Chapter Forty Four
"On the count of three, we'll lift her gently." Herschel said. I nodded in confirmation, giving Lori's hand a squeeze of reassurance. The woman smiled encouragingly.
Herschel had enlisted my help to aid Lori to her feet that day, as he believed she had gained enough strength to do so. Rick was first choice to help out but he had told the farmer that he was busy 'doing stuff'. An odd answer, but I was more than willing to help Herschel when he asked. Currently, I was hunched over the couch, by Lori. We had managed to get her into a sitting up position, with her legs hanging over the side and all that was left to do now was to heave her up onto her feet. I gripped her hand with my right and had my left arm around her back, ready to leverage her up, Herschel mirrored me on her other side.
"Be careful not to strain her wound too much." Herschel quickly added to me and Lori chuckled a little.
"Strain me all you want, I just want to get off this damn couch." She muttered in return and I beamed at the woman. Herschel gave her a disapproving smile and shook his head once.
"One," He began, raising his gaze to me again. I readied myself. "Two… Three." Carefully, Herschel and I lifted the woman to her feet, wary of her wounds. Lori grunted in pain, but bit her lip and bared it. Once the woman made it to her feet, we quickly looped her arms around our shoulders, for support and allowed Lori to get used to this new position.
"Not so bad." She hissed, chewing her lip before cracking a smile. Across the room, Sophia and Carl watched on, Judith in the latter's arms. "Momma's superman, eh baby?" Carl rolled his eyes.
"I think you'd technically be superwoman." Herschel corrected her. Lori eyed the man out of the corner of her eyes and scoffed. Sophia and Carl laughed. "Now, let's see if this super hero can walk."
She stumbled and staggered at first, her legs weak from her injury and having spent weeks merely lying on the couch. With the help of Herschel and I, we made a few trips across the room and back before putting Lori back on the couch. She seemed grateful for the exercise and grinned happily, thanking us both.
"Am I strong enough to hold my daughter, do you think Herschel?" Lori asked, turning to the old vet. The man shrugged and smiled warmly down at her.
"I don't see why not." On cue, Carl carried his baby sister to his mother's side and sat down beside her on the couch. Gently, Carl passed Judith into the awaiting arms of their mother and made sure Judith was secure and Lori had hold of her before pulling his arms away. He leant gently against his mother's side, hands ready to reach out incase Lori's arms buckled, with an admiring gaze on his baby sister. I met Herschel's eyes and he smiled at the scene before us. "Perhaps, we should leave you three in peace?" He offered to the Grimes'. Lori smiled her thanks at the pair of us, her eyes tearful. With one final squeeze of Lori's hand, I ushered Sophia away, Herschel following behind.
The old vet parted outside the security room, heading to his cell which was located nearby the room we just vacated. After parting from the old man, I beamed down at Sophia.
"Judy's cute." Sophia stated. I raised an eyebrow at her.
"You think so?" I nodded, noting that Carl and Sophia seemed to have adopted this new nickname for the little infant. "Aren't all babies cute anyway?" Sophia wrinkled her nose.
"Not all babies. Some can be funny looking. I've seen some that look like aliens!" I snorted at the comment.
"Please tell me that you didn't tell their mothers this, sweetie!" Sophia only grinned at the comment and I shook my head in disbelief. Little monkey!
"Do you want kids, Ruby?" I hesitated before answering her question.
"I have you, I don't need any more hassle in my life." Sophia swatted my hand away when I tried to ruffle her knotted hair. I made note to find a brush later and have a go at attacking her tangled locks.
"I mean, kids of your own." She carried on. I stared down at her, noting her determination but also the little twinkle in her youthful eyes. In answer, I shrugged cautiously, narrowing my eyes at the girl's suddenly suspicious demeanour. "You sure you don't want kids with Daryl?" She sang, emphasising her point by making childish kissing noises and pouting up at me. Astonished by the cheeky girl's actions, I bent and quickly launched a tickle attack, leaving the girl unable to continue her taunts. "Stop!" She squealed between her giggles.
"You done?" When I got confirmation, I stopped and allowed the girl to pant against the railings of the platform, grinning at her when she turned to me. Sophia grinned in return. "What are we going to do today, darling?" I asked the little girl, wrapping an arm around her tiny shoulders and drawing her close. She shrugged.
"Aren't you on watch later?" She asked, before turning to me with a grin again. "With Daryl?" I rolled my eyes.
"You're going the right way to be tickled again." I warned, though her smile only widened. "You do have some funny ideas, darling. I really don't know where you get them from."
In the end, it was decided that I would do something about Sophia's messy locks and I sought out a brush before returning to our cell where Sophia sat anxiously on the bottom bunk for me. Taking a seat on the bed, Sophia crawled to sit in front of me and I gently began to untangle what could only be described as the mop on her head. Sophia chatted aimlessly as I did, almost never pausing for air. It astounded me when the girl did this and wondered how the girl continuing found things to blabber about. Most of the time, she required no response and I smiled fondly as I listened to her ravings, shaking my head occasionally at the nonsense she came out with.
When I had finally managed to brush her hair out, I ran my fingers though it to revel in its newfound softness. To this, Sophia requested to do my hair and I was quickly forced off the bunk to sit on the floor, with my back leaning against the bed so Sophia could tug at my ratty locks.
That was the scene Daryl stumbled across and the hunter frowned, standing at the doorway of the cell, seemingly conflicted whether to break the moment between Sophia and I. Upon noticing the hunter's presence, I heard a cheeky giggle from the girl on the bed and I rolled my eyes before smiling at Daryl.
"Time for our watch." He informed me, glancing between the Sophia and I.
"Alright, kiddo, time to finish up." I urged to Sophia. She quickly finished off and tied my hair in one tight pony tail before allowing me to stand.
"Can I come on watch?" She asked quickly as I gathered up my rifle. "It's just, Carl's busy with Judy and Lori and I'm going to be bored on my own now Toby's not here." I paused to glance at the girl on the bed before turning to Daryl with a raised eyebrow. The mention of Toby stung a little but I didn't say anything of it. The hunter shrugged.
"The more the merrier." He muttered, half-smiling at the girl before shuffling away to wait for us downstairs. Sophia's face broke out into an excited grin immediately.
Before leaving, we quickly informed Rick that Sophia would be joining us, to avoid fuss over the girl's apparent disappearance. The man nodded his approval before leaving to talk to Herschel. I noted how the leader barely looked at me during the exchange and still carried an awkward demeanour. I couldn't mull over this for too long though as Daryl urged for us to head out.
