Stop Falling (Rick Grimes Romance)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4.....Foundation

From that night on I worked every night with Carol. Surprisingly there was a lot more to learn than I originally expected. She not only taught me how to attack but defend myself against walker and humans alike. We practiced for hours using knives of different weights how to throw and hit a target at various ranges. There seemed to be no question that Carol was extremely hardcore almost to the point of being a machine.

At first I was a little concerned that she was unbalanced to say the least. However as each night passed we began to talk a little more openly. I came to find out that her husband was abusive to both herself and her daughter. That she was the one to put him down after he got bit when walkers attracted the original group. I learned of the walker barn on Hershel's farm and how Rick had to put her daughter down right in front of her. As we shared happy stories about our loved ones and how we lost them I could see that each death had taken a little bits of Carol with then. A piece there, a chunk here until Carol just had no more to give. By the end of the month I had decided that Carol wasn't necessarily hardcore but a survivor.

"Do you even see any of your old self in you anymore?" Carol asked leaning back in her chair.

"Well, I would like to think there is. Somewhere deep inside maybe." I sighed, "I mean even if the walkers hadn't happens life would have carried on and changed us somehow anyways"

"I'd like to think I don't see the old me. I knew I should have left Ed and I tried once. Sophia and I stayed in a woman's shelter for a few days but it didn't last long." The memory of it clearly brought Carol down, "I don't know if I would have ever had the strength to leave him."

I leaned over and took her hand in mine. With a gentle smile I squeezed, "Everybody here wonders what if."

"Isn't that the truth. " slapping her hands lightly on the desk she stood grabbing her mug, "Let's go find Rick and let him know your ready to move on."

Puzzled I asked, "Move On? To what?"

Opening the library doors she waited as I walked through. "It depends on who has time. You still have hunting, tracking, farming, gun training, and general survival to learn."

"Good lord it's almost as if I'm back in school." I teased her jokingly.

She started to laugh but her tone was serious, "You loose enough people you learn ways to try to keep those that are left alive. So far skills seems to be the best way."

When we walked into the prisons cafeteria the core group was all sitting around a table casually laughing with each other. Looking up Daryl asked, "How goes the battle?"

"Good," Carol pulled two chairs over for her and I. Leaning over she looked at Rick, "Jenna's ready to move on."

"Sounds good I'll let you know tomorrow who you will be working with." Rick answered smiling down the length of the table at me.

Rick was truly hard to ignore and not stare at. His voice had this low timber sound to it that drew me to him. My fingers itched to run through his dark curly hair. I imagined what it would be like to kiss those full sensual lips. To run my hands all over his body and discover for myself just how muscled he was. Just for a moment to know what it would be like to be swallowed in the depth of those incredibly vibrant baby blue eyes.

It wasn't just his good looks that made me pant after him. It was who he was in general. While I hadn't spent much time with him directly I had been sneaking quick peaks as often as possible. Clearly everyone looked to him for answers and they all respected him. He was a natural leader without trying to force it on you. Rick was strong, capable and intelligent. Not to mention loyal, protective and trustworthy. He was a honest to god stand up guy. That being said at the same time there was a darker more animalistic side. A side that spoke of an unapologetic willingness to do what ever it took to survive. A person you defiantly would not want to corner and try to go toe to toe with him.

I couldn't quite tell if he was single or attached. I knew he was married and to some extent was still holding onto hope he would find his wife and son. Thing of it is after nearly three years at some point you move in. You have to for your own sanity. It's not that you give up or stop loving them but you have to move forward with your life or you die. What I was unclear about was his relationship with Michone . There was defiantly something between them but on what level I couldn't be sure. They were always together talking and laughing as if always sharing a private joke. Normally I would say that's evidence enough and walk away because I'm not a home wrecker. Except in the whole time I've been here I've never once seen them kiss, touch or do anything for that matter that would suggest an intimate relationship.

I liked living within this group and had no intention of stepping on anyone's toes and causing problems. My mom didn't raise no fool. I knew how good I had it here. Still a girl could quietly pine away. Fantasies never hurt anyone as long as you kept them to yourself.

Rick was on my mind so much that he started to creep his way into my dreams. This was an issue only because it was making it increasingly harder to look him in the eye and not blush. Especially after last nights dream I was having a hard time concentrating on the book I was reading. Curled up on my bunk in my cell I had planned on having a few quiet moments to myself. With the thought of Ricks lips against mine edging their way in constantly Cujo just wasn't that interesting.

"Hey there," Rick said flashing me a smile. "I was looking for you."

"Well looks like you found me." I blushed knowing the thoughts I was just having about him.

"I remembered you saying you had never taken a self defence class. Tyres is holding a class now if you were interested." I was surprised Rick remembered an off handed comment I had made so long ago.

Laying my book down I fallowed Rick down the corridor. "So how do you like being here?"

" I love it. I can't even begin to say thank you to you guys." I answered honestly. This place with these people were the closest thing I had to family or a home.

"That's good," Rick grinned. "You fit right in. Everyone seems to like you."

I don't know what came over me but I winked at him, "Everyone?"

For a second Rick just looked at me before his smile widened, "Ya everyone."

Pushing through the solid metal doors of cell block A we joined the others. I was decently surprised to see who and how many people there were taking the class. Clapping his hands together Tyres called out, "Ok everyone let's pick a partner. Male to female please if possible."

"Here I'll be your partner," and with that Rick lead me over beside Maggie and Glen.

"Ok guys your going to attack your partner from the front." Tyres explained as he demonstrated on his girlfriend.

Placing his hands on my hips Rick turned me so I was facing him. After watching Tyres for a few seconds Rick wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me towards him. Our faces so close I could feel his breath across my cheek as we waited on further instruction.

Again and again Tyres went over different attack positions and defence moves. The feeling of Ricks hands on my body was mind blowing. The feeling of our body's touching breath taking. The combination of the two a sensual erotic tease. A slow ache burning through out my body. A delicate dance that was making me feel like a sexual being. A need I had to keep hidden as my own secret as Rick seemed to not be effected in the slightest.

Unfortunately all good things have to come to an end. After class everyone decided to hang out in the cafeteria. Slowly over the course of the evening people drifted off to their beds. Saying goodnight I retired to my cell with a new outlook. I was for a change looking forward to tomorrow and what it may bring.