A/N: Omg I had such a long author's note but my laptop spazzed out and it got deleted! I'm here as promised with my weekly update, I really miss writing every day or having 4 chapters a week but uni life = busy and I'm in the final year anyone else relate? I love writing this story and hopefully if things get calm in a few weeks I can at least write/update twice a week. I'll keep you posted.

Okay so this chapter is about the sit-down between Rick and the Governor where they're planning what to do about the attack he launched and trying to reach an agreement. not so much action here but the dialogue is good and we've had very Rick/Pol centric chapters so it's nice to write her interactions with the other characters a bit more. I've changed it a little because where Rick wants to trade Michonne, Pol's kinda just told him what she thinks of that and that she won't accept that if it comes to that so we will be deviating a little from the storyline.

Also guys no responses? I miss reading them! I don't want to be a review-whore xD but your reviews were my life, your silent reading and love is still appreciated!

Thanks to everyone who reads and follows/favourites: ReadingRainhoe, golden-priestess, DiCuore Alissa this chapter is dedicated to you three wonderful people!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead or any affiliated characters and storyline, only my OC and plotline!

- Angels and Douchebags

"Stay in the car really?" I groaned at Rick who was getting out of the front seat of the car.

"I'm staying here," Hershel said from the passenger seat picking up the machine gun.

"Hershel respectfully, you have one leg." I stated as she shrugged. Rick closed the driver's side door and came round to my side knocking on the window. I proceeded to glare at him and roll the window down as he leaned his head in.

"Aren't we past this yet, you know I can handle myself. And technically you should be staying in the car you got shot 4 days ago!" I said frustrated as Rick put his arms across the window.

"She's right bout that." I looked behind him at Daryl who was leaning against his bike playing with the crossbow.

"I'm asking you to stay here, because I want you to protect Hershel." Rick said lowly, his blue eyes squinting at me.

"I know you can handle yourself, but if things go sideways I can rely on you to have his back." Rick explained.

"But, what about you-"

"I'll be fine." Rick shrugged.

"Rick, you got shot." I said worriedly touching his upper shoulder.

"I don't know what I'd do if you-" I couldn't finish my sentence.

"I promise I'll be back." Rick stated gently. I held out my pinky finger towards him, he locked his finger with mine and shook it.

"You better." I said as he walked off. The pinky promise had become a thing between me and Rick, every time he would suggest something incredibly dangerous I would make him swear with that promise that he wouldn't do anything stupid by himself.

"I got his back." Daryl said.

"Thanks Dixon." I smiled at him as he nodded. I looked on at their retreating forms sighing deeply. Every time Rick went off now, I always had a fear he wouldn't be back, since the incident with Morgan and he had two children to take care of, I had to make sure he would be back for them. And for me.

"They'll be fine." Hershel reassured. I nodded silently and checked the bullets in my rifle instead keeping the window rolled down. Hershel shuffled over to the driver's seat and placed his crutches on the passenger seat with his window rolled down he held the machine gut out scanning for Walkers or any of the Governor's men.

"I don't like this." I huffed.

"What's to like." Hershel drawled.

"I know that Governor's not coming by himself, there's no way. There could be an ambush waiting for them right now." I shook my leg scanning the surrounding area. Rick and the Governor were meeting in this remote place which was full of oil cans in an empty barn which was supposedly private.

"Well Rick didn't come by himself, so I wouldn't expect him to either." Hershel said.

"Knowing him he's got some dirty tricks up his sleeve." I scoffed.

"That's why we're here." Hershel said.

"Keep a calm clear head Pol, I know it's hard but you need to stay calm. Rick can handle himself." Hershel explained.

"You weren't there that day Hershel, if that bullet hit a few cm across Rick wouldn't be here right now." I said with dread in my heart.

"And this was from a man who knew him, who saved him. Now it's the Governor we're talking about."

"But he didn't Pol, he's still breathing and he's still standing. Because of you, that was some quick thinking you did, that was good with the leather." Hershel said appraisingly.

"Thank you, it was the only thing I could think to use." I said gratefully.

"You ever considered being a doctor?"

"At some point during college I'm pretty sure I did but I didn't pass the tests and didn't qualify." I stated reloading the rifle.

"Well there's no college or qualifications required now." Hershel said turning back to face me.