The hunter quickly relayed the 'rules' to Sophia, informing her that she had to carry out full duties as everyone did on watch if she wished to join us. The girl nodded with determination as he informed her that she was to scan the tree line for anything unusual and was to remain alert at all times as we would both be counting on her. I lagged behind the pair, observing them with amusement as Daryl prattled on about responsibilities and such while Sophia began to act more serious. The hunter sent an amused smirk over his shoulder at me as the girl promised to do her best and Daryl ruffled her hair for approval. Though he quickly shot her down when she requested a gun.
We crossed the yard, making our way toward the guard tower where Michonne and Tyreese were currently on watch. With a grimace, I wondered if it was such an idea taking Sophia up there incase the pair weren't exactly decent. I didn't want Sophia with that sort of image engraved on her brain. When we reached the bottom of the tower, I grabbed Daryl's arm quickly before he led the way up.
"Shouldn't we call up first?" I urged. Daryl raised an eyebrow. "Michonne and Tyreese might be in the middle of something. We wouldn't want to interrupt them." Daryl blanched at the thought before nodding in agreement.
"Hey guys!" He bellowed up the tower. "Ya shift's over, ya can come down!" After a moments hesitation, footsteps rushed down the tower and Tyreese led the way out, Michonne at his heels. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes when I noted that it seemed that Tyreese was still incapable of dressing himself.
"Your shirt's on backwards." Sophia pointed out suddenly and I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing as she pointed up at Tyreese. I was glad the man at least had the good grace to look embarrassed.
"Silly me!" He laughed awkwardly. "Looks like I didn't dress myself properly this morning." Daryl snorted before shaking his head, while Sophia just looked confused.
"Get ya ass up there, girly, we got us a watch duty to do." Daryl urged the girl through the door first and Sophia all but ran up the tower stairs. In her absence, he turned to Tyreese and Michonne. "Ya people are like rabbits." Daryl shook his head in amusement at the dishevelled pair before following the girl up. I raised an eyebrow at Michonne and Tyreese.
"Can't you guys give it a rest for one minute?" I muttered, smirking. Tyreese's eyes widened in shock, probably due to Daryl's statement too, and the man quickly excused himself with embarrassment. Michonne smirked back at me in return before following after her lover, a sway in her step.
Sophia took to her job on watch with a considerable amount of seriousness. With Daryl watching over her, Sophia gave it her all for a good solid hour or so. After that though, the girl's exhaustion kicked in and soon the girl had curled herself up on the floor with my jacket as a pillow and Daryl's as a blanket. Daryl was amused at this, seemingly proud that he had managed to ware the girl out.
With Sophia's rhythmic breathes behind us, we stood for a while in companionable silence. Our eyes scanned the horizon and I felt at ease with the blessed breeze blowing through my newly brushed hair. My thoughts raced though and I contemplated many things before turning to the man beside me and decided to voice them to him.
"Daryl," I urged, softly, in fear of waking the slumbering girl behind us. Daryl titled his head towards me, to tell me he was listening. "Do you think," A hesitant pause, "Do you think that Rick's being acting weird lately?" At the question, Daryl's brows burrowed.
"Weird? What ya mean?" He murmured quietly, equally cautious to wake Sophia. "Like 'Shane weird'?" I chewed my lip thoughtfully for a moment.
"Since we got back from the meeting with the Governor," I began. "He just doesn't seem to be acting the same. Around me at least." I shrugged when Daryl turned to me, eyeing me carefully. "I was just wondering if anyone else saw this or if it was just me over thinking things." Daryl thought before answering.
"Can't say I've seen it." He confessed, shaking his head. "But I believe ya if ya say he's been actin' weird. I can talk to him if ya want?" I smiled gratefully.
"I don't want to cause a fuss if it's nothing." I quickly urged. "I just want to make sure he's alright. I'm just worried that the Governor said something to him that he hasn't told us, that's concerned him. Or maybe I've done something wrong and that's why he's acting like this. I'd apologise if I have." Daryl shook his head.
"Ya won't 'ave done nothin'. Maybe ya right. Maybe that asshole has said summit to him that's got him thinkin'." Daryl muttered. "I'll talk to him after watch for ya. See what's got him actin' weird." He paused before smiling briefly at me. "It'll probably be nothin' anyway. Just Rick thinkin' too much 'bout everything no doubt." I returned the smile before turning back to look out across the yard, feeling better after discussing my current worry and hoped that Daryl was right.
After we were relieved by Sasha and Maggie that afternoon, I nearly ended up dragging Sophia away from the guard tower as the girl expressed that she wished to continue her 'duty' on watch. Daryl offered me no support when I urged to girl to come inside, but merely smirked when I looked his way for assistance - it was his fault after all. In the end, Sophia won, and Maggie assured me that her and Sasha would watch over her and Sophia pranced back up the guard tower to continue for another few hours.
Back at the cell block, I parted from Daryl, telling him that I was going to see how Lori was doing and he told me he'd try catch up with Rick. To talk to him. I thanked the hunter with a smile and made my way up to the security room.
Lori remained in her upright position with Judith in her arms and Carl by her side. Herschel was also in the room, preparing formula for the hungry infant and the three of them greeted me happily. After handing the milk to Lori so she could feed her daughter, Herschel informed me that while I was there, that he'd quickly readdress the bandage on my side.
It was healing quite nicely and had given me minimal trouble, though Herschel insisted on readdressing the bandage to keep the risks of infection to a minimum. I sat through the 'procedure' contently, not even uncomfortable now by the fact I had to lift my shirt up for Herschel to change the bandage - the old farmer had done it many times now, that I had grown used to it. I no longer flinched at his touch anymore.
"Herschel, I was thinking," Lori began, raising her gaze briefly from her feeding daughter to look up at the man she was addressing. He smiled encouragingly. "That perhaps I could feed Judith naturally soon?" Carl blanched at the idea but Lori only smiled at her son's uncomfortable attitude to her breast feeding. Herschel thought this over for a bit before nodding slowly.
"I think that next time Judith needs feeding, it will be safe for you to try it. Though I'd insist on having someone in the room with you while you do it, just incase." He told her. "Maybe Ruby or Maggie or Rick even?" Lori nodded and smiled warmly at him.
"Thank you." Her son beside her, still remained repulsed by the idea but quickly looked over the idea when his mother asked if he could take Judith from her and continue feeding her as Lori's arms were getting tired. He quickly obliged to the request and Lori adjusted the infant's head until it was positioned right and urged for Carl to continue the feeding. "Would it be too much to ask if I could have some help getting up? I'd like to walk around again before my legs cramp up."
