Rick unsheathed his knife, angry to find the guns he'd hidden taken. He steeled himself as he heard the groans of the horde behind him. It was time. He turned to face the flock just in time to see Carl appear to his right.

Rick barely had time for a questioning glance before the herd was right in front of them. Carl unsheathed his knife and stood beside his father.

"Get ready", Rick signalled, plunging his knife into the skull of the first walker. Father and son took down body after body, anticipating one another's every move. Rick picked out a long piece of metal from the rusted junkpile near the house and raised it.

"Dad", Carl stopped him, grabbing the crowbar and finishing the last walker himself. Rick smiled, his pride winning out over his anger for a moment before he shook himself back.

"That was real good son"

"Thanks, Dad"

"Did somebody give you permission to be out here?"

"Umm, no. I just sort of came", Carl shifted uncomfortably

"I thought I told you not to leave the house while I'm gone"

"You said I could go out."

"Oh that's right. And where did you say you were going when you left this afternoon?"

"Jessie's"

"Did you go to Jessie's?"

"Well. No. No sir. But I just needed some time outside."

"Mmmhmm, so you lied and snuck off to go somewhere you know you shouldn't be. I'm starting to see a familiar pattern Carl-"

"No, Dad. No, this is different."

"How is it different Carl?"

"I, I just wanted to come-"

"I mean honestly Carl, after the whipping Michonne gave you last time, I thought you'd be done sneaking off on your own, but apparently, you need another reminder."

"Dad, no please. It's just- a girl. I followed a girl out here. I'm sorry."

"A girl?"

"Yes sir. I just- wasn't thinking straight. I'm sorry.", Rick giggled and grabbed Carl gently by the back of the neck.

"Well, at least I know you aren't staging another mutiny."

"No sir. I totally get it. We can just go home and forget this ever happened."

"That's a nice try", Rick smiled, "Since you're so good at climbing fences, let's see how you do with trees. I want you to climb up and cut a nice, big, green switch,"

"Come on, Dad"

Rick crossed his arms and nodded toward the tree. Carl climbed up the crooked trunk until he found a branch he knew would satisfy his father. A few times when he was younger, he tried to bring small, flimsy switches so that it would hurt less, but his Dad would just take the switches without comment, spank him with them until they broke and then make him go cut a sturdy new one.

He climbed back down and handed the switch to his father. Rick cleaned it, getting rid of the nicks and thorns while Carl stood kicking at an anthill in front of him.

"Why are you about to get this whooping Carl?"

"I snuck out by myself."

"Well, that. I was thinking. I saw the way you fought today. You can handle yourself son. You've more than proved that. You need time to yourself out here, you take it. But you tell me, or one of the group before you go. Sneaking is something children do, just like losing their minds chasing girls, or getting their butts whooped. Understand me?"

"Yes sir"

"So, what are you getting whooped for?"

"For sneaking out without telling anybody. And for lying"

"And you understand why you get whooped for those things?"

"Because it's dangerous. I know."

"Well I'm glad you know. Come on."

"I can really go out by myself?"

"With permission."

"Thanks Dad", Carl hugged his father tightly with tears in his eyes.

"Wow. That's a real power hug there kid"

"Yeah. I really don't want a whipping, Dad"

"That's tough kid. Pull 'em down. Up against the tree."

Carl walked slowly over to a tree and pulled his pants and underwear down to his thigh. He rested his forearms against the bark.

"Ssss", He forgot sometimes how much more he hated switches than his Dad's belt. I mean, the belt was no picnic but-

"Agh, sss, agh Agh!", Godfuckingshitdamnit. His Dad had to be wearing out his arm. Carl's legs started squirming and his pants fell down to his ankles,leaving his thighs open for the constantly falling switch.

"Ow. Dad. Please", Carl reached his hand back to cover his blistering bottom, pulling it back quickly after a few stripes of the switch to his palm.

"Dad. I'm sorry. I know it was dangerous. Please", Rick brought his hand down to his side.

"Are you ever gonna do it again?"

"No sir. I swear I won't"

"Ok, then just ten more to send the lesson home."

"Aww f-, Dad, please."

"I want you to count them"

"Sss. One. "

"Sssss. Two. "

"Agh agh three. "

"Phhhh. Sss. Four. "

"Five, ssshhhh, agh six. "

"Ow, dad. Sss agh seven. "

"Sss agh eight. "

"Sssss agh nine."

"Sss aagh ten ten ten ten ten ten."

Carl jumped up and down, trying to shake the pain out of his behind. He took several deep breaths and got himself together quickly, pulling up his pants with a hiss. Rick pulled him into a hug. Carl tucked his head into his Dad's shoulder embarrassed to be crying even after the spanking.

"I am so proud of the man you're growing into", Rick whispered, kissing the top of his son's head. Carl rubbed the sting out of his bottom and dried his eyes. He breathed in the air outside the walls. He could come out on his own now. His Dad trusted him that much.

Rick handed Carl the rusty crow bar. He took it, spinning it up to land on his shoulder. Rick gently rustled his hair as they headed back to town. Despite the persistent ache in his behind, today was turning out to be a good day.