Harrison Memorial Hospital

About Two Months Before The Outbreak

Leaning against the outer wall of the emergency entrance, a young woman takes a deep drag of her Marlboro Gold Cigarette. There’s a sign right next to her, warning whoever with its bold red letters; do not smoke within 15 feet of the property or they’ll be faced with fines. This doesn’t prevent her from inhaling the burning essence of nicotine and toxins before she heads back inside. Her thoughts start to wander, enjoying the time she takes for herself.

A memory comes into mind; letting out a puff of smoke. Something strange and unsettling happened the other day while she was working. An old man, who just got back to his home from a business trip in France, had become deathly ill. He provided details about his well-being, emphasizing his excellent health despite his age, yet he found himself coughing up blood.

He then mentions that he was feeling odd after he got off his plane in the States. It didn’t stop there. His illness had worsened over a few hours after, so he needed to stay at the hospital until they could properly diagnose him. Observing him and watching his symptoms. Needing several blankets for him even though he was hot to the touch. Insisted he was freezing. “S-s-sitting in Antarctica with n-nothing on but trousers. T-that’s how I-I fuckin’ f-f-feel,” he would say, jaw chattering. Old plaque buildup on his teeth.

His face, eventually, turned ghost white as the hours passed. He wouldn’t eat, had an IV in him most of the time. When she had come back to check on him, he had faded away. Died. Nothing was going. Just like that.

While inspecting him for the last time, his eyes shot open. Arm quickly outstretched, mouth agape, trying to grab and bite her. However, being so fast on her feet, she dodged his attempted attack causing him to fall out of bed. Ripping his IV out of his hand, his skull collided with the tile floor, making a sickening crack sound from the impact. Groaning and bleeding from his head. Her first instinct was to help him, however considering he should’ve been dead and literally just tried to attack her, she cautioned it better to keep her distance.

The nurse who was shadowing her gasped sharply. She watched the sudden attack from a person who was currently confirmed dead; almost taking a chunk of her skin made the nurse run for the hills. Tsk. Coward.

Realizing the man was going to attack again, she wasted no time and grabbed the IV stand close by. There was no way out from between him and the wall. She held it sideways and used it to protect herself. Moving the stand around slightly, ready for him to strike again, if he did.

And boy, did he. The man lunged at her once more. This time though, she was ready. Standing ground as he grips the ends of the IV stand. Now, face to face, she could see his eyes clearly. His pupils were the color of winter blue, with a tinted yellow around his irises and red filled his sclera. Savagely biting at her hands, stinky saliva being spat everywhere. All over her glorious soft [skin color] skin. It was so disgusting. Thinking about that specific part always makes her shutter.

So, after a bit, his smelly spitting started pissing her off a little. It even got on her face. Finally, she saw an opening in between his legs and swiftly kicked his foot right under him.

He was immobilized for a second, so she took the opportunity to yank the IV stand out of his grip, and placed a firm blow against his temple, the exact area he fell onto earlier. His body hits the ground. Limbs twitched as he tried to get up and continue to attack her. Reaching his old hand out, still groaning, now almost like hissing. The blunt force trauma to his brain impaired him though. By the time any of her co-workers came to her aid, she had already taken care of it. All staring at her with big eyes, shocked at the scene in front of them. For good reason. She had almost killed a man.

However, the higher ups didn't see it that way. They fondly expressed how she handled herself in such a surprising altercation.

They wanted to handsomely compensate her. All they asked in return is that she kept this incident to herself. No one would know or find out about it. The few nurses who did witness the scene have left the hospital entirely. Even that pussy nurse who ran out on her; said that everything is okay. They assured that it was all under control. They wouldn't tell her any further details about it, though. Maybe because they didn't have any?

What did it matter to her, really? She didn't know the man. The nurses, though she admired their hard work, are replaceable. There will always be someone better. The board said it'll be okay anyway, so what's the point of overthinking herself about it? She had more important matters to attend to. So, no more questions asked, no more thinking, she took that sleek pen between her fingers and signed her ‘soul’ away.

No one talked about that day and the nurses did leave. Left the county entirely. Never seen or heard from again. A new set of nurses came in and took over their empty spots. It didn't really matter much because her reputation still stood and now, she’s extremely wealthy.

A small town has its disadvantages and advantages. One disadvantage is rumors. Eyes. Gossip. Lots of it. Especially about her. How she held herself quite well. How she could be so smart and beautiful with such high credibility.

The talk about her getting some quick cash went around as well. She bought herself some pretty nice stuff. Named brand clothes and four new expensive cars. Each one she’s driven at least once around the town.

