"But Lee… how is this possible? You're dead! You've been dead for years! And what is..?"

She looked down. "What the Hell?! I shrunk!"

"Um… what?"

"You've been dead for 2 years Lee…. I've been on my own for the most part."

"But… The Kid said it was only 2 week!"

"Who?"

Hoo boy.

After explaining to her the events of my meeting we sat down outside on the porch.

"That's… crazy Lee. But then this whole thing is crazy."

"So… if you didn't die 2 weeks after... what did happen?"

"… After you died... everything went to hell. I had to take care of myself for a lot of the time. Omid and Christa found me and it was nice for a couple months. But I was stupid. I left my gun out while I was trying to clean up in a restroom. Somebody took the gun, and held me up. I was so stupid… I got Omid killed. He tried to help me but… she shot him. Christa killed her. It wasn't long after that that Christa lost the baby…."

She talked for a long time. By the end of her tale the only thing I could do was hug her as she just broke down.

"Shh… it's ok sweet-pea."

"But I messed up so bad! I got so many people hurt! I KILLED YOU!"

"Clementine!"

She looked up at me.

"We have a chance to change EVERYTHING! I promise you. You're Pain and suffering matters. But we can change everything! We can make things so much Better!"

She looked hopeful. "Duck? Katjaa? Doug? …..Carley?"

I swallowed hard. "Yeah. We'll save all of them."

"But how? Just because we know what happens doesn't mean we'll be able to stop everything."

"That's where The Kid's gifts come in handy."

"You mean you really are super strong?"

"Not yet. But I'm definitely stronger than last time. I heal quicker too. Look at my leg! Remember last time how bad it was?"

She began to smile in hope. "Ok… then we have to do everything we can to help! And you need to let me help too!"

My heart ached at those words. If I could I would never ever let her get anywhere near the events of last time.

But she survived without me. She spent 2 years taking care of herself. At this point if I were to try and treat her like the little 8 year I knew, it would just end up causing new problems.

"Ok Clementine. But you need to promise me that if I always keep you in the loop, you will listen to me. Lack of communication ruined everything. "

"I promise Lee!"

"Ok... I think we need to get going. We should grab some stuff from your house before we go."

"Is there any ammo for your shotgun?"

I jerked and looked at my shoulder. Oh yeah. Forgot about that.

"No... I forgot to grab ammo."

"Should you go back to get it?"

"No… if I go back now I think we're gonna miss our ride to Hershel's farm."

"The farmer guy right?"

"Right. Remember Shawn? He died last time."

"Yeah… can you stop that this time?"

"I think so. I don't think I'm strong enough to lift it if it goes over his leg again. But I can at least make sure that Duck doesn't take the break off. It would probably be easier if you could distract him from that tractor."

"I can do that. "

"Excellent. "

"Lee… what about Larry?"

My eyes narrowed. "Clementine… you should know. I'm not doing this exactly the same. I'm not gonna be mediating between the groups this time. They didn't get anything done for all the arguing there was. So I'm gonna set myself up as leader. He can follow and survive. Even live possibly. Or he can leave. And he won't be our problem anymore."

Her eyes narrowed in Satisfaction. "Good."

I sighed and patted her hat. "We should cut your hair when we get to the Farm"

She reached behind her and felt it, then grimaced. "Forgot how long it used to be."

I chuckled then picked up a spare screwdriver and handed it to her.

"Remember you're younger than you remember. You're not as strong. Not as fast."

"Yeah… I know. Stupid body."

"Come on sweet pea."

We moved quickly and quietly to not attract any walkers. Through the gate leading to the street had 2 familiar faces. They heard the squeak and whirled around. They caught sight of us and immediately recoiled at us. "Don't eat us!" the bigger one said.

"Hey, it's cool. We're not one of them."

"Oh thank god. I thought you and the little one were gonna to give us the chomp. Im Shawn. Shawn Green."

"And I'm Chet. " He waved at Clementine.

Clementine smiled at him.

"I'm Lee. This is Clementine. Any chance we could catch a ride out of here? It's not safe here."

"Absolutely! Just help us move this car out of the way and we'll take you to my Dad's farm."

"Deal. Clementine, go on and get in the truck ok sweetie?"

"Ok."

"That gun have any ammo?"

I shook my head.

"Ran out."

"Damn. Well I would still keep it. Never know when you'll find ammo."

I nodded my head and adjusted the shotgun on my back.

She clambered in just as I started hearing snarls.

