The reviews I've read on this story are so interesting and its fun to see where y'all see the story going or to see what y'all are thinking of the chracters and the scenarios.

Thanks for enjoying and the feedback, i read them ten times over. This is quite overdue since I've been picking away at it little by little.

HAPPY READING!

The whirring of appliances and the still and sterile atmosphere was driving Michonne mad. Her worry was mounting rapidly the longer the doctors took to examine, probe and evaluate Judith. After her frantic and panicked display the moment they entered the clinic and her forceful need for them to take care of her baby, she'd been instructed to take a breather in the waiting room. She'd paced, sat, paced some more until she was exhausted and stood rigid like a statue near the door to Judith's room. She heard the scuffling, the beeping, the talking and it took everything in her not to burst in so that Judith wouldn't have to be alone.

The hand came out of nowhere and Michonne jumped, turning around to see Rick's ever clear blue eyes. She didn't know what to make of him even now but seeing him so readily act on Judith's behalf was that small ripple of reassurance she had been missing the moment she saw Judith's pained and pale face beside her.

"She's going to be okay, she's a tough girl" his voice low but booming in the quietness.

"I know…" Michonne shook her head and hugged herself. "I know that but..I should be in there, she's not good with strangers and being within all that havoc on her own won't help"

"You're not wrong for the way you acted" he told her.

"But it cost me," she huffed.

"It didn't cost you anything" he squeezed her shoulder. Rick was strange to say the least but had this warmth to him that didn't show on his exterior with his full beard, downcast expression and simple answers. Yet, there wouldn't be anyone else she'd rather have with her in that moment and it was terrifying how much this stranger who'd barged into her life so suddenly, made her feel more safe than she had in years.

"Judith knows how much you care about her, she knows you're here and that's why she's trying her best. Whatever this is, I'm sure she'll push through" Rick met her eyes and she saw only earnestness and it loosened her shoulders.

"Thank you" she whispered.

"No need" he took his hand back and she immediately missed the warmth.

"There is." She said with conviction, turning to him fully. "You've done so much for two people you've only met days ago when I know you'd rather be somewhere else; you have to be somewhere else and it wouldn't feel right to me if I didn't acknowledge that"

Rick stared at her and it wasn't the first time she wondered what he was thinking. "So thank you, for everything" she said.

Just then the door to the room opened and both Rick and Michonne became more alert. The doctor, an old man with a full white beard and hair, walked over to them. Michonne felt her nerves flare considerably and hugged herself tightly as she watched the man stop some feet in front of them. He checked his clipboard thoroughly, leaving Michonne in a state of suspense.

"How is she?" She couldn't hold back her worries any longer.

The old doctor looked up from his clipboard and swept a glance between them before extending a hand. "I'm doctor Hershel Greene, nice to meet you. I'm sorry it was under such duress. Judith's parents?" He lifted an eyebrow.

Michonne blanched at that. What was he talking about? She felt a strong, warm hand against her shoulder blade and looked toward Rick who stepped up beside her, taking the doctor's hand in a firm shake. "Yes"

He then looked at Michonne who still was at a loss to the scenario but as Rick's eyes met hers they were slightly narrowed which she felt meant something along the lines of 'play along'. And despite her initial hesitance, she did because there was no reason not to.

"How is she?" She didn't see the luxury in wasting time.

"First off," Dr. Greene began, sensing her urgency. "We've given Judith some medication to ease the vomiting and settle some of the high fever" he flipped to a page on his clipboard.

"From what you've provided in her history, it seems she's at more risk than most when it comes to sicknesses" he sighed. "I don't want to alarm you but her developing such a high fever is because of her fragile immune system courtesy of her premature birth and previous accounts of malnutrition" Dr. Greene stated factually.

Michonne hadn't known when but she'd found Rick's hand, squeezing it for some solace of comfort as her mind ran rampant with uncertainty. She felt his slack grip grow tighter and she welcomed the warmth and the meaning behind it, it grounded her some; just having someone there.

"I believe it's a stomach flu, probably from something she ate or even just the environment she's in. As humans we are all prone to airborne illnesses no matter how mild but for Judith, her condition is a lot more risky"

"Oh god" Michonne mumbled and felt as though her knees would give out.

