Disclaimer:

Carol Peletier, Sophia Peletier, King Ezekiel, Henry, Jerry, Shiva, and any other recognizable character or plot of The Walking Dead belong to AMC Network and Skybound Entertainment, Image Comics and Robert Kirkman.

In no way is the author claiming ownage of any of the characters nor is there any economic/monetary gain at any time. The author is extremely respectful of the original creators and is willing to take down this work of fiction if requested.

No copyright infringement intended.

Original characters are the property of the author.


Keeper of My Heart Chapter 11: The Hunt


"Pretend you aren't aware of what is transpiring."

It takes Carol a second to realize that Ezekiel isn't talking to her. She relaxes right away after having tensed her whole body and continues cleaning the table from the whirlwind that was breakfast while keeping her attention on the rambunctious pair nearby. Ezekiel had insisted he could clean up even as Sophia had started tugging at his hand, wanting to play. Carol had given him a smile before waving him away. She didn't mind cleaning up, not if it meant her daughter could play with Ezekiel.

"Okay." She hears Sophia promise amidst giggles.

"This is of utmost importance, little Princess." Ezekiel continues.

Curiosity gets the best of Carol so she leaves the rag she's been cleaning with on the table and moves towards the dining room. She quickly finds her place leaning against the back of the sofa to watch them. Both Ezekiel and Sophia are on the floor where they had been building what appears to be a castle with the Lego pieces Ezekiel had brought yesterday, but something has interrupted them. Sophia trembles with nervous energy as she tries to stay still while Ezekiel guides her through his lesson.

"Tiger cubs like our beloved Shiva must learn all they need from their mothers." He continues explaining. "How to climb, how to bathe, how to forage and how to hunt. Every second of their young existence is a learning experience."

"We teach." Sophia declares with huge hazel eyes that sparkle with the morning light. Not even a lazy Sunday morning seems to dim the light in her daughter's eyes.

"Correct, little princess," Ezekiel assures her. "Do you trust me?"

Carol is very sure that Ezekiel isn't just asking Sophia, but is instead asking both her daughter and her if they trust him with Sophia's well-being. A quick moment of eye contact between her and Ezekiel tells Carol she's correct. She gives a tiny nod which is eclipsed by Sophia who nods right away before quickly verbalizing her approval while catching Ezekiel's face between her hands to ensure he is watching her. "Yes! Yes!"

"Do you recall how we've been teaching Shiva to hunt?"

Carol, just like Sophia, recalls perfectly.

It had been nothing short of hilarious to watch a grown man practically crawling as low as he could with a tiny Sophia mimicking him, attempting to explain to Shiva how she was supposed to prowl. When Shiva had only stared at them with definitive confusion in her eyes they had switched tactics. Ezekiel had whispered something into Sophia's ear before her daughter had scampered off. Carol had almost lost herself in the book she was reading when she suddenly saw Sophia on the corner of her eye. Her daughter was doing her own version of the tiger prowl, body and head aligned as her shoulders rose slightly. Ezekiel pretended to be minding his own business as he 'played' with the dog toy that now served as a training tool for Shiva. She'd been about to ask what her daughter was attempting to do when Sophia had suddenly jumped at him, arms extended while she let out her version of a tiger growl. Ezekiel had acted shocked while jumping in fright then throwing himself flat on the ground, Sophia crawling all over him while claiming her victory by tickling him.

Carol had burst out laughing then, unable to hold back. She didn't think that the tickling was part of the lesson, or that Shiva had necessarily learned that part, but the point had been explained as best as it could be.

From then on Sophia had done everything in her power to continue showing Shiva what to do. Sometimes she 'hunted' Ezekiel, sometimes she hunted her dolly, and sometimes Carol joined in the lessons, pretending to be unaware that both her daughter and Shiva were hunting her down. Despite Sophia's best instruction, and as much as Shiva is a quick study, the cup simply hasn't hunted on her own. The playful hunts are either started by Sophia or encouraged by Ezekiel.

That's why Carol knows it takes every ounce of self-discipline in Sophia's tiny body to not turn around and face Shiva. The fact that their cub is hunting is exciting but Sophia understands how important it is to pretend to be the prey.