Herschel and I helped Lori around the room a few times and each time, the woman seemed to be gaining more strength. She still winced and hissed at every uneven step that tugged at her wound, but she ploughed on regardless. I couldn't help but admire the strength Lori had, how much she urged herself to get better for the sake of having the ability of looking after her baby girl properly. I quickly remembered over all the harsh animosity we had between us at the farm and considered our relationship now. We had come far and grown into such an easy friendship. When Lori met my gaze, I felt my lips tug up into a warm smile which Lori returned instantly. When she grew weak, we returned Lori back to the couch just as Carl had finished feeding Judith. He handed the empty bottle back to Herschel before offering Judith back to his mother, who took the offered infant immediately. It was then that the farmer turned to me.
"I think it's best we leave them for a little while again." He told me, before smiling down at Lori. "You call if you need anything." Lori smiled in return and thanked us both. We both left them alone again, leaving a similar scene as before.
"She's improving so well." I noted, turning to look up at the old man. He nodded fondly.
"Which is excellent." He approved. "Though she's not perfect, it'll be easy for us to move her if the time comes that we have to leave this place." I studied the wary sigh that Herschel let out with a thoughtful mind.
"Do you think it's best if we did just leave?" I asked, hesitantly, and Herschel eyed me back with caution.
"As things currently stand, yes." He nodded. "I think it is best that we do leave this place, leave with our lives while we have them." I chewed my lip thoughtfully before nodding in return. Everyone was allowed their own opinion on our next step, after all.
Before I could reply though to the man, raised voices echoed around the cell block from below. Herschel and I glanced at each other before we moved further along the platform to find the source of the noise. Silently, I would have put anything down to Merle Dixon being the enforcer of this apparent argument, so when we neared the end of the platform and had full view of the benches below, where everyone were seated, I was surprised to note that Merle merely stood on the sidelines. Observing this particular confrontation.
No, it was the other Dixon that was raising his voice this time. What was more surprisingly was that Rick was the one who he was shouting at.
"-Daryl, you just need to calm down." Rick urged, his voice sounding ever so professional and police-like. The younger Dixon almost growled at the leader.
"Calm down?" Daryl hissed. "Ya want me to calm down after tellin' me that!" Rick seemed to shuffle awkwardly as the hunter spoke and Daryl caught onto this instantly and scoffed before glancing around at the spectators they had gathered. "Go on, how 'bout ya tell the rest of the group what ya just told me!"
"Daryl, please-"
"No!" Daryl cut in, pointing at the leader. I glanced nervously at Herschel beside me, wondering if I should intervene as no one below seemed brave enough to. This was a side of Daryl that was terrifyingly shocking, but had never been directed at Rick in such a way as now. The man beside me took in my expression before shaking my head at my silent question. "Ya tell these people now. Or I will, for ya!" Rick swallowed hard, glancing around the group before shaking his head once. Daryl snorted, shaking his head. "Go on. Ya better tell them 'bout the vital part of information ya missed out from ya little talk with the Governor the other day. Perhaps the most important part actually."
No response.
"Rick?" Glenn urged, cautiously. The leader raised his gaze to the Korean boy before glancing around the group again. When he finally raised his gaze to Herschel and I on the platform, his gaze lingered on me and I was surprised at the sadness in his eyes. When he turned to Herschel, I noted the nod that the man beside me gave Rick out of the corner of my eye. With a sigh, Rick ran a shaky hand through his hair.
"He gave me a term. A bargain offer." Rick began, slowly, his voice trembling. "An offer that if we took it, he'd back off and Woodbury would leave us alone." Really? It seemed almost too good to be true. The Governor had made a bargain with Rick? A way out?
"'Nd what was the Governor's," Merle began, his voice suspicious. "Terms for this?" Rick hesitated again.
"He wants-" Rick shook his head, seemingly unable to finish the sentence. Though an angered Daryl finished it for him.
"He wants Ruby."
I felt the weight of a heavy punch hit my chest at this confession and I almost staggered at Daryl's words. Eyes below turned up to me, but I only stared down at our leader - the man who I had entrusted so much in - who had hid this important bit of information from us all. From me.
The Governor wanted me. Why?
"'Nd here ya all are, thinkin' that I'm the evil one," Merle began slowly, his eyes lingering dangerously on Rick. "While all this time ya 'ave been followin' a man who is willingto hand over one of ya own to someone who wants to kill 'er. Or worse." Rick glared at the man before turning to me, shaking his head.
"No." Rick urged, his eyes pleading with me. "I never considered this as an option."
"Then why did you hide it from us?" Andrea demanded, harshly.
"Because I thought it was best that the group didn't know." Rick told her, Andrea scoffed at this reply.
"Or so it would be easier for ya to sneak Ruby's unconscious body to the Governor when ya found the time to knock her out." Merle muttered, bitterly.
"I wasn't going to-" Rick cut himself off harshly, staring around the group and looking increasingly desperate. "I didn't want to-"
"Rick wasn't going to hand Ruby over." Herschel cut in suddenly, eyes turning to the man then. "He informed me on this information the day he got back from the meeting. I can vouch for Rick when he says he was notgoing to give her in."
"So, ya gonna try tell us that ya didn't even consider the option?" Merle taunted, a sneer on his face. He stepped towards Rick slowly and no one bothered to tell him to back up. The only man that could anyway was Daryl, and the man seemed too angered to do anything right now. "Ya didn't think 'bout what ya'd do, how ya'd do it? Perhaps ya were gonna lure her down into the tombs, tell her that ya needed her to tighten up some security-"
"Stop it-"
"Couldn't snatch her up 'ere, oh no. Then what ya do when she's all alone? Knock her out? Tie her up with some wire so she can't chew her way out?" Merle got dangerously close to Rick's face and eyed the man with a glare. "Put her in the back of one of ya cars 'nd get out of 'ere while everyone is busy. Take her to the meetin' point, to him, 'nd hand her over like some God damn award? Then trundle back 'ere with ya tail between ya legs 'nd try 'nd convince us all that it was the right thing to do." Merle sneered at the man before him. "My, my, Officer Friendly. Seems to make ya almost as bad as him now, don't it?"
In an instant, Rick shoved Merle away harshly and the bigger man staggered back against the bench. The older Dixon snarled at this but attempted to charge back at the leader, trying to take a swipe at him with his bayonet before Tyreese quickly got himself between the pair. After a few moment's hesitation, Daryl joined Tyreese, though he seemed initially unwilling, and the pair were able to restrain both men and keep them at a safe distance apart.
