- Rick's POV -
earlier that day

"Alright, I should go find Soph," Cass murmurs with a smile. A strand of her damp hair slides off her shoulder as she turns to face me. The large window in the living room bathes her in the morning sunlight, igniting her green eyes.

Looking down for a moment, I nod, knowing Cass needs to leave but feeling reluctant about our time together coming to an end. "Yeah, go make sure she's okay," I agree with a faint smile.

I admire how deeply she cares about Sophia -that inexplicable way she endlessly loves and cares for the kids in our lives, despite none of them being hers.

"Okay, I'll see you in a bit then," Cass replies, an easy smile on her lips. Stepping closer, her gaze flickers to my mouth, making my heart skip a beat. Her arms sling around my neck, coaxing me closer. Eagerly complying, I tilt my head, meeting her lips halfway. My arms instinctively snake around her waist, resting my hands gently against the curve of her lower back as I pull her body closer to mine, savoring the sensation of her body pressed against mine.

My hands drift down her back, moving lower and... lower. Cass smiles into the kiss at this, making my chest burn with adoration, not being able to fight my own brazen grin. I will never get over the feeling of pressing my lips to hers, tasting her, smelling her, feeling her. It's intoxicating.

I thought my feelings for Cass were intense when I couldn't have her and only dreamed of touching her. It was a deep ache, a longing for something beyond reach. Now, I know exactly how being with her feels and I only crave more. It's a permanent and unquenchable thirst that worsens with each moment I spend with her.

Cass pulls those perfect lips away gently and I let out a low groan, not wanting our kiss to end, making her chuckle warmly. I reluctantly pull back and come face to face with Cass's breathtaking grin, her cheeks tinted pink.

"Later," Cass teases lowly, her eyes crinkling with amusement before she gracefully turns and makes her way through the living room. My chest is tight with tenderness as I watch her walk away, send me one last look, and slip out the door.

The front door closes softly, leaving me standing there, fixated on the spot where Cass just was moments ago. My thoughts revolve around her, her presence lingering.

Eventually, I remind myself of all my responsibilities and tasks I have- those that don't involve indulging in fantasies about the woman that consumes my very being. With a determined exhale, I turn towards the kitchen to make Judith breakfast. She should be waking up soon.

As my gaze lifts to the kitchen, my steps come to an abrupt halt. There, nursing a coffee and cooly leaning against the island, is Carol.

She raises her eyebrows and smirks with clear amusement, her eyes twinkling in delight, obviously having seen everything.

"Carol, I-uh didn't see you there," I stutter, caught off guard.

How did we not see her?

Clearing my throat, I regain my composure and walk into the kitchen. Carol smiles knowingly as she sets her coffee mug on the countertop, her eyes following me as I walk past her.

"Neither did Cass, it seems," Carol muses casually, a playful lilt in her voice that makes me cringe as I search through the cupboard for Judith's applesauce.

Shit.

"No, I guess not. She's, uh, looking for Sophia. Needs to talk to her about something," I comment, attempting to keep my voice casual despite my racing heartbeat.

Carol just hums in thought from across the island as I turn around to retrieve Judith's plastic bowl and spoon from the sink to wash them.

"Hmm. To me, it looked like you two were makin' out while you groped her ass." Carol comments frankly, making me fumble with Judith's bowl, narrowly dropping it in the sink. I let out a breathy chuckle, feeling the heat rise up my face.

"Carol-"

"You're going to treat her right. Aren't you?" Carol cuts me off, her tone sharp enough to stop me. I meet her gaze as she stares back at me unflinchingly, her expression stern as she crosses her arms and waits for my answer.

"Of course," I reply without hesitation, my eyebrows drawn together with slight hurt that she feels like she needs to ask me that.

Carol's eyes linger on me. Then she nods before casting her gaze down with a thoughtful expression. "We both know she's been through enough. She deserves this. Just make sure you deserve her." Carol lectures me, her voice deep in emotion, her eyes lifting to meet mine in a shared understanding.

"I'm painfully aware of what she's been through, believe me. As for deserving her, I don't know if I ever will. But I'll make damn sure to make her as happy as I possibly can." I assure Carol, a mixture of determination and vulnerability twisting in my chest.

Carol's face twitches with a smile and she nods in approval. "Good," She replies simply as she takes a sip of her coffee, making me mirror a smile as I go back to cleaning my daughter's bowl.

"And it looks like she practically skipped outta here, so keep up the good work cowboy," Carol jokes with a bold smirk, her words making me stop and send her a deadpanned expression, attempting to suppress my grin.

"Enough of that," I playfully chastise Carol with raised eyebrows, pointing the sponge at her, a light feeling settling in my chest. It feels nice to be able to tell someone else just how much I really care about Cass.

"I'm just glad it finally happened, it was painfully obvious back at the creek a few weeks ago," Carol comments teasingly, making me sigh, still not being able to suppress my grin.

"Tell me about it," I respond candidly, making Carol smile warmly, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

There's a pause. And then her smile fades.

"We need to talk about Pete." Carol begins, her tone shifting drastically, the former playfulness far gone. My heart drops in response. Swallowing hard, I gingerly place the sponge down, my stomach coiling with unease.

"I know. I'm going to talk to Deanna after I give Judith breakfast." I inform Carol, anxiety and concern running rampant through my veins.

"'Talk to Deanna'? No, Rick, you need to kill him." Carol argues roughly, her eyes alight with fury.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I grip the edge of the sink. "Carol-"

"How is this even a question? We don't tolerate this bullshit. After avoiding killing got all of us stranded and nearly dying out there, I would think this would be the obvious answer!" Carol vents passionately, her eyes searching mine wildly.

"What about me, Sophia, Daryl- Cass? Each of us has been in Jessie's shoes and you're just going to 'talk'? If you really cared about Cassandra-"

"-I'm doing this because I love her." I interrupt firmly through gritted teeth, my voice commanding enough that Carol stops and blinks at me in surprise. I exhale sharply through my nose, trying to steady my racing heart having just admitted something I've only ever thought to myself.

"We are safe here. Cass is safe here." I say steadily, looking intently into Carol's eyes. "Trust me, I want nothing more than to make that asshole pay. But I know it will only make things worse. I can't risk our family being out there again. I can't." I breathe honestly, shaking my head and looking down.

"But-"

"Carol, just think. Remember when we found Herschel's barn of walkers? I can still see the fear and disgust on all of your faces when Glenn told us." I remind her, causing Carol to pause.

"You all thought Herschel was insane. But we know he was a good man. He just wasn't ready to face the real world yet. These people are the same. They're still there." I reason with Carol, searching her expression as she averts her gaze.

"Well, they need to face reality," Carol responds disapprovingly as she crosses her arms. I let out a quiet exhale of relief knowing that this is her giving in.

"I agree. But we have to play it safe. And smart." I remind Carol, making her nod thoughtfully.

We discuss a plan to talk to Deanna together, to get both of our perspectives across. After our discussion, I grab Judith's bowl of applesauce and begin to head upstairs to feed her.

I get halfway up the stairs when a sudden burst of sound stops me- the front door slamming open, a flurry of running footsteps, and Carol's voice laden with worry as demands, "What happened?"

My heart sinks, a chill running down my spine at Carol's tone. I quickly jog back down the steps, looking around wildly. Rounding the corner, I spot Tara standing in front of Carol in the kitchen, hyperventilating.

"Tara?" I question in confusion, my heart pounding as Tara whirls to face me, her face contorted with worry.

"S-Something happened," Tara confesses through her shuddering breaths, her eyebrows knit together with clear panic.

"To Cass."

It feels like the air has been ripped from my lungs, my chest constricting as I draw in a shuddering breath from just two words.