"She doing it?" Sophia asks. Carol hadn't thought her daughter's eyes could get any bigger or wider but Sophia is proving her wrong.

"She is."

Carol trusts Ezekiel with her daughter's safety, there is no doubt about it, which is why she remains in her place instead of rushing over. It also helps that Sophia knows that as much as she loves Shiva and Shiva loves her, Shiva is still a tiger cub and she has to be careful. They've been careful to teach Shiva not to bite them and to make sure that Sophia knows she has to follow Ezekiel's instructions, but Carol still watches like a hawk ready to act in a second's notice all the while fighting her motherly instincts.

Ezekiel slides closer to Sophia, pretending to not be aware of Shiva all the while putting himself halfway between her and the tiger cub, just in case Shiva forgets her training in her eagerness to hunt. Sophia lets out a little giggle as curls into Ezekiel, letting his hair practically cover her and his body protect her from an overzealous baby tiger.

"Keep playing." Ezekiel reaches for a Lego piece while Sophia does the same. To the untrained eye, they appear to be building their castle while being completely oblivious of the ever-approaching tiger, but Carol knows better. She knows that Ezekiel is alert, letting Shiva learn while making sure Sophia is safe. Just when Shiva reaches them, the cub lays low, ears pulled back and tail completely still. She seems frozen and Ezekiel and Sophia continue to pretend to be oblivious.

In the blink of an eye, Shiva jumps and lands on Ezekiel's back with a loud yelp that doesn't quite make it into a menacing growl. Sophia bursts out laughing, perfectly protected by Ezekiel's arms, before scampering out from her hiding place and climbing over Ezekiel who pretends to be shocked before giving up to her daughter's tickles and Shiva's nuzzling.

In the end, no one is harmed and Shiva has successfully done her first lonesome hunt.

"You did it!" Sophia celebrates as she jumps and claps.

She can't be quite certain if Shiva understands what just happened but the tiger seems pleased at herself. To celebrate, Sophia quickly moves to grab an end of the dog toy, completely abandoning her half-built castle, before she starts prancing around with the toy's tattered ends dragging behind her and catching Shiva's attention. Shiva quickly moves after her, all the while swatting at the toy that continues to escape from her grasp.

Carol watches them go around the living room before she approaches Ezekiel who is still laying on the floor. She leans over him with a raised eyebrow and a smile on her face. Her curly hair cascades around her face just as she makes eye contact with Ezekiel. He has the most beautiful grin on his lips.

"You okay or were you mauled by the cub and the toddler?"

Ezekiel chuckles before pressing his hands all over his chest and arms as he pretends to check himself. "I believe I have survived by the grace of the all-mighty."

Carol rolls her eyes and shakes her head before she offers him a hand to help him get up. Ezekiel takes her hand but instead of getting up he pulls her down, catching her body and softening her fall. She lets out a yelp before dissolving into a laugh as she lays half on him and half on the floor.

Her gaze is instantly pulled in by Ezekiel's joyful eyes; big and bright, with lashes that would make any women jealous. For a moment she forgets who she is; she forgets she's running away from her abusive husband, she forgets she's been hit, cut, burned and bent in ways no one ever should, she forgets she has cried more times than she has laughed in the past years, she forgets she's just met Ezekiel less than a month ago. She forgets everything but her daughter's laughter, Shiva's chuffing noises and Ezekiel's warm presence beneath her.

Carol pulls back and props her head on an elbow, her other hand cupping his cheek, her thumb caressing his facial hair. Her eyes shift to his lips; plump and ready to be kissed. Her heart races, as it tends to do when she's this close to him. Slowly she leans down and covers his lips with hers in a sweet kiss which quickly deepens. He follows her guidance, never requesting more than she's willing to give. Her lungs burn with the need for air but she doesn't give in, tilting her head, pushing herself against him just a little bit more, craving the sweet taste that is uniquely him. She parts her mouth slightly when she can't take it anymore, a tiny moan escaping her. The first touch of their tongues is tentative, the kiss going deeper than it ever has before, neither willing to part. She feels his hand wrapping around her waist, pulling her even closer to him and feels a shiver run through her.

