Carl was constantly in and out during the past seven days, he would wake up calm and clear knowing where he was and most importantly who he was. Other times he would wake in a cold sweat and too startled and wound up to answer any questions given. When the youth was strong enough he managed to get into his freshly clean clothes, his father's sheriff hat hooked on the chair at his bedside and the sense of isolation lingered in the air. Dr. Stevens would come in once in a while to check up to see how Carl is doing, half way during the week Carl received some good news that he was able to start eating solid foods but he was cautious at first taking only a few nibbles despite his stomach rolling loudly in protest.

Even though the hospitality was beyond belief, his injuries were mostly healed up except for his concussion and the gash under his eye Carl remained attentive. Most of the people they have come across were vicious and brutal or sly and sneaky. But these people were neither, rather civilized like people were before the apocalypse and this would send Carl into deep thought at times.

The Governor had come to visit Carl a couple times during the week giving him updates on Merle and inquiring about the two it was just general information but Carl was still skeptical keeping his answers simple and plain no elaborated explanations. After his last visit with the Governor a new man came in, he was a bit withdrawn unlike the Governor and spoke few words but always went straight to the point. He pushed his glasses up regularly and was introduced as Milton Mamet.

"What do you do?" Carl asked when the Governor was out.

"I'm a scientist," answered Milton.

By the time the Governor came back, Milton was done taking a vial of blood and doing his own check-up.

"What was that for?" Carl asked his voice slightly husky as it came out more of a demand rather than a question.

"Tests," the Governor said simply not elaborating and Carl let it go.

The youth learned that Merle's stump was completely disinfected and his general health was actually improving at a tremendous rate. However like the boy himself Merle was constantly in and out of sleep sometimes in common sense at other times in complete disarray.

XXXXXX

Carl stared out the window, through the thin curtain he saw people talking outside and children running around chasing each other – everyone completely content. A sudden spell of anxiety caught the youth off guard making him grip the ledge, a sudden flash of his mother and father made him weak in the knees. Carl held his hand in his head feeling his heart tap dance on his chest and shallow breaths expelled.

"Are you alright?"

Carl went ramrod immediately and whipped around to see the Governor standing in the doorway. His hands behind his back and a bit of a stern expression on his face, Carl became immediately defensive.

"Yeah…I'm alright."

The Governor nodded then motioned Carl to follow him. The youth took in a silent breath and obliged.

They walked out into the hallway and immediately a guard appeared from behind Carl flinched and backed up into the Governor. It was a different guard he was a short Hispanic, his hat fell a little over his eyes and his arms were folded across his chest. The Governor placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and steered him down further into the building and then they turned into another medic room that was a little more bare than the one that Carl was kept in.

Inside Dr. Stevens was packing away gauze packs and tape, she looked up to see the Governor and then back at the man on the table. Carl shuffled forward a bit listening in on the conversation.

The Governor leaned in, "How is he?"

Dr. Stevens answered, "Stable nothing to be too alarmed about."

"Good, Carl."

The youth stepped forward and saw a familiar face. He should've been happy but there was something strange about Merle. Carl was about to take a step forward but hesitated. Did Merle give up the story? What did he tell the Governor? How much does he trust this place?

"See, stable and healthy," the Governor grinned clapping Carl on the back. "We're on your side."

Carl jolted slightly and narrowed his eyes, and as for sides Carl just wanted to live – to see his group again; his parents.

"I'll give you two a couple minutes," the Governor nodded motioning the guard to leave. Once the door was closed the two were lapsed in a brief silence, Merle propped himself up against the wall.

"See you're all cleaned up," Merle spoke quietly, his voice echoed in the small room. He pointed to the visible wounds. "Well mostly."

Carl looked at Merle's stump that was wrapped thickly unsure of what to say, turns out he didn't have to say a thing.

"Yeah patched me up as well, stings a bit but not like before. It's better."

"We found those antibiotics," Carl blurted.

"They helped for what…a-a week? Don't deny it son this place helped us out a shit load more than we could help ourselves."

Carl hesitated. "Do you really trust him that much?"

"Not just him them, everyone here doc gave you the medication, guards here so we don't have to worry about Walkers and shit coming up from behind."

Carl looked around he followed the wires that snaked around the wall into the other room than looked back at Merle.

"What did you tell him?"

Merle shrugged. "Nothing yet…companion."

Carl stiffened and knew that Merle was waiting for an answer. "Months of scavenging you expect me to just accept this? It's…not easy, feels strange really."

"Doubt he'd even care that we're from the same group anyway."

Carl frowned and stepped forward, than he saw it. Merle gave up the story.

"I'm not apologizing."

Merle shifted, "took us in…"

"I didn't ask him too and I bet it isn't out of the kindness of his heart that he's patching us up as well. I mean what if he wants something?"

"Like what?"

Carl shrugged, "the location of the others?"

Merle raised an eyebrow. "That's fucking pointless since we don't even know where the hell they are."

Carl let out a sigh, he knew it was a pointless question but he couldn't ignore it.

There was a knock on the door and the Governor entered along with the Hispanic guard. The youth stiffened at the thought of the two eavesdropping on the conversation but he decided to get it out of his head – for his sake.

"Martinez will take you back to the med room, tomorrow we'll see if we can get you into a spare room."

Carl looked at Martinez than back at the Governor and nodded knowing that it was the obvious safe route to take. Martinez nodded towards the door and Carl headed out.

The door closed quietly and the leader turned back to Merle.

"Have you thought about my offer?"

Merle nodded.

"And the boy?"

"Stubborn like his father but pliable."

The Governor nodded like the answer but the only thing was how long it would take to convince Carl to remain.

