Hey, Guys! I figured since the Talberts help Merle out a lot with Emiko, I'd put a chapter in about them.

Here is the tale of Cameron and Alissandre (It's almost pronounced like 'Alexander', but with'ss')

I hope you like it!

I don't own TWD, of course.

….

Ballad of the Talberts

The Talberts didn't really have a choice but to stay in Woodbury. Before happening upon the place, Mrs. Talbert's husband was attacked, she had to chop off both his legs, believing that it could stop the infection from spreading. He almost died after losing a lot of blood. Making it to Woodbury, they were able to give him a wheelchair to move around. They both knew that in his state, he wouldn't survive outside the walls. She loved her veteran so much and they'd been through their share of misery since it all started. Mrs. Talbert wanted to have her husband with her in these crazy days. If it meant staying in this place, then that's what they would do.

Master Sargent Cameron Talbert of the U.S. Army. Served since for almost 20 years, since the age of 18. He'd been on tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, The Gulf, among others. It was difficult at times as he missed his wife dearly. Alissandre Santos, his beautiful wife that he met during his first college spring break to Santorini. They had a mutual friend named Stefano that went to school with Cameron. Knowing that his friend wanted to go home for spring break, Cameron saved everything he earned from his part time job so he could travel with Stefano.

It was cliché, love at first sight, but that's what he felt the moment he laid eyes on the beautiful woman. He loved her personality and intelligence just as much as seeing her hair dance on the ocean breeze, her sharp green eyes when she gazed at him, tanned skin that glowed and a dazzling smile that could kill. She was as beautiful on the outside as she was kind and gentle. Stefanos, the good friend that he was, knew something was going on between them and let them to it while he did his own thing… he could find a hot guy to "pal around" with for the week while they were together… and they could double date and hang out.

Those were good times indeed: the dinners, the beach parties and clubs, dancing the night away. Cameron didn't want it to end. But spring break was only a week long. It could be quite some time before he saw Alissandre again and she might move on before he got to chance to be face to face with her. Not wanting to let her go, he gave her his number and his mailing address so that they could call and write each other… maybe send videos to one another.

Alissandre missed him when he left. She missed looking up his tall, muscled frame and into his hazel eyes that contrasted his caramel skin, being wrapped in his arms, his smile and deep voice, running her fingers through his soft brown curls. His jokes…even the corny ones, watching his lips as he told his life stories. And he never minded listening to her jokes and stories. He never cared that she was deaf, either; he was the first guy she dated that didn't see it as some sort of relationship deal-breaker. He even made effort to learn sign language so that they could talk that way as well.

As the years passed. There were exchange student programs that Alissandre and Cameron both took part in. Alissandre applied for school and work visas and eventually went on to test for citizenship when she was ready. It was hard being away from her family, but they were incredibly supportive. It also meant that she and Cameron could be together. They dated all throughout college, until Cameron popped the question at the post-graduation party. By the time Alissandre was in medical school, they were married and Cameron was well into his career as a member of the army.

Soon, it was Master Sargent Cameron Talbert and his wife Dr. Alissandre Talbert, ER physician. They were able to build a nice life for each other and possibly retire in their mid-40s, early 50s. Once they felt they were established enough in their careers, they tried for children. It was a little challenging and for years it ended up with heartbreak. Then for a while, Cameron had to leave for Iraq and Afghanistan several times for long stretches. They missed each other greatly and always kept in contact. Alissandre would also send him care packages… including some risqué, not safe for work pictures in an envelope marked "For your eyes only".

When he returned, they tried again and finally, she was pregnant. They were going to have twins - a boy and a girl. But then, the world around them became more and more bizarre. Reports of people eating people. It was frightening; Cameron would notice Alissandre holding her belly protectively. The babies were only a month and a half old at the time.

When the horror moved from the television to their doorstep, they had to leave. It was shocking, seeing neighbors tear into other neighbors with their hands and teeth, the pandemonium on the streets. Their whole world had been turned upside down. The stress of the whole ordeal was too much for Alissandre's body to handle between all that was going on, her gestational hypertension, and their car being hit as they tried to escape. At times, she would have trouble breathing or palpitations. The worst thing that happened to them was a week later, when she lost the babies. She became incredibly ill as her body rejected the now dead fetuses. Mostly, Alissandre was depressed. She felt like she failed Cameron by losing them, even though he assured her that it wasn't her fault and he didn't blame her at all… that he loved her very much.

