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Solace

Chapter 13

Carol had gone inside the prison to get some dinner, so now Lindsey was sitting on the ledge of the guard tower with her assault rifle resting across her lap. While the hot Georgia sun was starting to set, Lindsey was starting to get worried. She knew it would take some time for Rick and the others just to get to and from the Governor's 'camp', but she was having a hard time staying optimistic. Anytime that bastard was involved, good people died.

She was torn out of her depressing thoughts by the sound of giggling. She stood up and walked to the railing, peering over the side. Carl and Beth were leaning against the base of the tower talking. Carl said something that Lindsey couldn't quite hear and Beth stifled a snort. She was pretty sure it had to do with Judith though, because Carl was moving his hands wildly in what looked like a barfing motion and then tapped his shoulder.

Lindsey smiled to herself. It was so refreshing to hear the two of them laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she had really laughed, like a full-on roar of laughter. She knew it had to have been sometime during their trip to Atlanta. Back then she’d laughed a lot. The miscarriage had definitely put a black cloud over their lives, but after six months they were beginning to feel happy again. They’d even talked about trying to get pregnant again that fateful weekend.

Lindsey clenched her jaw and forced herself back to the present. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the rifle and willed away the tears.

"You have to stop this!" she mumbled through clenched teeth. Thinking about the past was pointless. Yes, she had good memories to look back on, but to know that everyone and everything from them was dead did not fill her with warm nostalgia.

An image of Jared's handsome face forced its way to the front of her mind and her heart ached. God, she missed him. If someone had told her a year ago that she would be thrown into the apocalypse without her husband and survive up to this point, she would have told them they were bat-shit crazy.

Though, as she had explained it to Carl, she would be dead now if it wasn't for Rick. It was sad to admit but he was her reason for living now. He gave her hope and that meant everything in this grisly world. Even if their friendship didn't lead to something more, she would be forever grateful for her second chance at life with her new family.

All of a sudden, she could hear cars approaching. With her heart pounding, she lifted her rifle and used the scope to see further down the road.

"Carl! Beth! Heads up!" she yelled.

Initially, she could see nothing, and then finally was able release the breath she had been holding. Their little green Hyundai and recently acquired Dodge Charger raced into view and toward the prison entrance.

"It's them! Open the gates!" Lindsey called out as she hurried to the tower door, and down the winding stairs. By the time she got to the bottom, their cars had already come to a stop inside. She knew Carl was excited to see his dad and Maggie for Beth, so she rushed to close the gate for them. She was just securing the padlock when she heard Carl.

"Woah, Dad! What happened?" he exclaimed.

Lindsey felt her stomach drop and turned to see what he was referring to. Daryl had come around the car and was helping Rick out. Rick's forehead was wrapped tightly with a bandana. Below it, a significant amount of blood covered his face and neck. She fought the urge to go to him. He patted Carl's back as his son wrapped his arms around his waist.

"He's okay. Probably just a graze but we should get him inside to get checked out," Daryl said, still supporting most of Rick's weight.

Lindsey's eyebrows were drawn together with apprehension, but her face relaxed when Rick met her gaze and smiled softly. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Beth interrupted.

"Did you get Michonne?" she asked her sister, and then looked around at the others.

Maggie pointed to the backseat of the Charger. "The Governor roughed her up pretty good. Hershel will have to check her out as well - if she'll let him."

"Speaking of the Governor. Any luck?" Lindsey asked hesitantly.

Rick nodded once and spoke in a rough voice, "He's dead."

Lindsey glanced at the backseat again and saw that Tyreese hadn't moved. Somehow she knew he had been the one to do it. Why else would he have gone?

"Alright, Rambo, let's get you inside," Daryl muttered to Rick.

Lindsey smirked and watched everyone get back into the cars. Once they were safely within the prison walls, she breathed a sigh of relief and made her way back to the top of the guard tower.


One week later, Rick was feeling significantly better. He would definitely have a scar on the side of his head, but he was fortunate that his hair would cover most of it. Michonne's injuries were healing, but he knew that the emotional wounds would take longer. She was even more quiet than usual - if that was possible. Everything was slowly returning to normal or whatever could be considered normal during the end of the world. Now that the Governor was dead, they could all take the time that they needed to mourn and heal.

