Chapter 39: Infection


CPOV


~5 years ago~

Walking out of my class, I walked towards the halls, grabbing all of my things and leaving out the front door. I couldn't see Kat outside but I stood there waiting beside a wall for a few moments. Before I knew it, I was pushed against a wall and was grabbed from behind. Arm around my stomach and a hand covering my mouth.

Stopping me from screaming. I was muffled against the palm that was pressed against my mouth. Looking to the brown eyes, I knew who it was. His nose flaring, his blonde hair a mess and brown eyes wild with anger. "It was you!" he shouted. Tom's face was of complete anger. His two friends were stretching, clenching a hand into a fist as he pounded his flat, outstretched hand. "You're the reason Kat left me!" Tom snarled at me angrily.

"It wasn't me!" I told them a little worried for my health. Where's Kat?! "I swear!" I pleaded for him to let me go. My eyes glancing everywhere between the three guys. They all looked at me. My feet wasn't touching the floor, I was dangling from my balled up shirt, Tom's hand clutching it tightly and my back against the wall.

"Yeah, it was!" Tom screamed at me, startling me a little and making my heart pound. "Now...we're going to beat you up. Send your sister a message. My Kat a message," Tom growled at me menacingly. This is not good. I don't like how his friends are chewing gum with that smile on their faces.

"Please!" I begged not wanting to get hurt because of Kat's choices. "No!" I shouted, flinching as I watched Tom's hand raise up to punch me in the face. "No," I pleaded but I could tell his mind was already made up. "It wasn't my fault," I told them honestly. "It was Kat's choice! Not mine!" I said, sobbing as I felt the fear shake me completely.

"Yes," Tom growled. Pulling me forward and slamming my back against the wall hard again. Grunting at the sudden impact and pain. "It was," I told them as I tried to make them stop. To make them not want to hurt me. Fear in my heart, my heart rising into my throat and making me tremble. Quivering as they held their evil glares at me. "I wish you had never been born," Tom snarled at me as his face got too close to mine for comfort.

Just as Tom was going to punch me in the face. Shutting my eyes tightly, I turned my head away and waited for the impact of Tom's fist to my face. "If I were you...I would let my brother go. This very instant," I heard Kat's familiar voice threaten. Opening my eyes, I saw Tom turn his head and the other two look to her. Kat's eyes in slints while she glared at Tom. Oh no...


Present day...RPOV

Maggie was killing walkers by the fence, she hadn't noticed me until I was speeding in without giving any real thought to it. Anger coursing through my veins, feeling decieved by Carol and what she had done to our group. To our people. Maggie ran across the yard and towards me, opening the gate, I heard it creak and open for me. Driving up, I knew at that moment Kat and the others weren't back yet. Parking beside the turned over bus, I ran towards Maggie and clutched at my gun momentarily out of the unfamiliarity it was, sitting against my hips again and making me feel like the man I once was. "Carl, Judith, are they okay?" I asked Maggie a little panicked for two out of the three of my children.

"Yeah," Maggie said equally as tired as she looked after hositing the heavy gates opened. "Where's Carol?" she asked me while she walked closer, my breathing heavy and a smile bright on my face. They're fine. Now, all we need to do is wait for Kat to show up and then we can move on. Save people.

"Glenn, Hershel, Sasha?" I asked for the others, knowing that they were the key members of our group. The key people in our council. Without them, we'll have to start from scratch again. I won't have Kat and Daryl hold the weight of the group. They don't deserve that.

"Yeah, it's bad, but they're fighting it," Maggie continued to tell me, I went to turn around and could sense she was about to tell me about Kat. Standing firm, I awaited what she was going to say to me. "Daryl and Kat aren't back yet," she informed me, turning my back and making me head inside to try and get to speak to my son and to Hershel. To tell them what had happened with Carol. "Rick," Maggie called after me desperately. "Rick, where's Carol?" Maggie asked me with a pleading tone in her voice. If she knew...she wouldn't be so worried about Carol.

I had stopped on the spot, slowly I turned around after the deliberation of telling Maggie or not telling her the truth about Carol. "It was her," I revealed to Maggie, turning to face her and walk towards her. "She killed Karen and David," I informed her further, making Maggie look away shocked and hurt. "She was trying to stop it from spreading," I explained further what Carol had done.

"Tyreese is gonna be back here soon, so I didn't think she should be here," I explained why I did what I did, it was for the group but it was also for personal and selfish reasons. "And I couldn't have her here," I told Maggie, but she couldn't look me in the eyes. "She has a car, supplies, she'll figure it out," I tried to reassure her somehow, worried that Maggie was going to be the first to hate me. "I'll tell your dad. Don't tell anyone else yet," I pleaded to her, rather than command it from her.

"Okay," Maggie mumbled, nodding her head and trying to understand what I had done for the greater good of our group. Maggie looked stunned, her breathing uneven and her eyes finding it hard to look up at me.

I went to walk away again, towards the car and turned back to look at Maggie. "Would you have brought her back?" I asked as I went to walk back to her, shuffling a little on my feet because I hadn't moved very far.

"She said she did it?" Maggie asked me while she looked up at me, her eyes squinting and expression was sad in the way she had locked eyes with me.

"Yeah," I revealed to her, knowing I too had been shocked to learn that Carol would do such a thing to any of us, less to people in their sleep and all because of a cold we could have saved them from.

"Then you were right to send her away," Maggie said sternly, I knew she meant it but there was something in the way her bottom lip trembled that told me otherwise. "I don't know if I could have," she informed me slightly guilty at the thought of it all.

"You could have, Maggie. You've done harder things," I tried to encourage her because although Maggie was no Kat, she was strong and brave in what she did. Kat was too many things to put in a list that didn't last me a good few days to say them all. "Don't doubt yourself," I told her as I began to walk backwards and turned my back on her. "We don't get to anymore," I spoke darkly and walked towards the car, my back to her and my strides were long.

"Rick, the cluster's getting bigger than the one that took the fence down," Maggie informed me as I went to sit in the car, pausing at the thought and keeping one foot on the ground. "We need to do something," she hinted towards me and I knew she was trying to make me come up with a plan. To fill the boots of a leader once again.

"We will," I reassured her. Deciding to finish parking the car up by the cellblocks and to go visit car. Carrying the supplies and food that he would need for Judith and the others. I just hope Kat, Daryl and the others return back safely. I knew Daryl would give his life for Kat if it meant she would make it back to us safely.


CPOV

I could hear my dad's voice echoing in the halls, his footsteps were quick and he seemed worried. He was carrying something heavy and it made me rush towards him. He was calling me continuously, calling out my name in either a question, or a normal beckoning call. Rushing over to him, I rounded the corner and saw he had his back to me. He was carrying a backpack over one shoulder and a plastic, trash bag in one hand. "You okay?" I asked him as we had glanced at each other, blue eyes clashing to blue eyes.

"I was gonna ask you that," Dad said a little amused by my concern towards him. His expression serious, a gleam in his eyes and tone that indicated he was still playful in how he spoke to me. These are the moments that remind me of the father I grew up with. The one Kat, myself and Judith were trying to revive slowly, 'like a teen that can't get out of bed' as Kat had once described this long process.

"We're fine," I answered Dad quickly, realizing he was still holding onto the bags and backpack, I took a few steps forward and gave him a testing glance, knowing he would possibly want to keep away but I wouldn't let him. Not yet.

"No one's sick?" Dad asked me quizzically, as though he wanted the answer and was trying to read it off my face before I could reply to him quickly enough. "You didn't have to do anything?" Dad asked me kindly, knowing he would possibly be even more questioning if anything had happened while he was gone. I decided not to tell him about what Hershel had done, that I had followed him out while Dad was away with Carol.

"Haven't had to use my gun, Dad," I answered him tiredly, knowing it was a good sign but that I felt like I was always being judged for something that had happened, something I didn't have a better sense of back at the time. I was an animal, only living for survival and I had seen a threat. I had to take down the treat in order to survive.

"And Judith?" Dad asked me after looking away from me for a moment, his eyes glued to me and a small smile forming along his lips. He's happy I haven't had to kill anyone, but I think both of us are ready for the others to get back with the supplies. For Kat to come home and take care of us again. It felt lonely and boring without her.

"She's with Beth," I informed Dad quickly, knowing he must have been worried for me and Judith. For Kat too, but there wasn't much he could do for Kat at this very moment. She was off on a mission, on a run and she would come back to us. That was certain.

"Good," Dad spoke happily, he dumped the bags to the ground and kicked one lightly. "Found some food on the run. There's a bunch of fruit leather in there," Dad explained while he slid the food towards me that was in the backpack he was holding onto. "Have everybody brush their teeth after," Dad informed me, taking hold of the bags and food that made it weigh more than what I thought was possible. Nodding silently, while he straigtened up and held the garbage bag in his good hand.

"Can we come out soon?" I asked him quickly, before he could walk out and leave me alone again. Dad stopped halfway in his tracks and looked towards me. His blue eyes squinting slightly as though this was a stupid question he didn't want to hear. His blue eyes were slightly sad and his jaw clenched.

"Not just yet," Dad said as he took a few steps back to look at me directly in the eyes, his expression kind and soft. One of concern and love towards me and the others who were also trapped in here.

"Dad, I was around you and Kat when you were both in the middle of it," I pointed out to him and hoped he would listen to me. The backpack flung over my shoulder, I gripped the handle tightly and was wishing he would see the sense in it. "And I was around Patrick," I said, reminding him that it was Patrick that had started the whole infection spreading the way it had. "I didn't get it," I told him, certain that I wasn't going to get infected and that if I did, it would of happened a long time ago. "I can help you," I tried to convince him, the expression he held was one of simply listening to me and taking into account what I was trying to tell him.

"Thanks, but I need you to stay here," Dad said with a small shake and firm nod of his head. He was convinced that me staying in here was the best thing to do, that I was to protect, defend and save the others from whatever was happening to us all. I want to be useful, but clearly I should just do what Dad says and not go against his commands. He can trust me better if I do as he asks, as Kat asks too. She influences his choices a lot. Her council is what gives Dad the correct way to think, I would know because Kat has given me council before and there are times I feel like myself again. Just by talking to her.

