Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, ect., are the property of their respective owners.  The original character and plot are the property of the author.  The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.  No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary:  Part 2 of the Lil’ Bird Series.  With the hope of CDC lost, the Grimes and the Walsh families are on the road to Ft. Benning.  What will Birdie find along the way?  Will Birdie and Shane remain side by side wherever the road might lead?  *No evil Shane* 

Warning:  This fan-fiction is rated Mature for Language, Gore and Adult Situations.  Readers under the age of 18 are strongly discouraged from reading.

Pairing: Shane & Birdie Walsh

Chapter Nine

 

Stumbling down the stairs, I grasped the larger man’s shirt with both hands.  “Shane…where’s Shane?”  I begged as the other stranger brushed past me, grabbing the red pack from who I assumed was Patricia’s husband.

“He was hurt…”  I could literally feel the blood drain out of my face as the man looked down at me. 

“Shane!”  I screamed with all my might.  “Shane?!” 

“Birdie, just calm down now…you’re too weak…” My brother tried to sooth as he stepped in my line of sight, his eyes worried.  He looked like he was afraid I’d fall over.  Which was probably warranted—my vision was going blurry every few seconds; white spots dancing in front of my eyes and my breathing was getting heavier.

“Shane!”  The scream fell desperately from my lips as I slid to the ground beneath me, my head dropped into my hands as I started to sob wildly. 

“Miss…” the man heaved, his voice winded and rasping as he panted, “I’m tryin’ to tell you…he’s hurt, but’s he’s alive…he’s closin’ the gate.”  He finished as he hoisted me to my feet by my biceps.

“Alive?”  I begged, sagging against his chest as I started to shake.

“Yes Ma’am.”  He replied.   

“Birdie!”  I heard a muffled yell from the distance followed by the bark of my bloodhound. 

“Shane…,” I rasped, tears of happiness flowing down my face as I tried to discern if he was real or not. 

“Now just hold on, Birdie…” my brother said, trying to keep me from rushing out into the dark.

Shaking my head, I broke out of Otis’ hold on my arms.  I jerked around his body and started to walk towards the sound.  Before too long, I could make out his silhouette in the porch light, he was limping badly.  Concerned and overjoyed he was here, I took off in a run. 

“Shane,” I cried happily. 

Suddenly, the world tilted on its axis and everything went fuzzy.  I stumbled a bit, but kept going.  If I could only get to his arms…everything would be alright again.  I just had to get there. 

“Birdie,” he called, sounding concerned.  “Baby, what’s wrong with you?” 

“I—

My voice caught in my throat as the sounds around me turned garbled.  My fingers and toes went cold and numb and then…

My world went black. 

~

It was morning the next time I opened my eyes.  My body felt like lead—heavy and stiff, and trying to force my aching eyes open was Hell; it felt like I would have to literally pry them open they were so heavy.  If I didn’t know any better I would swear that I was in my 20’s again and had been on a weekend bender with Shane.

When I finally did manage to peel them open, I wished I hadn’t.  I swore loudly and shut my eyelids as tightly as I could; protecting them from what I assumed was the glaring morning sun. 

A low chuckled followed my cursing and a warm gentle kiss was placed on my bare neck.  “Glad to see you’re in fine form this mornin’, darlin’.” 

“Ouch,” I complained as I rolled to my side with a groan.  Damn, I felt like my body had been put through a blender. 

Once in control of my facilities I delicately opened my eyes once again… and saw a tanned man with a very bald head and deep, dark eyes—who just happened to be shirtless  next to me. 

With a startled yelp, I lurched backwards and nearly fell off the bed I was apparently in. 

“Baby?”  My eyes widened as the realization of who this person was dawned on me. 

“Shane?”  I questioned, looking over his shaved head with awe and he smiled slightly and nodded.  I don’t think I had seen Shane this way…well, ever.  “What the Hell happened to your hair?” 

“Needed somethin’ different.”  He mumbled, rubbing a hand over the stubble on his head. 

“Carl?”  I asked, my own hand drifting up and over the short, black fuzz. 

He smiled at me, a bright, stunning smile.  “He’s gonna pull through just fine.  His surgery went off without a hitch…so baring recovery complications…”

“He’s okay?”  I asked, removing the covers from my lower half and trying to stand.  I fell back down almost immediately. 