A deafening ringing aches my ears, drowning out all other noise as I watch through a stunned haze as Tara explains in a frenzy that Pete attacked the woman I love. That when Tara walked into the infirmary, she saw that disgusting coward throwing himself onto Cass- my Cass.

When Tara saw he was groping her, she rushed forward to help just as Cass shoved the coward off. Cass apparently then walked off, storming past Tara before she could stop her.

I close my eyes, physical pain aching my chest as I try not to picture Cass being hurt by him. Just moments after I told her she was safe with me.

God, I hope she's okay.

As I take in a few deep breaths, that pain, hurt, and aching empathy for Cass begins to morph into something else entirely.

It darkens, churning and twisting until it's a mangled knot of raw and unbridled rage. It's a massive boulder, lodged in my chest, pulling every inch of me into a dark, snarled, and maddened frenzy.

My whole body thrums with anger, a seething fury that echoes the maddened rage I felt on the road—now bubbling to the surface, fierce and unrelenting.

I'd pushed that anger down since we came here in an attempt to ensure my family's safety. To pretend so that they can fit in and be safe.

And now, I'm reminded that in order to actually protect them, I need to use it.

Blinking through my reddening vision, I focus on the pair of women, clenching my jaw to try to ease the intense fury within me. My grip on Judith's plastic bowl is so tight that if it were glass it would be shattered.

"Where." I demand through gritted teeth, my voice low and rumbling in my ears. I glimpse a flash of terror in Tara's wide eyes at my tone as she turns to me.

"His house, I think," Tara answers breathlessly. "I'm so sorry, I was going to help but she got him off before I could-"

"It's alright." I cut her off, suppressing my anger enough to not take it out on her, the innocent bystander. I turn to Carol, who watches me carefully. "Feed Judith for me while I deal with him," I growl with a clenched jaw as I extend Judith's bowl to Carol.

Taking the bowl without objection, Carol doesn't say a word as I turn and storm out of the house. Tara's cries fade quickly, overpowered as I slam the door shut behind me, so loud it makes the near passerby jump.

With every seething step toward the house in my haze of crazed anger, the rage only builds. By the time I reach the front steps of the Anderson house, I can barely breathe with all the anger and adrenaline surging through my veins.

I don't remember knocking, just the door swinging open as I come face to face with Jessie, whose eyes widen when she sees me. She weakly stutters something about how it's not a good time, but I just gently push past her, scanning their home for him.

Beneath my hardened brow, I scour the room until I spot him. Standing in their kitchen, nursing a good ol' morning beer.

Pete turns, his eyes lazily meeting my face. When he sees my furious expression, he simply scoffs and rolls his eyes with annoyance.

Tilting my head to the side intimidatingly, I narrow my eyes, studying his arrogance as he glares daringly back at me. He has no idea who he's looking down at.

No idea of what I'm capable of- what I've done.

...and what I'm about to do to him.

[ A/N: *screeches into pillow* ]

The surge of anger is so overpowering that simply talking to him feels inadequate. Words won't do justice to the rage twisting painfully in my chest- I need him to feel it.

Stalking over to the kitchen quickly, I let my overwhelming rage peak, ripping the beer bottle from Pete's startled grasp and slamming it against his head.

Sick satisfaction bursts in my chest as the thick brown glass shatters across his thick skull. Both he and Jessie cry out as the liquid explodes over him, mixing with the fresh blood now spewing from his head wound.

Grabbing him by the collar while he's slowed, I tear Pete away from the counter and slam him into the white cabinets on the nearby wall, so forcefully that my muscles burn with effort.

The blundering idiot collapses on the floor, sputtering and coughing heaving breaths, blood and beer still trickling down his face.

"Rick! Stop it, please!" Jessie's distant voice pleads with me, but I ignore her.

Crouching down in front of him, I roughly grab Pete's jaw, twisting it aggressively to force him to look at me. He blinks slowly, panting in short bursts through his nose like a panicked animal.

This is probably how he made Cass feel. Terrified and panicked as he attacked her. Imagining the fear she must have felt-

Gritting my teeth through the rush of vivid anger, I tighten my grip hard enough to shatter his jawbone as my gaze bores into his.

"You think you can attack my people? That you have the right to touch her?" I snarl roughly, my voice shaking with raw and unbridled anger.

Pete coughs, his drunken haze obvious, a mixture of hurt and confusion clouding his eyes.

"She was..." Pete begins weakly, blinking through what must be pain. I remember with satisfaction this is his second time getting thrown on his ass today, according to Tara. Knowing Cass's strength, it probably fucking hurt.

"She was what?" I snap, my breathing ragged as I jerk his jaw roughly, compelling him to speak the fuck up.

Pete's faded blue eyes slowly rise to meet mine. "-Asking for it." he finishes smugly, a predatory smirk curling at his lips. I drop his jaw.

That look is a dagger to my chest, a mockery of the pain he's inflicted.

I thought I was angry before.

I thought I knew anger when Tara first told me about what happened. When I ripped the throat out of that asshole and beat his friend to death for touching Carl. When I punched Spencer then killed him for what he did to Cass. I thought I had truly experienced anger.

But this?

Pete's infuriating three words ignite the rage which had been dwindling slightly with an even harsher intensity. The wrath claws and gnashes within me, demanding to inflict pain mercilessly. And this time, I don't suppress it.

Yanking the pathetic excuse for a man to his feet, I begin to slam my fist into his hideous face repeatedly. Blow after blow lands, the satisfying thud of my knuckles meeting flesh filling my ears.

Pete lets out steady and low noises of pain with each hit as he struggles against my onslaught. In a sudden surge of strength, he pushes me away, his fists clenched. I step back, glowering at him while I flex my right hand to ease my already aching knuckles.

When Pete lurches forward to punch me, I easily sidestep him, feeling the rush of displaced air as his fist flies past me. He clumsily stumbles into the counter on the far side of the kitchen.

With a clenched jaw, I stalk after him, fueled by an unwavering need to protect the woman I love. Seeing me coming, Pete retreats from the kitchen, backing into the living room, his eyes wide.

Moving faster than I thought possible, I reach him quickly and deliver a gut punch that forces him to double over. I follow this swiftly with a knee to his stomach that sends him staggering into the wall with a thud. His wife cries out in the back of my faded hearing.

Blood drips from Pete's split lip as he attempts to stay on his feet. "You're insane," Pete wheezes through gritted teeth, trying to catch his breath, his face already swelling- a sight that brings me joy.

Insane.

Maybe I am. Insane with love, insane with rage. It doesn't matter.

I surge forward, seize his collar, and slam him against the wall with a force that reverberates through both of us. Pete's head smacks against the plaster and his eyes roll back momentarily.

"Nobody hurts her," I snarl intimidatingly, my fingers tightening around his sweat-soaked collar, aching to strangle him. But I won't. He hasn't felt enough pain yet.

Pete retaliates with a swift strike at my abdomen. I try to dodge but his surprisingly strong blow connects, knocking the wind out of me as his fat knee slams into my stomach. Gritting my teeth, I stand my ground, breathing heavily through the dull pain pulsing through my abdomen.

Pete's gurgled battle cry rings out, and he lunges again, surging forward and punching me square in the face, so fast I don't have time to swerve out of the way. I falter back, my chest heaving as I spit out my mouthful of blood on their hardwood floors.

The lingering metallic taste in my mouth only fuels my determination and overwhelming rage as I fight back, grabbing his shoulders and punching his midsection repeatedly as he writhes and grunts as he tries to get away from me.

Somewhere behind me, Jessie's cries cut through the chaos as I throw her husband onto their coffee table, the wooden legs buckling and breaking under the impact. Both Pete and the table crash to the floor, his groans merging with the sound of splintering wood as he clutches his abdomen.

