Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead that belongs to Robert Kirkman and AMC

Chapter 13:

Negotiations

Carl was really getting sick of this. Not only was he being made to hide and not help out with pretty much anything but now he wasn't even allowed to sit in on the negotiations. His Mom had told Carl and Sophia to go to Carl's room since they were talking nearby; Carl had argued but conceded defeat when she pulled out the 'Mom Face', the face all moms used when they meant what they said.

"What's wrong?" Sophia asked from the bed as he paced the room, he always paced when he was nervous or angry, he had guessed the reason he was so skinny was because he paced so much when he was alone with his thoughts.

"I want to listen to what they are saying." He said simply and he saw Sophia roll her eyes and lie back.

"I know Carl so do I but they said we can't go out there so obviously we can't sit with them." She said in a frustrated voice, Carl was about to point it out when he realised this was what Uncle Shane was talking about, he had said to him that once:

"Never piss off a woman who you spend a lot of time with. Women should always be respected and treated like ladies because the moment you don't they become angry, and you don't want to see a woman angry."

Uncle Shane's words of wisdom rang in his ears and silenced him; Carl knew Sophia was no woman but he guessed the rule applied to girls too.

"Sorry." He said and sat down next to her, he like spending time with Sophia but she was such a child sometimes, she is what his Mom would call a 'push-over', somebody who does whatever they are told. He liked that Sophia was a nice person and had a big imagination but he didn't like that the moment an adult started to say something she would squeak out a 'yes sir' or 'yes ma'am' and do it.

A few moments of awkward silence passed between them as Carl secretly wished he had continued pacing, whenever he was made to sit still in class his mind would go into overdrive and make him say the stupidest things just to fill the gap in the conversation. He looked over at the young girl and saw her absent-mindedly playing with some change on Carl's bedside table. He couldn't help but realise that she was a pretty girl, he and her had become good friends and Carl found himself staring at her sometimes, he liked how her hair always looked clean and well cared for although he knew she didn't brush it regularly or anything and how it changed colour in different lights, like in the darker light it looked profusely red like Paula's but in light it was a strawberry-blonde.

"I like your hair." He blurted out.

That's when his brain started screaming at him.

You idiot! You don't just say those things to girls! She is gonna think you're a loser now!

Carl mentally kicked himself several times before he saw Sophia smile slightly.

"Thanks…" she said and Carl could swear he saw her blush slightly, he felt his face grow a bit warm so he resumed the pacing, he was nervous now because he had been a complete idiot. 'I like your hair'… what a dumbass thing to say…

"I like your eyes." The timid voice said behind him and Carl felt his face blush even more, what the hell was wrong with him? He had talked to girls he had liked at school before and he hadn't blushed before. Then again none of them had ever said they liked his eyes before…

"Thanks…" he said in the same tone Sophia had used before, he looked at her only to see her looking away. Carl felt his heart hammering in his chest as he tried to things to say to her again, his mind went into maximum overdrive with ideas.

I like your eyes too.

I think you're kinda pretty.

What do you think they are talking about?

When is your birthday?

Where did you used to live?

Carl dragged his mind back into place before his mouth ran off again, he went over what he wanted to say again but his mind wanted to make him look like a total dweeb. The silence stretched on and Carl's heart threatened to punch its way out of his chest. He looked over his shoulder and saw Sophia was fiddling with a tassel on the end of Carl's curtain trying to avoid eye contact. Carl's brain had begun to shout at him again.

Say something you idiot!

"Wanna see if they will let us listen?" he asked but he saw Sophia shake her head, her face was still red and Carl hoped to God his wasn't.

"I don't want to Carl… I don't want to know what they are talking about…" she said quietly and Carl saw that look in her face again.

He and Sophia had spent a lot of time together recently and Carl had learnt a lot about her. For instance he had learnt that she is a pushover and that she hated broccoli. He knew she loved doing artwork, both her grandpa's fought in the Second World War in some way or another and she was a math genius.

