A/N: Readers - this chapter is probably longest I've ever written in my profile. I was thinking of cutting it shorter but then thought what the hell, exams are going to go on for another week so hopefully this will tide you over until next chapter. Leave a review, thanks. Spitfire47


Carl and Rick were forced to wait on their knees facing the wall with their hands behind their heads. The youth felt his muscles cramp up from being in the position for so long. He looked over to Rick who was still holding up well even against the blow he had taken from Martinez. A quiet murmur came from behind and both found themselves hauled to their feet and turned.

"The Governor wants to speak to Carl," Martinez said then emphasized, "only."

"No!" Rick protested he pushed ominously against the hands that were restraining him. "We both go together."

Martinez gave a small sigh. "Well you really have two choices, one the kid goes, talks and you may walk out. Or the kid remains we kill you and keep Beth leaving whoever is left of your group to reminisce on how big you guys fucked up."

Rick and Carl gapped.

"Your choice."

Rick balled his fists causing enforcers around him to tense and guns rose.

"I'll go!" Carl shouted before a fist could fly and trigger pulled. "Where's the Governor? I'll go."

Martinez nodded and a young enforcer stepped forward pinning Carl's arms behind his back as his wrists were bound with zip ties. Rick pressed against those who held him back but Carl shook his head.

"They choose when we leave," Carl explained, "and the Governor needs to know."

Rick wanted to protest but he knew that Carl was telling him what happens in Woodbury as well as keeping up the façade to keep the enforcers going in circles. The leader relaxed showing his surrender and the enforcers drew back but the guns didn't. Carl was given a small nudge forward and he obliged heading towards the large apartment.

XXXXXX

Inside Carl was led upstairs and down the hallway until he came to a wooden door. The young enforcer knocked and waited. The door opened seconds later revealing the leader he was a bit more ragged since Carl had last seen him but Carl kept his mind on the reason he was here in Woodbury nonetheless standing in front of the Governor.

"Come in."

Both Carl and the enforcer walked in. The Governor stopped the enforcer and said, "Wait outside."

"Yes sir."

"I want him to stay," Carl blurted. The Governor looked down at the youth suspiciously wondering what he was getting at while the poor enforcer looked completely uncomfortable.

"Didn't Martinez tell you that you are no good dead to me?" the Governor's voice was noted with irritation. He turned to the enforcer. "Wait outside."

Once the enforcer left the Governor closed the door and led Carl to his office. Carl looked at the glass case as he passed by seeing Beth's gun where his Bren Ten was placed before. He felt a small jerk on the back of his neck forcing his head forward. Carl was forced into a chair and the Governor remained looming over him.

"Where is Michonne?" the Governor demanded.

"She's dead," Carl answered.

There were a few quiet seconds before the Governor lashed out striking Carl upside the head making the youth see stars. The youth felt a handful of his hair being cruelly twisted causing him to lean into the leader.

"Michonne where is she?" his voice was filled with malice.

"She died they got overrun while going out for supplies."

"They?"

"Michonne and a couple other members were out looking for supplies. A Walker herd took them by surprise and she died."

A tense silence fell between the two, Carl tried to calm his racing heart but it beat so fast and loud that he was sure the Governor could see it pulse. He thought about Judith, what she looks like when she sleeps or how she scrunches up her face whenever she wants attention – something calm to take his mind away. After what seemed like eternity the Governor pushed Carl's head back clearly angered, the youth felt pain pulsate where the hairs had been pulled. He wished his hands were unbound. After a couple seconds of recovery the Governor spoke: "I suppose the deal is off then."

"We'll compensate whatever supplies you wish in exchange for Beth," Carl said calmly. "But other members of our group are off limits."

The Governor pushed off the wall and leaned in placing his hands on the armrests.

"That's a real shame," the Governor whispered, "because the girl has helped out immensely with my enforcers."