"I will," I answered Dad firmly, convincing him that I would stay here and keep the others safe. That way, he could trust me and not need to think differently about me. "But," I said, taking a few steps closer and sighing at my thoughts. "Dad, you and Kat can't keep me from it," I told him calmly but seriously, it was true and we all knew it. Me, Kat and Dad, we all knew I was telling the truth in this very moment.

"From what?" Dad asked, he had been trying to run back out to do whatever he wanted to do and when I had spoken, he had stopped abruptly and stared at me from the side stance he was in. His voice was soft and concerned, he clearly was wanting answers as to what I had been hinting at.

"From what always happens," I tell him and we had both been staring into each others eyes. Blue glued to glue orbs, both of us wanting to say what was on our minds and both of us clearly understanding each other. He was worried and so was Kat, whereas I was ready and I remembered what it was like to keep having to survive out there. Staying in places like this, you sometimes forget what it's like to be out in the world and fighting against walkers and bad people like the Governor.

"Yeah," Dad agreed, looking to me then away for a second. "Maybe," he continued, it seemed like it was more to himself and when he looked into my eyes, I knew it was that he who had agreed with Kat to try and keep me safe. To keep me in check and that we all needed to keep our minds clear, our hearts in our work and our souls to be the ones we always had, the ones that we felt had left us since the course of this whole shitstorm. "But I think it's my job to try," Dad said looking to me and then to the ground. "Not just for you and Judith, but for Kat too," Dad told me firmly, his blue eyes piercing and without another word, he walked down the hall, opened the door and stepped out of it, closing it tightly behind him.

He's a good man, he's just troubled and finding his way back. Like I am. We both have two common people who are like strings for us, they are Judith and Kat. But Kat...she's the one keeping us all together. The one who is the glue that keeps this dysfunctional and crazy family going along this journey. Without another word, I stood there for a few minutes and decided to go and hand the supplies to those who could take care of them. To Beth and some of the others, distributing them and handing them to the appropriate people who would need the certain supplies.


RPOV

After talking to Carl, I had decided to quickly stop by the cell block of infected and focused on giving the medicine that could possibly be used. The medicine in the bag I had brought with me, a black garbage bag and I wanted to see if any of the medical supplies we found could help Hershel in what he was doing. Finding Hershel, I saw him drive a knife to the skull of one of the infected. The image was one that showed me Hershel was struggling with all of this, the death and chain that the infection had caused was a tug on all of us. Weighing us all down and making us worried for the loved ones we had.

It drove us all sick with worry, myself included in the ongoing struggle with worry. Worry that Kat may not return, the worry that Carl or Judith may get ill and the worry that anyone we cared for, that are inside could possibly die and make us all suffer from that loss. It was a struggle with keeping our calm when all we could do was worry. "Hershel," I called to him softly, but firmly, witnessing him take out his knife and slowly turn to me.

"Third one we've lost," he said as he showed me the body he had covered with the bed sheet, the pale color of it was stained with the stain of red. Blood. "We're burning them behind the blocks," Hershel told me with a pain behind his tone. "Burning them," he repeated with emphasis on 'burning'. "That's what it's come to," he spoke sadly, it was taking a toll on him and we all could see that. He was a man that liked to save lives, not see them die and lose hope for others. He was always like this, the same way Kat was and it made me think of the blue eyed, brown haired girl that I called 'daughter'.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, pulling myself out of my own worry and sadness and showing concern to the elder man who I cared for. Since this hell has broken to the world, since Carl had been shot and the whole ordeal at the farm, I have seen Hershel like a father to me. Like the father I would want in times like this, my father was smart and strong, but Hershel was hopeful and strongwilled. He would do anything he could to keep that hope alive. That is something I need, not just from Kat but from Hershel too.

"I talked to him yesterday about Steinbeck," Hershel told me, reminding me of my daughter again and how Of Mice And Men was her favourite book. Steinbeck was one of Kat's favourite authors because he could portray situations in a creative and meaningful light. "He told me a quote," Hershel informed me of the dead man who Hershel had killed so he wouldn't turn, what he had said to the elder man stood in front of me.

"'A sad soul can kill quicker than a germ,'" Hershel quoted and I felt the need to overlap his words with my own, already knowing the quote because it was one of Kat's favourite quotes. It was one we understood and only now, did it hit me as it should. Feeling my heart thunder against my ribs, I knew exactly how that may have felt and what the words power had over this situation. "That's exactly why I didn't want them all to see what happens," Hershel spoke sadly and shook from the fear of the entire situation that was at hand. "I know they know, but I didn't want them to see it right now," Hershel tried to give the others some hope, that they could survive and not turn out like those that were rolled out and killed secretly.

"They're seeing you, Hershel," I told him firmly, knowing that seeing Hershel was a way to get them feeling better. He was a smart man, he could give them the treatment they need to survive. "They see you keep going," I explained, which was reason enough seeing as we were all struggling but Hershel wouldn't give up. Just as those who are sick, shouldn't give up. "Even after all the choices keep getting taken away," I tried to give him the hope he needed to keep going. That it was something that kept the others from quitting and from dying. Postponing the deaths and giving them something to keep living for. "When we get past this thing...it's not gonna be like how it was, is it?" I asked him curious to see what he would tell me.

"No," Hershel informed me, causing me to sigh and walk a little away from him. My back turned to him and I knew from that moment, we weren't going to be like we used to be and that people were going to be frightened of what they eat. That some may even starve out of fear we could all get infected like this. That the flu has now been a threat, as have walkers and bad people like the Governor.

"Was that denial?" I asked Hershel, turning to him and scoffing at the thought. "Not seeing things for how they were?" I asked him, unsure for what this could symbolize and why we were all going through this situation.

"No," Hershel disagreed and shook his head. "You just caught a break," Hershel reminded me and gave me a kind, sympathetic smile. "You needed some time. You got some," Hershel pointed out to me. "You got lucky. We all did," Hershel said, convincing me that there was a moment through this that we had been lucky this situation hadn't arrised earlier. That it had given us time, only to unravel now. "I still think there's a plan. I still believe there's a reason," Hershel told me firmly, never losing hope and continuing to believe that things happened to lead us to a course where something extrodinary or destructive could happen.

"You think it's all a test?" I asked him, my head bowed and hands on my hips. My thoughts lost on this whole situation, my mind spinning and a scoff had escaped from between my lips. This is just...crazy. How is this all some sign for everything to turn out like this?

"Life was always a test, Rick," Hershel pointed out to me correctly. That is true, very true. We're always having to dodge obsticles, handle difficult situations and try to get our lives on track. Tests can be seen as the things that grow character, the things that can make us become stronger and to make us alive. Human. Survivors.

"I need to talk to you about Carol," I spoke as I leaned against the glass and stared up at Hershel. I had told him what I had found out, explained why I had left Carol and what I felt was needed to be said to him, to convince him that it was what was best. Hershel was stiff, unable to move from how tense his body was. His face was an expression of confusion, worry and sadness. Shock colored his eyes and I knew he was going to have less sleep knowing this information, all while curing people and keeping them all safe.


KPOV

"You know...I was with my family before all this happened. It was me, my mom and Carl. Dad was shot and believed dead," I told the others in the car as I drove. "I had to look after them, seeing as neither of them knew how to handle weapons like I could," I revealed, remembering how my brother was impressed by my skills in using both guns and my bow.

"What happened was...when dad came back, I was so happy to see him again. Over the moon to see that he was completely fine. That he was alive," I said, a smile bright on my face at the memory of him being back at the camp where mom and Shane were playing pretend house. "Yet...something in my head told me over and over again...'Great. Now you're going to have to protect him too. Save him from this even more fucked up world we live in,'" I spoke aloud, remembering how I had already felt so much pressure in looking after mom and Carl, that I would end up having to look after him too.

"We lost a few people. Merle went missing. People died...lots of people died over the past two years. Amy, Jim, Jacqui, Dale, Patricia, Shane, Jimmy...loads more," I mentioned sadly, my eyes dropping to my hands on the wheel. "We got to a farm where some of those people died," I explained when I thought of what happened so far to us all. "We got there because...Sophia got lost," I revealed, a lump in my throat developing at the mention of Sophia.

"Carol's daughter," I explained to them, remembering the pain I had been keeping hidden inside my heart. "I felt...guilt, sadness and pain at her loss. She was lost in the woods. She got bit and...she turned," I developed, my heart shattering at the distant memory. I could feel Daryl's eyes, along with all the others glued to me. "My dad had to put her down," I revealed, knowing that my dad was the strongest but he became the most heart broken, all the weight he had been holding on his shoulders were taking a toll on him. "I felt like a failure," I explained to them, knowing that Michonne didn't know about this part of my story. She only knew what Andrea had told her.

"That was because all I kept thinking was 'What if that was Carl?' and I couldn't bare it. I knew I wouldn't be able to live without Carl," I spoke up, knowing that Carl was the key to my survival. Him, my father and mother. Now...it included my baby sister, Judith. "I got seperated from them, went after Andrea," I spoke, feeling my sorrows clench around my heart at the memory of Andrea. "Saved her but...that was the same night I met and was saved by The Last Samurai over here," I teased, my eyes glancing into the rear view mirror, smirking at Michonne through the mirror.

"Oh ha-ha," Michonne teased in turn, her smile wide and bright. It made that pain over Andrea lift itself a little. We had built a bond over those months we were together, they were my sisters and I loved them like I loved Carl. Like I now love Judith too. I would of done everything to protect them and the family I left back at the prison now.

"Anyway...what happened was we roamed around. Traveling together for over eight months. Surviving," I state, knowing that Michonne would gladly agree with this information. "My family and the group had been doing the same," I spoke to Tyreese mostly, knowing that he was listening, even if he was pretending like he wasn't. "Except...I knew they still lived. I knew I needed to make getting back to them my goal," I said, remembering how I had loved my family and how I wanted to get back to them. How I would repeat their names before sleep, to remind myself that I would do everything in my power to get back to them.