"What were the full terms?" I asked, cutting through the tense air below. Rick paused before hesitantly raising his gaze to me.
"Ruby-"
"Rick, please." I urged, firmly. Rick nodded slowly before sighing.
"He told me," Rick began slowly. "He told me that for Woodbury to back off completely, that he wanted us to hand you to him. He told me that if we did this, then he'd leave us all alone." He paused to swallow hard. "But if we didn't hand you in, if we didn't turn up at the next meeting scheduled that they'd take that as our final answer. They'd take that as a straight out invitation to engage in a war and no more discussions on the matter would be made." When he hesitated again, he turned to me with a pleading gaze again, one so full of sadness. "I never would hand you to the Governor, Ruby. I didn't tell you because I wanted to avoid panic, not because I was considering his offer as an option. Please, Ruby, you have to believe that."
Despite his genuine words and careful expressions, I didn't believe him. But, I wasn't mad. Rick had a family to consider, a new born baby. While we were a group, who cared for one another, the love between a family was another matter altogether. A much stronger bond perhaps in the Grimes' case. And while Rick may not have outright intended to carry out the deal of handing me over, I knew that no doubt the ideas crossed his mind. Handing me over could save his family's life. It could save everyone's. Giving me over could avoid war, avoid more death.
"It seems awfully odd that the Governor only asked for Ruby's head." Merle muttered, cautiously. Michonne nodded in agreement.
"Why didn't he ask for me too?" She demanded, firmly. "Or Merle? We've both done equally as much as Ruby has to him." Rick shook his head once.
"He's not interested in revenge against Merle, he said Merle's 'traitorous' acts are too petty to consider now." Rick explained, dully. "And he apparently has already dealt out his revenge on Michonne." The woman herself narrowed her eyes, but surprisingly didn't show any signs of weakness for her treatment at the hands of the Governor. "He said he has 'unfinished business' with Ruby." At Rick's words, my stomach turned at the implications of what the Governor wanted to do.
Though all the dark thoughts and fears were overridden when I observed those around me, those I had grown to care so much for. The Governor had provided a way out for them, a way to survive. While our efforts and planning were all well and good, we could never truly determine if they would work. But now-
All it took to keep them all safe - to keep Sophia, Lori, Daryl safe - was to give myself up to him. Even with the evident implications and the knowledge that I would be tortured before being killed, perhaps not even killed, it seemed to be trodden on with the thoughts that I could save them all with just one act. I had already considered the idea that my life was no longer important anymore, but the lives of those around me was something that certainly was valuable to me. Now that Rick had confessed this bit of information, I felt overwhelmed with this new knowledge, this new pressure. This new obligation.
And now I couldn't deny that the offer seemed tempting to me.
The air around me suddenly seemed to close in and with these new ideas milling around my head, the eyes that seemed to linger on me from below, I felt the need to leave the group's company. Immediately.
"Excuse me." I muttered, probably only loud enough for Herschel to hear. I manoeuvred myself around him, vaguely aware that everyone had stopped talking below
"Ruby, wait!" Herschel tried though I shook my head when the man tried to reach for me.
"I'm going to rest." I told him, avoiding his gaze. "I don't want anyone to come see me." Without waiting for Herschel's reply, I walked away and found my cell. Inside, I fell onto the bed, lying on my back and staring up at the framework on the bunk above. My head just whirled with ideas.
"He told me that for Woodbury to back off completely, that he wanted us to hand you to him."
"But if we didn't hand you in… They'd take that as a straight out invitation to engage in a war and no more discussions on the matter would be made."
Handing myself in to the Governor would stop the war that was brewing between us, would put an end to this fear of attack that the group lived in now. It would save their lives.I considered all those around me that had died at the hands of the Governor since Michonne and I had left his camp and wondered if perhaps I had a hand in any of their deaths.
Dale. He had been shot by one of the Governor's men on the attack on the farm. An attack that wouldn't have hit us if I had urged the group to leave sooner. We could have moved on before they moved in on us. Dale could have lived, as could Patricia, Jimmy, Beth, Carol. If we had left sooner, then Sophia would still have her mother with her. No matter how much I looked after her, cared for her, I could never and never wanted to be a replacement for Carol. The responsibility of Sophia had fallen on me perhaps as a fall out for my actions, for what I had done.
Laurent, Jessica. I had started out in this new world beside them both and now they're both dead and I continue on alone. Laurent, the man that had undoubtedly saved my life and helped me become capable to survive this new world, the man who had taken care of me, even when I left the clutches of the Governor. He had expressed the likeliness I had to his daughter and my heart ached at the thought. Laurent wasn't a bad man and I should have urged him to come with us on that night Michonne and I escaped. I should have pushed all petty annoyance aside and downright begged him to come. But I didn't. And he fell at the hands of the Governor. Despite Merle the trigger, I felt that Iwas the one that set the ball rolling to Laurent's death. And Jessica-
My beloved little sister who had betrayed me three times during this new world. Though the more I thought about it, I realised that perhaps I had driven her to it. I should have fought harder to take her away from that place, I should have fought harder to take her away from him. I was her big sister and I abandoned her. I knew from the start that she was incapable of truly surviving a world like this and I should have taken better care for her. She was scared. In her final betrayal, I should have seen past the bitterness and observed the fear in her eyes. I should have been the big sister I wasn't.
Axel. A man who's good nature and nervousness never did any harm on anyone. Though everyone's initial caution with the man, he had proven his loyalty and shouldn't have died. But he died because of me. Because I hesitated in putting Toby down. I should have seen the signs, should have seen past the dreamer's idea that he had survived - that wasn't the world we lived in anymore. I should have put him down before he had taken Axel down with him.
And Toby. Who fell at the hands of Martinez's trigger and yet was only there because of me. All Toby did constantly was prove his loyalty for me, for the group. He had constantly saved my life and in those final days, weeks, leading up to his death, I had barely acknowledged the dog's presence. After everything he had done for me. And in the end, I didn't have the courage to put him down when I should have and now all that remained of my fallen companion was the leftovers from a walker's dinner. Toby was better than that.
Considering all the fallen, I realised that if it wasn't for me then perhaps they'd all still be alive. The only deaths I seemed able to rule out were those of the other inmates, Allen's family, T-Dog and Shane - they had all died from other faults and circumstances. My thoughts then turned to those who still remained living, those who had I cared for now, who I seemed more than happy to call my family.
