It had been a few weeks since the passing of Reg. The community mourned the loss of the man who had given them sanctuary.
Amanda continued her relationship with Spencer, due to Rick trying to find his stability. Rick continued to try and woo Amanda, which she loved, but pretended to ignore due to Spencer.
The group was hosting a Welcome Back Celebration for Heath and his group hosted at Spencer's home, since Deanne was grieving the lost of her son and her husband.
Amanda was in the kitchen, humming softly as she set out a table full of appetizers, drinks and flowers. She looked up as Spencer walked over, "Oh, Hello." Amanda grinned as she kissed him passionately, "Thank you for grilling." Amanda said as she looked up at him with a kind smile
"Of course, I can't do much else." Spencer said as he smiled down at her
"I have a cake and some cookies in the oven, I'm gonna go shower, I smell like food." Amanda laughed as she kissed him, "I'll be back in about 45 minutes." Amanda smiled as she left the house. She walked down the street, smiling as she walked inside of her house. She took a quick shower, wrapping herself in a towel. She stepped out of the bathroom, gasping when she saw Rick standing in her room, buttoning his shirt, "Rick you can NOT just let yourself into my home." Amanda said as she placed her hand on her heart
"Why?" Rick asked as he looked over at her, rolling his sleeves up. He raised his eyebrows, looking at her curiously
Amanda rolled her eyes, "Because I am dating Spencer. You are no longer entitled to me." Amanda said, keeping her towel wrapped around her body
"Have you guys had sex?" Rick asked her
"No." Amanda said truthfully
"Why?" Rick asked
"I don't want to." Amanda said, puckering her lips and looking away - which is what she always did when she lied
Rick laughed as he raised his eyebrows, "Tell me the truth." He said
"Deep down I still feel like I'm married to you." Amanda admitted
"So you still love me?" Rick asked with a grin
"We have this conversation at least once a week." Amanda said, rolling her eyes, "Yes, Rick."
"Then come be with me." Rick begged
"No, Rick. I need stability and consistency. You just started to normalize. I need more proof that you're trying." Amanda said
"I am trying, I am, and I'll keep trying." Rick said, nodding
"Can you please leave, now? The neighbors are so nosey and if anyone sees you leaving my house, they're gonna talk." Amanda sighed
Rick nodded, "Of course." He said, giving her a grin, "I love you." He said, making his way out the door.
Amanda rolled her eyes as she brushed her hair quietly. She sighed as she slid on a light green floral dress that had golden flowers outlined. She looked at the necklace Rick had gotten her and she hesitated before putting it on. She played with the heart shaped gem before walking downstairs. She slid on her heels before she walked over to Spencers.
Rick was standing besides Glenn and Abraham. watching the door intensely for Amanda. His face lit up when he saw her walk in, a large grin spreading across his face when he saw her necklace.
Spencer jogged over to Amanda, "My oh my." He grinned as he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her lovingly, "So pretty." He grinned as he rubbed her backside, "That's a nice necklace, I don't think I've ever seen you wear it before." Spencer said
Amanda smiled softly at him, nodding as she rubbed her arms, "I don't think I'm going to stay long." Amanda admitted, "Rick wants us to go to the Quarry for a dry run in the morning." Amanda said as she clicked her heels on the ground.
"Okay, let's make the most of the time we've got together then." Spencer grinned as he took her hand, leading her to the kitchen, "Heath, this is the girl i've been telling you about."
Heath grinned, nodding at Amanda, "Hey! Nice to finally meet you." He smiled as he shook her hand
"Hi." Amanda smiled as she wrapped her arms around her midsection, feeling overwhelmed by all the people in the house and the loud noises, "It's nice to meet you." She said kindly, "Oh, I see Rosita. I'm gonna go say hi." Amanda smiled as she waved goodbye to the people before making her way to Rosita. She glanced back at Spencer before she walked out the front door. She sighed, looking at the sky.
Spencer noticed Amanda was gone and he walked outside after her, "Hey." He smiled, sitting down besides her on the porch, "you disappeared."
