After reviewing the case and evidence placed against the defendant, I have granted the requested restraining order. Effective for three years. If Mr. Blake comes in contact with Miss- excuse me- Dr. Adams in any way, shape, or form, he will be detained. Any failure to abide by the strict rules of the restraining order will result in jail time. Court adjourned"

At the smacking of the gavel, I hang my head in relief, overjoyed that it's finally over.

"Yes! That's great Cass!" Sophie cries beside me, hugging me from the side tightly. I smile at her, contentment flowing through me.

He can't hurt me anymore.

As we walk out of the emptying courtroom, the words restraining order and granted play a loop in my mind, relief continuing to flow through me. Thank god it finally happened.

"Hey, I'll meet you guys in a bit, just going to go to the bathroom really quick," I say under my breath to Sophie and Michonne, who nod, smiles still on their equally relieved faces.

Feeling grateful I have my supportive friends with me today, I dart into the nearby bathroom. After doing my business, I walk out of the stall towards the sink, the clicking of my heels echoing hollowly in the empty room. My hands dance under the stream of water in the old-fashioned sink, soap cleansing away all my former anxiety. A cautious smile begins to form on my lips.

It finally happened. It's over now.

My blood freezes over as I hear a harsh, slow clap behind me. Nervously, my eyes flit up in the mirror to discover Phillip behind me, making me flinch. His dark eyes glare right back at me through the reflection, an intense hatred behind those eyes.

"Quite the performance back there, Bunny." He spits, dropping his previously clapping hands making me gulp, fear coursing my veins. The former relief is far gone now, my hands suddenly shaking under the hot stream of sink water.

"You manipulated an entire courtroom just to fuck. me. over. Fantastic. I'm honestly impressed." He snarls slowly, taking a purposeful step toward me. My heartbeat pounds against the vein in my neck, panic engulfing me.

I feel like an animal, cornered by a primal and dangerous predator. A gazette frozen in fear as a lion stalks toward her, knowing what will happen but too terrified to move.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about. It's t-the truth," I stutter, not having the courage to move from my spot. My skin is starting to burn under the hot water from the sink, turning a bright red color. But I've begun to get used to pain.

Phillip nears me slowly, that dangerous glint in his eyes. The predator, stalking his prey. His top lip twitches in anger and my stomach drops at the familiar movement, dread washing over me.

"You've won. For now. But I promise you, Bunny? That the second that shitty piece of paper expires, I will come for you." He drawls out evenly, eyebrows pulled together, driving his deep forehead creases to be more prominent.

Adrenaline tingles through my limbs, my lower lip quivering as I watch him in terror through the reflection of the mirror. My chest heaves, fearing what he could do.

The images flash through my mind. He could throw me against the harsh tile floor, smash the side of my head on the edge of the porcelain sink, or grab me from my hair and yank me backward into him. So many possibilities, which one will he do?

When he speaks again, his commanding voice filling the small bathroom quickly, my body jerks in anticipation of violence.

"I will kill you. Slow enough so you can feel the pain you have caused me. Leaving me. Embarrassing me like this, slandering my name!" Phillip shouts, his nostrils flaring in anger. I blink at him, wordlessly awaiting him to hurt me in some way.

He takes a deep breath instead, his hands clenched at his sides. "Know that I will kill you. And no one will be able to stop me. In these next three years, know I'm in the back of your mind, waiting." He snarls, giving me one last meaningful glare before turning on his heels and striding out of the room.

My body sags, the edges of my vision growing blurry. I hear a woman cry out, seeming far more distant than it probably should be. A door slams and I clumsily fall to the dirty tile floor, lightheadedness getting the best of me.

Letting out a weak groan, I try to pull myself up, but fail, my arms lead as they collapse under me. Distant again, I hear the familiar sounds of my friends calling out "Cass!"

But louder in my mind is the constant replaying of Phillip's words. "I will kill you." repeating over and over.

His threat.

Overwhelming defeat consumes me knowing the threat isn't empty. It's not just a scare tactic but a promise. One he means to keep.

Sobs painfully wrack my chest as I lie in a crumpled heap on the unclean courtroom bathroom floor. The comforting and warm hands of my friends wrap around me as they rush to my side to check if I'm alright.

I'm unable to say anything, lost in an ocean of tears and dread, knowing I will never be alright again. I simply weep in my friends' arms, wishing I never laid eyes on Phillip Blake.

___

- Cass's POV -

Judith coos softly as I place her gently in her makeshift crib, watching as she wriggles her little limbs. The edges of my mouth quirk up slightly, a fleeting feeling of happiness darting through me. Judith does an almost giggle as she blinks up at me, warming my heart. Lighting up this small, dark cell, the only daylight filtering through the distant windows of the cell hall.

