Contagion Chapter Twenty-One
Mac remained silent as he sat in the back of the truck with T-Dog and Daryl. Shane was driving and Andrea was in the passenger seat. They had all decided to go out to let their frustrations go. Get over Dale's death by proving to him the group wasn't broken and what better way then to kill walkers.
It was the best thing they could do, it was what Rick had implied at his speech during Dale's funeral today. That the best way to honor Dale was to unbreak the group, fix what had been broken. They could set aside their differences and pull together. Stop feeling sorry for their selves and just take control.
Mac understood that and he was okay with that reasoning. He was okay with it because it was what needed to be done and hell he wanted to honor Dale. The man had helped him on many occasions, the most recent days ago when they were still on the highway. What he wouldn't give to go back and have one more conversation with Dale or even save the man from the fate that had happened to him.
When the truck was stopped and they all got out Mac reached for the knife in his back pocket and he began to walk, following the other's as Daryl lead the way into the woods, soon following the path of a walker. It was after Daryl was for sure certain the path the walkers had taken that they all turned to get back to the truck and again they rode off, heading in the direction Daryl had tracked.
Coming to a stop once they had found the walker, Mac sighed seeing more than just one feasting on a dead animal. Getting out of the bed of the truck again he reached for his knife, soon taking down one of the walkers who had seemingly noticed them, leaving the animal they had been feasting on alone.
Sticking his knife in the walkers head Mac made a face watching as the walker fell to the ground and he sighed, it had felt good to kill it. It had made him feel somewhat stronger. It had made him feel like the group could conquer anything that came their way.
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Taylor looked up from the crate he was helping fix up to put in the back of the truck. They were getting their stuff together to move into the main house, though Taylor really wasn't sure how they would pull it off.
"It'll be tight, twenty people in one house," Rick sighed not sure if they could fit all of their group in one house.
"Don't worry about that," Hershel told him. "With the swamp hardening, the creek drying up..."
"With fifty head of cattle on the property, we might as well be ringing the damn dinner bell," Maggie finished as she interrupted her father.
Hershel nodded at Maggie's words, "She's right, we should've moved you in a while ago."
Once he had finished packing stuff into a crate Taylor picked up one of the crates as Glenn got the other and they both walked it to the truck, putting it in the truck bed.
Rick sighed but knew Hershel and his family wouldn't take no for an answer, "All right, let's move the vehicles near each of the doors facing out toward the road," Rick instructed seeing most of the group scatter to do as he said. "We'll build a lookout in the windmill and another in the barn loft. That should give us sight lines on both sides of the property," he said as he turned to look at Zac. "Zac, you take the perimeter around the house. Keep track of everyone coming and going."
Zac nodded his head but he stopped some as his thoughts drifted to Randall who was still their prisoner, "What about standing guard?"
"I need you and Daryl on double duty," Rick answered as he looked between Zac and Daryl.
"Gotcha," Zac spoke as he turned to walk off.
"I'll stock the basement with food and water," Hershel spoke as he came back to the truck to put one of the crates in the back again. "Enough that we can all survive there a few days if need be."
Jessica who had walked towards the truck raised an eyebrow as she listened to Rick spouting stuff off, "What about patrols?"
"Let's get this area locked down first," Rick said knowing this area was their main concern at the moment. "After that, Shane'll assign shifts while me and Daryl take Randall offsite and cut him loose."
Hearing Rick's answer Jessica wasn't sure she liked it but she took it for what it was and walked off to go help with stuff.
"We're back to that now?" Shane asked harshly from where he had been standing against the truck listening to everything that Rick had said.
"It was the right plan first time around, poor execution," Rick answered knowing they had went about it the wrong way.
Shane rolled his eyes at that, "That's a slight understatement."
Hearing Shane, Rick stepped closer to him, "You don't agree but this is what's happening. Swallow it..move on."
"You know that Dale's death and the prisoner, that's two separate things right?" Shane asked as he turned to look Rick in the eyes. When Rick stayed silent he shook his head, "You wanna take Daryl as your wingman be my guest," he muttered still not sure what was so great about Daryl. He hadn't seen it when Avery had said his name and he still couldn't see it now that Rick seemed to want to listen to what he had to say or use him for stuff now.
"Thank you," Rick muttered as he turned to walk away from Shane, hearing Shane mutter a you got it.
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As Zac walked around the house he came to a stop when he saw Beth walking towards him. He hadn't really spoke to her since she had been catatonic. It wasn't that he was ignoring her, it was just that he didn't know what to say to her now. How could he hang around her and not deny that he was feeling something? How could he be a good husband to Kate which he did want to be.
"Are you ignoring me?" Beth asked when she came to a stop in front of Zac. "Because you haven't talked to me properly since I was out of it."
"I'm not ignoring you," Zac denied as he shook his head. He was getting really good with lying. "I've just been busy with stuff..and Kate."
Beth nodded as she ran a hand through her hair. She wasn't sure if she believed him but she didn't feel like arguing with him. She had heard his argument with Jimmy on whether he had feelings for her and she knew he was stubborn. "Speaking of Kate," she began as she looked down. "Since you guys are moving into the house I was thinking you guys could have my room. I wouldn't feel right letting Kate sleep on a couch knowing she is pregnant."