He also knew her facial expressions; she wrinkled her forehead a certain way when she was scared and whenever she was about to cry she would blink a lot and the corners of her mouth would twitch.

The eyes were blinking and the corners were twitching.

"Why?" he asked as he sat back down next to her, their moments of awkwardness fading as the tears fell down her face.

"I just don't want to hear about what is happening outside that is all… It's scary out there." She said and Carl's heart dimmed, he knew Sophia was scared and, truthfully, so was he but he didn't like talking about it. He didn't want Sophia to think he was weak or scared or a loser, he kinda wanted her to think he was a brave person.

"Don't think about it. The more you think about it the scarier it gets so I try not to think about it." Carl said a bit quickly, he put a hand on her shoulder as she tried to desperately tried to dry her eyes but Carl knew her well enough to know once she starts crying Sophia has to keep going. She is a very sensitive person.

"I try not to think about it Carl but when I dream, I dream about being by myself…" she whimpered as her freshly dried eyes refilled with tears. Silence followed and Carl knew that now was the time to say something nice but his mind was clogging up again.

"You don't have to… Well you know you should… you should… You won't alone. Ever." He said clumsily, he cursed himself for being such a nerd but he seemed to have done well when Sophia smiled and slid her arms around him.

"Thanks Carl. I am just scared people will get hurt… I don't want anyone else to get hurt…" she whimpered with her still teary eyes. Carl was willing his heart to stop beating so hard but it didn't stop, he hoped Sophia couldn't feel it against her as he continued talking.

"You won't be alone. Wherever you go I will go and your Mom and mine will go with you and so will Shane and Paula… You will never be alone." He kept hugging her as she wiped away what were hopefully the final tears. Carl's inside were clenching when he thought of little Funny Freya, he and his friend Liam would call her that because when she ate a bag of Skittles once at a party their parents were having she went crazy and started dancing… All he could think about was the moment that his Mom had told him that Uncle Tom and Freya had died. He had surprised himself by not crying, he felt the tears in his eyes but they didn't fall even when his Mom had hugged him.

"Thank you so much Carl." She said as she drew away and they caught each other's eyes and quickly looked away, Carl felt his face grow hot again and wondered what the hell was wrong with him… Why did this always happen?

His train of thought was cut off by the door opening and Carol walking in as Carl and Sophia quickly separated, Carl liked Carol, she was very kind and polite even if she did smother Sophia ever hour of every day.

"You guys can come out now, I am about to make some dinner with what we have. Do you guys want some spaghetti?" Carol spoke softly as always, Carl and Sophia looked at each other before nodding and walking through, as soon as Carl entered the room he felt the tension as he looked around and saw Shane pacing with Lori next to him, Cindy was on the couch looking a bit shocked as Carol steered them towards the kitchen.

Some things had just been said and he wanted to know what they were.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Whoa… That was a big one… Cindy had not expected that… She thought they were two completely reasonable and polite people… Well not him so much but she thought the woman was at least reasonable… However they had both just blown that out of the window…

Cindy stood next to Lori as Shane entered the room with Morgan; the men had been chatting about what to do and now were pitching the idea to the women. A bit old fashioned but from what Lori had told her Shane was a smart guy and Morgan was too, this should be a good idea nonetheless.

Morgan spoke first.

"As much as I don't like the idea… We both agree that all of us going out to find the other group would be stupid at this point." He said and Cindy seized at the thought of not being with Fred. He had kept her safe since the outbreak and they hadn't spent a night away from each other, she thought even whilst she was telling Morgan that Fred was a smart man who could protect Hannah and the kids that she would be back to him by sundown… She didn't think it would take so long for them to deliberate a decision.

"So we just stay here and let Fred worry his goddamn ass off?" Cindy hated using expletives but she was worried and angry. Shane spoke in a harsh voice that made her recoil.