It was hard not to notice seeing their local surgeon go into their only high end luxury store and come out with new earrings and gold rings and drive off in an expensive car. Yet, she stayed in a small town like theirs. Why?

The townies never understood, never asked either. Only gossiped. Saying now, it's because she has a sugar daddy or a secret lover who also resides in their small town.

Sirens wailing in the distance beckons her attention from all of the thinking. An ambulance pulls up, facing its rear to the emergency entrance of the hospital. The paramedics quickly shut off the sirens and rush towards the back to bring the patient into intensive care. One paramedic and a cop with a frantic look, helps bring the patient out of the van. A brown haired man lays unconsciously on the stretcher as they start to wheel him into the hospital. He looks familiar.. She thinks to herself. He also seems to be wearing a cop uniform. A shooting? Stabbing? She isn't sure but she swears she’s seen him before. Her mint green eyes widen, thinking the worst possible scenario as she quickly puts out her cigarette, slips into her pristine white lab coat, and follows after them.

“What's his condition? Status?” She asks, catching up frantically in her black five inch pointed pumps, now flanked by two nurses. All three of them hurry alongside the paramedics and the other cop down a hallway. Following the guidance of one of the nurse's who took lead, they swiftly reach an empty surgical room and inaugurated preparations.

However, before the cop could reach the rest of the corridor with the others, a stand by nurse promptly stops him from advancing any further since it is an authorized personnel only area. “I'm sorry sir, but you can't come through here. It doesn't seem like you have access. I promise they will be okay.” She says, trying to reassure him with a smile, rubbing his shoulder.

“Fuck! Just…just lemme..fuck…” he says with a quick defeated tone. Sighing, he trudges over to the waiting room. The nurse watches him with a long face before turning around, going back to her duties.

He takes a seat and sighs heavily. His heart hurts so much, it pounds in his ears. Putting both his hands onto his face, clenching his jaw as he grinds his teeth. He's frustrated. Hell, angry. Frustrated that his friend and his family will be going through this. Angry that they train a million fucking times, yet are never prepared enough! Another heavy sigh leaves his chest, he puts his hands down and looks up at the blinding white hospital light above him.

“I should be the one to tell her…” mumbling quietly to himself as he pulls out his phone, looking down at it now and dials a number. Someone picks up from the end, “Hello?” “Hey Lori, it's me…” He stands up and takes his phone call outside.

Two paramedics lift the man off the gurney and onto the bed, wheeling it out of the way after to make room. A pair of nurses then start removing his shoes and pants first and prep him for surgery. After they did so, one of the paramedics gives her the rundown about the heavily injured man. She looks down at him as she speaks.

“This patient’s name is Richard D. Grimes. Also known as Rick Grimes. He's our local sheriff deputy for King County..” her mint green eyes flash towards his badge, still strapped on his bloodied shirt, now being removed by the nurses. “..was shot near his armpit area with a pistol while on duty.” She says, while handing her a clipboard with information about this, Rick Grimes.

She raises an eyebrow, noticing the bulletproof vest he had on as it is being put into a storage bin with the rest of his belongings. “He had a vest on.” She says.

The paramedic just shrugs, taking her leave, “the vest didn't protect around that particular area. He was actually shot before that and the vest saved him. Wasn't so lucky the second time.”

“Wait, before you go,” she stops and looks back at her, “who's the cop that was following us? Is he the one that gave you this information?” She asks, making the paramedic hold the door open, trying to get back to the rest of her team.

“Name is Officer Shane Walsh. He works with him and was the one who tried to stop his bleeding. Officer Walsh is the informer. Apparently, close.” Figured as much…

“Okay, thank you. You can go.” She says, waving her hand at the paramedic. They huff and leave the room. Saive skillfully scans through his information on the clipboard, all the nurses and anesthetist present ready for surgery to start. The clipboard is put on a counter. She washes her moisturized hands and slip them into latex gloves, “alright, let's begin.”

+

After about two hours later, the procedure is complete and Rick, still unconscious, is sent to the south wing recovery ward. She sighs deeply and removes her bloodied gloves. “Great work everyone.” Which is always truthful. Saive wholeheartedly appreciates all the difficult work that everyone does in this hospital. She just does most of it.

She nods at each of her colleagues as they return the gesture while leaving almost single lined. The gloves get thrown into the trash along with the rest of the no-longer sterilized supplies.

+

In her office a few hours later, taking a small break from the constant moving around, questions, body parts, etc. Saive sighs deeply and closes her eyes and then takes a deep inhale.