"What are you saying exactly?"

"Well how would you like me to train you? To be my assistant at first but then having two medics is better than one." Hershel asked which surprised.

"Wow, Hershel I'd be honoured." I smiled happily.

"It would be nice to feel more useful." I grinned.

"Never underestimate your worth Pol. You're a good fighter." Hershel smiled back.

"I want to be more than just a good fighter though." I sighed.

"You are, everyone in the group loves you. You help others, you look after both Carl and Judith and defend the group like your own family. You have a big heart and it doesn't go unnoticed by the individuals in our group." Hershel looked at me with a glean in his eye.

"Careful old man." I narrowed my eyes at him knowing exactly what he was insinuating making him chuckle.

"It's time." Hershel said starting up the car. We drove forward a ways until we reached a small field clearing with old cars just a few minutes away from the barn and turned down onto the road that lead towards the highway. I rolled down my window seeing the brown haired archer walk up.

"Well?" I asked him feeling anxious.

"He's already in there." Daryl said to Hershel.

"And he's fine." He directed the statement to me as I let out a small sigh of relief. I couldn't let my personal feelings for Rick get in the way, I had to stay focused especially if things went sideways.

"Governor just sat down with Rick." Daryl stated.

"I don't see any cars." Hershel said scanning the roads. It added to my unease of the situation as I watched the empty deserted roads.

"Yeah, it don't feel right. Keep it runnin'." Daryl instructed Hershel.

Suddenly we could hear an engine noise from the distance as I immediately jumped out of the car standing with Daryl with the rifle pointed up towards the car.

"Heads up." Daryl said urgently hitting the car.

A pale coloured jeep came into view driving through the junkyard and parked up alongside our car. It was one of the Governor's men in the front seat. Daryl pulled out his crossbow and kept it aimed at the man in the front seat. Two men came out of the car as in the passenger seat I saw a head of blonde hair come into view. Andrea. I narrowed my eyes at her as she looked all business.

"What the hell, why's your boy already in there?" Daryl kept the bow trained on them.

"He's here?" Andrea asked looking shocked at the Mexican looking man.

"Yup." He smirked.

"Don't act like you didn't know." I glared at Andrea who looked affronted. There was no way of knowing if Andrea was really aware of what was happening, I wanted to believe she didn't know and had good intentions. But how on earth could you be in his inner circle and still be completely in the dark about what's happening? No one's that naïve.

"I didn't." She said looking genuinely shocked, she walked straight past us and into the barn where they were half opening it before walking inside.

"Too many people have died for no reason. Let's end this. Save the bullets for the real threat." I heard Andrea's voice ring out in the barn. Okay, so maybe she was being genuine. Rick and the Governor's voices were indistinct but so far there was no shouting, only calm talking.

I slowly lowered my rifle as Daryl kept his crossbow down and pulled my arm over to where our car was.

"I don't like this." Daryl said eyeing the two men next to the jeep.

"Yeah me neither. What do we do?" I asked putting my hands on my hips.

"Nothin' we can do. 'cept stay alert for more cars." Daryl shrugged.

"There's gotta be something." I pleaded.

"I just want to shoot the Governor and get it over with." I said venomously.

"Trust me, I would love to put an arrow through his other eye but that's just gonna cause more violence." Daryl explained as I nodded reluctantly, we were in some sort of stare down with the other two men who were leaning against the hood.

"Maybe I should go inside." Hershel walked over with the rifle.

"The Governor thought it best if he and Rick spoke privately." It was that doctor from before, whom we had lunch with, he was incredibly calm and scribbling something down in his notebook.

"Who the hell are you?" Daryl asked defensively.

"Milton Mamet." He replied calmly.

"I remember you." I walked forward slowly in his direction.

"You're the doctor, we had lunch together when I got to Woodbury with Michonne and Andrea." I said to him.

"Yes," He said politely.

"And you're Polaris, lovely name." Milton commented as I didn't know what to say.

"Great. He brought his butler." Daryl scoffed making me smile and the other man grin.

"I'm his advisor." Milton stated looking down at his notebook.

"Is that right. So was it you who advised him to shoot up our prison where we had women and children?" I walked closer with my hand over the rifle. Daryl pulled my arm as I turned around to face him he shot me a warning look.

