- Cass's POV -

Two weeks ago

Shuffling the papers in my hands, I walk back to the infirmary, mentally doing the math of what prescriptions I need to get filled for which patients. Hopefully, I have enough of everything this time. I really need Daryl and Rick to come back with my old medications, it will help so much.

"Dr. Cass, do you have a boyfriend?"

I stop in my tracks, turning around in surprise, facing the man behind me in the hallway. He's one of the newcomers that we welcomed earlier today, Spencer. He's around my age from what I can tell, with dark-blonde hair and expectant brown eyes.

"Excuse me?" I ask, slightly taken aback, my cheeks reddening. He smiles, looking down for a moment.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be impolite- You're just a beautiful woman so I'm wondering if I have a chance or if you're taken," Spencer says with a shrug, cooly leaning against the concrete wall beside him.

I cross my arms, studying him. His tall, slender frame leans against the wall as he smiles back at me unflinchingly, clearly determined.

"I do not have a boyfriend," I reply simply, making genuine surprise cross his features. He doesn't need to know my heart belongs to another man. Even if that other man doesn't know it.

"Wait- really? No husband or fiance?" He asks in amazement, making me smile, feeling flattered. Is it really that surprising that I don't have a partner?

"Nope. I'm single." I inform him, holding my papers to my chest, an unexpected fluttery feeling dancing through me. I forgot what it feels like to be flirted with.

It's been so long.

"Well this will be easier than expected then," He grins, tilting his head down to see me better. My eyebrows raise at his cockiness.

"Oh? And how so?" I question daringly, turning my head to the side, squinting slightly at him, a slight smirk pulling at my lips.

"I expected to have to steal you away, but if you're single it will be much less complicated." He explains simply with a shrug.

"You do know I'm a person right? Not an object to steal," I respond quickly, making his grin grow.

"Oh, I'm well aware, doctor. I plan on making you fall for me." He informs me, making my heart flutter. I haven't heard a man speak to me like that in years. I simply blink up at him, feeling a warmth spread across my chest.

It's nice to feel wanted for once.

"You in need of assistance down there in the infirmary? I used to work in a doctor's office before- I could help out," Spencer offers. I blink in surprise. Huh. That would actually be really nice.

"Yes actually. If you want to help me with our supplies and maybe smaller things with patients- that would be really helpful." I tell him honestly, making him smile.

"Perfect. You'll fall in love with me in no time," He assures me as he leans forward, making me bark a laugh, shaking my head.

"Yeah yeah. Keep telling yourself that!" I call over my shoulder as I walk away, excitement tingling through my limbs. I told Maggie that I wanted to move on from Rick. Maybe this is my chance.

___

"So, do you guys have a leader here? I heard from some of the other people that at their old community there was a guy called the Governor or something?" Spencer asks, looking up from the gauze he's been organizing for me. I glance over, a painful ache panging through me at the reminder of Phillip.

"No. I mean- we used to. Rick. But we decided to create a council to rule things instead. Give him a break." I tell him with a smile, and Spencer nods, looking down at the gauze in his hands.

"So what does Rick do now?" Spencer questions, glancing up at me.

"He's our farmer. Makes sure all our crops are good and pigs too. He's not here now, he and another one of our people, Daryl, are on a run." I explain, feeling a twinge of sadness at the thought of my friends. It's only been a few days but I already miss both of them. I guess I'm just used to seeing them every day. Either way, I'm very much looking forward to seeing them again.

"Oh, that's an important job- feeding everyone," Spencer comments, placing the box of gauze in one of the cupboards.

"Definitely," I agree, continuing to fill out my paperwork. Rick and Herschel are the only reason we have a stable food source. We wouldn't make it very long without them.

"So what-"

"Dr. Adams! Dr. Adams!"

At the sound of children shouting my name, I jump up from my chair, my heartbeat leaping. I turn around, facing the doorway in alarm.

Mika, Lizzie, and Sophia come running up to my office. "What's wrong?" I question them with wide eyes, worry overwhelming me.

"You need to talk sense into Lizzie! Cassie, she thinks that walkers are like us." Sophia tells me, eyes wide with disgust.

Lizzie sighs dramatically, crossing her arms. "You don't know that they aren't!" She snaps back at Sophia.

"Woah. Calm down, girls." I say, making them shut their mouths, looking at me innocently. "Lizzie, what exactly do you think they are?" I question the young girl, making her eyes meet mine.

"They're still human. They have names and everything! I don't think they want to hurt us, they want to be our friends," Lizzie tells me, making me shake my head.

"That's sweet of you to think Lizzie, but those aren't people anymore. The virus kills the part of your brain that makes you who you are. It takes away the personality, the love, the empathy- they are everything but human now." I explain delicately.

