A/N: I want to start off with a warning. This story doesn't have a beta, and even though I've tried my best to edit all this myself, things are going to slip past me, that's a fact. So be prepared for mistakes, I really do try my hardest to fix them. This was something I thought of not long ago when I was trying to imagine what the Cabin Group's opinion of Lee would have been if they met him. In this story, none of the events of season one other than Lee meeting Clementine have happened. Lee hasn't met Kenny, Christa, Ben, Lilly or anyone but that doesn't mean he never will. Clementine has also been aged up to being 10 when she met Lee. At the beginning of this fic, she is 11 going on 12.

I don't know exactly where I will be taking this fic yet. Which means I'm definitely going to be taking any suggestions I feel would work to the story. So please review! I love constructive reviews as well, so please feel free to criticize, as long as you aren't an asshole about it. MAKE SURE YOU READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE WITH EACH CHAPTER. they won't all be as long as this one is so it won't be that difficult.

In almost every chapter I will be asking a question on how I should go with the story. For example, should there be a romance with Lee in this? If so with who? Your answer will affect how I continue to write the story. Without further ado, I hope you enjoy this fanfiction!

For Her Future

Chapter 1: The Boy In The Woods

x

roseabellaaa

Cloudy eyes struck with fear warily searched the area surrounding him, the pouring rain nearly blinding his vision, as well as deafening him with the constant pitter patter of water drops hitting the ground below. It would be the perfect time for a walker to sneak up on him, but his frail, fatless body would not be much of a meal. Old and withered shoes sunk into the mud of the trail he followed, making the simple act of walking much more difficult than it needed to be, and did not do anything for his already damaged mood.

He hoped Clementine was safe.

He was sure she would have had no problem on her own back at their "shelter," she was a quick learner, and he had taught her to the best of his ability, to hide and run if anything were to happen. The thought still haunted him, even the most capable could be caught at the wrong time, he tried his hardest to quicken the pace, but only tripped into the mud, making himself even dirtier and soaked by the rain and mud.

Sometimes he thought about letting Clementine go, he had done all he could for her, protected her, hunted for her, stitched wounds for her, he even cut her hair to keep walkers from getting to her. He was sure she'd do fine, if not better, with someone else, a mother, a family, without him. He didn't want to leave her, not ever, he loved that child as if she were his own, but every time her bright innocent eyes gazed up with at him, every time she smiled at him as if he were her hero, he could only think one thing…

Murderer.

Lee Everett the murderer.

Was he truly fit to take care of this child? Could he protect her? He didn't know. He'd been able to so far, but they were both starving, they hadn't eaten a thing in days, and Lee was returning to camp without a single buck or rabbit or anything in hand.

Again. Another unsuccessful hunt.

The look on Clementine's face said it all, eyebrows curved in sympathy, mouth lined with disappointment, she didn't say anything, but he knew she was thinking it. She wrapped her arms around her legs and pulled them up to her chin, the hood of the sweater too large for her body over her head, she shivered as the fire had likely gone out with the rain long ago.

Lee sat by her side, wrapping an arm around her as he watched the rain fall.

Was this it? After nearly a year together, they were going to just die in a forest, starved to death? He wanted to scream, he wanted to cry, but he held himself together, for her. Only for her.

The thunder crackled loudly, echoing through the forest, he felt Clementine's body stiffen as a loud shriek came after. Not a walker, a person.

"What was that?" She asked, her voice shaky.

"Sounds like someone's in trouble…" Lee stood up then, the scream had sounded close.

Clementine stood up with him. "Can we help them?"

Lee had no idea how he had been able to keep Clem so innocent and trusting, Lee was understandably wary of others, but Clementine always wanted to help those in need, they had given food to strangers more than a few times. Never would he let them stay with the two, however, out of fear of what they would do, especially if they knew who he was. Teaching Clem to shoot had always crossed his mind, but every single time he would give up. He wanted Clementine to stay as she is, a hopeful, kind girl, who wanted to grow up to become an artist. Just because the world was horrible didn't mean she had to be.

"We don't know where they are, sweetpea."

Clementine pointed east. "It sounded like it was coming from over there, it can't be too far!"

Lee gave in, he always did, what type of guardian would he be if he didn't?

It wasn't too far a walk until they reached a clearing, there were about eight walkers all crowding around a young brunette man, looking to be in his early twenties. The stranger hopelessly swung a machete at one of them, only for it to get stuck in the walker's ribs. He only tried to pull a few times, before he was surrounded.

"Over here!" Lee called, trying to get the attention of the group of walkers. "Clem, hide!"

Clementine nodded obediently before running off into some bushes. The walkers turned to him as expected, and slowly trudged their way towards him, the mud seemed to slow him down, the only downside was it slowed him down too.