Rick held on.

"Her body is putting up a fight but it's very strenuous on her. I think it'll be safer if we keep her here and monitor her until this breaks and we see improvement."

Michonne couldn't think. Her mind was a hubbub of thoughts, some more shrilling than others but all blaming her, condemning her, disappointed with her because of course. Of course. How could she have thought this was a good idea, she had no solid plan. She knew determination couldn't get her all the way and yet she was still selfish enough to believe she'd be good enough to take care of her, it should've been her alone wading the streets and the unknown. Judith should be in a warm bed, she should know when her next meal was, she shouldn't be on the run not knowing where it all ended. Her body was frail, such a drastic change in environment was bound to confuse her system. The only place she'd known had been Wysteria. If something happened to Judith, to her sweet, cheeky girl, Michonne wasn't sure what she'd do with herself. But now that they were there together it made zero sense to be without her and yet this was inevitable.

"I…" her voice was barely above a whisper. How could she have gotten it so wrong? They weren't meant to be out there, what could she do? What could Judith do? It's been merely a week and a half and the stark reality of it all was damning and frustrating.

"I can't…I don't…" her words were not leaving her throat and she bit her lip as she berated herself.

"Dr. Greene, it's been a long road with our daughter and so you can imagine my wife's hesitation" Rick's voice sounded beside her and Michonne looked up at him in surprise, momentarily forgetting the ruse they'd silently decided on as she felt her heart race.

"I think it'll do if you give us the items we need to best care for her" Rick bargained, his eyes briefly glancing at Michonne who felt pulled in every direction.

Dr. Greene sighed and shook his head. "I won't sugarcoat. These supplies are very expensive and hard to come by, that's why we as a small practice have made contracts with the major hospital of Alexandria, who in turn have alliances with neighboring nations. What I'm saying is, we get the short end of the stick to hold us over until our next shipment and in a sizable town like this one, we need every bit of it" the older doctor looked between them. "I have no qualms with caring for Judith until her fever and the worst of it clears but in no way can we just hand you supplies when we don't know how long this will last"

Michonne needed to sit. She needed to see Judith. She needed to think. What now? She couldn't leave her there by herself and what about money? She would need to find a job to be able to pay for treatment and even then, what if Judith's condition only gets worse?

"Then we will wait it out" Rick spoke up once more and Michonne let up on her pondering and looked at him. His face was a picture of neutrality and gave nothing away to her but Michonne felt his sincerity in the way that he gripped her hand—they hadn't broken from each other once.

"But—" she started, knowing that he had his own troubles. His need and urgency had been prevalent since she'd found him. She understood it and felt inclined to push him towards that direction.

"We will wait" he said in a tone that suggested no argument and Michonne met his steady gaze. Once again she found herself questioning his actions, why? To her it made little sense how helpful he's been, how reassuring his presence was when she didn't even know what tomorrow will bring and now with Judith in peril his calm and confident demeanour eased some of her anxiety and hopelessness.

"Can we see her?" She turned to the doctor, voice not masking the plea in her tone.

Dr. Greene pivoted towards the room. "Follow me"

Michonne let Rick lead, feeling his callous fingers rub against her hand. It brought on a certain shyness Michonne had long since let go of and forgotten that it sent a jolt through the tips of her fingers and up her arm, burning her chest. She let out a breath as they entered the room Judith lay in. Seeing her motionless on the stark white bed almost did her in. She looked pale and unlike her usually lively self and it disoriented Michonne to a degree she hadn't thought possible. She released Rick and quickly made her way over, heart clenching as she reached and smoothed her wily, thin hair from her face.

"I'm here" she whispered. Michonne leaned over and planted a soft kiss to Judith's sweaty forehead and then rested her own against it. "Please be okay, you fought this far, we've fought this far. It'll be okay" she said softly as the two other men watched.

"I'll let you two have some time" Dr. Greene left and closed the door.

Michonne slipped her hand into Judith's small, limp one. She watched as her chest rose in shallow, almost labored breaths. "She's my everything," she said when Rick stepped up beside her. "We've been together practically since the day she was taken in by Madame. She's helped me in more ways than she will ever know and I'll do my damndest to reciprocate that" a few tears slid down her cheeks.

