AN: My latest offering! I hope you enjoy! :3 It's a longer chapter!

Warnings: Lots of action in this chapter.

Chapter Sixteen

"Let's talk. Woman to woman."

Sasha kept eye contact with Carol as she sat in the chair across the table from the older woman. Carol had the nice, Girl Scout leader smile on her face again. Sasha stayed quiet and Maggie shifted nervously as she eyed the two of them. Sasha knew Maggie had to be itching to demand where Glenn was. With any luck he was only in the next room over. Sasha had been knocked unconscious by Allen at the strip mall so she had no idea where they were or even how far they had traveled. Sasha had woken up not too long ago on the floor to only Maggie hovering over her. Maggie had reported she had been blindfolded but they had driven for a little under an hour. Glenn had been dragged off after they dumped Sasha and Maggie in their current room.

The small, sparse room appeared to be in a basement judging from the only high, narrow window in the room. Carol and Allen had returned with two other unknown men just a few minutes ago. Carol had sat and gestured for the girls to join her while the men stayed along the wall with the door.

"You're loyal. I like that. But who are you protecting? Shane? He's an egotistical bastard. He's not worth protecting," Carol's tone was still friendly but her eyes gave her away. Her eyes were hard and Sasha could see how angry she truly was. Sasha didn't know what Shane had done to this woman and wondered if Rick knew what his friend had become. She stayed silent. She didn't give a rat's ass about Shane, but that wasn't who Sasha was protecting.

Carol studied her a few more minutes before speaking again. "Or are you protecting this Rick Grimes fellow? He sounds just as pleasant as Shane, leaving Allen and his wife and son stranded with no supplies."

Sasha snorted at that, she couldn't help it. She always knew Allen was a drama queen. She did feel bad about Donna though, she had always been perfectly pleasant. "Yeah, we really screwed him over. Tell me, has Ben assaulted any girls here yet?" Sasha couldn't resist.

Carol didn't even bat an eyelash at Sasha's question. But it had the intended reaction, just not from Carol. Allen slammed his fist into the table, brushing off the man behind him that tried to keep him from coming at Sasha. "You lying bitch! You take that back! Rick had Beth seduce my son and then cried foul so that Rick could get rid of us!"

Wow, Sasha didn't even have words to respond to Allen's delusion. Instead she just rolled her eyes and did her best to convey, 'really?' at Carol. "Don't forget Allen, I was there beside you when we first saw Rick. How you wanted to follow them and then steal their supplies. And then Tryeese went running after them so you couldn't act out your deranged plan." Tyreese had been convinced that Allen was just too stressed, he thought Allen was a good man. Sasha was glad Tyreese wasn't here to see Allen like this.

"We should have! Then Donna would still be alive! It's your fault she's dead!"

Sasha did feel a pang at hearing Donna didn't make it. She did her best to push away any guilt. They hadn't left Allen and his family defenseless. They had given them a car and supplies. They had been given a fighting chance. "Donna didn't deserve to die. She deserved better than you."

Sasha barely had time to brace herself as Allen shrugged off the other man and came at Sasha, throwing a right hook. Sasha rolled with the blow onto the floor as the chair fell backwards. "You teach your son that punch? To use on Beth?" Sasha goaded and Allen kicked her solidly in the ribs. Sasha was sure her ribs were bruised or cracked, but she ignored the pain for now. Sasha launched herself at Allen, her hands were still tied in front of her and she grappled at Allen only to get kicked down again. She groaned and curled inward, concealing the prize she had managed to slip off of Allen's belt.

Finally Carol and the unknown man pulled Allen off of her. Sasha could feel her left eye starting to swell from the punch but she smiled as Allen was dragged from the room, Carol demanding that Allen stay out of her sight. Sasha had wanted to show these people who Allen really was and it looked like it had worked, judging from Carol's furious expression. Sasha couldn't help but smile as Carol marched out of the room barking orders not to let Ben or Allen or anyone anywhere near the girls or even Glenn, not until she returned with 'The Governor'. That moniker didn't sound ominous, Sasha snorted as the door slammed shut.