Today, Rick was helping Carol in the guard tower. He had been anxious to get back to his watch shift but Hershel didn't think he should do it alone just yet. Reluctantly, he took the right side, which included their community garden. Under the hot sun, a small group of people were weeding and harvesting. He leaned against the wall and watched as Maggie said something to Lindsey. Lindsey grinned and he felt his chest tighten. Her silky hair was pulled back into a messy bun with a few loose strands sticking to her damp forehead. She stood to dump her weed bucket in their compost pile. Afterward, she attempted to push one of the stray hairs out of her face and ended up smudging dirt onto her cheek. He actually thought it was kind of cute.

"What are you doing, Rick?" Carol asked suddenly.

He pushed away from the wall and tried to look nonchalant. "I'm on watch--"

She smiled. "That's not what I meant."

"I don't...," Rick mumbled, shaking his head.

"Lindsey," Carol began. Rick feigned ignorance and she sighed. "I know you like her. I'm assuming by now you know that she likes you, too. It's okay, Rick."

"Is it?" he questioned, doubtful.

Carol leaned against the wall next to him and cradled her rifle. "I understand that it hasn't been very long since Lori died. You're still grieving and that's perfectly acceptable. I can't say exactly how much time as passed since it happened, but in this new world, it's been practically a lifetime. You have to remember - Lindsey lost her spouse, too. We've all lost people," Carol said quietly.

"That's true, but she's had more time than I have," he responded.

"Does it really matter? Do you think you'd feel any better about losing your wife if we were talking about this a year from now?" Rick tipped his head and raised his eyebrows in acceptance of what she was saying. "In the old world, we were expected to wait a long time before moving on after losing a spouse. We don't have that much time anymore. If there is something you need to say or do now, don't hesitate, because you may not get another chance."

Rick absorbed what she was saying and then shook his head.

"I can't. I made a promise to myself – that my kids are my priority and no one will change that. I can't have any distractions. If something happened and I had to choose...I can't be responsible."

"She's not asking you to choose, Rick. If there was a situation where you had to save her or your kids, she would expect you to pick them," Carol stated. She let her words sink in and then spoke again. "Ultimately, what you do is your choice. I just see an opportunity for happiness and I don't want you to wait until it's too late."

Rick didn't reply for a minute. He was processing everything she had just said to him. She almost had him convinced. A part of him still didn't feel right about being with another woman so soon, but Carol had made a good point. Whether it was tomorrow or a year from now, that part of him wasn't going to change. He also had to remember that Lindsey was a widow and probably felt the same way about starting a new relationship.

"Carol...you and her share a cell together, right?" he asked hesitantly.

She gave him a knowing grin. "I'll take watch with Daryl tonight. You owe me!" she threw over her shoulder as she walked away.

After dinner, Rick made his way to the pantry, which included a wide selection of toiletry items. It was a collection of all the stuff they had scavenged over the past few months and was okay for anyone to take.

He made sure no one was around before he found the shelf containing various boxes of condoms. It was mainly considered Glenn and Maggie's stash, but everyone was encouraged to take them if needed. They all knew enough about Rick's situation to recognize that they didn't want a baby of their own right now.

He quickly took two out of an already open box and shoved them into his pocket. He felt like such a creep - he could only hope that he had read Lindsey right. Obviously if she said no, he wouldn't force her into it. He just didn't know if he could handle the rejection right now.

A minor storm had moved in after everyone had gone to bed. Rick lay on his cot and watched as the room momentarily lit up as if it were filled with an explosion of daylight. It was eventually followed by a low rumble that lasted quite a while. He waited until it was completely quiet and listened for any movement from Carl. The only thing he could hear was his son's slow, rhythmic breathing. Since Carl was sleeping and Beth was taking care of Judith tonight, he knew it was time.

It felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest as he walked to the end of the line of cells. He quickly took a deep breath and after hesitating for a moment, knocked softly on the concrete wall just inside Lindsey's cell. He watched as she stirred under the thin blanket and then sat up, bringing the blanket with her.

"Rick? Did something happen?" she whispered nervously.

He shook his head and walked toward her cot. After kneeling in front of her, he gently took one of her hands and brought it to his lips. He heard her release the tiniest gasp and watched as her chest rose and fell with her quickened breathing.