"When we reached Woodbury, there were arguments, speculations and Merle. The Governor didn't strike me as completely honest as he played himself to be," I said, making Michonne turn cold and silent. She leaned back, already knowing where this story was going. "I had a gut feeling telling me I would find my family there," I stated, a little stunned to this day as to how I knew I would find my family there.

"I did," I pointed out bluntly. "One night...Daryl had been captured, I had found out later that Maggie and Glenn had been kidnapped and almost killed by the Governor's commands," I spoke, remembering how I had seen Glenn after, how he had been beaten up badly and how Maggie turned distant since that day. "I found my dad saving them all," I continued with a proud smile on my face. My dad...ever the hero. "He also found me," I revealed, knowing that in that moment, it was like a fairytale, like a dream come true. Which is what it was.

"We were so happy," I stated, a bright smile on my lips and my eyes crinkled slightly at the corners from the wide smile I wore. "I could barely keep my eyes off him," I spoke with a small giggle escaping between my lips. "Glad to finally be back to him," I agreed, knowing that he too felt that way when he saw me. "When we reached the prison, I was so surprised and pleased to see my baby brother," I laughed, tears forming at the memory of having my brother safe and in my arms once again. "Holding Carl in my arms, I could hardly hold back my tears," I said, sniffing and holding back the tears that threatened to flow.

"I was half expecting my mother to suddenly appear in front of me," I spoke, remembering my beautiful mother, her tall lean frame, her pale skin, her bright hazel eyes and her long, wavey brown hair. The slender fingers that would curl around my own, everything about her still haunted me to this day. "To hold me in her arms again...but that was when I heard the sound of a baby crying," I told them, knowing I still felt that sudden surprise of seeing Judy instead of mom but, I had accepted her and cherished her the moment I met her. "No mom...just...a baby sister," I revealed, my eyes sinking for a moment. "This was when I knew my mom was dead," I pointed out to them, showing them that I wasn't naive to think my mother had survived when she had hardly survived Carl's birth.

"That was the moment I wanted to forget my strength, to let myself sob and feel the loss of my mother," I spoke to them honestly, feeling the suffering I had again running inside me again. "I wanted nothing more than to let my sorrow take me then but...I didn't let it," I reminised and felt myself frown unintensionally. "I had to stay strong," I pointed out, feeling the meaning behind my words and knowing the reasons as to why I had to be strong. "Not only for myself but...for my family," I tell them and felt the lump in my throat tighten. "I knew that it was what my mother would have wanted," I said sadly, my tone depressed and my eyes hid away from the others that were all staring at me.

"Then...there was a compromise, the Governor retaliated and wanted his revenge for Michonne killing his walker daughter," I revealed, knowing that Michonne had looked away quickly, her expression dark and her jaw clenching tightly. "I gave myself up willingly, he attacked me and wanted to kill me," I informed the others, remembering the torture he had given me. How he treated me like shit. "He was crazy," I admit out loud to the others. "Fish tanks filled with heads," I state, remembering the heads that would float in the tanks.

Remembering how Andrea already knew it, how she didn't tell me and I sensed Daryl's eyes on me. He knew I was also picturing the heads of Guillermo and those people who had died in the nursing home. "All types of heads, walkers, people and some kind civilians I once knew," I told them and gulped loudly at the thought. My eyes glued to the road as I drove. "He tortured me, beat me, starved me and wanted me to be the bargaining chip for his passage into the prison," I revealed to them and I felt relieved that I hadn't been used as a bargaining chip. But that was all thanks to Andrea. For her saving me.

"To use me against my dad," I stated, all of us knowing that at that moment in time, we were all under my dad's command, how he was always making decisions for the group and for us. "I felt so stupid, so...pathetic," I admit, feeling my more vulnerable side appear as it did at times when I was strapped to that chair. "I fell right into his trap and I was unable to do anything to save myself," I spat, disgusted with myself because I had been so stupid as to let myself fall for the bullshit Andrea gave me before. "I wanted nothing more than to give myself up if it meant my family were safe," I told them and I knew I meant it. I would do anything for them. I would give up my life happily for them.

"That was when Andrea saved me, she got me out and brought me back to my family," I remind them, knowing that Bob didn't know Andrea but would possibly understand what that would be like. "She tried all she could to save us, to keep me safe and to get better," I spoke sadly, knowing that I had recovered quickly and she had done what she could to keep me safe. "She was a hero," I state, pride and sadness in my tone as I spoke. "My sister," I told them and knew that I meant it, I wasn't the only one who thought that way because I knew that Michonne felt the same way.

"She stood by me though everything, even after all our differences," I said in my own wallow, knowing that I would never see her again and I missed her and my mother more than anything I've missed in my life. "Even Michonne stood beside me, although, I hadn't known what was going on back in the prison," I tell them, remembering the story I had been told when I was heading to Woodbury to fetch Andrea. How my dad was going to give Michonne up to the Governor. At the time, it had made sense, because while I was on the chair, I rarely saw the Governor come in to toruture me. Andrea had told me he was creating a torture room for Michonne too.

"When I went to save Andrea...I was weak. I was close to passing out but, when I saw her...I gained all the strength a person could have," I said, remembering how I had gained all the strength in the world only to find her dying on the ground. Nothing mattered to me at that moment, only she did. "I didn't cry. Couldn't," I fixed my wording, wanting to point to them that it's not because I didn't want to but because I had to force myself not to cry.

"She needed me to be strong and I had to be for her," I state to them, knowing that it was what she needed and I knew I could provide her with the strength she would seek from either me or Michonne in our hard times. "She had been tortured, bitten and was turning when we found her," I revealed to them, feeling my heart ache at the memory of seeing Andrea on that cold floor, curled up and dying. "My best friend and sister...died in front of me," I said in a tone that expressed my sadness towards the matter. She didn't deserve to die like that.

"Hearing about the ones you love dying; it rips you apart. Seeing them die...its a whole other story," I pointed out, feeling poetic and depressed all at the same time. "It makes you cold, makes you feel like a part of you died with them," I told them with all the pain in my heart. "I loved Andrea. I loved my mother. I loved everyone who died over the course of my life," I said every statement carefully, choosing my words wisely.

"Andrea...she stood beside me through good, bad and ugly moments throughout this fucked up world," I explained my sorrows. "So did Michonne," I agreed, nodding and glancing up at the mirror to look at Michonne through the rearview mirror. She had bowed her head, her eyes sad and I could tell she was holding back her emotions. Keeping silent. "She still does," I giggled softly and it made Michonne crack a smile at me.

"Andrea she-...she understood me. She knew I needed to get back to my brother, mother and father. Yet...I knew she was part of my family," I said, a single tear escaping my eye and making my heart break in two. "We saved each other, kept each other sane and...when she was dying...I felt so guiltly," I admitted when I felt my heart sink and smash. Andrea had made such a huge impact to me and my life.

Andrea had lost everything in her life, yet she kept fighting and stood firm. Something I don't think I could ever do, without the ones I love, I would have nothing. "But I also felt anger...I was and felt cold," I tell them, revealing to them all the emotions and stages I went through to get to the point I'm at now. "My best friend died in a stupid dungeon after saving me. Only to get herself killed," I spat, feeling the anger bubble and boil under my skin. "I used to wish that it was me instead of her," I admit and felt myself tense, knowing that Michonne and Daryl were both looking at me stunned and terrified.

"The Governor took someone I loved very much, someone who didn't care about how moody I would get, how stubborn I would be and she didn't care that I was always talking about my family," I told them as I remembered those months me, Michonne and Andrea had shared. "She respected me, cared about me and she showed me love and compassion when I needed it," I thought over how I felt and how she had made me feel alive, how she would remind me to stay strong and how we had protected each other. She loved me like her sister, as I reflected back onto her.

"She was my sister," I state stubbornly, knowing I would never forget her and she would always have a place in my heart as my sister. "She will always be remembered like that," I vowed to myself and directed to the others, telling them exactly what I felt and thought.

"I'm sorry...about Andrea...and your mom," Tyreese had said sadly, his good eye blinking in a way that showed me he had truly meant what he was saying. Words couldn't do anything now, words wouldn't bring back those that I loved and I had already known that. It was actions that would make up for the mistakes and promises we had made to those we loved. By continuing their legacy.

"I was lost," I told them. "I was cold," I pointed out. "Distant. Like a cat that didn't want to be stroked by anyone," I tried to make it sound like something they would understand. "I eventually broke down, in my fathers arms and allowed myself to feel that pain," I revealed to them. "To feel loss," I added, feeling the small pain of that loss still lingering in my heart. "Something I didn't allow myself to do in the past, feeling as though that would be the thing to bring me down as it would show weakness," I tried to explain why I had never cired in front of someone.

"Being careless, it won't help you," I tell him, finally getting to the point as to where this conversation was heading. "It won't help the ones you love, or the ones that have loved you," I pointed out and knew it would make him think of Karen and Sasha; of what he was doing and how it could possibly ruin him and those he loved. "Your pain...is theirs too, even if you don't want it to be," I told him, my eyes lowering to my hands on the wheel.

"Trust me...I know that from experience," I tell him and felt my heart speed up from the thought of what I had done, of what it was like for me and the times I felt depressed. Sophia, Andrea and my mom. All of them had been a huge impact on my life. "You need to pick yourself up, find the reason to keep going and remind yourself that there is something to keep fighting for," I spoke out and knew I had caught his attention in the way that he knew I was right.

"For me...it's family, friends and those I love most," I told him truthfully. "One night, me and Andrea were sat alone, Michonne taking watch and the pair of us dug into each others pasts, futures and other shit," I was only revealing now to everyone, seeing as Michonne didn't know about this and she looked at me curiously and looked at me from the rearview mirror. Our eyes connecting for a split second. "If there was something I ever learned from Andrea is a phrase she had once said to me. One she had told Beth. It was the most honest and pure thing I could say was true," I had told them only know and Michonne's eyebrows furrowed in intrerest to what I had to say.