"I wouldn't feel right kicking a girl out of her bed," Zac stated as he shook his head. "I'm sure Kate would feel the same way."
"I'd feel the same way about what?" Kate asked as she walked up on Beth and Zac, catching Zac saying her name and mentioning her feeling the same way about something.
Turning to face Kate, Zac gave her a smile, "That it would be wrong to kick Beth out of her bed. She offered us her room in the house since you are pregnant."
"Actually I think that's a sweet gesture," Kate grinned as she slipped her arm around Zac's shoulder. It was a move that was kind of catty because she was trying to stake her claim, show Beth that Zac was hers again.
Beth forced a grin and nodded, "I knew you'd think so," she said before turning her back and walking off. She was glad Kate had helped settle that conversation but she hated seeing Kate being affectionate with Zac which only made her remind herself that Kate was Zac's wife..and she had Jimmy.
Once Beth had walked off, Zac kept facing Kate, "A..are we okay?" he asked still not sure if they were good. "I mean after everything.
Kate removed her arm from Zac, "We can try to get to okay again," she smiled knowing all they could do was try. "We owe it to the baby," she said before walking off towards the house where she needed to go get their stuff settled in Beth's room.
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Carl who was out walking slowed some when he found Shane, "Hey Shane?" he asked knowing he needed Shane's advice.
"What's up man?" Shane asked as he turned to look at Carl who was heading his way. "What you doing, wandering around by yourself?"
"If umm...If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell my parents?" Carl asked as he looked down and away from Shane's gaze.
Putting some pieces of wood in the back of the car he had with him Shane wiped his hands after the wood was in the back, "I think it's probably a bad idea for both of us bud," he said not sure it was good for him to keep stuff from Rick or Lori when it came to Carl.
It was after he said that, that he watched Carl heave a sigh before walking away from him. Shaking his head Shane decided to go against his better judgement call. "Hey Carl!" he hollered getting Carl's attention. "Come on back," he spoke when Carl turned to face him.
When Carl made it to where he was, he leaned against the open back hatch, "Go on," he nodded wondering what it was Carl had to tell him.
Hearing Shane's words Carl chewed his lip nervously but took out the gun he had stolen from Daryl's bike yesterday, "I took it from Daryl's motorcycle. If he found out I took it, he'd kill me."
"What you doing with this?" Shane asked as he looked down at the gun in Carl's hand.
"Dale. It's my fault that he died," Carl continued ignoring Shane's question.
Shane shook his head at Carl's words, "Carl, why would you say that, man? He got attacked by a walker," he responded as he took the gun from Carl's hands. "Why would you say..."
"I saw that walker," Carl interrupted as he nodded his head. The memories of yesterday still haunting him. "I was gonna shoot it. When he was stuck in the mud. I was...I was throwing rocks at him and stuff but I was gonna do it. Shoot it right in the head, but it got free, came after me," he paused as he frowned. "I ran away. If I had killed it Dale would still be here."
Shane who had listened to Carl's words just swallowed before stopping the boy, "Carl, I want you to stop that, okay?" he asked not wanting the boy to beat himself up. "This ain't your fault," he reassured him as he shook his head and held the gun back out to Carl. "But you need to hold onto this. You need to protect yourself. As long as I'm around you, nothing's gonna happen to you Carl. But I can't keep my eyes on you twenty-four seven. Only you can do that."
When Carl just stared at the gun Shane shook his head again, "Carl, take it," he said sounding firm.
"I'm never touching another gun again," Carl spoke as he looked at the gun.
"This ain't no option Carl, okay?" Shane said wanting to make sure Carl understood he had to take it.
"Just give it back to Daryl," Carl muttered before turning and walking away from Shane.
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Climbing up onto the ladder that would lead to the top of the shed where Mac and Daryl where fixing some of the wood, Avery smiled as she reached the top and looked at the both of them working together and hammering. She was half sure this was the first time she had seen Mac doing any physical labor with tools and so far he was doing better than Zac,Taylor, or Isaac with tools.
"How are you?" she asked out loud getting the attention of both guys who turned to face her.
"We're fine," Daryl muttered as he gave her a look before going back to the job he was doing.
Avery just chuckled but she kept a hold of the ladder, "I wasn't referring to you Dixon. I was referring to my brother. I wanted to see how he was doing."
Mac rolled his eyes at Avery and Daryl's banter, "I'm fine," he answered her as he nodded. "I haven't injured myself so that has to be worth something right?" he asked before laughing lightly.
"Better than our other brother's would be," Avery nodded as she smiled. "Just make sure Daryl doesn't hurt himself too much," she said seeing Daryl turn to look at her again and she gave him a wink. "Just concerned about you," she told him before climbing back down off the ladder.
Once Avery was gone Mac turned to look at Daryl, "She loves you," he told him as he shook his head. "She may not know it yet but she does."