“Easy babe,” he said softly, reaching forward to brush the sticky bangs off my forehead.  “David said you need to take it easy.” 

My forehead wrinkled up in confusion.  “Who the Hell is David?” 

His eyes got big for a second.  “You don’t remember?” 

I shook my head.  No, I can definitely say I don’t remember meeting a David.  I remember Hershel, Patricia, Maggie, Beth, Jimmy and Otis…but no David. 

“Otis and me, we found David in the cafeteria of the high school.  He’s a local doctor…was a volunteer for FEMA…he’d been pinned down in there since it was overrun.  Helped us get out.” 

Reaching down, I blindly fingered the small butterfly needle that was taped to the crook of my elbow.  “Why am I on an I.V.?” 

He looked down, his golden finger tracing the line of surgical tape that held the needle in place.  “Doc says you were severely dehydrated…had to pump some fluids into ya quick… had to give you two bags.”

“Well, I guess I owe him a big thank you, then.”  I told him, smiling at the light in his big brown eyes…even though my head was killing me.

“You could thank me instead.”  He purred, scooting forward under the sheets.  “I’ll send my regards.”  

He used his thickly muscled arms to pull me closer to him and kissed me soundly.  I was so happy to see him here and in one piece that all other thoughts flew from my head and I kissed him back. 

“Mmmhmm, uh—baby,” I said braking from the kiss.  “I’m disgusting.” 

He chuckled as he pulled back, his eyes heavy as he looked down at me.  He leaned in and nipped my bottom lip…then the top before he sweetly kissed the tip of my nose. 

“Alright baby, we’ll get you cleaned up.  David and Hershel both agreed that it’d be alright for you to shower today…” He smiled slyly, his beautiful pink lips quirking up into a sinuous grin.  “…as long as you had help.” 

“Smart-ass,” I commented, swatting playfully at his naked chest.  “Help me up, fool.” 

“Just one more kiss,” he said lowly, leaning in again to capture my lips in a long overdue meeting of lips. 

The flesh of his parted lips was soft and warm and very inviting, making it impossible to refuse the inevitable desire that burned in the pit of my abdomen.  Never in my life had I ever experienced desire like this.  I had always wanted Shane for my own, I had dreamed about us being together, but I couldn’t have imagined the passion that was a constant tension between us. 

The kiss continued for several minutes…each nip and caress pushing that desire closer and closer to the surface, but as he maneuvered my body under his…my brain finally caught up with the rest of me and I pushed back against his chest.  

He pulled back, pushing himself up on his forearms, his powerful hips still rocking hard from between my parted thighs.  “Sorry baby…I just never thought I’d see you again.”

I shook my head at him and grasped his neck, pulling him down and pecking his lips again.  God he smelled so…clean and good.  “I just feel…icky.” 

He laughed…a silly laugh and started rubbing himself along my body like a cat and making me giggle.  “You smell like a sweet peach.”  He teased as a started playfully biting at my neck and snorting like a pig. 

“Shane,” I yelped, swatting at him.

“Alright baby, alright.”  He said as he pulled himself off me, rubbing a hand over his head and face.  I wanted to snort at him and his obvious erection that was pushing out harshly against the seam of his dark cargo pants.

“Hold tight,” he said as he adjusted his morning wood and grabbed a blue button-up from the foot of the bed and strolled out the door. 

When he was gone from my sight I took the time to glance around the room and noticed it was definitely decorated to the tastes of a young man.  There were band posters and magazine clips of baseball players pasted all over the walls and ceilings.  The bedspread was a dark blue and the furniture was masculine. 

Did Hershel have a son I hadn’t been introduced to?

Before those questions had any time to marinate the door opened again and a man in his forties stepped over the threshold and smiled at me.  I automatically assumed that this was the mysterious David I had heard about. 

Even though he had a good 10 years or more on Shane, I would be lying if I said he wasn’t attractive.  He had a swagger about him that fondly reminded me of a certain blue-eyed redneck I knew and he practically oozed raw sex appeal.

Holy crow, I thought to myself with a red face, I’m actually blushing.

He had a mop of shaggy blond hair and the strangest eyes I had ever seen.  His eyes were beautiful in the most weird and wonderful way.  One eye was the bluest I’d ever seen—even more stunning than Daryl’s—and the other eye was the most brilliant shade of emerald.  