"Not exactly, Morgan volunteered to head back to your house and let them know what is going on. The plan is for us to go to them in the RV since they have more children." He spoke, it wasn't a threatening sentence but Cindy still recoiled, God he was scary sometimes.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Lori asked and Morgan nodded.

"Fred and Hannah may be rational but one stupid decision is all it takes to lose people." Shane said and Cindy didn't like the insinuation, Fred wasn't that stupid and he could often keep a level head… but he was right in a way. All it took was Fred wanting to see his wife or maybe one walker spooking a child into running away… Then it's game over.

"I don't think he should go alone." Paula challenged looking straight at and, there was something in her eyes. Aggression maybe? It was Cindy's job in the office to read people's expressions and body language but some people were harder than others… Paula was definitely an enigma of sorts.

"Well we don't want too many people going out there getting lost in the dark." Shane said in the cop-like authority filled voice. Paula however rose to the challenge.

"Well sending a man by himself out there is stupid Shane. He could get attacked from behind." Paula said loudly, both Lori and Morgan shushed her in case walkers were nearby.

"Look you don't make the decisions around here Paula." Shane said, this time it was threateningly.

"Then who does. You? I am beginning to doubt your capabilities Shane." She said and beside her Cindy heard Lori gasp then turn to Shane who had turned vaguely red.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked threateningly, Cindy knew the typical male scare tactic was being used but Paula was unfazed, she jumped straight at it.

"It means I have doubts Shane. The calls you make sometimes bother me." She seethed and Shane stepped forward ignoring Lori's protest.

"Shane don't…" she said but Shane ignored her and spoke directly at Paula who stood her ground.

"I'm gonna let you take that back."

"Well you got a long wait Shane." She replied to his threat by standing her ground firmly.

"Paula please…" Lori tried reasoning with her but Shane cut across her again.

"Look I have been a good guy to you and Lori and Carl and Carol's family, if you can't appreciate all I do for you then we got a problem."

"All you do for us? You leave us for hours on end and when you come back you sit down with a shotgun by your side, apart from that I feel like you are just absent."

"Absent? Hell I've done more for this group then you have. Whilst I was out there getting food and supplies you were moping around in bed doing fuck all." Shane spat back and Cindy saw it in Paula's face, the shock which gave way to anger.

"My husband just died and my daughter along with him! I was going to kill myself Shane! But you didn't care… not one fucking word of comfort off you. You just fucked off again like you always do." Paula seethed back with tears in her eyes, the look on her face was scary as she stared Shane down.

Something that looked odd considering she was just shorter than Lori.

"You know I was sorry Tom and Freya died Paula but that is not a qualification. You don't know all the answers just because you lost people." Shane scoffed back and Paula lunged forward pushing him back, Morgan and Lori stepped in between them forcing them apart.

"You know Shane just because you're a cop and you think you're the smartest doesn't mean you are our leader! Some of us are capable of individual thought and we don't need you telling us otherwise!" Paula nearly shouted as she pushed past Lori and looked Morgan straight in the eye.

"If you're goin' to the Drake's then I am going with you, can't spend another night in the same house as this asshole." She swore as she sent a scathing look at Shane as she picked up the Glock from the table and tucked it in her waistband. Morgan looked at Shane and shrugged showing he was willing.

"Did I say you could take a gun?" Shane asked Paula with the mad look on his face but she just stared him down as she walked for the rear door.

"If you got a problem then either suck it up or shoot me dead. Either way I am goin' tonight. Let's go." She said to Morgan and Cindy saw the man pick up his revolver and follow Paula to the back of the house to leave as Cindy sat down, Lori motioned to Carol who went to where the kids were as Shane paced slightly. As soon as Carol walked in with Carl and Sophia Lori tried to say something but he just waved her off and stormed off to the guest bedroom, Lori waited for second before following him as Carol took Carl and Sophia into the kitchen to, presumably, explain what was happening.