A little giggle makes her pull back. Carol turns to look to their side to find both Shiva and Judith sitting beside them, staring at them. She feels heat take hold of her face and she knows she's blushing bright red. They've exchanged kisses before, some even in front of Sophia, but their kisses had never been more than pecks. Carol can't help but curse herself inwardly for letting go, even for a moment, if it meant that she had somehow scared her daughter. She pulls back from him and slightly curls into herself, her eyes catching every little bit of interaction between the man who'd just literally stolen her breath and her precious daughter.

"Zekey." Sophia's voice shows that she's not upset, or confused really, but they still pull apart and sit facing her as if they were two teenagers caught making out by her parents, even though their kiss was hardly considered making out. "You kissed Mama." Sophia declares.

Ezekiel turns to look at Carol and thought Carol can see his movement from the corner of her eye, she doesn't turn towards him or she will burst out laughing at the seriousness in her daughter's tone of voice. Great, she's embarrassed and behaving like a child.

"I did," Ezekiel replies.

"Why?" Sophia tilts her head just slightly, raising her own eyebrow in a mirrored expression to the expression Carol makes whenever she is thinking of something witty to say.

Ezekiel clears his throat and nudges Carol. "I may require reinforcements." He mumbles under his breath.

This time Carol turns to look at him, a teasing smirk blossoming on her lips. "Depends on your answer," she replies, raising her own eyebrow at him.

Ezekiel looks at her then at Sophia only to turn back to Carol. "Cheeky," He mumbles once more before addressing Sophia. "I love her and at times when your heart thunders for a person you desire for them to be aware that they are your beloved."

Carol's breath catches on her chest. It's not that she doesn't know how he feels or that he hasn't said it before because he has. It's the way he says it, with no hesitation or trace of deceit, that makes her react. He's not hiding his feelings from Sophia, or from anyone for that matter, nor is he ignoring her daughter's questions. He's answering straightforward and giving her daughter what could perhaps be her very first exposure to a healthy relationship.

Sophia gaps, her eyes shinning bright. She then stops to think for a second. Whatever witty thing she had to say is forgotten at the revelation. It only takes Sophia a second before she gives them a wide grin, showing off her tiny pearly teeth.

"And me?" She asks.

"I love you too, Princess." He promises. "A little different, but equally as strong."

"I get kiss?" Sophia asks.

"I believe you do," Ezekiel assures her before beckoning her forward. Sophia quickly scoots across, giggling when Shiva approaches as well. Carol has to reach for the tiger to prevent Sophia from stumbling forward as Shiva attempts to wrap around her. Sophia then climbs on to Ezekiel's lap and tilts her head up, waiting for her promised kiss. Ezekiel tickles her side, leans forward and places a tender kiss on her daughter's forehead which makes Sophia dissolve into giggles.

"My turn!" She declares before catching his face and proceeding to pepper wet kisses all over it. Ezekiel doesn't even complain about the drool which only makes Carol smile even wider.

No matter what happens, Carol knows that she has found a man that is nothing but caring and understanding. She still feels embarrassment at having lost herself in the kiss, of having let her mind wander into believing that all that existed was the four of them. A happy family. Her face flames at the thought, though not as hot as it initially was. She raises her hands to cup her cheeks to cover the remains of the tinge in her skin. Carol supposes she should feel shame of some kind, after all, she'd been punished by Ed for much less than kissing a man. She'd always felt like the worst wife in the world for daring to even look at another man despite it never being romantic. Yet somehow, she feels no shame that she just kissed Ezekiel. The kiss felt right. They feel right.

The knowledge that Sophia doesn't think of it as odd, despite having never seen her parents interact the same way Carol does with Ezekiel, isn't lost to her either. She's not sure why it is, but she's sure it has to do with the way her daughter has simply been allowed to blossom, been allowed to just be a little girl and explore who she truly is instead of whom her father wants her to be. They still had tough days, Carol is sure they will face many more, but the leaps and bounds Sophia has been able to cover are amazing. As long as her daughter is happy and healthy there is nothing she feels she must do. She knows Sophia will have questions, much like she had just seconds ago, and she's ready to answer them as best as she can because she knows Sophia will not hold back. If her daughter has no qualms about the growing relationship between the adults in her life, who is Carol to make her question it?