"There ain't nothin bout me for her to love," Daryl muttered still not understanding what it was he and Avery had though he did like sleeping with her and he did like that she seemed to care.
"Well she sees something," Mac replied knowing Avery saw something in Daryl. "Just..don't hurt her. She's been hurt enough already and one of these days I or my other siblings may not be there to help her and I don't want you hurting her."
Going silent at Mac's words Daryl just nodded knowing he had no intentions of hurting Avery.
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"The men are in there," Lori spoke nodding towards the kitchen for Taylor to go put his stuff. The kitchen was the place where most of the men had chose to stay at. After she had spoken to Taylor she headed outside to get more stuff.
Taylor listened to Lori and he went into the kitchen where he put his bag in one of the chairs.
"You can put your stuff upstairs in my room," Maggie told him as she leaned against the doorway. She would much rather have him in her room then in the kitchen.
"With your dad in the house?" Taylor asked feeling surprised by her suggestion. When Maggie walked into the room he shook his head. "I..I'm just gonna put my stuff over there," he said nodding to a corner before walking off.
As Taylor walked away Maggie just rolled her eyes. She had thought they were over the awkward tension that had been created after the night at the bar when he had went to get her dad. She had hoped they were going to get back on the right track again but it seemed he wanted to be a stubborn prick.
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"Wouldn't that be easier if you waited on some help?" Lori asked as she walked to where Shane was up on the windmill working on it.
"Ain't no use waiting for something that ain't gonna come," Shane responded as he looked down at Lori. "No, I'll just do it all myself."
Lori nodded her head, "Yeah, you always do. Just like that time you showed up Rick fixing our sink," she laughed slightly as she remembered that.
Shane couldn't help but laugh at that memory too, "Just so you know, that's not the reason your basement flooded," he told her as he shook his head. "You can thank Rick for that. Using rubber washers with a metal pipe."
"Please come down," Lori told him knowing she had to talk to him face to face. When Shane finally came down and walked over to her she sighed, "So after Sophia I...uh..I thought we'll figure this out. You know, we'll heal somehow. After Dale? This is real and we can't keep it at bay. It's already got us and it just keeps coming, doesn't it?" she asked as she chewed her lip, running a hand through her hair. "I made a mess of things. I put you and Rick at odds. I don't even know whose baby this is. I can't imagine how hard that is on you. You led us out of Atlanta with no thought for yourself. Do you remember that night?" she asked wondering if he remembered the night the whole world fell apart. "The flames..the...and I'm sitting in our car thinking, we're gonna be all right. He's gonna make it all right. We'll get out of here and I never thanked you for that...even though things got confused between us, you were there for me. You were there for me. Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me for that," Shane whispered becoming affected by what Lori was saying to him.
"Of course I do. Of course I do," Lori repeated knowing she had too.
"No you...." Shane started only to get stopped by Lori.
"Whatever happened between us, whatever the hell we thought it was...and not just you but....I'm sorry Shane," Lori apologized feeling guilty for all that happened. "Please believe me. I am so sorry."
As Lori walked away from him Shane sighed knowing what he had to do..what needed to be done.
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Beth who was getting her room ready turned around when she heard footsteps and she chewed her lip seeing Zac, "You almost scared me."
Zac chuckled slightly but looked down, "Sorry," he muttered as he shook his head. "Listen I just..I wanted to say thanks for giving Kate and I your room."
"You don't need to thank me," Beth spoke as she watched Zac look back up. "It's the right thing to do," she said knowing it was the right thing. "Your wife is jealous of me," she told Zac as she turned away to pack up a few more of her belongings. "She must be like Jimmy and think you have feelings for me."
"Jimmy tell you that?" Zac asked curiously as he sat on the bed.
Beth shook her head no as she turned to face Zac again, "I heard it when I was out..in that weird state," she shrugged. "D..do you have feelings for me?"
"What would it matter if I did?" Zac asked her as he shook his head knowing he wasn't giving her much of an answer. "I'm married and I'm having a baby with my wife."
"But if you don't love your wife then you owe it to her to be honest," Beth told Zac as she looked into his eyes. "Your wife deserves that much," she said before picking up the stuff she had packed and leaving the room.
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Standing on the front porch with Daryl as they went over a map and the plan to get rid of Randall, Rick looked over at Daryl, "Take him out to Senoia. Hour there, hour back, give or take. We may lose the light, but we'll be halfway home by then."
"This little pain in the ass will be a distant memory," Daryl muttered as he leaned against the railing. "Good riddance."
"Carol and Avery are putting together some provisions for him," Rick told Daryl. "Enough to last him for a few days," he sighed before looking away. "That thing you did last night...." he muttered referring to Daryl killing Dale.
"Ain't no reason you should do all the heavy lifting," Daryl said knowing Rick shouldn't have to carry the load by himself all the time.
Rick nodded his head and folded up the map, "So are you good with all this?"
"I don't see you and I trading hay makers on the side of the road. Nobody'd win that fight," Daryl spoke as he looked up at Rick and stood up when he saw Shane drive up in a car. "I'm gonna take a piss," he muttered walking off to let Shane and Rick talk in private.