"I never condoned that. I didn't even know about that." Milton defended.

"Bullshit." I spat walking back. I sat up on the hood of the car already having enough of them.

"What kind of advice?" Daryl shifted the subject.

"Oh you know, planning, biters. I don't feel like I need to explain myself to the henchmen." Milton said offensively.

"You better watch your mouth sunshine." Daryl said warningly.

"Look if we're gonna be out here pointing guns at each other all day, do us a favour and shut your mouth." The other man smirked.

"What'd you say?" Daryl walked up to the man until they were face to face.

"Daryl," I said warningly despite the fact I was in complete agreement with him we didn't need to start another fight in here.

"We don't need this. If it all goes south in there, we'll be at each other's throats soon enough." Hershel said beside me, the voice of reason dissipating the tension in the area.

Daryl backed off and went back in silence staring at each other. God knows what things were like back at the prison, Merle was most likely antagonising everyone back there. Michonne and Glenn had it handled, they could handle him. Glenn was a good leader, he could take care of things if it went badly.

"You told me he was willing to talk!" I heard Rick's raised voice from the barn and glanced back putting a tighter hold on my rifle. I looked back hearing footsteps as Andrea walked out in a huff making everyone turn to face her. She sat down on a blue bench and put her head down.

"Going that well huh?" I asked and she shook her head. One of the men closed the barn door behind us to give them privacy.

"They're too busy measuring dick sizes to come to real solutions." Andrea said. I studied her sitting there on the bench, I really believed she just wanted peace, there to be no fighting between both sides.

"It was your man who shot up our prison." I said walking over and sitting beside her.

"I know and I would've stopped him if I knew." Andrea said regretfully staring off in the distance.

"I know." I nodded making her look at me.

"You mean you don't hate me?" She asked.

"I don't. I get it. You wanted a solid place to live you just didn't know who you were living with. And you just want peace." I explained as she nodded.

"What do you think?" She asked.

"I think the Governor's done some shitty things. I would love nothing more than to put a bullet in his skull." I said bluntly.

"Peace seems like the ideal option." I shrugged.

"But?" Andrea prompted.

"The Governor seems like a man who just wants all the toys. He wants to control anything, you really think he's going to back off, settle for Woodbury?" I asked her as she remained silent. After another half an hour of silence amongst us I was getting bored and extremely impatient.

"Why don't we use this time together to explore the issue ourselves." Milton stepped forwards towards the other man and Daryl.

"I say you just sit tight and shut up." The man said to Milton.

"It's a good thing they're sitting down, trying to work it out especially after what happened. Nobody wants another battle." Milton said making Daryl scoff.

"I wouldn't call it a battle." he said.

"I would and I did, I recorded it." Milton held the book.

"What?" Daryl said.

"It's part of our history, what we've gone through." Milton stated.

"Makes sense." Hershel piped in.

Suddenly there was a scream coming from the distance as I stood up off the bench rifle in hand. I led the way with one of the Governor's men behind me and Daryl next to me holding the crossbow out. Andrea pulled our her knife as we went to go investigate the sound. There were two Walkers stumbling our way around the corner as Daryl and the other men both lowered their weapons. I slung the rifle back and pulled our my machete.

"After you," Daryl put his crossbow down.

"You first." The other man pointed his baseball bat towards the Walkers.

I rolled my eyes at the testosterone and looked at Andrea who nodded. We pushed past the man and she stabbed one walker against the oil drum with a cry. I sliced the head off the other walker with the machete breathing heavily as it's body fell to the ground with a thud. Two more walkers came out from behind the oil drums as this time the other man came forward and smashed the head with the bat looking back at Daryl with a smirk.

The moaning of another walker came in site as Daryl shot an arrow right in the eye. A third walker came as the man stepped forward swinging the bat.

"Urgh come on." I said to Andrea as we let the men show each other up.

"Aren't you glad you're not a man?" I let out a small smile towards Andrea who grinned at me. We staggered back to the cars where Hershel and Milton looked alarmed.

"We're fine." I calmed Hershel down.

"Where's Martinez?" Milton asked. So that's the other guy.

"Oh him and Daryl are busy measuring dicks." I laughed as Andrea chuckled making Hershel and Milton look uncomfortable. They were sitting side by side talking pleasantly.