“Morning, love,” he said with a thick British accent.  “I hear you are ready to be parted from this ghastly machine.” 

Still blushing like a teenager, I nodded.  “I would, thank you.  I’ll go ahead and assume that you’re David?” 

“You’d be right, precious.”  He said, moving to sit at my bedside and started gently peeling back that tacky tape at my elbow.  “David Byrne at your service, madam.” 

Smiling goofily, I cut my eyes to my husband only find him already covering his smile with his fist.  “He’s somethin’ else ain’t he, baby?” 

“I beg to differ, mate.”  The gorgeous doctor offered.  “You are a different breed entirely…you and that insane mongrel.” 

“Hey,” I said defensively.  “Trusty ain’t no mutt.”

“Careful, Doc,” Shane laughed.  “You keep talkin’ ‘bout my wife’s baby like that and she’s liable to shove that needle up your dick.”

“Shane!”  I scolded, blushing fire-hydrant red in embarrassment.  

The blond doctor smiled roguishly at me.  “Forgive me.”  He said and put a hand to his chest as he formally bowed.  “That brave beast belongs to you?”

“Yeah,” I said shyly. 

“Well, Mrs. Walsh, I’d say you’re set for the day.”  David told me, smiling as he stood.  He pointed to Shane before he left.  “You be careful with that ankle, mate.” 

As he strolled casually out the door, I turned to Shane with an eyebrow raised and said, “Wow.” 

He laughed, “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up,” he told me as extended his hand and helped to pull me to my feet. 

Swaying slightly from dizziness, I grasped on to Shane’s biceps and laid my head on his chest.  Not for nothin’, but I was sick of this damsel in distress act. 

~

The shower was exhilarating and putting on fresh clothes on top of that…well, I felt like I had died and gone to Heaven. 

Shane had been something else under the hot spray of the water…constantly gripping some part of my body as he kissed and rocked against me…it really was too bad that we couldn’t act on our desires.  We were on a strict no strenuous activity diet until my blood cells had a chance to regroup and Shane’s ankle didn’t look so bad.  It really did look terrible…I had thought he broke it when I first glanced at the angry purple injury. 

Knowing that there would be no search party for me today, I dressed in a simple pair of cut-off shorts, white tank and a Shane’s favorite pull on cowgirl boots.  His eyes were practically burning holes in my clothes as I dressed…not that I was any better. 

He redressed in the same dark cargo’s and blue button-up shirt from earlier and topped it off with his navy blue “Police” ball-cap and smiled cheekily as he laced up his combat boots; the little prick.

We were just making our way through the front living room when we heard the rumbling of Daryl’s Triumph pulling up outside. 

Ricky, Lori, T-dog, Glenn, Hershel and David met us at the screen door and Ricky hugged me and Shane tightly.  Weeping as he apologized and gave his thanks.  I could only smile dopily back at him, overjoyed that my nephew was in the clear. 

As soon as my eyes met with the bright morning sun, the world tilted again and I swayed on my feet, feeling like I might fall over.  Thankfully, Shane was there to catch me or I would have certainly took a digger into the wood planks of the porch. 

“Let’s set you down.”  He said roughly, maneuvering my body to slump in one of the many rocking chairs adorning the front porch as Ricky stepped down to meet the rest of our group.  

I sat back, letting my eyes refocus and settle on our “people” as they dismounted and exited the remaining four vehicles that were left on the roadside yesterday. 

Daryl had been looking through his saddlebags when I had fallen heavily into my chair, the back clattering loudly against the old wood siding and his head jerked up and he stormed the porch. 

“What happened?  Was she bit?” He angrily asked my husband—who seemed no more in the mood to put up with Daryl as Daryl was in the mood to put up with anyone. 

“She ain’t bit…” Shane growled back.  “Just gave too much blood.” 

At the sound of Shane’s voice, Trusty…who seemed to come out of nowhere stormed up the front steps, nearly knocking Shane and Daryl down and he threw his front paws into my lap and started licking me like he’d never see me again. 

“Awe…my big boy, did someone miss his Mama?”  I cooed, scratching his ear.  I would have put that big baby in my lap if I had had the strength.  “Did someone miss me?” 

Yes, I sounded like an idiot…but my baby was safe, though…he yelped when I took his right paw. 

