Thank you to those who are reading this. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

It must have been a full ten minutes. By now Martinez would be out bearing the news of the postponed attack to the residents of Woodbury's new found, eagerly waiting army. Milton hadn't moved since Martinez had left. He'd stayed transfixed in his stand anticipating Andrea's promised return. Where was she? Where had she gone? What if she'd been caught by Martinez...that'd leave himself in the awkward position of explaining to Martinez why he'd lied. His stomach lurched a wave of nausea at the thought and so he tried to focus on something slightly more positive. Though even that proved difficult, that certainly came as no surprise.

But he knew Andrea, she was tough and she could handle herself no problem. She'd be fine. She'd keep to her word, that he was most definitely certain of.

Without a notice there was a sudden rustling which broke the lingering silence. It was coming from outside and it was closely followed by the sound of what he believed to be deep breathing. Milton's head turned to face where the sound was coming from. Hands trembling while taking small steps, he edged towards the window in the hope that Andrea would be there.

"Andrea?" Whispering he cast his eyes downwards attempting to get a clear view out of the glass. Nothing. Until then, he sighed a sigh of relief at the sight of blonde waves crouched beneath the window ledge which eventually made an appearance as Andrea bobbed her head up. With a heavy heave she raised herself to her feet and with one quick glance over her shoulder she handed Milton one of what was now two rucksacks. He took them without question and proceeded to help her through the window.

"What did you say?" She asked eagerly once she was inside. She picked one bag up and threw it over her shoulder. "Did it work?" Bending down she unzipped the remaining bag, Milton stood watching her trying to string a sentence together.

"I think so. I told him that...that you'd come back and were...were um, reasoning with the Governor regarding the ongoing attack..."

"He's putting off the attack then?" Stopping in her tracks she peeked up at him nervously awaiting his answer. She couldn't afford that attack, not without consequences. Milton nodded.

"The prison is safe for now." He told her reassuringly. "You're friends...they'll be fine. I lead him to believe you and the Governor weren't present in Woodbury."

"Good." She mumbled handing him a gun from the bag. Milton took it with remorse staring at it like it was another being. Like it was something offensive and uncalled for. "One gun, one machete." Andrea told him as she handed over a machete next. His feeble hands sunk closer towards the ground at the weight they now possessed. With his thumb he stroked the side of the gun unaware of how it even worked. He'd been witness to people such as Philip, Martinez and Merle using these things in the past when need be (though not every use had been justified), he was sure he'd pick it up...with a little help from Andrea that was.

"Where did you go?" He asked detaching himself from the thoughts regarding the gun in his hand.

"Snuck into your room and grabbed you some clothes." She responded dryly pulling out a clean shirt and a pair of trousers. Milton opened his mouth, dumbfounded at her efforts.

"Thank you." He said.

"My pleasure."

"You got in. Without anybody catching you?" He questioned taking the clothes from her. She grinned, feeling pleased with herself.

"I was in and out, faster than lightening." She laughed jokingly zipping the bag back up. Then on a serious note she said."Now go get changed we've got to go."

…

Milton stepped out the bathroom in his clean clothes, it felt good to be out of those bloodstained ones. Andrea sat at the table waiting for him. Her hand steadily caressing her gun as a way of passing the time. Her eyes flickered up at him and with an approving smile she jested.

"I'd never have recognised you." Playfully she leapt from the table, picking her bag back up again she then swung it over her shoulder. Milton rolled his eyes picking up the other bag. Taking hold of their weapons the pair of them turned to face one another. "This is it. You ready?" Andrea paused awaiting a sign that Milton was ready to face whatever was going to come at them in their next moments. Equally they both knew that the consequences of whatever was going to happen next would have to be dealt with quickly, sharply and efficiently. There was no time to stand around. There was no time left to waste. If one was to fall, the other would have to carry on. No looking back. But would it really be as easy as it sounded? The question posed was a simple judgement of character.

"What's the plan?" Milton responded bravely. The expression on his face made it clear to Andrea that Milton would never be able to do this without her. Without her...he'd lose his way. Without her he'd fall. Today he'd shown true bravery but it wasn't part of Milton's nature to be brave. That was just Milton. Plain old Milton who spent his days shut up in his laboratory convinced there was still hope. Still an answer to the world's biggest problem. It was Milton who took the jesting in a stride from his fellow peers and just got on with it. Milton did as he was told and was always the one to be silenced whenever he'd pluck up the courage to voice any form of an opinion when it came to specific matters. He was the little one who stayed back, stayed silent in the corner who looked the other way because he was too afraid to take on this world. Bravery was not a trait that Milton owned and they both knew that. They'd just have to get over it, treat it as an obstacle. A simple unintentional flaw.