"Get. Up." I bark roughly.

Pete manages to do as I demand, swaying with determination as he gets to his feet, his glare locked onto mine.

A growl of anger escapes him before he pounces and collides with me, his momentum sending us crashing through their large living room window. Glass shards rain down, collecting on my skin as we tumble through the air, the impact on the hard asphalt sending shockwaves of pain through my body.

Gasping hoarsely as the breath gets knocked out of my chest, I stare up at the cloudy sky, the brisk air searing my lungs.

That idiot really just threw us through his window.

F uck this guy.

Coughing and blinking through the pounding in my skull, I look around for the nearby source of grunts of pain.

There lays Pete, coughing, blood dribbling down the side of his mouth, the stale smell of beer still on him, along with the rank stench of his sweat and blood.

Around us, the concerned townspeople have gathered, their shouts and gasps filling the air as I crawl toward Pete and begin to unleash my fury upon him once again.

With each blow, my knuckles ache, the skin tearing and bleeding, but I'm beyond caring at this point. Not until he feels the depth of my rage.

There's screaming and shouting filling my ears as I black out. All that matters, all I can focus on, is delivering the pain he caused-Cass's pain-back onto him.

My knuckles meet his warm, wet face repeatedly, making a sick satisfaction curl within me.

A twisted delight surges through me as I relentlessly pummel his unmoving body. My hand is growing numb, but it doesn't matter.

All that matters is making him feel the same agony he inflicted.

Over and over and over.

- Cass's POV -

I spare one final glance at Pete's unconscious body on the patient bed in the operating room. The new stitches that now line his face don't improve his red and bloated look. Nor does his large bandage wrapped around his head where I fixed a superficial yet large gash on his scalp. No idea how that happened.

As I look at the man who attacked me, hours ago now, I take satisfaction in his unconscious and swollen face. Far from the predatory expression he had given me when he thought he was going to get away with hurting me.

God knows what would have happened if I wasn't who I am now. If I was someone unable to defend herself.

A chill runs down my spine at the thought.

I still can't believe how badly Rick beat him, especially considering how unscathed he is in comparison. I was furious before when Glenn and Maggie first brought him in- when I thought it was an even fight. That they both suffered equally and Rick put himself in harm's way.

That was before I saw the remnants of the man on the table now, beaten to a pulp.

It's not entirely surprising, given Rick's strong skill of fighting. Yet, seeing this- this display of raw aggression and power- stirs a mixture of emotions within me. A flurry of nerves flits through my abdomen as I realize the anger he must have felt.

Because of what Pete did to me.

To think that Rick really holds that much concern for me, to the point of incapacitating someone as dangerous as Pete, is something that both startles and touches me deeply.

He really cares that much.

I've never been with a man like that- a man that will never lay a finger on me and viscerally destroy anyone that does.

Inhaling sharply, I turn and push open the door from the operating room, reminding myself of my responsibilities.

Rounding the corner, I enter the nearly silent main room of the infirmary, the only sound being the low and constant rumbling of quiet and scattered conversations.

The room is divided in two. On one side, a good chunk of our family clusters around Rick, who still sits on the same patient bed as before while Denise treats his superficial wounds.

He looks completely fine now, with only a few small white bandages scattered across his face. I think most of the blood on him before was Pete's. I glance down at his right hand, now swaddled with bandages to help his split and bruised knuckles.

Denise tends to the little glass cuts on his arms, swabbing them with hydrogen peroxide. She has already given him the medications I told her to- antihistamines to help his swelling and painkillers to alleviate his pain. Our family watches this process intently, talking quietly amongst themselves.

On the other side of the infirmary, a group of Alexandria community members are squeezed into the kitchen area. Among them, Deanna is in the center, offering comfort to a trembling Jessie. My gaze moves across the group, noticing the anxious glances directed toward Rick. There are so many fearful looks sent his way I wonder if they witnessed the fight themselves.

The tension in the room is palpable, thick with concern and uneasiness.

Great.

Jessie notices first when I walk in, making her stumble forward, her expression hopeful and her hands clasped in front of her chest.

I offer her an empathetic smile. "He's going to be fine," I assure Jessie quickly, making her sag with relief, her face crumpling with emotion. She collapses back onto the nearby barstool, sobbing as Deanna rubs her back.

Gulping, I near them, purposefully not looking at my side of the room.

"He needed quite a bit of stitches on his face and scalp. There will be swelling for a while and we will need to watch him for infection. But he has no severe head trauma and he responded well to his neurological check. The worst injuries are his broken nose and three fractured ribs." I inform his sobbing wife, the heaviness of the information hanging in the air.

Deanna shakes her head in disbelief, her hand delicately covering her mouth. The gathered community members behind her murmur lowly at the news, hushed and afraid.

"It will take a while for him to recover. But he'll live." I confirm with finality to Jessie gently. Her response to my words is only more crying, making me wonder if she's crying out of relief because he'll live or fear over what him living means for her family.

"Shame." Rick comments bitterly, loud enough to make the Alexandria people near me gasp. I whip my head in his direction to send him a sharp look of warning.

"Do you really have that little remorse?" Deanna demands loudly, her voice firm with a mix of incredulity and reproach as she glares at him, making Rick exhale with exasperation.

"When it comes to punishing a man for his disgusting crimes? No, I don't." Rick snaps right back, his voice a rough edge and expression full of disgust.

"Rick- please," I interject warily, making him pause, his fierce blue eyes darting over to mine. Reading my expression, my plea for him to stop, he yields with a nod.

Deanna turns her fuming focus on me. "You said you would work with me. We didn't agree to this," Deanna snaps, anger evident behind her intense glare.

"I had no idea this was going to happen. I'm sorry." I tell Deanna calmly and frankly, sparing a look at Rick, who shamelessly looks back at me, not a trace of regret on his expression.

"But I hope you can sympathize with us. Because if one of my people sexually assaulted one of yours, I would expect you would be very upset." I point out tersely, making Deanna purse her lips with frustration.

The rest of her community members shift uncomfortably at my words, clearly not having heard the entire story.

But Deanna remains steadfast, her determination unwavering. "If they did, we would conduct a trial to determine their guilt and a just punishment," she declares stubbornly, prompting several of my family members to express their disbelief with audible scoffs.

Deanna whirls on them "I don't know about you, but I still believe in society and our justice system. That everyone deserves a fair and just trial." She lectures my family members with conviction, all of whom watch her with dry amusement.

"Alright then. Everyone does?" I ask pointedly, making Deanna pause and turn back to face me. Her eyes squint slightly as she assesses me.

"Because I recall hearing you say to your people only half an hour ago that you should exile us. That not just Rick, but all of us should be kicked out. I wouldn't call that 'fair'." I argue flatly, crossing my arms across my chest as I point out her inconsistency.

Deanna huffs.

"I get it, what Rick did was horrible. And I never approved of it," I begin loud and clearly, glimpsing Rick shift slightly in my peripheral vision.

"But he was just protecting his people in the only way he knows how. You are all stuck in the way the world used to be, and I understand that. We were all there once. But you need to realize that's not the way things are anymore. And the reality is, without the proper consequences, bad people only get worse." I inform Deanna sternly, sparing a glance around the community members behind her.

"Rick used to insist that we never kill the living. But that was before they tried to kill us. It seems barbaric, I know that. But it is how you survive." I assert fervently, watching as a ripple of discomfort goes through the Alexandria group as they digest the information.

"We can't have people beating each other- killing each other -in our streets," Deanna argues, standing her ground.

"I'm not telling you that's okay, I'm asking you to have some perspective" I snap, my patience wearing thin.