Maggie rushed to Sasha's side the second the door slammed shut behind Carol. Maggie up righted the chair and helped Sasha settle into it. "I can't believe—are you all right?" Maggie asked as she delicately probed at Sasha's swelling eye.

"I'm good. Maybe a cracked rib or two," Sasha shrugged off Maggie. "But you have to go."

"What?" Maggie asked incredulously.

Sasha showed Maggie the knife that she had managed to get off Allen when he attacked her and Maggie gaped. "You have to get out of here and get back to the prison."

"No. Not without you. Not without Glenn."

"I'll be fine, and I'll protect Glenn." Maggie shook her head resolutely. "Maggie, listen, I don't know how much time I bought us. You have to go. With my ribs I don't think I could make it back."

"Sasha—"

"The others don't know where we are. You have to get Rick. We've seen these people before, they are very well armed and organized. You go get Rick. Okay?" Sasha was on her feet again, she was a bit light headed but made her way determinedly to the window. She had to stand on her tip toes which caused unpleased pressure on her ribs, but she managed to pry the lock open with the knife.

"Maggie, please." Sasha begged and Maggie finally nodded her consent. Sasha helped boost Maggie up to help her crawl out the high, narrow window and then handed Maggie the knife.

"I'm coming back for you," Maggie whispered fiercely.

"I know," Sasha cracked a grin. Maggie nodded one last time before scrambling up the window well. Sasha sank to the ground breathing slowly through the pain. She hoped she and Glenn lived long enough for their return.

Beth paced the narrow walkway on the guard tower restlessly. Just yesterday she had been glad to see her sister leave the prison, even if only for a few hours, so that Beth didn't have to deal with Maggie's irritating glares. It had been petty and juvenile and Beth wished she could take back how she felt as she watched them drive off. She should have given her sister a hug, told Maggie that even though she was mad at her, to come back safe. And now her sister, plus Glenn and Sasha had been gone for over twenty-four hours. They shouldn't have been gone more than a few hours, Glenn hadn't planned to go far.

Beth was so distracted she didn't even realize Rick had joined her in the tower until his hand stopped her pacing, startling her. "Hey, it's gonna be okay. I'm sure it was just car trouble or something," Rick tried to reassure her with a small smile.

Rick had gone out at first light this morning with Andrea to check on the missing group. They had gone to the strip mall Glenn had planned on going and it had been cleared out, but no sign of them or the vehicle they had taken.

"I may not be on speaking terms with my sister right now, but I'd like her back here, safe, so that I can continue not speaking to her," Beth complained and Rick pulled her into a hug. She let herself relax into his embrace, and they stayed that way for several long moments. Sasha was tough as nails, if something had gone wrong out there, if they had stumbled upon a herd of walkers, Sasha would have kept her cool and kept Glenn and Maggie alive and safe. Maybe they were just holed up somewhere waiting for a herd to pass. Maybe it was just car trouble.

Beth felt Rick tense around her right before she heard a shout. Rick let go of Beth and quickly headed for the stairs. Beth turned to see what had caught his attention before running after him. The Dixons were returning from their hunt and they weren't alone. Maggie.

Rick made it to the gate in time to help T-Dog pull it open and Beth ran through the still sliding gate to Maggie. Maggie looked worn out and scared and pulled her sister into her arms. There were a few walkers near the gate but Merle was merrily dispatching them. Beth helped her sister walk through the gate, Maggie leaned on Beth heavily, she looked exhausted. Beth wondered how long she had been out in the woods, had she spent the night alone? And where were Sasha and Glenn? Beth's relief at reuniting with her sister was quickly replaced with fear again.

Beth could see others approaching from the prison, her father among them. Michonne was the closest and joined them right as Rick started questioning Maggie. "Maggie, are you okay? Where are Glenn and Sasha?" Rick asked, his tone calm and not hinting at the turmoil he must have felt over Sasha still missing.

"They have them, those people with the Governor, Sasha said you would know them, that you've run into them before," Maggie sounded on the edge of tears and her sentences were disjointed.

"We found her by herself lost in the woods, she's disoriented or somethin'," Daryl explained as she shifted restlessly on the edge of the group.

