VIVIAN LET OUT A GROAN AS A HEAVY WEIGHT LANDED ON HER TORSO,

"Wake up, momma!"

She wrapped her arms around the toddler and was quick to sit up, causing the boy to giggle. He wiggled out of her arms and slid onto the floor.

Vivian stretched her arms over her head, sighing as she lowered them. Liam moved his attention to the car toys on the child's rug that she found for him, giving her a moment to properly wake up.

She walked over to the desk, cursing as she stepped on one of his cars, and reached for the watch that laid on the desk near the entrance of the cell,

"7 a.m, really?" Vivian mumbled,

She quickly changed out of her pyjamas and helped Liam into his own clothes before finding him some oatmeal for breakfast.

Vivian left him in the main common room to finish eating to grab Judith, who she knew would be waking soon and would also be hungry.

She moved the sheet to the side to see Rick cradling Judith in his arms, rocking her back and forth,

"Morning." Vivian whispered, not wanting to wake Carl,

"Mornin'." He replied, stepping out of the cell,

"I thought you'd be out there already." She stated as Rick handed the baby over to her,

"Heard her squirming around in there. Was gonna wake Carl-"

"I wouldn't." Vivian stopped him, "He's been up all night reading comics."

Rick raised an eyebrow, "How'd you know?"

"I got up to feed Judy at two and he was fake sleeping. I have... had three younger brothers, I have an eye for it." 

Or he was just avoiding Vivian.

She apologised for what she had said to him back in the woods, when Woodbury was invading the prison. But he was still mad, barely speaking to her and avoiding her at all costs.

He sighed, "Guess I'll let him sleep in."

"Or deal with a crabby teenager." Vivian smiled at him, "See you out there?"

Rick nodded, placing a hand on her lower back for a moment as he slid past her, heading towards the cell block door. Vivian watched him walk away before sighing and going to the common room to heat up a bottle.

"Ya ain't goin'."

Marcella rolled her eyes and tossed her bag into the back of the Toyota Corolla before turning to Daryl, "Last time I checked, you weren't the boss of me, Dixon. You lost that right after you lied to me."

She closed the door and began to walk away, "Ya don' even know where ta start." Daryl continued as he followed behind her,

"Easy. Go where Michonne hasn't gone. Duh." She scoffed, 

Daryl leapt forward and grabbed her arm, making her come to a stop, "Hey." He brushed some of her hair behind her ear, "I know ya want to find him, but ya ain't ready."

She pulled her arm away, "Hershel cleared me weeks ago. I'm fine."

"Yer head ain't. Yer too hell bent on finding him. Let him go." Daryl insisted,

"Let him go?" Marcie stepped away from him, "He killed your brother, Daryl, and you want to let him go?"

"I want ya to stay here, where it's safe. Michonne will find him."

She paused, looking out towards the road that led away from the prison as tears filled Marcie's eyes.

She hated looking weak, especially after that night. She never wanted to be that vulnerable again.

"Every night..." She mumbled, not wanting to admit how much what happened at Woodbury so many months ago still affected her, "I see them... and I see him. I just want it to be over." She sniffled,

Daryl wrapped his arms around her. He wasn't big on public displays of affection, but it was early, and not many people were out in the courtyard yet.

In the past four months, Daryl had gone out many times in search for the Governor. He kept it from Marcie, telling her he was going on runs, looking for people to bring in.

But as months passed, he began to think the Governor was gone for good.

Marcie only found out last month that he was still alive after she overheard a conversation between Daryl and Michonne. Daryl was forced to sleep in the guard tower after that argument. 

And as much as Marcie wanted to move on, she couldn't.

"I don' want ya out there alone." He mumbled.

"I was out there for months, Daryl. I can take care of myself." Marcie replied as she pulled away,

"You were with Michonne and Andrea. That was different." Daryl tried to humble her,

"God, I'm not a child." She groaned, walking away again,

She was out there, alone, even before she was with the Atlanta group. She took care of herself, stayed alive. After the farm, she helped Michonne take care of Andrea. The three of them stuck together, fighting through thick and thin, and she came out on the other side. 

Barely.

He came up beside her again, "'M goin' on a run soon... see ya after?"

"You mean am I going to sneak out of the prison to search for the Governor? No, Daryl, I won't." Marcie paused to give him a short kiss on the cheek, "Stay safe."

Daryl nodded, squeezing her hand and running his thumb over the little star tattoo before heading towards the gazebo, where Carol was.

Marcie watched him go. After Woodbury, he was so open to her. He would hold her at night, comfort her through her night terrors, and despite the grief he was going through, they helped each other.

But finding out the Governor was alive after she asked if he was dead... it hurt. She felt betrayed.

She just wanted to be close to him again.

Vivian stood in the courtyard, watching as Liam played with the other kids. It was nice, finding all these people and bringing them to the prison. Liam was still the youngest, besides Judith, but the other kids were still welcoming and happily played with him.

Rick and Carl opened the gates for Michonne, who had left on a week long trip searching for the Governor. Daryl and a group were heading out for a run, and stopped to speak to the trio.

 Michonne ended up jumping into the car with the others, and left to go on the run.

Once they were gone, Vivian headed down into the field to talk to Rick,

"Any update?"

Rick shook his head as he took the saddle off Michonne's horse, "He's just... gone."

"Maybe it's for the best." Vivian sighed, "He'd be dumb to come back. We have the numbers and the firearms."

Carl walked over, "Going to check the snares?" He asked his dad,

He nodded, "I am. You're not. Do your chores. Read comics. Maybe some books, too." Vivian smiled and placed her hands on her hips, "Hang out with Patrick. Maybe go to story time."

"Dad, that's for kids." Carl argued,

Rick raised his eyebrows, his facial expression telling Carl that he still is a child, "Yeah. Now brush her down." He patted the horse before he began walking away, and Vivian followed,

"You know, there's nothing wrong with staying close, Rick." She stated, "Everyone understands. You're growing us enough food so we won't need to do runs soon." Vivian sighed, glancing back at where Liam was running around before moving her gaze back to the man, "But we do have to find you a good pair of overalls. You need to look the part. A little piece of wheat out of the corner of your mouth. Maybe a bigger ass." She smiled and Rick rolled his eyes in a playful way,

"Listen, the rest of the council, they wanted me to talk to you. When you go out there, you got to take your gun." Vivian finished,

He sighed, "It's just outside the fence. I have my knife. I get in trouble, six bullets isn't gonna make the difference."

"Look, I know you want to make an example for Carl. But Rick, we want you to be safe." She squeezed his arm, "Bring your gun."

"Why don't you just come with me? Bring your gun." Rick offered,

Vivian moved her gaze back over to the group of children and Rick intervened, "He's safe. There's plenty of people around to watch him. Carl can bring him to story time." 

She looked over at the younger Grimes, "Carl, could you bring Liam to story time for me?"

The boy ignored her, as he grabbed the horse's brush. The two adults stared at him before Rick narrowed his eyes, "Carl!"

"Yeah, whatever." He mumbled, walking away,

The brunette sighed, before checking her gun that was in the holster on her belt, "You drive a hard bargain. Lead the way, Farmer Rick."