"I'm sure she knows how much you've cared for her already" Rick looked at her.

"But look at her" she stared at her baby, a frown in her brow and sweat along her body—in pain. "I took her away from all she knew, a place where she could grow healthily despite it all. I should've had better resolve"

"Michonne" Rick's tone was serious and she looked up into electrifying eyes. "Never regret taking her away from such a place. This is not your fault and Judith would never blame you. She's a smart girl who looks out for those she loves, she wants what's best for you and you, her. The two of you have such a strong bond, I see it, she feels it"

He gazed at Judith so softly, Michonne almost melted with it. This was the most emotions he's outwardly shown since she'd known him and it didn't feel as out of place as she would've thought. He reached out and smoothed out the small wrinkle wedged between Judith's brows. "It reminds me of my son and I," he said.

There was quiet between them.

"Go" Michonne said after a while and kept her gaze on Judith even though she felt the keen and steady gaze of Rick.

"Go?"

"To your son" she said and finally as that indescribable pull between them forced her hand, they locked eyes. It was strange, she'd never had this need to be seen by anyone before. Not even when she was performing, back then it was just her joy for the art propelling her to dance but with Rick she felt something so distinctive, as though they could read each other with even the slightest glance. To her it felt like he could see through to her deepest thoughts and pull them forward and for her, though he was still a mystery, she felt his emotions, the words he couldn't seem to say.

It was all so sudden, so unorthodox and almost silly if it was told to her by anyone else but it felt natural. Rick was quiet and she didn't push him, there seemed to be a lot there that she wasn't privy to. Her life was laid bare to him unintentionally and he'd taken it in stride so it seemed right to her to let him reveal what he felt he needed to.

"She reminds me of Carl, too. Strong willed, determined, smart and kind" Rick said. "That's how I've been able to take being away from him, I know he'll do what's right, when it's right. I know I can count on him to wait for me for as long as he can"

Michonne listened, interested to know more about this steady rock of a man. "All my life I've been set on doing everything for my family even through a stalling marriage and things I couldn't escape from" he let out a breath. "Michonne, you're the first person I've come across in months, maybe years that I've been able to say I can trust" his eyes were so genuine, Michonne couldn't look away. "I want to trust myself too, something I haven't been able to do since I've lost that same family to someone I used to think of as a brother."

Michonne was at a loss for words. The sadness in his eyes was palpable, so much more inviting than the hard stare and cool gaze he'd had since she'd found him. She wanted to reach out and hold him but stayed put.

"What does that trust say?" She asked quietly.

He seemed to search her eyes, a frown gracing his features. He looked down and Michonne took a step forward, raising her hand to gently press against the wrinkle forming between his eyebrows much like he'd done for Judith. Her thumb ran over it and it eased and he stared down at her. Michonne smiled. "Go"

-()-

Carl stared at the grinning man before him, red tinting his vision just a bit and pain erupting all over. He heard his mother on the other side of the closed door crying and yelling for him but he was powerless to reassure her.

"Carl…" the man dragged playfully, eyes a picture of amusement but there was hardness in them too. "How many chances can I give you? I've put up with your fucking tantrums and whining for months and you just keep busting my balls"

Carl's gaze shifted to the side where Shane stood at attention. He stared at him and for the hundredth time wondered why he did this? Why bring them there just to suffer? He wanted to ask him, to demand an answer but his lips were busted and swollen. So he glared, so strongly that his bruised brows burned. Shane's stoicism flinched just a bit and a sliver of apology passed before it was masked. What use was an apology, now?

"T..tak..e me t..o my fa…ther" he spoke around the pain, some letters hard to form.

Negan laughed loudly. Shane frowned deeply. When Negan's laughter died down he walked close and crouched down to where Carl was knelt, splatters of blood decorating the concrete around him. "Your father? You mean that bitch who can't realize what he's got?"

Negan reached out and gripped his chin harshly, Carl groaned in pain. "You don't even know who your father is, what he's done. Let that fucker shake in his boots not knowing where his family is"

Negan let him go and let his arms rest on his bent knees. "He will learn that everything that once belonged to him is now mine. I like your drive, kid but not when it's against me and that deserves punishment. It's called treason, don't you know?" He grinned.

