Thanks so much for the reviews, I'm thankful you like my story.. This chapter is a little longer than usual because I didn't want to stop writing.. & I'm sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes.. -Hannah Michelle

The Governor's grip on her was unbearable. She was sure it was fear. She looked at Rick. Her eyes never leaving his face. Her heart was pounding against her chest. She could see the anger in his Governor pulled her backwards tighter against him. He ran his lips over her shoulder. She could feel the grin on his mouth.

"You do have a lovely wife." He told Rick. Nicole looked at him begging her with her eyes to forgive her for telling him this. She would explain this later if he asked about it. Rick looked from him to her then back to him. Nicole could feel the gun in her back.

"Yeah I do. Now how about you hand her over?" Rick said gently, still with the bandanna over his mouth. The arm around her waist dropped. She felt a hand run up her arm landing on her shoulder. Two fingers grabbed her strap gently pushing it off her shoulder. She looked down in shame as Rick glared deepened. A hand grabbed her chin gently lifting it up to look at Rick. She could see how furious this was to him. But he wouldn't be able to a clear shot because she was in his way.

"Look at your husband." The Governor whispered against her neck. He then looked up at Rick. "I think I might keep her." he grinned causing Rick to step forward. He moved the gun from her back to her head. "Don't move or she'll die. Now how about you drop your weapon." The governor ordered running his knuckles down Nicole's neck. She cringed at his touch.

"Shoot him, Rick." she begged Rick, tears building up in her eyes. She was tired of this and wanted it all to end. She did not want Rick to die because of her. Rick looked at her and got a sick look on his face. He pulled down the bandanna from his face.

"And brave." The Governor grinned, running his hand over her collar-bone up her neck again. He ran his hand down her chest stopping on her naval. His hand rubbed circles on her stomach slowly getting lower stopping at the top of her underwear.

"Stop!" Rick yelled putting his gun down on the ground.

"No" she shook her head, pushing back the tears. The Governor moved his gun from her head. He then grabbed her by her arm slinging her in Rick's direction. She fell against him. "You should have shot him." she whispered as he held her against him. "Now we'll both die." He wrapped his arms around her holding her up.

"Are you okay?" he asked her fixing her strap on the bra. His touch was so warm. It was the first time she felt safe even when death was knocking at the door. She leaned against his chest.

"I am now." she whispered so low he might not hear her. His arms wrapped around her holding her tightly to him. With her head still on her chest she looked back at the Governor. The Governor smiled holding the gun up. Nicole closed her eyes waiting to die. She wished Rick wouldn't have to die with her.

"Don't be scared." Rick told her tightening his grip on her.

"I'm not" she lied holding back the tears. She was scared but who wouldn't be scared. She was not scared for her own life but his. He's not She told herself. He was the bravest person she had ever met.

There was the sound of glass shattering and something popping. She heard the Governor yell a girl's name. She opened her eyes to see what was going on. The Governor was no longer around and smoke once again was everywhere. Rick let go of her long enough to pick his gun from the ground. He pulled her to his side as they quickly started off. She didn't understand what was happening. Her arms were wrapped around Rick's waist.

"Rick!" It was Daryl's voice yelling through the smoke. Nicole looked around for him not seeing anything.

"Over here, I got her." Rick yelled. She looked up seeing Oscar and Glenn. Rick hurried over to their sides. "Are you crazy I told you to get Glenn out of here!" Rick growled at Oscar.

"I know but he wouldn't let me leave without you guys." Oscar told him. They didn't have long to talk before gunshots were ringing in their ears and hitting the grounds next to them. She didn't understand where these people were when her and Rick were standing in the middle of the street. They all started once again coming to edge of the gate. Oscar pulled Nicole away from Rick helping her onto the front of a bus first. Then Glenn was helped up next to her. Oscar and Rick stayed below shooting everything that moved in the smoke. Luckily they waited to see the faces before shooting, in fear of hitting Daryl.

