Carley woke up, she felt vaguely tired and couldn't remember anything that happened before she crashed. It felt like she had only slept for fifteen minutes, but she really didn't care. All she wanted was her cup of joe to wake her up. She walked out of her room and down the stairs, the house seemed quite. But Carley trooped on, she knew that once she got to the kitchen she would relieve herself of all the stress and troubles of her job. The feeling of stress also felt very vague, she knew that she should have been stressed, but it wasn't as intense as everything that had happened during the apocalypse. The porcelain of the counter stood bright and firm, all the marble and paint shimmered. Nothing looked this clean in a while; she just assumed that Lily or Christa cleaned the kitchen up. Carley looked at the curtains and the furniture, organisation, the bane of her existence back in the city. All the couches, chairs, tables and her T.V were nicely and neatly organised. For the first time, Carley was seeing in color other than the default. Everything seemed so vibrant she couldn't bear to think how much effort had gone into this house, making it sparkle, making it shine. Then Carley heard a loud bell; it grabbed her attention in one go. She gravitated slowly towards the coffee maker and began pouring it out into a cup. This was something that Carley missed, but she really didn't think it was a reality. Electricity, who knew if that still worked. She took her cup and went back upstairs to the bedroom, hoping to find Lee or Clementine or anyone. Instead the bed was empty, she sat in the bed and waited, but she was alone in this big mansion of a house.

Suddenly, the door opened, she heard some shuffling on the ground floor. All the suspiciousness, surprisingly put Carley at ease, it was something she recognised, bandits or walkers. She quickly grabbed something to protect herself with, but she couldn't find her gun. Come to think of it, she hadn't even realised the silk robe wrapped around her body. Before Carley could even get out of the bed and try to relieve her of all the distractions in the room. A small toddler busted into the room and everything for Carley had turned upside down. She knew who this was, it was her son and all the memories of her life came flooding back.

"Mommy! Mommy! Guess what I did today?" Carley picked up her son, and placed him on her lap.

She wanted to respond and question this kid, but Lee came charging in.

"Boy, didn't I tell you not to bother your momma?" Lee picked him up off of Carley and she couldn't help but smile.

"I'm sorry daddy. I was just missing mommy so much. I wanted to show her what we did today." Lee held his son up

"Reve, why don't you go downstairs and watch some T.V with your sister." Reve ran down the stairs, elated and ecstatic.

Lee walked over and kissed his wife on the cheek. "Hey baby, did you enjoy your lie in?"

Carley was a little bit confused, although she knew that this was her life. Something felt off. Sure, it got better once she saw her son Reve, but someone else was missing. "Oh don't forget, we have lunch with Kenny and his family later today."

Carley looked back at Lee who was arranging their dresser, she seemed a bit perplexed. "I hope you're feeling a lot better than last night, I know how much those coffees pick you up in the morning."

Just then, there was a mysterious figure standing at the door. It wasn't a threat to Carley; she was just feeling a bit woozy after her deep sleep last night. The figure stepped forward and it was Clementine. Finally, a familiar face had appeared.

"Mom, you're awake" Clementine's face lit up. "We were all worried about you."

Carley finally felt comfortable enough to talk. "Worried enough to give your mom a hug?" Clementine ran over and gave Carley a huge cuddle, they both released after sometime.

"Lee honey, I'm sorry. It's been a rough morning. What were you saying?" Lee looked back to face her. "It's fine, you're feeling a bit drowsy, you only just got over your cold yesterday. And don't worry, I knew you were listening to me, somehow."

Carley crossed her arms and questioned Lee "Oh yeah?"

Clementine laughed, she knew Lee had to make up an answer. "Cause you do that same listening face you always got on with your nose scrunched up. Clem, how does mom do her concentrating face, you do it so well."

In that moment, Carley knew in her heart that Clementine was her daughter, that replication was so accurate. It was like a spitting image of Carley, yet smaller and less serious.

Carley put her hand over her mouth; she knew that they were just making fun. "I do not make that face."

Everyone heard Reve yell from downstairs "Come on Clementine! It's about to start."

Clem was startled, but was quick to respond. "Gotta go, love you mom." She headed for the stairs and bolted for the seat right next to Reve.

Lee went and sat down next to Carley on the bed, he pulled her face closer for inspection. "You definitely look better."

"Yeah well I feel better. Had a rocky start, but I pulled it back."

"Get any fever dreams last night?" Carley looked dead at Lee and raised her eyebrows. "You have no idea."

Lee felt scared; he had never seen his wife act like this, even after her fever and body aches from the night before. He decided to change the topic.

"So how's that new story coming along?" Carley shrugged her shoulders.

Although, Carley was independent enough to know what story she was working on. She liked to have her notes in front of her, a journalist can never assume things.

