For Those You Love

Chapter 20

"So… What's the deal with the train?"

"We're driving it out to Savannah." Lee answered simply, not wanting to lie to these new people. They seemed like the honest type. But, of course, they wouldn't let them in immediately. The last time that happened… Well, they didn't talk about it.

"Sick!" The man, Omid, smiled, almost like a child on Christmas morning.

"Look," Lee sighed, not wanting to prolong this anymore. "I'm not going to bullshit you guys. You seem like good people. But our group is so fucked right now." He paused for a few seconds, looking down at the gathering below them before continuing. "We had a bite victim and his mom took her life… and before that…" He glanced across at Carley, who locked eyes with him for a moment. "Just… yeah…"

"Wow, I'm sorry you guys went through what you did." Christa said, her hand going to her mouth and brushing over her stomach gently but quickly. Carley picked up on this and made a mental note to talk to Lee if the two newcomers were staying. "Is everyone okay, though? No people we should watch out for?"

It took everything Lee had not to tell them about Ben; warn them. "No, everyone's-"

"Holy fuck!" Omid blurted out, his eyes focused just behind the couple in front of him. Carley furrowed her brow and turned to follow his gaze, which was on Clementine, who had made her way up the ladder. "You guys have a kid!"

"What are you doing up here?" Carley asked, sending Clem a scolding look, which was hard to do with one eye. "We told you to stay down with everyone else."

"Fuck guys!" Omid laughed, smiling in complete happiness and a hint of relief. "Do you know how long is it since I've seen a kid?! Shit!" He turned his attention to Clem, a friendly look on his face. "What's your name?"

"Clementine Hope Everett." The girl beamed, stepping forward slightly and purposefully ignoring the disapproving look her mother sent her. "What's yours?"

As all this went on, Christa had a look of complete ecstasy, coupled with a look of shock, on her face. Little did these people know, she'd have to get used to such childlike ways. Especially if all went well in the coming months.

"Oh, so he gets to swear?" Lee said quietly, watching with a small smirk. He crossed his arms and shook his head.

Omid looked up from his conversation with Clem to his girlfriend, giving her a look that clearly read 'I told you things would be okay'.

Christa simply pursed her lips in response, looking curiously at the people in front of her. Her next words were directed at Carley.

"He's not her dad. He down there?" She nudged her head in Lee's direction, whose jaw dropped in shock.

Carley's reaction was pretty much the same, except she blinked in confusion. "W-what? Lee and I… we've been married for thirteen years! Of course she's his!"

It wasn't said unkindly. This question had been thrown around for a long time by her friends. Especially after they found out about his infertility. She was more tired than anything else.

"Oh my…" Christa said, quickly catching herself and trying to find the words. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything against you guys. I promise!"

"No, it's fine." Lee said stiffly, tensing his jaw and gripping Clem's shoulder tightly. This wasn't uncommon for him either. After all, Brad never let up about how much Clem resembled Carley. Never him… "We get- got it a lot."

Through all this, they never saw the way Clem's face tensed in shock. Even these people knew. Her friend had told her that he'd met up with her real father. Maybe… maybe there was a chance she'd be able to meet him… talk to him.

"Look," Christa said, snapping young Clementine from her reverie. "That tanker's your problem. And we'll help as much as we can. But… well, if any of you turn out to be who you're not… we're moving on. Alone."

"Fine with us." Carley said, nodding her head stiffly. She couldn't help the niggling feeling in her core that something wasn't right.

Two Hours Later

Lee stood, looking out at the passing scenery with a look of content on his face. They'd barely made It out of a horde of walkers; A thousand strong. Thankfully, they'd managed to cut the tanker down with a little effort on his and Omid's part, resulting in Omid falling awkwardly on his leg. Of course, he was stubborn and had insisted it was okay. But Lee had seen him take some painkillers away from everyone's gaze.

"How's she doing?" Carley asked, walking into the Driver's cab (where Lee was overseeing the fuel meter and the speedometer) with a concerned look. Clementine was curled up in the passenger chair, fast asleep with her head leaning against the window. Her walkie-talkie (which she used to 'talk' to her 'grandparents') sat in her backpack, completely silent.

"Fine." Lee smiled, turning his head slightly before fixing his gaze back on the tracks in front of him. "Kenny okay? I know he needs rest."

"Yeah, he's sleeping like a baby back there." Carley laughed, moving over to the sleeping girl and taking her cap off so she'd be more comfortable. She leant in and pressed a soft kiss to her daughter's forehead and brushed her messy hair from her face. "Sweet dreams baby girl…" Then, she made her way over to the driver's chair, plopping down tiredly and yawning widely.

"You wanna try getting some sleep too." Lee said, looking at her in concern. When she made as if to protest, he pressed on, a smug look on his face. "Don't pretend like you don't wake up crying every hour during the night. Because I've seen it with my own eyes."

"… Have we really been together so long we know the other's sleeping patterns?" Carley laughed, shaking her head and running her hand through her hair.

"Yep. We have, Hon'." Lee chuckled, his face happy. "We've turned into one of those couples who have a routine."

"Oh dear fucking god no." Carley laughed, leaning forwards, her elbows resting on her knees. She looked up at Lee, gratitude written clearly on her features. "Lee, I… I never got to thank you."

"What for? Don't be stupid."

"No, for everything." Carley pressed, smiling at him in admiration. "You took care of me after… well, after the miscarriage, after the S-St. Johns and after I lost my eye. I can never thank you enough."

"Carley, you don't have to thank me." Lee said firmly, leaning over and taking her hand in his, letting out a low chuckle. "I mea-"

He was cut off by the sound of static coming through from Clem's radio. They locked eyes for a secondbefore a low, masculine voice echoed around the cab.

"I can't wait to see you, Clementine!" He said. His voice had a soft yet gruff feel to it. And the parents didn't like it. "I got your dad right here! And he wants you to come here even if your mom and Lee don't want you to! Now… you remember what I told you."

Lee looked at Carley, his face shocked and his jaw tense. And he was greeted by the same expression off her face.

"Who the fuck was that?!"