It seemed evident to me now that our likelihood of winning this war seemed bleak and the Governor had offered us a way out of this bloodbath. A way out that would save those I loved. Even thinking about what the Governor would do to me, had no effect. All those memories from Woodbury were pushed aside now, with the heightening idea that in one final act, those around me could be spared from death. My life was worthless compared to theirs. And perhaps in this final act, it may be considered redemption for those whose deaths I had already played a hand at. I could offer my life in exchange for theirs.
But that would also come at a price for me. Despite the obvious pain that I'd endure at the hands of the Governor, I would leave Sophia - go against Carol's wishes. But surely this act is me looking after Sophia? By giving myself in, I would be saving the girl's life and therefore still abide by Carol's request. I'd never get to see Sophia grow, I'd leave her without a sustainable guardian. Though in a group like ours, surely someone would step up for the little girl? She'd have plenty to care for her, my life wasn't that important.
The final meeting with the Governor was scheduled for the next day at noon. So that meant I had little time to act now, but I felt more determind now that the ideas had been considered. I was going to give myself in to the Governor, to save the group. To save Daryl, Rick, Lori and the others too. To save Sophia.
Sophia returned to our cell, apparently blissfully unaware of the argument that had ensued in her absence. She informed me of her times on watch with immense pride and I smiled fondly as I listened to her retell her tales. I took note of the growing darkness outside and realised that I had little time left with Sophia before I would leave the prison and head to the meeting point, ready to hand myself over. Distraught by this, I quickly urged the girl to sit beside me on my bunk.
"I'll do your hair again for you." I suggested and Sophia jumped at the offer, placing herself in front of me and playing absently with Eliza the rag doll as I combed through her locks.
I took in those moments we shared together, feeling so overwhelmingly warm in the girl's presence and truly feeling at ease, content. When I had finished with her hair, she sat herself beside me, leaning her head against my shoulder. Mostly we just sat in compatible silence and I relished the company, my chest feeling heavy at the prospect of the next day. I noticed the yawns that were becoming more frequent with Sophia and realised she had little time left before she drifted into her dream-filled unconsciousness.
"You know something, Sophia." I began, quietly, aware that the girl was pretty much half asleep by now. She hummed in response and I smiled weakly. "You're the most important thing to me in this world and I would die protecting you." My throat began to tighten and I tried to swallow. "If it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't be here right now. When I found you in the forest that day, it may seem like it was me that saved you, but infact it wasn't. It was the other way around." I chuckled faintly, sniffing to pull the tears back in. "Your mother wanted me to take care of you and I've tried my very best to do so. And right now, your life is in danger and I need to do something about it." A single tear trickled down my cheek and I wiped it away quickly. "Everything is going to be alright. I'm going to make sure that you'll be alright. My final act, Sophia, is for you. To keep you safe." The girl gave me no response and I wondered if she'd properly fallen asleep. I still kept going though. "And you've got to be strong, when I've gone. The group will take care of you, you'll never be alone. But I want you to know," I paused to bit back more tears that wanted to break through. I hitched a sob and took a deep breath. "I want you to know that I love you."
"Love you too, Ruby-" Sophia murmured, sleepily. I chuckled weakly, realising that her response was too far gone, that while she may not be fully asleep, she probably hadn't registered a lot of what I had just said to her. It didn't matter though. After a brief moment of silence, Sophia's soft breathes concluded that the girl had finally succumbed to sleep and for what felt like forever, I merely sat there with Sophia sleeping against me.
Listening to the movements of those in the cell block, I realised that everyone had gone to rest for the night. After waiting a while afterwards, just enough time for everyone to fall asleep, I gently pried Sophia away and laid the girl down on my bunk. Sophia shuffled a little but didn't stir. With shaky hands, I tucked the girl in and placed a careful kiss on her forehead, smiling sadly down at her slumbering form.
My rifle and handgun sat in the corner as usual, but I decided quickly that I would leave them behind. The group would need them more than me. Instead, I took my knife, for protection. It was no good getting myself killed before handing myself in. I spared one last look to the girl in my bed - the girl who had saved my life so very long ago - before leaving and making my way slowly across the platform, as quietly as I could.
I passed many occupied cells, all inhabitants resting inside. The stairs were a difficult job, but I managed to get down them with little noise made. Objects on the benches, caught my attention and I walked slowly towards them. I realised quickly that the group had left the two maps we possessed out on the surface, probably after their discussion earlier that evening. I noted quickly that they both had circled the location of the meeting point, as well as Woodbury. Though I had been to the meeting point with Rick and Daryl, I worried then that my memory may fail me so I quickly folded up one of the maps and tucked it away in my trouser pocket. On the remaining one, I quickly picked up a pencil that lay discarded on the table top and scrawled a single message; "I'm sorry".
Taking one last look at the wall of cells, which held all those I had grown to care for within, I hesitated. These were the people I was willing to die for. It saddened me that I wouldn't get to say goodbye to them all. I wouldn't get to hold Judith again, see her, Carl or Sophia grow up, I wouldn't get to see Lori back to her full strength. I wouldn't get to tell Rick that I forgave him for keeping the information from me. I wouldn't get to talk to Michonne again or argue with Merle over another petty thing. I wouldn't get to see Daryl. I never would hear his side of the conversation we had had about our 'feelings'. At least I had hinted enough at mine. Though I would leave sorrowful that this was how it would end between us, I could at least leave knowing that I was saving him. And the others.
With a quiet sigh, I made my way to the cell block door, leaving Cell Block A and making my way to the yard. Each step, a step away from turning back.
After recalling my memory from listening to the group's conversations earlier, I noted that Tyreese and Michonne had taken watch again. The pair always seemed to be on watch! But with a bitter chuckle, I realised that this worked in my favour. It would be much easier to leave the prison while the two lovers were otherwise occupied.
I made it into the yard and eyed the guard tower carefully. Two figures were visible but they seemed to be in a somewhat awkward position. This was my shot. Quickly I rushed across the yard to the first perimeter fence. I wasted no time trying to find a gap and may my own with my knife, making sure it was minor and capable of allowing me to crawl through. I did the same with the next, but tried to tie it back up the best I could.
That was it. I had made it out of the prison and I hesitated again to stare through the fences at the establishment that had become my home over all these months. I smiled sadly at all the memories; sad, happy, horrific, valuable. I regarded it one last time before turning and walking away, leaving those I loved inside and beginning the journey to my almost certain death.
"… and they all lived happily ever after." Jessica sniggered, throwing the book aside. "Do you not just find yourself envying characters in fairytales?" I eyed my sister from across the kitchen as I was preparing dinner for us both. My sister is odd, I noted.