The peppering of kisses has turned into a full-fledged tickle war by the time Carol snaps out of her thoughts. "Zekey! No more! No more! I pee!" She hears Sophia declare between the loud and long laughter that Ezekiel has managed to bring out of her.

Ezekiel immediately stops tickling her, his eyes wide as he hears Sophia's warning. "I believe the sensible thing would be to halt the tickle torture." Ezekiel declares.

Sophia wiggles out of his lap, laughing even as she rolls on to the floor. "You are funny." She declares after letting out a final sigh.

In her lap, Shiva struggles to be let go so that she can join her playing companion. Carol lets her go, knowing better than to try and keep a hold on her. Shiva instantly jumps off and moves towards Sophia whom she proceeds to lick on the face, arms and hair.

"I didn't harm her," Ezekiel assures the tiger cub while reaching over to pet her. "Check her thoroughly but you will not find a scratch on her precious skin."

Carol chuckles as she hears Ezekiel trying to defend himself. Shiva seems to finish her examination and moves a couple of steps away from Sophia before something catches her attention on the other side of the room and she moves to investigate. Instantly, and predictably, Sophia rolls on to her belly, pushes herself up and rushes after the Shiva.

Ezekiel shakes his head beside her before coyly turning to look at Carol, the smile on his face turning into a full-fledged grin that makes his eyes appear smaller as the apples of his cheeks rise. Carol can't help but smile back at him, his happiness infectious and easily interacting with her own happy thoughts.

The happiness quickly gets smothered by the sudden thought that while Sophia does not mind, she hasn't really asked Ezekiel if he feels comfortable with her randomly kissing him. Up until that point all of their kisses had been initiated by him with her permission but this time she has been the one to start the kiss.

She closes her eyes and grimaces for she knows very well that her anxiety is already rearing its ugly head and making her doubt her actions and his reaction. She can hear her husband's voice calling her a 'whore', calling her 'easy'. She battles against it, pushing it as far back in her mind as possible but the seed of doubt has already been planted by the ghost of her husband's cruelty. She hates how strong of a hold he still has on her.

"I am sorry," she ends up whispering to Ezekiel as she lowers her hands.

His smile instantly fades, his expression turning into one of confusion. "Sorry?"

"I don't know what came over me. I shouldn't have kissed you that way."

"Carol, the day I complain of the tokens of love that you bestow upon me will be the day I have surely met the cruelest form of torture that has made me depart from my sanity." Ezekiel reaches for her hand, gently squeezing it.

Her eyes settle on their hands, on the way her fingers instantly thread with his, naturally taking a position they haven't known for long. "You always ask for my permission, one way or another and I just... I forgot myself."

After a second of silence in which she berates herself even further, Ezekiel finally speaks. "Then worry not for this is my official decree. From henceforth Lady Carol has unrestricted permission to kiss her faithful servant."

"You aren't my servant." She leans slightly towards him, bumping their shoulders enough to get him to move.

"Perhaps," he teases, "but the decree still stands. Carol, you can kiss me whenever it strikes your fancy. I will never be uncomfortable by it, nor will I ever not want to kiss you."

She feels the blush once more take over her face and she dips her chin enough so that her hair curtains in front of her, shielding her.

She's about to give him free rein over kissing her as well, unless she's obviously in a panic attack, when a loud sudden knock on the door interrupts them. Instantly Carol's whole body goes into alert mode; her back straightens, her eyes widen as she looks directly at the door. She hears a whimper coming from Sophia, no doubt out of surprise or fear since visitors are not a normal event, so she opens her arms for her daughter to run into.

"Remain here," Ezekiel instructs as soon as Sophia is wrapped in her mother's arms. It is obvious he isn't waiting for a visitor or he wouldn't be as alert as Carol is.

There is a second sharp knock on the door, longer this time, desperate almost. Besides her, Shiva's fur puffs up as she shows her teeth in a menacing growl. Carol can't help but tighten her arms around Sophia, already getting up and hoisting her daughter against her in a feeble attempt to get out of there. By her feet, Shiva lets out a confused growl which Sophia replies to with a fearful whimper.

Has Ed found them?

What is she going to do?

She feels her heart thundering against her chest as she moves towards the hallway, hoping to put some distance between her and whoever is at the door. Ezekiel waits until she's hidden by the hallway before he demands to know who is outside. "Who is it?"