With him and the young man, Lee was confident they'd both be able to take them. He made eye contact with the man he had chosen to save, who looked at him with shocked almond eyes, for a moment, Lee thought he would run away and make him regret his choice to help.

But he didn't. Soon the man went into action, kicking the walker who had the machete stuck within it onto its stomach, and crushing the back of its head with his foot, pulling the weapon out with more force this time.

Lee took out his handgun and began shooting, a dangerous choice, but his best bet, the rain could hopefully drown out the shooting for the most part, and he and Clem had been planning on moving out of the area for a while, this would give them a reason to.

He had gotten three walkers down before the stranger began swinging his machete masterfully, beheading a walker well he stabbed another, falling to the ground as he stepped on it again.

With three walkers coming towards him, Lee ran out of ammunition, pulling out a wrench and hitting one of them across the head, slowing them down, but for the most part not doing much. A walker toppled over him, his arms trying it's best to push it away as it chomped at his face. Before Lee could sulk about his apparent oncoming death, the walker's head detached from its neck and fell to the ground, beheaded by the man's machete.

They were safe. Lee let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, relieved. The younger man looked down at him, his orange sweater soaked with rain and walker blood, his face relaxing into a warm smile as he extended his hand. With a smirk, Lee took it.

"I came to help you and yet you were the one who ended up saving me." Lee joked as the man helped pull him up.

"Don't be so humble, I was mumblin' my last prayers before you came out here." The man spoke with a light southern drawl, Lee was beyond thankful for the man, even if he was the reason he was in danger in the first place.

When Lee was up, he noticed the silence of the small meadow, and it seemed the rain had stopped during their confrontation.

The bushes rustled loudly, and the stranger glared at the bush warily, going into a fighting position. However, Lee's companion was the one who came out.

The young man's expression softened considerably, putting back his machete as he knelt to the ground to be at eye level with the young girl. "Well, hello there, Lil' lady."

Clementine returned his smile with a cute one of her own. "Hi."

"Names' Luke."

"I'm Clementine!"

"-And I'm Lee."

Luke stood up and put his hands on his hips. "It's been real nice to meet the both of you, y'all look hungry as hell." There was a clear pity in his voice, but Lee ignored it.

Lee chuckled. "Don't we all?"

Luke didn't say anything for a moment, as he crossed his arms and gazed at the ground, he seemed deep in thought. "You two on your own?" He finally said, his expression was a careful one, but Lee could see the suspicion in the man's eyes.

Lee decided to be honest, he really did seem like a kind man, but he would still be careful. "Yeah, have been since this all started. How about you?"

His face relaxed again, a smile came easily to him. "I'm actually part of a community some ways away from here."

Lee was doubtful. "Sounds like there must be tons of people."

"There is."

"Then where were they just now?"

Luke shrugged. "Got myself separated, we were out on a supply run."

Lee was silent from there, not having much to say, he glanced over at Clementine, who was smiling from ear to ear, happy to have met another person. Too bad it wouldn't last long.

"Our community's actually looking for some new-"

"Not. Interested." Lee said sharply.

Luke put his hands up, gesturing surrender. "I understand your distrust, I would be too if I were in your shoes, but you guys look starved and I can't help but want to at least make an offer, especially after you've both just helped me."

Clementine looked curious, considering the offer, but Lee knew better. "Clem and I are doing just fine on our own."

"Hey, now you know that ain't true." Luke saw through his lie, shaking his head. "Our group has loads of food and water stocked up, we have doctors, medical supplies, but we need more people for security reasons."

As if it were perfect timing, Clementine went into a coughing fit.

Luke looked towards the girl sadly. "Your girl ain't looking too good, she could very well be ill."

Lee paused, weighing his options. Clem has had that cough for weeks. If it were anything too deadly, wouldn't she have been sicker by now? He really couldn't be sure, this was dangerous. This man really did look healthy and well fed considering the circumstances, clear skin, washed hair, white teeth. He envied that. He had always thought it best to stay alone, just him and Clementine, but that choice didn't seem to be working well for either of them, they were both starving and tired, they were reaching the end of their rope. He hated having to look at Clem and tell her they would be spending another night without food.

"Who's to say you're telling the truth?"

Luke squinted at the ground, he seemed stuck on that question, but after a few moments, the man took his machete out of its holder and threw it to the ground, along with a handgun and dagger. This man really was well prepared.

"If you find I've lied to you, you can kill me."

Lee heard a tiny gasp beside him and turned to see Clementine.

"L-Lee, you wouldn't...do that, right?"

He glanced at his feet for a quick second, before meeting her amber eyes. "Of course not, sweetpea. We just need to be cautious."

"I think he's telling the truth, Lee."