Watching Daryl walk off briefly, Rick turned to Shane who walked up to the porch.
"Hey, man you seen Carl lately?" Shane asked as he stopped in front of the rails on the side of the porch where Rick stood.
"He's inside with his mother," Rick answered as he turned to look at the house briefly.
Sighing before speaking again Shane looked around before looking back at Rick, "Look, he came to me. Okay I wasn't supposed to say anything, but he was out in the swamps yesterday and he came across a walker stuck in the mud. He got scared, ran off."
"The same walker that killed Dale?" Rick asked as he kept his eyes on Shane.
Shane nodded, "That's the one."
"I'll have Lori talk to him," Rick said knowing he'd tell Lori about this and have her talk to Carl.
"Look, man, I think...I think he wants to talk to his father," Shane said honestly knowing Rick would be better equipped to handle this then Lori would.
"Well, I need this Randall thing done already," Rick spoke as he rested his hands on his hips. He needed to get rid of Randall before worrying about other things.
Shane sighed as he looked down briefly, "Man, that needs to wait, okay."
"It's my call," Rick told Shane knowing he was the leader and it was up to him if it waited or not.
"How about I ride out with Daryl?" Shane asked as he looked back up at Rick. "Good for us to spend a little time together," he muttered knowing they needed too, hell maybe he could sway Daryl to his side.
Rick shook his head, "Nah, I need you here."
"Don't think I'll handle it right, huh?" Shane asked him almost bitterly.
"Didn't say that," Rick replied trying to keep his emotions in check.
Shane swallowed before reaching for the gun Carl had given him, "You know, your son...he gave me this. You should get that back to Daryl, huh? Freeing that prisoner more important to you than Carl," he muttered as he laid the gun down on the porch railing before walking off.
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Walking with Glenn to the RV, Jessica raised an eyebrow when Glenn got ahead of her and put his hand up to say something to Andrea who was having a time getting the RV to start.
"Andrea, hey did you try pumping the gas pedal?" Glenn asked Andrea as he stood in front of the RV.
Andrea just shook her head, "I think it's been parked too long," she responded from the driver's seat of the RV.
"You gotta tap it three times and give her a twist," Glenn said to Andrea as he watched Jessica come to stand beside him. When Andrea tried to start the RV again he sighed and hit the top to get her attention, "Let me see," he spoke as he took off the front to check it out.
Feeling Jessica looking at him he turned to look at her briefly, seeing Andrea come to stand beside her. "Dale told me that in these old vehicles the points get corroded," he explained as he made a face. "Screwdriver?"
Hearing Glenn ask for a screwdriver Jessica reached into the toolbox Andrea had brought out of the RV with her and handed it to Glenn.
Glenn shook his head, "Flathead," he said knowing he needed a Flathead screwdriver.
Jessica turned away and briefly put the screwdriver she had picked up away and got the Flathead, handing it to Glenn who took it from her.
As Glenn worked on the RV, Andrea looked away feeling a slight twinge of sadness as the loss of Dale hit her. He wasn't here anymore, he was gone for good. It was only when Glenn asked for a file that she was brought out of her thoughts and it was her who handed the file to him.
After he was handed the file Glenn continued the work on the RV for a bit before coming to a stop, "I let him down," he whispered knowing he had let Dale down at the meeting yesterday.
"He was proud of you," Andrea spoke as she gave Glenn a smile. "Maybe not in that moment, but overall."
"That's easy for you to say," Glenn said as he turned to look at Andrea who was still standing beside Jessica. "You had his back."
"I have my share of regrets," Andrea spoke knowing she regretted how she had treated him after the CDC. "But I think that he knew how much we cared for him."
Frowning as Glenn started to cry Jessica reached out to rub his back as he finished up the work on the RV and then muttered a that might do it. As he walked away from her she frowned but walked with Glenn and Andrea inside the RV once Andrea threw the keys to Glenn.
"Bet'll it work," Jessica said as she mustered up a smile and sat across from Glenn as he held the keys and started the RV up. When it sounded Jessica threw her hands up in victory mostly in an effort to cheer Glenn up.
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"Mom said you'd be here," Rick said as he sat down beside Carl at the top of the barn loft and they both sat out, facing the farm.
Carl nodded, "Told her I would stand lookout. I got tired of helping around the house."
Rick sighed before reaching for the gun Shane had given him, "Take it," he said seeing Carl look down at it. "What happened to Dale had nothing to do with you."
"He..he died, dad," Carl whispered as he locked eyes with his dad.
"Yeah," Rick nodded. "Feels like there's a lot of that going around. That's why I need you. No more kid stuff," he said shaking his head. "I wish you could have the childhood I had, but that's not gonna happen. People are gonna die. I'm gonna die. Mom. There's no way you can ever be ready for it. I try to be, but I can't. The best we can do now is avoid it as long as we can, keep one step ahead. I wish I had something better to say...something more profound," Rick paused as he turned to look out at the farm. "My father was good like that. But I'm tired, son. Please take it," he spoke finishing his words. It was only after his speech that Carl took the gun.