"Well, we don't share that 'perspective'," Deanna replies haughtily.

Exhaling sharply with frustration, I place my hands on my hips as I realize that I'm not getting anywhere.

This will be harder than I thought.

"We will give it a few days and then have a meeting. Outside my home, where we can discuss the situation to see what we do." Deanna decides, leaving little room for another option.

"Alright. We'll be there," I concede, deciding for my family members, hoping they agree.

"Rick needs to be held in one of our cells until then," Deanna insists defiantly, her eyebrows raised expectantly.

My family shifts uneasily, tension rising as they look at each other with concern.

"No." I respond fiercely and decisively, making Deanna blink in surprise at my intensity.

"No?" Deanna repeats, her eyebrows raised.

"I refuse to have Rick locked away for defending his family. Not when Pete is staying safe and sound in his own infirmary after attacking me. Rick might have a concussion- he needs eyes on him to make sure he's okay," I argue, steadfast in my dedication.

Deanna pushes back, her resolve unyielding. "He's not running free after nearly killing a man," Deanna snaps. Reg steps forward, placing his hand on his wife's shoulder, making her flinch before her body relaxes slightly.

"House arrest then. Station your men out front to make sure he stays there." I offer as an alternative, raising my eyebrows as I watch Deanna think it over.

She looks at me for a moment.

"Fine." Deanna submits with one final nod before turning and storming out of the building, the community members quickly following her. Reg nods once at me, sympathy behind his eyes before he leaves as well.

I feel myself relax slightly, the buzzing nerves under my skin subsiding as they leave.

Still sniffling, Jessie comes up to me, her eyes clouded with tears, making my attention shift to her. "Can I see Pete?" She asks me quietly, her bottom lip quivering, pain behind her eyes.

A spark of sympathy pangs in my chest.

"Yeah, he's still asleep and will be for a while, but he's in there," I inform her, nodding to the room he resides in. Jessie nods to me gratefully and walks over.

As her hand hovers on the doorknob, she pivots back to face me, her brows knitted together in thought. "I'm sorry- for what he did to you," she offers quietly, the sincerity of her apology apparent in her voice as she turns back around to reunite with her husband.

Exhaling steadily through my nose, I look back at my family. Their expectant eyes are fixed on me, a myriad of expressions across their faces.

"Alright, let's go home and figure out what the hell we're going to do," I sigh, my voice bearing the weight of exhaustion and determination. Not waiting for them because I know they'll follow, I head out of the building, eager to leave the place I was assaulted.

As I cross the street, I still feel the lingering anxiety of confronting Deanna like that in front of everyone, my hands still trembling. We thankfully get back to our house quickly and I hold the door open for my family to file inside. Tyreese offers me a compassionate look as he walks in and I smile back. He's always been so kind.

"You're a badass," Michonne quickly tells me under her breath as she passes, making me smile back at her as she pats my shoulder proudly.

The lingering tension in my chest begins to ease as I ensure that everyone gets in safely and lock the door behind us. As I click the lock, I spot two of Deanna's men showing up to stand watch on the sidewalk in front of our house. Already.

Scoffing with disbelief, I turn back to my family. The group's restlessness has subsided somewhat, their hushed conversations filling the air with a low murmur. With the assurance that everyone is accounted for and within the safety of our home, I scan the room briefly before my focus narrows on Rick near the kitchen. His face is solemn as he speaks with Daryl, unlike the persistent anger his expression held before.

Determination courses through my veins, propelling me forward in quick strides. A flicker of surprise passes over Rick's expression as his gaze locks onto mine. His eyes widen and his skin pales slightly seeing me storm toward him.

"Cass, I'm sor-"

But I don't let the idiot complete his apology, swiftly enveloping him in a tight embrace. A slight grunt of pain escapes him as I practically slam into his body, ungracefully flinging my arms around his neck. Rick responds by gently encircling his arms around my back, gingerly hugging me back.

Burrowing my face into the crook of his neck, the emotional dam within me cracks. Tears flow freely as I inhale his familiar scent, finding comfort in knowing that Pete can't hurt me here in Rick's arms.

I hear the rest of the group quiet down slightly before dispersing, talking amongst themselves as Rick and I embrace.

"He scared me," I whisper under my breath, making Rick's grip on my waist tighten at the vulnerability in my shaking voice.

"I'm sorry," Rick breathes in response, his voice a tender rasp. I can feel his heartbeat through my skin, the even pounding easing the tension tightly enveloping my chest.

"It's okay. He can't hurt me now," I reply quietly as I press my entire body flush against Rick's, trying my best to hear my own words and let them sink in.

"No, he can't." Rick replies firmly, easing any lingering uncertainty, making me feel safer than I have in hours.

We stay there for a moment, frozen in our moment of comfort and familiarity. I can feel myself calm with every second, eternally grateful that I can hug him like this whenever I want.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you," Rick murmurs, breaking the comfortable silence as if the thought has been weighing on him heavily for a while. I can feel his Adam's apple bob against my cheek and there's a vulnerability in his voice that I don't miss.

Frowning, I lift my head slightly, meeting his gaze with sincerity. "You only scared me when you came into that infirmary bleeding. I thought you..." I trail off breathlessly before shaking my head.

"You could have been seriously hurt and that terrified me," I express candidly as I blink back tears at the idea, making Rick pull back slightly, clear regret written across his expression.

"But what you did to Pete- that doesn't scare me. Or make me angry. If I were in your shoes, or God forbid someone hurt one of the kids-" I stop myself with a sharp inhale and avert my gaze, pulling away from our long hug and crossing my arms across my chest.

"I don't know if I would have been able to stop," I admit honestly with a shrug, meeting Rick's gaze once again.

Clear relief floods his expression, visibly relaxing as I remind him firmly that he's not the only one who will fiercely protect our family.

"I only stopped because Michonne knocked me 'round the head," Rick informs me dryly under his breath, making me crack a grin.

Glancing over Michonne now, speaking with Carl and Daryl, I feel extremely grateful that she did. She's much smarter than me and Rick.

If Rick wasn't stopped and he did kill Pete, we would be in a far worse situation.

"I thought you were furious," Rick comments thoughtfully, making me turn to meet his confused expression. To be fair, I don't blame him. I guess my conviction was believable when I spoke with Deanna.

Quirking a knowing smile, I tilt my head to the side. "I may have exaggerated my frustration with you- for Deanna's sake," I admit through my smile, making a relieved grin flutter across his handsome features.

"Wow." Rick responds, raising his eyebrows and angling his head to the side as he gazes at me, pride gleaming in his eyes.

"Come on, give me some credit," I add under my breath with a grin before turning to check on the rest of our family members, feeling a sense of pride knowing I successfully lied.

___

 A/N: Hmm, that looks like jealous Rick to me... hehe

___

- Rick's POV -

The rest of the day is consumed with discussions and debates that range far and wide. Arguments span from leaving Alexandria, taking it for our own, and simply giving up.

The deliberation continues as I try to emphasize how much I don't want them to fight on my behalf. Michonne eventually shuts me up when she firmly reminds me of the countless times I've risked my life for them and 'If you want this to work, you need to shut your damn mouth'.

I gave in after that.

Somewhere along the heated discussions and arguments, exhaustion catches up with us. I'm not sure when, but I fell asleep on the living room couch alongside the others.

Just after one conflict, we've returned to our past distrust, a blunt reminder that this place isn't our home. We are. And we need to stick together.

The next morning, I wake up early to the sight of my family sprawled across the living room. The space resonates with the rhythm of deep breathing and Abraham's unmistakable snoring. Taking a brief survey of the room, I quickly spot Carl on the floor and Cass on the couch opposite me.