"She said, 'The pain doesn't go away, you just make room for it,'" I had phrased to them, exactly the same way Andrea had told me and I sensed us all freeze and stay silent. Relaxing into our seats and our minds pondering over our own issues or over my words. It was true what Andrea had said, for we all knew exactly how true it was. We had all lost people we had once loved. Either in this life or the ones we had before the world had gone to shit.


RPOV

Walkers were growling at us as myself and Maggie had been placing wooden logs against the fences, trying to keep it upright and strong. To keep walkers out and the weight of them to not force the fences to tumble and break. "I just talked to your dad," I made conversation with Maggie as we walked over to grab another log. "He looks good, all things considered," I tried to keep it light and kind. Knowing we were all worried, struggling and trying to keep ourselves together.

"If Carl or Kat were sick, would you be up there with them?" Maggie asked me quizzically, both of us wandering towards the fences and carrying the log with us. Cradling it in our arms and taking long strides towards it. The thought of either Kat or Carl in there had me worried, especially knowing that Kat could be on the road, sick and dying for all I knew. God, please let her be safe and well. I don't want to lose her so soon. Not again, I can't go through all of that again.

"If I thought I could help," I explained briefly, trying to give her a good enough point or thought that was personal and not meant to be disrespectful towards her. If I could help, if I knew how to take care of someone who was that gravely sick, yeah. I would be there helping Hershel, but I don't know the first thing about medical training and curing a flu.

"You don't think I can help?" Maggie asked me a little insulted, placing down the log and trying to secure it so it would hold. I looked to her and when I was about to speak, I felt something take hold of my foot and drag me towards them. Falling, I let out a yelp and grunt from the impact the ground had made against my body.

"Damn," I growled, laying on the ground and staring at the hand that Maggie had been hacking off with her axe. When the hand no longer had a hold on me, I saw Maggie's hand reach down to me and I took it gladly. "I'm just glad you're out here with me," I told her with a small smile forming on my face. Her eyes shone and her smile was growing while I had spoken. Getting to my feet, we continued our work and tried to secure all the fences we had clustered with walkers.


CPOV

Thinking over Kat and how I had been so far away from her, Judith and dad. I was getting fed up with the fact I hadn't been sick and I was perfectly fine. I wanted to be with my family, not roaming around and doing nothing but protecting people and keeping them inside. I had finally had enough, entering the room where Beth and Judy were, I decided to check up on them. "Hey," I called out to them. Seeing Beth sat on the ground, Judith beside her and playing with red cups she had grown to be fond of.

"Hey," Beth answered softly, kindly and her blue eyes lit up as they looked up at me curiously. She had stopped reading a book, placing it to one side and smiled at me. "What you doing here?" she asked me curiously, I walked closer and got to my knees beside Judith, smiling at her and rubbing my finger against her cheek softly. Her hazel eyes glanced up at me, reminding me of mom and at times, she made me think of Kat. I would wonder if this was how Kat looked like when she was a baby, but I never let it take over my thoughts. Judith could be Shane's.

"Just...patroling the area, making sure that you and Judith are safe," I answered and smiled to her, hoping it was a good enough answer for her. Judith was offering me a cup, taking it and thanking her, I heard her babble and it only made me chuckle softly at her.

"We're fine," Beth told me after giggling towards Judy's actions. "What's really on your mind?" Beth asked me, her eyes staring at me and making me sigh. Shutting my eyes, I kept my head bowed and slowly I glanced up at her. She was always a sweet and kind girl. A girl I trusted and a girl I cared about. We were all family here but, at one point I had a crush on her. Realized she wasn't for me when she started dating one of the people who had joined us a few months ago.

"Kat...Judith," I replied, saying each name in turn and shrugging. "If they weren't around, I don't know what I would do without them," I told her and felt my heart open up to her. Knowing I possibly sounded weak, but it was all I could say to her. It's better to tell the truth than to lie.

"You're strong Carl. Your sister Kat, is strong," she said, emphasising 'strong' repeatedly and never took her eyes off me. Our blue pairs clashing in the gaze. Locking onto one another. "You'll all make it through, I know it," she brawled out a little, making me breath sharply through my nose and nod. My eyes shied away and I didn't feel the need to look up at her.

"I sure hope so but...I mean, I thought my mom was strong enough to keep going," I said to her, remembering my thoughts and that time when we were locked in the room. The room mom gave birth in and where she had died. All at once. "Then...she..." I broke off, feeling my heart sink and my head drop with it in turn.

"I know Carl," Beth told me, her eyes never leaving my face and she leaned closer to speak directly to me. "But she's not Kat, and Kat isn't your mom," she pointed out, making me look up at her and nod slowly. She's right. Kat is stronger than mom, smarter too. She isn't going to go down without a fight. It's who she is.

"Yeah," I agree and nod slowly, my blue eyes glancing up to stare into her pair of blues. "You're right," I continued to agree with a single and firm nod. "We're Grimes, we'll always find our way back to one another," I pointed out the small motto we had made whenever we felt like we had lost our way, or when we were simply lost. It was what gave us hope. "She'll be back and she's smart, she knows how to survive," I said proudly of her. She was all those things and more. "Not just that but...Daryl wouldn't let anything happen to her," I admit, knowing I was right and this only made Beth smile largely at me.

"Yeah, I wonder when they're going to hook up," Beth spoke up, wording every question we had been asking ourselves since we were all reunited. We had our suspicions at the farm, but it was nothing compared to how they had connected when they were together again. Since their friendship had grown more, I had also realized he had missed her since she was pronounced dead while we were on the road.

"I don't know but...I hope it's soon," I told her, meaning exactly what I had said to her. Kat deserved happiness and she deserved it with Daryl. He was good to her and he respected her for who she was. He didn't care about how she looked, even if she is beautiful and he cared for her in ways myself and my dad wouldn't provide for her. "He's good to her," I agreed with my thoughts, nodding and smiling at the thought of the pair of them in love.

"Your dad approves?" Beth asked me a little surprised and curious. There was a hint of stunned in the way she looked at me, her eyebrows creasing and her lips pursing in a way that told me she had expected otherwise. Dad and Daryl are friends. Dad respects him and Daryl protects him. They both care about Kat, her safety and her happiness.

"Yeah, he does...he sees that he cares about Kat," I replied to her question, not needing to feel the need to answer or explain it, but somehow I did. "He only wants Kat to be happy and looked after by someone who is capable of saving her, like Daryl does and we trust him," I tell her and explained as to what goals we had all shared when it came to Kat.

"What's crazy is...we've all lost so much but it seems like every time that we lose someone that we care about, Kat and Daryl grow stronger, but only when they are together," Beth mused in her thoughts and only made me think over what she had said. It was true, when things got difficult they were drawn to each other like a moth to a flame.

"Yeah, he's like her rock and she's his," I agreed with a couple of nods directed at Beth. "Although, I know she would do everything in her power to keep me, dad and Judith alive. Along with everyone else, she would take a bullet for anyone and...that's what scares me," I repeated what Kat would say to us, she was always the same and she vowed to herself and us to keep us safe at all costs.

"I know what you mean," Beth agreed, Judith was babbling and making slobbering like noises with her mouth. Making me chuckle, my eyes creasing at the corners to hear her giggles and sounds. "Same with Maggie, Glenn and my dad," Beth agreed, refering to how she knew what it felt like to have people looking out for her.

"Family and love can be crazy, huh?" I asked her kindly, wanting to keep conversation light and not worried in any way. She didn't need to have fear for anything, seeing as we were worried about this flu and the virus that surounded us on a daily basis. It was a hard world to live in, but we were getting through it. Together.

"Yeah..." Beth agreed, she leaned back against the wall and smiled sadly. Her eyes drifted off to look at Judith, we both laughed at how she smashed the cups to the floor and kept tapping them happily. She looked joyful, peacefull and full of youth. Innocent. Something I no longer could say I was...


RPOV

Myself and Maggie were cutting down the logs so they were more stable and even, so that they could be placed easily against the fences. As Maggie was hacking away, we both heard a gunshot echo from within the cell block of the infected. Both of us stopped to hear it, my head quickly turning to her and I knew she was going to be too worried about her father and Glenn. "Go," I ordered her, knowing she would be the best person to help them as she was the one who was more concerned than I was.

"The fence is more important," Maggie disagreed, not wanting to leave me and clearly trying to act strong for her father. Knowing that Hershel would be in need of help, but not wanting to take it from his daughter out of fear of Maggie catching the infection. "We need to keep it standing," Maggie continued to hack at the tree angrily.

"I got this," I told her firmly, truthfully and I knew I would be in need of some extra pair of hands. I know just who to call, someone who is eager to leave and prepared to do whatever he can that is outside and with me. Carl.

"You can't do this alone," Maggie tried to remind me, either to continue with me or inform me of what I would be needing for when she left. I'm already a step ahead of her. I need Carl to help me with this, let Beth keep her eye on Judith and let her go save Hershel, Glenn and Sasha. Along with the others who are all in trouble.

"I know," I agreed with her, both of us were panting from both the fear and the sudden adrenalin rush we were both feeling. Knowing that anything could happen and that we were both worried for those who could be in danger. "Go," I said with a small tilt and indication towards her leaving, to follow the gunshots and save those who are in danger. She took hold of her axe, began running and I turned to watch her leave.


DPOV

The way Kat had spoken about the ones she loved, it made me watch her intently and stay silent. It wasn't because I didn't know what to say, it was because I felt there was nothing that could have been said. She was pouring out her soul, her vulnerable moments in one go and I respected her for it.

She was so sad as she spoke, always looking to either the road, to those of us in the car and to her hands. From the small smiles she would shyly place to her lips, to the pull of the corners of them and the slow build up of water in her eyes. It made me feel helpless towards her, I didn't know what to do or say and it made me more depressed.

She deserved comfort just as much as we all did. Michonne too had lost Andrea and God knows who else. I've lost my mom, my dad and Merle. Sophia too...she was someone I cared about. My mind drifted me back to the feelings I had when I had thought that Kat had died, I was always wallowing away and trying to keep her family safe. I felt it was my duty, but it didn't feel the same knowing that I would look at the family and expect Kat with them.