"The Governor? Rick, do you think...?" Michonne had her sword drawn as she scanned the woods outside the gate, as if the threat had followed Maggie.

Rick nodded, "Yeah, it's gotta be them." Beth felt fear gripping her chest. The creepy, teeth-pulling group had Sasha.

"She knew one of them—Sasha knew one of them. He blamed her for someone's death—Donna-"

"Allen?" Beth gasped. Allen or Ben, or possibly both, was with that other group. And Donna was dead. This was all her fault. Beth's tight grip on her sister turned her knuckles white.

"Is she all right?" Shane asked as he arrived, Andrea, Morgan and her father were right behind him. Hershel pushed past all the gawkers to pull Maggie and Beth both into his arms, relieved tears streaked down his cheeks.

"Glenn and Sasha were taken," Rick started.

"Glenn knew one of them too," Maggie interrupted, "Carol is with them." Beth didn't miss Shane's dark look at the name, or Andrea's uneasy one.

"That ol' bag is still alive? Shoot!" Merle cackled as T-Dog shut the gate behind the gore spattered redneck as he sauntered back into the group.

"Who's Carol?" Rick asked with a frown and turned to face Shane.

"She was with our group but after she lost her daughter she stayed behind," Shane answered. Shane's tone was neutral but Hershel's embrace around Maggie and Beth tightened at Shane's words.

"What this about a Governor? And some guy named Allen? How do you know them?" T-Dog asked and then addressed Shane, "Maggie said something about a Governor, and that Rick knew them."

Now it was Shane's turn to interrogate Rick, "What's this then, Rick?"

"They're a group we've had near run-ins with in the past. They're a large, extremely well-armed and well supplied group and we've witnessed them doin' some strange things," Rick responded.

"Like roundin' up walkers and pulling out their teeth," Morgan interjected.

"Allen and his family were with our group for a while. We split up after a… altercation," Rick added. "He also had a son named Ben."

Maggie pulled away from their father enough to speak with the group again. "Sasha mentioned him," she said and then glanced at Beth. Beth knew that look. Sasha must have mentioned something about Ben and Beth.

"An altercation?" Shane questioned.

"We didn't part on friendly terms, and if Donna is dead and he's blamin' Sasha… we need to go get 'em." Rick stated firmly. Morgan nodded resolutely at Rick's side and even Michonne looked ready to head out. Beth knew how they felt. Sasha was family.

Rick turned to Maggie again, "Maggie, do you think you can find where you were on a map?"

"I'll take you there myself," Maggie responded resolutely. "It's a small town that's walled off. But it walled against geeks, not people. So I was able to sneak out fairly easily."

"Whoa, now, wait just a minute. You aren't going anywhere," Hershel ordered.

"Oh yes I am. They have Glenn." Beth was struck with a bout of déjà vu, her father and sister sounded just like they did Before, when they used to argue about Maggie's choices in boys, friends, and school. Beth took a step away from her father as he winded himself up for a fight with Maggie.

Luckily Shane intervened. "No one is going after them."

"What?" Maggie was the first to react but Beth couldn't take her eyes off of Rick and Shane, who were facing off, each with a determined glare.

"Those are our people out there," Rick's tone was firm but with an edge.

"Shane's righ'. If Bo Peep here got herself out, so can Chinatown and Fro Yo," Merle joined his support to Shane.

"Nobody is saying that we're not going after them-"

"I am," Merle interrupted.

"-But we need a plan," Rick continued, ignoring Merle, eyes still on Shane.

Shane snorted. "A plan? What's your brilliant plan?"

"A small force. We get in unnoticed, get our people out, and we're gone with them none the wiser," Michonne spoke up, standing at Rick's side and just daring Shane to challenge them.

T-Dog nodded, Morgan stood firm at Rick's side, and even Daryl spoke up, "it could work."

Shane huffed while Merle teased his brother for having a crush on 'Chinatown.' But Beth stood staring at Rick. He was going to leave her.