Knowing Judith was put to bed upstairs, relief brims under my skin confirming that my family is here with me, safe and sound.

I sit up and suppress a groan, rubbing my aching head. I must have hit it pretty hard yesterday on the asphalt. Cass mentioned something about a concussion to Deanna- I'll make a note to ask her when she wakes up.

My gaze drifts to Cass's sleeping figure on the couch, her mouth hanging open as she snores softly. I can't help but grin at the unflattering look still looking beautiful on her.

Even snoring she's pretty. It's ridiculous.

Carefully stepping over my family's sleeping bodies, I go upstairs to check that Judith is okay. After ensuring that she's still asleep in her crib without needing a change, I return downstairs.

My right hand, the knuckles especially, throb with aches of pain. The white bandages are now stained with blood, a minor annoyance that nags at me. Shaking my head in irritation, I make my way across the floorboards toward the kitchen, to find the meds Cass thoughtfully laid out for me.

I notice a few of my family members are awake after the few minutes I spent upstairs. Glenn and Maggie are sitting beside the window, speaking softly. Eugene is studying a large book underneath the dining room table. Sasha is sitting by one of the windows, looking out emotionless. And Abraham is still snoring.

A faint smile tugs at my lips as I step further into the kitchen, beelining for my medications. I furrow my brows in irritation as I struggle to open the small orange bottle with my injured hand. Damnit.

"Here," A voice interrupts my struggle softly behind me, surprising me. I turn to find Cass standing there, her sleepy yet warm smile easing my lingering irritation.

She takes the bottle from my hands and pops open the cap easily, pouring out two blue pills and handing them over to me with a small smile. My irritation has already subsided as I smile back at her in thanks.

I accept the two round pills, purposefully allowing my fingers to linger a second longer than they need to as I skim her palm, making her eyelids flutter slightly.

"Thank you," I tell her softly, keeping my voice low to not wake our family, enjoying her slightly flustered expression.

Cass simply nods once before brushing past me gently, her hand covertly grazing my back before going to brew some coffee. Turning my head, I watch her for a minute, full of adoration as I watch her navigate the kitchen with an ease that makes it seem like she's always belonged here.

The simple act of her making coffee in this nice kitchen, a picture of domesticity, stirs a mixture of emotions in me. I never thought we could be living like this. A life where we could find a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos that is our life.

And now I probably ruined it for us. I reminded myself, making my chest clench with anxiety.

As I watch the woman I love, I make a silent promise to myself. That I refuse to let our hard-earned safety slip away.

I'll fight tooth and nail, do whatever it takes, to ensure that my family remains safe and secure within these walls.

The tranquility of our morning is abruptly broken by a relentless pounding on the front door, jolting those still sleeping violently awake with groans of annoyance. My throbbing headache intensifies, and I clench my jaw in frustration, wondering who on earth could be disturbing us at this ungodly hour.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down despite the irritation boiling under my skin. The memory of what I did yesterday looms over me, a stark reminder of what happens when I let my anger get the better of me.

I'm brought out of my thoughts as Cass rushes past me, leaving the kettle on the stove, her determination and concern clear.

Furrowing my brows, I sidestep out of the kitchen, squinting my eyes as I spot Cass helping a bleeding man into the room.

Spencer?

Deanna's son comes in, apologizing profusely as blood dribbles through his fingers clamped over the large gash on his arm. A green-looking Denise follows him, her face pulled in worry.

I near the unfolding scene as Cass quickly sits on the ottoman, positioning herself in front of Spencer as he's hastily plopped on the checkered armchair in the corner. My family members quickly move out of the way, a few leaving the room altogether.

As I walk over to Cass, Spencer, and Denise, I manage to catch the tail end of Spencer's hurried rambling.

"... in the infirmary unconscious, and Denise said she can't help me, so- I'm sorry- but I'm here," Spencer stutters helplessly, blinking at Cass in panic.

Cass quickly nods with focused determination as she turns to the nearest person on her left, Carl, asking him to grab some towels. As Carl hurries off with a nod, Cass diverts her attention to Denise, quickly listing off the supplies she needs her to grab from the infirmary- now.

In the midst of chaos, Cass remains a steady force, handling the situation with a calm no one else seems to have. Especially as we realize the severity of Spencer's cut as his blood continues steadily trickle onto the floor.

Carl returns and hastily hands the towel to Cass, who expertly wraps it around Spencer's arm. Cass then squeezes it securely, so tight that it causes the tendons around her wrists to pop out slightly.

"Wow uh, that's snug," Spencer winces, earning a breathy chuckle from Cass.

"Well, it's better than bleeding out," She mutters under her breath, glancing over at me, somehow sensing my staring. I send her an impressed look, making her look away quickly to hide her grin and focus back on her patient.

I watch Cass exhale sharply with shock as the towel under her tight grip saturates with blood, a sight that makes even my stomach crawl. I step forward with concern as Cass whirls around, her eyes squinted as they fervently search the room.

"Cass?" I ask, walking up with the hopes of helping her with whatever she's searching for.

My voice breaks through her racing thoughts, and she blinks up at me, her lips parting. Then her gaze drops to my crotch making my stomach flip in surprise, nerves sparking through me at the familiar sight. Remembering clearly how she looked in the shower, on her knees-

Cass lets out a huff of disappointment and looks away shaking her head, her eyebrows knitted together.

See that look, I'm not used to.

"Rick, hold this. You know to apply pressure right?" Cass asks me, her voice assertive as she rises, her eyes locked onto mine. I nod so she hurridly motions for me to take over. Without hesitation, I wrap my hands around Spencer's forearm, gripping the towel tightly as Cass skillfully moves aside.

What is she doing?

"I'm going to take this off to stop the bleeding, okay?" She addresses Spencer quickly and clearly, but the guy only blinks at her in confusion.

Despite my iron grip around the kid's forearm, the towel is only getting more drenched with blood. He must have cut an artery, it's the only explanation for all this damn blood.

My attention is shifted as I catch sight of Cass's hands flying towards Spencer's belt, making my eyebrows shoot to my hairline, shock flickering through me. Spencer seems to have the same reaction as me, only more severe. His eyes are as wide as saucers and his face immediately flames bright red as Cass's fingers deftly unbuckle his belt and rip it off his waist.

The kid is left a stuttering and flustered mess as Cass steps back with his belt before she wraps and secures it tightly around his armpit. Tight enough that it makes Spencer cringe once again in pain, the skin around the belt turning white.

Right then, Denise comes crashing through the front door, visibly out of breath and arms full of medical supplies- gauze, suturing tools, and medications.

Cass nudges me out of the way, flashing me a quick smile of gratitude before hastily switching out the now-red towel with a bunch of fresh gauze. The split second before she can stuff the white fabric into the gash, an arc of blood spurts out of Spencer's wound, eliciting groans of disgust from our family members behind me.

Spencer's eyes flutter closed, his head lolling back as he loses consciousness.

Meanwhile, Cass moves with practiced speed, skillfully using the medical tools offered by Denise, her hands moving incredibly fast as she begins treating the kid. I back out of their way, my eyes trained solely on Cass.

I've never seen her like this, her skilled instincts taking over, her movements swift and precise as she treats him. Her eyebrows are drawn together in deep concentration as she alternates between suturing the wound and applying pressure to control the bleeding.

I have to admit, it's attractive as hell.

She wipes her forearm across her forehead with a sigh as Denise applies pressure. A nod to Denise signals the next step, and Cass resumes her work, completing the sutures with skillful expertise. It seems she actually sutured inside his arm as well, fixing the source of the bleeding.

Cass lets out a subtle sigh of relief a few minutes later as Denise applies some sort of solvent to the completed sutures. I watch as Cass sags slightly, flexes her hands, and cracks her neck, her eyes closed.