"Open the door I'm about to drop everything!" The voice is clearly a woman's which makes Carol relax right away. It's Michonne.

"Mama?" Sophia asks against her, her face buried in her neck and hair. She can feel her daughter trembling in her arms and it breaks her heart that Sophia reacts this way to a simple unannounced visit. Perhaps her daughter isn't as adapted as she thought the little girl was. "Is it... is it him?"

Carol quickly presses a kiss to her daughter's forehead, taking in a whiff of the baby shampoo she has used on Sophia, letting the scent calm her enough to answer. "No, sweetheart." She mumbles against her hair.

To prove to her that it is only Michonne, Carol takes a deep breath and leaves her hiding place. Michonne is already rushing to the nearby coffee table, her arms full of files that are obviously quite heavy and about to drop at any moment.

"See? It's only Michonne, sweet pea." She tries to calm her but Sophia will not budge and holds on even tighter. Her daughter had been scared at the sudden loud noise that had intruded her safe space. If Sophia needed to hold on to her for a little bit longer, Carol was not going to force her to let go.

Michonne, who barely makes it to the table, lets the files drop on the wooden surface. The files make a loud noise which in turn makes Sophia jump against her once more.

"Sorry, sorry." Michonne mumbles. "I'm glad you are here though, we have so much to talk about."

Ezekiel throws her a sharp look as he closes the door and makes a beeline towards them. "It's all right, Princess Sophia." He promises her daughter as he places a hand on her tiny back. Sophia leans against the loving touch and Carol feels her shift as if she's turning to look at Ezekiel. "Want me to carry you?"

She leans back slightly to be able to see her daughter's face and Sophia's reply to Ezekiel's question. Sophia's eyes are watery but she gives a nod and leans toward Ezekiel, fully trusting that he will catch her. Once Sophia has been transferred, her little girl wraps her legs and arm around Ezekiel, before plucking her thumb into her mouth and leaning her head against his shoulder. Ezekiel soothes Sophia by swinging back and forth, holding her close, burying his hand in her hair to gently massage her scalp, something he has learned to do when the occasional nightmare rips through Sophia's dreams. Carol knows that he's grounding her, much like he did when she had her own panic attack. Realizing that Sophia is protected and that there really isn't any danger, Shiva diverts her attention back to her toys.

In front of the files, Michonne pushes her hair back and places her hands on her waist, ready to dive into whatever it is that she wants to talk to Carol about. "Let me tell you, right away, that going by these files it's going to be hard to prove Edward hit you, not without more evidence or witnesses."

It doesn't surprise Carol as much as she thought it would to hear that her fight was gonna be an even harder one. Her reaction is simply to sigh in defeat and close her eyes. She knows what's in those files, if they are her hospital records, and she knows why Michonne is saying that it will be hard. She had explained away so much of Ed's torture to being clumsy, accident-prone, or forgetful. When that hadn't worked any longer, she'd simply switch hospitals to avoid their questions.

"Which is why we need to talk." Michonne continues speaking, completely oblivious to both the glares being sent her way and the sigh of defeat Carol had just released.

"Talk about what? You've said so yourself, the files do not help me."

"By themselves, they don't." Michonne kneels in front of the files and starts spreading them, opening and closing them, gathering reports and putting them into different piles. "Which is why we are going to look at every report and you are going to tell me exactly what happened and whether Sophia was exposed to the abuse."

"We aren't using Sophia," Carol reminds her as she turns to look at her and then at her daughter. Sophia has obviously heard her name because she's tilting her head towards Michonne, curious as to why she's naming her. "I told you that."

"Carol, look... we can..."

"She said no, Michonne." Ezekiel's firm voice comes from behind her, where he moves to make sure that Sophia has access to her mother if she wants it. "Carol is Sophia's protector, only she knows what's best for her daughter. You have to abide by it."

Michonne stares at Ezekiel with a confused expression on her face. Carol can't fault her. The last time they spoke Michonne had tried to sway Ezekiel to convince her to put Sophia on the stand. It was Michonne's job as her lawyer to use anything at her disposal to win the case, Carol understands that so she didn't blame her for trying, not anymore.