Cindy was left to sit and think about what she had just seen.

Mere hours ago these people were getting along well and functioning well, but it seemed Cindy had just found the split in the group. For her own sake she analysed the problems she had seen so far, it was an annoying habit she let consume her when she felt a bit helpless.

Shane was controlling.

Paula didn't trust him.

Lori is torn between them.

Cindy knew these were the key issues and they needed solving. But she wasn't at work and it wasn't her problem… Her only concern right now was getting back to Fred and surviving.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"They should be back by now." Fred said as he paced near the second floor window, Hannah sat by the window holding the rifle, she had been practising holding it and aiming but didn't dare fire, they were lucky enough there were no walkers on this road and Hannah didn't care for more corpses to try and scoff her down.

"Stop pacing. They probably decided to stay at this Lori's place, look how dark it is Fred, do you think Morgan or Cindy would chance it out here?" she asked but Fred continued pacing.

"How do we even know they made it there? They could have been attacked or gotten lost…" Fred worried as Hannah groaned.

"It's like 5 blocks Fred they won't get lost. And besides we would know if they were attacked… Morgan and Cindy were armed with guns; they would start shooting if things got too bad." Hannah consoled in a rather gruff voice, she was getting sick of Fred's worrying but he had every right… If it was it her husband or children out there she would be the same. Luckily both kids were downstairs playing Snap or something with cards and the husband was divorced and eaten.

"Well I don't like this… Maybe I should go out and find Lori's house…" he wondered but Hannah cut him off harshly.

"No you need to stay, if not for your own safety then for mine and the kids. I've only killed a handful of walkers before and half of them were lucky shots… If walkers find us I can't protect all three kids by myself." She said and she saw Fred slump then fall back into the chair opposite her, he looked so worn and tired, when the last time he slept? Not recently by any measure, not with that look on his face.

"You're right… It's just that I'm scared for Cindy you know?" he said and Hannah nodded sympathetically.

"I know what you mean… She'll be fine though."

"I know… Just whenever I'm not with her or I don't know what's happening I can't help but think what could have happened." Fred slumped back even further.

"I'm the same with Morgan… The few times he went out of the house this week I couldn't help but fear for him." Hannah revealed, as much as she didn't like being to dependant on one person she had to admit that in this world Morgan was her rock, he was the one she leant on for support and she knew it was the same with him. Although it had only been two weeks since the outbreak she couldn't help but realise that all they had was each other to defend their kids.

"I hope they're okay…" he said quietly and Hannah understood the silent plea, she got up from the chair and handed Fred the rifle before heading down the stairs, downstairs Billy was playing with his ball-and-cup (an excellent find in the Drake's basement, kept Billy entertained for hours), Jamie was reading a TIME magazine (for lack of better things to do) and Duane was peeking through a gap in the drapes. Hannah sighed and moved through to the kitchen as Billy abandoned the game and followed her in.

"Mom?" he asked as he entered, Billy had been quiet the last few weeks, probably from shock, but lately he had started talking more.

"Yes sweetie?"

"When is Daddy coming home?" he asked and Hannah heart fell, she had been dreading this but knew it was coming. Jamie was old enough to at least have a basic knowledge and take it in but Billy was only 9… He was curious.

"Um… Daddy's not coming home." Hannah said kneeling down to Billy so she could talk face to face but only saw confusion on his.

"You mean he is still at the house?" he asked and Hannah felt the feeling of dread only expand.

"Not quite… I'm so sorry sweetie but Daddy is…dead." She said and she saw Billy go visibly white, then the tears slid from his eyes as he began to cry. Hannah pulled her son into a hug as he wept and sobbed freely, behind Billy Jamie stood watching and Hannah wondered if she had to comfort two children but she just looked at the ground and then walked away to join Duane at the window.

