Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Twilight or The Walking Dead. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer, and Robert Kirkman, please support the official release. I do own original characters made up for this storyline. Thanks for the support!

Note from the Author: Thank you Yuyu, Goddessnyte, Roxhall, and Navywife for your reviews! Hope everyone is doing well! It's currently 18 degrees here where I'm at, and I've caught a little cold from the weather changing up and down. We have four episodes to go before we hit the halfway point. There are so many things that can happen between now and the end, so hang on tight! I'm having lots of fun writing this story and hope everyone is having fun reading it too. *smiles* As always, I appreciate all of you. Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review!

[1 Week Later]

They managed to keep the walkers that poured in from the front at bay, and locked out those cell blocks, including the front lobby. C block was operational now, the generators made some noise, but they were in the basement, and you couldn't hear them unless you went down there. The food was a godsend, and they were feeling better energy wise. Bella still felt a little off, but she just ignored it. Axel and Oscar were assets. But Bella still hadn't dropped her guard around them.

"Glenn and Emmett are running into town for some supplies we don't have here in the prison." Rick approached Bella. "I'm sending Oscar with them. He said his home isn't far and he wanted to check on his wife, if she's around."

Bella nodded. "That's a good idea." She said and looked at the fence. "It's starting to get colder at nights. We need to look for heat sources for the greenhouse we want to build."

"We also need more medicines. Unless we can get to the clinic here, we need to keep supplies on hand. Carlisle said, that in order to deliver Lori's baby safely, we're going to need more than aspirin and Tylenol." Rick explained.

Bella nodded. "There's the hospital, not far from here on the map. I'll take Daryl with me. In and out." She said.

Rick frowned. "Bella… honey." He started. "You've been sick for weeks now. I… think something else is going on. It would make me feel better if you stayed here. I'll go with Daryl."

Bella shook her head. "I'm fine. Just tired and dehydrated."

"It's more than that… and you know it." Rick said, his voice low. "Bella, we've had a lot of sex, and- "

"I'm not pregnant Rick. I've had the birth control rod in my arm for a long time. I get them swapped out every 3 years like clockwork. I have never gotten pregnant on it before, and I don't think it would fail now." Bella said.

Rick swallowed. "You took a lot of antibiotics honey." He murmured.

Bella blinked a few times. "What?"

"Antibiotics can interfere. I don't know why I didn't think… I should have thought…" Rick said softly.

Bella wasn't sure what to say, she didn't think about antibiotics before, but she's taken antibiotics with the rod before, and she had been fine. "Rick, antibiotics are not effective against the rod in my arm. It's a different type of birth control." She explained. "At least, it's never done so in the past."

"You were pumped with all sorts of antibiotics. One that Carlisle said would certainly interfere. Please… just… let Glenn bring back a test for you to take. If it's negative, then we need to figure out what is making you sick." Rick was concerned for her. He loved her. He couldn't let her leave the prison and put herself in danger without knowing anything. She was sick still, and that just worried him more.

Bella pursed her lips. "Fine. I'll stay here. You have to be careful."

Rick nodded. "I always am." He said and then he leaned in, his hands going to her waist, and he pulled her to him, and kissed her softly. "I love you." He murmured.

Bella kissed him back, and then rested her forehead against his. "Rick… if I am pregnant… this world… I don't know."

Rick leaned back. "You don't want children…" He murmured. "I don't think I've ever asked before."

"No, that's not it. It's just. We're risking a lot with Lori. We don't have proper anything to bring a baby into this world, and I'm… scared." She admitted.

"I know. I know it's scary." Rick said, and brushed the hair out of her face. "Let's just… take one step at a time."

Bella nodded. She felt her stomach twist into a knot. She was an idiot. She should have thought more about everything. "Okay." She said, and then kissed him again.