Despite all the pain, death, and violence in this world, at least we have her. Our sweet girl. Little ass-kicker. She's the bright flame of hope in this dark and seemingly unsalvageable world.

"Rick isn't letting us run away. He's saying that we need to stay and fight." Glenn's voice announces from behind me. The fleeting feeling of happiness from Judith completely drains from my body, flowing out from my feet and into the concert floor, returning me to the empty shell I was before.

Glancing over my shoulder, I look at my friend with wariness, hating the sight of his barely healing bruises distorting his face.

"It's the right decision. Phillip... He-" I start, my words catching in my clenching throat. I close my eyes before speaking again, trying to collect myself. "He doesn't give up. When he sets his mind to something, it happens." I inform Glenn tiredly who just nods, his jaw taut.

"It just doesn't feel right, sitting here doing nothing." Glenn shakes his head. I nod, inhaling slowly through my nose, my hand on my hip.

"I get it. But it's the way we're doing this." I sigh, turning to check on Judith as she lets out a babble.

"I'm sorry, Cass," Glenn murmurs, his voice suddenly soft. My stomach falls as I remember it all over again, my body going rigid. When I glance back over my shoulder at him, I feel the dread weighing down my expression.

"Thank you. I'm so sorry about you and Maggie. You guys didn't deserve that, and I sent you to get the formula," I say, fighting back the tears of guilt threatening to fall. Glenn shakes his head, looking like he's close to crying himself.

"The only person who should be apologizing is the Governor," Glenn says bitterly, the corners of his mouth pulled down in an angry frown.

I nod, looking down, still in disbelief that he's out there. And he's going to try to kill me, like he promised, three years ago.

"Well, we're going to fight him now, there's no going back. I'll see you out there," Glenn throws over his shoulder before turning and walking away. I take in a deep breath, pushing down the bile rising up my throat at the idea of Phillip. Of Him.      

I gently fix Judith's hand-knitted hat, courtesy of Carol, on her head to make sure it covers the tips of her little ears. It's getting colder every day, winter clearly approaching fast. We've got to keep her warm.

My fingers gently caress her soft little cheek, making her smile. "What am I gonna do, huh?" I whisper hoarsely, tears burning behind my eyelids. Judith just blinks those big, brown, doe eyes up at me. I smile.

"Don't worry, we got your dad and your big brother, who will make sure to always protect you. You're very lucky in that department, by the way. You got a big family who will die for you." I inform the infant in front of me, who just blinks at my words.

"I'm sorry you don't have your mom. I will try to make up for that every day for the rest of my life, okay?" I assure her, my heart feeling heavier than lead in my chest. So many things have gone wrong in this world. I hope for her sake that it will get better.

I bend over, kissing her temple gently. "I love you, little ass kicker," I murmur, before turning and leaving. I inform Beth as I pass her cell that Judith is ready for her and Sophia to watch over.

As I walk past the cells on the bottom level, I stop in my tracks when I see Maggie. She's curled up on the bottom bunk of her cell, hugging her knees close to her chest. My heart stops at the sight, guilt gripping my gut.

"Hey," I say softly, making her lift her head slightly to meet my gaze, her eyes full of despair. I can't stay in the doorway when I see her expression.

Rushing over, I drop to a crouch beside her on the bunkbed, a lump in my throat seeing her this way. After what Phillip did to her a few days ago, I don't blame her for being like this. Wanting to shut out the world.

"Maggie, I'm so sorry." I breathe, my bottom lip trembling and voice shaking as I try to comfort her. She just shakes her head into her knees.

"It's not your fault," Maggie's meek voice sounds, muffled through her clothes. My heart breaks for her, and I close my eyes, hanging my head. I feel like it's my fault. Then again, I feel like everything is my fault lately.

I place a comforting hand on her shoulder, grateful that she doesn't flinch at the touch. "Phillip used to hurt me. The idea of him doing the same to the people I love-" I have to stop, my voice breaking as a sob tries to force its way through.

Suddenly, Maggie lunges at me, hugging me tightly. I hug her back, fighting the tears fighting to get through. "We'll make him pay for this, I promise" I mumble into her shoulder. She nods into mine, not breaking the hug.

We stay like that for a while. Two victims, comforting each other at the actions of one monster.

___

Shoving the wooden pallet up against the chainlink fence, I grunt with effort. Stepping back, I feel a sense of pride at the work I've done. While it's not the best shield from bullets, it's something. 

