DAVINA [Rick Grimes AU Series]

| CHAPTER THREE |

CHAPTER THREE - CAUGHT

"So, what have you been up to lately? I feel like I hardly see you," Shane said as he perched next to Rick at the bar.

The bar was quiet; a few regulars sat at different tables dotted around the room. The only sounds were the whispers of others and the subtle music playing.

Rick sipped his beer, "you sound like someone's wife," he laughed.

Shane laughed, "I'm serious, man. Not even been on the same shift in weeks since that fucked up night at The Heights."

Rick paused and squeezed his eyes closed. He hated that he was affected so much by that night, and it made him hate himself more for being affected. After all, he wasn't the one who had to endure Ed's disgusting behaviour.

"Just busy," Rick replied as he stood his beer bottle back on the bar.

The night drifted on with pointless conversations and beers that soon turned to whiskey. Rick was feeling the effects as he watched his friend flirt relentlessly with a woman drinking alone.

Rick sighed, deciding to leave and head back home. He waved a quick goodbye to his distracted friend before putting his jacket back on and heading for the door.

He was no more than ten yards from the bar when he saw her. He almost missed her; she looked so different.

Davina was walking across the road with Merle Dixon and his brother Daryl. She was wearing blue jeans and a grey hooded jacket.

He watched as she walked closer and closer, unable to make his legs move so he could avoid an awkward encounter.

As she became a better picture in his view, he noticed she wasn't wearing the make-up he had previously seen her wear. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, swaying across her back as she walked.

Before he could stop himself, he called out, "Davina."

Bad idea. He knew it was a bad idea. If Shane caught him talking to her, he was sure it would rouse suspicion, especially considering the company she was with.

He watched her smile falter slightly as she looked towards the voice that called her name, "Ric-Officer Grimes," she began, but she didn't know what else to say.

She felt Merle and Daryl's intense gaze on the back of her head as she took a few steps closer to where Rick stood—leaving them behind.

"Dee-" Merle began in a concerned tone before he was quickly waved off by Davina.

"I'll follow you straight in," she said as she looked over her shoulder and gave him a promising smile. "I'll be okay."

Rick and Davina watched as Merle and Daryl entered the bar. Both men looked back with a curious look on their faces.

Neither spoke for a few moments when they turned back to face each other.

"How have you been?" Rick finally asked. He couldn't stop scanning her face and body as she began to speak. She looked so different but just as beautiful as the first day he met her.

Davina looked up at him curiously. She wondered if there was an ulterior motive for his desire to communicate and make sure she was safe. "I've been okay. You?"

Rick nodded, "yeah, I've been okay too. You look good - I mean, you look- I- sorry, I'm not sure what the right thing to say is," he chuckled nervously.

"You're trying to say I look better than the last time I saw you when I was a drunken mess with a banged-up knee," she chuckled in return, "thank you again for that, Officer Grimes."