stardustly | Yes, and they will run you down, down 'til you fall.

who: team family!
what: right after the season 7 finale aftermath.
where: Alexandria.

[ Unease rolled through Rick, setting all his nerves on edge and heightened his need to do something. Anything. But for the moment, he knew they needed to heal and regroup, taking it easy to plan the next course of action. They were gearing up for war and Rick knew better than to ever underestimate an enemy ever again or a possible alliance. The sting from Jadis only added to the fire burning in his veins and the resolute determination to bring all the saviors down to their knees. Those he left alive anyway because he wanted Negan's head and everyone else close to his base of daily operations. They all needed to burn and pay for their crimes.

Pushing the troubling ponderings aside for the time being, Rick moved into the room where Michonne and the other injured were. He just finished rallying the troops with Maggie and left her to finish inspiring them and starting a training schedule. They needed more weapons and there were just too many unknown variables.

Running a hand over his face, Rick sat down on the chair next to Michonne's bed, reaching for her hand to messily press his lips against her palm, nearly willing her with all he had to wake up. Rationally, he knew she would be okay but his mind had become a chaotic uprising of tumbling emotions and thoughts. He needed her to make sense of it all again. To soothe the inner storms into a calmer peace. ]

I thought - I tried to fool myself into believin' we could make it without each other. We could keep goin', doin' what needed to be done. But I can't. I need you, Michonne. Everybody needs ya. I know you gotta rest but if you could just open your eyes a little bit and talk to me a couple minutes, I'd appreciate it.

[ He hadn't even gotten his hip looked at yet. Far too concerned with everyone else. ]

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[ Releasing the hold on Michonne's hand, he tilted his head to the side as he regarded her. He still couldn't move past how he nearly lost her and what they had. Without a shadow of a doubt, he knew he couldn't make it without her and such fierce loyalties were dangerous in their world because things ended all the time. Not being able to make it without someone also signed your own death sentence. But even knowing such a thing couldn't stop his feelings.

Michonne, Carl and Judith were his entire world and nothing would stop it. He'd make sure of it. ]

Think that's why she did it. Knew she wasn't gettin' out of her situation without bein' a pawn. She decided to go by her own terms and not endanger us. Wish I knew what she was thinkin' doin' what she did. [ Why did she go to the compound in the first place and alone? Such reckless behavior would end all of them and they needed everyone more than ever at the moment. Negan had three times the amount of people they had unless they could win over Oceanside or the Scavengers again.

Perhaps find other groups. ]

Not sure 'bout Dwight but if he's an inside man, it might give us what we need. If he can start deflectin' Negan's own people that'll wreck him. That man needs people to rule over and if they start leavin' him, it'll shake 'im.

That many people....can't be happy. Can't be happy livin' under...under his thumb.

[ Michonne tries to shift to sit up a little, but that sends pain radiating down her side and she grunts in pain, falling back again. Even that slight movement makes her break out into a sweat, and she closes her good eye again, wetting her lips. ]

Can I get some water?

[ Something, maybe with a pain pill to knock her back out if they can spare it. ]

[ The moment she tried to move, Rick climbed quickly to his feet to try and stop her. He gave her a 'stern' look to stay put, the very same Carl often saw and Judith sometimes. The others in varying degrees depending on the situation and what it called for. ]

You need to only worry about restin' and nothin' else. I just wanted to tell ya what was goin' on or I'd have an earful later. [ Nodding, he moved over to grab for some water and another pill for the pain because the wince left him feeling colder. ]

Once you take this, you'll be out for awhile longer. Givin' ya time to rest. I'll see to fixin' this place up and then we'll work on alliances and other things. We've still got Hilltop and the Kingdom. They might know of other places. I don't want you to worry 'bout it.

[ He helped her with the water and the pill, again with the stern look. ] Shouldn't take too long to kick in, I reckon.

[ No, it's not going to take long, not by a long shot. ]

Stay. With me until I fall asleep.

[ She isn't planning on staying in this bed on her back long, but she can't fight it right. Still, Michonne needs him, and her hand reaches for his again, tugging it over her chest, over her heartbeat. She can feel the warmth of him, and he can feel the life still in her. ]

Always. [ The simple word filled with plenty of conviction and emotion, Rick meaning every single letter of it. In fact, if the bed had been big enough, Rick would likely be right beside her. ]

[ His heart clenched at the tenderness, the feel of her heartbeat calming him a little. They were still alive -- they were the ones who survived. Through all the odds they continued to fight on together. Letting out a soft breath, he kept his eyes on her. ] I love you.

[ There's an unmistakable smile on her lips at that, and she just barely manages to mumble the words back to him, that she loves him, before the drugs pull her under.

The next time she wakes, she knows she isn't alone, she can feel it, but for now she can't get her good eye to cooperate with wanting to open, so she makes a soft sound in the back of her throat, trying to get the attention of someone, anyone before speaking with what feels like a mouth full of sand. ]

....'s there water?

Yes, and they will run you down, down 'til you fall.

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ota? i think? lol, anyone can go for it!