The Walking Dead Imagines

Rest - Rick Grimes

Abraham was recounting a story of his journey from Texas to Georgia as he sat on the step of the altar with Rosita beside him. You tried to pay attention but you found yourself scanning the faces of your adopted family, as if doing a mental headcount. Probably you were. You could remember a time at the farm when you would pester Shane about his insistence of headcounts but you felt yourself following his example, at least in that respect, more and more since Terminus. Checking each person to be sure they were accounted for. There weren't more of them now, just different members of the family to watch over. Bob, Sasha, Tyreese, Abraham, Tara, Eugene, Rosita. You tapped each finger against your thumb as you checked them off until you came up short. Glancing around the small chapel one more time you stood from your spot beside Carol and headed to the door.

It was dark outside and you blinked a couple of times as your eyes adjusted to the night. Sitting there on the steps was the missing member of your group. Arguably the most important one. You stood at the door for a moment, trying to decide exactly when Rick had started to pull away or if he'd never let himself get close again after Lori's death. This was certainly the weariest you'd ever seen him. With everyone else Rick was a leader and that façade never disappeared. You could count on your hand the number of times you'd seen him slip and even then he seemed completely in control.

"You want some company?" You asked quietly, trying not to startle him.

Your eyes had adjusted enough to the dark that you could see the way Rick's slumped shoulders straightened as he sat up. He turned just enough to look over his shoulder at you. "Everyone alright in there?" He asked.

"In there, yeah. Out here...remains to be seen." You replied, sitting down beside him on the steps.

"I'm fine." He reassured, tilting his head slightly as he glanced over at you.

You swore you'd spent enough time with him now that even in the dark you could see the blue of his eyes. The crystal color was embedded in your memory along with the slow southern drawl that felt like warmth spreading over you as you listened to it.

"If you're not..." You trailed off, looking out ahead of you.

"I am." He replied.

"Okay." You stood up again and placed a hand on his shoulder. Before you could walk away Rick reached up and laid his hand over yours. He patted your hand twice and then let you go, turning back to face away from the church again.

You stayed awake longer than the rest of the group. Carl fell asleep with his head against your shoulder, sheriff's hat in his lap. Your own lap held a bundled-up Judith, asleep, thankfully for the time being. For being just an infant Judith's whole life thus far had been warped by drama and turmoil. It was something you tried not to think about when you held her. You had blended well with Carol, especially after Ed died, and Glenn, Dale, and Maggie. Lori was a different story. There was a time, in Hershel's kitchen, when she accused you of trying to make a move on Rick. It'd been a heated argument, on her side at least, and while you never would've interfered with her and Rick's relationship you couldn't deny that you had feelings for him. Lori wasn't here anymore but Judith was a constant reminder of her and sometimes you found yourself questioning whether you were so willing to help Rick because you cared about Judith or because you cared about him.

The door to the church creaked open and Rick finally came inside, stepping around Daryl and walking up the aisle. You tried to sit up a little, careful not to jostle Carl or Judith in the process. Rick settled down beside you, leaning into your space to see his daughter and leaving you staring at a head full of long curls.

"How're they doing?" He whispered, reaching his hand out to brush some hair away from her face. His hand brushed your thigh in the process.

"Judith just calmed a little while ago but Carl's been asleep for quite some time." You replied.