Maggie and T Dogg unbolted the tables and chairs in the cafeteria, and they tried to set it up better, so it looked less like a prison. They found sheets that Carol was using as tablecloths, and Daryl found some flowers growing nearby, that the cold hadn't killed yet, and he brought them to Beth, and Beth helped make some flower arrangements, giving it a homier appearance.

Axel was in the kitchen with Hershel and Carlisle, sorting the food better. They managed to clean out the freezer, which was no easy feat. They wanted it to be clean and working for hopefully the extra meat they will have to freeze to keep good.

Bella was busy walking the fence, still checking for holes. Charlie walked up to join her. She looked over at her dad. "Hey."

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Charlie asked.

"I'm okay." Bella lied. "Just worried about the others. I'm not used to being left behind."

"Well, you need to recover. It's okay to let others lend a hand." Charlie said, and then rubbed a hand over his daughter's back. "We're safe."

Bella looked at her dad. "For how long?"

"What happened on the farm… was hard. Embry and Quil-"

"There were so many more people lost that day dad." Bella said. "I almost lost Rick and Carl."

"That wasn't your fault."

"But it was." Bella turned and looked at her dad. "Shane was after me. He wanted… me. Shane escaped and drew everyone away. Dale was killed, because of me. So, yes, I take full responsibility of what happened back on the farm."

Charlie shook his head. "You can't take the blame for things all the time. It'll make you sicker. Bella, when Edward- "

"No. You don't talk about him." Bella cut him off. "That was different. I was a teenager then. I'm nearing 30 dad. I have learned from my mistakes. I won't make that mistake again."

Charlie nodded. Edward was a touchy subject. "The only hope I have is that he's dead in this world now." He muttered.

Bella sighed. "You can't wish that on anyone. Even rapist." She said and turned away from her dad, and then frowned when she saw movement in the trees. "Embry?" She muttered, and then she took off running towards the dog run. She pulled open the gate, and ran down the gravel road until she got to where Embry was standing at the fence, out of breath, and looking a little worse for wear. There was a woman with him, limping. She had dark skin, her hair in braids, a bandana holding them out of her face. She was carrying a katana from the looks of it, and she looked like she was about to pass out. "Dad, get that gate open. Walkers are crawling, we need to get them inside now." She said and Charlie ran for the gate. "Hang in there Embry."

"Thank you." Embry said weakly, looking like he was about to hit the ground too.

"JASPER!" Bella yelled towards the tower, but Jasper was already running across to her, to help her get Embry and the mystery woman inside.

Bella ran out of the gate, pulling her machete up and fighting back the walkers as Jasper picked Embry up and soldier carried him through the gate, and Charlie went to help the woman. More and more walkers started pouring towards Bella, but she was calm, fighting back hard, until Charlie rejoined her, and they pushed back together to the gate. They got it closed and locked in time.

Bella was panting, out of breath from the fight, but she couldn't focus on herself right now. "Get them inside. They need to be treated by Carlisle and Hershel." She said quickly.

Charlie swung the woman back up into his arms and carried her. She wasn't heavy, and was thin in some areas. Embry had passed out, but Jasper carried him inside the prison.

Bella watched the woman, sit by Embry's side, as he slept. She needed rest too, but she refused to leave Embry's side. "You need to rest. You were shot." She spoke. The woman had yet to say anything, and she started to wonder if she just didn't speak English. "Tu as besoin de te reposer." Bella tried in French. (You need to rest.) The woman didn't respond. "Hai bisogno di riposare." She tried Italian and still nothing. (You need to rest.) "Necesitas descansar." (You need to rest.) She tried Spanish.

The woman sighed. "I speak English." She said and finally looked up at Bella.

Bella nodded. "Can you tell me your name?"

The woman looked back at Embry, and didn't say anything.

"I've known Embry my entire life. I grew up with him back in Washington. He's family to me. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise." Bella said softly.

The woman looked at Bella. "I found him. He was with another man. His brother… he was bitten." She said.

"Quil…" Bella murmured.