That wasn't saying much, Clementine was a trusting girl, she'd trust him either way, no matter who he was. She was letting her hunger get to her.

"Hey!" A voice yelled, running through the trees into the clearing, a rifle in his hands, pointed towards Lee. "Don't you fucking dare!"

Lee put his hands up defensively, well the little girl shook beside him.

Luke turned to look behind him at the young man. "Nick! Put the gun down, man!"

The man who Luke called Nick slowly walked closer to the three of them, the rifle not losing its aim. "No way! You're unarmed! Pick your shit up!"

"I'm recruiting them."

Nick came to Luke's side, his rifle not moving. He was about a forehead taller than Luke, about the same age and seemed a little more unkempt than the other young man was, but still in far better shape than either Clementine or himself. His messy black hair poking out from his hat, the slightest bit of facial hair along his face, bright blue eyes that contrasted Luke's warm brown ones.

He scoffed. "A little girl? Yeah, a lot of help she'll be!"

That struck a chord with Lee, and he couldn't help himself from fighting back. "Fuck you." Simple, but to the point.

"See! This is ridiculous." Nick said smugly, feeling as if he had made a good point.

More people came out of the clearing, an older balding man, with a dark facial hair along his chin, and a young redheaded woman with her hair tied into a ponytail, a rifle in her hands as well, but she chose not to aim it, keeping it snug at her side.

Luke noticed the both of them as well. "Pete! Help me out here!"

"What's going on, now?" Pete mumbled, not pleased in the slightest bit.

"He's trying to recruit these two!"

Pete glanced at Clementine almost immediately, his brows lowered in sympathy, his mouth in a deep frown. He seemed to regret his words. "Luke. I'm sorry but, this is a supply run, not a recruitment."

"Come on! The dad can shoot! I've seen it myself, he saved my ass from a handful of walkers just now! He's a good guy, and he can definitely be an asset." Luke exclaimed confidently.

"Just because he saved you doesn't mean you gotta bring him into Howes." The redhead added quietly, a southern accent thicker than Lukes.

Luke sighed deeply, his face pinched with anger as he pointed at Clementine. "You really want to leave them out here? Look at them, Look at her legs, they're like twigs, this little girl is starving. You want to leave her and her father out here to die!"

Clementine shifted uncomfortably as all of the group's eyes set on her, her legs really were tiny now that he was getting a good look at them, he could probably easily wrap his hand around her calves fully. It was a scary sight, her cheekbones stuck out from her face as well, losing the fat from her face, Lee's were probably just as visible. He didn't want to imagine what she looked like under her large sweater, that covered a majority of her body.

Everyone's face went sad, depressed even at the sight. Pete's was the most devastated of them all, he swore he could see his eyes starting to water.

Except for Nick, who still wore an enraged expression. "You gotta be kidding me! You're not actually falling for this, are you? Uncle Pete!"

Pete's eyes narrowed on Nick, who seemed to be his nephew. "Shut your mouth, boy."

Nick's face fell, shocked at the treatment before lowering his rifle obediently, his face returning to one of anger, his hands balled tightly into fists, mumbling something under his breath.

Luke gave Pete a curious look as the older man walked closer to the two of them "I wanna hear from them." He whispered to his group, turning his attention to Clem and Lee. "What's your names?"

"I'm Lee, and this is Clementine."

"She your daughter?"

Lee thought about whether or not he should be honest with his answer. Luke had used the whole 'father and daughter,' thing to do most of the convincing, he wasn't sure if they would feel as bad for him if they knew Clementine wasn't his daughter. However the man in front of him seemed to be analyzing him thoroughly, if he did lie, he would likely see through it, if not, Clementine would call him out for his lie, unaware of her guardian's intentions.

"No actually, I found her when this all started and decided to take care of her, we've been on the move ever since."

"And how has that been workin' for ya exactly?" Pete wore no discernable features, nothing that could hint to Lee whether or not he was saying the right things.

Lee grimaced. "We were doing good for awhile, I could usually find some food well hunting, and there were always streams around the areas we stayed in, but no such luck lately, we've been without food for days. I was just out hunting when I found Luke."

"Yeah, why'd you help him?"

He took a deep breath, there was no going back now.

"We heard a scream not far from our camp, I try to help people when I can, but I had just been out hunting, and the scream sounded like it came from a dead man, I was tired and cautious." Lee smiled and glanced over at Clementine, putting a hand on her father's hat and patting her head happily, her golden eyes met his, she smiled back as he continued. "But Clementine here...she's a kind girl, too kind, she looked at me and immediately asked if we could go help. Who would I be to not at least check it out? Saw Luke being pushed into a corner by a handful of walkers, and I told Clementine to hide well I helped fight them off."