"Huh, look at that," Carol says behind me with a grin. I put on a fake smile as I look back at her. I want to make her feel better. To know she can do this, but all I can feel is an all-consuming dread because I know he's coming. Soon.

"Damn good job." I agree, glancing out to the courtyard where Carl and Maggie are setting up barriers to use as cover. It's easy to see them from up here, on the connecting walkway between cell blocks C and D.

I'm looking out into the slightly yellowing treeline when it happens. It's so quick, it doesn't fully register at first. When the first round of bullets is rapidly fired. It's when Carol cries out, ducking down and pulling out her gun that I'm shaken into action. Trembling, I retrieve the assault rifle off my back and duck down as well, my heart racing.

Shit. It's happening now?

I fumble with the heavy gun in my hands, turning off the safety and making sure it's loaded. I quickly join Carol in her crouched and aiming position. She fires off rounds at the few men shooting at the prison as I maneuver around her to get a better angle for the incoming fire east of the entrance of the prison yard.

Squinting through my scope as I scan the yard, my stomach flips when I see a beige SUV parked off to the side of the front entrance, two men standing beside it with their guns drawn. In a second, I recognize one of them to be Phillip.

Searing rage boils up my body, overpowering me. I'm suddenly overwhelmed by raw fury aimed at him. At what he did to Maggie. To Glenn. To Andrea and Michonne.

To me.

The crosshairs of the scope perfectly line up with his chest, where a normal person would have a heart. Not so sure in his case, but may as well find out.

Determination flits through me, my finger resting over the trigger. I hesitate for a millisecond, his voice in the back of my mind saying "You can't do it, Bunny. You love me right?"

His voice, despite it being in my own mind, fills me with more determination. Pushing past his manipulation fighting against me, I finally squeeze the trigger right as what looks like an old food truck barrels through the front entrance, taking the bullet instead.

I curse loudly, dropping down and lowering the gun to watch in horror as the truck crashes through the gates, tearing through the yard until it skids to a stop in the middle. My chest heaves in my chest as the gunfire pauses on both sides.

Furrowing my brows, adrenaline pumps through my body as I watch the stationary vehicle in confusion. Abruptly, the back of the truck slams open, creating a ramp that about thirty walkers stumble out of. My stomach drops, suddenly feeling sick.

Oh, this is how he wants to play? Okay. Fine.

Let's play dirty.

Gunfire resumes and I growl in overwhelming anger, squinting through the scope again. I take out the guy in the watchtower nearest to us, who had been barraging Maggie and Carl with bullets, making it impossible to fire back. The food truck speeds out of the yard and through the entrance driving away.

My heart pounds as I find Phillip through my scope again. He's shouting something, but I'm too far away to hear it. I quickly aim at his forehead, squeezing the trigger without hesitation. It misses when he moves slightly, making me swear in frustration. His head turns in my direction. Letting out a shout, he freely shoots his automatic rifle carelessly right where I'm standing, making me duck back down, my heart leaping out of my chest as bullets explode around me relentlessly.

When the rapid gunfire finally stops, I slowly peek over the edge of the pallet, disappointment flashing through me when I see the SUV tear away, following the food truck.

"Fuck!" I shout, kicking the pallet beside me, hot tears of fury and frustration pushing past my eyelids.

"Are you guys okay?" Someone shouts down from the courtyard.

"Yeah, we're good!" Carol calls back from beside me, eyeing me warily. I rub my hand against my forehead, letting out a long breath, trying to calm myself down. Why did I hesitate before? I should have shot that fucker when I had the chance.

"Anyone hurt?" Carol shouts. I glance down at the courtyard, relieved when I see all the familiar faces, perfectly fine. "No, we're good!" Rick calls up to us, hugging Carl into his side briefly.

Anger boils under my skin as I watch the herd of walkers wandering around the yard we had cleared fully not too long ago. The front gate they destroyed catches my eye and the groups of walkers that now freely wander in. I drop my gun at my feet, leaning against the chainlink wall behind me, tilting my head back, and closing my eyes in defeat.

What do we do now?

If that's the kind of damage he did with four men and a fucking food truck in under fifteen minutes, how do we stand against him and his whole army?

After a moment to collect ourselves, Carol and I meet up with the rest of the group gathered in the courtyard. We silently watch the now large number of walkers wander around what used to be our yard.

"Asshole." I spit angrily, clenching my hands in fists at my sides.

"Yeah." Rick breathes beside me in agreement. My chest heaves in anger as I imagine all the ways I can get Phillip back for this.

Hurt him back. For once make him feel how he made me feel.