"We stayed together. He said the farm he was on, was overrun. And they got separated from the group. Embry got sick, throwing up, like a flu. He was really weak, and so I took care of him. Always moving. I found him medicine that he could take, and it seemed to help. The flu lasted more than a month. Unlike any flu I've seen before." She explained.

Bella looked at Embry. He was still pale, considering his natural skin tone. "You've protected him."

"Yes."

"What made you come to the prison?" Bella asked.

The woman looked back at Embry. "We were caught two weeks ago. By some terrible men. They claimed that they had a good town, food, water, shelter, walls…" She started. "When we refused to stay, they shot at us as we ran. That's why… my leg." She relayed.

Bella frowned. "How long have you been running on this leg?"

"Four days."

"Embry started feeling sick again, or at least… without the medicine, he's feeling sick. He's weak. Unable to drink and keep anything down for long. When… when I overheard a couple of guys in the town talk about the prison… I decided to come here. They mentioned medicine. I just want Embry to be okay."

Bella admired the woman for caring so much about Embry, even he had been a stranger to her. "What's your name? I'm Bella."

"Michonne." She said with a nod.

"Thank you for caring so much about Embry. We spent the better part of two months going in circles, trying to stay in the area for Embry and Quil." Bella explained.

Michonne nodded. "We saw a message on some cars, that Embry said, was your way of trying to point them in the right direction. But he was so sick, I just couldn't… keep up I suppose."

Carlisle walked in. "You need to be resting." He said, looking at Michonne.

Michonne looked at Carlisle, studying him. He was a real doctor. Embry talked about Carlisle before. He was close to him. "I can't sleep anyways." She said and looked back at Embry.

"Very well. Jasper will boost you up on the top bunk. That way you're still here with him." Carlisle offered.

Michonne shook her head. "No thank you. I'm alright. I promise."

Carlisle nodded. "I figured as much." He said and took a bottle of antibiotics from his coat pocket. "Take these for the infection in your leg. I got the bullet out, but you have some inflammation and infection trying to set up. I'll redress your leg later tonight to check the drainage." He said and handed her the antibiotics.

Michonne took them and looked at the bottle. "Thank you." She murmured and looked up at Carlisle.

Carlisle nodded. "Of course." He said and then patted Bella on the shoulder and walked out.

Bella looked at Michonne. "If you need anything. Let us know. We have food and water. When you're ready to talk about the men, and the place that hurt you and Embry like this, you know where to find me." She said, and then she left Michonne to be alone with Embry.

Glenn, Emmett, and Oscar made it back, and Oscar looked worn. Bella could tell that instantly that he didn't find his wife, but that was expected. It's been some time, since this outbreak, and if his wife was smart, she would have gone somewhere safe. But there was a girl with Emmett. He was carrying her as he walked into the prison. She appeared to be passed out. Her hair was blonde, unkempt from her obvious time trying to survive, and she was filthy, as were most everyone that hadn't showered in months.

"What happened?" Bella asked, seeing the strained look on Glenn's face.

"We found the girl. She was running from the walkers. There was a good size herd of them. Emmett jumped in and saved her. She had a group with her, but it appears… they didn't make it. She's dehydrated, severely, and she's been brutalized from the looks of it. She didn't say much before she passed out." Glenn explained.

"Em, take her to your dad." Bella said, and Emmett went straight back to the office that they were using for Carlisle and Hershel's office, where they stored all the medicines. They were trying to figure out a better clinic in the meantime.

Maggie went to Glenn, and she kissed him softly, and hugged him, thankful that he was okay, and back safe and sound.

"Oscar… I'm sorry about your wife." Bella said, looking over at him.

Oscar shook his head. "I knew it was a long shot. Maybe she got out, maybe she didn't but… I just had to check."

"Were the family pictures missing?" Charlie asked as he walked in, catching some of the conversation. He checked in on Embry first, only peaking in, and finding Michonne still by his side.

Oscar blinked a few times. "Yes. Actually, all the pictures were off the walls."