"It's loud in there." Amanda said, sighing quietly as she looked at the sky
"Penny for your thoughts?" Spencer asked her
"I don't have any thoughts." Amanda said, "just overwhelming feelings." she admitted
"What're you feeling?" Spencer asked as he kissed her shoulder
"Sad." Amanda said quietly, "I feel sad. You're so amazing, Spencer, but I love Rick." Amanda said softly as she looked up at him
"I know." Spencer smiled, "You think I don't know?" He chuckled, shaking his head
"I'm sorry, Spencer." Amanda said as tears fell from her eyes
"It's okay, I'm not upset. I'm here because I like you, I don't expect you to stop loving him immediately." Spencer smiled, wiping her cheek with his thumb, "I'm willing to work on us."
Amanda smiled as she nodded, sniffling softly, "yeah?" she asked
"Yeah." Spencer reassured, leaning in and kissing her softly
Amanda cupped his cheek, kissing him back lovingly. She opened her eyes as Spencer pulled away, "don't stop." Amanda said quietly as she leaned back in, reconnecting their lips.
Spencer rubbed her hips gently before tracing small designs on her inner thigh, deepening the kiss. He slid his fingers up the bottom of her dress, tracing the lining of her thong
Amanda moaned softly, pulling her lips away, "I should go home." Amanda whispered
"Another night of blue balls, curtesy of Amanda." Spencer laughed softly, looking into her eyes
"I'm sorry, I'm just not there yet." Amanda said softly as she looked up at him sadly
"Don't worry." Spencer said, kissing her head softly, "I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled, standing up
"Goodnight." Amanda said, rubbing her arms as she walked down his driveway. She made her way to her house, exhaling deeply as she walked inside. She closed the door behind her, locking it quietly before walking to the kitchen. She made herself a bag of popcorn before walking upstairs. She slid off her dress, leaving it on the floor as she put on Ricks button up. She laid in bed, reading a book quietly. Amanda perked up hearing shuffling downstairs in the kitchen. She sat up, calling Maverick into the room with her as she reached into her nightstand, grabbing her knife
Rick walked into the room quietly, putting his hands up in surrender, "you left your door unlocked." he said
"Mm.. No I didn't." Amanda said
"Okay, I broke your lock." Rick said, "You left the party." He said, "You were there for no more than 10 minutes." he noted
"I don't have the energy to pretend that those people like us." Amanda laughed softly, looking up at Rick with her big green eyes.
"I like your shirt." Rick said, walking into her bedroom. He slid off his boots, leaving them by the door and crawling into bed besides her
"You shouldn't be here." Amanda said, but moved over on the bed to make room for him on the bed
Rick smiled as he wrapped his arm around her, bringing her into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head, playing with a strand of her hair.
Amanda relaxed, sinking into his touch as she opened her book and continued to read. She looked up as Rick turned on the tv, watching it at a low volume.
"This is how it was always suppose to be." Rick said softly, "except you're suppose to have a big belly, with my baby in it." Rick grinned
Amanda laughed softly as she looked up at him, "I don't think so." she said softly. Amanda looked at his hand, noticing he was wearing his wedding band again. She put her book down, "Are you staying the night?" She asked hopefully
"Do you want me to?" Rick asked her quietly
Amanda gave a small nod
"Then yes." Rick said softly as he crawled out of bed, unbuttoning his slacks and his shirt. He laid besides Amanda, pulling her cold body into his warm embrace.
Amanda laid shifted closer to him, entangling their legs as she played with his hands, examining the bruising on his knuckles. she ran her finger tips down the palm of his hands before going down to his wrist and tracing his veins
Rick watched her intensely, enamored by her beauty. He leaned over, kissing her ear softly, "we should get some rest." Rick said quietly
Amanda nodded, putting his hands down. She shifted in bed, resting her head on her Ricks chest, turning her body over so she was buried into him. She looked up at Rick, her eyes soft and dull, which was becoming more and more normal.
