Surviving Alexandria (BOOK THREE IN THE SURVIVING THE WALKING DEAD SERIES)

Home Sweet Home (SMUT ALERT)

     Rosita didn't come back to the infirmary after lunch, my guess is that she asked Deanna for a different job. She was picking everything up fairly quickly, but you didn't even need to ask her to know she wasn't happy there. Pete wasn't too happy, but he was just happy that I came back. If anything, he was relieved that the one with more experience stayed. "Michaela?" Rick called from the doorway.

     "Well, looky here." I smiled. "If it isn't Sheriff Rick Grimes." Rick looked down at his uniform and smiled. "Looks good on ya. What do the others think?"

     "They haven't seen it yet." Rick answered. "I wanted to stop by first, see how you were doin'."

     "I'm good. You?"

     "I'm, uh... I'm good." Rick nodded.

     "So, you're a cop again, huh?"

     "I'm tryin' it on for size. Deanna wants Michonne and I to start tomorrow." Rick began to walk around the room, examining the beds and shelving. "Nice place ya got here."

     "Yeah, it's my home away from home."

     "So, ya really like it here then?"

     "I do." I nodded. "It's the safest I've felt since Tara and I lived back at the farm. What about you?"

     "I think we can start sleepin' in our own homes. Settle in."

     "So, we're stayin'?"

     "Yeah." Rick sighed. "Yeah, we're stayin'." Rick sat down on the edge of the desk. "If we get comfortable here, we let our guard down, this place is gonna make us weak. Carl said that."

     "That's not gonna happen." I assured. "We won't get weak, that's not us anymore. We'll get stronger, like we always have. We'll make it work."

     "I hope so." Rick nodded.

     "Have ya told Deanna that we for sure made a decision?"

     "Not yet. I'll tell 'er before I go home." Rick turned and looked at me. "Have ya heard from Daryl?"

     "I was gonna ask ya the same thing."

     "Sasha said he walked out the front gate a little while ago, but he hasn't came back yet."

     "He's probably just out lookin' for somethin' to shoot."

     "What time ya get off?"

     "Now." Pete smiled as he entered the room. "Go home and get some rest, Michaela. You did great today, you earned it."

     "Are ya sure?" I asked. Pete walked over to his desk and pulled out a handheld radio, turning it on briefly to ensure it worked before handing to me.

     "Channel twelve for infirmary."

     "Does everyone have one of these?"

     "Just the important people." Pete smiled. "If I need you, I'll get ahold of you." I couldn't help but to get butterflies in my stomach when Pete referred to me as an important person. I've never felt that I was important in all my life. I mean, yeah I felt like I had a role in my group, but I never felt too important, as if anyone could do my job.

     "Thank you." I smiled back. "Have a good night." Pete nodded and I followed Rick outside. "So, I'll see ya when I get home?"

     "Actually, I was kinda hopin' you'd come with me to go see Deanna. She likes you-"

     "She likes you, too-"

     "I know, but since the day I shaved my beard off, it's a little awkward bein' alone with 'er."