"Come on." Glenn told her pulling her away from the screen. She did not want to leave them.

Rick turned around and looked at them. "Go." Glenn nodded pulling Nicole away. She followed him but stopped when she heard somebody gasp in pain. She looked around to see Rick climbing onto the front of the bus without Oscar. Rick had the weapons bag thrown over his shoulder. The sound of bullets hitting the metal surrounded them. Rick grabbed her hand pulling her along the bus.

"What about Oscar?" Glenn asked following them to the end. Rick didn't answer his question. They got to the end of the bus. Rick helped them both down before they took off into the woods. They finally stopped next to an old train track.

"Where's Daryl?" Glenn said looking at Rick. Glenn was leaning against the train barely being able to breathe. Nicole was on the ground hugging herself.

"I don't know." Rick said. She looked up to him unbuttoning his shirt. He removed his first shirt leaving him in a white t shirt. "Here." he told her holding the shirt out to her.

"Thank you." she said taking the shirt. She put it on buttoning it up. It was warm. It came down to just above mid thigh. He grabbed the bandanna he was wearing from out of his pocket. He bent down in-front of her.

"Glenn hand me that water out of the bag." Rick told Glenn. Glenn did what he was told unzipping the bag and taking the water bottle from it. He tossed it to Rick. Rick opened the water pouring some of it on the bandanna before tossing the water back to Glenn. "Wash the blood from your face." He told Glenn before turning back to her. Nicole placed her hand out waiting him to hand her the bandanna. Instead he gently grabbed her chin and softy started wiping her dried blood from her cheek and lips. She flinched when he touched the swollen cheek. "Sorry." he whispered softening his touch. Strong yet gentle she thought to herself.

"It's alright." she whispered looking over is his face. She loved the feeling of his hand on her cheek. It was warm and kind.

He finished wiping the blood from her face. "All done"

"Thank you" she smiled, he gave her a gentle smile before standing to his feet.

There was rustling coming from behind them. She looked up and Glenn and Rick already had guns aimed. AnAfrican American woman climbed out from under the train. She looked very beat up and was struggling to stand. She had a sword on her back and both hands up.

"Turn around" Rick ordered placing the gun in the woman's face. Nicole didn't understand what was going on. The woman did what she was told slowly turning around. Rick pulled the sword from her back throwing it to the ground beside Nicole. The woman looked at her then Glenn.

"I see you have found your people." she said strongly.

"Yeah did you do you want came for?" he asked her.

"No. But we must leave." She said. "They should be coming soon."

"Not with out Daryl." Rick said to her. "We have to go find him." He still had his gun pointed at her. It was obvious that Rick knew her. She looked at him.

"You will not make it. With two disabled people at your side. You'll never make it out alive" she told him. Nicole knew she was right. Her nor Glenn were in condition to fight. Rick looked at them both before turning back to her.

"Than you'll go with me." he told her. He pulled his gun out of her face. He placed it in his holster. He went to grab the sword but Nicole grabbed his wrist. He looked at her in confusion. Her words were on the tip of her tongue but she released his hand shaking her head. He continued to pick up the blade and handed to the woman. "I'm trusting you, don't make me regret it." Rick told her as she took the sword from his hand. She nodded at him placing her sword back into it's case. Rick turned to Glenn. "You stay here with Nicole, protect her don't let anything happen to her." Nicole looked up wrapping her arms around herself. She looked at the woman.

"And you protect him." she told her looking at Rick. He met her eyes quickly looking away from her. She looked down at the ground regretting her words. She didn't mean it the way it sounded. It was only a friendly requestnothing more.

"You go, bring Daryl back." Glenn told them. Nicole felt him sit down next to her. She gave him a weak smile before turning her attention back to the ground. She heard them leave leaving her alone with Glenn. She was so tired and wanted nothing more to curl up in a ball and fall asleep. Her whole body was hurting and she wanted to escape the pain. "You can sleep if you want. I can keep watch for walkers."