"Means she took them with her." Charlie said and sighed. "When Esme and Carlisle were leaving, Esme grabbed family photos, something about the memories… wives do that."

Oscar teared up a bit. "I hope she's safe. She was due any day with our baby. I just… hope that she's okay. Even if I can never see her again, I just want her to be safe."

Bella patted Oscar on the back. "Keep that hope, Oscar." She said, and then looked at Glenn. "How did the supply run go otherwise?"

"Well, we found some baby formula to stock up for the baby. Got some blankets, and whatnot." Glenn said, and then swallowed. "Got some stuff Rick requested."

Bella nodded. "Alright. Good." She said and then saw Carl walk in, smiling wide. "What's up bud?"

"Come look!" Carl said and grabbed Bella's hand and tugged her along.

Bella followed Carl, smiling a little as she followed. Carl brought her to one of the larger cells and pushed back the curtain. She was staring at two beds together. The bunk had been disassembled. "What's this?"

"For you and dad. Two people can't fit on these beds normally. T Dogg helped me get the bunk taken apart, and I found extra blankets to help pad it. I even cleaned the toilet really good, so it wouldn't be so disgusting." Carl explained excitedly. "And my cell is just right next door, so we're close."

Bella smiled. "This was really thoughtful bud. Thank you."

"You like it?" Carl asked with a wide smile.

"I love it." Bella said and then Carl was hugging her tight. She hugged him back, ruffling his hair. "Now go see if Carol needs help in the kitchen, please." She said and Carl squeezed her just one more time, before going to the kitchen to find Carol.

Glenn walked up, leaning against the doorway, pushing back the curtain. "So, little man is enthusiastic about having a stepmom?"

Bella smiled. "He's a special kid." She said. "You got… what Rick asked for?"

Glenn nodded and took the test out of his bag and handed it to her. "Déjà vu."

"I know. I don't think I am… but he just wants to be sure. He's worried."

"I'm worried to. Bella, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. That means protecting you at all costs." Glenn said, his voice low.

Bella shook her head. "I'm not going to make anyone give me special treatment. I'm capable of taking care of myself."

"I know, but we all care about you, so just let us care. If you're pregnant, you have to let us handle things more. You can't stress, and you have to eat more. You can't go last anymore in the food line, or for water. You become a priority." Glenn said.

Bella sighed. "I don't want any of that. I have a job to do, and that's to take care of everyone."

"Who takes care of you?" Glenn asked. "At the end of the day, you have to be taken care of too, and you need to let us."

"I'm probably not pregnant Glenn." Bella said. "I've been feeling better today. Embry was sick, throwing up for over a month, like me, and weakened. He most certainly isn't pregnant." She pointed out. "Just because a woman gets sick and throws up, doesn't make them automatically pregnant."

"That's fair." Glenn said with a nod. "Take the test. Either way, you need to let us help more. Don't shoulder everything or you're just going to burn yourself out." He said and then left her alone.

Bella looked down at the test in her hand. She's never had to take one of these tests before. She blew out a breath, and then took the test out of the box, and then pocketed the test, before leaving the cell and going to the bathroom. She took the test out of it's package, and read the instructions on the sleeve. It was simple enough. She paced a couple times, before just braving it, and going into the stall, and closing it behind her. She sat down on the toilet, pulling her pants down and she uncapped the test and peed on the stick as instructed. She felt nervous, her stomach was all flutters as she recapped the test and set it on the toilet paper dispenser, while she finished using the bathroom.

Time seemed like it was passing slowly. She set the test on the sink counter and she washed her hands off, counting in her head the seconds. Her heart started beating faster and faster, until she counted to five minutes in her head. She blew out a breath, trying to steady herself, before she picked the test up, and looked at it.

One line. Not Pregnant. She blew out a breath, relief flooding her, but also a sense of disappointment. Maggie walked in just then, seeing Bella staring at a test.

"Bella?" Maggie asked.

Bella looked up at Maggie. "Hmm?"

