah smiled against his mouth as she pressed a kiss to his lips. "Guess you'll have to show me later..."

He groaned as she moved from his embrace and walked into the barn.

After dinner that evening, Sarah and the kids helped Carol and Lisa wash the dishes, while Olivia told them all about her day and all she had learned about horses. Carol listened and asked all the right questions and Sarah smiled thankfully at Carol who winked back at her.

Sarah took the kids up to tuck them into their bed. Rick and Daryl had been on watch during dinner and were going to do a perimeter walk while Glenn and a recovering T-Dog were taking watch overnight from the wrap-around porch of the house while Shane and Jimmy took watch from the top of the RV.

"Lori and John will be here in a little bit - they're visiting with Carl while I take a shower. Don't forget - I'll be right downstairs sleeping tonight so I can keep an eye on him."

"So it's like you're working tonight, Mama?" Olivia asked as she rubbed her tired eyes.

"That's right baby," she replied as she leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Y'all get some sleep, okay? You both had a very long day."

"Okay Mama," Olivia replied. Noah nodded and gave her a hug.

She turned off the light and closed the door, heading into the bathroom down the hall. She quickly undressed for her shower and as she was checking the water temperature and silently thanking Hershel for the whole house generator, she heard a soft knock at the door.

She turned and approached the door. "Who is it?" she asked, pressing her ear to the door, her heart racing, knowing good and well who was knocking on the door.

"Me." Her stomach knotted in the best way and she smiled with anticipation. She opened the door a crack to see Rick. He looked up and down the hall and turned his beautiful blue eyes back to her. "It's all clear out here. Can I join you?"

She smiled and opened the door, pulling him in by his shirt.

She pushed the door closed quietly and pushed him against the door as she pressed herself into him. They both moaned as he grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her soundly as she made quick work of undoing his gun belt. She dropped it to the floor and reached for his shirt, untucking it and pulling it up to his chest, running her hands over his tight abs and hard chest. He broke their kiss and let go of her face and reached down to pull his shirt over his head. He hissed as she ran her finger nails down his chest to the top of his jeans and she stared up at him, biting her lower lip as she undid the belt, button and zipper.

"Shit," he whispered as he helped her pull his pants down. She looked up at him coyly as he kicked his jeans to the side and she enjoyed the sight of his hard body, his erection standing at attention, ready for her. Her face flushed with excitement.

Rick grabbed her around the waist, pulling her naked body against his.

"Problem, officer?" she asked quietly as she ran her hands up and down his back, moving them to the back of his head, lightly scratching his scalp.

"Hell no," he whispered as he lifted her. She giggled quietly and wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he walked toward the counter. She ran her fingers through his curly hair as she leaned down and kissed him deeply. He moaned into her mouth and sat her gently down on the counter. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, pushing her hair out of her face, her cheeks and chest flushed, her green eyes dark with lust. "God you're beautiful." Her heart fluttered and the familiar pit formed deep in her stomach.

"You're not so bad yourself, officer," she whispered. She smiled as she used her legs to pull him close again.

Keeping her eyes on his, she reached down and gently guided his erection to her slick opening. They both moaned as he entered her and her hands went up to grab the back of his head, pulling his mouth to hers, muffling the sounds of their mutual pleasure from him being inside of her again.

He grabbed her ass and moved her close to the edge, thrusting to the hilt. Her head dropped back as a loud moan fell from her mouth and Rick raised one hand to rest on her chest below her neck and ran his fingers down to caress her breast, pulling the nipple to attention as he started to thrust harder and faster, lightly squeezing her breast. She leaned back and rested her hands behind her for support as the pit in her lower abdomen got tighter than it had ever been. She could feel her entire body heat up from his ministrations, hitting her g-spot just right.

"Fuck, Rick," she whispered, her breathing coming faster and in pants, the redness covering her chest and cheeks deepening.

He leaned down and captured the other nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it before pulling the tip between his teeth and gently biting it, causing Sarah to nearly scream out loud as she reached her peak. Rick moved closer to her, not breaking his pace and kissed her deeply to muffle the sounds as she shook, milking his erection with her orgasm.

"Shit," she whispered against his mouth as he kept going, never slowing his pace. Sarah's senses were on overload.

She felt another orgasm coming as she pulled him closer, raking her fingers down his back and grabbing his ass as he pounded into her, peppering his neck with kisses as he breathed into her shoulder and neck.

"Fuck, Sarah," Rick whispered loudly as he went impossibly faster, the sound of flesh slapping and quiet moans filling the bathroom, masked by the sound of running water. "Shit..."

The sounds of pleasure and her name falling from his lips combined with the feeling of him hitting her G-spot over and over again pushed Sarah over the edge and she moaned into his neck as she came again, her chest pushing upwards into his chest and her fingers gripping tightly into his lower back.

Rick pushed into her with one final hard thrust as he groaned loudly and spilled his seed into her, giving a few more thrusts, whispering her name over and over.

Rick stayed inside of her and leaned his forehead against hers, both of their chests heaving with each breath as they stared into each other's eyes.

Sarah smiled as Rick gave a short laugh and slowly pulled out of her. She pulled him in for a hug, putting her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her.

Her heart was racing as he hugged her close, pressing light kisses to her forehead, cheeks, and lips.

"Rick," she whispered, mustering all of her courage, her heart pounding and creating that whooshing sound in her ears. "I - I love you. Like, really love you...more than just a friend. Like I'm in love with you...I think I have been for a long time, and I just - "

Rick watched her, a big smile breaking out over his handsome face as he grabbed her face and kissed her hard on the mouth, pushing his tongue past her parted lips, meeting her eager tongue in a searing hot kiss that left Sarah wanting him again.

Rick broke the kiss, gently stroking her cheeks as he pressed a gentler kiss to her swollen lips.

"I'm in love with you too, sweet girl. I love you too. Always have and always will." Sarah breathed a sigh of relief as Rick tangled his hands in her hair and pulled her in for another searing kiss.

"Let's not waste more water," she said when they came up for breath, resting her forehead on his.

"Or another moment alone together," Rick said, smiling suggestively, his eyes crinkling. "We could continue where we left off at the CDC..." Sarah's stomach clenched at the memory.

"Let's hit the showers, officer," she said, putting her arms around his neck.

Rick growled. "Yes ma'am!"

He lifted her slowly off the counter and carried her into the shower.

Thanks so much for all your reviews and favorites!

I have so much planned for this story and I've already written out a few chapters ahead - I'm still editing and will post as I'm finished.

Thanks again and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!