Another hour passed and I was sitting on the car bored tossing the knife up in the air and catching it. Andrea was watching me shaking her head and Hershel already scolded me but I didn't listen. I tossed it a bit higher getting good at it before I felt a sharpness and saw red on my palms.

"Shit. Fuck." I cursed as the knife fell on the floor.

"You know I wanted to say something 10 minutes ago but I just knew you wouldn't listen." Andrea said smugly handing me a rag.

"Shut up." I shot at her.

"And thanks." I said gratefully wrapping the cloth around my hand. Andrea came and tied off the makeshift bandage.

"How have you survived this long?" Andrea genuinely asked.

"I think someone up there likes me." I pointed to the sky as Andrea chuckled.

"If there is someone up there I don't think they like anyone, given the state of the world." Andrea said looking up at the sky.

I was sat on the hood of the car scribbling events over the past few days into my own journal and important observations for later on. I liked to look back and reflect - particularly on impressions of people. Hindsight is a beautiful thing. I looked up and watched as Hershel came over to Andrea who looked like she was wallowing in something.

"They kicked me out. I don't know what I'm doing in here." Andrea said from the bench.

"You're trying to help." Hershel reassured her.

"What happened with Maggie?" She asked in a childlike voice.

"He's a sick man." I said from the car not giving specific details. Andrea had tears in her eyes and looked over to Milton before back at Hershel.

"What am I going to do now? I can't go back there." She whispered sobbing gently. I jumped off the car and sat beside her rubbing her arm in sympathy.

"We're family. You belong with us." Hershel stated.

"But if you join us, it's settled." Hershel said.

"I know." Andrea cried. After a few minutes she was okay but this time it was me pacing outside the barn door waiting for Rick.

"How are they not done yet?" I groaned looking at the door for any signs of it opening up.

"Michonne-" I turned my head towards the door hearing my friend's name being spoken, but was it by Rick? Or by the Governor? Of course. I groaned out loud. Michonne cut out the Governor's eye, of course he's got a personal vendetta against her.

"What?" Daryl asked edging towards me.

"I heard Michonne's name in there." I said anxiously as I began biting by finger looking up at Daryl.

"She cut out the Governor's eye, what if he's offering a deal to spare the whole prison for her? What if Rick takes it?" I whispered frustrated.

"Hey," Daryl put his arm on my shoulder.

"She's one of us now." He reassured.

"Rick's not gonna take no deal without talkin' to us first. Don't you worry." Daryl nodded walking off.

I know he was trying to make me feel better but the Governor was backing Rick into a corner. And even if he was starting to accept Michonne, he didn't trust or know her like I did. If he did take the deal, trading Michonne then I don't think I could ever forgive him for that.

Suddenly the door to the barn slid open with a clang and out walked the Governor strolling back to their car. His men and Andrea followed him as I gave her a little wave she nodded. Rick walked out, his face looking troubled and stepped into the driver's seat of the car. I gave Daryl an uneasy look who got on his motorbike as I got into the backseat of the car with Hershel beside Rick. Daryl lead the way back opposite the road to the Governor until we were driving down the highway.

"Ya alright?" I put my hand on Rick's shoulder leaning forward whilst he was driving.

"Yeah." He said glancing at me in the rear-view mirror but remained silent. Whatever the Governor said troubled him, it can't be good.

A short while later we reached the prison gates which had been opened by Carl and Carol standing towards the inner gate. Rick drove the car up the walker infested fields into the park. We got back out of the car and walked inside the prison as Maggie and Glenn greeted us.

"Let's get inside." Rick said before walking off into the cell-block.

"Well?" Maggie asked looking slightly dishevelled.

"I know as much as you do." I sighed walking after our leader.

All of us were gathered in C block standing around Rick who took his rifle out from the cell holding it in one hand.

"So I met this Governor, sat with him for quite a while." Rick began looking around at all of us. I was anxious, I could feel the fear gnawing away at my chest. I definitely heard Michonne in their conversation, now whether Rick would choose to say anything, that was a different matter.

"Just the two of ya? We should have gone when we had the chance." Merle checked with Rick walking away from the group.

"He wants the prison. He wants us gone. Dead, he wants us dead for what we did at Woodbury." Rick stated firmly as we looked at him expectantly.

