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

[ringleadering]

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. ]

Comments

[ringleadering]

[ Focusing on the injury caused the pain to flair up a little more but nothing showed on Rick's face. Even before the world ended, he knew how to take an injury and keep going. The shot landing him in the coma being a rare example of something temporarily taking him out. Since waking up, Rick had his fair share of injuries and managed to pull through each and every one.

He couldn't afford otherwise.

Watching her gather things up, he nodded his head with a thin smile pulling at his lips. ]

Not my first time with a gunshot wound. I can take it. [ His fingers wrapped tightly around the arm of the chair to brace himself, giving a slight nod when he settled to give her the go ahead. ]

[watdoesntkillu]

[She presses her lips together at his statement, knowing he's right. This is hardly the worst injury he's ever had. Hardly the worst injury any of them have ever had. Hell at this point she's pretty sure most of them have taken at least one bullet if not more. Pushing all her thoughts away -- because she certainly doesn't need to be getting lost in her head right now -- she sets to work. She retrieves the bullet, stitches him up, and bandages the injury with steady hands.]

All done.

[She glances up at him before rising to her feet and moving to get rid of the blood-soaked bandages, disposing of them in the garbage can and then washing her hands thoroughly. She's silent for a moment, considering carefully what she wants to say.]

Most of the Kingdom isn't ready for war. [It's why so few of them had come. She knows that the Hilltop isn't much better off.] Some of them are better prepared for it than others. [She turns to look at him.] I'll get them ready.

[ringleadering]

[ Bracing himself, Rick remained mostly silent while she worked, eyes rolling up to look at the ceiling tiles. His mind drifted then playing over the most recent events, slowly moving backwards further and further until he reached the moment he first woke up and felt the familiar sting of a bullet wound.

Her voice shook him from the remembrance, his eyes now following her movements as he waited for her to say her peace. He could tell she had something on her mind and it bothered her. The way she held her shoulders and the look in her eyes being only the first clue ins. They all had tells and Rick had been trained long enough to pick up on them.

Someone in law enforcement always needed to pick up on a lie or something being withheld. ]

You won't have to do it alone. I know we don't got much time and we're all in this now. Ain't no turnin' back. [ He wished they had another way but Negan and the Saviors wouldn't listen to reason and sure wouldn't want to be apart of an actual community setting. They only wanted power and intimidation, two things Rick couldn't stand for. ]

We can set up training stations and try to get 'em ready. We got to be prepared for everythin'. We need to talk to King Ezekiel and Gregory. [ The latter he felt less thrilled about. ]