He motioned to a different man to his left, balding and lanky who came over carrying a bundle. Carl's eyes would've widened in recognition if his eyelids weren't stiff and turning black and blue. The man threw the papers at him and they scattered about, soaking up some of his blood and smudging his hand writing, the last to drop was his overstuffed notebook.

"Goddammit kid, if that ain't some genius shit I don't know what is" Negan praised. "Fuck, if you weren't a pain in my ass I'd actually put you up their with Eugene"

He looked at the meaty man keeping Carl rooted to the ground. "Take him to the basement"

Carl's heart thumped heavily against his rib cage at that. He's snuck down there multiple times, heard the talk and stories of what those subjected to the dark confines endure and he wanted nothing to do with it. He writhed in the men's grip, suppressing the aches and deep hot pain coursing through his body but they held firm.

"Negan…Carl can't be down there" Shane stepped up.

Negan stood and looked at him indifferently. "You gave them to me, I can do what I want. Haven't I eased your pathetic guilt enough times? I'm sure the governor will consider you" He scoffed.

Shane was quiet.

"The woman you stole from your so-called best friend, is now mine and this tough ass kid will eventually be broken by me" the two men stared at each other until Shane stepped back in line, a deep, concerned frown on his face.

"Take him" Negan said again and Carl was hauled to his feet and taken out the door where his mother's eyes grew wide in horror at his appearance.

"Carl!? Carl!?" She ran forward, trying to touch him but was pulled back when Negan wrapped his arms around her.

"None of that sweet cheeks, your son is just being taught a much needed lesson" he chuckled, moving his hands up to fondle her breasts.

"You can't!" She shoved him away and tried to go after Carl but was kept still.

"Negan" Shane came up with a stern look.

"Oh for fucks sake, you were much more fun when you wanted to fuck Rick over for a piece of his wife" Negan laughed. "Now that you're getting blue balled you don't like it?"

Carl was at a loss as to what was going on but he knew he didn't want to see or hear anymore and while the two men dragged him around the corner and took the sight of Negan pulling the front of his mothers dress down from his view, Carl felt a small sense of relief. His energy was waning rapidly and all he wanted was to sleep, to wake up with this all being a terrible nightmare and his father trying to cart him off to one of their Saturday fishing trips.

He was coming. Carl would never doubt that and so he'd wait, he had to. The wails and cries that met him in the long basement hallways made his stomach tighten and his fear rise. The noisy scrape of a metal slab door sounded moments later and then he was thrust to the hard ground. It was dark in the small space and he was locked in before he could even gather his bearings.

-()-

She left. After everything she did for her, she threw her away like dirt for a man; once again she wasn't seen as anything but an obstacle, a hindrance. The anger embedding deep in her bones was indescribable, it was hot and alive and took over her body like a parasite. She sat in carnage in the middle of the messed up room where ripped sheets and clothes were discarded, furniture was upturned and anything of value was broken and thrown about. It was like a relentless tornado barrelled through. She stared at the spot where she'd been shot, the spot where she looked up into her beautiful face and felt that familiar bliss but also a chill at the pleased smile that had unknowingly crossed her flower's face for a moment.

"You're mine….you're mine…I raised you" Gertie repeated like a mantra as she looked around. It was so silent.

She stood, bloody knife in hand and finally exited the room of the woman she wanted no matter what. She looked out at the others that could never shine as bright. They could never be her and it was foolish of them to even think they could come close to her perfection, her appeal, her stunning. The anger stayed simmering as she gripped the knife and stepped forward, tripping up over a limp arm. She looked down and stared into lifeless eyes and small limbs covered in wounds and blood. She'd done everything for these bitches and yet they were so incompetent, no, Michonne was all she needed.

She sidestepped body after body littering the floor and eased down the stairs where a mangled corpse lay awkwardly and to the lobby. She needed to get out of there, find her, take her, bring her home. Wysteria was dead without her. Gertie felt the drops and then the steady downpour drowned her deliciously when she stepped out into the dark. She sighed, Michonne needed her.