G.I. Jane

Self Help

Shaylee's POV

"It's getting a little messy for you." Rosita says to Abraham as she runs her fingers through his red hair as he drives

"Gettin' ready for retirement. Realxin' the grooming standards. Thinkin' about becomin' a plumber, a sheepherder or something." Abraham jokes

"You ain't herdin' sheep now, Abraham. Eyes on the prize." Rosita says

"Damn right. That's my girl." Abraham says to her

"Maybe I'll let ya shave me down all over, dolphin-smooth." Abraham jokes making Rosita laugh

"I'll cut it for you tonight." Rosita tells him

"Yes, ma'am." Abraham says

"Hey, maybe Rosita can give you a trim while she's at it. Party's getting a little long in the back. Or is it your source of power?" Tara asks Eugene who's seated behind me making me giggle

"I ain't slayin' a lion anytime soon. I wouldn't be placin' any wagers on seein' me dispatch a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass." Eugene says

"Ah, so you'll just settle on saving the world, right?" Tara asks with a smile and butterflies erupt in my stomach as I stare at her smiling

"Yeah." Eugene mutters

"You good?" I ask Eugene who seems to be bothered by something

"Last night?" Tara asks him

"Nope." Eugene says

"Yes, that and tomorrow. And I'm thinkin' about that preacher, what he did." Eugene admits

"I am also contemplating the extreme sexual tension in the air." He adds

"With who?" I ask with a small laugh

"With you two." He says as he points between Tara and I

"It's obvious." He adds causing Glenn and Maggie to laugh

"Operation rainbow!" Glenn exclaims causing me to shake my head as my cheeks heat up

"Maybe they're just behind us. Maybe Daryl and Carol came back. Maybe they took the map, found some cars, and they're just down the road." I say changing the subject

"They'll catch up. We're clearing the way for 'em." Glenn says as he gives me a sympathetic smile

"How long will it be? After you get on that terminal and do what you have to do?" Maggie asks Eugene

"Depends on the number of factors including density of the infected around target sites worldwide." Eugene says

"Wait, target sites? Are you talking about missiles?" Glenn asks

"That's classified." Eugene says

"I thought we were over that." Glenn says

"What if we all live?" Eugene asks

"The secrets will matter then?" Glenn asks

"They might. Anyway, the speed with which things normalize depend on a number of factors including worldwide weather patterns, which were modeled without the assumption that cars, planes, boats, and trains wouldn't be pouring hydrocarbons into the atmosphere this long. Changed the game quite a bit when it comes to air-transmissible pathogens." Eugene explains

"Why the hair?" Glenn asks and I start giggling

"Because I like it. And no one is takin' scissor or clipper to it anytime soon. Do you hear me, Miss Espinosa?" Eugene says