Trying to Make It Right

Surviving the Night: Part One

AN: This Chapter has a little smut in it. Just thought I would mention that. The next one will have more :P

        The last walker was finished with a sickening slurping sound as Rick plunged a hunting knife into it's eye. He grimaced as he yanked the knife out, another slick slurp greeting his ears as he automatically wiped the blade clean on the torn clothing the corpse was wearing. He was damn tired, and he really shouldn't have jumped into the middle of all this because Daryl was going to kill him for this. His hunter had already told him that he wouldn't be fighting and while Shane may have assumed that the other man had meant theoretical fights Rick knew differently. Daryl had been talking about this one.

         "Is everyone alright?" He asked, looking over to the mass of people not to far from him. The children were in the middle, then came their parents and Amy with the group of people he and Daryl had trained surrounding them. Merle snorted, coming over and looking Rick over closely.

        "We're just dandy Officer Friendly. Now what about yer stubborn ass? I saw more than a coupla close calls out there and let me tell you Darylenna will not be happy about that at all. And that's not even considering if ya managed ta get yer fool self hurt during this mess." Merle muttered, sounding irate himself even though he was talking about how his brother was going to react. Rick groaned.

         "I'm just fine Merle, a little winded but fine. I may not be at the top of my game but I can handle a few walkers just fine. I saw more than this on the road with Morgan." He tried assuring him, he didn't need to have the older Dixon getting on his case too. Daryl, Morgan and Shane were going to be more than enough when it came to the mother-hen department. Merle snorted, shaking his head sharply.

         "Not at the top of yer game huh? That's the understatement of the fucking century Grimes. I've had to listen to my baby brother ranting about the fact ya were in a coma and shit don't miraculously heal itself because the world ended. Don't expect him ta leave yer side without a damn fight after this, he wouldn't have tonight if it wasn't for the gravedigger and we both know it. Fact is ya jumped inta this mess head first and I saw a couple close calls that we don't need. These people are already following your lead- it was your order to train them, yer order to get them inta that huddle over there ta keep the little ones safe. Shane couldn't have done that, he's already proven that, and neither could Daryl or I cause there's no way they'll listen ta us without you backing it. If ya get yer damn idiot self killed then we're all screwed." Merle growled under his breath, obviously angry now. Rick winced, but before he could respond to that, and assure the other man that yes the camp would listen to him and his brother if need be, there was a tap on his shoulder. Because Rick knew that the huddle was only now dispersing to make sure all the walkers were down for the count, with Shane leading them, he also knew that the tap came from either Morgan or Daryl.

         "We need to talk Grimes." Morgan's voice cut through his shock. Rick grimaced before turning, a nonchalant look coming over his face to try and hide the dread that he was feeling at the lecture he was facing from the other man. Morgan raised an eyebrow as he looked him over. The cop shifted.

         "Shouldn't you be checking over everyone to make sure there's no injuries besides what we went into this mess with?" Rick asked lightly, hoping to distract the doctor by throwing the others under the bus. At least until he spoke with Daryl that is, because he knew that his lover would drag him to see Morgan. He'd rather not have to go through the Doctor's examinations and lectures twice in one night thank you very much. Morgan laughed, but it was as sharp as his voice had been and not at all amused with his words.

         "I'll get to them after I make sure that you are alright Grimes. I know my boy was safe as a house during the attack, but like your fool self tends to ya threw yerself into the fight without a damn care to the orders I gave ya. There is a reason I told you to take it easy, but all day you've been training and getting inta fights and now this. So until I'm sure that the trouble maker I took in didn't manage ta get himself bit I ain't going to deal with the people we just met." He shot back, a stubborn note in his voice telling the cop that he really wasn't going anywhere. Rick sighed, before holding his arms out, better let him do his thing.