Everything is hazy. She sees something. Someone. His pink lips. He leans in closely, whispering in her ear, “...You look so pretty today…”

She opens her eyes slowly. Dark red painted lips apart, breath hitching. She blinks a few times, face pointed to the ceiling. Cheeks a flush. Turning her head towards the clipboard she had brought to her office earlier. She walks over and picks it up. Going through his information again.

Richard D. Grimes. Preferred nickname: Rick Grimes. Deputy Sheriff of King County, Georgia. Marital status: Married. One child, a boy.

Yup, this is him. The Rick Grimes. Below is his emergency contact. What do you know? It's his wife, Lori Grimes. Still married to her, bet their boy has gotten older too.

Suddenly, a voice cracks through the door with a small knock followed after, “excuse me, Dr. Lovett?” She is yanked out of her thoughts and set back to reality. “Yes? Come in.” She says, sitting in her black ‘executive’ chair. Turning her head to look at the nurse when she comes in.

“There's a woman here that would like to speak with you about…” she takes a glance at the file in her hand, “Rick…Grimes? The patient with the gunshot injury in the south recovery ward. Says she's his wife.”

“Yes, of course. She just wants to know how he's doing. Did you tell her already?” She asks, standing up and walking out of her office besides the nurse to see Rick's wife.

“Well, I wasn't sure what to tell her. Said I would ask you.” She says, biting her lip as Saive stops and gives a questioning look.

“Has he shown any signs of consciousness?” She asks, holding out her hand for his file. The nurse gives it to her, expecting there to be more information about him in it.

“He's not responding to anything we have tried. He doesn't seem to be conscious at all. We believe he might be in a coma.” She blurts out, almost complete certainty in her voice.

“A coma? Fuck…” Saive mumbles. Never expecting to see Rick here like this. Never thought that when she’d finally see him again that he would be in a potential coma. “Let me see the patient before I talk with his wife. Tell her to give me a moment.” She scurries off to Rick's room. The unit he is put in is a quiet one. Not many nurses around but enough to keep patients attended for.

Saive stands outside his door and knocks gently. No response, so she opens the door and peeks her head inside. No one but the unconscious man lying on the bed. Not moving or looking around. Saive lets herself inside of his room and closes the door behind herself. He just laid there. The iridescent light above him, shining down like he was a princess. Like a manly, shot up version of sleeping beauty. Awaiting his true love's kiss to break the spell. The only thing taking from this are the machines, tubes, and cords hooked up in and on his body and..you know…the possible coma.

She walks up to him, taking her hand and slowly lifting the top hem of his gown. She usually wears gloves, but it's different with Rick. Yeah, she might know him. She knows that he understands more than anyone. She gently pushes her hand into his gown and against his masculine, toned chest where his heart is. Her lips slowly contort into a small cheeky smile as one of her fingers graze against his bare chest.

…Thump….Thump…Thump…

Beat is consistent. A little faint but it's definitely there. Saive moves the stethoscope around his chest until it lands nicely on his right lung and then his left lung.

…Inhale…Exhale…Inhale…Exhale…

Okay, his breathing seems to be normal too. She leans down getting close to his face, mere inches from hers. Taking a little medical flashlight out of her lab coat, she beams its substantial light into Rick's icy blue eyes after carefully opening each lid to see if his pupils reflexed. However, when they did not respond to the light Saive takes a heavy note that he, as the nurse suggested, could possibly be in a coma.

She shakes her head, lightly putting the back of her hand onto his cheek. His body feels warm. His clean shaven face is soft to the touch despite the grainy look.

“It's good to see you again..” Saive mumbles with a sad smile. She stares deep into his face. Even though he's in a possible coma, she can feel the vibration of his skin piercing into her own. It's been a while since she’s been this close to him. His scent engulfs in her nose, Saive accepts it and takes an inhale.

That cologne he's wearing; he's been shot up, bloody, unconscious, sterilized, changed, and yet, he still smells like…him. This particular thought makes Saive chuckle, softly rubbing his cheek. Suddenly, a voice comes through the door, “Dr. Lovett?!”

The doors swing open, leaving little to no time for Saive to straighten herself but she’s quick. Able to look genuinely busy, like she wasn't just reminiscing memories and rubbing the cheek of this unconscious patient.

A nurse and a woman step into the room. Saive smiles warmly as she turns around, rubbing her thumb behind the file in her hands. “I'm sorry, Dr. Lovett. Her name is Lori Grimes and I couldn't get her to wait any longer. She just barged in…” The nurse says frantically.

“It's okay, she has a right to be here. Thank you. I'll take it from here.” Saive says as the nurse nods and walks out of the room. The medium length, brown haired woman walks around Saive to Rick and holds his face. Tears stream down her face. She puts her forehead on his and closes her eyes.

