Apocalyptic Love

Chapter 41 Grady Memorial Hospital

Author's note: though in the series it seems that only days have passed since the attack on the prison, in this story, it has been months.

Carl felt terrible about leaving Father Gabriel behind, but Sesshomaru scoffed, “This Sesshomaru does not suffer fools. If the human thinks his faith will protect him, so be it,” Sesshomaru did not have the time nor the desire to cater to those who would not save themselves. Sesshomaru informed Rick that Kagome and Beth were at Grady Memorial Hospital. He told them that he would meet them there. Sesshomaru then turned into a ball of light and left. He would not travel with a group of humans in an undignified manner.

The group traveled to Atlanta, where they'd meet Shippou, who was surveilling the hospital. Sesshomaru told Shippou to do whatever was necessary to find precisely where Kagome and Beth were being held. He came across a human who escaped the hospital and questioned him about the layout of the hospital and how many guards were inside. The boy named Noah told Shippou everything he wanted to know, including that Kagome was being carefully monitored because of her pregnancy. Kagome would give birth anytime now.

Noah explained to Shippou that the police officer in charge, Dawn, was not very well-liked and that her position was precarious, at best. Shippou nodded; he knew that they could use this information against them. Shippou and Noah were in the building close to the hospital when Sesshomaru arrived, scaring Noah half to death. Shippou explained that the young man had given him vital information, and Sesshomaru nodded. Sesshomaru informed Shippou that Rick and his group should be arriving shortly and that they needed to meet them in the designated area. Shippou nodded, and they left to meet Rick.

When the group arrived, Shippou introduced himself and Noah. He told Rick everything he had learned, including that Kagome was close to giving birth. After discovering that his wife could give birth at any time, Rick had to alter the plan he thought of on their way to Atlanta. Rick couldn't go in, guns blazing, and risked Kagome and his child getting hurt. So, he decided to go with Tyrese's plan and kidnap some of Dawn's officers as a hostage exchange. He discussed his idea with the others and told Kirara to stay with Carl, Judith, and Hershel

It was easier capturing three of Dawn's officers than they thought it would be. The officers were zip-tied and taken to the warehouse, where Rick explained the situation.

“You have two of my people, and I want them back. So, we will do an exchange: your lives for the two women.”

Officer Sheperd told Rick it wouldn't work because Dawn was suspicious of them, “If you had any other officers but us, your plan would have worked.”

But Sergeant Lamson disagreed, “This will work,” He told Rick.

“What changed your mind?” Rick asked suspiciously.

“Dawn trusts me. I assure you this plan will work.”

Sesshomaru stepped out of the shadows, and the officers gasped, “Let me make something clear, human; if you betray This Sesshomaru or the pack leader, you will wish for a speedy death,” Sesshomaru warned the officer and flexed his claws.

The officers looked at each other and then looked at Sesshomaru with frightened eyes. But things did not go as smoothly as Rick had hoped; Sergeant Lamson tried to escape, and Rick was forced to kill him. When he got back to the others, Rick explained he had no other choice. Shippou smirked at him.

“No problem, I can glamour myself to look like the cop,” Shippou informed Rick, and Shippou quickly changed his appearance.

Rick nodded and then zip-tied Shippou. The other two officers were stunned and slightly frightened to see Shippou turn into Sergent Lamson. They wanted to ask how Shippou did that, but one look from Sesshomaru and they swallowed their words. Once ready, Daryl, Sasha, and Amy walked toward the officers, pulled them to their feet, and escorted them out of the warehouse. Rick and the others took the two patrol cars and drove to the hospital to make the prisoner exchange.

The others kept watch in the parking garage, watching Rick's back as he went to talk to the two officers, “Officer Franco. Officer McGinley.

I'm Rick Grimes. I was a deputy in the King County Sheriff's Department. I'm here to propose. Lay your weapon on the ground.”