"That's right. He did." Luke cut in.

Pete kept his face blank for a few seconds, narrowing his eyes as they stared into Lee's, unsure what to say, Lee stayed silent. After a few seconds, Pete's face relaxed into a smile. "I think we have two fine additions to Howes!"

"Seriously?" Nick groaned in defeat before being shushed by Luke.

"You guys still good with coming…?" Luke questioned lowly, there was almost a whine in his voice, he could tell what answer the young man was looking for.

Lee was silent for what felt like a long time as he overviewed all his options a second time. Although Nick was certainly on the man's bad side, the other three seemed fine, Luke was an optimistic young man who went to great lengths just to have him and Clem be even considered by the rest of his group, it was risky, but Lee couldn't help but trust him. The red headed woman, despite knowing little about her, including her name, seemed saddened when she glanced at Clementine, he couldn't find the slightest bit of ill intent in her face. Pete appeared to share that same sympathy regarding Clem, as well as a fair bit of carefulness for his own group, and he was pleased with Lee's responses to him, it was a vigilance he felt couldn't be faked.

Lee made his decision. "I'm wary, but my girl here is skin and bones, and I want to see her fed and happy for once, and if you'll be giving her that, then by all means. I'll do whatever I can to help your group, as long as Clementine is safe."

Luke beamed as he nodded. "We'll make sure of it."

"Carver isn't gonna like this." Nick hissed.

"We need people, he'll be able to see why we brought them."

Nick rolled his eyes as he began trudging through the mud, away from the rest of the group. Pete guided the two of them through the forest, towards the highway, where a large truck with a logo saying 'Howe's Hardware' was, along with a family van.

A man who was guarding it went to speak as he noticed Lee and Clementine walking up, but Luke ran up to him, trying to calm him down. "Troy. Before you say anything-"

The look on Troy's face wasn't a good one, his eyebrows tightknit and mouth in a clear scowl, Lee decided to block out the conversation after that. Pete ignored the conversation as well, retreating to the dark leaf green van, opening the back door for them as they silently climbed in and took the seat at the very back.

Pete called out to seemingly Nick. "Get over here! You, me and Bonnie are in the van. Luke and Troy are taking the truck."

Nick responded, his tone still venomous with disgust. "But Troy and I took the truck here."

"I'm not letting you and Troy mope in a truck together, complainin' about how much you don't want Lee and Clementine here. Just get in the damn van."

"Whatever. I call shotgun."

After about half an hour, the group eventually got everything in order and settled down, Pete was in the driver's seat, Nick beside him, and Bonnie in the seat in front of Clementine and Lee. When they started driving, Lee couldn't help but feel a chill from his clothes, which were completely soaked. Clem leaned against him, laying on his chest, he could hear the soft sound of her teeth chattering. He hoped this community would have new clothes as well. Hell, he hoped this community even existed.

"How are you feeling, Clementine?" Lee whispered softly, quiet enough that the rest of the car was unlikely to hear them.

"I'm excited, but I'm also scared." Clementine uttered, a little louder than he was, but he doubted the rest of the group would have a problem with their whispering. Other than Nick, but Nick could go fuck himself for all Lee cared.

"So am I. This is our best bet, I trust these people, don't you?"

Clementine nodded. "I like Luke, he's nice, but Luke isn't here…"

"We'll be meeting up with Luke again soon, you don't have to worry."

"Okay…" Clem yawned cutely, and it was only a few minutes until she was sound asleep.

Other than Clementine and Lee's quick conversation, the car was otherwise silent and remained that way. There was clear tension between the uncle and nephew in the front seat, Lee could hear the younger man groan to himself every few minutes. If Lee wasn't a guest he'd of told the guy to shut up by now. The redhead whose name he now knew as Bonnie was reading and Pete kept his eyes on the road.

Lee's eyes were heavy, but he tried his best to keep his eyes open. He wanted to sleep, but he was still unsure of this entire situation, he was desperate enough to agree to the offer, but he still didn't trust these people completely. Who knew what they would do with them as he and Clem slept? He stroked Clementine's head, happy to see the girl relaxed and sleeping, she deserved it.

How could these people ever kill a little girl? He didn't even think hotheaded Nick would have the guts to do that.

Lee had lived a big portion of his life in peace, happy and without issue, his childhood free of the fear of being eaten by walkers. Sadly, Clementine wasn't going to have that luxury. He had come to terms with that long ago. He wanted her to live and find happiness in this terrible world, he held onto the hope that that wouldn't be an impossible thing for her. Maybe this community could bring that to her? She might even meet people her age, she might have a chance, a better chance than she would have had alone with him.

Maybe she could have a future, maybe she could be a wife, even a mother one day.

Please…please…

Please tell me I made the right decision.