"Can't say I've given it too much thought." I admitted, throwing the crust of some bread into Toby's dish. The dog ate it anxiously. "I find that most of the women in those stories are much too dramatic." Jessica hummed in agreement. "And weak. And needy."
"But, the prince still falls for her!" Jessica pointed out. I scoffed and shrugged. "Suppose I do envy that part. I would love to have a charming, handsome prince sweep me off my feet." I shook my head and rolled my eyes at my younger sister.
"Doesn't turn out that way in real life though." I sighed. "You got to work for your prince, Jessica." She nodded in agreement, eyeing the book she had thrown aside.
"You know what annoys me the most about these women?" She began and I raised an eyebrow in question. "That they always need to be saved by the prince. I mean, why not spice it up a bit and have the princess being the one who saved the prince?" I shrugged, smiling fondly at Jessica. She opened her mouth to continue her rant, but the radio crackled loudly.
"… emergency announcement… unknown virus… lock your doors, stay inside… worldwide epidemic…"The newsreader crackled and hissed some more but no more words could be made out. I frowned at what I did manage to pick up though. What was going on?
"You really need to get a new radio." Jessica snorted. "Try a different station, those radio shows are just getting weirder." Still confused at what I had just heard, I obliged anyway, but eventually turned the radio off and concluded that it was just broken.
I woke up in an extremely uncomfortable position but quickly noted that was because I had spent the night resting in a tree. Just like old times. I had decided that I could afford some rest before heading straight to the meeting point as the Governor would be expecting me at noon. After checking the ground below was clear, I climbed down. I took a moments pause to stretch my limbs from the uncomfortable position I had rested in before checking the map I had taken from the prison.
My knowledge at map reading wasn't the best, but I soon figured out my location and with a tired sigh, I continued on. As I drew nearer to the old mill, I couldn't help but become fearful. A few times I considered turning back, but my urge to save the group kept me going. I encountered few walkers on my journey and tried to avoid them when I could.
When I finally found myself at the old mill again, I had to pause on the outskirts to gather myself. My body shook from fear and I gripped the knife in my hand tightly. I observed the abandoned area and wondered if I was early. I attempted to swallow hard as my throat had become constricted but the fear began to mount up again. The memories from my time at Woodbury came back to me and that made to stop dead for a moment as I realised that giving myself up would mean I'd have to endure all that again and more.
When Sophia's face sprouted to mind again though, I bit back the fear and braved a step forward, ready to announce myself to the Governor and his men. Ready to give myself up.
The place seemed far too quiet and I glanced around nervously as I made my way further in. The Governor and his men didn't seem to be here yet, but I attempted to manoeuvre myself to the same building we had met in last time, prepared to wait for them. All the buildings looked the same though and it wasn't until I heard the sounds of approaching vehicles that I paused to reconsider my situation again.
The sounds of the cars seemed to stop a little way away and I realised how vast this location actually was. They were here though. While I could not see them, I knew that it was them and that this was it. I stared down at the blade in my hand before realising that I would need it no more and tucked it into my belt with shaking movements. Then I turned in the direction the vehicles had stopped at and knew that rounding the next building could put me in direct line of sight of them. Then it would be over and I would not be able to turn my options over, I allowed myself a deep sigh, battling down my fears, before taking the first step forward-
Only to be barrelled, face-down, to the floor.
A heavy weight pinned me down and for a moment I couldn't breath as the air had been winded out of me. What the hell had just happened?In an instant, rough hands had flipped me over onto my back and my eyes widened at the figure that had me pinned to the floor.
Daryl.
I opened my mouth to breath his name, though his hand quickly covered it and he glared harshly down at me. I shook my heard desperately. He wasn't here, he couldn't be here!I feared for his safety then, realising that he shouldn't be here and tried to silently urge this point across. The hunter said nothing though and quickly pulled himself to his feet, hauling me up with him. With his grip around my waist and a hand still covering my mouth, Daryl all but dragged me into the nearest building, prying the door open with his foot and practically throwing me to the floor, so he could close it again. I remained on the floor, dazed for moment - this shouldn't be happening - before clambering to my feet and turning to the hunter.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed, furious with the man. Daryl growled at me before quickly striding over to one of the broken windows to eye the scene outside. I stared incredulously at the man, running desperate hands through my hair in complete frustration. "Answer me, Daryl!"
"Think a better question is what the hell are you doin' here!" Daryl grunted in return, turning to glare at me harshly. I shied away from his gaze and took a few steps back when the hunter approached me. "Y'know, I woke up this mornin' with a little girl cryin' in my cell. Sophia had woken up to find ya missin' 'nd had come to beg me to find ya. She was worried 'cos ya were sayin' some strange things to her last night 'nd when she told me, I knew what ya were plannin'." Daryl shook his head in disbelief. "She was so scared, Ruby. So God damn, scared. What the hell are ya thinkin'?!" I was startled by his words but shook my head once.
"I'm going to hand myself over," I began, quietly. Daryl's eyes widened. "To protect the group." The hunter shook his head. "I have to, Daryl-"
"No!" Daryl cut in quickly. "Ya don't. What's the matter with ya, girl. Ya bein' stupid!" I raised an eyebrow and Daryl pointed harshly in the general direction of the Governor and his men. "Ya really think that handin' yourself to him with solve anything? Ya really think that if ya give yourself to him that he still won't launch an attack? Ya 'ave said it yourself, he ain't gonna be happy knowing that we're so close to him. He wants us gone 'nd that's it." He paused to step closer. "Givin' us the option of 'peace' is just another cruel trick of his, ya gotta see that, girl." I took in his words and shook my head once.
"I need to." I breathed. "I can't stand by knowing that I could do something to protect the group. Winning against Woodbury isn't looking such a prospect in our future now, we have to face that. But the Governor has offered a way out for you. I'm willing to give myself up to protect you all."
"No-" Daryl hissed, harshly.
"Yes, Daryl!" I cut in. "My life means little to me now. But Sophia's life, Lori's life, your life." I shook my head, desperation overwhelming me. "I care about you all and I can't just sit by and know that more people will die because of me." Daryl frowned at this.
"What do ya mean; because of you?" He demanded, slowly.
"Look at those we've lost because of the Governor!" I cried. "Dale, Carol, Beth, Axel, my own sister- So many more! And I can't help but feel that they died because of me. Because I didn't fight harder, because I didn't act when I should-"
"Don't be stupid, Ruby. They're not dead because of you."