Michonne's force was slightly bigger than she wanted. Well, not necessarily bigger, but full of unwanted members with Shane, the Dixon brothers and Oscar, the prisoner eager to prove himself to the group. She only trusted Rick among them. The Dixons and Oscar were with her in the bed of the truck. Oscar had attempted to make small talk a few times, but between Merle's blatant racism and her stoicism, Oscar quickly gave up.

Maggie was in the truck cab, despite Hershel's vehement objections, between Rick and Shane. Maggie had been able to mark where they were heading on a map, she had seen a water tower for this Woodbury town when she fled the night before, but the girl was stanch in rescuing Glenn and Michonne admired her determination. Beth had also wanted to come, but luckily Rick had talked her out of that. Michonne didn't know what Rick had said to convince her, but Beth's eyes had been shiny and red with tears and she desperately kissed Rick good-bye.

Tyreese had wanted to come as well. Rick had an easier time convincing the man to stay behind, he swore he'd return with Sasha. Tyreese's 'violence is the last option' stance had surprised Michonne when she first got to know him, especially when his first career had involved tackling people for a living. Nonetheless, Rick had been able to convince Tyreese that the best thing he could do for Sasha was make sure Sasha had a place to come back to.

Originally, Tyreese had been part of Rick and Michonne's plan, until Shane demanded that he and the Dixons participate as well. Shane was a mess of hot and cold to Rick, he was angry at his friend all the time but apparently he still felt a duty to his former partner and wouldn't let Rick venture out without him.

The truck came to a stop off the side of the road as the sun was beginning to dip below the tree line. If all had gone according to plan, then they were roughly a mile away through the trees. Daryl led the way as they headed into the woods and Michonne stayed close on his heels. She still didn't trust either him or his brother. Daryl had refused a gun, much like Michonne, and had only his bow and a knife. Rick and Maggie were not far behind her and Shane, Merle and Oscar brought up the rear.

The woods were suspiciously low on walkers, they only ran across two, which were easily dispatched. Michonne wondered if this 'Woodbury' place regularly patrolled. The sun was still out, just barely, when they finally glimpsed the wall. They agreed to spread out just a bit to find an unwatched segment to climb. It quickly became apparent that patrols were few and far between, it seemed they only focused their watch to the two gates.

They waited until dark though, to hop the wall. Maggie led them easily enough to the building she had been held in but Michonne held Rick back for a brief moment. "I'm gonna look around, find out more about who we're dealing with," She told him in a low voice.

Rick hesitated a moment before nodding his assent. It was easy to see that Rick didn't agree, but he trusted her judgment. Judgment hard won. Michonne felt a flash of gratification before she shook it off and slipped away from the group. She had grown much attached to her people, they soothed the ache left behind by Andre. Michonne was still angry about her son's death, but her new people gave her a purpose. Beth's brightness, Duane's eager smiles, Tyreese's easy jokes, Sasha's determination, Morgan's protectiveness, and Rick, willing to do anything to do right by his people. Michonne had been convinced after Mike and Terry's failure that only rotten people were left in this world. She was glad she was wrong. She had barely felt a twinge when she put Mike and Terry down for good to protect herself and Rick.

This Woodbury place was well kept. Michonne couldn't help but notice how intact everything was as she snuck through the dark between buildings that looked well maintained and even recently painted. She stared in disbelief at a flower box outside of a window with bright, cheery flowers planted in freshly turned dirt. What was this place that there was time to garden such a frivolous plant?

In her distracted state she didn't hear the man sneak up on her, not until a low, rough voice came from behind her, "It's after curfew." Michonne whirled, sword still sheathed. Her first instinct was to gut him and run even though he was twice her size but if he thought she was just a resident out after dark then maybe she could use that to her advantage.

"Sorry," Michonne offered. She wasn't good with communication anymore, but at least the last month she'd had practice with her group.

The man studied her with dark eyes, "Where'd you get the sword? I don't recognize you."

Michonne still didn't attack. If she could find out information from him, find out more about these people, the information would be invaluable. "I climbed the wall. This doesn't seem real," she gestured to the flower box.