"It's been promising, I didn't think I'd be able to dig up so much information on this guy. We're going to get the truth Lee, I know it." Lee smiled, he liked to see her hard at work.

WABE was her life and she enjoyed it, so what was the harm. "Just be careful not to overwork."

"Yes I know." Lee was about to leave the room "Come on put on some clothes, we gotta go soon if we wanna make it to lunch."

Carley grinned "You don't wanna fool around a bit before, maybe get in the shower with me and clean up?"

Lee liked the idea, but he knew he had to stay grounded in reality. "Hah. That's how we got Reve. Come on baby, you better get ready."

Lee left the room. Carley was left in almost disarray, she had opened the drawer to find her clothes. Classic Carley: pink jacket, white shirt and jeans that refined her curves, but only enough for Lee to notice. Right now she knew, that this house in Savannah was her home.

Carley walked to the door, she wanted to see this new world and what it held for her. Reve and Clementine ran past Carley and hopped into the back of a mini-van. Carley laughed, she thought this is what something Katjaa would drive. But she just felt weird thinking about her, Katjaa had just died, but she wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. Perhaps she had just had a bad dream last night, she loved Reve and Clementine. She was happy, they were happy, so why don't she just go along with it for now. Carley went and sat in the front seat next to the love of her life, Lee.

"Ready to go Sweat Pea?" Clementine replied diligently. "Yes dad."

Lee looked at the distracted Carley. "Ready baby?" Carley simply nodded, she was afraid to see Katjaa.

"Mommy, I'm so excited to see Duck." Carley put her hands over her face, oh god. She had completely forgotten about Duck and what had happened to him in her 'dream'. It was all so real, but she was going to ignore it for now and call it just a dream.

"Honey, if you don't wanna go for lunch, that's completely fine." Carley snapped upright, this was something she had to see. "No! Let's go, I think I'm just a bit tired. Nothing a good drive can't fix."

Lee shrugged his shoulders, Carley looked out the window. This was the Savannah road they were just on, but clear of any walkers. Occasionally she looked at the buildings and had a brief idea of where she was in her dream. Carley lost in her own world doesn't realize that the car has stopped. She's still looking outside the window.

"Come on kids, Lee opened the door and picked Reve up, he didn't really feel like walking. "Come on mommy, we're here!"

Carley didn't want to see Katjaa, but she knew just for closure, she needed to. What she saw in that dream changed her; she just could not ignore the fact that she was going to be reunited with one of her mentors throughout the apocalypse so far.

The Everett Family walked through the doors. "Come on in. Welcome! Welcome!"

Lee and Kenny shook hands, as they entered the house. Reve was a bit shy; he had never met Kenny and Katjaa. "Don't worry Reve, this is Duck's daddy."

Lee carried Reve in the house and Clementine followed. "Hello there, Clementine." Kenny kneeled down to Clem's level.

"I'm good Kenny." Carley smiled, this reminded her of everything that had happened at the pharmacy or the motel, all the good things at least.

She entered the house, it familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it for some reason. However, Carley saw her, across the room with Duck jumping off her lap so full of life.

Carley's eyes were about to water. "Hey Katjaa."

Katjaa looked disgusted. "Oh hey Carley."

She was confused, Carley took herself back, she remembered that it was just a dream. Katjaa hesitated "Listen. I'm sorry Carley, you came to me for help and I left you."

Carley was astounded, how could Katjaa be so selfish. "No you don't get to do that, I needed you and left."

Katjaa "Are you ok Carley? I know it had something to do with work, but the hospital didn't let me go to WABE. Disclosure you know."

Then, Carley remembered why she felt uncomfortable. It all cane flooding back to Carley, she needed Katjaa for a story and was going to interview her, but she never came. She realized that after everything she's seen, this meant nothing, rather Katjaa be alive.

"Never mind, its just work. Nothing my charm couldn't handle." Katjaa and Carley laughed, she was just happy to have Katjaa back both as a friend and alive.

"Come on let's sit down for lunch. You must be starved." Carley held her stomach; she didn't feel hungry even though she had missed dinner and a lot of things during her fever.

"I've had far worse." Carley sat down at the table along with her family and Kenny's. This felt great and different, even before the apocalypse Carley felt alone, she didn't really have anyone else before, but now she does.

"Again, thank you so much for hiring me Kenny, it really means a lot to me and my family." Carley smiled, she was happy to see Lee happy. Providing for his family, he was proud of himself and Carley knew it.

"No problem, Lee. Anything I can do to help." Kenny smiled and looked across the table at his knew employee. "But Lee, as I'm sure you can imagine, the fish game is quickly changing and moving. Hence, the move out here to Savannah."

Lee smiled, Kenny was keeping him upright, which made Carley slightly nervous knowing Kenny's usual rushed approach. "Well. We're all happy that you made it out here. It's been so nice to get to know you guys."

