"You'd better come back, Beast."

Those words rang through her head like Big Ben when the bells tolled over London bright and early, signifying a new day. They hung in the air, thick with regret, worry and hatred for her own stupidity in actually listening to him... in actually letting him go on his own without her there to keep him safe.

She had warned him with conviction that he'd best return to her... and she was the one who never returned to him. The young Brannigan woman frowned further at the recollections as they swarmed in her chest and formed a knot in her throat she deemed unable to swallow. She stared straight ahead at the serene park before her while she remained perched on a bench. She roved her delicate digits along the feathered end, recalling the way he had so roughly slipped them into her palm so she could finish the bolt with a hint of a smile. She remembered the comforting silence that settled like a perfect summer night as they worked on building their stocks.

"Quit thinkin' on it so much, Leprechaun." The rough, gravel tone made Nora jump slightly. But the strong arms that caged her in a tight hold immediately made that knot in her throat disappear. She eased into the Beast's hold and rested her head upon his shoulder... as though it were the most natural thing she'd ever come to know.

"I miss you." She whimpered out, her tone silken and sweet; more higher in pitch as though she were on the verge of tears. He tightened his grasp on her instead of responding, burying his face in the scent of her raven tresses. His rough fingers clasped her shoulder like a vice; as though she were going to slip away at any moment.

"Don't."

"Nora! Nora, wake up!" Andrea nudged the Irishwoman sternly. Soon, the Galway Archer shot up, eyes shifting about in high alert. "It's okay! It's just us." She motioned to herself and Michonne, who was eyeing her more curiously by the second. The young Brannigan wiped away the few tears that stained her cheeks and she sobered quickly from her pleasant dream. "You okay?"

"Peachy." She replied, her tone rough. "What's up?"

"We have a meeting with the Governor. Dinner. C'mon." Andrea said as she stood upright. She motioned to the clothes at the end of Nora's cot. "Those are for you. I tried to make them as... uh... "your style" as I could." She said before she ushered Michonne from the room to allow her some privacy.

Nora picked up the clothing, nodding somewhat in approval.

"Nice job, Blondie." She muttered before she took to changing into the gothic attire. Red skinny jeans, large gothic combat boots and a simple black tank top with a leather jacket seemed to fit her style to a 't'. Nora felt like herself once she stepped through the doors and joined the other two women to go and meet with the Governor.

"Ah, good to see you ladies again." He greeted their frowns with a welcoming smile, motioning for them to sit. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you." Andrea was the only one to return the grin and mention her gratitude. The three took up their places and while two sat in mute skepticism, the third decided to make light of the evening.

Discussions were tossed to and fro like choppy waves on the ocean. Nora never spoke once, too in-tune with that lovely dream she'd become so enthralled with. She picked at her food, not feeling very hungry while she tried to pay close attention to their new friend/enemy and his habits.

"Must be dangerous, three women out on their own." He prodded. Nora was smarter than that. She wouldn't give away the others.

"We've managed." She announced. Andrea nodded in agreement.

"We had help." Son of a bitch.

"Help?" The Governor perked a brow in response.

"We have a group. Nora and I. We were separated from them." She explained almost warily. Nora glared daggers at the blonde.

Just when she'd started liking her.

"Andrea." She announced. The Governor interrupted.

"Well... how many people, may I ask?"

"Quite a few." Nora jammed her elbow into Andrea's ribs and she grunted in pain. "But uh... it doesn't matter. We ran into a horde and we haven't seen them since. They might have all been killed by the walkers, as far as we know."

The Governor's eyes narrowed dangerously upon Nora, who only returned the cold stare.

He would NOT get his hands on her family.