"We need to move now!" Shawn and I pushed for all we were worth, and while yes it was still heavy it moved a lot smoother out of the way and we were in the truck and on our way out before the walkers got within 20 feet of us.

"So… is she your daughter or..?"

Shawn said once the tension had deflated a little.

"No… her parents were down in Savannah. I found her a little bit ago. I'm gonna take care of her until we find her parents. And if we don't… well we'll stick together."

Shawn looked a little bothered about that.

I arced an eyebrow up at him. "Is that a problem?"

"Well… it's just. A grown man. A little girl who ain't his… well you see how it looks bad right?"

Clementine got right in his face. He's a good man! "

Shawn placated her as he hit the homestretch to the far "Don't you ever say those kinds of things about Lee!" I think he is too sweetie. It's just... that's what a lot of people are gonna think. It might be better if you stuck with my family."

"Not happening" I said with iron in my voice.

"Ok ok! You sure you're not her dad? Cuz you act like it.'

I chuckled tiredly. "Who knows? Maybe I was meant to find her."

I winked at Clementine who winked back.

"Well... here we are Greene Farm."

Once we exited the vehicle, Chet said his goodbyes and headed home.

"Come on. I'll introduce you to my dad."

We followed him up to the house when the door swung open and an older bearded white man exited onto the porch.

"Dad!" Shawn embraced him.

"I'm glad you're safe son. "

"It was bad Pa. Real bad. If it hadn't been for Chet, I wouldn't have made it."

"I'm glad he was with you then."

He glanced over at me and Clementine. "I see you brought some guests with you"

"Oh yeah. This is Lee. And she's Clementine. Her parents were down in Savannah when things went badly. Lee found her and has been taking care of her. "

"Hm…"

Just like Shawn, he looked skeptical and spoke to Clementine directly." Sweetheart do you know this man?"

Clementine got a defiant glint in her eye. "I know him better than I know you."

Hershel raised a brow, not used to little girls with spine. "Fair enough. You're welcome to sleep in the barn. You'll need to move on afterword. I'm glad to help but we can't support everyone. There's another family up in the loft."

He gave a hard look at the shotgun on my back. "Of course if you're gonna stay on my land, I'm gonna need you to hand that to me until you leave.

I nodded. "I understand Thank you sir. Is there any labor I could perform in return for a meal? She and I haven't eaten in over a day." .As I said this I took the gun off my back and held it out to him

Hershel grabbed the gun and looked at me with a critical eye. "I'll bring you out something in a few moments. You can help out with a couple chores in the morning, get a shower, and eat some breakfast and lunch. Then I'm afraid you'll have to leave."

"That's more than fair sir."

I stuck out my hand to shake on it and he grasped it firmly.

Later we sat eating pork chops and mashed potatoes for dinner on the porch swing.

"This is really good."

"I'm glad you like it Clem. We're gonna have to be a lot more conscious when it comes to food this time around."

"Yeah…. How are we gonna hide how much you eat?"

"We're not. Just like we're not gonna pretend I don't have super strength and accelerated healing. They'll see it's a good trade off."

"Are you sure that's a good idea Lee?"

"Clem when has there ever been a time where keeping the truth from the group turned out well?"

She winced. "You have a point. I'm just worried about Larry. And even Kenny… you know how Kenny can get sometimes."

"Don't worry Clem. We'll get through this. And Clem?"

She looked up, her face still a little glum and chagrinned.

"Never be afraid to bring up stuff like this to me. I'm glad that you brought it up. You see things that I don't all the time. Remember. We're a team. And I respect your opinions."

Her face became a lot brighter as she smiled.

"Yeah… thanks Lee."

"No prob."

She yawned widely after eating the last bite of pork on her plate.

"Here. I'll place the plates on the window sill. Let's get to bed."

She nodded sleepily as I tidied up the dishes. Lying down in the barn on some clean hay, I could hear Kenny's snoring from the loft. Clementine was almost passed out.

"Night Clem"

She yawned again. "Night daddy." She murmured. My heart clenched again.

So it wasn't just a onetime thing. Does she really think of me as her father? I just… I've never actually been a father before. I... I'll let her bring it up to me. I don't want to put her on the spot.

I fell asleep quickly.

Strangely enough I had the same dream as I did last time. It had a lot lower impact this time. It's amazing what death will do to your priorities.

I woke up to Kenny's voice. "Hey. Get up."

I sat up immediately reaching blindly for something to use as a weapon.