“Shane?”  I asked, glaring up at him. 

He held his hands up.  “Baby—

“What happened?”  I asked, tears already forming in my eyes at the thought of my precious baby being hurt.  “What happened to his paw?”

“Ma’am,” Otis said as he opened the screen door and stepped out with Patricia.  “My wife would like to have a look at it later, but I think it’s just a sprain.” 

“We got pinned down in the auditorium and I-I had to…the only way out was through a window.  I was gonna toss Trusty down first…but Otis…he got attacked…Trusty went after him…jumped a good 10 feet to the ground from the bleachers…” Shane continued, crouching down beside Trusty and scratched his ears. 

“Ma’am…” Otis continued, but I interrupted him.

“Please call me Birdie.”

He smiled sweetly and tilted his hat.  “Miss Birdie…that dog saved my life; I’ll never forget that…please let Hershel have a look at’im.” 

“Of course…

Other than Daryl’s sudden outburst, Dale was the first one to ask the question I’m sure all of them were dreading.  “How is he?”

Lori nodded, looking back at me, Shane and Trusty.  “He’ll pull through, thanks-thanks to H-Hershel and his…his people—

“And Shane n’ Otis…we’d have lost Carl if it weren’t for them.”  Ricky finished. 

Shane looked down from where he stood.  “You ain’t gotta thank me, brother; how could I ever face my wife again knowin’ I didn’t give it all I had.” 

Carol embraced Lori as Dale stepped forward and hugged Ricky and then Shane.  My poor baby didn’t know what to do with himself which was clear as he shuffled from foot to foot during the awkward squeeze.  Daryl never moved from my side, chewing on his thumb nail as he chose to stand stoic and silent as always while the rest of our group got reacquainted. 

“How did it happen?”  Dale asked and Ricky sighed. 

“Huntin’ accident… that’s all, just a stupid accident.”  Ricky replied, looking more relieved than I’d seen him in days.

~

Patricia found me sometime later…Shane had left a while ago with Daryl’s offer to help him set up our tent.  He told him a lady had no business sleeping on the ground.  Apparently Otis agreed and helped the boy’s move an old, full-size mattress of his and his wife’s into our tent; a thank you for saving his life. 

We all gathered by Ed’s Cherokee later that day with Hershel and Otis who offered up different maps of the area so we could reconvene our search for Ed.  It wasn’t something I was very keen on—especially since my nephew and husband had almost died in the search already—but Ricky was adamant and since our catastrophe with Carl the other day…I found I didn’t have it in me to even argue with him.  I didn’t want to fight with my family over petty issues anymore.  If Ricky felt so strongly about finding that asshole…well, I promised I’d help him. 

“How long’s this fella been lost?”  Hershel asked as Shane pushed me in front of him and leaned over my shoulder to look at the map. 

The fool was really playing dirty today.  He may have looked cool as a cucumber on the outside, but the hard length pressing against my left ass-cheek said different; which was only made more awkward when we were joined by Andrea on our left and Daryl on our right.

“This’ll be day three.”  Ricky told him as Hershel’s daughter approached with a different map. 

She really was a pretty thing and I could see why Glenn—who had been a stuttering mess since meeting her—would be so taken with the southern beauty.  She was a strong, independent young woman and I liked her immediately. 

She slung that map down on the hood of the Cherokee and rolled it out.  “County Survey Map,” she said as we all grabbed at an end.  “Show terrain and elevations.”

“This is perfect,” Ricky commented, smiling at the younger brunette.  “We have a chance to finally get this thing organized…

“We can grid the whole area and start searchin’ in teams…

I looked at my brother from across the hood and noticed just how pale he looked.  Well, we were both fairly pair by nature—we both being from an Irish background—but he looked as bad as I did on a good day.  There was no way he was going out anywhere today…I didn’t care if I had to sit on him. 

“Not you,” Hershel declared, looking at Ricky’s sickening color.  “Not today, you’ve given three units of blood…you wouldn’t be hikin’ five minutes in this heat before passin’ out…

“And you and your husband too,” Hershel said, speaking to me and Shane.  “Between your concussion and his ankle…you push it now and you’ll both be laid up for a month.” 

“Looks like were tent-bound, darlin’,” Shane whispered not so discreetly into my right ear—making sure he was loud enough for Daryl to hear him—before he bit my earlobe.  Caveman!