"You're holding a pregnancy test."

"Oh. Yes." Bella said with a nod. "I'm not pregnant. Rick thought maybe I was because I've been sick." She explained.

Maggie looked at the test. "Yeah, but it looks like the lines are swapped. This test is faulty." She said, pointing out the lines being in the wrong spot.

Bella frowned. "What?"

"Yeah, the control line is on the right. Test line is on the left." Maggie said. "I've… taken one before. Pregnancy scare my senior year of high school." She explained further. "The box should have had two tests."

"It did." Bella murmured. "This just makes me feel worse." She muttered.

"I'm sorry sweetie." Maggie said softly. "Wait a couple hours, and retake the test."

Bella sighed. "I'll have to if I want to give Rick some peace of mind."

Maggie hugged Bella. "If you are, this can be a good thing." She comforted.

Bella hugged Maggie back. "I don't know. I'm conflicted. Lori is pregnant, and we haven't even figured out how we're going to deliver her baby. It's just not safe."

"Women have been giving birth for centuries without hospitals. You're the strongest person I know. If anyone can give birth during the apocalypse and be badass while doing it, it's you." Maggie tried to cheer her up.

Bella smiled a little. "Thanks." She said and then threw the test in the garbage. "Just have to wait a couple hours. No biggy." She muttered.

[Two Hours Later]

Maggie was with Bella, as she went into the bathroom to take the second test. "The odds of two tests being faulty is slim." She reassured, and then Bella went into the stall, and took the test again. She was just as nervous as before, if not maybe more nervous. "Takes five minutes." She said, when Bella came out of the stall, and set the test down on the counter, before washing her hands again.

"Rick and Daryl aren't back yet. Do you think they're okay?" Bella tried to make conversation to pass the time.

"Of course, they're okay. They went to the hospital, so I imagine that it is a little tricky getting in and out."

"But if it was too hard, they would just come back, right?" Bella hated being in the dark without any form of communication.

Maggie smiled. "Rick would do everything to make sure he made it back to you."

"Yeah… you're probably right." Bella said, and then shook her head. "I'm not sure I can look at the test."

Maggie picked it up and looked at it. "You're not pregnant." She said, and flipped the test around for her to see.

Bella blew out another breath. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, the line is in the right spot this time. Not pregnant, which means, you've likely had a stomach flu this whole time." Maggie said.

"It's weird to be sick this long right?" Bella asked.

"Well, sometimes sicknesses just happen. You were also stressed, dehydrated, and starved. Way more than any of us, so I imagine you were sick from a combination of things. Have you thrown up today at all?"

Bella shook her head. "No. I've felt fine the last part of the day. I get dizzy once in a while."

"Blood sugar." Maggie said. "My momma had a blood sugar problem. She wasn't diabetic or nothing, it was just something that happened to her sometimes."

It was possible, especially since they had gone so long without food. "Yeah, that's probably what it is."

"Just remember to eat. We have food now, so it's okay for you to eat more often now. You don't have to eat once a day anymore." Maggie said with a smile.

"Yeah, I should be eating more. You're right." Bella said and smiled. "Thanks Maggie."

"Anytime." Maggie said, and threw the test away, and they walked out of the bathroom together, smiling at each other.

Emmett was gathering water from the kitchen when they walked in. "Oh, hey Bells, I'm just getting Rosalie some water, and food."

"Rosalie?" Bella asked. "Oh, did she wake up? The girl?"

"Yes, she told me her name was Rosalie Hale. She's not ready… to talk about everything, but she needs to eat and drink." Emmett explained.

Bella nodded. "Of course. Let me know if I can do anything to help."

Emmett smiled. "Thanks Bells." He said and then grabbed the water and crackers and left to take them to Rosalie.

Their little family seemed to be growing. With the addition of two new people, they got Embry back. That made Bella have more hope. Each day, she regained more and more of her hope, and each day she was getting stronger. Strong enough to help continue to help the others thrive for as long as they can.