Author's Note: Thank you so much for the amazing feedback received. It makes me so happy to know that you are all enjoying the twist. For those of you wondering, I have planned this story up until we meet Negan, and I have huge plans for it! Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated. Hope you enjoy!


SIX
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Grady Memorial Hospital stood proud in what could only be described as a concrete jungle. The entire building was menacing and loomed over them as the group drove towards it. The streets outside were empty of the dead, and Rick couldn't shake the feeling of uneasiness that seemed to overwhelm him. Bodies of the dead were piled high along the perimeter of the parking lot, with some chained to the metal fences.

As the group exited the vehicles hurriedly, Rick threw Shane and Daryl an uneasy glance and the two of them understood immediately. The RV door opened and with Dale and Carol's help, Emily was brought of the vehicle. Rick took in the paleness of her skin, and the worried expression upon her face. Her entire body was hunched over in pain, and every movement seemed to cause her more pain.

Daryl, Glenn and Shane led the way, weapons poised and ready. But they were unable to get any further as a spotlight was placed upon the group. Rick covered his eyes at the blinding light beaming upon them, and saw the dark figures of snipers stretched along the ledge.

"Do not come any further," a voice called out. "Please return to your vehicles and drive away from this place."

"I can't do that," Rick said. "We have a pregnant woman who is bleeding heavily, and she needs to be checked over."

"Please return to your vehicles."

"Please… don't turn her away," Rick pleaded. "She needs your help. She needs to see a doctor."

Silence filled the air around them, and Rick was growing frustrated. He glanced back at Emily who was evidently struggling, and his heart went out to her. She needed to be seen. He wasn't going to leave this place without ensuring she was okay, and her baby was safe. The wait seemed to stretch on forever, and he waited another moment before taking a step forward which caused the snipers on the ledge to aim their weapons at him instinctively.

"Stop!" A voice came from the doorway, and with a small motion of the man's hands saw the removal of the spotlight upon the group and the snipers removed Rick as their target. "How many weeks is she?"

Rick glanced towards Emily. Emily stepped forward on her own. "I'm twelve weeks today."

"There was an explosion," Rick added.

The man nodded, and adjusted his glasses. "We'll take her in and assess her. Follow me."

The group followed after the man as he led them through the building, weaving through endless corridors and past rooms that were closed. They reached a room, and he motioned for the rest of the group to take a seat on the chairs that were attached to the walls, and then motioned for Emily to entire the room. The darkness of the room swallowed Emily and the doctor and the rest of the group had to remain in the corridors, their own worry beginning to eat away at them. All they could do was wait and hope that everything was okay.

The wait seemed to go on forever, and as there was no real concept of time, it felt as though hours stretched by. The hospital, for the most part, was quiet and empty. Rick still felt on edge, as though he was being watched and every movement he or the others made was being observed and taken a note of. Maybe it was the sheriff in him. As he glanced over at Shane, he acknowledged the look of uncertainty upon his friend's face. He felt the same as Rick.

"I don't like this place," Carl whispered, to which Shane scoffed at.

"Neither do I, kid," Shane commented. "Something seems off."

As soon as the first conversation was initiated, it seemed as though everyone had been waiting for someone else to speak as a gateway for themselves to talk.

"Is she okay, mama?" Sophia asked. Carol was solemn.

"I don't know, Sophia," Carol whispered. "I hope so."

"Is the baby okay?" Sophia asked. Carol didn't answer her daughter but hugged her close to her body.

There was a feeling of utter despair within the group. Exhaustion was creeping over them. It had been a long day, and one that they couldn't wait to say goodbye to. The explosion had knocked them literally off their feet. The worry they all had for Emily and her baby was something they couldn't hide away from, knowing that it was at the forefront of their minds.

The light outside had disappeared gradually and cast shadows upon the group as they waited in the corridor, all silent in their own right, before the emergency lights flickered on, and an orange glow illuminated around them.

The moment the doctor who had taken Emily away returned, the group stood from their seats. He motioned for them all to sit.

"The baby is fine," he began. "It seems the shock from the explosion had caused Emily's body to protect the baby, and the only way it can do that is cause the host insufferable pain, and in this case it's Emily. It's normal but terrifying for the mother. Her vitals are good. She's getting some rest now, but we're going to keep an eye on her and the baby for a couple of days just to be on the safe side."

"That's great," Rick said. "Thank you."

"Can we see her?" Sophia's small voice filled the corridor.

"Of course," he said. "She's very tired and weak from the blood loss but I think seeing you all will do her some good."

It was planned that Sophia and Carol would see her first. The young girl clutched her doll close to her chest as the doctor led them to the room that Emily inhabited. It was dark except for the orange light, and Sophia found herself clinging to Carol's side as they squeaked their way down the long narrow passage. The doctor came to a halt in front of a room, and opened the door for them to enter. As the young girl walked inside, she was aware of the quietness the room brought. A large white corridor surrounded the single bed, obscuring their view and protecting Emily from unwanted attention. Carol gripped Sophia's hand and they walked around the curtain where they saw Emily lying there, eyes closed and pale.

"Emily…" Sophia's small voice echoed throughout the room, and the woman opened her eyes and a small smile etched across her face.

"Hey Sophia," Emily whispered. Sophia hesitated for a moment, before tears began to cascade down her face. "Hey… don't cry. Come here," she said, beckoning the young girl to her.

Sophia climbed onto the bed, and Emily held her close as she rode through the emotions that had been held inside for so long. The young girl had been worried, and had panicked the longer Emily had been away. The group had been quiet, all lost in their own thoughts, all respecting the fact that it was a terrifying situation with an uncertain outcome.

"I was so scared," Sophia mumbled.

"It's okay," Emily whispered. "I'm going to be fine. The baby is fine."

Sophia nodded against her and Emily held her tight. She met Carol's gaze and offered a small smile. Carol moved next to Emily and gently placed her hand on her shoulder.

"I'm so happy everything is okay," Carol said.

"The doctor said that I need rest for a few days," Emily informed her.

"That's probably best," Carol agreed. "You have to listen to your body with things like this."

Emily nodded and stroked Sophia's hair. The doctor's observation had scared her and she was panicking all the way through. He had been silent which only made her worry grow even more. The bleeding would stop on its own but when it would stop was unknown. They would have to check her over for the next couple of days but everything looked good.

"I got to see the baby," Emily beamed tiredly.

This seemed to excite Sophia and the young girl moved her body so that she was sat cross legged on the bed. "What did it look like?"

"I have a picture," Emily smiled. She reached onto the bedside table and picked up a small envelope. She pulled out the ultrasound pictures and showed them to Sophia. The young girl grinned from ear to ear and stared at the photographs with such awe on her face. Once Sophia tore herself away from the photos, Emily passed them to Carol who gazed at the baby with adoration.

As Emily settled down to sleep, with tiredness overwhelming her, Carol and Sophia made their way out to the rest of the group. As the group looked eagerly at her, she answered as many questions as possible, reassuring everyone that Emily and the baby were safe. There was a collection of gasps as she pulled out the photograph Emily had given her, and watched as everyone stared in awe at the little figure printed on the paper.

This baby had unknowingly saved twelve people from the horrific fate they all had faced.