"No I'm fine truly." She lied pulling her legs against her chest. She looked up looking at the abandoned train. She looked at it then back they way they came. She slowly pushed herself to her feet. "Let's move up there. We can watch for them and keep away from walkers." Nicole said pointing to the ladder on the box cart.

"Good idea." Glenn said pushing himself to his feet. He walked over to the ladder first waving her over. She went up first with the help of Glenn. She crawled over to the edge trying too look over the trees. She could see smoke and a light. It looked like something was on fire. Glenn stood next to her looking in the same direction she was. "I see smoke."

"I see it too. What do you think it is?" She asked him trying her best to see. She couldn't see nothing but the top of building. They were both quiet trying to see if they heard anything.

"I'm really not sure, but do you hear that?" She furrowed her brows trying her best to hear what he was talking about. She really couldn't hear anything except something in the distance. It was like chanting.

"You mean the chanting?"

"Yeah" he whispered bending down on his knees next to her.

"What do you think they are saying?" she asked him in a whisper.

"I don't know I can't make it out but I doubt it's good." Glenn sighed leaning backwards.

"This is all going to end in a blood bath, isn't it?" she looked at him waiting for the answer though she already knew the answer. Everything would end in a war. He looked at her then back at the town.

"Yeah I think it might"

She didn't realize she had fallen asleep on top of the train until she felt somebody gently shaking her shoulder. She opened her eyes to see Glenn bending over her. She was laying on her arm and the sun was starting to peck over the trees.

"Are they back?" she asked him rubbing her tired eyes.

"Yeah come on." he said gently helping her stand up. Glenn helped her to the ground before he climbed down himself. Her body was tired as it was yesterday. She could barely walk. She looked around looking for the Rick and Daryl. She didn't see them.

"I thought you said they were back." Nicole asked in confusion.

"They are. I seen them walking through the trees. They should arrive any moment." he explained.

"All of them? Including Daryl?" she asked him hoping to get good news.

"Good to hear you care about me, Walker Bait." she turned to see Rick, Daryl, and the other woman walking in through the trees. She looked over them both for any injuries. When she found none she let out a sigh of relief. Daryl was a little beat up. Bleeding lip and had blood coming down his eyebrow but no serious injuries.

"Don't flatter yourself." she smirked she looked over him. He looked as tired as she felt. "You look like shit."

"You're the one to talk" he told her walking around. She shrugged pulling at the bottom of Rick's shirt trying to cover herself. The bushes behind the woman started moving. Her blood ran cold when she seen who stepped out. Nicole backed away from him. She didn't understand why everyone wasn't reacting to him. Glenn and her were the only one's reacting. That man was a threat to them all.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Glenn asked through clenched teeth.

"He's with us." Daryl said taking up for his brother. "He's not going to hurt you."

"All I wanted was my brother." Merle said from his spot next to Daryl. "What the Governor did to you was not my doing."

"You are the one who did this." Glenn growled pointing at his own face. "You are the one who took me and Nicole to that hell hole. This is all your fault!" Glenn barked pointing at Merle.

"We don't have time to argue about this we have to go." the woman said from behind Merle.

"How can you trust him to come with us after everything he has done?" Glenn asked Rick and Daryl. Nicole didn't say anything just listened to the argument.

"We'll finish this when we get back." Rick told them grabbing the bag off the ground. "We don't have time, let's go" Rick started walking through the trees. The woman walked around them following. Glenn grabbed her arm placing it around his started walking following as well. They didn't check to see if the rest of them was following. She limped as he helped her walk.

"I can't believe the trust him like that. How do they not know if he's still working for that man." Glenn asked her in a low voice that only she could hear. Nicole looked back behind them before turning to Glenn.

"I don't know but do you know who that woman is?" she asked nodding her head to the woman walking next to Rick.