Rick looked at her closely, "I love you." Rick said softly before he laid his head back down, closing his eyes
"I love you." Amanda said softly as she closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
At around 11:40pm, Amanda woke up. She sat up in bed, hyperventilating. She crawled out of bed, stumbling into the bathroom. She turned on the faucet, gripping the counter top. Images flashing in her mind, overwhelming her. She saw The Governor - torturing her, beating her and Glenn, humiliating her, creating sick games for her to partake in. Her body felt hot, she had sweat beads on her forehead and was struggling to breathe. Amanda fell to her knees, visions of the people she killed in Terminus in her mind, when she was almost raped by two men in the gas station, when Carl was almost raped - she felt physically sick. She crawled over to the toilet, throwing up
Rick heard the faucet running and he opened his eyes. He jumped out of bed, hearing Amanda throw up. He walked over to the bathroom, "hey, hey." he said, kneeling besides her and holding her hair back, "are you not feeling well?" he asked worriedly
Amanda let out a cry, flushing the toilet. She sniffled, looking up at Rick with sad eyes, staying quiet
"Oh." Rick said, "The night terrors." Rick said softly, reaching over to pull Amanda into his embrace.
Amanda pulled away, shaking her head, "No, dont." she begged. She used the sink to balance herself as she stood up. Amanda went to the sink, brushing her teeth quietly. She was trembling, like a small animal in the rain. She rinsed her mouth before she splashed her face with cold water.
Rick walked over with a towel, wiping her chin, "Come back to me." Rick whispered. He took Amanda's hand, placing it on his chest so she could feel his heart beating. He kept his hand on top of hers, watching as her breathing began to match his, "there's my girl." Rick said quietly
"Thank you." Amanda said softly as she closed her eyes, keeping her hand on his chest
"Let's go back to bed." Rick said softly, resisting the urge to kiss her, scolding himself, knowing it wasn't the right time
Amanda nodded, taking Ricks hand and leading him back to bed. Amanda crawled over to her spot, burying herself under the duvet
Rick smiled as he got into bed besides her, "come here." he said softly, pulling her into his body. He wrapped his arms around her, inhaling her scent
Amanda closed her eyes, relaxing in his arms, "i love you." she said softly
"I love you." Rick said softly, closing his eyes as he began to fall back asleep
About two hours later, Amanda jerked awake. She rubbed her eyes, looking around the room frantically.
Rick felt Amanda shifting in bed. Half asleep, he wrapped his arms around her. He took one of her hands, placing it on his chest as he exhaled softly, "I'm right here." Rick promised
Amanda was breathing heavily, tears streaming down her face. She kept her hand on his chest, her body trembling. After a few moments, she relaxed. She laid back down in bed, entangling her body back with Ricks. She looked up at him in the darkness, examining his face. She leaned up, giving his lips a soft kiss before she pulled away, resting her head on his chest before she fell back asleep
~*~
Rick woke up the next morning before Amanda. He looked down at her, watching her sleep. He placed a soft kiss on her temple, shifting in bed to pull her closer to his body.
Amanda scrunched up her face, feeling Ricks stubble tickle her, "You're making me itchy." She mumbled, half asleep
"Who, me?" Rick asked as he nuzzled his face closer into her neck, giving her a soft bite
Amanda laughed softly as she shifted in his arms, "good morning." she said softly as she rubbed her eyes sitting up.
"Good morning." Rick said softly as he traced her arm gently, "You ready for today?" he asked
Amanda nodded, "yeah." she smiled softly, "Why don't you go home and get ready, I'll make you some breakfast." Amanda said softly as she placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heart beat
Rick nodded, "Sounds like a deal to me." he smiled, kissing her temple. He slid on his jeans and his t shirt, giving her a grin before walking out the bedroom
Amanda sighed in content as she stood up. She brushed her hair and teeth before walking downstairs. She opened the fridge, pulling out some eggs, bacon, potatoes and pancake mix. She fried the bacon before sitting down on a barstool and began dicing the potatoes. She put potatoes to fry as well before she began mixing the pancake batter. Amanda hummed softly as she added blueberries to the pancakes, watching them cook before she looked up.