Carl at first frowned not understanding but then his eyes flew open as he got what the Governor was saying. Unable to control his anger he rammed his head into the Governor's stomach sending the leader backwards. Taking his chance with the leader stunned Carl struck the Governor awkwardly with his shoulder forcing him to stumble into the wall before kicking at his side with all his might – a dull crack snapped through the air. The youth stepped back as the Governor slid to the ground he raised his foot again to deliver a kick.

Before Carl could do any more damage he felt arms wrap around his shoulders and pull him back a blade pressed threateningly against his throat. The youth kicked the enforcer in the shins and twisting his shoulders hoping to catch him in the jaw ignoring the blade bit a bit into his throat. The knife fell out of the enforcer's grip slicing a bit of the plastic binding as it fell to the ground. Carl snapped the rest of the plastic off and punched the enforcer.

A sudden crash came from outside the room and two more enforcers barrelled into the room helping tame the youth. Carl felt his back slam painfully against the wall and something jammed into his mouth and pushed down his throat. To Carl's horror it was a gun.

"No…," the Governor gasped, "no we need him."

The enforcers looked at their leader slightly bewildered that he'd want to keep the youth but did as they were told and just held Carl firmly against the wall. The Governor struggled to his feet leaning against the wall for support and a hand gripping his side.

"Get me Stevens."

An enforcer nodded and ran off leaving Carl to be restrained by the two.

"Where is Rick?"

"He's still outside, Martinez is watching him."

"The girl?"

"Still in the shed, but we found this a couple hours ago when we went to check up on her."

The enforcer produced a small piece of metal that was encrusted with blood. Carl felt his heart pound against his chest as a lump grew in his throat.

"Sliced up her wrists good but Dr. Stevens stitched her up."

The Governor nodded, he saw the momentary flash of worry and fear strike Carl's face before disappearing. He stepped forward and grabbed the youth from the enforcer's grip. Carl tried to pry the leader's hand off his neck but the grip was vice there was no way of breaking it.

"Go get Rick and bring him up here."

The two enforcer left without a word once they were gone the Governor forced Carl out into the open space and toward a door. He took out a key and unlocked it, shoving Carl in first before stepping in himself. The youth groaned as his back painfully connected with the table. Carl got up into a fighting stance but he saw how dark the room was, the empty broken shelves pushed to one side of the wall and the cage at the end. The youth turned around quickly raising his fists and glaring at the man before him showing that he wasn't going to go down without a fight. The Governor on the other hand found it more amusing and raised his hand to grab Carl, the youth ducked and tried to dash for the entrance but a knee came up and connected with his stomach. A scream caught in his throat making it sound like someone stepped on a cat's tail. Carl fell to the ground breathless clutching his stomach feeling pain continued to bloom one on top of the other. Another kick to his back then a punch to his head temporarily blinding him, he took in a breath feeling pain rise even further until it became near unbearable. Before he could do anything he felt a hand grab him by the collar of his shirt and dragged him backwards towards the cage. Carl fought the best he could but ever move sent paroxysmal spasms all over his body making him grit his teeth in pain.

The cage door opened and Carl was tossed in effortlessly. He felt the rough granite rub against his cheek as he coughed violently. Carl turned back just in time to see the door close, jumping to his feet the youth ran to the door and grabbed the cage.

"Let me out!" the youth shouted rattling the fence.

"I need to talk to your father for a bit before we all get together," the Governor said putting the key back into his pocket. "So you be a good boy and just keep quiet."

Carl was prepared to shout back when another paroxysmal spasm took over making him bent slightly. He feel to the ground and looked up in time to see the door close engulfing him in pitch black.

XXXXXX

Carl lost track inside the cage, after a couple minutes of shouting the youth felt like the whole thing was pointless and sat down on the ground. He had dozed off a couple times only to snap awake at a striking sound. Carl knew that the sounds were from the Governor or an enforcer hitting his father. Carl balled his fist each time as anger flooded his mind wishing that he wasn't stuck in here being useless.