"No never seen her before. But I think she has something to do with our rescue. How else would Rick know where to find us?" Glenn was right. The woman didn't have anything about her that made Nicole not trust her. Yet. She did have a problem with Merle being around Annie, and Lane. Nicole wondered if Daryl and Rick even knew Merle was the one who did this to her. Or they thought the other guys did it. But either way she did not want Merle anywhere near her or Annie. She would trust Daryl's and Rick's judgement for now. Annie she thought to herself almost smiling at the thought of seeing the girl again. She couldn't wait to get back to see everyone.

"Yeah you do have a point." Nicole whispered slowly moving down the path. She looked over at Glenn starting to feel real guilty about him getting caught with her. If she wouldn't have let Merle grab her they would have made it back to the prison with the formula. Formula?! she had completely forgotten about it. "Oh my." she gasped getting a confused look from Glenn. "The formula. We forgot it back at the stores."

"Rick!" Glenn said letting go of Nicole hurrying to Rick's side. She almost lost her balance but laid her hand against the nearest tree steadying herself. Daryl stopped next to her.

"What's going on?" He asked nodding towards Glenn and Rick, who were now talking in-front of them.

"We lost the formula when we were kidnapped." Nicole eyes darted to Merle when she said kidnapped. She looked back at Daryl.

"We have it." He pointed at the woman before continuing. "She brought it to the prison" Nicole looked at her rolling her eyes. What a hero she shook her head. Why was she thinking like that? She watched Glenn walk back to her telling her the same thing Daryl had just told her. Glenn wrapped her arm around his neck once again and the slowly started walking again. They walked for a while the sun was all the way up now. Everybody went to a complete stop ahead of them.

"We're getting nowhere." Rick groaned looking back at the group. "We need to move faster."

"Well it's kind of hard to move with two injured people." Daryl said from behind Glenn.

"I'm not that hurt, I can walk." Glenn explained looking back at Daryl. "And Nicole is moving the fast she can. Her injuries are pretty back." Glenn said cutting his eyes at Merle.

"Well if we are going to get anywhere she's not going to be walking." Daryl pointed out. Nicole felt worthless. Like she was the weakest link.

"I can walk just fine." She said pushing from Glenn and taking a step forward. Her legs went limp almost falling over. Glenn quickly caught her.

"No you can't" Glenn whispered helping her stand up once again. She hated the feeling of being useless. Nicole cut her eyes at Merle wanting nothing more then to hit him. She looked around at everyone looking at her as if she would get them killed. She stopped on Rick giving him a smile before pulling Glenn's gun from his hand.

"Leave me." she insisted holding the gun at her side. She pushed off Glenn going back to the nearest tree. She heard a sigh then Rick walked over to her handing Glenn the bag. He bent down in front of her. She pulled at the shirt again in embarrassment. He placed his arm under her knees and around her waist. His finger tips brushed against her skin before he grip her. His touch sent chills down across her skin.

"Wrap your arm around me." she did was she was told before he lifted her off the ground. He held her bridal style starting down the path again. "Let's go" he told everyone. Nicole looked up at him.

"You didn't have to carry me." she whispered looking away from him towards the path a head. The woman had moved in front to watch while Daryl watched the back.

"Glenn's hurt, Daryl's watching the back, and I was not letting Merle touch you. So it leaves me no choice." No choice. She told herself. She didn't want to get carried away like she had earlier when he was wiping the blood off.

"You could have left me." she pointed out.

"Why are you so ready to die?" The question took her back. She quickly snapped her head towards him.

"I'm not." she argued.