"Don't call me stupid!" I hissed, shaking my head. Daryl backed off a little at my bitter tone. I observed the hunter for a moment before sighing tearfully. "I bring the badness with me, Daryl. The Governor; he's followed me for so long now and so many people have died along the way, at his hands." I bit back the tears and shook my head. "Since leaving his camp, I've kept moving but people who I've met along the way have died. Died because the Governor is hounding me and I drag people into my mess of an existence." Just like the old man holding up the barn. I had left Morgan and Duane to save them from the Governor's clutches too. And now I had to do the same with Daryl and the group. "I can't, I won't, let him do the same to you guys. I won't let you all die because of me." Daryl stared sorrowfully at me for a long moment of time before shaking his head.
"Ya can't blame yourself for what that man has done." He breathed, softly. "'Cos none of it is ya fault. Ya gotta believe that, girl. He's the evil one, he's the one that killed Dale, Carol, Beth, Axel-" A pause. "And ya sister. Not you."
"He's here because of me, Daryl. He's been following me-"
"He would 'ave come here anyway." Daryl shook his head again. "The world's too small now to believe that we could 'ave hidden from him forever. Ya gotta realise that." I stared tearfully at the hunter, too lost now to even think about our situation. I didn't know what to think now, my thoughts were just a mess. "I guess I know now why Rick kept this information from us. Reckon it was safer not knowin'. 'Nd I believe him when he said he ain't considered handin' ya over. None of the group would 'ave done."
"When given the chance of peace, Daryl, I can imagine that the thought crossed everyone's minds." I muttered, bitterly. The hunter chuckled dryly.
"Ya wrong there, girl." He countered. "Ain't nobody back at that prison who wants to give ya up. We've all said it all along; we're a family now. Ain't nothing gonna change that 'nd this 'Governor' is a fool to think he can stir that up by throwin' this line of bullshit in."
"I owe it to Sophia, Daryl. Above all else." I murmured. "I promised Carol I would keep her safe and by doing this, I am trying to."
"Sophia needs ya alive. 'Nd I sure as hell know that if she knew what ya were plannin' to do, she'd be the first one to chase ya down 'nd drag ya back." Daryl scoffed, attempting to smirk lightly at me. "Man, the girl would give me a run for my money!" I smiled weakly at the hunter, the overbearing pressure overwhelming me as the hunter gave me words that just conflicted with the ideas I already had. My mind just battled each option now and Daryl seemed to notice this. "You more than most, Ruby, know what the Governor is 'bout. Ya know how he works. Ya can't honestly think that he'd honour the agreement if ya gave yourself up?" I shrugged carelessly.
"I know it's a gamble, Daryl." I began, slowly. "But it's one that I'm willing to take, to keep you all safe." Though the room we were in was dark, I still noticed the way Daryl's expression softened at my words and the hunter shook his head sadly.
"Ya worth more than just a gamble, girl."
His statement stunned us both unto silence and we merely regarded each other in the dark, before being interrupted by the sounds of approaching voices. Warily, we both approached the broken window pane and stared out, careful not to be seen. Martinez led the group, which was made up of over a dozen men it seemed. All heavily armed. The group paraded around the abandoned area, laughing and chatting amongst each other. I noticed the Governor lingered at the back, his eyes scanning the area carefully, a firm look set on his face that was visible from where Daryl and I hid. I was taken back by the large group that Woodbury had brought and wondered briefly what had happened to the agreement of two per side.
"The Governor's packin' big." Daryl noted with a mutter. "It sure as hell doesn't seem like he was gonna be givin' the same friendly greetin' as last time, does it?" I swallowed hard at this development. "Looks to me like he was plannin' to gun down Rick 'nd whoever brought ya to him."
"You don't know that for sure." I tried to urge, though wasn't so certain now. Daryl chuckled humourlessly.
"Then explain to me what happened to the rule of only bringin' Martinez 'nd Milton?" He countered, quietly. "Seems like he didn't want anyone to leave 'ere alive after he got ya. He'd no doubt head to the prison 'nd open fire next, kill the remainin' ones there too." My mind just screamed in agony at all this. How lost our hope appeared to be now. "Funny how the Governor has so little faith in our loyalty to ya, he seems mighty prepared for us to bring ya to him."
"Or for me to give myself up" I muttered.
"Which ya ain't." I turned to the hunter with a raised eyebrow and the man gently took my arm to lead me away from the window, so we couldn't be seen. "Don't ya see now that ya sacrifice is wasted? Ya come back with me now, we'll tell the others, we'll prepare for the next move. Whether it be runnin' or stayin' to fight, it doesn't matter. We do it together though." I struggled to grasp onto Daryl's hope, now only seeing sorrow and death in our future now. I shook my head wordlessly for a moment, feeling so overwhelmed with failure.
"Daryl, I can't-" I barely got out. Daryl grabbed my shoulders and shook me firmly.
"I ain't leavin' here without ya." He muttered, shaking his head. "I promised Sophia that I'd find ya." Daryl paused, glancing at the window then back to me. "'Nd if ya won't come with me, then I'll stay here. I'll stay here with you 'nd we'll give ourselves up together." My eyes widened at the prospect.
"No!" I hissed. "No, you will not." Daryl smirked, easily.
"Ya can't exactly stop me, can ya?" He countered, smugly. I shook my head, horrified at his idea and how willing he was just to die like that.
"Are you crazy? Don't be such an idiot!" I tried, wanting nothing more than to will Daryl away, to head back to the prison and out of this mess. "Your brother is at the prison, Daryl." I urged, hoping that Daryl would see sense. "You can't do this to him after you've both found each other again." Daryl smiled sadly.
"'Nd Sophia is at the prison, waitin' for ya." He retorted. "She expects ya back safely 'nd I ain't gonna disappoint her. Even if it means I 'ave to drag ya." There was an amused twinkle in his eye and I let out a breathless chuckle.
"Drag me?" I muttered, smiling weakly in return. "Seems a little barbaric." Daryl's smirked widened - just as it had last time we had had a similar conversation as this one.
"Then I'll carry ya." He shrugged, which led me to smiled faintly at the reminder of past memories. In that moment of silence, I considered the options before me and slowly my mind began to dwindle of the ideas of giving myself up. The men outside seemed to reiterate Daryl's statement that no matter what our decision was regarding handing me over, the Governor still seemed to plan an attack on the prison. Now in a better frame of mind, I realised that this was exactly the card the Governor would play. And that I'd let him get to me.