Katjaa smiled, it pleased Carley to know that she and Katjaa remained friends without the need of a zombie apocalypse. "How are you handling the work load Carley?"

Shame filled the air, Kenny was trying to guilt trip Carley, but Carley had a quick tongue. "Work is great, Kenny. I was just a little disappointed that I didn't get to interview one of my everyday heroes, but don't worry nothing I couldn't handle."

Kenny frowned, he thought he could catch out Carley, but like she said, she's too smart for him. Katjaa put her hand on Kenny

"It's ok, Ken. Carley and I worked things out." Lee wasn't happy that his wife made his boss look stupid, but it didn't matter.

Kenny still had to enquire about Lee. "So Lee, how old are your children?"

Lee went back to his nervous state. "Two and eight, sir. They get on well with Duck."

Kenny nodded. "Yes, they do. Lee. But, the reason I asked the whole family to come over is to discuss a possible promotion."

Lee looked up, he felt rather optimistic, it seemed like a forever ago since he was in the back of a police car. However, there was obviously a catch as Carley knew business. "It pays a lot better and you'll get a couple o'boats of your own."

Lee smiled, it sounded great, they had a great home right now, but they could have more. "But you have to move out to Florida, the main fishing city."

Carley and Katjaa frowned and looked at the optimistic Lee, he was about to say yes, but Carley needed to interject. "Thanks for the opportunity Kenny, but Lee and I need a bit of time to discuss."

Kenny made sure to state the terms, he handed Carley a contract "Yes, of course. Here's the contract, go away and do what you gotta do. Come back to me when you've decided. It's a tough decision to make."

After lunch, Carley loaded the kids back into the van, Reve was raving at Duck. "Bye Duck!" Duck simply waved back, he didn't realize that Reve could tire him out so much.

Katjaa rushed out to Carley "Do I really inspire you?" she put her hand on Katjaa's shoulder and sighed.

"Yes, don't you remember what you said to me at the train…I mean the…wedding." Katjaa put her hand on Carley's shoulder."Don't forget… keep them together."

Carley was under a lot of pressure now and needed the words of advice. Lee shook Kenny's hands "It's a big decision to make, Lee. But I'm sure you'll make the trip out here! I hear it's a lot of fun out there."

Lee nodded and walked to the car. "Oh yeah and don't forget. You do… what you gotta do."

Lee looked back and headed for the car. He put his stuff in the trunk and got into the driver's seat. Carley was absolutely sure what this meant, another fight. She could probably reason with Lee, but she needed to compile a case, just like at work.

"Come on, Car" Carley got into the car, she was disappointed, but she continued.

The car drove back to their family home, Carley needed to say something, but she couldn't. Clementine and Reve were still in the car, she needed to make sure they couldn't hear mommy and daddy fighting.

However, Clementine was not stupid "So…Florida?" Carley and Lee turned back at the same time, clashing heads.

Lee focused on the road, although it looks fuzzy for a second. "Honey, daddy and I need to talk about it. Nothing is confirmed yet."

The car parked up, with a sudden jerk as usual. That was just Lee's style. Reve looked so upset, as Carley picked him up and carried him into the house. Clementine quickly followed, but Lee held her back.

"I'm going to take Reve AND Clementine to the park, you better get reason and give me one good reason to leave. Cause I can give you literally a hundred reasons why we shouldn't."

Carley chucked the contract at Lee, he with his athletic ability caught it. "Go. I got my trusty highlighter." They split in different directions, but longed to be in each other's arms. Comfortably.

Clementine and Reve walked in front of Carley, the park wasn't far away, they were only walking for about fifteen minutes. Reve was exhausted. "I've never walked this much in my entire life."

Clementine and Carley laughed "How are you going to play in the park, Reve?"

Reve sprung to life "I'll sit on the swing!" They all had a laugh.

"Will daddy join us? He usually brings us to the park. Like this morning." Carley kneeled down to Reve.

Clementine stopped, she just wanted to get to the park. "No, Reve. I know mommy is always busy with WABE, but I'll try to take you to the park. On the weekends! Probably! How does that sound?"

Reve smiled and hugged his mother, but Clementine as usual knew the reality. "It's okay Mom. Just try your best." She sounded uninterested and Carley picked up on that, but they were so close to the park. "Kids why don't you go to the park? I'll catch up with you.

Clementine held Reve's hand. "Let's go Reve."

They went in and Carley sluggishly followed. She sat on the first park bench she saw and watched her children. She looked in her purse, it felt like a lifetime since she held one of these.

Nothing in there had anything of interest to Carley. She kept a close eye on her children until someone sat next to her. "Excuse me."

"Sorry." Carley then watched the man take off his hood until it appeared to be Ben Paul.