"Really? First you volunteer to go get the formula which there's a risk you wouldn't make it back. And I'm pretty sure you didn't get beaten and harassed because you begged for your life. Then earlier you were at gun point if I shot, he shot which meant you would die. And you told me to shoot him. Now your telling us to leave you behind. Now to me that sounds like you want to die." His words made her think. She had done the same thing twice for Glenn as well. Telling him to shoot Merle and to let them slit her throat. Why was she ready to die? Everything she has done was to save or protect Annie from harm. She wanted to get the formula for Lane. She got beat up because she was trying to protect the whole group and Annie. She told him to shoot the Governor to save Rick. Now she was telling everyone to leave her so they wouldn't get killed by walkers or the other group. Maybe she was ready to die in a way. But everything she has done was to protect somebody not just Annie. When did it go from Annie to everyone? she asked herself. It's not like she wanted to die, hell nobody wanted to die. Maybe in a way she was ready to die but only at those moments. Is it so wrong to choose somebody else's life over your own? She hadn't noticed it until now how much everyone had gotten under her skin.

She is not needed only wanted. Annie would not need her. She had the whole group to watch after her. Annie only wanted her around because she was familiar with Nicole. Nobody needed Nicole. So why not die saving somebody who was needed? Glenn is needed and wanted. Wanted by the group and needed by Maggie. Rick is needed and wanted. Needed to lead, by his children, and the group. Wanted for the same reasons. They want him to lead, and protect them. Daryl, even if he doesn't know it, is wanted and needed. Everyone wants him around and needs him around. He is Rick's right hand man and is there when Rick is not. So in the end she would gladly die for any person in the group but she would not let them do the same.

She looked back at Rick who was staring forward. She swallowed before speaking.

"I don't want anyone to risk their life for me nor to die for me. I would gladly give my life for any one of y'all but I would not let you give your life for me. A life for a life but only if that life is mine." she told him. "I care about you all and I don't want any of you to die. So yeah I guess you can say I'm ready to die but only for you all and Annie." she explained looking away from him. He didn't say anything just nodded her and continued to walk. They walked in silence until Rick cleared his throat grabbing her attention. She looked up at him. He was staring straight ahead as he opened his mouth to speak but closed it instead.

"Thank you for saving me." she whispered leaning her head against it chest trying to show she actually meant it.

"You're welcome." he cleared his throat again. "Earlier when that man said something about you being my wife, what did he mean?" She froze her breath caught it her throat. She had completely forgotten about that.

"I wanted to scare them. They kept saying y'all wouldn't come for us. So I told them you were my husband. I thought if they thought I was your wife they would know you would come for us. It worked though, it save mefrom-" she trailed off staring out into the distance. She was thinking about the moment she was slammed against the table. The way those hands rubbed her back it was sickening.

"Saved you from what?" he asked looking down at her. She could see the anger in his eyes. He knew what she was talking, he just wanted to make sure he wasn't wrong. She shook her head fighting the tears.

"Isn't it obvious?" Nicole said motioning towards her body. She had to keep from her voice breaking. "I was practically naked when you found me. You aren't dumb, but you know what I'm talking about it."

"Did they-?"

"No they didn't." she gave him a reassuring smile. "They were just trying to scare me I'm sure." she shrugged trying to shake away the feelings. "And it worked"

"They weren't just trying to scare you. You're an attractive woman that had no where to go and couldn't do anything. Of course they were going to try to take advantage of you." his grip on her thighs tightened as he talked. It didn't hurt he just scared her a little. His anger look was replaced by a confused look. "They?"

"I didn't mean they." she said quickly too quickly. She knew he had caught her lie.

"Who's they? How many where there, Nicole?" he asked her in a furious tone.

"One" she lied looking down in shame.

"Stop lying. Who all touched you?" He asked her again.

"Two. But it wasn't like that. The one who hit me didn't undress me. The governor was the one who undressed me but he didn't do this to me." she revealed talking about her face and injuries.

"Who hit you?" he asked her his grip getting tighter. It was starting to hurt her a little now.

"Rick you're hurting me." she whimpered placing her hand over his.

"Who hit you?" he asked his voice growing louder completing ignoring her.

"I don't know who hit me. Rick your grip it's hurting me." she whispered wrapping her fingers around his. He looked from her hand to her. His grip on her loosening.