Finally the door to the secret room opened a couple minutes later revealing Shumpert. Carl stood to meet the man ready for whatever was going to happen but he felt quite silly. Shumpert was a lot taller and stronger therefore easily overpowered Carl and twisted his arm painfully behind his back forcing the youth forward.

In the main room Carl looked around to see a couple enforcers there, the younger ones showed a bit more emotion than others but still watched. Carl looked over to see his father kneeling in the middle of the room, his hands behind his back and blood down the front of his shirt. The youth stiffened at the sight he pushed against Shumpert but the grip on his upper arm tightened until Carl felt it go numb.

"Be careful," the Governor snapped seeing Carl bit his lip in pain.

Shumpert mumbled sorry and released some pressure on Carl's arm but still had it firmly held. Rick looked over seeing the scrap on Carl's forehead he tried to speak but Martinez kneed him in the face. Carl shouted stepping forward but a strong arm wrapped around his shoulders holding him back. Rick laid face up coughing violently obviously in much pain. Martinez raised his bat for another blow when the Governor stopped him.

"You know you're pretty strong for a small kid," the Governor said turning to Carl, "cracked a couple ribs and bruises."

"I thought you wanted to talk to me only," Carl tried as evenly as possible.

"After the incident I figured that parental intervene is necessary."

"Beating up my dad is parental intervene?"

"Like you he's a bit…touchy. So when he heard what happened about Beth he too thought that violence would solve what already happened."

Carl felt his heart sink as he saw his father's body curled in a ball on the floor, one arm was hanging off to the side while the others was close to his face. Carl pushed a bit against Shumpert but the enforcer only tightened his grip. The youth watched as his father was forced into a kneeling position.

"To be honest it would be nice finishing you off myself," the Governor admitted, "but I think that someone else has a bit more reason then I do."

Carl turned his head in the direction of a door as it opened revealing an unlikely face.

"Merle!" Carl shouted straining as much as possible against the enforcer holding him.

The redneck stepping into the room ignoring the youth completely, he took out his gun from the holster. Carl tried to call out to him again but was once again ignored.

"Remember what I said about compensation Friendly?" Merle said pulling back on the hammer on the gun.

"Merle…," Rick tried but was struck in the face with a muzzle of the gun. A line of blood splattered onto the floor and Rick let out a hoarse cry as blood dripped from his torn cheek.

"Man that felt good!"

Carl pushed against the enforcer letting out a sharp angered cry as he tried to lunge at the redneck. After all that they had gone through, months of rough survival and the closure only to be ripped up and tossed by a narcissist.

"Let's get this over with," the Governor motioned impatiently.

"No problem."

Merle raised then gun pressing it against Rick's skull. Just as he was about to pull the trigger he turned the gun and shot at the Governor. The Governor saw the gun switch to his direction at the last second he dove out of the way feeling the scalding metal race across his cheek and heard it hit the enforcer behind him. The enforcers in the room all gawked at what had just happened, Martinez was faster at snapping out of the shock and swung his bat at Rick but the leader ducked and tackled him to the ground. Carl stepped forward breaking out of the weakened grip, he turned and punched at Shumpert but his attack was blocked and an elbow struck him in the face. Crack! Stars flashed blinding Carl and he fell to the ground painfully, blood pooled heavily out of his nose and mouth, his whole face was numb with pain. He felt something zip past him and took the enforcer down before they had a chance to react Rick slammed his fist down, he felt the skin split underneath his knuckles but kept the momentum following through knocking the enforcer out completely.

"Come on," Rick urged hoisting his son to his feet. Carl blinked thrice trying to shake away the threatening clouds, he felt blood well in his mouth and he forced himself to swallow. Something sharp slipped down his throat causing the youth to do a double take and he ran a finger in his mouth feeling a newly jagged tooth.

"Let's go!" Merle shouted tossing Rick a machine gun. Carl picked up a handgun and followed the two adults still bewildered at what had happened but knew that now wasn't the time for questioning.

