Rick's Ruby

Chapter 12

It was obvious that something was going on upstairs, and Carol did her best to occupy Carl while Rick and Lori were alone. Daryl came back and grabbed a spot next to Ruby on the couch. She didn't lament the fact that he was alone, she just gave him a grin to let him know she was glad he was back safely, and Maggie helped serve dinner. They were more than half done, chatting quietly around the table, Daryl and Ruby staying on the couch to watch for more walkers, plates in hand, as Rick came down first. When Lori was right behind him, and leaned down to give Carl a kiss at the table, their faces held none of the anger they usually did after their encounters, and the house seemed to let out a collectively held breath. They were either going to figure it out or kill each other, they figured. At least this wasn't bloody.

Rick grabbed a plate and came to sit across from them in the living room, his face calm, almost peaceful. Daryl narrowed his eyes at him, obviously trying to read him. The man didn't miss much, and Rick expected it, but what he didn't expect was no reaction from Ruby at all. He wondered if she would notice his ring was gone, but she just swallowed the bite she was chewing and gestured out toward the yard.

"Looks like we got lucky. Been quiet out there."

Daryl scoffed lightly. "For now. Our luck is won't last the night."

She tilted her head at him, raising an eyebrow. "We need to work on your positivity level."

"No we don't." He said simply. "I'm positive it ain't gonna last."

She grinned and looked at Rick, rolling her eyes and he chuckled as he took a bite of his dinner.

"Hey Rick?" T-Dog came around them and jerked his head toward the dining room. "You got a sec?"

"Yeah." Rick put his plate down on the coffee table and followed the broad shouldered man. T turned and waited till Rick was right behind him before he ducked into Ruby's room quietly.

"Finished it when you were upstairs. What do you think?" He asked, going to the window. He had nailed boards tightly across the window, leaving four inch spaces between them, and a six inch space where the window would stop when it was left open. The top was sealed a lot tighter, and nothing was coming through without a hell of a fight. "And look. I tied this cord to the brackets on the bottom on both sides so she can raise it easier." He finished, holding the thin rope left hanging over the top and pulling up. The window slid open behind the boards and the cooler night air immediately began circulating in the room.

"How'd you do this? I didn't hear you hammering." Rick asked, his eyes surprised and impressed.

T shrugged. "You were busy and Daryl kept Ruby away. I can be quiet when I need to be."

Rick chuckled and pulled at the boards. They were solid, and didn't move a centimeter under his hands. "Thanks, she's gonna love this."

T-Dog grinned. "When you want to close it you just push it back down. The lock still works." He leaned back and put his hands in his pockets, his eyes going tentatively over to Rick again. "You did it, didn't you?"

"Is it obvious?" Rick asked, genuinely curious.

"She not screaming or crying, so I figured you either got back together or you got a break up line that I have GOT to learn."

Rick shook his head. "Just told her the truth. Got her to admit it to herself. Had to happen sooner or later, you pretty much told me that."

T-Dog didn't push, it wasn't really his business despite his unwarranted advice from before. He smacked Rick on the arm with an open hand, winked and left the room.

"Hey Ruby." He said a little louder than he had to from just outside the door, alerting Rick to her incoming presence and Rick let a low chuckle escape his lips. She came in, but she was looking back at T-Dog with a confused expression.