I felt disappointed in myself for allowing him to get to me. I shouldn't have allowed the doubts to creep in, to overwhelm me as they did. I shouldn't have let it get me to this point. To the point where he'd win finally. No, we'd been engaging in this little game between the pair of us for so long now. The odds were stacking up and at the moment, the Governor was winning. He was throwing out the big dogs now, trying to reel me in so he could rack in the winnings. But I wasn't going to let him.
Despite the slim hope of winning, the strive to beat him once and for all drove me to the point where I'd fight right to the death to end this deadly game we were playing. I had to end this with him. Running didn't seem to be an option now to me. I had done that for so long and all the Governor did was keep following me. No. I would make this stand at the prison my last. I needed it to end now. I couldn't continue this game any longer with him. The man before me eyed me warily, seemingly thinking that I was still wanting to give myself up. I smiled faintly at the worry creases on the man's forehead and this seemed to ease his tension.
"Why did you come after me?" I asked, quietly. "Alone? When Sophia told you that I was missing, why didn't you bring the others?" Daryl seemed to struggle with his answer for a moment, a frown playing on his lips as he considered his reply. I waited, patiently, as I needed a response from him.
"Ya asked me to show ya." He breathed, hesitantly. I raised an eyebrow for him to elaborate. "The other day, ya asked me to show ya how I er-" A pause as the hunter shifted awkwardly. "Felt." At this, I couldn't help but beam up at hunter, realising that this was Daryl's reply to my request. The hunter was a man of few words it seemed on the matter, but his actions spoke so many volumes.
"You know," I began, smirking up at the awkward man. "When I said for you to 'show me', this wasn't exactly what I was meaning."
There was a tense moment as Daryl eyed me cautiously, his brow burrowing again as he threw himself back into his thoughtful turmoil. Judging by the red tinge on his cheeks, my words had obviously increased his awkwardness. Despite our current situation and the danger that we were quite possibly in, I only revelled in the hunter's nervousness and my feelings for the man before me were all I could consider in that moment.
My previous thoughts of handing myself over were still there but suddenly Daryl's hands were on either side on my face and before I could even decipher the expression on the man's face, his lips had found mine.
I yelped against his lips in surprise. Surprised by his bold actions, surprised by the sudden turn in the hunter, surprised at how urgently his lips sought against mine, almost in desperation. After hesitating in shock for a moment, my body worked into overdrive. My hands gripped onto his forearms and I returned the kiss with equal amount of urgency.
My head was dazed, my stomach was somersaulting uncontrollably, what the hell was happening? I would never have dreamed for this, never have guessed. This was a side of Daryl that I certainly wouldn't have imagined. My body swayed in a daze as Daryl pretty much attacked my mouth furiously, my body tingled, ached, shook. I held onto his forearms in fear of staggering under the intensity of the moment and unintentionally moaned into Daryl's mouth as his teeth grazed my bottom lip. In a moment of weakness. How had Daryl done this to me?
When Daryl pulled away, I found myself lost of breath. I felt his panting breath, mingling in with my own in the slither of space between us and for a moment we both just were. Daryl's entire being intoxicated me; his familiar scent, his searing touch, his ragged breath. And no doubt if I opened my eyes too, I'd see a familiar pair staring back. In that moment, I'd never been so sure about my feelings for the hunter and this appeared to be the clearest the hunter's had ever been too.
"Come back with me." Daryl breathed, his voice husky and shaky. Absently, I ran my thumb up and down his forearm, trying to gather the thoughts that Daryl had just managed to completely diminish in the slightest of moments. Slowly, I took Daryl's hand from my face and pulled myself away from the hunter, providing some space between us so I could think. When I opened my eyes and found his, I noticed a pleading glint in them, as well as an extreme sense of vulnerability from the man. "Ya know this is a lost hope now, girl. We go back now, get the others ready. Together, we'll figure something out, some way to beat him. I ain't leavin' ya here." Before I could even think, I found myself nodding slowly and Daryl's eyes lit up in relief.
"Alright." I murmured, finding my voice weak and unstable. "But you know if I leave now, without handing myself in, there's no going back. We really would be preparing for war. You know that, right?" A familiar smirk that made me race lit up the hunter's face.
"Then we better hurry back."
(Author's Note): Quick update, I'm making up for my terrible updating last time. I'm VERY wary about this chapter and I kinda feel that it's not one of my best. If you guys think I should reconsider it, then I'll take it down and tweek it again, because I think this is a chapter that I'd like to get right. My main concern is Ruby's want to hand herself in. Hopefully I've delved enough through her decision with her thoughts? I guess it may be an idea that I could have expanded but due to the vastness of my story already, I don't really want to prolong things longer than they actually need to be. Though I'd really appreciate your opinions on this!
And Season Three is over! I've literally just finished watching the finale and dear Lord, what an ending! Andrea, Milton... Wow! And this new development with Tyreese, Sasha and was it Karen? I wonder how this new lot will effect the prison now. They've certainly expanded! I'm really pleased that Tyreese now has a chance to develop as I really would have been disappointed if they killed him off now, he hasn't had much of a chance yet. Can't wait to see what Season Four will bring for him! And everyone, to be honest! A great episode to end on, in my opinion. Though the only bit I am concerned with is Andrea... I know she wasn't a favourite but I wonder if it was a little TOO early? What are your thoughts on the episode? Guess now I don't have to beg for no spoilers anymore! :)
A special thanks to carniwhore who has made some awesome work for this fic, the latest two are my personal favourites. Check them, and all the other fanwork for Loginquitas, out on my profile; "RIP Toby" and "No One Better" especially. Thanks again for all your awesome work!
Now that Season Three has finished, I'm going to have to set my imagination into overdrive and work out where I shall go on from here. As it stands, I'm going to be venturing well away from the show soon - as it has now finished until the end of the year - and my influence may now delve mostly from the comics and my own imagination from how the series has left us and what ideas I have floating around. It will be hard to work from, as when the show comes back I should be quite ahead of the show's actions. Hopefully people are cool with that? I'm mostly worried for putting ideas from the comics in that may perhaps spoil some stuff that may happen in the future of the show (for those who haven't read it). But then again, the show isn't quite so inline with the comics! I'll no doubt throw some completely new ideas in too, so I just want to make sure that people are fine that this story will be going completely AU soon, as I can't really work with much else now the show has finished for a while. Any ideas are welcomed as I would love to hear other's take on how the storyline will continue now the series has finished for a while.
Rant over! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favourited, followed and read this story so far. I appreciate all the comments from the previous chapter, please tell me what you think of my latest update! I'll update when I can, though I'll be getting my ideas together first, so please bear with me. Thanks again.