Weeks turned into months and the group they'd joined up with at the start had whittled down to just them. It became challenging to find food. Cameron had a little farming experience from his mother's side of the family, but it was difficult to find a safe place where they could start making a life again instead of just surviving. There was the prison, but with all the walkers meandering about and just the two of them, it didn't seem worth the risk. As they crossed the creek, they crossed paths with a group of walkers and had to run. They booked it as fast as their legs could carry them which led them to a hut in the middle of the woods. They ran inside and waited out the herd before checking out the house. Alissandre went toward the kitchen area while Cameron went toward the bathroom.

When Alissandre heard Cameron screaming, she ran toward him, making it in time to see Cameron get bitten in his left leg after getting a chunk ripped out of his right. The walker must have caused him to fall and drop his gun. She acted quickly and killed the walker with her knife. She took the axe from his pack and apologized to her husband, crying as she chopped off both his legs. She couldn't bear his cries of agony as she did it. She had to move quickly, taking him to the bed and elevating his legs as high as she could. He told her to cauterize them quickly, which she did after giving him a shot of morphine from her medical pack. The whole ordeal was horrifying to her… but she got to keep her husband. While Cameron was convalescing, Alissandre had to find a car and fuel for them to travel. She had to take over a lot of responsibilities for both of their sakes. Still, if a deer or something happened to cross by his window, he could shoot it and Alissandre would bring it inside for him to drain, clean and butcher. Still, they couldn't survive like this. They needed somewhere to go. When he was certainly well enough, they piled into the car Alissandre found and just drove. They drove the roads for hours until they came upon a makeshift wall that was guarded. Guns were aimed at them, but a few men came out of the gates after a while, one of them being Phillip Blake. He welcomed them into the town; it was something like a miracle, an oasis in a land of decay and destruction. While they still felt it was too good to be true, they had to take advantage of it. It would help them to survive longer and spend whatever days they had left on this world with each other.

It was about six months after that Merle and Emiko came into the town and became their neighbors down the street. As the months passed, they became closer friends, Cameron and Merle would often play poker, or dominoes, checkers, whatever they could have a friendly competition in. and Alissandre loved looking after Emiko, sort of being the mother she never got to be. As much as she and Cameron wanted children, they both agreed that they couldn't bring a child into a world like this.

How long would it be until it was all over? Would it end? As time went on, Cameron could tell Alissandre was becoming sadder. They wanted a family so much and it was only going to be more difficult to have children of their own as time went forward. It was something that Alissandre had to make herself put in the back of her mind. They had to focus on protecting each other and making sure they survive this world. Children can come later, when later brings with it a safer place for children to grow and thrive.

...

As Cameron sat in the window, staring at the moon and stars, Alissandre sat beside him holding his hand. It was like a time for them to connect and talk after a long day, like they used to before the end came.

"Darling…" Alissandre called softly "I'll be okay… if we aren't able to have children… it'll be okay." She sighed as she leaned on his shoulder. "I'll always have you, and that's more than enough… no matter what happens in the future… I'm happy."

Cameron smiled faintly as he leaned over to kiss her forehead, squeezing her hand gently. "All I want is for you to be happy." He replied "You're more than enough for me, love. But, I do still want a family…if we are able… and you still want to, we will. And if we can't… perhaps we can adopt?"

"Adoption…" Alissandre repeated. It would be a good option. There were sure to be children that needed adults to take care of them. The more she thought about it, the more she felt it would be the best thing for them. If they were somehow able to have a child when it was safe enough, that would be great as well. "All right, darling…. That sounds good, too." She nodded before kissing his cheek. "Some where there's a child that needs the love and guidance of a parent. We can provide that."

Her answer made Cameron's smile broaden. Seeing some of that sadness disappear from her lovely eyes, coming back to herself and smiling more. That made him happy.

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So what do you think so far? The connection between Merle and Michonne? The Talberts?

I want to know your thoughts, so don't be afraid to sound off! (Just don't be mean, please? Lol)

Now that I have more free time, I can get back to this story.

Thank you so much for staying and reading – those who have been following and favoriting and those who've just been reading, I truly hope you have enjoyed my work so far.

Next up will be a pure Thaliana/Daryl (or is it Thaliana+Daryl? Dariana? Erm, no… no, I don't like that.)

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much for sticking with me! I promise that you'll see another chapter soon!