"Come with me," the man didn't give her an option as his hand landed heavy on her shoulder to steer her the way he wanted her to go. She reluctantly handed over her sword when the man asked, she figured that there was a good change he was leading her to where Glenn and Sasha were being held and therefore Rick. But she hoped she was being taken to this Governor character instead.

The man did not show her to the building Maggie had shown them, instead to a brick administrative looking building. The large man led her through the building, he kept one firm hand on her shoulder and the other a tight grip on her sword. He finally stopped before a door and knocked. It was opened by a tall man, pale skin and grey blue eyes.

Michonne recognized this man from the helicopter crash and did her best to not react. She did, after all, have the best poker face. "Shumpert, what's this?" the man asked as he studied her.

"Found her skulking around. With this." Her captor, Shumpert, held out her sword.

"Now that is a fine weapon. Bring her in."

The man before her stood aside as Shumpert led her in. Shumpert set her sword down on a dining table in the middle of the room and Michonne stood a few feet away with her arms crossed as the two men stood before her.

"You the Governor then?" Michonne asked.

"Well, you seem to have us at a disadvantage. You know us, but we don't know you." It was a clear invitation for Michonne to introduce herself but she stayed silent instead. She took in as much of the room as possible without losing sight of the two men. The place was so normal, filled with knickknacks and looked well lived in. Things here didn't seem to be touched by the world and it put Michonne even more on edge. Both men blocked the door she came in, but there were two more in the room. One, close to the bed, had to be a bathroom, and the other was at her back. Even if it didn't lead outside it would give her a few minutes to regroup.

Michonne finally did speak, after she was sure of her environment, she had one question that had been itching at her since she first saw these men at the helicopter crash. One that made Rick uneasy and quick to change the subject. "I've seen you before," Michonne began and the Governor looked intrigued. "At the helicopter crash."

The Governor understood immediately, "Carol was convinced someone had been hiding in the brush. Looks like she was right." Shumpert didn't respond, nor had his facial expression changed.

"The soldiers from the helicopter. They were already dead and you stabbed them in the head."

"Of course we did," the Governor frowned in the ensuing silence. "You don't know then?" Michonne stayed silent. Know what? The Governor smirked at her. "You've had a long day. Why don't we talk in the morning? Shumpert can show you to a room. We have running water."

Michonne snorted, as if she could be tempted with something as frivolous as a shower. "I think I'll be on my way, if it's all the same," she responded.

"I'm afraid I can't allow that." Michonne nodded in understanding. She would have been surprised if it had been that easy. But he wasn't going to answer her question and she had people to regroup with.

She took one complacent step forward, into the space between the two men. The Governor's smirk was still in place as he reached for her. She elbowed him in the solar plexus, he stumbled at the unexpected move. She used the surprise to her advantage as she grabbed the nearby lamp off a table and brought it down over Shumpert's head. The ceramic base shattered and the man collapsed heavily to the floor.

Michonne grabbed her sword and ran to the door behind her, the Governor was still between her and the door out and he was recovering fast. Michonne shouldered her way through the door only to stumble to a stop. The room was dark, lit only with aquarium lights. But those weren't fish swimming. Michonne froze in shock as she took in all the different heads. Some were still moving. Eyes blinking, jaws snapping.

The Governor tackled her, taking advantage of her distraction. Michonne hit the ground hard and rolled. She managed to knee the Governor, stunning him enough so she could push him off. She scrambled for the other door yanking it open only to find a waiting walker. The little girl clawed at her and Michonne unsheathed her sword.

"No!" The startled cry behind her stopped her. The Governor was on his knees, a scared look on his face. "Don't hurt her! Please!"

Michonne then noticed the chains on the girl, she couldn't reach Michonne. The small girl was leashed. Michonne studied the child for a moment, she once had long blonde hair and she was wearing a night gown and slippers. The Governor was still begging her to leave the girl alone, he stayed back as he made his pleas.

The young girl was dead. It was easy to see. The poor thing was well preserved but was clearly decomposing. Michonne shook her head. This poor child needed to be laid to rest. Michonne swung her sword.

AN: Well, it looks like some things are bound to happen, no matter what. :3

Review please?