It hurt even more when I realized she wasn't there. Remembering that she was dead. That she would never be there beside them. It was painful, she was something I looked forward to seeing in the mornings since she came back to the prison. Speaking to her, felt weird but I thanked God she was alive. I made a silent promise to keep her safe, the thought of her being dead again...it made me feel sick. It made my insides churn and clench in weird ways.

I knew I didn't want to experience losing anyone else again, that I needed her in my life and that she needed to stay here. It hurt me to see her in pain, to have to pull herself back into the memory of being in a state that was so sad. It was difficult to bring her emotions back, myself, Rick and Carl had worked together to get her back to her normal self. As well as Michonne and Judith, we all had pitched in to make her remember it was okay to feel, that it was fine to make herself feel the pain and to put it to one side of her heart and mind. To remember who she was.

A strong, beautiful, valuable, loved, hopeful, confident and smart woman. I agreed with what Andrea said. Pain is always going to be a part of us, you can't let it overwhelm you and you can't ignore it. You make the room for the pain and for all the emotions that come along in life. It's what makes us human.


CPOV

Dad was calling out for me, I could hear him from the distance in the halls. The way his voice echoed softly, his concern filling his voice and his eyes searching for me in the darkness. Reaching the corner, I saw the illumination of the flashlight that had shone against the wall. Searching for me in the dark, cutting through the shadows and making me run towards him. Feet swift, heart pounding and mind spinning in circles with worry.

"I heard gunshots," I called to Dad as I appeared from around the corner, Dad was worried and he had been focused on trying to find me. When he saw me, he seemed to calm down and straighten up from his haunched, scared and worried position.

"I need your help," he called towards me, his flashlight beaming and hitting me a little, causing me to go blind for a second as I blinked away the effect it had on my eyes. His hand raised in a motion, telling me to follow after him and this was when both of us ran outside to go do whatever he needed us to do. He trusts me. Are we going to go into the cell block and kill any walkers that may be a threat?


RPOV

The fences were rattling, the walkers kept on gurgling and our thoughts were still running wild. "Think they're okay?" Carl asked me, I wasn't sure if he was talking about either the ones in the cell block, or the ones that had went searching for supplies. Judging by how Carl seemed so calm, I sensed he was talking about those who were in the cell block.

"If things were going bad, we would have heard more shots," I tried to reassure Carl, he was hammering away at small makeshift nails, that we had decided to use and would help secure the logs. Adjusting them and ensuring they were all strong and could hold the fences up. "Maggie would have gotten us. We have to do this," I said as I went to pick up the next log we had brought with us previously.

"Let's do it," Carl said, wiping his hands clear of the dirt he had picked up from doing this and helped me pick up the log. Placing it to stand against the fence, I didn't want him to be doing all the heavy lifting and making me feel completely helpless with the state of my bruised, damaged and hurt hand.

"I got it," I said, trying to be tough and strong for him.

"Let me help," Carl had pleaded to me, wanting to help me and not seeing me as a weak man. Nodding, we slowly lift the log and placed it against the fence. My eyes were glued on him, watching him as he watched me. Neither of us focused on the logs, just on the teamwork and I admired how he had changed. He's a man now, a smart, kind and good man. I'm proud. His mother and sister would be proud.

"All right, set it down. All right," I spoke as we continued to securely place the log against the fence and I smiled at him. Proud of his work and how he was handling these past few days. As we laid it down, we stepped away a little and heard the fence rattling. A creaking had alerted me and made my eyes widen, knowing something bad was going to happen because I could feel it in my gut.

The fence caved and the log had snapped, jumping over one, I pushed against the fence and prayed that the walkers strength weren't like mine. The walkers kept pushing and shoving, their strength was greater than mine and I had no choice but to keep pushing. Carl was going to come over and help me, but I knew what was about to happen and I prepared myself. "Wait!" I called to Carl. "Run!" I screamed to him when the walkers gave in, pushing me back and snapping the fence.

They began to pile out, making a flood of walkers and I had pulled out my knife, stabbing one in the side of its skull. Running behind Carl, I saw a few walkers following him, pushing them and protecting my son, I had tumbled with the final walker I had dropped to the side. "Dad, come on!" he called after me, seeing me on the ground and lifting me to my feet. "Come on!" he shouted after me as he pulled us to a run again. Heading towards a guard tower and out the opposite door, behind some more fences while the growling and snarling continued.

The walkers growling and snarling were all clutching the fences, making the fences bounce and almost give way. Myself and Carl stood there, staring at them while I was trying to come up with a plan but coming up with only a handful of choices. "Dad, what do we do?" Carl asked me in a panic, the way he sounded reminded me of Kat and her times of trouble when times were normal, safe and the hardest thing for her to do was to get out of bed in the mornings.

"Maybe I could back the bus up against the fence," I said as we both stared at the walkers that were clawing and snapping their teeth at us. Trying to cave in the next set of fences, close to destroying everything we had worked hard for and defended to protect us.

"Will it hold?" Carl asked me a little worried and doubting my theory. Yeah. It probably won't. Walkers could easily walk to another side and push it in, they won't stay in one spot if they see it won't bend inwards. The fence rattling and bouncing against their force as they gripped the wires between their fingers, curling and holding it in their grasps.

"Come on," I spoke hurriedly, turning Carl and forcing him towards the weapons. THe growling filled my ears while I picked up the rounds and clips we would need. "Pockets," I told Carl, shoving the ammo in my pockets and watching him immitate me as we both did the same actions. "Here," I spoke, handing him a gun and waiting for him to take it from me. "Got it?" I asked when I felt him pull it from me gently.

"Yep," he stated before I finally let go and pulled out my own, hearing the fence creaking and close to giving in to the walker's force.

"All right, listen to me," I started, speed walking towards a small clearing where we could aim the guns at the walkers. Knowing we could take them down at a safe and accurate distance when the fence would break and tumble beneath their feet.

"All right," Carl confirmed while he watched me, his eyes glued to the guns and his ears alert for what I was about to say to him.

"Magazine goes in here," I said as I showed him where it would go. "Release is here," I indicate as I pointed it out. "Make sure it latches," I said, tapping the areas of the gun and all it did was remind me of the years myself and Shane had taught Kat how to shoot and use multiple weapons. "Pull back the operating rod and rounds feed up," I said with a small clicking sound for indication. "Keep squeezing the trigger for rapid fire, okay?" I kept speaking and teaching him while we got ready for what was going to be a sea of walkers coming closer towards us.

"All right," Carl agreed, he was scared and ready for what was about to come. Both of us panicked and both of us prepared to take down the mass of walkers that were taking down our fences.

"You shoot or you run," I informed him, taking hold of his arm and stopping to stare into his eyes. "Don't let 'em get close, okay?" I told him, this was when the rattling became louder and suddenly, there was a snapping sound. Indicating that the fence had been brought down and that walkers were now spreading out from their confinements. Gunfire rattling while we shot down all the walkers, getting perfect head shots and some shots to other body parts to bring them back or slow them down. "Back up!" I shouted when they were getting to close for accurate aim.

Myself and Carl jumped back a few steps, eyes focused on the walkers that came too close, one was a few steps away from me and snarling at me. Hitting it with my gun, I watched as it fell and went to sit up. Carl shot it down quickly and handed me another magazine, sliding it in, I secured it and watched as Carl took a few steps forward and continued his fire towards the walkers. Slowly, it began to die down and walkers turned to a few. Eventually, they turned into none that were wandering around, all of them on the ground and shot.


CPOV

We were killed the remaining live walkers with metal poles, diving them into the skulls of walkers and making sure they weren't to get to their feet again. The sound of a car approaching made me look up and smile. Kat. She's back. "Dad...everything's gonna be okay," I informed him when we both looked to the car and smiled. Both of us runningn towards it to open it, the gate creaking, the car screeching and gate rattling to a close while the car halted beside the gate.

"Sasha?" Tyreese asked imediatedly, watching Kat park up and stop to let Daryl, Tyreese and the others climb out. "How's Sasha?" Tyreese asked Dad panicked, Kat looked to me and waved with a bright smile on her face. I missed that smile, so much while she was gone. I'm thrilled she's back, safe and sound.

"I don't know," Dad said to him honestly, not looking him in the eye as I sensed he was keeping something from him and I wasn't sure what it was. "I'm sorry," Dad consoled him as I shut the remaining gates quickly, seeing Michonne look at me and smile before heading for the back with Bob. The pair of them opening the boot of the car, they pulled out sacks of what I had assumed to be medical supplies.

"Well, get in there," Daryl told Tyreese while he looked back at Daryl slightly stunned and confused. "We got this," Daryl informed Tyreese which gave him motive to run in and go looking for Sasha. Bob and Michonne looked at me before I rushed towards Kat who had made her way towards Daryl's side. She had left the door opened and knew that while Bob took the supplies, Michonne would drive the car and go to take some of the others supplies.

"Should I-" Kat went to ask Daryl, her hands were in her back pockets while she looked at Dad and glanced to me. I knew she wanted to be with us, Daryl could tell she did too. We all wanted to be with our loved ones and I could sense Kat's worry for Judith.

"No," Daryl had cut her off, ignoring what she was about to ask, his crossbow in hand and his eyes glued to Kat's blue pair. "Spend time with your family," Daryl told her with a nod of his head and a smile forming along his thin lips. "I mean it, we got this," Daryl assured her that he had it covered, that with the three of them, it would be handled and that they would go to saving people in minutes.

"Yeah," Michonne agreed, she had began to move some of the things on the seats, waiting for Bob and the others to get the medicine to the people who needed the medical attention. "We've got this," Michonne told Kat with a kind smile, their freindship was one I admired and they truly cared for one another. It gave me hope that, no matter what happened, Kat always had people who cared and looked out for her.

"Hey Dad..." Kat smiled while she walked to him and pulled him into a tight hug, his arms locked around her and holding her tightly to him in an embrace. The pair of them smiling in their warm embrace, while I walked closer and saw them pull away. "Carl," Kat whispered with a small giggle, pulling me to her and allowing my arms to slip around her small waist, resting my head against her shoulder and smiling at her safe return. "How's Judith?" Kat asked as she pulled away, rubbing along my arms and looking between me and Dad curiously.