The gathered family members let out a few whoops and whistles, making me grin with pride. I catch Carl's impressed expression, looking interested as he watches Denise wrap the fixed wound.

Cass brushes off the praise, a bashful grin on her face.

I always knew Cass was an incredible surgeon, but actually seeing it is an entirely different thing. A thing that blows my mind with pride.

___

It's an hour or two later when Spencer finally comes to, groaning and attempting to move from his fetal position on our couch. Cass, who had been talking to Denise, Carl, and Tara nearby, turns to Spencer and rushes over to check on him.

She forces him back down as he tries to sit up, quickly checking his pupil response. I can't help but let out a breath of relief as Cass does, knowing then that he'll be fine.

I'm not sure his mother would ever forgive us if her son wound up mortally injured or dead because of us.

The tension in the room seems to subside significantly as we all realize he's going to be fine.

I resume my conversation with Daryl, Glenn, Carol, Maggie, and Michonne in the kitchen as we quietly discuss our options about my 'hearing' soon.

"I don't know why you're all so worried. If they vote against us, we take this place for our own," Carol shrugs as if the idea of taking an entire community with innocent people means nothing.

"Nah, we don't wanna do that," Daryl mutters, jerking his head to the side, indicating his disagreement.

"Why? It's not like it would be hard against those people," Carol counters, her eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

"Because then we'd be the Governor." I respond quickly, my mouth pulled at the corners in contempt at the memory of that asshole, making Carol pause, her eyes darting to mine. Maggie looks down, pain behind her expression.

"He has a point," Glenn says.

Carol purses her lips and nods. "But if it comes to it, we do it. For all of us." Carol decides, glancing around at the group.

Michonne, Glenn, Maggie, and Daryl don't say a word, simply nodding solemnly in agreement. When Carol looks at me, I do the same.

It's not ideal, but if it's what we have to do, we will. I promised myself such.

Looking away, my eyes inadvertently catch sight of Cass and Spencer. He's sitting up, looking completely fine now, an easy and playful grin playing on his lips as he talks to Cass.

In response, Cass wears that radiant smile of hers, her eyes intently focused on him, listening to him with kind politeness. Cass says something I can't hear, gesturing to his bandaged arm, probably giving him his post-op instructions.

Spencer nods and whatever he says next elicits a warm, chest-tightening laugh from Cass, making my heart sink.

My vision suddenly tunnels as Spencer reaches out his hand to rest on Cass's. Fierce jealousy suddenly creeps up my spine like a gnarled weed, spreading across my body and buzzing under my skin, making me clench my jaw with irritation.

He's flirting with her. And Cass is reciprocating- albeit in a friendly way. Because that's who she is, a considerate and amiable person who will talk easily with almost anyone.

But her friendliness is clearly enough to make him think he has a chance. Spencer inches even closer to her, his body language glaringly obvious as he gazes at her, his pupils shaped like damn hearts.

My jaw tightens as I watch the flirty encounter, my heartbeat pounding in my eardrums. As Spencer leans in closer, my heart clenches, that ever-persistent jealousy intensifying. It's as though an invisible rope jerks at my chest, demanding me to do something – to stake my claim.

But I remind myself that no one knows that she's taken. That she's mine and I'm hers.

Cass is her own person, free to talk to whomever she wants. But I can't help the fierce possessiveness and jealousy gnashing within my chest, making it difficult to breathe. Because I know exactly what he's thinking and exactly what he wants.

And the way she's looking back at him...

Just when I feel like I'm about to lose my composure, Cass's green eyes flit over to meet mine and time stops.

Those beautiful eyes of hers flick quickly over my face and effortlessly read my expression, catching the jealousy I'm desperately trying and failing to control.

Then a smirk twitches across her lips, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. My pulse quickens as her attention shifts back to Spencer, suddenly engrossed in whatever he's saying.

Is she... doing this on purpose?

Leaning forward slightly, my eyes remain fixed on the conversation with a changed perspective, my heartbeat fast for an entirely new reason. Cass's eyebrows are raised in feigned interest, plastering on the mask of a curious listener. But I catch the subtle movements in her expression- the way the corners of her mouth twitch downward, suppressing a smile.

A wave of reassurance and satisfaction washes over me, mixing with the disbelief settling in my chest.

She is doing it on purpose, intentionally stoking the fire to see my reaction.

My eyes drift back to her captivating presence as she sneaks another glance my way, her eyes now crinkling with amusement, a knowing look behind her gaze.

My heart pounding in my chest, I tilt my head slightly, meeting her challenge with a look of my own that makes her cheeks flush.

Now this will be fun.

- Cass's POV -
that night

In the middle of removing my sweater, my bedroom door unexpectedly swings open, making me yelp, quickly covering up my chest. Whipping around, I'm met with the comforting sight of Rick standing in the doorway, a hint of amusement dancing behind his eyes.

"Oh, it's you. Close the door," I sigh in relief, tossing the sweater on the floor, leaving me in my bra and jeans. Rick does as I ask and leans against the closed doorframe, watching me from under his eyebrows, his arms crossed.

Glancing up from the dresser, my stomach flutters excitedly at the look he sends to me, similar to the one when he figured out my little ruse earlier.

I don't know what had come over me. It began with me simply talking to Spencer, just trying to make sure he didn't have any long-term damage from all the blood he lost.

I could tell by the shift in his demeanor that he was flirting, but I really didn't give a shit. I mean, Rick Grimes chose me, why the hell would I want anyone else?

But then as Spencer droned on, in my peripheral vision I noticed Rick shifting his attention to us, looking... tense.

And I just couldn't fight against the vivid excitement fluttering through me at the prospect of making Rick jealous. I've been jealous when it came to him so many times, it's hard to ever picture him being jealous over me.

So I may have encouraged the harmless flirting a tiny bit just to gauge Rick's reaction.

Oh, and did it pay off. Being able to see Rick's face, hardened with anger and jealousy, glaring down the guy I have absolutely zero interest in, was exciting as hell.

And then the look Rick sent me when he realized what I was doing- oh my god. It took everything in me to not jump his bones right then and there.

"You were unbelievable today, saving that kid," Rick compliments me quietly and sincerely, his voice breaking me out of my thoughts.

I stop my rummaging for a sleep shirt and turn to see his eyes already carefully trained on me, with such intensity behind them that it makes my pulse quicken.

"Thanks but- 'Kid'? Spencer's like 26." I point out with a grin. "Come on, give him a break," I add easily, relishing in the subtle tension that flickers across Rick's expression.

"Give him a break after he flirted with you?" Rick clarifies sarcastically, his nostrils flaring slightly. I can't help the pleased smirk that tugs at my lips, desire fluttering through me.

"Rick... are you jealous?" I question him slowly, my voice lilting with feigned surprise, tilting my head to the side and raising my eyebrows playfully.

"Am I 'jealous'?" Rick restates dryly, each of his nearing steps deliberate, his eyes burning with intensity. A wave of excitement and desire crashes through me, making goosebumps prick along my arms.

"Yeah. Are you?" I press further, my heart slamming against my ribcage as I look up at him expectantly.

"Cass, if a man looks at you like that teenager did earlier, I get..." Rick trails off, his eyes intently roaming my face as he steadily reduces the distance between us, his next words low and raw. "Very protective."

Rick's words send an electric bolt of desire between my legs, arousal pooling at the base of my spine.

"Oh? Think you'll lose me to a younger guy? That I'll want him more than you?" I ask teasingly, trying to keep up our charade despite my overwhelming and desperate need for Rick steadily growing. Rick shakes his head, a shadow of a grin on his face as he looks down.