"We're going to war." Rick said before walking out of the cell block. We all looked at each other with confirming nods. Some looked uneasy, some looked completely on-board with the idea. I was 100% behind Rick but he didn't say anything about Michonne. I went back inside my cell and sat on the bed for a while wondering if I should confront him at all. A few minutes later I decided to go find him.

"Hey, Carl you alright?" I said to the boy pacing the cell.

"Yeah," He nodded looking down.

"You sure?" I asked forcing him to face me as he nodded.

"You know my cell's always open for you. Use my CD player, sleep there, take whatever you like." I smiled at him.

"Thanks Pol." He said holding his hand around the necklace I had given him, I smiled fondly at his memories of me.

"Do you know where your dad went?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"Alright no worries." I began walking off before his voice stopped me.

"You know you remind me of my mom." I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around slowly to see Carl's blue eyes looking at me from under his hair.

"I'm sorry?" It came out like a question because honestly I didn't know how to respond.

"Like you look after me, and you look after Judith. And you've looked after my dad so many times. We're glad to have you." Carl gave me a small smile and I felt my heart twinge at his words. He just compared me to his mother, the person he probably loved most in the world. Without saying anything I went forward and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

"Thanks kid." I whispered feeling tears prickling my eyes. I pulled apart and took a few steps back.

"Are-are you okay?" He asked seeing the tears.

"Oh, this?" I chuckled wiping the tears with my sleeves.

"You guys are the first real family I've had Carl. So what you said, it means a lot. I'll see you later." I smiled before walking off.

I walked through the cafeteria and went outside to the courtyard looking for Rick. I heard some noise against the metal links in the fence above me and looked up making out Rick and Hershel standing there.

I went back inside the prison building and made my way up the defence post. The door was open and Hershel and Rick looked like they were having a private conversation. I was about to go back and wait before Rick spoke.

"He gave me a choice. A way out." Rick spoke softly. I edged on the other side of the door frame keeping my back against the wall and leaned my head forward seeing them look out into the courtyard.

"What does he want?" Hershel asked calmly.

"Michonne." Rick said. My breath hitched in my throat at my suspicions just being confirmed. So I was right, the Governor wanted Michonne in exchange for sparing us.

"He'll kill her." Hershel said as matter of fact. Okay time to make myself known.

"He'll just kill us anyways." I spoke stepping forward causing both men to face me.

"Sorry I was just coming up to find you guys," I apologised seeing their surprised looks.

"It's okay." Hershel said.

"What if he doesn't? What if-"

"Rick, you know this isn't the answer. This shouldn't even be a conversation." I cut him off.

"Why didn't you tell the others?" Hershel asked.

"They need to be scared." Rick said.

"They are." Hershel nodded.

"I'll take my leave. Let you two talk." Hershel went on his crutches and went back inside.

"Rick, listen I know it's tempting to trade Michonne for safety of the prison but it's not guaranteed, not at all. You met him, you sat down with him, you know he'll just try to take it anyways." I explained.

"I know she saved you." Rick said calmly facing me.

"Not just me. She saved Hershel, Carl, if she didn't come to the prison we wouldn't even know Glenn and Maggie had been taken. She's earned her place, and you said you would give her a chance." I started feeling panicked, I couldn't believe Rick would ever try to trade Michonne especially not after how hard I fought for her to say.

"I know I did." Rick nodded.

"We make a stand against the Governor we fight for our home. That's what we should do." I said.

"Rick I care about you and the group so much that you're my family. The only real family I have ever had and I don't want to lose that." I said getting choked up.

"And you won't." Rick bent down speaking gently.

"But hear me now Rick, if you go through with this trade you don't only lose Michonne." I began as Rick eyed me with curiosity.

"You'll lose me too."

As I said those words to Rick who looked at me in shock, I was getting the feeling we were being watched.

A/N: Damn Pol! My girl has fire, not gonna take shit from anyone. Not even the beautiful man-candy Rick! She's gonna be kinda conflicted with Rick and Michonne - especially whilst Rick struggles if he should trade Michonne now that Pol's given him that ultimatum. Juicy complications and tensions to come, besides you guys have had too much fluff anyways ;) Any thoughts?