"If she has seen her father hurt Carol, Sophia is a witness."

"A witness you will not utilize in this battle."

"Ezekiel."

"Michonne... I know you are a passionate defender, I also know you are unorthodox in your style of fighting and that if anyone can champion for Carol and Sophia in court it is you, but you can't..."

"Look, I know you want to protect them but unless I strip Carol and put her in front of the jury to see all the scars that came from these hospital visits, to see the evidence of her husband's torture, Sophia is my only choice!"

Michonne's tone of voice raises enough for Sophia to react. Her daughter's tiny body jumps in Ezekiel's arms before she lets out a pitiful whimper around her thumb and burrows closer to Ezekiel, hiding her face against his hair.

Carol watches as Ezekiel takes the hand that had been in Sophia's hair and smooths it in circles around her daughter's back. She can see the fury in his eyes but he doesn't let it out. He controls it, wilding power over his reaction as to not scare Sophia further. "Find another way." He declares before he returns to swaying with Sophia.

Having Ezekiel on her side certainly helps Carol feel stronger though she feels horrible for the fact that the two friends are fighting over her daughter. Deciding to de-escalate the situation, Carol sits cross-legged in front of the coffee table, her trembling fingers reaching for her files. "I can testify and I can tell you how I got all of these." She offers as she opens the first file.

"It won't be enough," Michonne replies in a much lower tone of voice, her eyes showing the guilt she seems to feel at having upset Sophia. "You'll be seen as an unreliable witness. If you've lied once they'll question whether you can lie again. Ed's lawyers will latch on to that and will use it against us. It's a risk I'd rather not take unless I absolutely have to."

Carol bites her lip as she lowers her face slightly. Gathering all her strength she opens the file and lets her eyes dance on the medical terminology typed in them which describe not only the result of her husband's beating but the lies she had to spew in order to survive; black eye from contact with frisbee, bruised abdomen from falling off a bike, series of deep cuts from improper knife handling, laceration above right eye resulting from patient bumping into side table, hairline fracture to the second phalanges in three fingers of left hand from piano cover slipping while patient was playing, compound fracture on left ankle and anterior transverse costal fracture from accidentally falling down the stairs while carrying laundry, torn ligament on left ankle from a severely twisted foot while hiking, basilar skull fracture and raccoon eyes from slipping on the tub, stress fracture to the metatarsal of both feet which patient explains are a result of her dancing career, medial oblique clavicle fracture from patient hitting the door while swinging it open, distal bruising in the lower posterior portion of the back from chair slipping from under patient while attempting to sit. The list goes on and on, each hospital starting with bruises that can easily be explained then escalating to fractures and wounds that were serious enough to warrant her looks from the nurses and visits from social workers that eventually make her switch hospitals.

It's only when she reaches the file that includes a report in which the doctor notes suspicious bruising to her swollen stomach that she pauses, her breath catching in her chest.

She can still remember, clear as day, clearer than any of her other ER visits, the night she had gone to the emergency room clutching her seven-month pregnant contracting belly while begging them to help her save her baby girl. She'd been panicked, terrified that she was going to lose the baby she so desired because her husband's food hadn't been cooked right and he'd decided to teach her through fists how to cook it properly. She'd refused to answer questions until they told her Sophia was still alive, until they assured her she wasn't giving birth. By the time her contractions had stopped, Ed had found her and had spun a story about how she had been assaulted while she had been out doing her nightly walk. When the nurses had left and the police had been called, Ed had told her through clenched teeth as he caressed her belly with his meaty hand that if she dared to say anything different she wouldn't live to see her daughter's birth. That had been the last ER visit she'd ever gone to, she didn't dare risk it, not with her daughter's life on the line.

"I'll do it." She suddenly blurts out. "I'll strip in front of them if it helps."

Michonne looks at her confused for a second, as if she doesn't remember ever mentioning it before shaking her head. "I wouldn't actually make you do that, I just said that to try and get my point across. I may be 'unorthodox' but I'm not a horrible person. I wouldn't make you stand naked to be gawked at."

"I'd do it if it would help."