"Will Carl be a problem?"

Merle looked over at the Governor and frowned, "and if he is…?"

"You said that he is pliable."

"He's a kid."

"It was just a simple inquiry." The Governor moved forward a bit. "When you recover you'll have access to our maps try and pinpoint where your brother might be."

"Where my brother is, Rick might be there too."

The Governor nodded. "That's what I'm counting on."

XXXXXX

The next morning Carl was dubbed fit to leave the medic building, after a quick examination Carl was immediately moved into a small room that was occupied by widow and her twelve year old daughter. When he first saw them Carl immediately thought about Carol and Sophia, he was scared he would burst into tears but he managed to hold it together tucking the pair in a safe keeping place in his mind. Because Merle was still in need of care the Governor didn't want the boy to be all by himself rather with some form of company.

Later Carl was given a tour around the town by a woman named Rowan who carried herself with a sense of haughtily pride. She tried to engage the youth in conversation but failed numerous times before finally giving up and quickly finishing up the tour. When the tour was finished Carl was taken to the largest building in Woodbury which was where the Governor was housed.

Inside Carl heard a bitter argument taking place behind the Governor's door. He knocked a couple times and the argument abruptly stopped. Footsteps echoed from the inside and then the door opened revealing the Governor.

"Ah Carl right on time, please."

The Governor motioned the boy in and he took a tentative step inside. Carl then spotted Milton grumbling over some notes, it took Milton a few seconds to realize that someone was there and when he saw the youth he snapped the folder shut.

"Oh…hi."

"Hi," Carl replied.

"Milton," the Governor said, "will you excuse us?"

The scientist hesitated but got up nonetheless and left.

When he was gone the Governor motioned Carl to sit, he took some food out of the fridge and placed it in front of the boy. He poured him a glass of juice and a glass of Boudreaux for himself. Unable to hold back his hunger Carl dug in, the two ate in silence for a couple minutes and then the Governor asked: "How are you holding up?"

Carl hesitated, he wasn't sure whether to be outright honest or try and make something up. If he did make a lie than he knew that Merle wouldn't be able to mess it up.

"I knew you haven't been exactly honest with me," the Governor whispered dangerously, "I don't like being lied to Carl."

The youth scowled. "No doubt he told you everything."

The Governor leaned back surprised by Carl's hardened demeanour. He expected the boy to be rough but the level of Carl's demeanour the Governor found intriguing. He knew that it took time for Carl to develop his attitude so the Governor knew it was going to take time to peel it away but he didn't have forever and if the inevitable happened than it would complicate even more things.

"When was the last time you saw your group?" the Governor asked.

Carl again hesitated, however it wasn't because of the question rather than the answer. It hurt too much. Thinking about how long it has been since he had seen his father, while Carl was grateful for those bliss moments during the attack back in town those moments were ended and swiftly struck down by Merle. However that was just his father, Hershel and Glenn. It has been months nearly half a year since he had seen any of the others.

Carl took in a small breath forcing himself to calm down, forcing his true emotions into a small corner of his mind as he answered; truthfully. The Governor pondered the answer thoughtfully.

"That's about the same time I lost my daughter."

Carl's head snapped up, shock and surprise clearly showed on the boy's face.

"Oh yes," the Governor continued, "I had a daughter. She was killed by a group raided our campsite."

Carl remained silent not sure of what to say or whether it was appropriate to say anything at all. Instead the faces of his group crept back into his mind and Carl took in an unexpected deep breath. The Governor took notice and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you alright?"

Carl nodded but his stance was weak and said otherwise. He closed his eyes for a few seconds before getting up and running to the bathroom. He slammed the door behind him and threw up.

XXXXXX

Daryl examined the area from his perch at the top of the stairs. Some members were inside their cells while others were outside cleaning up the courtyard. The hunter drew himself up and walked down to Carol's cell which was occupied by Sophia. The girl was cradling her arm close to her chest, her eyes half closed and she perked up slightly upon hearing Daryl's entry.

"Is yer mom around?"

"She outside cleaning up," Sophia mumbled, her voice was hoarse.

Daryl nodded then felt a pang of guilt burden his heart. He saw dots of blood speckle the gauze that was wrapped around her arm.

"Uh…how's the medication -."

"What are you doing here?"

Daryl whipped around to see Carol in the doorway, the cuffs of her pants dragging in gore from outside. She gave the hunter a hard look as she passed him.

"You alright sweetie?"

Sophia nodded her head bobbed with exaggeration due to exhaustion. Carol took the antibiotics off the table and handed them to Sophia before turning on Daryl.

"What are you doing here?" she repeated coldly her eyes narrow.

"I…came down to apologize."

Carol stiffened and took in a breath before responding: "A bit late for that isn't it?"

"Look Carol if there was another way than yer kn-."

Daryl was interrupted as Carol pushed him out of the cell out of earshot for Sophia. She gave a quick look around to see no one.

"There was, you could've let me do it."

"I could've," Daryl agreed, "but I didn't ya know why? Because there was a good possibility that yer wouldn't 'ave made it!"

Carol went ramrod. "How dare you! You think that I don't know how to protect my own child? Is that it?"

"Wha-? No…it's just that…um…."

Daryl stammered over and over trying to find the right words while Carol waited impatiently. Only moments later did Daryl give in with a small sigh unable to say anything that would satisfy Carol. The mother turned on her heels and marched back into her cell making it clear that Daryl wasn't to return without a proper reason.

A/N: Carl seems to have already disappointed the Governor, Merle has accepted an offer for a price and how did Daryl make it onto Carol's shit list? Stay tuned. Spitfire47