"She's fine," Dad informed her, nodding and placing his hands to rest on his hips. "We're fine," Dad said as he motioned between me and him using his head and eyes. "We're all fine now," Dad told her while he walked closer, took gentle hold of her arm and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Her eyes shut slowly and peacefully under his lips.

"Hey Carl, why don't you go check out the rest of the bodies?" Dad asked me before he stepped to one side and looked between me and Kat. "Make sure they're all dead," he spoke, turning his torso a little so he could glance at the floor covered in walkers. "I need to talk to Kat for a minute," he explained before I could give an answer.

"Yeah," I agreed, nodding and looking between Kat and Dad. Seeing that Kat was just as curious as I was towards what Dad had to talk to her about. "Sure," I continued before I walked towards the walkers, taking the pole I had left to one side and gripping it tightly in my hands.

"What's wrong?" I could hear Kat ask Dad before I saw Michonne drive off, Bob taking hold of the bags and running towards the building where the sick people were. Sighing, I went to kill the rest of the walkers and saw a figure walk up to me. It was a man, I could sense that and I knew who it was by how silent they were. Daryl.

"Hey," I heard his rough voice call out to me, it was soft and kind. One of concern and gentleness. "How's your sister?" he asked me carefully, he too had a pole in his hands and began to kill the remaining walkers that were laid out on the ground.

"Judith or Kat?" I asked him quizzically, my voice plain and slightly tired from the long night we had so far. I just hope it slows down and that there are no more break-ins of walkers. I don't think we could deal with another tumbling fence.

"Both," Daryl said, his blue eyes glancing up at me and connecting with mine. His tone was one of a poker-like sound, one that wasn't revealing the concern I knew he was hiding. He's worried for Judith and Kat, but he doesn't want to show me that side of him. The one that cares for my family.

"Judith is fine," I say as I lowered my eyes from his gaze and drove the pole into a walker's gnawing and growling head. "Kat...well...you can tell me that," I suggest as I truly didn't know what happened, seeing as I hadn't spoken to her yet and the fact she seemed fine but only he would know how she was feeling. Didn't he just spend a few day trip with my sister? He must know how she feels, what's running in her mind and what they've been through during that trip.

"Its been a tough few days for us," he told me sadly, his expression was one of slight sadness but he still didn't reveal anything. Always the mystery and never an obvious answer. His eyes were focused on the bodies and his lips were formed in a tight line. "For her especially," Daryl said with a small sigh and slight pause before he killed a walker that was reaching out for him, snarling and groaning for flesh.

"Why?" I asked him, stopping my killing and looking at him confused. The way my Dad's hat was resting on my head, made me feel protective of Kat, like a father would a daughter and I felt the pressure of my hat weigh down on me. It was overwhelming, something that made me think over ways of how to protect, care and save Kat. Multiple situations, multiple concerns for her.

"Just...a lot of stuff to deal with kid," Daryl tried to convince me, his blue orbs glanced up at me and held my stare. Both of us serious, waiting for the other to move or say something. Neither of us giving up this silent challenge. "That's all," Daryl said with a shrug and moved to continue his securing that walkers were dead.

"If anything happened to her..." I went to say, taking a few steps closer to him and staring up at him from the edge of my hat. If anything happened to her, I don't know what would happen to me and to Dad. She didn't get bit...did she? I mean, she looked fine. Is she? They didn't lose anyone, or did they lose a survivor?

"Nothing happened to her, nothing will happen to her," Daryl growled slightly, possibly at the thought of anything happening to my sister and it drove me to believing him. Knowing that he would do anything in his power to protect Kat, even if it meant he would lose his own life. He would do it. "I promise you kid," he told me honestly, his lips pursing and his eyes shying away slightly as he gave me a firm and singular nod. "She ain't never going to get hurt," Daryl spoke firmly, like it was a vow to himself and to me. "Not while I continue to breathe," Daryl continued and drove the end of his pole into a walker that struggled beneath us.

"Thank you Daryl," I thanked him kindly, my voice quiet and his eyes glancing up at me. Nodding once more, he continued to walk and kept killing walkers. His back to me as we both secured our safety, making sure that all the walkers were dead and no longer moving. No longer a threat to us.

"No problem kid," Daryl replied roughly, his voice sounding like a tired and slightly sad tone to it. There was a mystery about him, but he was a good enough man to keep my sister safe and that was all that mattered to me and my Dad.

I suddenly heard footsteps come up behind me, a calm and warm sensation about them as I looked behind me. Kat. She had her hands at her sides and empty, her feet stepping over walkers and her eyes glued to them in case she tripped or got caught by one of them. "Hey Carl," she spoke softly to me, getting beside me and glancing at me from the corner of her eye. "Daryl," Kat greeted the rough, rugged and mysterious redneck with a crossbow. "What you two chatting about?" she asked curiously while the pair of us stuck our weapons into the walker's heads.

"Nothing," I answered her questions, looking up at her and lying directly to her. She doesn't need to know we worry about her. Or that Daryl clearly cares about her more than she would think. He should reveal that. At his own pace and at the right time. This isn't the time. "Just about the amount of bodies we'll be needing to burn," I said as I point to the bodies that were laid out on the ground.

"I'm gonna go help the others with the infected," Daryl said, turning to look at me and Kat. He was stiff the moment Kat had made an appearance during our conversation. When he turned he looked momentarily up at me and then to Kat. His gaze shied away and he stepped over the mass of bodies carefully, the pole hanging losely in his hands but to the side of his body.

"Sure," Kat agreed, her blue eyes connected with Daryl's. It was in a way that showed me he cared for her, just like she cared for him. There was something hidden in their eyes, like they had shared something that not many people would be able to see. I could see this, because I knew the pair of them well enough to know when they were balancing each other out.

"I got this," Kat told him with a small nod, a sad smile forming on her lips and making her give him a silent conversation with him. "Thank you Daryl," Kat spoke kindly and moved to take the pole from Daryl. Daryl gave Kat a single nod, I saw how Daryl and Kat's fingers had brushed against each other in the exchange of the pole. Daryl moved away silently and continued his stepping over, keeping his movements silent and his eyes glued to the ground. "Come on kiddo," Kat said to me with a smile on her face, we continued to kill walkers and Daryl had left to go inside and help those who were sick.


KPOV

Approaching the gates, I saw Dad and Carl were completely covered in blood, poles were in their hands and they seemed to be doing something I wasn't too sure about. Judging by the fence, I knew walkers had burst through and were a direct threat to them. They must have killed walkers instantly, needed to put them down and keep the others safe from this dilema.

Pulling up, I saw Tyreese and Daryl open the doors before I could even put the car to a halt. "Sasha?" Tyreese asked Dad panicked, Dad looked in bad shape, dirty, sweaty and covered in blood. His hand hadn't healed yet, but it had only been a few days since he had beaten Tyreese. "How's Sasha?" Tyreese asked him quickly again.

"I don't know," Dad replied quickly, he was panting and struggling for giving Tyreese direct eye contact, there was something behind the way he spoke and looked at Tyreese that told me he was holding something back. "I'm sorry," Dad said to Tyreese sadly, before I looked over to Carl and waved at him. Smiling to him, waving and seeing that sweet face of his while Tyreese and Dad spoke. Michonne, Daryl and Bob were all getting out, getting ready to fix up the meds for the infected and taking them towards the cell block.

"Well, get in there," Daryl told Tyreese while I watched them. Daryl looked serious, his voice rough and his gestures were one of encouragement. Dad's eyes glued to me while I pursed my lips and let our blue eyes connect. "We got this," Daryl informed him, which made Tyreese run out and towards the cell block.

"Should I-" I went to say, getting out of the car, I moved to stand beside Daryl and watched while he stared at me. His blue eyes were light in the dark comparison of the sky, the light of the stars shone in his eyes and made them glimmer.

"No," Daryl spoke pointedly, he had cut me off from what I was saying. "Spend time with your family," Daryl told me with a small, pursed smile which was hardly visable in the light of the moon, but I saw it. "I mean it, we got this," Daryl agreed with a nod, moving to the boot and his crossbow in hand. He had taken some of the bags and handed it to Bob and Michonne, preparing the things so that they could drive the car and supplies to the others.

"Yeah," Michonne agreed with a small smile forming on her face, my eyes shone as I smiled in return to her. I saw Carl fixing the last few gates and securing them, making sure they were all shut. "We got this," Michonne reassured me and moved to get into the car. Nodding, I watched as Michonne drove off, Bob joining her and taking the substances towards the cell block.

"Hey Dad..." I greeted Dad, walking to him and hugging him tightly. His arms wrapped around me tightly, offering me the warmth I had been missing and we both stood there for what felt like hours, but were only a few moments. "Carl," I spoke Carl's voice when I saw him and I pulled him to me. His head resting on my shoulder and his small arms tight along my body, making me feel at ease and safe. "How's Judith?" I asked, pulling away and smiling to two of the most important men in my life.

"She's fine," Dad reassured me, his hands resting on his waist and his eyes were glued to the ground. His eyes shone in the moonlight, glistening as they connected with mine and his features were soft. "We're fine," Dad motioned between him and Carl with a look and gesture of his head. "We're all fine now," Dad told me, his hand resting on the back of my neck while he pulled me closer. Pressing his lips to my forehead lightly and making me shut my eyes in comfort. I missed this man. The man I called 'Dad'.

"Hey Carl, why don't you go check out the rest of the bodies?" Dad asked while he pulled away and stepped to one side, glancing between me and Carl in that familiar way. He wants to tell me something...doesn't he? "Make sure they're all dead," Dad suggested as he turned his torso slightly, looking back at what were piles of lines of bodies. Walkers that were still laying alive from the fire power they had been given. "I need to talk to Kat for a minute," Dad explained, trying to give Carl a task to do whilst we would speak.

"Yeah," Carl agreed while he gave Dad a nod, their eyes locked and I knew that there was something between us that was slightly strained. What's going on? Is there something that happened while I was away? "Sure," Carl spoke before he turned and left me and Dad alone. Daryl and Carl both were putting down any walkers that had survived.