"What? How? Do I know you?" Carley was shocked

"Yeah, I interned in WABE a long time ago. But I just wasn't up to scratch."

"I guess that makes sense." She stared at her kids, the only thing keeping her in this insane world, she just wanted to drift back to her dream or what might have been the real world.

"Wanna hear my take on kids?"

"Not particularly Ben." Ben sat upright "I didn't think you remembered my name."

Carley was furious as it is, she didn't really like Ben anyway and now that she knew he was the one dealing with the bandits, she didn't really want to interact with this dead man.

"I'm sorry go for it." Ben took a pause and just before Carley could stop him he began

"Ok… so think of it this way. They aren't going to be young for long, they should have to enjoy their innocence their way, until someone pushes them into reality."

Carley held her hand up. "Sorry Ben, I don't like to spoil my kids too much." Ben piped up "But Carley…"

She shot him a stink eye. "I mean Ms. Everett… you haven't brought your kids to the park in awhile. That was Mr. Everett"

Carley sat up right without taking an eye of her kids "Who the fuck do you think you are? I know my children and how do you know my husband?"

"He always talks to me on this bench, we've discussed politics, school and tons of hisrory." Carley felt distant from herself. "What do you want? Do you want another chance or something? "

Ben put his hands in his pockets and leaned back "No, far from it. Just to remind you that Mr. Everett… Lee loves you very much. He wishes you would be the same."

Carley soon came to this realization, she needed to go home and tell Lee how much she loved him cause a world not loving Lee it couldn't be worth living or real for that matter. "Never thought I'd say this, but thanks Ben. I need to just let my kids finish up and then I'm out of here." Ben nodded.

They sat there silent. Carley got up after thirty minutes, the sun started to get very low.

"Carley." She stopped, for once she wanted to hear what he had to say. "I'm not the bumbling idiot you used to know, spilling coffee and all that. I feel changed, thanks for firing me."

She was mad at Ben, but she gained a bit of respect for him. "Anytime. You were a horrible intern." Carley picked up the kids and began the 'long' walk home.

They entered the house, Reve ran in and up the stairs. Clementine stopped Carley at the door. "Mommy, I had a bad dream with you, daddy and me. It was weird with zombies and you died. I missed you so much! I know it sounds stupid. Could you just please put me to bed tonight?"

Carley kneeled down. "It's far from stupid, honey. Of course I'll tuck you in." Clementine hugged Carley "Thanks mom."

She rushed up the stairs and Carley slowly followed. Lee was already throwing Reve up, greeting him as usual. "Oh there's your mommy, serious faces on." They all replicated Carley's concentrating face. Carley couldn't help but giggle a bit.

"Lee, let's put the kids to bed. They got school tomorrow."

Lee took Reve to his room "Goodnight Reve." Carley yelled across the hall before tucking in Clementine and kissing her on the forehead.

Carley was about to turn off the lights. "Mommy, will I survive?"

Carley looked at Clementine "Yes. Clem, I won't let anything happen."

She turned off the lights and closed the door, Carley was resolved, and she had a mission to complete. Carley made her way over to their bedroom and Lee was already sat down.

"Baby… I get it… We don't have to leave. I completely forgot about the kids, I wanted to do something for me, but it's three to one. The crew says we say."

She hugged him "I know after everything involving your ex-wife you've been adamant to leave, but that was ten years ago. After all it's how we met. I hated working with that lawyer, but I wanted to know the whole story. He hired me to prove you innocent and overtime I fell in love with a criminal."

Lee smiled, as this was exactly how she met Carley, supportive as ever and it was important to him that she remembered all of this.

"I proved your innocence, but now it's about your family. Your ex-wife left ages ago and we're all here happy and alive. Let's not ruin that."

She winked at him "Ok baby, but I know something I can ruin." Lee grabbed her, the way she liked it.

She recognized this feeling and knew it all too well. He threw onto the bed and they undressed each other passionately. She loved him and knew that no matter what, even crossing realities, this was her Lee. She felt so exposed in her own dream; he spanked her and made her cheeks red with love. Carley had never been so happy, she had achieved everything and it was all normal. She didn't know what was going to happen once she fell asleep tonight, but she knew she would be happy. Carley was ready to live whichever life.

Author's Note: I'm sorry, I know in the last chapter I previewed the rest of the Savannah adventures, but I wanted to do my own one shot, I was inspired by one of the other ones I read. So I wrote one. Depending on how it does and the reviews I get there might be more. I hoped you enjoyed this little story!

Next time on "What if Lily missed…" for real:

It's time to set for the seas, but with which boat and more importantly which Captain? It's time to choose one. Also, we learn about Chuck's recent behavior and meet a Crawford classic, but how will everything change, now that Carley is involved.