"Easy there. Just given you a wakeup call. Noticed ya'll when my family and I woke up. Hershel told me you came from closer to the city?"

"That's right."

"That's some crazy sh-… um crap. It's nasty out there. Name's Kenny."

"I'm Lee. This is Clementine."

A young boy ran up to the door. "Dad! We're gonna build a fence! There's a tractor and everything!" and without even waiting for a response he ran off.

"Heh… well we better get going or we'll never hear the end of it."

"Come on Clem"

She stretched out slightly and followed us out of the Barn.

"That's my Boy. Ken Junior. We just call him Duck though."

I smirked. "Dodging or quacking?"

He laughed. "Quacking"

"Daaaad!"

"See what I mean?"

"So where are you two gonna be heading out?"

"Well the plan was to head to Macon. My family lives there."

My heart clenched when I remembered they were already dead. I had to keep a straight face now though. I would mourn when I arrived.

"Well… we were gonna be heading that way anyway. You're welcome to come along with us if you like. We could use someone who could crack some head if he needed to and… well you look fucking shredded."

His wife smacked him as we arrived where she and duck were sitting." Language Kenny!"

"I apologize Kat. But you have to admit. Look at him! Those arms look like they're wrapped in steel cord!"

I looked down and sure enough my arms had gotten more defined and I could feel the strength in them.

"Whatcha think Clem?"

"I think it's a really good idea." Was the response.

"Then I think we'll take your offer Kenny. After I finish all the chores I promised Hershel though. I offered labor for food."

"Good man. We'll wait for you if I fix this truck before you get done."

"Thanks."

Shawn walked up to me, Duck following close behind.

"Dad said that you could help me with fortifying the fences as your labor. He doesn't seem to understand the danger but at least he's letting me set them up."

"I wanna build a fence!" came from the mouth of the ever enthusiastic boy.

"Well… I could use a good foreman. You can sit on the tractor and yell at me whenever I take a water break." He says with good humor. "Meet me over by tree round back when you're ready alright?" I nodded and he headed off.

"I and Clementine can sit here while you work. We can visit." Said Katjaa pleasantly.

"Sounds nice ma'am. " I caught Clem's eye and she nodded. She would spend some time with Katjaa and then she would head over towards Duck.

The conversations with Kenny and Katjaa went… almost the same as last time. I was a bit more honest with them regarding my past life as a teacher, but I had already decided I would tell everyone my criminal past once we either settled things in my Parents' pharmacy or once we were at the motor Inn. Whichever ends up being the safest point to do it at.

Making my way towards Shawn I caught a glimpse of Duck on the tractor messing with the buttons and knobs. "You think he should be playing around with all those?"

"Ah he'll be fine. What harm could he do?"

"Shift the parking brake out of place and it rolls over your leg trapping you?" I stated dryly.

He paused in his hammering. "Fair point. Hey Duck? Don't play around with the knobs. Go ahead and play with the wheel but the knobs are dangerous ok?"

"Ok... sorry."

"It's ok bud. Just want to make sure no one gets hurt."

With that out of the way I got busy sawing through planks like tissue paper.

"You're really good at this. Were you a carpenter? Construction?"

"A professor actually. "

"Well damn. You're at least as strong as any farm boy I've ever met."

"Thanks"

After about 30 minutes of prep work Shawn told me that his dad wanted to see me in the barn.

My heart started to pump faster, recognizing that the first tragedy that I fucked up last time was quickly arriving.

Walking in I could tell this was gonna be one of 'those' conversations.

"So… you never mentioned your last name Lee. "

I sighed. "It's Everett."

His eyes narrowed in confirmed suspicion.

"You're that guy who killed the senator ain't ya."

"Yes."

"Hmph. You're honest at least. Tell me why I shouldn't kick you off my property right now."

"Well one, I still need to help with chores. 2 Clem needs food."

He shakes his head, confusion in his eyes.

"You don't make any kind of sense. You're a convicted 1st degree murderer and yet you talk like a normal man. What's your game with the little girl?"

"There isn't one. She's under my protection until we find her parents. If they're still alive anyway."

He relaxed and sighed leaning on a pitchfork. "Listen Lee. I'm gonna give ya some advice. You seem smart enough to take it. Be as honest as you've been with me if people ask. For that matter, tell people before they go looking. Cuz if they find out and take umbrage, that little girl loses a damn good protector."

I nod and stiffen. I hear the screams. God Fucking damn it! "Go get a gun. Toss me that pitch fork."

Catching it out of the air, I sprinted towards the sounds.