Saive watches this with a blank face. She's his wife…Lori. She’s never really met Lori before. She didn't know Saive. Not personally anyway. No, she knew her like all the other townies did. With gossip and rumors. However, Saive did know her. Rick Grimes's wife. The only title Lori can claim. After a little while of a sort of reunion with her and her husband, she turns to face Saive.

“I heard he was…shot while workin’. Bringin’ down a couple ofa..” she pauses for a second, “...criminals…” she says, southern voice broken from crying but also, smiling softly at the hard work her husband does. What it costed him, what it costs her, and how it will affect their son has put a damper on her thoughts.

Her smile falls, “so…is he gonna be alrigh’? Will he…wake up…?” Lori asks, wiping her nose with a tissue. She looks at Saive once more. Waiting for her response.

“I'm sorry…” Saive says, hanging her head. Something she’s become accustomed to when delivering bad news.

“W-what do you mean?” What do you mean, you're sorry?” Lori asks, eyes wide with confusion. Searching Saive’s face for an answer. Orbs filling with tears, unwillingly pouring down her face. She's trying to keep it together, but this is her husband they're talking about. How could she feel..nothing? React in a way that is deemed to be normal?

“He hasn't responded to any of the tests or reflexes. Jabs, pokes, lights. His eyes will not respond either and in his condition, that's usually not a great sign.”

“So, what are you sayin’?” She replies with a question, not clearly understanding all the medical talk.

“I'm saying that I believe, with my medical professions, that he might be in a coma. Though it's too early to tell. The best we can do right now is care for him, keep him here for a few days to a week. See how he progresses during that time.” Lori's hazel eyes widened bigger than they've been since she's spoken with Saive. She looks down at her husband as her face contorts into a sobbing one.

Saive pipes up, “he may not be responding to anything right at this moment but it doesn’t mean he won't come out of it at all. He's a strong man. Believe in him, okay?” She says, sounding a little too familiar with his character. Lori doesn't respond to her and because of that, Saive thinks it's best to leave her alone. Turning to leave the room, Lori suddenly stops her, “..Dr. Lovett, wait..”

She does stop and looks back at Lori. A broken woman, who could possibly be a widow. Both sit there in silence, staring at each other. She couldn't figure out why she stopped her in the first place. She didn't even really have anything to ask. She knows you did all you could do to help him, but something is tugging at her. The way she emphasized “strong” got the gears in her head moving a little.

In her mind, her body, her gut, she feels like Saive is more than just a surgeon. She was hiding something, just like the townspeople have said. It's not like she can come out and ask her. She’s too polite to do that. So instead, she just looks back down towards her unconscious husband and then back to Saive, “uhm..thank you…” is all she can muster before taking her gaze away and again, back down to Rick.

“Yes..of course. You're welcome.” Saive turns to take her leave. Lori watches her steps as she exits the room.

She is suddenly greeted outside of the room by a man wearing the same exact Deputy cop uniform as Rick. He’s got her close to the door; shocked by his immediate and intrusive presence. The cop smiles genuinely, “woah, sorry sweetheart. Didn’t mean to scare you there.” He backs up a little, giving Saive a better view of him.

Short brown hair that’s slightly curled. An intense stare that gives his dark brown eyes an allure, captivating every fleeting moment with an unspoken invitation. Strong, shaped arms tucked away under his uniform. The pet name automatically given to her is expected from this particular man. Shane. Shane Walsh. Yes, Saive knows him. Just like Lori, she knows who he is, but he didn’t know her. Even before she asked for his information, she knew it had to be him.

Saive just looks at him, but her mind is running really fast. Pet names? Already? Of course it's degrading but it also brought a small fire inside the pit of her stomach, slowly coursing its way between her thighs. She did have to admit that he is good-looking. He has a cute smile, pretty lips. Heh, Saive started getting some dirty thoughts in her head. She squishes her legs together. Oh man, not now~ she thinks to herself.

To distract herself from the potential meltdown in her panties, she smiles at Shane. Smile big. Smile bright. Smile him away. Hoping maybe the creepy smile would get him to leave her alone. However, he just tilts his head slightly, giving her a puzzled look. Now, coming a little closer to her. Well, that did the complete opposite.

“It’s quite alright. Who are you?” Saive already knows who he is, but she has to ask. Make him believe that she knows nothing about him. “I’m sure the nurses will be able to help you, I’m very busy.” She says, clasping the file between her fingers. Hands down by her thighs. A straight back, head held high, giving a very elegant, professional stance.

“I need you to help me, Dr. Lovett. Not anybody else but you.” He says, almost aggressively. She blinks at him. Need? She blinks again. Her? Why her? Suppose she’ll hear him out, just a little.