I watched it happen myself. The entire brain shuts down as the person dies- the only part of the brain that re-animates is the stem. The part that controls bodily movement, not personality. Not humanity.

"Told you," Sophia says knowingly, crossing her arms, making amusement flash through me. "Sophia," I say sternly, making her look down guiltily.

"You guys just don't get it!" Lizzie cries, tears in her eyes as she runs away. "Lizzie!" Mika calls, running after her.

I glance at Sophia in amusement. "What was that about?" I question, crossing my arms. Sophia sighs.

"Lizzie tries to name the walkers like they're pets or something. It's creepy." Sophia says, making me snort.

"Okay well, hopefully, she can get some sense into her. Go on, maybe hang out with Carl or Patrick instead. And be good!" I remind her, making her nod with a smile, following the younger girls out of the cell hall.

As Sophia leaves, I turn to Spencer with wide eyes and an amused smirk. "Kids, am I right?" Spencer says, making me laugh.

"Yeah, they're entertaining for sure." I breathe with a smile, getting back to my paperwork.

___

"So, it's been four days and about... eight hours. In love with me yet?" Spencer asks, leaning against the doorframe, moonlight streaming through the window behind him.

I roll my eyes playfully, standing up. "Keep on dreaming," I respond tiredly, tossing my papers to the side of my desk and grabbing my jacket off my chair. I'm exhausted after our long day of patients and really looking forward to my dinner.

Spencer stops me before I can walk through the doorway, holding his arm out. I look at him with raised eyebrows.

"Can I kiss you?" He asks quietly, making my heart lurch. I blink up at him in surprise, feeling my heartbeat begin to race.

"If you don't feel anything- fine. But at least give me a chance." He implores, his eyes searching mine, his eyebrows drawn together.

I look down, considering my options. I don't feel much for Spencer, but I promised myself and Maggie that I would try to get over Rick. And this might be the only way to do that.

Slowly nodding, I meet his gaze. He smiles widely before turning so he's standing in front of me. The moonlight flows across his face, and I have to admit, he's really not bad looking. While he's not Rick Grimes, he is kind of attractive.

Slowly, he bends down to press his lips to mine. At the touch, a slight spark fizzles in my chest. More than I've felt in a very long time. It's a quick and gentle kiss, lasting only a couple of seconds before Spencer pulls back politely.

I gaze up at him after, my heartbeat hammering in my chest. Did I actually just feel something... with him?

"So?" Spencer asks softly, his eyes roaming my face.

"Yeah... okay. We can see where this goes," I agree gently, a grin spreading across his face at my words, making butterflies flutter in my stomach.

"Mission accomplished."

- Rick's POV -

My footsteps echo through the hall as I ascend the metal C-block stairs to get to Cass's cell. We have an unexpected council meeting, and I've been sent to fetch her.

I reach her cell and the familiar blue floral sheet she uses as a curtain covering the doorway. I knock loudly on the wall before pushing the curtain aside as I've done many times, abruptly stopping in my tracks, a chill running down my spine at the heart-wrenching sight in front of me.

Cass is on top of Spencer on her bed, straddling him as they kiss passionately. Her hips are perched right above the waistband of his jeans, her back arched as she kisses him, her hands tangling in his hair. His hands are roaming her back, one of them resting on her ass.

White-hot anger pierces through my body like a jolt of lightning, almost taking me by surprise at the severity. Clenching my fists at my sides, I look away, unable to bear the sight any longer.

They spring apart when I clear my throat loudly and purposefully, both of them looking at me with wide eyes. "Cass, we have a meeting." I grit through my teeth, suddenly feeling extremely pissed off. She nods quickly, an embarrassed blush coloring her cheeks.

"Right. Bye Spence," She says quickly to Spencer, awkwardly clambering off him and turning to me, breathing heavily. I look at her for a moment. Her messy hair, flushed cheeks... swollen lips. My stomach twists unpleasantly and I have to look away.

I don't bother acknowledging Spencer, stalking away without another word, Cass following not too far behind.

Irritation and fierce jealousy course through my veins as I make my way through the twisted halls of the Prison infrastructure, Cass following silently behind me. I don't have the strength to look at her. To talk to her, after that.

Thank god they were just kissing. If it was more- I don't know what I would have done.

It's been a week since I came back and first found out about them. It hasn't gotten easier, quite the opposite. Especially when listening to other people talk about them. I would rather have Daryl shoot me through the forehead with his crossbow repeatedly than have to listen to one more person talk about how Cass and Spencer make such a "cute couple".

