Stop Falling (Rick Grimes Romance)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9.......rolling in the deep

If I was a betting man I would have bet on myself being walker bait from the beginning. Not lasting but a few days. After all I was a polite well mannered shy dental assistant. The kind of person who would give you the shirt off their back. Continually giving to those who would repeatedly let me down. Always trying to find the good in the bad. I was blissfully ignorant to many things as I went about my day. Even when it was right in front of my face I chose to look the other way. A bleeding heart so to speak I never went after what I truly wanted always putting others needs over mine.

Over the past few years so much has happened that I shouldn't have survived. I bore witness to violent deaths. Turned my back when others cried for help. I have done things I wouldn't have believed possible to survive. I've lost more than I have gained. I no longer recognize the person I once was. I'm not ashamed and yet I'm not proud. I've accepted this as fact.

While forced upon me there has been some positive developments as well. I have gained some self respect and am no longer the shy door mat I use to be. I still care for those around me but I've found an equilibrium where I'm of importance too. I have value and and something to contribute. In this group, in this family I have flourished and am now discovering who I am. I want to carve out my own little slice of happiness.

As I watched Rick and Daryl laughing in the corner I knew I wanted Rick to be a part of that happiness. I hadn't noticed before....maybe I didn't care but I now noticed a quiet longing within me. Looking over at Maggie we had become close and I was sure I could trust her to keep her mouth shut.

"So has Rick ever hooked up with someone from the group?" Rick didn't strike me as the casual sex sort of guy but you never truly can tell.

"No," glancing up from her book she closed it. "Why?"

"I don't know," I felt suddenly flustered as if I had been caught snooping, "I was just wondering."

"I was just wondering my ass," Maggie beamed from ear to ear. "I've noticed a little something between the two if you."

"Ok so maybe I might be interested," I could feel my skin starting to flush. "It was just a question don't make a big deal out of it."

"Ok...ok I'm not. From what I've seen you both might me interested in each other." Maggie leaned forward in her chair and whispered "I after all he is checking you out now."

Like a obvious fool I looked up at Rick and our eyes locked. Instantly I looked away and dropped my head in embarrassment while Maggie roared with laughter. It was worse than getting caught red handed in the cookie jar.

"Your a bag you know that," I pointed at her as I got up from the table smiling. "Your a bag and I'm going to help Hershel who isn't a bag"

Maggie's uncontrolled laughter fallowed me out of the cafeteria. Laughing at my own self I shook my head and took a deep breath as I walked down the corridor. When I walked into the medical lab I found Hershel waiting patiently for my arrival.

"I thought we would take a walk today." Reaching for his crutches he motion towards a brown satchel. "Do you mind bringing that."

We spent the rest of the afternoon not far from the prison walls. It was absolutely mind boggling at everything Hershel knew. As he pointed out different herbs he patiently explained the medical use of each as I collected them. Taking his time he instructed on how to collect some so they could be replanted again in the lab and continue to grow. To my surprise even certain tree bark could be used as well. We grabbed specific leaves because apparently if boiled in combination with other material you could make a surgical glue to use in a pinch of you had no thread.