I Love You So

Part 35

After about 15 minutes, they returned with patients. Amanda did physicals - checking eyes, hearing, limbs, heart rate and their spine. Amanda saw about 15 people before she took a break to catch up on documenting. Amanda hummed softly as she sat down at her desk, making folders for every person she saw.

Rick walked inside, knocking on the doorway.

Amanda looked up from her folder, smiling softly, "Hi." She smiled, "How can I help you?" She asked

Rick smiled, holding up his hand, revealing that his gauze had gotten unraveled, "I also need a physical." He said, shutting the door behind him

"Come sit down." Amanda said, standing up and patting the geri chair, "Lemme see your hand." she smiled, grabbing some gauze

Rick held his hand out, looking up at Amanda lovingly, "Let's get married." Rick said, "Like, really married."

"We aren't even dating, Rick. Just because Spencer and I ended doesn't mean you get to sweep in." Amanda laughed, wrapping his hand up carefully

"Oh, c'mon." Rick said, "I'll kill the next boyfriend you get." He said, half joking

Amanda looked up at Rick, raising her eyebrows, "uh huh." She said, walking over and grabbing her stethoscope. She stood besides him, "breathe in." she said, listening to his breathing

"C'mon, do it for Elijah, Leo and Ophelia." Rick said

"No, Rick. You gotta earn me back." Amanda said as she took the stethoscope out of her ears, "open your mouth." She said, grabbing a small flashlight. She looked at his teeth before turning the light off

"Anything, i'll do anything." Rick begged, flinching when Amanda looked into his ear

"Your eardrums bruised." Amanda said, writing down some information in his folder. She put her pen down, sitting on the edge of her desk as she looked up at him

Rick looked over at Amanda, reaching his arms out for her to come into his embrace, "Have you eaten?" He asked her curiously

"No, I'm not very hungry. I'm half tempted to go back out, look for the rest of our group." Amanda said softly as she looked up at Rick, resting her head on his chest

"No, they'll come back." Rick said as he played with a strand of her hair, "Let's get you home." Rick smiled, climbing off the chair and leading her outside, holding her hand.

"Oh my god." Amanda said worriedly, seeing Deanne stabbing a walker in the chest. Amanda ran over, pushing the walker off Deanne and stabbing it in the head. Amanda knelt down besides Deanne, "are you alright?"

"I can't do this." Deanne said, holding Amanda's hand, "I can't do this." She said again, shaking her head, "These people don't need me. They need you." Deanne said quietly to Amanda, "I need you to make our people stronger.. I need you to lead them. I've set them up for failure." Deanne said as she squeezed Amanda's hand

Amanda looked at Deanne in disbelief, but nodded, "I'll do it if you let Rick help me. I can't do it alone. 50/50 partnership with Rick." Amanda said, looking over at him

"Deal. Ricks a little off his rockers but he knows what he's doing. You'll be better at being the face. The calm face." Deanne nodded, standing up slowly. Without another word, she limped down the road towards her home

Amanda looked at Rick, her eyes wide, "I didn't mean to volunteer you but I can't do this alone."

Rick nodded slowly, "I wanna do this with you." He said, looking at her, "On the condition that you move back home." Rick said, "Back to our home. With me, Judith and Carl." He bargained