'Could you help Milton out today? It will just be the two of you, the rest of the guys can't be spared for today, so you need to be careful'

'Of course Governor, I have my things ready'

'Good. You know where to find him'

I nodded silently and walked down the street and into the small alley where the lab was placed.

Milton didn't hear me come in, he was sitting at the desk, headphones in and sipping tea, reading over some files.

I gave a small smirk as I closed the door and walked towards him.

I stood behind him for a few long seconds, stifling a laugh at how he still didn't even register my presence before tapping him on the shoulder and watching him practically jump out of his skin.

'Morning' I stated calmly as he clutched his chest briefly.

'M-morning Ella... I was just, uh listening to some music and going over todays expedition'

I nodded with a smile.

'Well I have the car packed up and set, you ready to go?'

'Just let me grab a few things and I'll meet you out there'

'Sure, see you in about 10?'

He nods in reply and I leave the lab.

Merle and Martinez open up the gates and Milton and I drive through in our truck, I can hear the heavy gate scraping loudly behind us, as I roll the window down and feel the rushing air wash over my face. I close my eyes and rest my head on the window.

'So nice to feel the air on my face for once, this summer is going to be hell'

He mumbled in agreement and concentrated on driving.

I opened my eyes and faced him.

'So what exactly does The Governor want us to accomplish today?'

He pushed his moon shaped glasses back up as they were sliding down his nose and slightly cleared his throat.

'He uh, wants us secure the traps'

'Isn't this usually a 4 man job? And he sends two people out?'

'The other guys have other business to attend to'

'Business huh?...Well that doesn't sound suss at all. I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with that woman Michonne leaving this morning does it?'

'No…'

I raised an eyebrow but didn't question. I'd been in Woodbury for a little over two months and I had grown to like the place, even If something seemed a little off, mainly with our leader The Governor, or Philip as Milton called him when he thought no one else was listening.

Milton however was a mousey type of guy, very quiet, very involved in his work. I liked him though even though he had a sort of anal vibe about him, and he seemed very uncomfortable in the presence of women, especially when it was one on one. Right now he seemed a little unnerved that it was just the two of us in a car. He'd grown used to me over the weeks but he was in his lab, his comfort zone.

Right now we were stuck in this tiny confined space for an hour and that was definitely not something he was used to.

'I never asked you, what you used to do…before the world went to shit?'

'Worked in a lab'

'Ah…should have known, what about family? Wife? Kids?'

He shook his head.

'I uh, never really was a people person. Parents died when I was young…so I was kind of a loner'

'Same goes for both of us then, when I wasn't at work I kind of a stay at home and do nothing kind of person…I had friends but, preferred little to no company'

'What did you do for work?'

'Body piercer and a florist on Saturdays'

'Well, that's…not a usual combination. I get the piercer thing because of your own…but not a florist'

I laughed. 'I got that a lot, and not many people were used to seeing a florist with 4 piercings on her face and 7 others in her ears and a quarter of her hair shaved off…most people expect florists to be middle aged women with a sweet demeanour'

He chuckled briefly and nervously.

'And uh, family?' He was mimicking my own questions; I couldn't help but grin at him for trying.

'Had a Mum and Dad… divorced. They didn't make it when this whole thing broke out. But then again how many have? As for boyfriend, He broke up with me a month before and I still think 23 is still too young for kids'

'I'm sorry about your family…. And I uh, I pegged you for about 18 or 19 to be honest'

'Glad I still look young' I laughed jokingly

'23 is still young…I'm pushing 35 and I'm not getting any younger'

We both gave awkward glances at each other before looking out to the road quietly.

'You're not used to this are you?'

'T-to what?'

'Talking with women'

He gave a short pause 'No… I can't say I am'

'Well not all of us bite, well at least I don't…sometimes' I smile, he returned it.

I didn't say another word until we reached our destination. Milton secured and fixed traps as needed while I stood watch and took out walkers or pushed them into the pit if possible.

'FUCK!'

One of them had caught me unawares from behind startling me and causing both me and biter to fall to the ground.

'Milton!'