Rick walked inside the house, holding Judith in his arms, "Smells yummy." Rick smiled, placing Judith on his hip as he walked over
"Hi, baby." Amanda cooed, walking over to Judith. She picked her up, giving her a kiss on the cheek, "I've missed you." Amanda said, hugging her. Amanda inhaled her scent, closing her eyes as she rocked her. She was quickly brought back to reality by a knock on the door
"You know your lock is broken, right?" Spencer asked, walking inside
"I lost my key last night so I had to break in." Amanda lied, puckering her lips slightly before she looked over at the pancakes. She walked back over, balancing Judith on her hip as she flipped the pancakes, "You hungry, baby?" Amanda asked Judith
"Starving." Rick grinned
"Yes, ma'am." Spencer smiled
Amanda froze, hearing them both reply, "I was actually talking to the physical baby in the room. Judith." Amanda said, looking up
Spenders face flushed red with anger as he turned to face Rick. Before he could speak, Amanda interrupted, "Yummy pancakes!" Amanda said as she set the pancakes down in a stack. Amanda served a plate full of potatoes, bacon, eggs and pancakes to Rick before giving one to Spencer.
Spencer laughed, rolling his eyes, but didn't chose to speak on the subject, "I wanna come to the quarry." he said
"Yeah, that's fine. We can use more bodies." Rick said as he waited for Amanda to sit down before he started eating
Amanda hummed softly as she sat down at the table, besides Spencer, as she sat Judith on her lap. She bounced Judith on her lap as she mashed up a banana for her
"You're really good with her." Spencer smiled, watching Amanda in awe, "Like, being a mother comes natural." He said as he winked at her
"I mean, Amanda is her mother." Rick said, "She took care of Judith after Lori passed." Rick said as he watched Amanda multitask feeding Judith and herself
"Oh yeah, Lori. That was your first wife, right?" Spencer said, "you're 0-2, Rick. Maybe Jessie will be the lucky third."
Rick laughed, "That's funny, Spencer." he said, "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Rick questioned, cocking his head to the side, giving him a grin, "Amanda will never love you, Spencer. Not like she loves me, anyways." Rick smirked as he took a sip of his water
"Doesn't seem like you deserve her." Spencer said, looking at Rick angrily
"And you do?" Rick laughed, "You're weak. You left Gabriel in charge of the wall and walkers got in. You're irresponsible."
"Okay, enough." Amanda finally interrupted, "I need to get ready for the dry run, everyone needs to leave." Amanda said, "I don't wanna listen to this anymore. It's exhausting." She admitted
Spencer rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Amanda." He said, standing up, "I'll be back later so we can go to the quarry." he said in annoyance, walking to the door
Amanda looked at Rick, "you too." she said, nodding at the door
Rick shook his head, staying glued in his chair, "No." He said firmly
"Rick." Amanda sighed, shaking her head, "Fine." She said, handing him Judith, "I need to get ready." She said, walking upstairs
"I'll be here!" Rick called after her
Amanda changed into a black leather jacket and black boots. She put her hair in a single braid before walking downstairs. She slid on her black boots, "Let's go." She said, walking out the front door
"Yes ma'am." Rick said, chewing his lip as he trailed behind Amanda, "I'll meet you at the truck, I'm gonna drop Judith off at Carols." He said
~*~
Amanda was standing besides Rick, holding her rifle as she looked off the edge of the cliff, looking down at the walkers. She listened to him speak with to Tobin, but was distracted. She watched as Spencer moved closer to edge of the cliff, moving slowly not to lose his footing. He moved over, running his hands along the sides of the semi, looking between the crack at the walkers. Amanda shifted her hands, resting them on the handles of the two machetes she kept in her holster.