Ricky snickered lightly before apologizing to Hershel.  “You’ll have to accuse my brother-in-law…honeymooners.” 

“Ricky!”  I hissed, elbowing Shane in the ribs to make him back off as I smiled at Hershel with a red face. 

I think the old man was about to laugh at me before I glared at him.  So, he simply cleared his throat and told Ricky he understood.

Daryl grunted next to me, brushing my arm as he leaned over to point at the map.  “Guess it’s just me.” 

I swear on all that is Holy, I was gonna end up kickin’ one or both of their asses before this pissin’ contest was over.  Honestly, I was starting to wonder if they were even fighting over me anymore or were simple trying to one-up each other. 

“I’m gonna head back to the creek, work my way from there.”  Daryl gasped, trying to hide the fact that my bony elbow had just met his ribcage. 

Shane—never one to be outdone—piped up.  “I can still be useful, Birdie and I can drive back to the interstate…see if Ed wandered back.” 

“Alright,” my brother conceded, looking tired but amused.  Ricky might be an idiot at times but he certainly knew Shane well enough to know when he was being a jelly-bean. 

Ricky smiled at me as I gripped Shane’s forearm, loving stroking his golden skin as he rested his chin on the top of my head.  “Tomorrow then, we start doin’ this right.” 

“That means we can’t have the group out there with just knives…We don’t know what kind of shape Ed’s gonna be in when we find him…he could be violent, and he’s a big fuc—friggin’ man, Ricky.  We need to get others gun trainin’…like we promised.”  I said, looking at Andrea out of the corner of my eye. 

Andrea smiled brightly at my suggestion and I was glad she was in better spirits today…frankly, I was sick to death of arguing with everyone. 

“She’s right,” Shane defended, pressing his lips to my temple before settling his police cap down on my head.

Hershel looked from me to Rick before he lowered his head.  “I’d prefer you not carrying guns on my property, we’ve managed so far to survive this far without turning this into an Army camp,” he turned to fully face my brother before he continued.  “…and you and I need to have a discussion about this fella if he’s dangerous.” 

“With all due respect,” Shane spoke, rubbing his hand across my back, “but you get a crowd of those things wandering in here—

“We’re guests here,” Ricky interrupted, before turning to Hershel then cutting his eyes back to me and Shane.  “This is your property and we will respect that.”  Ricky finished by laying his Python .357 on the hood of the Cherokee in good faith.

Shane scoffed but relinquished his .45 and I followed by laying down my 30/06 and my 9mm. 

“Don’t worry about it, baby,” I whispered, kissing the side of his neck.  “We’ll manage…we’re badass.” 

Shane snickered before lowering his head to kiss my lips as my brother started to speak again.  “First things first:  Camp and then we find Ed.” 

“I hate to be the one who asks…but somebody’s got to.  What happens when we find him and he’s bit.”  Shane asked, turning to my brother’s sour face.  “I think we should be clear on how to handle that.”

“Then we do what we have to.”  I told him, gripping onto the front of his shirt as I started to feel woozy again. 

“And his wife and daughter…what do you tell them?”  Maggie asked, looking shocked that my husband would even mention such a thing. 

I guess I was a little hasty when I said we’d get along. 

Andrea looked over at me and rolled her eyes before scoffing, “The truth.”

“We’ll gather and secure all the weapons…” Shane started, but I didn’t bother to look at him as my eyes were locked on Hershel and Maggie who didn’t seem to understand why we were acting the way we were. 

Jesus, were they so sheltered from the epidemic that they didn’t see walkers as a threat?

“…make sure no one’s carryin’ until we can set up a practice range off sight.  We request one rifle for lookout…Dale’s got military experience.” 

Everyone turned to look at Hershel who didn’t seem like he wanted to budge on the subject.  Ricky—ever the negotiator—stood tall, looking the old man in the eye as he stuck up for Shane.  I mean, come on, it was a reasonable request. 

“Our people would feel safer…less inclined to carry a gun…” 

Daryl leaned in close, whispering to both Shane and I, “This is bullshit.” 

We both nodded in agreement.  This really was bullshit.  Yeah, I get that Hershel didn’t want that kind of danger wandering on his property…but damn, if somethin’ were to happen…who knows how long it would take us to reach our weapons…it might end up being too late.