Part 2 (2/2)

*Oh yes, for Emma O'Brien, she was huge the last time I saw her,' Charlie said, *she'll pop at any moment.'

Liz had met Emma on a few occasions, despite the couple deciding not to live within the Convent walls. She had been a nice enough woman if a little harsh.

There were half a dozen outposts dotted within a forty mile radius of the Convent. People had chosen all sorts of defendable strongholds and the type of stronghold varied as much as the people who lived in them. There was a salvage yard, another lived in a castle ruin and another a police station. Anything that could keep out the Dead, worked. Some people just thought they could only put their trust in themselves, when it came to protecting their family and Mr O'Brien was certainly one of those. Liz thought that if he hadn't been worried about the labour, then she doubted Mr O'Brien would be bringing his wife to see Nadine at all.

*Well I promised our new guest, Mr Parker, that I'd have a bit of a look around for his nephew when I do the rounds and I might as well go get Emma and Daniel at the same time. It'll take a few days, to get there and back. We'll pa.s.s at least two of the outposts on the way there so I can check on those too, warn them there may be raiding parties in the area.' Charlie said, picturing the circular route in his mind's eye.

*Raiders?' Nadine asked, looking slightly nervous.

*Charlie thinks it may it may have been some raiders who killed Mr Parker's brother,' Liz said, *but don't worry they'll have a hard job getting in here.'

*Well I hope so.' Nadine said as she opened her book, still looking a little worried.

Like all survivors she had had to kill the slow Dead to save herself more times than she cared to remember, but going up against someone armed and alive, she doubted she would come out on top there.

*Anyway,' she continued *I'm going to finish up with this and I'll see you at dinner.' She began walking off, already lost in the pages of the book.

*Who are you going to take with you tomorrow?' Liz asked Charlie, as they resumed walking.

*Well,' he began, *I thought...'

*I'm coming with you,' she interrupted, *no arguments. You need someone you can trust to watch your back out there, particularly if there are raiders about.'

*Well if you let me finish, I was going to say you and Imran should come,' he said looking a bit irritated.

*Well OK, that's alright then.' Liz said, a little disappointed she hadn't had a chance to list her reasons. The argument over before it began, *We'd better go tell Imran, so he's ready for tomorrow.' she continued.

*That boy's always ready,' Charlie said, a smile on his lips *and you'd better break the news to Anne, you know how she gets when you have to go outside.'

Even at her young age, Anne understood her older sister had responsibilities to the group. Not that she worried any the less, when Liz left the safety of the Convent. She had seen too many people say goodbye to loved ones and have them never return. It didn't matter how good you were with a weapon, the outside world was a dangerous and unpredictable place.

They eventually found Imran and Anne together in the room he shared with his brother. Anne now washed and clean, sat on Mohammad's bed watching Imran repairing some of his arrows, her large eyes intent on taking in every detail. Imran had promised to make her a bow of her own and more importantly, teach her how to use it with deadly accuracy. The room was similar to their own, except where she and Anne had their bunks drawn close together the brothers had theirs against each wall. On the floor in between the beds a small faded prayer mat had been laid. Stained and looking a little worse for wear, Liz didn't know if Imran and his brother continued with their prayers out of belief or simply as a connection to the family they had lost.

Looking up as she they entered, Imran smiled at Liz. A natural open smile.

*Hey, and what brings such a lovely lady to my door?'

But before she could say a word Charlie spoke.

*I need to visit some of the Outposters tomorrow and also bring Emma O'Brien back so she can have her baby here. It'll take a few days, so I want you and Liz to come with me.'

Instantly the smile dropped from Anne's face, a worried look already replacing it.

*Now don't look at your sister like that young lady,' Charlie said *you know as well as I, that with the three of us the Dead won't stand a chance. We'll be fine.'

Imran, catching Liz's eye, knew there was more to this trip than just bringing Emma back. He was about to ask what, when Liz gave him the slightest shake of her head, the question dying on his lips. So it was something they didn't want to worry Anne about, he was intrigued.

Liz went and sat down on the bed next to Anne.

*Come on, you know we have to do this. You don't want Emma having her baby alone with no one who knows what to do, do you?' Liz said as she pushed some of sister's unruly blond curls behind her ear, *I promise we'll be as quick as we can, and as Charlie says we'll only be a few days'

*Three days tops.' Charlie added.

*Yeh, three days tops,' Liz continued. She could see Anne wasn't happy about her going but she was a sensible girl for her age. She would understand this needed to be done *Oh and I'm going to ask Alice to keep an eye on you, so there's no more chicken poo moments'

Charlie raised a questioning eyebrow.

*Don't ask,' Liz said, getting up, *now off you go with Charlie, it's almost meal time.' she said gesturing for her to leave.

*Come on half pint, let's leave these two love birds alone for a few minutes.' He said as he gave Anne a wink.

Giggling, all worry momentarily gone, Anne followed Charlie out of the room. As they walked off to the refectory, Liz could hear her sister making loud kissing noises and the low rumble of Charlie's laugh.

Imran put down the arrow he was holding and pulled Liz down onto his lap. She slipped off the harness that held her sword and putting her arms around his shoulders, looked deep into his dark eyes. Seeing the love she felt, reflected back at her, she leant forward. Eyes open, their mouths barely touching, feeling each other's breath on their lips, they knew they belonged together. Imran lifted his hand to cup the back of her head, his fingers entwining in her short hair, his other hand pulling her closer to him. And then he kissed her, softly at first, then building as a hunger overtook them both. The world fell away and all Liz could feel was Imran. He was everything. His lips, his tongue, the rapid beating of his heart mirroring her own. Then pulling back briefly and with desperate hands he lifted her t-s.h.i.+rt over her head. Liz arched towards him as Imran caressed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, nipples and stomach.

*Mine...' he mumbled, claiming her body with his kisses as his hands ran up and down her back.

*Yes, mine.' Liz echoed, as she pushed him back on the bed and began to pull at his clothes.

The need to feel his skin against her body adding speed to her nimble fingers, as she unb.u.t.toned his s.h.i.+rt. His slim muscular body called out to her with a desire they both needed to be satisfied. Soon they were both naked in each other's arms, making love and exploring bodies with hands and mouths, a demanding pa.s.sion consuming them both. When they were done, they lay entwined in each other's limbs. A sheen of sweat covering their spent bodies, their rapid breath and beating hearts slowly returning to normal. Imran delicately stroked her arm as she lay across him.

*I do love you, Liz.' Imran said in barely a whisper.

She turned her head to look up at him and to her surprise she saw tears p.r.i.c.king his eyes.

*What's the matter?' she said, cupping his face in her hands, concerned.

*I'm scared,' he said, *I love you so much, I don't think I'd be able to cope if something happened to you'

*Oh you moron,' she replied, smiling, as she kissed away the tears *I'm not going anywhere, promise'

As she looked deep into his eyes, they both knew it was a promise she had no right making, not in this world of Dead. With one last soft kiss, full of both love and an unspoken sadness, Imran sighed.

*Come on lets go get something to eat.' He said as they untangled their limbs and dressed.

As they were about to leave the room Liz stopped him. Putting her hand on his chest she could feel the slow steady rhythm beating within.

*Promise.' she said, seriously looking up at him.

This small beautiful woman in front of him. This woman who had made life in this c.r.a.p world bearable for him. This woman he knew he would kill and die for. This was the woman he loved with all that he was.

*Promise.' He replied, covering her hand with his.

After a brief pause he took her hand in his.

*Come on.' He said as he led her back down the hall to join the others.

<script>