"Sorry i didn't realize what i was doing." He moved his hand down her leg. She started rubbing the stop her had gripped.

"It's alright." she sighed. He didn't say much else as they walked. She studied his face as they walked. She could see a plan building in his eyes. She didn't like the look in his eyes.

They made it back to the car mid afternoon. Everyone got in. Rick driving, Daryl in passengers seat, the woman, her, and Glenn backseat. They put Merle in the back end nobody wanting to sit next to him. For safe measures they covered Merle's eyes before heading back to the prison. The drive back to the prison was silent only Merle complaining about the blindfold. But he would shut after Daryl told him to "Shut the hell up already". After two more minutes it would start over again and Daryl would say the same thing. When the prison came into view Nicole smiled waiting patiently for those gates to open. Axel opened them looking inside the car for Oscar. He looked at Rick, who shook his head "no" before pulling the car through the gates. They parked the car before everyone started climbing out. Merle stayed into the back with his blindfold on. Glenn helped Nicole out. She straightened up as she heard the metal door of the prison open. She watched Maggie run out running across the field. She threw her arms around Glenn pulling him into a hug. Maggie was crying so was Glenn. Maggie kissed Glenn everywhere, cheek, lips, forehead, neck. Nicole smiled at the moment before looking back at the door. She watch one by one people coming out. Hershel, Beth with Lane, Carol, Carl then she saw her. Standing behind Carl with her hair pulled into pig tails was Annie. Annie looked around before locking eyes with Nicole. A smile crept across Annie's face. She took off running down the stairs. Nicole was sobbing as she fell to her knees. Annie ran over wrapping her arms around Nicole's neck. Nicole was sobbing holding the child to tightly. She kissed Annie's cheek.

"I missed you so much." Nicole sobbed pulling Annie back to take in the small girls face. She looked perfectly healthy nothing wrong. She ran her hand down Annie's cheek.

"I missed you too." Annie smiled running her hand gently over Nicole's swollen cheek. Annie frowned when she seen Nicole flinch. Nicole grabbed Annie's hand placing a kiss on her palm.

"I'm fine, just walked into a door. You know how clumsy I am." Nicole smiled trying to stand to her. She almost fell until Rick grabbed her helping her. She smiled at him before turning back to Annie. "Who did your hair?"

"I did" Nicole looked up to see Carol giving her a sad look. She looked over Nicole. She felt weird being in Rick's shirt in front of everyone. Carol wrapped her arms around Nicole. "I'm so glad you're okay." Nicole smiled wrapping her arms around Carol. Carol pulled away looking at Daryl. Shock was written all over her face.

"Daryl you look awful."

"You should see the other guy." Daryl smirked placing his hand on her shoulder. Everyone laughed at him. Nicole smiled as everyone else starting coming over. They all gave hugs to her and Glenn even though she was in pain she didn't care. Hershel looked her and Glenn telling them to come to his cell for check ups. She and Glenn followed Hershel into the prison followed by the rest of the group other than the woman, Rick, and Daryl. She knew they had to deal with Merle. Carol was the one helping her walk. As she walked in she noticed the four other people sitting around at the tables. She looked over them before she continue walking. She didn't bother asking who they were. Carol sat Nicole on the bed in Hershel's cell. Annie sat down beside her. Nicole knew it was because she didn't want Nicole leaving again. Carol sat down in front of her going through the medical bag. Glenn was leaning against the furthest wall with Maggie wrapped in his arms. Hershel had looked and treated what he could. He bandaged her cuts and wrapped a bandage around her ribs. He was sure one of her ribs were fractured. After he was fixed her let her leave. Carol helped her up the stairs to her cell. Carol sat her on the bed next to Annie. Carol opened the bag before handing Nicole some clothes. She folded Rick's shirt placing it on her bed. Carol had taken Annie away so Nicole could see some rest. She laid her head against the pillow staring at the bottom bunk. She wouldn't be able to get any sleep anyway. So she sat their waiting for anything to happen.