He continues, noticing that he seems to have got Saive to listen to him,, “My name is Shane Walsh…” I know. She thinks to herself, “and that man in there is Rick Grimes.” He points to the door behind her, “we work together on the force; I was with him when he got shot. Is he goin’ be okay? They wouldn’t tell me anything. I need to know!” He raises his voice in a desperate plea. Colleagues and patients walk by giving concerned looks. She eases their stress by motioning gently with her hands up and down, changing up her smile to look more sincere.

“I apologize f’my tone, okay? Truth be told this kina thing never happens. I mean..it happens but…” Shane trails off. Sort of coming out like a dick. He rubs the back of his neck. “I heard you’re the best doctor ‘round right now.” Okaayy…?

“I work hard. All there is to it.” Saive says, clenching the file slightly. He’s as annoying as she remembers him being. “Look,” she begins, about to give it to him straight, “all I can say for right now is that your friend might be in a coma. We don’t want to confirm anything yet, but he will be staying at this hospital for a few days to a week. As I have told Mrs. Grimes. At the moment he is not conscious. All we can do is wait. She is also in there, if you’d like to see him as well.” She nods her head towards the room behind her. “I have to go now, Officer Walsh. Got a lot of work to do.”

“Hold up.” He suddenly says, stopping Saive in her tracks as he moves close to her face. Slowly closing the gap between them, her pumps add five inches to her height. She doesn't back down from his obvious attempt at intimidation. “You ARE that doctor everyone in town keeps yappin’ about. How’s it feel comin’ to work all dolled up? Hope daddy pays you good~” He mocks and begins to snicker a little, holding his hand up to contain his laughter. He’s referring to her style choice. More specifically black pumps and she looks down at them. Smiling at how great they make her legs look.

She scoffs as he finally gives her room. Saive looks at him with another blank stare, catching on to the fact that he also heard about the rumors. Of fucking course he did. She huffs and pushes past him; brush off her clothes when she gets far enough away from him, “ew…” she says in disgust. Loud enough for him to hear.

“That fuckin’ cunt..” Shane sneers, watching her rub his scent off as if it were cockroaches. Kind of pisses him off how full of herself she is just by that one interaction. Despite this, her demeanor intrigues him. How does she care for others when she only really seems to think of herself? Seems physically impossible to have that as a trait and still be a good doctor. Surgeon? Whatever. So mysterious. Who knew it’s unattractive in some people. He “tsks” and goes inside the room with Lori.

Saive walks calmly down the corridor, eyes watching her. Nodding at her. When the eyes are no longer lingering, she hurriedly takes a sharp turn and darts into the bathroom. It’s a decently sized bathroom. One seater. She slams the door shut, pressing her back against it, panting and locking it in the process.

The likes of these men. Always getting in her face. Flush starts growing on her cheeks. A drooly smile invades her lips as Saive runs her fingers through her long, black, straight hair. With her other hand, she rides it up her thigh towards her pelvic area. She breathes in deeply, thinking of Shane pinning her against the door. Reaching under her skirt and playing with her hot pussy. Right in front of all her colleagues. Pressing his sexy, toned body up on hers. The heat running off his skin and burning her own.

He’s a dominant man, isn’t he? Saive thinks to herself, the involuntary pet name he called her earlier adding to the intense heat between her legs. Saive loves strong men. Guys who can hold themselves. It always drives her crazy. Respect, determination, never backing down, yeah..that kind of shit is a panty dropper for her.

Though. Saive has never told anyone her deep dark secret. Something, that if ever came out to the public at all, would ruin her reputation she’s spent so long to build. She takes her hand out of her hair and slides the tips of her fingers into her mouth and hooks them roughly against the inside of her cheek. “Aahh~” she moans. Already feeling insane, how could she possibly go back to work in such a perverted state? Her mind is not even able to think clearly. She honestly just wants to touch herself but resist the urge to. Sexual tension building up inside her.

Instead, Saive takes a joint out. Hidden neatly in the folds of her lab coat, along with a lighter she keeps besides it. Lighting the joint and breathing in the calming TCH goodness. She closes her mint green eyes as the Sativa high embraces her. Removing her hand from her upper thigh and huff. “Fuck..” Saive mumbles softly. She takes a couple more puffs before taking her thumb and index finger and pulls out the cherry, it hits the ground. Conserving the rest of her joint for later. Smoke filled the bathroom now. One of her black pumps step perfectly on the burning ash on the floor, leaving nothing but a bundle of dust. Blown away when she opens the door and exits the bathroom.

Chapter One - Before The End

Not Final Copy