It also doesn't help that I feel like I can't talk to Cass like I did before. Our lunches, which used to be my favorite part of the day, are excruciating. I can't talk about what I deeply want to. I can't even joke with her as I used to now that I'm entirely too self-aware of how I feel. I have to sit there, enduring her chatting to Carl and join in half-heartedly, pretending like I'm fine when internally, I'm losing my mind.

When we finally reach the meeting room, I pull open the door, stepping back and holding it open for Cass. She glances at me with a strange expression before brushing past me gently and going in to sit down. Her familiar scent wafts over me as she brushes past making me clench my jaw, my body going rigid for a second, my eyes fluttering closed.

Would she just do me a favor and stop being so appealing in every damn way? It's slowly torturing me.

The talking of the council drones on through my ears as the meeting is concluded but all I find myself being able to think about is the way Spencer's hands were caressing Cass's body. Running up and down her back like he has the right to touch her.

The way her mouth moved against his is ingrained in my mind, along with the way her hands tangled in his hair. I've never seen her kiss anyone- let alone like that. I can't decide if I'm upset that she was making out with her stupid boyfriend or secretly pleased that I know exactly how to imagine her kissing me.

Irritation flashes through me at the thought. I don't want more things to think about at night when I can't sleep because a certain copper-haired doctor won't fucking leave my mind. She consumes my every waking and sleeping thought and is actively ruining my sanity.

Night and day Cass is all I can think of and it's absolutely agonizing. Especially because I've had to do different jobs other than farming after my injury, thanks to her orders. So I'll stand watch for hours with nothing more to do than fantasize about her. And it's killing me. Because I don't want to be imagining all the things I could do to her. I want to be doing those things to her.

I suddenly have to resist the intense urge to slam my forehead onto the hard surface of the table in front of me.

Maybe it would knock some sense into me. Knock Cass out of my thoughts.

I suppress a groan of frustration and rub my temples instead. You need to get a grip, Rick. Seriously.

"Does that sound good to you Rick?" Herschel questions, jolting me out of my thoughts. I blink, the other members looking at me expectantly. I very purposefully don't let my eyes locate Cass, focusing solely on Herschel.

"Yeah- sure." I agree with a nod, not knowing what I'm agreeing to, deciding I don't really care.

The council meeting finally ends and I quickly stand up from my chair and walk away, needing to put as much distance between me and Cass as possible.

As I head back to cellblock C to check on Judith, I pause as I pass by one of the smaller courtyards we converted into a shooting range. Carol is teaching those who don't have much experience shooting how to do it properly. I realize that's probably why I didn't see her in the council meeting. To be honest, I wasn't really paying attention.

I pause in the doorway to observe because I recognize a specific blonde head in attendance. I watch in bewilderment as Spencer misses every single shot to the point where Carol has to come over to help him one-on-one.

He looks like a helpless toddler as she talks to him, showing him how he should hold the gun and helping him aim. After a few minutes, he finally hits the edge of the target and high-fives the guy next to him excitedly.

The distaste I have for him only grows as I watch. This incompetent idiot is the one who gets to kiss and touch Cass like he did earlier?

Him?

Jesus Christ.

Shaking my head, I walk away, bitterness churning in my gut as I stalk through the dark concrete hallways.

I find Judith on the stairs of our cell hall, giggling in the arms of Beth as Sophia plays peek-a-boo with her. "Hey girls," I call out, feeling content for the first time today seeing my daughter giggling like that. She can instantly lift my mood.

"Oh hey Rick," Beth smiles at me, bouncing Judith on her knee. "Everything going okay?" I check, my eyes glancing between the pair.

"Yeah, we're just playing peek-a-boo. Judie loves it," Sophia beams up at me, making me quirk a smile. "I'm sure she does," I smile.

"May I?" I ask Beth, who hands Judith to me with a smile. I grab my daughter in my arms, hoisting her up with a grunt. "Damn, you're getting heavy, Judith," I grunt, making Beth and Sophia laugh.

"She's a healthy and chubby baby, that's for sure," Beth grins, and I nod, walking in a circle as I bounce Judith in my arms. The girls dressed her up in a yellow crochet dress and a white hat. She looks adorable.

"Speaking of- did you guys get lunch?" I ask them, and they both nod. "Alright, well I'll let you guys get back to your important game of peek-a-boo. I gotta get some food," I say, handing Judith back to Beth.

"We'll take good care of her," Sophia grins and I nod, a smile spreading over my face. "Oh, I'm sure. See you three later," I nod at them, before heading out to the sunny courtyard.

Grabbing my lunch from Joe, I nod at him in thanks, then go to sit down with Carl, who's surprisingly alone.

