A/N: Here's chapter 2. Y'all can thank jazznsmoke for her pushing me to get this out.

If there is anything I don't mention in the story (like Rick killing one of the claimers in that house or what happened with Carol, Lizzie and Mika) that it happened just as it did in the show.

Enjoy!

Finger on the Trigger

Part II

Chapter 2

Carl-

I have hope that mom is still alive, somewhere. Though I'm not sure about my brother and sisters.

We saw Judith's carrier, empty and covered in blood but we didn't see Shawn or Annie.

Maybe they're with mom. But who's with her?

I stopped but dad and Michonne kept walkin'.

"Dad!"

"What Carl?" He actually stopped and turned around.

"We have to go back and look for mom! She's out there, I know she is! What if she has Annie and Shawn? What if she's hurt? We have to go back!"

Rick-

Carl didn't understand why I'm not goin' back. I love Beth and I would do anythin' for her but I can't go back and know she's dead or worse.

"I've already told you we're not goin' back, Carl."

"Maybe we should," Michonne said, standin' by Carl now.

I shook my head at both of them and turned back around.

"We gotta keep movin'," I yelled over my shoulder.

We set up camp somewhere close to the railroad tracks.

From where we were we could see the white smoke from somethin' burnin' somewhere behind us.

I saw the flash of hope on Carl's face when he saw it. He was probably thinkin' it was set by someone from the prison.

Carl-

Dad sat away from me and Michonne. He kept twistin' his weddin' ring. He misses her but he won't say anythin' 'bout her or Judy, Shawn and Annie.

I know I keep pushin' him to look for mom but I miss her. I miss everyone but her the most.

Michonne-

Rick looked like hell. He hasn't slept since we were at that house and that's been days ago, I'm not sure how many but it's beginning to show on him. Carl too.

"Hey," I put my hand on his shoulder, "Carl's asleep. Why don't you get some sleep too? I'll keep watch."

He shook his head and rubbed his face roughly.

"I...I can't."

"Yes you can, Rick. Just try to get some sleep. You need it."

Rick finally agreed to get some sleep. He wasn't relaxed at all but he needed it more than he thought.

Things were quiet tonight except for the occasional moaning of walkers.

Somewhere off in the distance I heard what sounded like a child crying.

I shook my head at the thought that it could be one of Rick and Beth's kids.

Time was passing by slowly and I was sure my mind was playing tricks on me.

It was early morning, the sun had just started to rise, when the crying I had heard during the night seemed to be closer than ever.

Carl-

Michonne woke me up and told me to keep watch. She said she had to go check on somethin'.

Not long after she left I heard cryin'. It sounded like Shawn.

It didn't take long for dad to wake up and when he did, he heard the cryin' too.

Rick-

"Where's Michonne?" I asked Carl.

He shrugged, "Said she had to check on somethin'."

"Rick!" Michonne called out.

Carl and I jumped up and ran towards her voice.

She was kneeling on the ground next to a baby carrier and Merle was sittin' on a log next to her with a bundle in one arm.

Carl rushed to her before I could even process what I was seein'.

"Dad! It's Annie and Shawn! They're alive!"

I rubbed my eyes maybe a little too hard before I walked over to them.

I was so sure they'd disappear the closer I got to them.

I fell to the ground next to Michonne, shakin'.

Carl had taken Annie from Merle and was holdin' her close to him while Michonne placed Shawn in my arms and then she too Annie from Carl and did the same.

I let a breath I didn't know I was holdin' in once they were both in my arms. I could feel them.

They were really there.

-Later that day-

Rick-

Carl and I took turns holdin' the babies.

There was no way we were gonna put them down if we didn't have to.

"How'd you end up with them?" Michonne asked Merle.

"Went in ta find baby brother an' they was jus' there by themselves. Didn't see Asskicker though."

"Did you see my mom?" Carl asked him.

"I saw 'er but 'fore I could get to 'er she was gone."

"Gone?" Michonne questioned him.

"Saw 'er headin' towards baby brother after I grabbed tha kids. I tried ta tack 'em but their tracks was covered by walkers. So I went back an' tracked y'all. Been tryin' ta catch up with y'all but it ain't easy with one hand an' two babies."

"How'd you carry them?" Carl asked.

"Had one of them strap things," he answered.

After we talked, Michonne and Carl dug through the diaper bag Merle had grabbed and they started feedin' the babies.

"Thank you," it took everythin' I had to say that to Merle but I meant it. I wouldn't have two of my kids with me again if it wasn't for him.

Maybe Carl was right after all. If Shawn and Annie were alive then Judith and Beth could be too.