Mac remained silent as he sat in the back of the truck with T-Dog and Daryl. Shane was driving and Andrea was in the passenger seat. They had all decided to go out to let their frustrations go. Get over Dale's death by proving to him the group wasn't broken and what better way then to kill walkers.
It was the best thing they could do, it was what Rick had implied at his speech during Dale's funeral today. That the best way to honor Dale was to unbreak the group, fix what had been broken. They could set aside their differences and pull together. Stop feeling sorry for their selves and just take control.
Mac understood that and he was okay with that reasoning. He was okay with it because it was what needed to be done and hell he wanted to honor Dale. The man had helped him on many occasions, the most recent days ago when they were still on the highway. What he wouldn't give to go back and have one more conversation with Dale or even save the man from the fate that had happened to him.
When the truck was stopped and they all got out Mac reached for the knife in his back pocket and he began to walk, following the other's as Daryl lead the way into the woods, soon following the path of a walker. It was after Daryl was for sure certain the path the walkers had taken that they all turned to get back to the truck and again they rode off, heading in the direction Daryl had tracked.
Coming to a stop once they had found the walker, Mac sighed seeing more than just one feasting on a dead animal. Getting out of the bed of the truck again he reached for his knife, soon taking down one of the walkers who had seemingly noticed them, leaving the animal they had been feasting on alone.
Sticking his knife in the walkers head Mac made a face watching as the walker fell to the ground and he sighed, it had felt good to kill it. It had made him feel somewhat stronger. It had made him feel like the group could conquer anything that came their way.
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Taylor looked up from the crate he was helping fix up to put in the back of the truck. They were getting their stuff together to move into the main house, though Taylor really wasn't sure how they would pull it off.
"It'll be tight, twenty people in one house," Rick sighed not sure if they could fit all of their group in one house.
"Don't worry about that," Hershel told him. "With the swamp hardening, the creek drying up..."
"With fifty head of cattle on the property, we might as well be ringing the damn dinner bell," Maggie finished as she interrupted her father.
Hershel nodded at Maggie's words, "She's right, we should've moved you in a while ago."
Once he had finished packing stuff into a crate Taylor picked up one of the crates as Glenn got the other and they both walked it to the truck, putting it in the truck bed.
Rick sighed but knew Hershel and his family wouldn't take no for an answer, "All right, let's move the vehicles near each of the doors facing out toward the road," Rick instructed seeing most of the group scatter to do as he said. "We'll build a lookout in the windmill and another in the barn loft. That should give us sight lines on both sides of the property," he said as he turned to look at Zac. "Zac, you take the perimeter around the house. Keep track of everyone coming and going."
Zac nodded his head but he stopped some as his thoughts drifted to Randall who was still their prisoner, "What about standing guard?"
"I need you and Daryl on double duty," Rick answered as he looked between Zac and Daryl.
"Gotcha," Zac spoke as he turned to walk off.
"I'll stock the basement with food and water," Hershel spoke as he came back to the truck to put one of the crates in the back again. "Enough that we can all survive there a few days if need be."
Jessica who had walked towards the truck raised an eyebrow as she listened to Rick spouting stuff off, "What about patrols?"
"Let's get this area locked down first," Rick said knowing this area was their main concern at the moment. "After that, Shane'll assign shifts while me and Daryl take Randall offsite and cut him loose."
Hearing Rick's answer Jessica wasn't sure she liked it but she took it for what it was and walked off to go help with stuff.
"We're back to that now?" Shane asked harshly from where he had been standing against the truck listening to everything that Rick had said.
"It was the right plan first time around, poor execution," Rick answered knowing they had went about it the wrong way.
Shane rolled his eyes at that, "That's a slight understatement."
Hearing Shane, Rick stepped closer to him, "You don't agree but this is what's happening. Swallow it..move on."
"You know that Dale's death and the prisoner, that's two separate things right?" Shane asked as he turned to look Rick in the eyes. When Rick stayed silent he shook his head, "You wanna take Daryl as your wingman be my guest," he muttered still not sure what was so great about Daryl. He hadn't seen it when Avery had said his name and he still couldn't see it now that Rick seemed to want to listen to what he had to say or use him for stuff now.
"Thank you," Rick muttered as he turned to walk away from Shane, hearing Shane mutter a you got it.
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As Zac walked around the house he came to a stop when he saw Beth walking towards him. He hadn't really spoke to her since she had been catatonic. It wasn't that he was ignoring her, it was just that he didn't know what to say to her now. How could he hang around her and not deny that he was feeling something? How could he be a good husband to Kate which he did want to be.
"Are you ignoring me?" Beth asked when she came to a stop in front of Zac. "Because you haven't talked to me properly since I was out of it."
"I'm not ignoring you," Zac denied as he shook his head. He was getting really good with lying. "I've just been busy with stuff..and Kate."
Beth nodded as she ran a hand through her hair. She wasn't sure if she believed him but she didn't feel like arguing with him. She had heard his argument with Jimmy on whether he had feelings for her and she knew he was stubborn. "Speaking of Kate," she began as she looked down. "Since you guys are moving into the house I was thinking you guys could have my room. I wouldn't feel right letting Kate sleep on a couch knowing she is pregnant."
