AN: This chapter is dedicated to Jon Bernthal himself. I met him today and he is just so, so, so amazing! He was so sweet, and it just blew my mind. I waiting in line for three hours to meet him, but he being so sweet made it absolutely worth it. And he loves kids. In the line next to me, for Sarah Wayne Callies, there was a baby crying, and he left his table to take a picture with the baby and make it stop. It was just so cute! I also met Lew Temple, who is so funny. While I was taking a picture with him he was messing with Michael Rooker. But, unfortunately my meeting with Norman Reedus was rather disappointing. He was nice and all but the place was just so crowded and there were so many people that I got like a five second pic. Though, I told him he was amazing and he said it right back. Oh, and if they Shane and Vanessa do leave the group, trust me, it won't be the last you see of Rick, Carl, ect. Anyway, here's the story:
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Shane asked Vanessa one last time as they sat in a bed inside Hershel's house.
"I'm positive."
"They might come lookin' for us."
"I wrote them a note…it'll be fine," she assured him.
"Okay," he agreed. "I'll load the green car. You just slip out there."
"All right."
"One more thing," Shane said.
"What's that?"
"Here," he slipped her ring back onto her finger.
"How'd you find it?"
"Does it matter?" Vanessa shrugged, just happy she had her ring back where it belonged. "I love you," he told her, as he kissed her forehead.
"I love you too," Shane hesitantly left the house. Vanessa placed her hand written note on her pillow and followed Shane's path, except walked to the car and opened the passenger side door. Shane joined her a moment later and threw their bags in the back seat. "Turn the headlights off."
"Good idea, Darlin'."
He did and the couple silently pulled out of the driveway and drive down the long, old, straight, country road to begin their latest journey. On their own.
"Where's Vanessa?" Lori asked Rick.
"I don't know," the scruffy man replied, confused. "I thought she and Shane were sleeping inside. It was early morning, and there wasn't really anyone awake.
"I checked there, and in their tent and all of their stuff's gone."
"They've gotta be here somewhere," Rick said. He walked into their tent, and sure enough, everything was gone. Then, he and Lori made the walk to Hershel's house. He walked into the bedroom they were sharing and found it empty. The bed unmade and everything. Something was off, so Rick walked to the bed side and found a piece of paper which was folded into fourths.
To Lori, Rick, & Carl . The outside read. He showed it to Lori and she made her way around the bed and right next to him. He opened it and they began reading.
Dear Lori, Rick, & Carl,
I love y'all so much. Please don't take mine and Shane's leaving as anything against any of you. You guys mean the world to me, and I wouldn't change anything about any of you for anything. It is unfortunate that the child growing inside of me won't get to know amazing people such as you. I must ask that none of you try to follow us. We had to do this. Tiffany is just too much of a threat.
They moved further down the page. And, Rick handed Lori the paper.
Dear Lori,
You're the best big sister a girl could ask for. I'm so happy you have your loving family, because you deserve every bit of it. You've protected me and kept me safe when nobody else could. You're my hero, Lor. When I was younger, I always wanted to be like my big sister. And, I must admit that I was jealous for the longest time, because you had a loving husband and an amazing son, and what did I have? My job. Now I have that, and I understand the feeling you have to protect them at any and all costs. I love you, and take care of Carl for me…make sure he knows his Aunt loves him.
Lori passed the paper to Rick as tears glistened his eyes.
Dear Rick,
I love you as if you were my brother. You've always been there when I needed you, and I know Shane loves you too. I want you to know that you are a great leader…at times. I know you didn't ask for it, but you're stuck now. And, these people, like sheep need direction. As much as you may want to keep all of your values from the old world, that may not be an option. You have to lead these people in the direction that'll keep them alive, not the one where they stay morally pure. For example, if you would've taken care of Tiffany in the first place, Shane and I would probably still be there. But, now we must do what we have to, so we can protect our baby. And one more thing, Rick. Do with this information what you will, but we're all infected.
All my love, forever and ever,
Vanessa Walsh
"We have to find them," Lori said.
"She asked us not to go after her," Rick sighed. He didn't like it anymore than she did. "We have to trust they know what they're doing."
"Rick, she's pregnant, and they're alone! How the hell is that going to work out?"
"It will. Shane knows what he's doing."
Lori stormed out of the room. Frankly, she was pissed at her sister for leaving, and her husband for not going after her.
Shane continued to drive down the seemingly dead road back toward King County. In the passenger seat next to him, was Vanessa. She was sound asleep with her head against the window. She would shiver every now and then, but other than that she seemed comfortable.
Up ahead Shane was able to see what looked like a wall! Right in the middle of town. There were people standing on it with weapons raised.
"Come out with your hands up, both of you," a masculine voice from atop the wall shouted.
"Vanessa," Shane shook the dark haired girl softly. "Wake up."
"Hm? Where are we?"
"I'm not sure, but we have to get out of the car with our hands up."
She nodded carefully and the two opened their car doors and put their hands up.
"State your business."
"We were just passin' through," Shane said. "But, if this place if safe…it'd sure help us. You see, my wife's pregnant and we don't have any place to go." The man on the wall sighed and turned to the man next to him. "Stay right where you are."
The first man hopped down and the second disappeared into whatever was behind the wall.
"Shane, I'm scared," Vanessa said.
"I'll protect you," he assured her. "Where did he go?" Shane addressed the remaining man on the wall.
"To get the Governor…see if y'all are allowed in."
"What exactly is behind that wall?" Shane asked.
"Nothin' you need to worry about."
"So I hear you folks are lookin' for a place to stay," another man climbed atop the wall.
"Yes," Shane said carefully. "My wife is about four months pregnant and we need a safe place."
"Can either of you shoot a weapon."
"Yes," Vanessa said.
"Let 'em in so we can continue our conversation," the man they assumed to be the Governor commanded. Shane and Vanessa reentered their car and Shane pulled it through the gate. On the other side they were happily surprised with a town…seemingly untouched by the apocalypse.
"It's beautiful," Vanessa stated.
"It is," Shane agreed as he patted her knee. "Safe too."
"Oh my God Shane, we have to stay here…we won't make it out there."
Shane nodded in agreement. They both stepped out of the car once again.
"If you have any bags, grab them now," the Governor said. Shane got their bags from the car and threw them over his shoulders. The two followed the Governor to his private apartment. "I must ask," he turned to Vanessa. "How far along are you?"
"Four moths, give or take."
"May I feel?" she nodded and he placed his hand gently on her rounded belly. He smiled slightly, he was obviously having a memory and neither of Shane nor Vanessa wanted to spoil it. After a few moments, he looked back up at the two. "How good are you with a gun, Shane?"
"I used to be a sheriff's deputy and a certified instructor."
The Governor weighed his options carefully. These people seemed okay, and if Shane was a good shot, and an instructor, that's just what he needed.
"Okay," he said finally. "I'll have Merle show y'all to your own apartment."
"Really? That's so great!" Vanessa exclaimed happily.
"Thank you, so much," Shane said gratefully.
"Just enjoy Woodbury."