"Cass not having lunch with us?" I ask Carl as I sit down. He looks up from his comic. "Nah, we just got a few more newcomers and she's giving the tour like usual," Carl informs me.

I nod, feeling relieved. While usually being around Cass is all I want, after what happened earlier, it's a relief not to have to talk to her. Or pretend I'm fine when I can't stop picturing her and her boyfriend kissing passionately. Clenching my jaw, I look down, focusing on my food.

That's enough now.

Carl and I eat quietly for a bit in comfortable silence. One that I greatly appreciate after my unfortunate morning. It seems much better to focus instead on my kids, spending time with them and ignoring the absolute disaster that is my romantic life.

"I'm going to meet up with Patrick, I'll see you later," Carl says, putting his now empty plate away and grabbing his comic book.

"Alright, have fun," I say with a nod, to which Carl responds with a wave of acknowledgment before he walks off. I smile, watching him leave. I'm grateful that we've had this place so he can be a normal kid again. Read comics and hang out with the other kids. After the things he was doing to survive- having him act like a normal thirteen-year-old is a great thing to witness.

Still not done with my lunch, I stay at the table. Taking a swig of water, my eyes flicker across the busy courtyard. My searching gaze abruptly stops when it settles on her. Entering the yard with a group of unfamiliar people following.

I watch as Cass strides through the courtyard, talking to the newcomers following closely behind as she shows them around. She's a vision with the sun gleaming down on her figure, igniting her copper hair. I'm breathless just looking at her wide, bright smile as she says something to the group, gesturing to the courtyard proudly.

She sees me, sending me a wave with a sunny smile. I bring my hand up for a subtle wave back, my stomach swooping when her eyes meet mine. Those brilliant green eyes find the faded blue of my own and it's like everything clicks into place. She looks incredible in her tight blue jeans and a form-fitting green tank top, her hair flowing around her bare shoulders in her loose natural waves. I didn't let myself look at her too long earlier, it was too hard after what I saw. But now...

Cass looks away, focusing back on the group of newcomers following behind her like ducklings. As she does, I lose the struggle against the primal caveman lusts inside me, my eyes hungrily roaming her figure, eagerly taking her in.

Those long legs sheathed in her tight jeans as she walks cause the breath to hitch in my throat. I can't stop the fantasies flickering through my mind of caressing my hands up and down those legs, pulling the jeans down slowly, and easing those bare knees apart...

My skin is buzzing, my heart palpitating at the plethora of dirty images running through my mind.

Jesus. Get a grip, Rick.

I clear my throat, looking down momentarily. I take a bite of my food, attempting to look normal, to feel normal.

After about fifteen seconds I lose the fight against the intense desire to look back at her. She's like a magnet, drawing me toward her, no matter what obstacle stands in the way. No matter where I am, or what I'm doing, if she's there- I literally can not stop looking at her.

I've spent so long not really seeing how beautiful she is. Now that I do see it, it's all I can think about.

Cass leads the group under the pavilion to show them the outdoor cafeteria. My mouth dries up as she leans over the counter to get Joe's attention. Her tantalizing figure bends over the counter, the movement pulling her shirt down a bit and slightly exposing more of her cleavage, making my heart lurch. She waves a hand to get Joe's attention, the simple action making her breasts sway slightly.

Dear God.

I have to look away, my heart pounding and stomach wrenching with guilt. I never saw this coming- when I first met her, it was obvious to me that she was attractive. Especially that first day in the towel or when I woke up at the library, our bodies entangled a little too intimately for comfort. But I was married. I never considered being with her, but now I know how I feel and that I'm too late- it's killing me.

God, what I would do to have her be mine. My heart aches at the idea. Instead of having her smile at Spencer, hold his hand, kiss him- I want so desperately for her to be grinning up at me, her hand curled in mine, those lips kissing mine...

I shake my head, trying to clear those thoughts away. It's never going to happen while she's with that moron.

"Hey man," Glenn says cheerfully, dropping down on the seat across from me. I look up, glad for the distraction. "Oh hey," I gulp, nodding at him, trying to seem nonchalant like I wasn't just eye-fucking our close friend.

Jesus Christ. I'm an awful person.

"Great day huh? Just got off a watchtower shift with Maggie," Glenn informs me, and I nod along to his words, trying my hardest to concentrate on him and not her.

Despite this effort, my eyes wander past Glenn's shoulder and, surprise, back to Cass. Watching as she laughs with Joe, propping herself up on the counter with her elbows. I try not to think about the multitude of ways she could be bending over for me, gripping onto the edge of the counter for support while I-

Fuck. I need to stop.