I tried shoving the retched thing off of me, but the heaping pile of fat decomposing flesh was fairly strong, tall and not to mention very heavy.

'Help!' I spluttered as I grabbed its throat and pushed it upwards trying to keep it its gnashing jaws away from me. My arm was beginning to shake under the pressure as my left hand was blindly fishing for my machete which flew from my grasp when this fucker toppled over me.

A sickening crunch filled the air and the stinking beast stilled and lay motionless on top of me. With a great heave I managed to push it off and Milton stood in front of me shaking slightly.

'Are you alright?'

I nod, and took his outstretched hand and lifted myself up off the ground.

'Thanks for that' I panted as I brushed dried grass off my pants and shirt.

'Don't mention it… I better get back to setting the traps'

I nod once more and looked around for my weapon. I found it still lodged in the biters skull; I dug my boot clad foot on its neck for grip and pulled my machete out, before wiping the rotten blood, flesh and maggots off of it. I grimaced in disgust.

'Blood and gore I can handle, but maggots…well they're another story'

Without expecting an answer I walked slightly ahead and scanned the field.

I stopped in my tracks.

'Oh shit…' I muttered 'Milton, you'd better hurry that up'

He turned and looked up.

'What is-...Oh God'

We observed the large horde of about 30 or so heading our way, much too many for us to handle on our own. I ran back to the truck and retrieved my gun.

'They must have heard my little scuffle with that fucker from before'

Milton hurried with the traps as I picked off the closer ones with my rifle.

'I'll hold them off for as long as possible, you just do what you need to do just be quick about it'

They were getting close, and fast.

'Fuck, fuck, fuck'

My hands were slippery from sweat, I quickly dried each one on my jeans before gazing back into the scope and aiming.

'You done?'

'One minute more'

'Milton, I don't think we have a minute'

They were getting too close for comfort. I dropped my gaze from the scope and ran back to Milton.

'Time's up, we need to go. NOW!'

I grabbed his wrist and dragged him back to the truck, they were literally a metre away by the time we both closed the doors and barely got the engine started.

We ran over a few as we sped away, both of us jolting from the sudden bumping as the trucks wheels crushed their rotting bodies underneath.

We were back on the road, both panting and still jittering with adrenaline.

'Why the fuck would he send just two people out? He knows that's fucking dangerous!'

I slammed my fist on the dashboard in anger.

'…Sorry' I exhaled.

'You don't need to be'

'It's just, we both could have gotten killed back there, and it requires more than two people to set shit like that up and stand guard'

I wound down the window and gulped in some fresh air, staying silent.

15 minutes into the drive I turn to Milton.

'Mind if we just…pull over? We're far away from the horde, and I just, need a few minutes to collect myself before returning to Woodbury, won't be long. Promise'

He nodded silently and he pulled up on the side of the road. I stepped out and reached into my satchel for my packet of cigarettes.

'I didn't know you smoked'

'Only when I'm stressed'

I shut the car door and leaned against it, placing the stick between my lips and lighting it up. Relief washed over me as I inhaled. I heard the driver door open and close before Milton walked over to my side and leaned against the bonnet.

'Would you like one?' I offered.

'No thank you, I don't smoke'

'Fair enough…to be honest I didn't either until a month ago. Just find it helps diffuse the stress'

I finished it slowly, savouring it before putting it out with my boot, closing my eyes and inhaling.

'Thanks again by the way'

'For what?'

'Saving my life back there…that biter was one mean son of a bitch'

'You're welcome'

I opened my eyes and looked at him, his cheeks flushed slightly as I regarded him. I smiled inwardly.

'You know Milton, you're not bad looking'

He stood stunned for a few seconds.

'I uh, thank you and neither are you'

We stared at each other awkwardly for what seemed like an hour.

In the next moment, I don't know what possessed me as I walked over to him and pressed my lips gently to his. He stood rigid but didn't move away, I felt him slightly reciprocate before I broke the kiss and smiled coyly.

'Sorry about that'

He shook his head in a "don't be" manner and looked anywhere but my direction.

'Let's head back home huh?' I stated stiffly.

'Yeah…'

We stepped back into the truck and stayed silent the whole way back.