"Where are they keeping Beth?" Rick asked out in the hallway.

"Shed," Carl answered, his words were thick.

"This way," Merle called cutting the conversation.

The two followed the redneck out of the back door and crossed the lawn towards the garage. They moved quickly but cautiously knowing that very soon news of an attack on the Governor directly would get out and that the assailants were still in the town.

Merle led them to a bit more secluded area of the town that looked more like a junkyard with gutted vehicles and spare parts littering the ground. The redneck smashed his brace on the lock, threw the door open and urged the two Grimes inside before heading in and closing it.

"Yer may only have a minute," Merle warned, "so find her quick."

Rick nodded and motioned Carl to follow and cover him. They opened walked down the hallway leaving no room unchecked but was disappointed every time and each time Rick slammed the door a little harder. They moved around the bend and Carl moved to the wall ready to shoot while Rick gripped the door. They gave each other a nod and Rick opened the door before stepping back and raising his gun. Empty. Letting out a small snarl of anger Rick slammed the door and looked around to see nothing but metal siding.

"Is this all?" Rick took the chance with shouting.

"Yeah," Merle answered quickly.

"There should be more rooms," Carl said. "We have to keep moving to the end."

Rick let out a small sigh in attempts to calm his jumpy nerves he nodded agreeing with his son and moved following the winding path.

"There," Carl pointed.

Rick gripped the hand while Carl gripped his gun. The door opened slamming against the siding and both survivors immediately gasped at what they saw.

The room was around the same size to the one Carl was confined in but smellier. It reeked of must and blood sending waves of nausea to roll over the two making each gag. There was an overhead bulb that dangled on a thin chain. In the middle of the room was a simple wooden chair but it was splattered with blood and had pieces of tape still fastened however lacking one thing: a body.

Carl stepped into the room wanting for a better look but Rick's instincts were triggered when his eyes first fell on the scene and held his son back.

"Cover me," Rick mouthed.

Carl nodded understanding what his father was telling him. Silently Rick stepped inside and looked behind the door seeing a huddled form. The youth stepped around looking through the crack between the hinges to see Beth, her dirty hair hung like a curtain over her face and remnants of tape were on her clothes.

"Beth?" Rick said cautiously.

Nothing.

"I'm going to pick you up," Rick reached out his arms but Beth retracted against the wall.

"Don't touch me!" she hissed sharply, the knit between her eyes broke the cut above sending blood into her eye temporarily blinding her.

"Beth it's me Rick," the leader whispered gently but with an underlying tone of urgency. "Please let me help you. I'm going to take you back to your dad."

The young woman's good eye flickered down before slowly pushing herself off the ground. Rick took one of her arms and wrapped it around his shoulders to help support her.

"We have to hurry," Rick continued, "I'm going to carry you."

Beth gave no sign of hearing him but didn't resist as the man lifted her. Carl turned back leading the way to Merle who was still in a fighting stance just in case.

"Took yer long enough!" the redneck snapped angrily. "Let's go."

"Are they here?" Rick asked.

"Yeah, making amuck as usual now enough chitchat!"

Merle opened the door and Carl gasped at what he saw.

XXXXXX

Outside there were enforcers running back and forth with a gun in hand, people were screaming elsewhere and cans of smoke spewed out blinding the enforcers. Merle led them into the chaos, Rick went next doing his best to cover Beth's exposed body and Carl came up from behind moving his gun left and right making sure that no enforcer would jump out and attack them. As much as the youth tried to concentrate he couldn't help but wonder what had gone on back in the apartment room. Merle shot at the Governor saving his dad like he knew what he was doing, determined and planned. Part of him knew it was perhaps a plan everything was lined up to that very moment. A plan that could've gone back so far as to when Merle first arrived at the prison.

"There they are!"

Carl was snapped out of his thought and he looked forward once again bewildered at who was in front of him. He felt his feet slap harder against the ground as he struggled to keep up to the two adults as he ran towards Daryl. Carl's eyes widened wondering what the hunter was doing here and just how many more members had come as well.