"No. But I don't like it when men look at you like that, touch you like that. Because I know what they're thinking. And it makes me want to rip their throats out." Rick reveals lowly, making amazement and longing swirl in my chest. He's so close to me, I can feel the heat seeping from his body, only intensifying the anticipation tingling across my abdomen and between my legs.

"Well, you can't blame him, can you? I mean, to him and nearly everyone else here, I'm single. And a hot commodity I might add," I point out, not looking at Rick as I fight a cheeky smile. "Maybe you should do something about it," I shrug casually, pretending to focus on the clothes in my dresser.

"Oh, I'm going to do something about that, no question. Because you're mine," Rick responds, his voice low and rumbling, the wonderful sound reverberating through my body.

It takes everything in me to stay upright and not let my knees buckle at Rick saying that to me- the man I used to fawn over when he simply looked at me.

I turn to meet Rick's eyes as he gazes down at me, fire burning among the blue of his irises. "Prove it then." I respond defiantly, my breath already caught in my throat in anticipation.

In a split second, Rick's on me, immediately relieving my frantic, aching desire for his touch. His warm mouth meets mine, kissing me fervently as if he's been waiting just as impatiently as I have for this.

As his hands desperately and hungrily roam my partially bare torso, leaving a trail of fire behind them, I throw my arms around his neck, pulling myself closer to him. My hands run through his lovely hair, scratching his scalp with my nails, making Rick groan into our kiss. Satisfaction blooms in my chest at the sound while he pulls me closer to him.

His hot, treacherous hands run along my body, one grabbing my asscheek possessively through my jeans. Relief and pleasure course through me at the familiar touch that I have been craving all day.

Breaking our kiss, Rick's mouth moves, nestling in the crook between my neck and shoulder, making my nerves dance wildly under my skin at the sensation.

Letting out sighs of pleasure, I rake my hands through his wavy hair, pulling slightly and earning a perfect groan that sends vibrations across my neck.

"I didn't know that you were jealous back at the prison, so I never got to enjoy it. But seeing it today was driving me insane," I reveal breathily through my panting, my chest rising and falling rapidly at the way Rick's touching me.

"Is that right?" Rick murmurs lowly before sinking lower, trailing kisses along my chest, making that aching desire only increase with fervor. His tongue trails along the line where my breast and bra connect, eliciting chills up my arms.

"Mhmm," I reply, my voice high and pitchy, earning a grin from Rick that I feel against my red-hot skin as he kisses the stretch of skin between my breasts.

Then his fingers are unbuckling my jeans and pushing them out of the way. My skin is on fire, my stomach writhing with nerves and excitement as he undresses me.

Finally.

His fingers graze my soaked underwear, a primal noise leaving his lips as I tremble at his touch. "All for me?" Rick murmurs against my skin, making my heart spasm.

My head falls backward as his warm hands run up my now bare legs, leaving a trail of overwhelmed nerves behind them. "It's all for you," I breathe candidly, my chest tight with desire all the while he's kissing the sensitive skin on my hips, his mouth brushing across the waistband of my panties

Rick moans lowly against my skin at my words. "Good." He replies lowly before he slips his hands under the waistband of my underwear and finally touches me.

At the feeling of his fingers on my most sensitive, aching spot, my chest shudders and I fall back on the dresser behind me, my knees buckling. Gripping onto the edge of the dresser tightly, I bite my lip roughly to stop myself from moaning too loudly, grinding against Ric's hand with desperation. It feels different than before since he's using his left and uninjured hand, but god, it feels so fucking good.

"I'm yours, Rick. Oh God- I've always been yours," I sigh, my voice choked with lust as Rick expertly fingers me, the sensations overwhelming me and clouding my mind.

Rick groans at my words and before I know it, he's yanking down my underwear and nuzzling his mouth right where I desperately want it. My head gets thrown back in unbelievable pleasure as his tongue presses against my clit, eliciting an explosion of nerves.

"Jesus Christ," I swear under my breath, still not understanding how good he is at this. I've never felt this level of satisfaction in my life.

Fisting Rick's perfect hair, I can't think, can't talk, simply overpowered by the pleasure dominating my senses. I'm already close, making a whimper fall from my lips.

Rick's tongue presses flat against me, applying just the right amount of pressure. My breath catches in my throat, stopping myself from crying out in pleasure. He laps me up and I'm almost there, I feel my muscles clench as I'm just about to-

Before I can orgasm, the sensations are abruptly pulled away, making my eyes fly open in shock. My chest is rising and falling rapidly as I blink at Rick as he stands up.

"What are-" I start in utter confusion, my body instantly screaming in protest without him touching me anymore, throbbing with need.

A smirk pulls at the corner of Rick's glistening mouth as he takes in the flushed and heaving mess standing in front of him.

"Now you know how you make me feel, all the time." He says lowly through his heavy breathing, his voice nearly a growl. I raise my eyebrows, scoffing with disbelief.

"You're an asshole," I huff in frustration all the while not being able to help the vivid excitement twisting within me at the situation.

Rick tilts his head to the side in that characteristic way of his, licking his lips as he steps toward me, resting his hands on either side of the dresser behind me. "You think it's fun to tease me? Well, I'll tease you right back." He assures me smoothly, making me exhale sharply through my nose in frustration, pressing my thighs together to ease the desperation throbbing between them.

My hand snakes down to reduce my desire with some friction, desperate to feel something. Rick quickly steps forward, grabbing my wrist before I can touch myself, a dangerous glint flashing behind his eyes.

"Did I say you could touch yourself?" Rick asks me lowly, his expression darkened, eyebrows drawn together. Excitement flutters through me, not quite believing what's happening.

Rick pulls me flush against him and before I can say anything, he pushes his hips forward and grinds them against mine.

A shocked whimper leaves my lips but the slight friction of his hard crotch rubbing against me is pure torture. Enough to give me a semblance of pleasure without really satisfying it. A groan of frustration leaves my clenched teeth, desperate to really feel him.

"Please," I pant, gripping Rick's arms, holding onto him for dear life as his jean-clad erection slowly grinds against me. I don't need to look down to know that the front of his jeans are soaked with my arousal.

"Please... what?" Rick asks breathlessly, his voice hoarse in my ears through his heavy breathing. Thank god this is affecting him too, because this is killing me.

"I can't- I need-" I stutter, my grip on his shoulders only tightening, crumpling his white t-shirt.

"Use your words," Rick orders, grabbing my chin gently and tilting it up to look at him. His soft touch makes me melt into his hand, gazing up at those lust-ridden eyes. "Please... what?" He repeats expectantly, his dilated eyes scanning my expression.

I whine under my breath, giving up on my stubbornness, my need overwhelming me. "Jesus Rick, just fuck me," I pant desperately. His eyes darken, his lip curling into a smirk at my words.

"That's all you had to say," He rumbles beside my ear, making slight irritation flash through me. That irritation quickly disappears when he grabs me from under my ass, lifting me. My legs instinctively wrap around his torso, my soaked pussy riding up against his t-shirt, the sensation making my nerves flutter.

My back collides with the wall as Rick pushes me up against it, his breathing suddenly heavy. My trembling hands reach down, unfastening his belt quickly before pushing his jeans down. Rick kicks them behind him, capturing my lips in a heated kiss. I fumble with the hem of his shirt before ripping it off him. Rick helps me do this, leaning back and tossing the shirt to the side, something catching my eye as he does.

Before Rick can lean in and kiss me again, I stop him, my chest heaving as I press my hand against his abdomen. Rick pauses, blinking through his confusion, his eyebrows knitted together. But I'm only looking at his abdomen, focusing on the large bruise still tainting his skin.

With a feather-light touch, I gently graze the purple and red mark, my heart aching. Knowing he got hurt for me...