Rick watched Spencer before turning his attention to Amanda. He walked behind her, opening her back and pulling out her water. He took a sip before putting it back in her bag, "do you have chapstick?" he asked her
"Mmhmm.." Amanda said, nodding as she reached into her pocket, handing it to him, not paying him much mind, she was watching the walkers inside the Quarry in fascination
Spencer watched as Rick drank Amanda's water and used her chapstick. He knew those little actions was Rick trying to assert his dominance. He grit his teeth, "You're a real fucking piece of work, Grimes!" He shouted, catching the walkers attention
"What? A man can't be thirsty and have chapped lips?" Rick asked curiously
"You know what you're doing." Spencer said angrily. He gasped as a walker grabbed the back of his t shirt, pulling him towards the gap of the two semis
"Oh my god." Amanda said running over. She took one of her machetes out, cutting the arms of the walker off, "Spencer, you gotta be careful." Amanda said worriedly, checking his backside for scratches
"So that's what it takes? Me getting almost bitten for you to acknowledge me?" Spencer asked
"Spencer , now isn't the time." Amanda said as she tugged him towards the group, "We can talk later." she promised
"Later! It's always later!" Spencer said loudly
"Shut him up!" Daryl said angrily as he watched a walker fight to get through the gap of the two trucks
"Spencer, please." Amanda said as she grabbed her machete, "Rick!" Amanda called worriedly as she saw a walker come out of the gap. She pushed Spencer behind her, slicing the walkers throat, "Rick!" Amanda yelled out louder as more pushed through. Amanda tried to back up but Spencer was right behind her, "Don't!" Amanda said as Spencer reached for his gun
"We gotta move now! No time for talking anymore!" Rick yelled as he rushed over to Amanda, pushing a walker from her, "Plan starts now!" Rick said, "Amanda, Morgan, Spencer, Michonne! You're with me!"
Amanda nodded as she ran up the hill, leading the way. She quickly turned the corner, going behind the large man made fence. She stood besides the RV, tapping her fingers quietly.
Spencer stood besides Amanda, shaking slightly as he watched a herd of walkers make their way past. He looked through the gap between two borders, his eyes widening
Rick grabbed Spencer, pulling him away from the gap when walkers noticed him. He glared at Spencer, shaking his head
Amanda stayed quiet, grabbing a flare and shooting, aiming towards the next end point. She handed a flare gun to Spencer, smiling as she watched him shoot. Once the final group of walkers made their way past, Amanda jogged into the forest, Spencer right behind her, like a lost puppy. She ran into woods, smiling as she saw Glenn, "How did it go?" She asked, her eyes flickering to Nicholas
"Good, we had a small hiccup but it was handled." Glenn said, nodding at Rick.
Rick nodded, shaking hands with Carter, having their own conversation. Rick froze hearing a car alarm going off, "That sounds far." Rick said worriedly
"Home - it sounds like it's at home." Amanda said as she placed her hands on her machete, watching as walkers made their way towards the group
Spencer took out his gun, shooting at a walker. It took him about 3 shots before he finally hit the walker - in the shoulder.
Amanda looked at Spencer in disbelief but quickly changed her face, "Stop shooting, there's no time. Just move!" Amanda shouted, pushing Spencer away. She stayed at the rear, grabbing her two machetes and quickly slicing at a walker, beheading it.
Spencer watched Amanda, slightly in awe but mainly in horror. He stumbled backwards, bumping into a tree
"C'mon!" Glenn shouted at Spencer, tugging him alongside.
Rick stayed behind with Amanda, "Let's go." he shouted towards her, leading her after the group. He kept pace with Amanda, following her quick strides.
After running for a few minutes, Heath stopped, "We can't just keep running." Heath said, breathing heavily
"We gotta get the walkers back on track." Rick said, "We can use the rv, herd them." Rick said, "I'll go."
"I'm coming." Amanda said quickly
"No. I'm going alone." Rick said
"No, Rick. No. I'm going with you, and that's final. I'm not letting you go alone." Amanda demanded angrily, looking over at Rick
"You're just gonna leave me?" Spencer asked her, worried that she wouldn't be able to protect him and the rest of the group if she was separated
"Yes, Spencer. Michonne and Glenn will keep you guys safe." Amanda said nodding as she looked around. She looked in confusion as she watched Carter wander off, making his way down the path, trying to get ahead of the group. Amanda jogged after him, "Carter! Carter stop!" Amanda said worriedly.