It takes only a second for Michonne to go from crestfallen to bright-eyed. "Unless..." The dark-skinned woman pauses as she quickly looks through her notes. "I'll definitively need to go over all of this with you to see which ones are really accidents and which ones are Ed related, though something tells me they all are. But... your last visit to the hospital was almost three years ago." Michonne looks up at her, her eyes are dark and inquisitive. "I find it hard to believe that during all this time he hasn't laid a hand on you."

Carol shakes her head and gives her a little shrug. A simple answer to the years of torture that had only gotten worse once her daughter had been born. "I just learned to fix things myself. It was easier."

"That's exactly the answer I was hoping for!" Michonne visibly perks up.

"It is?" Carol can't help but share a quick look with Ezekiel who has continued swaying. In his arms, Sophia has visibly relaxed. She's still sucking on her thumb but she's let go of her bear-like hold on him and has fully leaned against him, eyes half-closed.

"Yes!" Michonne exclaims. "That means..."

She stops herself short, glancing at Carol then at Ezekiel. Whatever she had been about to say was probably something that would have irritated Ezekiel or even herself so Michonne has stopped herself just before she could actually say it. "Don't take this the wrong way." She finally voices.

Carol squares her shoulders and lifts her chin up slightly, ready to listen. "I won't."

"It means that you probably have more marks and scars that aren't in these files, things we can use."

Carol takes a moment to focus on her breathing. Michonne is right; her body does have more scars, scars she had worked hard to hide ever since they had been etched on her skin, scars that detailed her husband's cruelty and showed how said cruelty went further than broken bones. Her eyes fill with tears that she struggles not to let escape.

"Carol..." she hears Ezekiel softly call to her.

A single tear breaks the barrier of her eyes mand she quickly raises a hand to brush it away almost angrily. "No, she's right." She admits, nodding as she uses all her willpower to be strong and not break down in front of Michonne. "She's right."

"I won't ask you to strip, Carol. That's degrading and it would only serve to please that bastard." Michonne assures her. "But I do need evidence of your husband's behavior, evidence that isn't detailed in these files. Things you've dealt with yourself."

"Pictures." Carol quickly assumes, once more making eye contact with Michonne who nods at her.

"I could take them." Michonne offers. "If you trust me. Or I could acquire nurses or a social worker's help in gathering photographic evidence."

Though she'd just offered to stand naked in front of a jury, she can't help but shudder at the thought of a random person seeing her body and taking pictures. She knows its partly because they would be seeing her body and passing judgment and partly because of the memories it would bring up, memories of nurses who could see through her lies and had called social workers, and those same social workers who had insisted on taking pictures of her latest bruising or wounds while reminding her that she had options. She'd been terrified and ashamed and even though she had thought about doing what they asked of her a couple of times, she had always been too chicken to do anything but run back.

Subconsciously, she wraps her arms around herself in a tight hug. Shiva must have felt her worry and terror because she abandons her toys and quickly scrambles towards her, her limp almost unnoticeable. As if she were a mere house cat, Shiva pushes her body against Carol's, her tail curling and uncurling as she nuzzles the woman she sees as a mother. It is such her insistence that Carol can do nothing else but open her arms and let Shiva cuddle on her lap. By the time she's ready to answer, Shiva is being petted like the house cat she's pretending to be.

"No nurses please," Carol begs. "Or social workers."

"I'll take them then. I can get a disposable camera and come back tomorrow."

"No, please." Carol shakes her head quickly. "Please don't think I don't trust you. I do. I just... I can't... I can't have you feeling pity me."

"I'll take them." Ezekiel offers as he moves to stand beside her. "I possess a camera. I can take them or... or show you how to use it if you aren't comfortable with me taking them."

Carol turns up to look at him. He's gazing down at her with nothing but love and support, his body still swaying slightly even though Sophia has now lost her fight against sleep, her body completely slack in his arms, thumb halfway out of her mouth. She knows that instant that Ezekiel is the only one she trusts to take the pictures. She trusts him as much as her daughter does. She trusts him to not pity her, not to judge her, just likes he hasn't done up until that moment. If she's going to bare her body and it's scars to anyone, it can only be to him.

With one last look into his chocolate eyes, Carol gives a nod, accepting his proposition.

In front of her, Michonne gives a sharp nod, once again reaching for the nearest file. "All right... this is what I'll need..."