"Yer got her?" the hunter called.

Merle shouted a reply and Daryl turned back temporarily. He raised a gun and shot in an enforcer's direction sending them back into cover as Merle reached first, then Rick and Carl was next but as he reached the last bit he felt someone tackle him to the ground.

"CARL!"

The youth looked up to see a young enforcer hovering over him, a gun pressed against the youth's skull so hard leaving an imprint. Carl struggled but he was too weak against him – BANG! A smoke canister exploded right by the two covering them in a cloud of smoke, Carl's ears rang loudly deafening him to the outside noise around him. He struggled to his feet but disorientation took hold sending him toppling down. Carl looked up to try and see through the smoke but it was too thick.

A pair of hands grabbed his shoulders and dragged him backwards. Carl kicked out trying in vain to escape but punches were delivered to his head dazing him, making stars dance before the dark curtain. Then something hard and cold pressed against his throat followed by an ominous pressure on his throat.

"You've been a pain ever since you entered here haven't you?" the voice was chilled and distant. Carl opened his eyes to see Martinez the one on top of him, his metal bat pressed against his throat. Standing behind was the Governor regarding the youth with a cold stare in the light the bruised skin where the bullet had grazed his cheek was visible menacing his features.

"Make sure their driven backwards and follow them, don't let up and keep the pressure," the Governor ordered. Martinez gave Carl a quick slap upside the head making the edging darkness in Carl's vision close temporarily dazing him as the enforcer ran off. Carl turned over coughing up a thick wad of blood as he clutched his head that throbbed terribly with pain. The youth looked up to see that he was back near the garage, turning back he saw the Governor reach down and grab him. Carl fought the best he could but the Governor straddled him and grabbed his throat. Carl struggled to pry his hands off but it was too strong.

"Time for Rick to learn what it's like to really feel hate."

Both hands squeezed around Carl's throat the youth kicked and struggled but each movement drained him of energy and took up the little oxygen he had. Carl looked over hoping in vain to find something to aid him but nothing, the youth gasped for air as more pressure was applied forcing Carl to cough.

In desperation Carl ripped off the Governor's eye patch revealing the wound underneath. With one hand he grabbed the man's lapels as he clawed his hand around the Governor's head, with a loud strangled cry Carl forced his thumb into the wound pushing as hard as he could ignoring the eye membrane pop against his skin. Blood and clear fluid gushed out onto Carl's arm, spraying his face. The Governor let out a pitched howl as he threw his head back and rolled off Carl.

The youth took in a large gasp feeling a tight pressure on his throat but it grew less strained as Carl stumbled towards safety. He looked down at his hand to see the blood and ooze pour down his arm and stain his clothes. Carl looked over to see the Governor curled up letting out moans of pain. With shaky hands Carl crawled as he tried to get to the entrance of the sectioned off area. If he got out in the open then maybe his father would see him. Carl struggled to his feet and stumbled forward staggering this way and that like a drunkard. But he was too weak and his whole body trembled with such force that it seemed like an earthquake was happening inside of him. Carl fell to the ground on all fours, blood dripped from his mouth and he started to crawl towards freedom.

As the youth continued to move he didn't see a foot come up and connect with his mid-section, the youth let out a cut off gasp as he crashed back to earth. He turned to see the Governor looming over him the air was tense causing Carl the give an involuntary shudder. Part of the man's face was covered with blood and clear bodily fluid from his broken eye, the other was scrunched and fixed upon the youth who had taken its partner. Carl tried to crawl away again but a foot came up kick to his midriff. He coughed up another gob of blood as a hand scooped him up by his throat and gave him a strong shake. Carl felt his head rock back then forward. Darkness edged his vision as air was again difficult to grasp, his toes just barely touching the ground and Carl felt his limbs grow heavy as his mind started to cloud over. A collage of faces appeared against the black curtain that threatened to veil Carl's vision completely. BANG!