I'm taken back to reality at the feeling of Rick's gaze trained on me. I look over at him and his strange expression. "What?" I ask, noticing the uneasy shifting of the rest of the group.

Am I missing something?

"Before he left, the Governor shouted something." Herschel tries to put it delicately, looking uncomfortable.

"Yeah?" I ask, searching the group's expressions.

What is going on?

"He said he wanted his wife back," Rick finally explains awkwardly beside me, those intense eyes studying me. Waiting for my reaction.

It takes me a second and then I can't help the bitter scoff that pushes past my mouth. How delusional is he? I have to step away, shaking my head.

He's calling me his wife? Pretending like he has some moronic control over me? Pretending that I would ever, willingly, marry him?

Fuck that. I'm going to kill that bastard.

Turning around, I look back at the group, watching me warily. "For the record, We were just engaged. That's it." I inform them, clenching my jaw in frustration. 

"Yeah, we figured," Glenn says, scratching the back of his neck. I shake my head again, still in disbelief. What makes him think he has the right?

"For the record," Rick repeats my phrase, making me glance back at his serious expression. "He isn't 'getting you back' We won't let that happen." Rick assures me with determination laced in his voice. Appreciation floods through me, and I nod, my heart pounding.

If only that was something he could promise.

___

It's the next day watching Sophia feed Judith from the doorway when I finally begin to feel somewhat better again.

"You're good at that," I tell her with a smile. Sophia's head snaps to mine, a sheepish smile breaking out on her adorable face.

"Well, I had a good teacher," Sophia responds, nodding to me. Touché.

I chuckle, walking in and dropping beside her on the bunk. "Still. You're a natural," I inform her knowingly. I am right. I saw tons of interns try to comfort babies but they always looked so awkward trying.

Like Sophie. She didn't have a maternal bone in her body. It makes me smile remembering her. How opposite she is in comparison to the girl in front of me who shares her name.

"Do you think I will be able to have my own baby one day?" Sophia asks me quietly, not looking at me. My gaze softens, my heart aching in my chest for her because I honestly have no idea.

"If that's what you want, when you're old enough, I'm sure you will," I respond carefully. Sophia nods, still looking down. I pity her, being a child in the midst of this. While it's hard for all of us, she deserved to have a normal, happy childhood. One where she could've grown to be a normal teenager, go to prom, have a boyfriend or girlfriend, and just- be normal. She deserves that. But what she has is this.

Being stuck in the middle of a walker-ridden war zone.

"I'm sorry honey," I say, rubbing a comforting hand on her back. She just nods, before looking at me.

"Don't be. At least I don't have to go to school," She shrugs, tone serious. I can't help but laugh.

"Fair point. But eventually, we are going to have to get to that" I assure her with a genuine grin, making her roll her eyes good-naturedly.

I frown at the sudden heartwrenching sounds of shouting and gunshots outside.

This emotional whiplash is starting to get really fucking old.

"Cassie" Sophie breathes, her eyes wide with fear. I stand up carefully, holding a hand out to her.

"I'll be right back. Stay here and keep Judith safe," I order softly, retrieving my pistol from my holster.

I carefully step out of the cell at the sound of voices and footsteps coming from the cell hall, closing the door behind me. As I slowly and quietly make my way down the stairs, relief shoots through me when I hear only one new voice.

Andrea's.

Wait.

What is she doing here?

"I'm not an enemy Rick," Her frustrated voice argues, echoing through the hall. I hide behind the wall beside the gate to the cell block, straining my ears.

"We used to have a yard and gate until your boyfriend tore down the fence with a truck and shot us up yesterday," Rick responds roughly, his voice laced with anger. I can tell from his tone that he's pissed off. To be truthful, so am I.

"...He said you fired first," Andrea says after a beat, sounding confused. Come on, Andrea, you can't be serious.

"He was lying" Rick snaps back.

"I'm sorry guys, as soon as I heard about it, I came. I had to see you all," Andrea says, her voice pleading. "I didn't even know it was you guys in Woodbury until after the shootout!"

"That was days ago," Glenn speaks up, my stomach tightening at the mention of that horrible night.

"I told you, I came as soon as I could." Andrea responds quickly.

At the sound of shuffling footsteps, I walk out into the main room, where the group is standing in a circle as Andrea whirls around in the middle, now staring at Michonne.

"What have you told them?" Andrea questions her, clearly frustrated.

Michonne just shrugs, her expression cold. "Nothing" She responds cooly, tilting her head as she leans against the wall.

"I don't get it," Andrea states, slowly tuning in a circle and looking at the group. "I left Atlanta with you people and now I'm the odd man out?" She questions them, throwing her arms up in defeat.