The scene was the same but for a few minor major differences. As I came into sight of the walkers, Clem jumped up and pulled Duck off the tractor before a walker could grab him. "Duck!" Kenny grabbed Duck, reassuring himself that he was ok and not bitten.

I launched myself at the 3 walkers that were lurching towards Shawn, who was trapped under the wheel again. With a ferocity born of a desire not to see Hershel broken like last time, I quickly thrust the pitchfork through all of their heads in rapid succession. Problem being that there were 2 more a moderate distance away lurching our way.

I grabbed the front of the tractor and yelled at Kenny. "Get your ass over here! Help me get him loose!"

But goddamn it. He acted like last time. Too damn concerned about his family, even when they are fine and others are in danger. He ran with Duck to Katjaa.

Goddammit.

I heaved with all my might, at first not making any progress, but my thighs strengthened from pushing the car yesterday, and the protein from last night gave me just enough of a boost that I was able to lift it up by about 7 inches, while Shawn crawled away, Clementine assisting as best as she could. After he was clear I dropped the tractor with a loud thump.

"Oh god…. Gonna be sore for a while."

Hungry too.

I took out the last 2 with the pitchfork just as Hershel came running with a double barrel shotgun.

"What the hell is going on out here?!"

"Dad!" Shawn looked white as a ghost. Scared and in pain.

"Son what happened?!"

"Those things… they came! They attacked me! The tractor rolled on me, I couldn't get away!" at this point he starts crying the kind of sobs that come from primal fear. "I thought I was gonna die Dad! Lee… He saved me! Lifted the fucking thing up! He went wild on those things! If he hadn't done what he did I would be dead by now!"

"You... you saved my boy." He shook his head. "How can I ever repay you?"

"Didn't do it for a reward. He needed help. Some supplies would be appreciated though.

After I helped get Shawn into the house I sat outside on the porch with Clem.

"Good work Sweet-pea."

"Thanks Lee. I didn't manage to stop Duck from getting Shawn stuck though."

"I think he dislodged the break before I could even say anything Clem. You moved fast getting him off that tractor. Good Work."

She blushed in pride.

I looked over at Kenny who was keeping his family close.

I raised a brow at him and he looked down in shame.

Hoo boy. He and I are gonna need to have a talk once we get to the pharmacy.

As thanks for my actions, Hershel brought out heaping plates of food for us all. Chicken, steak, sausage. He brought out anything I asked for. And good too. Because I could feel that metabolism The Kid had talked about starting to gear up something fierce.

Hershel even offered me and Clem a place to stay if we chose too. We appreciated the offer, but Clem and I had people to save. They stated that the offer was open for all time.

A little after lunch Kenny skulked over toward me. "Um… the truck is ready to go. If you still want to come with us?"

I sighed and patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah. We still plan on heading to Macon. Let me grab our stuff."

He nodded stiffly and went back to the truck.

I gathered the two travel packs we had been given my Hershel. Inside both were 2 full sized sleeping bags, flint, kerosene, a can opener, and canteens along with filters. Good stuff to have on hand. I threw them in the back and said our goodbyes to the Greene Family.

"Ready to head out?" said Hershel.

"Yeah… we need to get moving."

"Take care of yourself Lee. You and that little girl."

"We will. Thank you."

"No. thank you. You saved my family from tragedy. Be safe."

I climbed into the passenger side of the truck, checking on Clem really quickly who smiled in reassurance. I spoke to Kenny who still couldn't look me in the eye.

"Onwards to Macon."

AN: So… that's chapter 3. It's been a little bit. Reasons for that. The app is balls for publishing shit. I have no internet for my computer. And also my novel has been kicking my ass. I got the prologue and my first chapter done but those are kind of rough. I'll get it done though. Lol. So I have to say I appreciate all the support and positive words that you guys have been giving me. Let's be real. We write for other people. We want to make people happy. To make them feel emotions. I hope I've made you feel something even if it's only amusement. Also to address this, Worker72? Thank you very much for the idea to make her season 2 Clem instead of end Season 1. It makes her a lot more flexible in her roles.

One last thing guys. My updates will probably be sporadic as hell. Like I said. No internet. Have to make use of public libraries. Joy Joy.

However I am able to update my Fanfic Profile with updates to my current situation through the app. So check in on that every so often if you don't hear from me for a while.

Once again drop a review if you're curious about anything. Pm's don't seem to work for the app currently.

Thank you once again. SignlessAcolyte Out.