"He's dead?" Billy asked weeping, Hannah was tearing up herself as she hugged Billy tightly, only now did the realisation hit her that she still cared for Andrew, maybe not as much as before but she still did and his death was indeed saddening.

"They're back!" Duane yelled as Hannah stood up, Billy was still crying and Hannah motioned to Jamie to look after her brother, Jamie nodded and took Jamie back upstairs as Fred came thundering down with the rifle.

"They're back." He said.

"I know. Get the door open." She ordered Duane and he complied as Morgan and Paula ran in, Duane closed it tight behind them and set the locks as Morgan and Paula collapsed panting.

"Where's Cindy?" Fred asked in a panicked state.

"Just… one… second…" Morgan panted but Fred dragged him to his feet and held onto him by the collar.

"Where is she?" he asked in a growling like voice but Morgan shoved him back.

"Relax man! She is with Lori and Shane at the house. We came back because we have a plan." He said angrily.

"Us too, we have an idea about where to hide out." Hannah said and Paula looked at her with a look of admiration.

"Where?" she asked.

"The police station." She revealed.

"Really?" Paula asked with an unsure look on her face.

"Yeah, think about it. Secure, room to sleep, food and weapons. All we need." Hannah said and she saw Morgan and Paula consider it in their eyes but it was still undecided really, both collapsed on the couch lookin exhausted, by the looks of things they ran the whole way here.

"We'll wait until the others get here tomorrow." Morgan said which drew a tut from Fred, Hannah knew he was just pissed that Cindy wasn't with them. He stomped up the stairs as Jamie walked down looking mildly upset.

"How is he?" Hannah asked and Jamie wiped her eyes and spoke in a surprisingly angry voice.

"Still crying his eyes out thanks to you." She said and Hannah spoke in the best 'what-was-that-that-came-out-of-your-mouth?' voice.

"Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?" Hannah asked expecting her daughter to recant like she always did but she just looked at Hannah with an icy glare.

"You didn't have to tell him Dad was dead! He was perfectly happy thinking Dad was just at the old house or something!" she shouted, Hannah was shocked. Jamie was never this angry about anything.

"I had to tell him Jamie! You're too young you don't understand…" she said but Jamie shouted over her.

"Stop saying that! I'm 13 and I'm not stupid, you didn't have to tell him! Now he won't stop crying because he knows Dad is dead!"

"Jamie quieten down…" Morgan said but Jamie ignored him, Hannah was so shocked that before she could respond her daughter kept talking.

"I just wish you would stop treating me like a child!" she shouted before walking back towards the stairs.

"Jamie you get back here!" Hannah shouted Jamie turned around and nearly did it before running back up the stairs.

"No! I hate you!" she yelled as she disappeared, the silence was broken the loud slam of a door upstairs as Hannah sat back down and began to cry. It was the first time she had took a moment to break down since this thing had started, it was just too much.

She felt someone hug her on her left as she realised that Paula had moved next to her to hug her. She didn't say anything but just held the crying woman, Hannah felt so terrible for patronising Jamie and making Billy cry, she never wanted to hurt them… ever.

"It's okay." Paula finally said, "Children say these things all the time, they always think they're right but more often or not they aren't."

"Maybe she is right… What if I am treating her to much like a child?" Hannah asked remembering something about this woman being a mother.

"Well then don't treat her like one then. If she wants responsibility then give it to her." Paula said and Hannah smiled, she knew good parenting advice when she heard it and this woman was an untapped source.

"Exactly, Duane here goes on about wanting to be older but he still uses the kiddie's toothpaste." Morgan chipped in.

"Dad!"

The tension that had filled the room was broken as Hannah and Paula laughed at the embarrassed child, although Jamie was right and Billy was still crying Hannah realised something.

Although Bill was still a child and needed looking after Jamie wasn't. She didn't need her mother shielding her from everything.

That's when the idea struck.

Another thank you to SilverSun09 and my lovely followers, hope you enjoy this chapter because things are gonna get better.