"We have to work this out!" She cries indignantly.

"There's nothing to work out. We're going to kill the governor, that's final." Rick responds roughly. Andrea scoffs, shaking her head, her light blue eyes full of shock.

"You're going to kill a man over a misunderstanding? You don't even know him!" Andrea cries in protest and I can't stand it anymore.

I step out from behind the group, joining the circle beside Rick, my arms crossed. Andrea reels on me, her eyes widening slightly.

"Cass! Come on, you have to see my side, right?" She questions me, desperation written over her face. Disgust bubbles up within me as I blankly stare back at her.

"You're defending him." I point out evenly, raising expectant eyebrows.

She blinks, shifting on her feet somewhat nervously. "Yes. Like I said, you guys don't know him like I do. I'm sure whatever happened was just a misunderstanding-"

"-Andrea. You cannot trust a word that comes out of his mouth," I warn her darkly, making her furrow her eyebrows. Despite all our disagreements, she needs to see eye to eye on this.

"You haven't even met him! You can't just say things like that about someone you don't even know," She dismisses, smiling and looking around at the group. Said group watches her with disappointed expressions, glancing at each other because they know.

Chuckling bitterly under my breath, I shake my head, making Andrea turn back to me.

"That's where you're wrong," I inform her lowly, my anger seething through my skin as I attempt to stay calm. She stills, her eyes flitting up to mine, her eyebrows drawn together. 

"Phillip was my fiancé. Before the turn." I reveal to her coldly, watching as visible shock flashes through her features at my words.

I take a purposeful step toward her, the sound echoing in the painfully silent room. "He abused me, Andrea. I had to sneak away in the middle of the night to escape him." I tell her calmly, pushing back the horrible memory, trying to stay strong.

"I'm guessing you had to do the same to be here." I throw out, making her look away, gulping. She then nods once, her gaze averted. I scoff slightly, nodding. Of course.

"Exactly. He's a monster, Andrea." I snarl, my all-consuming loathing for him pricking through my veins, hating that he's manipulated her too. My jaw clenches in anger as she just shakes her head.

"That was before. H-He's changed now. He would never hurt me- He just promoted me so I could be in charge while he's gone-"

"-God Andrea! Please tell me you're not that stupid." I snap fiercely, making her eyes flit to mine in surprise as she slightly stumbles backward.

"He would never put a woman in power by choice. And if he hasn't hurt you yet, I guarantee you he will." I state sternly, stalking toward her. She blinks at me, her chest heaving.

"I don't doubt that he's changed since I was with him. If anything he's probably gotten worse. Now, he has excuses for excessive violence. Now, he has a whole town who give him that power he always desperately wanted." I grit through my teeth, hating that he's gotten what he's been after for years.

That narcissist is praised, called a ridiculous title, and now in control of an entire town. It's probably made him more of a monster, the power going straight to his head.

Michonne told me about his office. The wall of fishtanks of walker heads. Penny, his daughter, kept there on a chain after turning into a walker. Hearing about that was the worst, after knowing her. Having her as one of my patients then almost a stepdaughter. She was a lovely girl and clearly, there is something deeply wrong with him to keep her like that.

"You came here for a reason. I know you see it. His anger. It. will. only. get. worse. He is a dark, horrible, and rotten man. You cannot trust him under any circumstances." I explain to Andrea sternly, my mouth pulled in disgust.

"He nearly killed me," I reveal, my voice cracking on the last word, making me take a deep breath, trying to retain my courage. Andrea glances at the others as if trying to make sense of it all.

"That was your relationship-"

I cut her off angrily. "Do you really want to be with a man who allowed Meryl to torture Glenn mercilessly? Who humiliated and assaulted Maggie? Someone who physically and emotionally abused his fiancé for three years without a shred of guilt?" I question her aggressively, my nostrils flaring with anger as I glare down at her.

She looks up at me, clearly conflicted. "I'm sure there was some explana-"

Not being able to take her reluctance to believe me, I spin on my heels, immediately stalking away, not even letting her finish her sentence.

It's too late for her.

Returning to Sophia and Judith, I don't come out until I hear that Andrea has left. I then watch from the window as she drives off in one of our spare cars, right back on her merry way to her psychopath boyfriend.

Anger continues to course through me as I watch until her car disappears. I tried to talk some sense in her, but clearly, she's too far gone. He's already got his claws in her and she will probably die because of it.

I glance at Carol, who comes up beside me by the window. "Andrea wanted me to tell you she's sorry," Carol says softly beside me.

I scoff.

"She will be."