"I'm fine," Rick's steady and secure voice assures me softly, shaking me out of my thoughts and making me look up at him with a nod. But I'm not sure if I really believe him as I glance back at the large bruise.

"Need me to prove to you just how fine I feel?" Rick asks expectantly, pressing his hard length against my inner thigh, making me gasp at the sensation.

My eyes meet his again, blue meeting green. And I can tell the sincerity behind his gaze, true in his assurance. A smile quirks across my lips, and I nod quickly.

Exhaling and titling his head with satisfaction, Rick leans in, eagerly kissing me underneath my jaw, making me let out a sigh of pleasure.

Rick's fingers find my clit again, rubbing in a traitorously slow circle, making the burning in my center roar up with new fervor.

Satisfied with my readiness, Rick positions himself, sending extensive relief fluttering through me. He grabs my chin, making me look at him as he slowly drives himself into me. My eyes flutter closed at the sensation, my mouth falling open in satisfaction at the feeling of him finally being inside me again.

Rick kisses my open mouth, groaning into me as he slowly draws himself out. Even slower, he thrusts back in, only partially satisfying my raw desire and lust for him. I groan at the torturous pace, thrusting my hips forward- trying to get more friction to aid the burning desire deep within me.

"Patience," Rick murmurs into my mouth, grabbing my hips to stabilize them. Determined, I grasp onto his shoulders, pulling myself closer to his chest. I begin to slowly and steadily lick up from his collarbones to the underside of his jaw, all the while grinding my pelvis subtly against his. Rick shudders slightly, his grip on my hips weakening.

I grin, before slowly sucking a spot right underneath his jaw, making him groan at the sensation. His hips snap into mine, intense pleasure flickering through me as he does.

A moan slips from my lips and onto his skin and he can't help himself anymore. Rick's pace suddenly quickens, each deep and fast thrust easing that desperate need inside me. Thank fucking god. I bite the hot flesh of Rick's shoulder to stop myself from screaming out his name.

Rick's thrusts speed up, the sensations rapidly bringing me toward the edge. Not coming earlier has made it even more of an intense build-up, the familiar tingling sensation burning across my belly like wildfire.

"Oh god," I moan throatily into his skin as his hands come up and grasp my back, pulling me away from the wall and into his body. A desperate sound falls from his mouth as his hips snap in and out, faster and faster until I finally orgasm.

It practically rips through my center, the release my body has been begging for. Fireworks explode behind my eyes and across my nervous system, pleasure completely overcoming my shuddering body.

Rick lets out a groan before his hips still, trembling as he finishes in me. The sensation is incredible, my entire body tingling with the relief of release.

Panting, I meet Rick's gaze and take in his expression of complete pleasure, a slight sheen of sweat gleaming on his brow. I can't stop myself from kissing him, my hands raking through his hair.

"Remind me to make you jealous more often," I pant with a grin as I pull away from our quick kiss, making Rick chuckle, the warm rumbling sound making my heart tighten with adoration.

Rick gently helps me down to my feet, my legs quivering slightly as I attempt to bear my weight on them. I glance back up at Rick's annoyingly satisfied expression.

"Having trouble?" He asks me innocently as I send a glare right back at him.

"You're so full of it," I snap back, to which he smirks fondly before capturing my lips in another tender kiss. His lips move slowly and slightly lazily against mine, clearly tired from our activities.

"That's my girl," He murmurs fondly as he pulls from our kiss, making me roll my eyes, a bashful smile on my face.

"I'm your girl, am I?" I question teasingly with raised eyebrows as I brush past him and snatch his discarded t-shirt and eagerly throw it over me. Ha, no need to look for my own shirt to sleep in now.

"You did mention that a few times," Rick admits smugly, making me pause, my cheeks flushing. Turning back around, I smile sheepishly.

"Well, in that case, I guess I am," I concede, a warm feeling settling in my chest as I gaze over at him. Unable to resist it, I reach up and tenderly caress his cheek, carefully avoiding his bandages.

Rick blinks slowly, his gaze unwavering as it meets mine. "And I'm yours." He assures me confidently, his soft and loving words making my heart clench with adoration.

"Wait- you're my girl too?" I ask with feigned amazement as I drop my hand, making Rick huff with unserious exasperation, rolling his eyes.

"Smartass," He murmurs with a shake of his head before ducking down and pressing a kiss to my cheek. He brushes past me before settling on my bed, making me smile. I follow suit, climbing under the sheets and relishing our closeness as he pulls my body flush against his.

I'm taken back to the night at the hospital, when he pulled me against him in his sleep, just like this. Burrowing my face into the sheets, I smile to myself, realizing with tingling happiness that he had feelings for me back then.

"I want to tell everyone about us," Rick's soft voice suddenly breaks the silence, his words tender as his fingers graze my shoulder.

Happiness burns through my chest and I grin shamelessly, peeking over my shoulder to look at him. "I do too. And it makes sense now. I mean Glenn, Maggie, and Eric all know and-"

"-Daryl and Carol too," Rick adds, making me stop and blink at him in surprise.

"That's why Carol gave me that look earlier!" I enthuse with realization as Rick chuckles, the vibration rumbling through me at our close proximity.

"Yeah, she uh, saw our goodbye kiss yesterday," Rick explains making me widen my eyes, my cheeks burning as I remember the intimacy of the moment I thought was just between Rick and me.

"Oh god," I lament, covering my face with the sheet in embarrassment.

"Yeah, she told me to 'keep up the good work'" Rick recounts with a snort making me drop my jaw in shock, ripping down the sheet to look at him.

"She did not." I chant with horror, mortification washing over me. Rick grins.

"She did", Rick confirms with amusement, his warm chuckle soothing my humiliation as I shuffle so I'm facing him, leaning my head against his chest.

Rick runs his hand through my hair, still chuckling lightly. When his hand moves to rest on my back, I look at him, searching his expression, a grin growing across my face.

He tilts his head to the side, a silent question behind those beautiful blue eyes.

"We're going to tell everyone," I reiterate quietly, my voice a soft reflection of my awe, making Rick's expression soften as he nods.

"Yes, we are. It's about time- we're clearly awful at keeping it a secret. And I want Carl and the rest of them to know." Rick confirms as his thumb traces circles absentmindedly on my hip, reminiscent of our first morning together.

"Spencer too?" I ask teasingly, a grin curving my lips as Rick lets out an amused huff, shaking his head with a hint of feigned exasperation.

"You should be nicer to me, I have a concussion," Rick retorts, aiming for a hint of sympathy, to which I respond with a dry chuckle.

"Oh, grow up. You don't have a concussion, I was lying," I reveal cooly with a grin, my chest tingling with delight at Rick's stunned reaction.

"What?" Rick demands, genuine surprise and amusement laced in his voice.

"I had to get you in my bed somehow," I enthuse through my shit-eating grin as Rick cocks his jaw to the side, shaking his head with amazement.

"Alright come here," He orders, making my brows furrow.

"Wha-" I cut myself off with a playful shriek and a burst of laughter as Rick deftly pulls me onto him. I settle, straddling his abdomen, careful to avoid his bruise, a smile playing on my lips as I gaze down at him.

Rick's hand comes up to caress my cheek, fondness written across his expression, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. He looks so handsome, his rough and hardened features contrasting starkly against the soft pillow he rests on.

Then Rick frowns slightly, making me tilt my head questioningly, wondering what's bothering him.

"Huh. Yeah, my bed is definitely more comfortable." Rick mutters, earning a smack on his shoulder.

"Oh, shut up." I mutter through my grin, leaning down to press a kiss on his lips to ensure he does actually stop talking, my heart brimming with happiness.