Walking Dead: Fragile Bonds

Chapter 7 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.

Chapter 7

Lydia glanced out the corner of her eye towards Carl. It had been a few days since the fiasco at Stampede Nightclub and they were out for the evening, planning on simply having a good time together.

Lydia shook her head. 'At least that was the plan...but Carl is still angry, of course it's obvious why.'

She and Carl had no secrets from each other, as such she knew all about his fight with her father from the morning after the club incident. She gently squeezed his hand, he turned his head in her direction, a small smile appearing on his face. But it quickly faded when he noticed her serious expression.

"Lydia?"

She shook her head. "Carl, I get that it's hard, that things are...problematic at the moment, between you and your dad."

"That's putting it mildly." Carl grunted.

"But it's not worth it." Lydia pressed on, insistent, refusing to be deterred. "Listen, after all that's happened, you really want to have this animosity with your dad, he's your only family left."

Carl stopped, turning to look at her incredulously. "Lydia, I already told you what he said about you, and you're defending him, I-"

"I'm not defending anybody, I'm explaining to you exactly why you shouldn't stay angry with your dad and instead try to get through to him." Lydia replied, amazingly keeping her cool. "What if this case he's working on gets him killed, and your last words to him was that argument?"

That brought Carl up short, he couldn't, logically, see any way to deny or reject what Lydia was saying. It all made perfect sense, and hit him hard. He knew she was right, but there was just one problem.

Carl sighed sadly, Lydia continued to watch him, concerned.

Then he spoke. "You're right Lydia, too bad dad wouldn't see it that way. He won't listen to me, no matter what I say."

"How do you know, have you even tried?" Lydia countered.

"I...Dad has spent too long wallowing in his own grief, he barely even acknowledged me all those years, you know that." Carl tried to explain. "Now if we do talk, it's barely anything, or its an argument and it's clear talking to him that he's stuck in the past. He can't accept I'm not that terrified fourteen year old boy anymore."

Lydia shook her head. "Sounds more like both of you are using the past as an excuse to not deal with the problems of the present."

"Lydia…"

"Someone has to make the first move." She continued. "Or things will never change. If you're really not the scared young boy anymore, why shouldn't it be you?"

Carl grimaced, she was right. He was nineteen true, but it seemed his life had practically stopped at that time he lost his mother at fourteen, that he'd never really outgrown his dependence on his father when it came to making the hard choices. If he was truly to be his own man, to truly finally be considered an adult, he'd have to face that.

Seeing his change in expression, Lydia sighed. "Sorry if that was rather blunt, but-"

"No, you're right, it had to be said. I get it now." He replied, a lot calmer than he had been. "Thanks Lydia."

Both of them truly managing a smile now they kissed.

Unfortunately the moment was ruined at that point by a familiar obnoxious voice.

"Well, what do we have here, Mr. Big Shot."

They turned, Carl rolling his eyes as they found themselves face to face with the young man from the nightclub, whom Carl now knew was Brandon Rose. He wasn't alone either, with him was a young man in his mid to late twenties with short dark blonde hair and a stubble beard, dark brown eyes, fair skinned and a superior look on his face. There was no mistaking this man, anyone who had watched Douglas Monroe's press conferences would recognize him. Spencer Monroe, Douglas' son.

"Where's your police daddy now, not so eager to take me on when he's not here to back your up, is he?" Brandon then taunted, clearly trying to challenge Carl.

Carl scowled but Lydia gently touched his shoulder, all the restraint that was needed.

But that drew Brandon's attention to her. "Well hey there girlie, didn't recognize you with your clothes on."

"You need to shut up." Carl spat.

Brandon scoffed. "Aww, listen to you, getting all butt hurt because you know the slut puts out every night."

"You do not talk about my girlfriend that way." Carl snarled.

Brandon looked like he was about to speak when suddenly Spencer held out his arm, blocking him. He then stepped forwards.

"Alright, alright, let's calm this down." He said. "Carl Grimes, right?"

Carl was taken aback but nodded. "Yeah."

Spencer shook his head. "Well, I would've thought being the son of a police officer you'd know better than go around picking fights. Regardless, let's not spoil our evenings with unnecessary violence, hmm? That goes for you too Brandon."

Brandon snorted but turned away. Carl however was even more confused.

"Um, sure, that's fine and all but what's the son of a major politician doing hanging around a known gang member?" He queried.

Brandon turned again, looking irate, but Spencer cut him off.

"That is none of your business, Grimes. But let me give you a friendly bit of advice. If you know what's good for you, you'll avoid the streets at night from now on."

With that he smirked, turned and left, Brandon following him, sending a hateful glare over his shoulder at Carl, who shared a worried glance with Lydia, still feeling confused and now, concerned.

XXXXX

Rick sighed as he continued looking through the folders, shaking his head as he wondered when his departed was finally, fully, going to update to the modern era and get all files on their server. As it was it was going to take him forever to find what he was looking for.

"Hello Rick."

He started and turned, smiling at the familiar face. "Ah, hello Andrea."

She smiled back, they had been in contact semi-regularly over the past few days, he had shared what he had found so far as well as explaining his feelings that his presence at Stampede had averted another brawl there and the brawl that did take place occurred because of that.

"You know, the gangs have been quiet for the past few days, it's surprising." She remarked.

Rick nodded slowly. "I know, that's got me worried. That's why I'm trying to chase down currently the only lead I've got."

Andrea approached, Rick bit his lip, a strange warmth filling inside him with her being so close.

"Looking for someone's file?"

He swallowed and nodded. "Y-yes. I've identified one of the gangs members, a punk kid called Brandon Rose. Any information we may have on him is not on our servers, so…"

"So you thought it would still be here in a paper copy." Andrea finished for him, nodding. "Good thing I'm here then, I know the records like the back of my hand, just a minute."

With that she hurried down one of the aisle and Rick straightened up, feeling strangely nervous.

'God, what is the matter with me, what is this I'm...feeling…' He wondered, startled at the strange warmth that seemed to be getting stronger now in her presence.

Andrea soon returned and handed him the file.

"Here we are. Quite the record this boy's got, all the way back to juvie." She remarked.

Rick nodded. "Thanks, I got that impression from the brief view I had of him. I'll see if there's anything useful in here."

There was a slight pause before Andrea asked, hesitantly. "How's Carl?"

Rick sighed, he had told her about that fight as well.

"Same as before, we're still not talking." He said sadly.

Andrea bit her lip. "I know it's not any of my business, but maybe you should try and fix this...for both your sakes."

Rick didn't reply, but he couldn't deny she had a point, it was something he'd have to consider.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.