"Nice," I mumble, finally responding to Glenn, stabbing my lettuce aggressively with my fork.

You need to control yourself. You're a grown man. It's getting embarrassing at this point.

"Hey, you alright?" Glenn asks, his voice laced with concern. I look up to form some sort of excuse, getting preoccupied as Cass walks back away from us to cell block D with the group. She sends Glenn a wave, winking at me before continuing her stroll.

My eyes, with a mind of their own, hungrily rake over her body as she walks away. Her hips swing back and forth as she goes, her copper hair shining brightly under the sun, flowing down the curve of her back. My mouth dries when I notice the incredibly distracting way her jeans hug her perfectly-shaped ass.

I suddenly feel overwhelmed that she exists. She's devastatingly gorgeous with an irresistible body, a brilliant surgeon and doctor, one of the kindest and funniest people I know, and ...she's taken.

By a gangly, blonde idiot who does not and will not ever deserve her.

"Earth to Rick..." Glenn trails off and I force my gaze away from her distracting figure to meet Glenn's wide eyes. "Dude! What are you doing?" He demands in a hushed tone and I run a hand over my face, my heartbeat skipping.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I mutter, shaking my head and looking down.

"You were just blatantly checking Cass out!" Glenn insists, a little louder than I would have wanted, making my head snap up at him, my eyes wide with warning. Luckily no one noticed around us. The cafeteria is busy, full of people having lunch and speaking much louder than us.

"Didn't she just start dating that Spencer guy?" Glenn asks, my jaw clenching at the mention of him. I nod with an annoyed sigh.

"Yeah she is," I mutter, my voice taught. I glance behind me to see Cass ushering the group of newcomers into D, closing the door behind them. It's a relief to have her out of sight. Everything about her is so... distracting.

"Do you... like her or something?" Glenn questions me, and I roll my eyes, feeling like a middle schooler.

"What kind of question is that? Are you going to ask me to make friendship bracelets with you next?" I snap, a grin pulling across Glenn's face at me dodging his question.

"You totally do. Holy shit." Glenn swears, an amazed smile pulling across his face. "This is big." He adds with wide eyes.

"It is not big." I hiss back, shooting daggers in his direction. "Do not mention this. To anyone," I order harshly.

Glenn raises his hands in surrender. "I won't! Wait- not even Maggie?" He asks, making me look at him with incredulity.

"Especially not Maggie, she's her best friend." I grit through my teeth before rubbing my forehead with frustration. Of all people to know. It just had to be him.

"Okay! Okay! I won't say anything." Glenn assures me and I nod, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose.

This is so inconvenient. Everything was much better when I didn't know I had feelings for her. I was finally living a simple life, farming crops, raising pigs, and doing chores. And now it's like my world has been violently wrenched upside down.

"Just, for the record, I think you would be better with her than that Spencer guy," Glenn says, making me open my eyes to find his genuine expression looking back at me.

"Why do you say that?" I ask, dropping my hand down to get a better look at him as he shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe it's because I haven't gotten a chance to get to know him. It's just weird how he got here," Glenn explains, taking a large bite of his food.

After I process what he said, I squint my eyes at Glenn. "What do you mean, it was weird?" I question him. "I thought he came in with a group." I comment, tilting my head to the side.

"Ah. See, he didn't come in a group. He came in on his own- at the same time a group arrived." Glenn informs me, making me furrow my brows.

"He was alone?" I question, my eyebrows raised. He was alone? The dumbass who can barely shoot a gun?

"Yeah. He said a herd came through his old group's camp and he was the only survivor. He was on his own for a bit then he saw the other group heading towards the prison and he joined them." Glenn explains.

I take in the information, thinking deeply. That twig survived on his own, after being the sole survivor of a herd attack?

"I don't know, it just seems suspicious to me," Glenn shrugs, digging into his meal further. I nod, finding myself agreeing with him.

"You could always ask Cass about it tomorrow," Glenn points out through his chewing.

My eyebrows knit together. "What do you mean?" I question.

Glenn looks back at me with furrowed brows.

"You and Cass are going on a run tomorrow... to get more seeds for summer. Maggie told me about it, you guys decided today in the meeting," Glenn says, and I nod, pretending like I know exactly what he's talking about.

"Oh right, it- slipped my mind," I say gruffly, going back to my food.

So, I'm going on a run...

With her.

Just me and Cass.

Me and her, alone, for hours. We'll have to get wherever we're going by car- a small and enclosed space where I won't be able to escape. Forced to endure her intoxicating smell, distracting body, and captivating voice. Knowing the entire time she's entirely unavailable.

Perfect.

Just what I needed. To be tormented further by that incredibly irresistible woman.