Even after seeing how things were, it was still taking Rick a little time to adjust to the realities of the new world. Kagome had closed and bolted the door and closed all the blinds while she gave Rick some space. She had flared her aura and didn't feel any of the dead in the area, but that could all change very quickly.

An hour passed before Rick started to react again. He looked around his house and realized that he and Kagome couldn't remain there; it wasn't safe enough for them. Rick took a deep breath and looked at Kagome, "Alright, I think the first thing we need to do is get some weapons, a more reliable vehicle, and get going to Atlanta."

"I think the first thing we need to do is get some food in you and get you cleaned up," Kagome countered.

Rick looked down at himself. He was still wearing the hospital gown and slippers, and he had just realized how hungry he was. Rick nodded, and Kagome helped him up and led him to the kitchen where she had found some cans of chicken noodle soup, "I'm sorry, you're going to have to eat it cold. The electricity and gas have been out for some time now."

"That's fine," Rick said and started to eat the soup with some bread that Kagome had found.

Kagome didn't let him have a lot since his stomach wasn't used to having food in it, and he would only end up getting sick. Once Rick had eaten, he went upstairs to change, then grabbed the keys to the Sheriff's station, and he and Kagome made their way to the station. They cautiously made their way into the station and found that it was empty. Rick led Kagome to the locker room where the showers were. He tested the showers and smiled at Kagome, "Pilot's still on; there's hot water. Why don't you take a shower first while I find another change of clothes."

"Thanks, Rick."

Rick left the shower area and went to his locker to grab his extra uniform and gun. Meanwhile, Kagome indulged in the first hot shower she had in a long time. Rick had left her some shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Kagome washed her raven black hair and scrubbed her body, letting the hot water relax her muscles. Kagome rinsed off and got out of the shower. Grabbing the towel that Rick had left her, Kagome toweled off and got dressed. She then towel dried her hair and grabbed her brush out of her yellow pack, and began to brush it out.

When Rick heard that the shower was off, he came back, "Are you decent?"

"Yeah, come on back."

Rick went back to the shower room with his change of clothes. When he came around the corner, he was able to get a glimpse of Kagome's back. Rick gasped when he saw that her back was riddled with old scars. He was even able to see a large bite on her side, from what Rick couldn't possibly imagine.

When Kagome heard Rick gasp, she turned and quickly lowered her shirt. Kagome stood up and left the shower room without saying a word to Rick. Rick stood there and watched her go. A wave of protectiveness came over him. This woman had saved his life, and the thought of someone or something hurting her made a fit of anger swell up in Rick that he didn't quite understand. He had just met this woman and barely knew her.

Rick couldn't help but wonder how Kagome had gotten all of those scars. But he knew that was something he couldn't ponder on for very long. Rick stripped and got in the shower. Rick took his time washing up and even took the time to shave. Once Rick was nice and clean, he got out, toweled off, and got dressed in his uniform.

Once he was dressed, Kagome came back into the locker room, "Alright, we need to go down to the ammunitions locker and get some guns."

Kagome nodded and followed Rick out. They made their way further into the station and found that the cage was locked and still had a good supply of weapons inside. Rick unlocked it and grabbed a duffle bag, "Grab as much ammunition as you can, and I'll grab the guns."

Kagome started loading boxes and boxes of ammunition into another bag while Rick grabbed as many guns as he could carry and fit in his duffle bag. Once they were loaded down, The duo made their way out to the back of the station and got into one of the patrol cars. Once they made sure that there were no Walkers, Rick and Kagome left the station.

Rick wanted to head out to Atlanta right away, but Kagome had to convince him otherwise, "It would be better to get an early start tomorrow, Rick when we can see."

Rick was going to protest but thought better of it. Kagome had more experience with dealing with the Walkers, so he was going to follow her lead on this. Rick nodded and made his way back to his house, "We can't stay at your house, Rick. It's not safe. We need to find another house that's already been barricaded. We're only going to stay there one night, so there's no point in going through the work of boarding up your house," Kagome explained to Rick.

He knew that Kagome was right, so instead, Rick found a house close to his that was already boarded up and secure. Rick parked the patrol cruiser in the driveway, and Kagome got the supplies and guns from the trunk and brought them into the house. They couldn't take the chance of leaving them outside and have someone else take them.

Now that they had everything inside, Rick began hammering the door shut while Kagome covered all the windows with blankets to block out any light that might shine through. She also made sure that there were no breaches in the house that a walker could get in through. Kagome walked through the house and found that all of the windows were securely boarded up.

Once she did that, Kagome went into the dining room and took out a can of Sterno and lit it. She then took a pan out and some cans of stew and began to make something to eat for her and Rick. When Rick finished, he came into the dining room where Kagome had gotten two bowls and had served him and herself some stew. He sat down across from Kagome and began to eat his meal. Kagome said a quick prayer to the Kamis over her meal and began to eat.

After sitting there in silence for a while, Rick finally broke and began asking Kagome questions, "So, where are you from?"

"I'm from Tokyo," Kagome said after she swallowed her stew.

"What brought you to the United States?"

"I was accepted into a medical school here and decided that I needed a change of scenery. I just graduated from school this year."

"What brought you to Georgia," Rick asked.

"Nothing, I was passing through when this whole thing started. I was on my way to the refugee center in Atlanta when I got sidetracked, and then I found you."

"I'm thankful that you got sidetracked. Or else who knows what would have happened to me." Rick said, then took Kagome's hand and squeezed it.

"You're very welcome."

After they ate, and Kagome washed the plates and put them back, "I'll take first watch, you need more rest than I do," Kagome told Rick.

Rick was going to protest but decided against it. He went into the living room and laid down on the sofa. Rick hadn't realized how tired he was and instantly fell asleep. Kagome looked over at the handsome Sheriff and smiled. She quickly and quietly went to the hall closet and took out a blanket to cover Rick. Rick sighed in his sleep and cuddled more into the quilt. Kagome then went back to her post by the door and watched as the walkers shuffled around in the streets, randomly bumping into each other, but otherwise paying no mind to anything unless they heard a noise. A few hours later, Kagome woke Rick so that he could take her place and take watch.

Rick sighed and opened his eyes. He looked around and noticed that he was covered with a blanket, "Did you cover me?"

"Yeah, you looked a little chilly."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Kagome smiled at Rick, "You're welcome."

Rick took Kagome's place by the door and watched, while Kagome laid down on the couch and went to sleep. Once in a while, Rick would glance at Kagome. He smiled at how tiny she looked on the couch, but he did not doubt that Kagome could handle herself if necessary. Rick continued to study the Japanese woman while she slept and couldn't help find her very attractive. It was the first time in a very long time that Rick had thought of another woman as beautiful, besides his wife, and not feel guilty about it. He wondered why that was.

The next morning. Kagome heated some water for two cups of Ramen then packed everything up. The streets had cleared, and it was safe for them to head out to the patrol car. Rick and Kagome loaded everything into the car and set out towards Atlanta. Little did they know that their adventure was indeed about to begin.