"What's wrong?" I asked Dad when I knew Carl was with his back to us, making his way to finish what he and Dad had started. Crossing my arms, I looked at Dad a little concerned. My brows creasing and eyes fixed on his expression, waiting to see what was going to escape his lips and invade my ears.

"I need to talk to you later, about Carol," Dad tried to make some sort of agreement with me, trying to set a place and time for us. I had spoken to him about it, agreeing and curious all while we spoke about when and where we were going to talk. "If Daryl asks about her, tell him to come to me," Dad said firmly after we had come to an agreement, being secretive and discrete about the whole ordeal.

"Oh," I said a little stunned by this sudden warning. Why would he want Daryl to go to him about Carol? Well, I guess its because of the obvious fact he is wanting to tell me some information about her. I wonder what it could be...but whatever it is, it doesn't seem very positive. "All right," I agreed, nodding and glancing at Carl and Daryl who seemed to be having a small, serious chat about something.

"Come on, go help your brother," Dad suggested and I nod slowly. Without another word, he leaned over and placed his hand to the side of face, caressing his thumb along the planes of my face and pressed his lips lightly to the opposite cheek. His gentle touch was a comfort, but I sensed something in it that told me there was more to it than a simplistic touch. He's overthinking something.

"Hey Carl," I called to Carl as I had turned and walked towards him. His eyes were focused on his work, away from Daryl when I had got there. They seemed tense, stressed and worried about something I couldn't pin-point. "Daryl," I greeted, they were both holding poles while I was simply stepping over bodies and trying not to get caught or tripped. "What you two chatting about?" I asked curiously while I looked to the pair of them, Daryl had his back to us.

"Nothing," Carl had said, his eyes focused on me and clashed with my own pair of blues. His expression was one of serious, there was a slight change in his expression which told me he was lying to me. You can't lie to me little brother. "Just about the amount of bodies we'll be needing to burn," Carl told me as Daryl continued to kill a few more walkers, he turned and headed towards us. Carl had pointed to the mass and piles of bodies that were laid out in front of us.

"I'm gonna go help the others with the infected," Daryl told me and Carl, his eyes kept connecting to mine, only to look back down and away from me. The way he looked, was one of indaction that he didn't want to be here with me and Carl at the moment.

"Sure," I agreed, the pole in his hands was lose while he got closer. Handing it to me, I felt my breath hitch in my throat and my eyes connect with his for what felt like years. His blues boring into my soul and taking control of me. I felt as though he had somehow transported himself into my soul, connecting in a way that made me slightly scared. "I got this," I told him with a small smile.

My eyes shied away from his at exactly the same time, reminding myself that Carl was around and that I was being a freak in front of the pair of them. "Thank you Daryl," I told him which only made him nod once. He walked off after giving me the pole and made me look back at Carl. "Come on kiddo," I spoke to Carl with a smile on my lips, finishing up what was needed to be done and heading inside to clean up...


Dad had asked me to talk to him later, after he did his work and got himself cleaned up. When I had gone to talk to him, he told me of what happened between him and Carol. About Carol and how she had killed Karen and David, as to why she was no longer around and I knew in that instant that Daryl would not be pleased with her abandonment. "So, you sent Carol packing and came back alone?" I asked dad quizzically, holding Judith and feeding her some milk before bed.

"Yeah, that's what I said," Dad responds with a nod of his head, it was slightly mocking and as though I wasn't listening. I was, I simply was shocked he would do such a thing without our consent.

"Are you crazy?" I asked him, my eyebrows raised and looking at him with a meaning that said 'You really have lost it, haven't you?' behind it.

"Kat-" Dad tried to make up some bullshit excuse, but it wouldn't work. Not this time and not with this issue. Our tones were hushed so that we didn't wake anyone else.

"No. You didn't have the right to make this decision," I growled at him, unhappy with his decision to kick Carol out without agreement or our consent. Not even a goodbye. It wasn't right and it didn't sit well with me.

"I-" Dad tried to but in and make another excuse. I was having none of it.

"Not to mention, you're not in the council," I argued to him. Our tones hushed as to not bring unwanted attention and as to not startle Judith. "It was meant to be discussed within the council as to what we would do with her. It isn't right to let someone die out there alone, and much less Carol!" I pointed out to him. Carol was family, she was like a mother to Daryl and we all knew that. She had been through so much with us and we owed it to her to keep her safe.

"She killed two of our own! In cold blood!" Dad argued, his face coming close to mine and his teeth was bared at me.

"That wasn't cold! She did it to protect us, to protect Judith and anyone who was at risk of infection," I growled back at him, my eyes turning into slints as I glared up at him. Clutching Judith closer and keeping her fed. "Yes, it wasn't right for her to do something like that. She did it without our council, without agreement and she murdered two people we all cared about," I agreed for the most part with him.

"Then why do you disagree with my decision?" Dad asked me a little perplexed by my answer. "You said it!" Dad had stated like I was dumb. "She murdered people we loved, people that made a difference to us!" Dad said through his teeth, unhappy with the fact I was angered by how I was talking about Carol in a kind and caring manner.

"Stop it!" I demanded, my eyes shutting briefly in pain and while holding back my burning anger. "It makes you no better than her!" I spat at him, which made him look away and take a step back. His hands placed on his hips and his expression was one of a silenced dog. "You sent her off to die," I snarled up at him. "She murdered them in our walls, in the safety of our shelter. You sent her away and she could be a walker now, for all we know!" I told him angered by the decision he had made by himself.

"No she's not," Dad said in his 'You've got to be kidding me' tone. He was acting as if I was being foolish and stupid. I wasn't. I was being realistic.

"Dad, she may be smart, resourceful and strong but...once your out there and there are more than you can handle...it gets tricky," I told him and knew he would agree with my words. He too had been in a hard situation, when he was in Atlanta and he barely got out of the tank alive. He survived because of Glenn and the others. "You get swallowed up in the crowd," I point out and he knew I was right. I could tell because he hadn't answered me back yet.

"She would never survive if there was the same amount of walkers as we had killed back at the farm," I told him and he simply looked at me with those familiar, bright and blue eyes. "I couldn't do it without Andrea and Michonne, you couldn't do it without the others either," I stated and he opened his mouth a little, only to shut it and gulp. His gaze on me while he changed the weight on his feet.

"But I-" he tried to tell me but I had cut him off again. I wasn't going to let him try and make this any worse than it already was.

"No!" I growled under my breath, as to not wake anyone and to not let anyone become startled by what was going on with us outside. "Listen to me and listen to me carefully," I ordered, my eyes staring into his. Blue on blue. "She may have done something without the council's agreement, but so have you," I remind him and he sighs out. "It makes you no better than her," I told him which made him stay silent. "Let me ask you...should we kick you out like you kicked Carol out?" I asked him and he just looked at me with a look that told me he knew I was right. "Send you packing?" I asked him and he just pursed his lips at me.

"What I did, it was for the good of the group," he tried to excuse what he had done. "Out of precaution because I couldn't have her around you, Carl or Judith," he told me, I believed him and I didn't want to. He was trying to look out for me and my siblings. "I did what I thought was right," he said, pointing to his chest with his hand and indicating his own thoughts to me.

"Exactly!" I agreed with him. "Don't you think that it was exactly the same reason Carol killed Karen and David?" I asked him pointedly. "She too thought that was the right thing," I remind him and this made him sigh. "Didn't she?" I questioned him and he only looked into my eyes silently. There was no arguing on that notion. "I should send you packing too, but I won't," I told him, relieving him from what fear he may have or not have felt. "I'm not you," I pointed out, but I knew I didn't have to. "And I'm not Carol. I decide with the council," I state, already making a decision to bring this issue to the table.

"I-" Dad went to defend himself, but I didn't allow him the pleasure of doing so.

"Don't," I snarled at him firmly. "You've done enough for the day," I pointed out and he just stepped back and shuffled on his feet forward slightly. "Go to bed, I'm going to finish feeding Judy and we'll talk in the morning," I told him what he had to do and what I would be doing. Instructing him to do as I had asked.

"Yes ma'am," Dad agreed a little coldly, not liking how I could now take charge of him and make him do as I wished. "Good night," he mumbled, walking off to his cell and leaving me with Judith. When she was finished drinking her milk, I made her burp a few times and gently placed her in her bed. Reaching my cell, I silently slid into my bed and fell asleep, thinking of what was to come in the morning.


RPOV

I had been reflecting on what Kat had said last night. I hated her for being right, but I couldn't undo my mistake and even though I hated Kat for being right...it was why I loved her as much as I did. She was always honest, always keeping me in check and keeping me on my toes. Waiting for my next screw up and advising me or telling me how I ruined what I had planned to do. Whenever I went to Kat for council, she would spot my mistakes and tell me honestly what she thought.

She reminded me of her mother sometimes, always stubborn and strong. Always right. She was stronger than her mother, she was smarter too and I was proud of her. She was strong enough to confront me and put me back in my place. To inform me of what I had done wrong and what I needed to do to make sure I didn't repeat the same mistake again. Except, with this issue there was no going back and no way to reverse it. I couldn't fix it. And I had to deal with this consiquence and swallow it for its truth.

Splashing water in my face, I saw Michonne was piling bodies up in the back of a truck. Struggling and grunting while she dragged the bodies towards the truck, Carl was still asleep and so was Kat. The cool of the water was a relief against the heat of the sun. "Need some help with that?" I asked her as she stood tall above me, wiping her hands of the dirt the walkers had gathered.

"No," Michonne answered quickly and with a polite expression coloring her face. "Do your thing," she told me as though this was her way of saying 'it's fine you've got better things to do.' Nodding, I decide to continue my work, turning my back and heading towards the small farm we had made. To check on the plants we had grown.

"Hey," I heard Carl's voice call after me as he ran towards me. Turning to look over my shoulder, I saw he wore his hat and was ready for the day in his way. He's telling me that wearing a hat won't change him. I believe that. He's who he is. I can't change that. He's a good man and I'm proud of him. "You didn't wake me up," Carl informed me like it was some sort of crime.