Carter glanced back at Amanda, causing himself to lose his footing. He stumbled against a tree, panting as he held onto it. Carter let out a scream as a walker bit him right on the cheek.
Amanda squeezed her eyes shut, standing still for a moment. She quickly rushed over, driving her machete into the skull of the walker. She knelt beside Carter, placing her hand over his mouth, trying to silence his screams, "Hey, hey, it's okay." Amanda soothed, stroking his hair back, "Let me see." She said, tilting his head to the side. She quickly grabbed her knife, driving into the base of his skull, to end his suffering.
"Oh my god.. You just.. You just killed him!" Spencer told Amanda, watching her in horror
"Spencer, baby, he was bit." Amanda said calmly, reaching out to grab his hands.
"Dont touch me, you're covered in Carters blood." Spencer said as he backed up, looking at Amanda fearfully
"Spencer please!" Amanda begged, "He was suffering." Amanda said, shaking her head, "Michonne, Glenn, take everyone and make your way back to Alexandria. Rick and I are gonna make a run for the RV and get the walkers back on track." Amanda said, looking at Rick, "We do it together or not at all."
Rick nodded, "Radio in every-time ya'll make a stop, holler if y'all find trouble." He said, looking over at Amanda, "Let's go."
Amanda looked over at Spencer, "Be careful." She begged, sighing as he turned from her, "Let's go, Rick." Amanda said, jogging through the woods. She made it through the thicket of trees and into the road
"Walkers inbound!" Rick warned, running behind Amanda
"You take the left side, I've got the right." Amanda shouted, running over to the right side. She quickly sliced at the walkers, pushing one of them down with her boot. She held the walker down with her boot as she stabbed the other one. She heard Rick groan in pain and she turned over, seeing he had sliced his hand. Amanda stabbed the walker under her boot, rushing over to Rick
"We gotta keep moving, it's fine." Rick said
"It's not fine, Rick, it's deep!" Amanda argued, reaching into her bag. She bandaged his hand up with gauze, "Let's move." Amanda said, grabbing his unaffected hand, running alongside him, "There!" She said happily, running inside the RV.
Rick grabbed the keys from underneath the dashboard. He tossed the keys to Amanda, "I'm gonna radio Glenn." He said, sitting down and grabbing the radio, fumbling with the channels
Amanda started the RV, looking back at Rick as he spoke into the radio. Amanda looked up in shock as a man came in through the open door, grabbing her roughly .
The man grabbed Amanda by her jacket, throwing her down on the ground. He took his knife, digging it into her thigh, laughed sadistically
Rick shot up, grabbing the man, throwing him against the side of the RV.
Amanda pulled the knife from her thigh, limping over and grabbing the man by his hood, pulling him on top of her and off of Rick, "Rick! The door!" Amanda shouted as another man came inside. Amanda drove the knife into the neck of the man, laying beneath him after he fell on top of her.
Rick quickly wrestled the man to the ground, catching him off guard as he pulled the hammer on gun, putting a bullet between his eyes. He looked in the rearview mirror, seeing more people come. He looked over at Amanda, nodding at the automatic weapon besides her
Amanda shifted carefully, sliding out from under the man. She carefully grabbed the gun, tossing it over at Rick. Amanda watched fearfully as Rick began shooting at the side of the RV, taking out the people from the outside
Rick ran to the drivers seat, putting the key in the engine. He closed his eyes tightly as the engine sputtered but didn't start.
Amanda looked out the window worriedly as she noticed walkers making their way towards them. Amanda placed her weight on her good leg, breathing deeply as she looked over at Rick
Rick stood up, walking over to Amanda. He cupped her cheeks, kissing her deeply. He tangled his finger in her hair, using his cut hand to hold her hips
Amanda's eyes widened in surprise but she closed them, kissing him back passionately. She hooked her fingers in the loops of his pants where his belt was, pulling him closer, "I love you." She said soft, pulling her lips away, looking out the window at the walkers coming towards the RV