"I wouldn't feel right kicking a girl out of her bed," Zac stated as he shook his head. "I'm sure Kate would feel the same way."
"I'd feel the same way about what?" Kate asked as she walked up on Beth and Zac, catching Zac saying her name and mentioning her feeling the same way about something.
Turning to face Kate, Zac gave her a smile, "That it would be wrong to kick Beth out of her bed. She offered us her room in the house since you are pregnant."
"Actually I think that's a sweet gesture," Kate grinned as she slipped her arm around Zac's shoulder. It was a move that was kind of catty because she was trying to stake her claim, show Beth that Zac was hers again.
Beth forced a grin and nodded, "I knew you'd think so," she said before turning her back and walking off. She was glad Kate had helped settle that conversation but she hated seeing Kate being affectionate with Zac which only made her remind herself that Kate was Zac's wife..and she had Jimmy.
Once Beth had walked off, Zac kept facing Kate, "A..are we okay?" he asked still not sure if they were good. "I mean after everything.
Kate removed her arm from Zac, "We can try to get to okay again," she smiled knowing all they could do was try. "We owe it to the baby," she said before walking off towards the house where she needed to go get their stuff settled in Beth's room.
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Carl who was out walking slowed some when he found Shane, "Hey Shane?" he asked knowing he needed Shane's advice.
"What's up man?" Shane asked as he turned to look at Carl who was heading his way. "What you doing, wandering around by yourself?"
"If umm...If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell my parents?" Carl asked as he looked down and away from Shane's gaze.
Putting some pieces of wood in the back of the car he had with him Shane wiped his hands after the wood was in the back, "I think it's probably a bad idea for both of us bud," he said not sure it was good for him to keep stuff from Rick or Lori when it came to Carl.
It was after he said that, that he watched Carl heave a sigh before walking away from him. Shaking his head Shane decided to go against his better judgement call. "Hey Carl!" he hollered getting Carl's attention. "Come on back," he spoke when Carl turned to face him.
When Carl made it to where he was, he leaned against the open back hatch, "Go on," he nodded wondering what it was Carl had to tell him.
Hearing Shane's words Carl chewed his lip nervously but took out the gun he had stolen from Daryl's bike yesterday, "I took it from Daryl's motorcycle. If he found out I took it, he'd kill me."
"What you doing with this?" Shane asked as he looked down at the gun in Carl's hand.
"Dale. It's my fault that he died," Carl continued ignoring Shane's question.
Shane shook his head at Carl's words, "Carl, why would you say that, man? He got attacked by a walker," he responded as he took the gun from Carl's hands. "Why would you say..."
"I saw that walker," Carl interrupted as he nodded his head. The memories of yesterday still haunting him. "I was gonna shoot it. When he was stuck in the mud. I was...I was throwing rocks at him and stuff but I was gonna do it. Shoot it right in the head, but it got free, came after me," he paused as he frowned. "I ran away. If I had killed it Dale would still be here."
Shane who had listened to Carl's words just swallowed before stopping the boy, "Carl, I want you to stop that, okay?" he asked not wanting the boy to beat himself up. "This ain't your fault," he reassured him as he shook his head and held the gun back out to Carl. "But you need to hold onto this. You need to protect yourself. As long as I'm around you, nothing's gonna happen to you Carl. But I can't keep my eyes on you twenty-four seven. Only you can do that."
When Carl just stared at the gun Shane shook his head again, "Carl, take it," he said sounding firm.
"I'm never touching another gun again," Carl spoke as he looked at the gun.
"This ain't no option Carl, okay?" Shane said wanting to make sure Carl understood he had to take it.
"Just give it back to Daryl," Carl muttered before turning and walking away from Shane.
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Climbing up onto the ladder that would lead to the top of the shed where Mac and Daryl where fixing some of the wood, Avery smiled as she reached the top and looked at the both of them working together and hammering. She was half sure this was the first time she had seen Mac doing any physical labor with tools and so far he was doing better than Zac,Taylor, or Isaac with tools.
"How are you?" she asked out loud getting the attention of both guys who turned to face her.
"We're fine," Daryl muttered as he gave her a look before going back to the job he was doing.
Avery just chuckled but she kept a hold of the ladder, "I wasn't referring to you Dixon. I was referring to my brother. I wanted to see how he was doing."
Mac rolled his eyes at Avery and Daryl's banter, "I'm fine," he answered her as he nodded. "I haven't injured myself so that has to be worth something right?" he asked before laughing lightly.
"Better than our other brother's would be," Avery nodded as she smiled. "Just make sure Daryl doesn't hurt himself too much," she said seeing Daryl turn to look at her again and she gave him a wink. "Just concerned about you," she told him before climbing back down off the ladder.
Once Avery was gone Mac turned to look at Daryl, "She loves you," he told him as he shook his head. "She may not know it yet but she does."