The two officers agree and lower their weapons, “All right. What's your proposal?” Officer McGinley asked.

“You have two of my people; I have three of yours. We want to make an exchange. Then we'll be on our way. No one gets hurt.” Rick assured them.

The officers look frantically around, “Who do you have?”

“Sergent Lamson, Officers Shepherd and Licari. For Beth and Kagome,” Rick explained.

“We can talk about Beth, but Kagome can't leave; she went into labor this morning.”

Rick's expression didn't change, but his anxiety and heart rate increased. He missed Judith's birth; he was not missing this child's birth, “I'm Kagome's husband. I demand to be there with her.”

The two officers thought they had the upper hand, “If you want to be there with your wife, we need Noah back. How close are your people?”

At that moment, Sasha shot a Walker that was ambling its way toward them. Rick never takes his eyes off the officers, “Close. Do we have a deal?”

The officers agreed and led Rick and the others to Grady Memorial Hospital. They informed Dawn about what was happening and that Noah was willing to trade himself so that Rick could be with his wife. Dawn agreed. They rushed to the hospital, where Rick could hear Kagome calling out for him. Rick told Daryl to take over the negotiations while he went back to Kagome. Daryl nodded. Dawn let Rick pass to be with Kagome. While this was going on, Daryl did the prisoner exchange

As soon as the officers were let go, Shippou sprung into action and grabbed Dawn. He forced the officers to stand down, and Shippou held Dawn captive until Beth could cross towards their group. But when Noah went with Beth, Dawn lunged for him, and Shippou threw Dawn hard enough to the floor to break her neck. There was a standoff between the two groups until Officer Lacari told her officers to stand down, “It's over. This was Dawn's fight, not ours. Let them stay long enough for Kagome to recover, and then they can leave if they want.”

Daryl looked at Carol, who agreed. They couldn't risk moving Kagome and the newborn baby. The officer asked them to stay, but Daryl declined. He felt terrible that they couldn't tell them that the world was ending, but it was what Sesshomaru wanted. Only those he deemed worthy were going to the Youkai World. So there was nothing Daryl could do. Maybe Rick and Kagome could talk to him and see if they could bring more people since Sesshomaru considered them to be the Pack leaders. So, he and the others returned to pick up the remaining group members.

As Rick passed the group, he ran and made a B-line towards Kagome's screaming. He burst through the door; Kagome and the doctor looked at him, and Kagome sighed, “You came.”

“Of course, Darlin', I'll always come for you,” Rick said and kissed Kagome's sweaty brow. He took a washcloth and wiped Kagome's forehead.

The doctor stared at the man, who looked like he had been through the ringer. “Sir, I can't have you near Kagome so dirty. There are scrubs in the bathroom; please change.”

Rick nodded and went into the bathroom to change. As soon as he was changed, he rushed to Kagome's side and helped her through her labor. After three agonizing hours, he was passed until a tiny shrill was heard. Kagome slumped into Rick and smiled as the doctor announced it was a boy. Rick cut the cord, then took his swaddled son and brought him to his mother. Kagome cried when she saw her son. He was a beautiful baby boy who was the perfect mixture of the two, but he had Rick's eyes.

Rick sat on the bed next to his wife, “He's beautiful. What do you want to name him?”

“If you don't mind, I'd like to name him Caleb Souta Grimes,” Kagome commented with tears in her eyes.

Rick smiled at Kagome and kissed her lips, “That's a perfect name.”

Rick held the baby tenderly, “Hello, Caleb, I'm your Daddy. Welcome to the world, so as it is. I promise, though, that I will do everything I can to keep you and your siblings safe. I love you, my boy.”

When Rick looked at Kagome, he saw she had fallen asleep. He settled in the rocking chair and rocked his son until he fell asleep. Today could have ended quite differently. Luckily, it went in their favor. At the end of the day, Rick was reunited with his wife and was there for the birth of his youngest child. It was a good day.