"I thought I'd let you sleep in," I made an excuse while I held the gloves in my hands, he had kept running and finally caught up to me. He looked ready for just about anything today.

"I should help," he told me which made me smile. He had rushed in front of me and stopped to look at me. A smile on his face and a gleam in his eyes. I think he's proud of himself too.

"Good," I agreed, pleased that he was ready to work and do what had to be done for the day. "I've got to go talk to Daryl," I informed him, ready to go and talk to him about what had happened to Carol. Already feeling guilty, especially since the conversation I had with Kat last night.

"Right now?" Carl asked me perplexed, he was curious as to what about and as to the reasoning why I would need such a urgent conversation with Daryl. I just hope he doesn't hate me like Kat did. She doesn't hate me, but she's not happy with my actions and what I had done for the whole group.

"No," I said and hit him playfully with the gloves. Both of us stood and waiting for my response. "Soon," I told him with a smile forming on my face. "Soon," I mumbled more to myself, moving to go to the farm and check on the plants.


DPOV

Parking the truck, myself and Tyreese had been working on the fences during the night. Restoring them and securing them to hold long enough for it not to collapse again any time soon. "How's Glenn doing?" Tyreese asked as he stepped out of the car and looked to Hershel who was making his way towards us.

"He made it through the night," Hershel informed us. "He's breathing on his own now," he told us which made me want to smile. "Maggie and Bob are with him," he continued to give us information on what was happening with Glenn. "He seems stable enough for me to get some air," Hershel said, which was good because Hershel too deserved some time out and to relax after what went down last night.

"He's a tough son of a bitch," I pointed out. Was locked in a room with a walker, walked through a crowd of walkers and survived. He survived when he was in a pharmacy with Maggie, he survived when that group of douchbags were shooting at him, Hershel and Rick at the bar. He can handle his own. We all know that.

"He is," Hershel agreed, Tyreese had left me and Hershel alone to possibly go visit his sister back in the cell block. I was happy to know everyone was either safe, or recovering from the outbreak of this asshole flu.

"You're a tough son of a bitch," I told Hershel as I point to him, meaning what I said and glad he had survived this long. All while keeping hope alive. Not just in the situations we are thrown into, but hope in our group and hope in a new day.

"I am," Hershel agreed with me. He walked past me, to go wherever he wanted to go. Too damn right you are Hershel. You took down more walkers than any of us on the farm, you defend your family and you had taken a bite to the foot. Cut it off, saved lives and now you can walk on your foot without needing a crutch. A very impressive old man.

"How about Carol?" I asked Hershel which had made him stop in his tracks, turning to look at me and keeping his eyes sad but shy. Away from me. "She up in A block with Lizzy?" I asked him, surprised I hadn't crossed paths with her yet since my return.

"No," Hershel told me sadly, firmly like he had known where she was and that he was certain about it. "Talk to Rick about her," Hershel had stopped me, my mouth open and ready to ask him a question. "She's okay, just talk to him," he told me, blocking my eyes from the sun so I could get a good look at Hershel. Rick? Why do I need to talk to Rick about Carol?...


KPOV

"Good morning my farmers," I greeted Carl and my dad, seeing them by the small makeshift farm we had made. Feeling my heart warm at the sight of the pair of them checking something in their hands. "What you got there?" I asked, stepping closer and placing my hands on their shoulders, peeking into what they were holding.

"Peas...want one?" Dad asked, revealing a third pea that was in the pod. Taking it, we all looked to one another and threw the pea into our mouths. Eating silently, we all nod and looked to each other. Savouring the taste and feeling myself relax at the sweet and familiar taste of the peas. Something I hadn't eaten in what was years now.

"Mmm. Good, very good," I hummed in a happy state, enjoying the taste that had lingered in my mouth, wishing I could have another taste and it was when my dad and brother smiled at me, I knew they were both proud of themselves. I too was proud of them, they had put so much work and effort in their farming, it was only time that something finally turned out right.

Except, something in me bubbled. A tingling feeling you only got when you sensed something was wrong. It was the feeling you only got when you knew something was coming, something explosive and something that made you feel slightly paranoid. I had that familiar feeling you got when you felt someone watching you, when you felt someone's presence so powerful that it made your body go funny. Like you had eaten something bad, that was when I knew that there was a storm coming. Something I didn't know if I was prepared for or not. Heaven help us...


Sorry guys for a long time without writing a chapter! I've been busy with life and with depression. It's been tough, so thanks for all the love that has been thrown my way. Thank you for the support and I am very happy to have you amazing people as my followers. I love every single one of you! Chapter updates will be slow, because there will be this story and one I'm working for SOA (Sons of Anarchy). If you want to read it, I will be posting that in some point this week or the next, I would love some support in this story if you like my writing and the show! Now...10 reviews please!


Now...questions to be answered in reviews and then replies to previous answers!

1) What do you think of this chapter?

2) What was your top 5 moments in this chapter?

3) What would you like to see more of?

4) Is there any suggestions you would like to give me for this story?

5) Any ideas of what will happen with Kat and the Governors attack in the next chapter?

6) Do you truly believe Kat will be going with Daryl?


Replies to reviews!

Fangirl1510: Haha! I would love it too, but I don't think that will happen. Sorry!


EastDenise: He really is! Daryl and Kat are my OTP, they're so sweet and caring towards each other. Aren't they? Their kiss has been thought out carefully, very accurately and I know exactly when it is. I can't wait for that moment to happen, but this is obviously a slow burn. So don't expect it too soon sweetie! We all think differently when it came to the two women, Daryl and Kat respected them and saw it as their graves, which are never to be disrespected. We'll see what I come up with on the attack, which I already know. -Evil laugh-


kellie: 1) That was a sweet moment, I agree. 2) I hope I make Norman proud this way. Thank you sweetie! 3) #Karol seems like a fun idea, but I'm not really sure that would happen between these characters. Kat is too attatched to some people. -Cough cough-. 4) Thank you! 5) It certainly would be!


boo1403: Thank you very much dear! I can't wait for October, but we'll all have to wait and see!


Panboa: 1) Wow! You don't know how happy that makes me! I've been feeling like that myself all through the seasons, I watch them and I think 'Kat is missing', and I also think 'What would Kat do in this situation?' quite a lot of the time when I write up my chapters. They are all very confusing and each story has their own issues, but they all tie together. I enjoy making little twists like the fish tank heads that had those of the nursing home. 2) I can completely understand that, it's kind of the reason why I decided to make this fanfic, seeing as so many people don't focus on that and only the love interest and Daryl. It's not like that, and it keeps it fresh with Kat and her family. How I keep some things similar, but things are going to start to change. So prepare for that! 3) I agree about Carol. When it comes to the kiss, I'm not to sure as to how you'll feel about it. Or the whole situation between Kat and who she is separated with. Guess we'll have to see, huh? 4) I agree fully on that. They have this type of balance, one that shows they connect in a level not many people can with either of them. Only one to the other and they all can see that, all except Kat and Daryl. 5) When it comes to Kat, we'll see and I agree about Daryl. He would certainly be very wrecked about the whole thing and especially if he wasn't gone with Kat. As for you understanding what I meant, thank you. I'm over the moon that you love my fanfic! It takes a lot of hard work, time and patience to get this all fixed. Thank you, I mean that sweetie!


Caity6991: Wow sweetie! Talk about giving me one hell of a review! Much love to you honey, I'm glad you're loving what I'm giving you so far and I hope to get a review from you for this chapter. This story is going to get really slow at moments and really fast in others, there is going to be times I would rather curl up in a ball after writing and times I just want to continue. This is going to be one hell of a ride for all of us. Prepare yourself, as for your ideas and thoughts...we'll have to see what my crazy mind has in store for us. Love you more hun! xxxx


redangel2463: I'm glad you do sweetie! I love writing those POV's. That was exactly why she saw those two women like her mother and Andrea, two important women and two women who impacted her in dark ways. Andrea was her best friend, a friend she failed to save and her mom was the woman who made her how she was. A woman who stood by her through it all, a woman who had given her love and comfort. She feels guilty for not getting there sooner than she had, she wished she could have saved her mother in some way and at least say goodbye. But that hadn't happened. We'll see what happens when the Governor attacks!


likea . witch: I understand that sweetie! Karyl moments are all different, as for the kiss...we'll have to see hun! I already know but you'll be the one to see it and it will make you possibly squeal if I get it on point.


Guest: I'm glad you think that hun! I can't wait for the attack either, as for the whole thing...we'll see and I'm excited to present it to you all. It will be one long and slow build up to that moment. Believe that.


Guest: 1) I honestly believe she belongs in the cannon, she's so strong and unique that she can actually form her own character and make the others stronger with her presence. Smarter too. 2) It will be one hell of a punch, I'll tell you that! 3) We'll have to see about the kiss and I already know what will happen. You could be wrong, you could be wrong but it will eventually happen. For a definite, it will be in Season 5! 4) I felt in that moment, they connected on that level and that Kat is still mourning them and finding it easier to swallow that fact. She's getting back to herself, but she's worried of the fact she's accepting their deaths in a way she felt she should take some blame to it. Or some guilt. 5) We'll see what happens!


Yele98: We'll see what happens sweetie! Be patient!


sassafras: My point exactly! But yes, we have and it was long ago. I have simply been struggling to write reviews and to keep my sanity. Don't worry though, I'm getting there!


strawberryfruits: Haha! No problem sweetie! It's updated and it's here!


I need 10 review for the next chapter! I hope you'll be supporting me in the new story I will be working on too, called 'Reaping What Was Sown' which will be about Sons Of Ararchy, where Abel returns to Charming and deals with figuring out the past of his father, who he truly is and what he wants in life. We'll see if I see you guys there! If you haven't seen SOA, I strongly recommend it. Believe me, it's going to haunt me for all time and I absolutely love the show, the characters and story. It's honestly...amazing. Please watch it if you haven't, you won't regret it. Each character is so diverse and complex, you with thoroughly love it if you gave it a chance.


Until the 10 reviews...

Much love!

HeroJustInTime90 xxx