"There ain't nothin bout me for her to love," Daryl muttered still not understanding what it was he and Avery had though he did like sleeping with her and he did like that she seemed to care.
"Well she sees something," Mac replied knowing Avery saw something in Daryl. "Just..don't hurt her. She's been hurt enough already and one of these days I or my other siblings may not be there to help her and I don't want you hurting her."
Going silent at Mac's words Daryl just nodded knowing he had no intentions of hurting Avery.
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"The men are in there," Lori spoke nodding towards the kitchen for Taylor to go put his stuff. The kitchen was the place where most of the men had chose to stay at. After she had spoken to Taylor she headed outside to get more stuff.
Taylor listened to Lori and he went into the kitchen where he put his bag in one of the chairs.
"You can put your stuff upstairs in my room," Maggie told him as she leaned against the doorway. She would much rather have him in her room then in the kitchen.
"With your dad in the house?" Taylor asked feeling surprised by her suggestion. When Maggie walked into the room he shook his head. "I..I'm just gonna put my stuff over there," he said nodding to a corner before walking off.
As Taylor walked away Maggie just rolled her eyes. She had thought they were over the awkward tension that had been created after the night at the bar when he had went to get her dad. She had hoped they were going to get back on the right track again but it seemed he wanted to be a stubborn prick.
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"Wouldn't that be easier if you waited on some help?" Lori asked as she walked to where Shane was up on the windmill working on it.
"Ain't no use waiting for something that ain't gonna come," Shane responded as he looked down at Lori. "No, I'll just do it all myself."
Lori nodded her head, "Yeah, you always do. Just like that time you showed up Rick fixing our sink," she laughed slightly as she remembered that.
Shane couldn't help but laugh at that memory too, "Just so you know, that's not the reason your basement flooded," he told her as he shook his head. "You can thank Rick for that. Using rubber washers with a metal pipe."
"Please come down," Lori told him knowing she had to talk to him face to face. When Shane finally came down and walked over to her she sighed, "So after Sophia I...uh..I thought we'll figure this out. You know, we'll heal somehow. After Dale? This is real and we can't keep it at bay. It's already got us and it just keeps coming, doesn't it?" she asked as she chewed her lip, running a hand through her hair. "I made a mess of things. I put you and Rick at odds. I don't even know whose baby this is. I can't imagine how hard that is on you. You led us out of Atlanta with no thought for yourself. Do you remember that night?" she asked wondering if he remembered the night the whole world fell apart. "The flames..the...and I'm sitting in our car thinking, we're gonna be all right. He's gonna make it all right. We'll get out of here and I never thanked you for that...even though things got confused between us, you were there for me. You were there for me. Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me for that," Shane whispered becoming affected by what Lori was saying to him.
"Of course I do. Of course I do," Lori repeated knowing she had too.
"No you...." Shane started only to get stopped by Lori.
"Whatever happened between us, whatever the hell we thought it was...and not just you but....I'm sorry Shane," Lori apologized feeling guilty for all that happened. "Please believe me. I am so sorry."
As Lori walked away from him Shane sighed knowing what he had to do..what needed to be done.
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Beth who was getting her room ready turned around when she heard footsteps and she chewed her lip seeing Zac, "You almost scared me."
Zac chuckled slightly but looked down, "Sorry," he muttered as he shook his head. "Listen I just..I wanted to say thanks for giving Kate and I your room."
"You don't need to thank me," Beth spoke as she watched Zac look back up. "It's the right thing to do," she said knowing it was the right thing. "Your wife is jealous of me," she told Zac as she turned away to pack up a few more of her belongings. "She must be like Jimmy and think you have feelings for me."
"Jimmy tell you that?" Zac asked curiously as he sat on the bed.
Beth shook her head no as she turned to face Zac again, "I heard it when I was out..in that weird state," she shrugged. "D..do you have feelings for me?"
"What would it matter if I did?" Zac asked her as he shook his head knowing he wasn't giving her much of an answer. "I'm married and I'm having a baby with my wife."
"But if you don't love your wife then you owe it to her to be honest," Beth told Zac as she looked into his eyes. "Your wife deserves that much," she said before picking up the stuff she had packed and leaving the room.
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Standing on the front porch with Daryl as they went over a map and the plan to get rid of Randall, Rick looked over at Daryl, "Take him out to Senoia. Hour there, hour back, give or take. We may lose the light, but we'll be halfway home by then."
"This little pain in the ass will be a distant memory," Daryl muttered as he leaned against the railing. "Good riddance."
"Carol and Avery are putting together some provisions for him," Rick told Daryl. "Enough to last him for a few days," he sighed before looking away. "That thing you did last night...." he muttered referring to Daryl killing Dale.
"Ain't no reason you should do all the heavy lifting," Daryl said knowing Rick shouldn't have to carry the load by himself all the time.
Rick nodded his head and folded up the map, "So are you good with all this?"
"I don't see you and I trading hay makers on the side of the road. Nobody'd win that fight," Daryl spoke as he looked up at Rick and stood up when he saw Shane drive up in a car. "I'm gonna take a piss," he muttered walking off to let Shane and Rick talk in private.