"There's a Jeep over the wall where they keep watch. Philip once told me they keep the keys-"

"Inside the car in case of emergencies, I know." Milton finished her sentence for her. Andrea gave him a look. He wasn't sure what was meant by it but whatever it was he knew she was ready to take action.

"Tyrese and Sasha are keeping watch, you need to convince them using the same story you told Martinez. Explain to them that the Governor has insisted you keep watch given the circumstances." Andrea informed him making her way back towards the window. Throwing her bag out and hoisting herself over, she dropped to the floor lightly. Dusting herself off she helped Milton, taking his hand. "I'll be right behind, as soon as they leave I'll follow you over the wall, we get in the car and we go to the prison. Got that?"

"Yep."

"Here let me take your bag, it'll look odd if you turn up looking like you plan on doing a runner the moment they've got their backs turned." Without hesitation she took hold of his rucksack and heaved it over her shoulder while placing one hand gently on his cheek. Milton froze. Andrea leaned in and gracefully placed her lips against his cheek planting a kiss. "You can do this." She told him.

…

Milton kept his hold and wandered at what he considered a 'normal' pace towards Tyrese and Sasha. Taking deep breaths in and out he told himself over and over in his head that he could do this. If Andrea believed he could then surely he must. Her words formed and shaped his willpower. This was it, he thought as he approached the couple.

"Tyrese?" Milton called up as he made his way up towards them both. The pair of them spun round to face him, rifles in hand. Anybody else would never believe that the Governor would seriously appoint Milton on watch, but thankfully the fact that Tyrese and Sasha were new to the Woodbury 'terms,' and dare say 'traditions' - they'd fall as perfect victims to the made up story.

"Errr, hey." Tyrese said raising an eyebrow watchfully. Sasha stood behind him watching intently.

"The Governor has asked that I take watch now." Milton informed straight away.

"He never mentioned anything like that to us?" Sasha was first to react stepping from behind her brother. This sudden enquiry took her by surprise. Tyrese nodded in her defence. Milton clenched his fists together, pursing his lips. Come on, he thought just keep talking, just like with Martinez.

"Under the circumstances...what with Andrea, the Governor has asked for everyone to go back inside...and that I take watch. He...he um, he wants me here for when he gets back with Andrea." Milton gulped keeping strict eye contact, he was desperate not to appear skittish. He couldn't afford to throw the game away. Not now. Not after so much.

Sasha cocked her head, placing a hand on her hip. "How do we know you're not lying?" She asked him pursuing her initial thoughts on the subject. She was sharp, he gave her that much.

"We don't want no trouble. Just a clear answer that's all." Tyrese compromised raising his hands ever so slightly as way of defence. Milton nodded in agreement.

"No...no I understand I don't want any trouble either. I'm the Governor's advisor. Ask Martinez if you like." After a brief silence he decided he needed to say something else. "The Governor said you'd understand."

Handing over his shotgun Tyrese signalled to Sasha it was alright. Regrettably she pushed passed her brother and stepped down. There was a quick 'goodbye' and Milton was left alone. He knew Andrea would be present but he couldn't see her. He did a quick scout but gave up. After around twenty seconds when Tyrese and Sasha had finally turned the corner, Andrea emerged from a nearby bush. Heaving both rucksacks with her she looked back over her shoulder checking for a sign that anybody was about. When she was certain it was clear she looked up over at Milton and made a run for it, climbing up towards him.

"Nice work, come on." She gasped pushing past him and crouching to her knees. She threw the bags to floor and sprung down after them. She was swift in her movements, Milton hadn't expected such eagerness.

There was a moments hesitation as Milton got ready to jump. He soon, however, fell in a heap beside her. Andrea turned her head as she laughed at the sight of Milton spread out on the ground. Milton noticed and gave her daggers with his green eyes. "I was half expecting dust clouds with that jump." She giggled picking herself and the bags up. Milton got hazily up onto his feet and took one of the bags from her.

"It wasn't that funny." He muttered as the small signs of a half smile etched itself into the corner of his mouth. Andrea, still laughing, swung open the door of the Jeep and threw her bag onto the back-seat. Milton followed her, doing the same he sat himself into the passenger seat. Pulling the doors shut they were greeted by silence until Andrea placed one hand on the wheel and scooped the keys up from the dashboard before starting the car up. Casting a look over her shoulder she reversed the Jeep until it was straight on the road.

"Ready?" She asked putting her foot down hard on the pedal. The Jeep's engine revved and flew forwards sailing down the road as it grew further and further away from Woodbury.

I hope you guys enjoyed this. I promise that the next chapter will bring with it something you guys might just enjoy...*cough* cough*