He reached for her then. Their mouths collided as his fingers brushed through her hair and found it to still be up in a bun. Hastily, he tugged the elastic from her hair and gathered the flowing strands into his hands. Lindsey wrapped her arms around his waist and tugged on his shirt as she pulled him onto the cot. He helped her remove his shirt and paused to look into her eyes as she rested her palms on his chest. She could certainly feel his thundering heartbeat and smiled. As he moved in to kiss her again, she stopped him.

Shit, here comes the rejection, Rick thought to himself.

She slid out from underneath him and tiptoed to the front of the cell. Carefully, she pulled the privacy sheet across the doorway and pinned it closed. She turned back to face him and he felt his mouth go dry as he watched her pull her thin tank top over her head. Timidly, she followed it with her black cotton shorts. Left in just her underwear, she approached Rick and this time she knelt in front of him. She pulled off his boots and socks and pushed his hands away when he reached for his belt. Lindsey looked up at him as she undid the buckle. He was entranced by her dark, sparkling eyes and immediately felt a surge of heat in the bottom of his stomach. He shifted his weight as she tugged off his pants.

Finally, she allowed him to pull her into his arms. When their bare skin touched, he felt like he'd come home. Everywhere he touched on her lithe body was heavenly soft. They kissed passionately and he carried her with him as he rolled on top to settle his hips between her parted thighs. Chills ran down his spine as she lightly raked her fingernails across his back. He continued to cradle her head with one hand while his other hand moved down her smooth stomach, and ultimately ended up slipping under the waistband of her panties. His fingers stroked her gently. He didn't think he could be anymore turned on when he found her to be wet and ready for him. She gasped into his mouth as he slipped a finger into her. God, he wanted to bury himself in her.

Reluctantly Rick let go of her and reached for his discarded pants. He ripped out one of the condoms, pulled down his boxer briefs and quickly slid it on. Lindsey removed her underwear and tossed it to the side. Rick replaced himself between her legs and they gazed at each other before he continued. Lindsey touched his lips with her fingertips and smiled nervously.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rick asked, because she appeared to be hesitating.

She nodded. "It's just been a while."

"I promise I'll be gentle," he whispered as he kissed her fingertips.

Slowly, he slid into her. She inhaled sharply and it took everything he had to not lose it. Clearly it had been a while for her, because she was impossibly tight and hot around him. He groaned into her neck and gave her a moment to adjust to him. After a moment, she started moving her hips to take him deeper. He met her thrusts and his arms shook slightly as he fought to keep an unhurried rhythm. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled her scent. She was so intoxicating; it was causing his control to slip.

Her lips touched his ear and murmured softly, "It's okay, Rick. You won't hurt me."

He used that as his cue and took her the way he wanted to. He plunged into her and drove deeply. She moaned softly and he could tell she was trying to stay quiet.

"You're coming with me. Let go, Linds," he whispered harshly.

She opened her mouth to voice her release and his mouth crashed down onto hers, absorbing her loud cries. He buffeted her until she stopped writhing and then took his fill. He came hard, gasping inaudibly into the crook of her neck.

After a minute, Rick lifted his head and tenderly kissed her on the lips. He stroked her cheek and was surprised to find that it was wet.

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" he asked, alarmed.

She shook her head and smiled at him lovingly. "It was perfect."

He breathed a sigh of relief and rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. She rested her head on his chest and for the first time in years, he fell asleep with a smile on his face.

Notes

I forgot to mention before that the last few chapters were inspired by the song ‘Future’ by Paramore. It's so hopeful and tragic at the same time. I found it to be a perfect motivator while writing. Also, ‘Homage’ by Feist and Timber Timbre felt right for this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it! ;)

Comments

@Corall
Aw thank you so much!! :D

bluecrush611 bluecrush611
5/18/16

I just finished reading this story :) and its the most amazing story ever :D

Corall Corall
5/17/16

@Kandy
No worries. I actually used Paint, haha. I just figured out what size the banner needed to be (by trial and error) and then cut the image down until it fit.

bluecrush611 bluecrush611
4/13/16

@bluecrush611

Also, Another Annoying Question. Where did you make that Banner of Lauren And Andrew? I need to get a good Banner place thingy and i need advice xD

Mother Dick Mother Dick
4/12/16

@Walker Witch
Thank you so much for the kind words and for following along!

@eventualprocrastination
Thanks for all of your comments! I actually just published a book, so that's the direction I'm taking for now, but who knows. Maybe I'll post something here and there. :)

bluecrush611 bluecrush611
4/10/16