Watching Daryl walk off briefly, Rick turned to Shane who walked up to the porch.
"Hey, man you seen Carl lately?" Shane asked as he stopped in front of the rails on the side of the porch where Rick stood.
"He's inside with his mother," Rick answered as he turned to look at the house briefly.
Sighing before speaking again Shane looked around before looking back at Rick, "Look, he came to me. Okay I wasn't supposed to say anything, but he was out in the swamps yesterday and he came across a walker stuck in the mud. He got scared, ran off."
"The same walker that killed Dale?" Rick asked as he kept his eyes on Shane.
Shane nodded, "That's the one."
"I'll have Lori talk to him," Rick said knowing he'd tell Lori about this and have her talk to Carl.
"Look, man, I think...I think he wants to talk to his father," Shane said honestly knowing Rick would be better equipped to handle this then Lori would.
"Well, I need this Randall thing done already," Rick spoke as he rested his hands on his hips. He needed to get rid of Randall before worrying about other things.
Shane sighed as he looked down briefly, "Man, that needs to wait, okay."
"It's my call," Rick told Shane knowing he was the leader and it was up to him if it waited or not.
"How about I ride out with Daryl?" Shane asked as he looked back up at Rick. "Good for us to spend a little time together," he muttered knowing they needed too, hell maybe he could sway Daryl to his side.
Rick shook his head, "Nah, I need you here."
"Don't think I'll handle it right, huh?" Shane asked him almost bitterly.
"Didn't say that," Rick replied trying to keep his emotions in check.
Shane swallowed before reaching for the gun Carl had given him, "You know, your son...he gave me this. You should get that back to Daryl, huh? Freeing that prisoner more important to you than Carl," he muttered as he laid the gun down on the porch railing before walking off.
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Walking with Glenn to the RV, Jessica raised an eyebrow when Glenn got ahead of her and put his hand up to say something to Andrea who was having a time getting the RV to start.
"Andrea, hey did you try pumping the gas pedal?" Glenn asked Andrea as he stood in front of the RV.
Andrea just shook her head, "I think it's been parked too long," she responded from the driver's seat of the RV.
"You gotta tap it three times and give her a twist," Glenn said to Andrea as he watched Jessica come to stand beside him. When Andrea tried to start the RV again he sighed and hit the top to get her attention, "Let me see," he spoke as he took off the front to check it out.
Feeling Jessica looking at him he turned to look at her briefly, seeing Andrea come to stand beside her. "Dale told me that in these old vehicles the points get corroded," he explained as he made a face. "Screwdriver?"
Hearing Glenn ask for a screwdriver Jessica reached into the toolbox Andrea had brought out of the RV with her and handed it to Glenn.
Glenn shook his head, "Flathead," he said knowing he needed a Flathead screwdriver.
Jessica turned away and briefly put the screwdriver she had picked up away and got the Flathead, handing it to Glenn who took it from her.
As Glenn worked on the RV, Andrea looked away feeling a slight twinge of sadness as the loss of Dale hit her. He wasn't here anymore, he was gone for good. It was only when Glenn asked for a file that she was brought out of her thoughts and it was her who handed the file to him.
After he was handed the file Glenn continued the work on the RV for a bit before coming to a stop, "I let him down," he whispered knowing he had let Dale down at the meeting yesterday.
"He was proud of you," Andrea spoke as she gave Glenn a smile. "Maybe not in that moment, but overall."
"That's easy for you to say," Glenn said as he turned to look at Andrea who was still standing beside Jessica. "You had his back."
"I have my share of regrets," Andrea spoke knowing she regretted how she had treated him after the CDC. "But I think that he knew how much we cared for him."
Frowning as Glenn started to cry Jessica reached out to rub his back as he finished up the work on the RV and then muttered a that might do it. As he walked away from her she frowned but walked with Glenn and Andrea inside the RV once Andrea threw the keys to Glenn.
"Bet'll it work," Jessica said as she mustered up a smile and sat across from Glenn as he held the keys and started the RV up. When it sounded Jessica threw her hands up in victory mostly in an effort to cheer Glenn up.
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"Mom said you'd be here," Rick said as he sat down beside Carl at the top of the barn loft and they both sat out, facing the farm.
Carl nodded, "Told her I would stand lookout. I got tired of helping around the house."
Rick sighed before reaching for the gun Shane had given him, "Take it," he said seeing Carl look down at it. "What happened to Dale had nothing to do with you."
"He..he died, dad," Carl whispered as he locked eyes with his dad.
"Yeah," Rick nodded. "Feels like there's a lot of that going around. That's why I need you. No more kid stuff," he said shaking his head. "I wish you could have the childhood I had, but that's not gonna happen. People are gonna die. I'm gonna die. Mom. There's no way you can ever be ready for it. I try to be, but I can't. The best we can do now is avoid it as long as we can, keep one step ahead. I wish I had something better to say...something more profound," Rick paused as he turned to look out at the farm. "My father was good like that. But I'm tired, son. Please take it," he spoke finishing his words. It was only after his speech that Carl took the gun.