MARCIE STOOD ON THE SECOND FLOOR BALCONY, HOLDING BABY JUDITH IN HER ARMS AND ROCKING THE NEWBORN GENTLY,
"Let me guess, you named her Lil' Asskicker?" Marcie joked, not even glancing towards Daryl as he watched them,
He shrugged, "Seemed fitting."
"You can't leave without meeting Little Asskicker." Carol called out and Marcie turned to see Andrea climbing the stairs towards them,
"May I hold her?"
"Of course." Marcie passed the baby off into Andrea's arms and gave Judith a small smile, "We should leave soon. I'll go say my goodbyes."
Andrea nodded and Marcie grabbed Daryl's hand, leading him down the stairs. In the courtyard, she gave everyone, excluding Merle, a hug before turning to Rick, "Hey, take care of yourself, okay? You look like shit."
He nodded, "I'm sorry... for leaving you behind, I-"
"I told you to go." Marcie gave him a comforting smile and squeezed his arm, "Don't feel guilty about what happened on the farm. We're both alive, aren't we?"
Large metal doors opened and Glenn drove a car inside that belonged to the prison. He got out and gave Marcie's shoulder one last squeeze before handing her the keys,
"Can you spare it?" She asked, looking over at Rick,
"Yeah."
Marcie turned and gave Daryl a gentle kiss, "I'll be back." She whispered,
As much as she didn't want to go, she knew she needed to. She had family waiting for her in Woodbury.
He nodded, not building up the courage to speak, before taking a step back.
"Well, take care." Andrea told everyone before the two got into the car.
Rick stepped forward after they closed their doors and handed them their weapons, "Be careful."
Marcie nodded, "You, too." She glanced over at Carl, "And you... stop growing up." The boy smiled at her and she was glad he could still do that.
Tears filled Marcie's eyes as she drove up to the gate. The car came to a stop as she waited for Merle to open the gate. She turned her gaze to the rearview mirror, where the group was watching,
"We'll see them again." Andrea told her,
Marcie nodded, "I know."
It was nightfall by the time they got back to Woodbury. Men, some barely teenagers, lines the entrance holding rifles. And they were all aimed at them.
"That's far enough!" Martinez called out,
Marcie put the car in park and they shined a spotlight onto the vehicle. They both moved to get out of the car, "Hands up."
Once they saw it was them, the men lowered their guns. They opened the gate, and Martinez led them to the Governor's room,
He was sat in the corner, his stereo playing classical music, and a glass of scotch in his hand. He had replaced his bandage with an eyepatch, which made him look even more menacing.
But now Marcie saw him differently. She saw him as a monster, and he was having trouble hiding his dark side.
He was spiralling. Much like Rick was. And the question was... who would snap first?
"We went to the prison." Andrea explained, "They're broken, living in horrible conditions."
"Michonne there? Merle?" The Governor questioned,
"Yes." Marcie answered with some hesitation,
"And Rick?"
Andrea nodded, "Yes."
"He send you back here?" He asked,
The two women shared a look, "No. That was our call." Andrea answered for them,
"Why?"
Neither answered, and the Governor nodded, "Marcella, you're dismissed. Your parents have been worried."
Marcie gave a concerned look to Andrea, who gave her a comforting nod, and the brunette left the room.
She rushed down the street, trying not to be seen by any of the guards. She bit her lip nervously when she noticed the kitchen light still on.
Her parents were still awake.
Walking in the door made her feel like she was 17 again, trying to sneak back to her room after going to a high school party.
What she would give to be a teenager again, living in a normal world.
But at least her parents couldn't ground her now.
With a sigh, Marcie opened the front door. She winced as it creaked, but was quick to shut it behind her. She slowly walked into the kitchen and paused in the doorway, observing her parents who were sitting at the table.
"You're still awake." Marcie commented,
"Nobody had seen you all day." Her father stated, "You went to the prison, didn't you? You went to be with your group."
"I needed to talk to them, papa. I needed to get the full story." Marcie moved to sit down across from him,
"You mean their story? How do you know they're not lying, Marcella?" Her father questioned,
"They wouldn't lie to me! The Governor was the one lying. He did unspeakable things to my friends, and they were only protecting the group. Then the Governor went and destroyed their fences and shot them up. He fired the first shot. He's the aggressor, he's the instigator." Marcie tried to plead with her father, since he was the one who needed to be convinced to leave, "I need you to trust me, papa."
"You wouldn't understand, you're just a child."
Marcie stood, "I'm twenty four! I've been out there, living in that world, defending myself much longer than you have. I've killed people. But I've killed only to defend myself and the people I love. The Governor? He kills for power. He's not the man you think he is."
Her mother gasped at the words that left her mouth. No mother wants to hear that their child is a murderer, but she needed to know that Marcie wasn't a defenceless child.
"And you are not the girl I thought you were." Her father stated before leaving the room, her mother following quickly behind,
Marcie watched them go up the stairs. With a sigh, she sat back down and placed her head in her hands.
She didn't know how much longer she could stay there.
That night in the prison, Vivian had just put Liam to bed before exiting the cell, leaning in the doorway next to Hershel and Daryl, who were watching Glenn, Maggie, and Beth sit around a few lanterns while playing a card game,
"Some reunion, huh?" Vivian sighed as Rick walked over with Judith in his arms,
"They're in a jam." Rick commented,
"We all are." Hershel replied, "Andrea's persuasive. This fella's armed to the teeth. Bent on destruction."
"So what do you want to do?" Daryl asked their leader,
"We match it." Rick handed the baby off to Vivian, who cooed at her quietly so she wouldn't wake Liam, "I'm going on a run."
"I'll head out tomorrow." Daryl stated,
"No, you stay here." Rick shot him down, "Keep an eye on your brother." He nodded towards the older Dixon who stood by the door exiting the cellblock, "I'm glad you're back, really, but if he causes a problem, it's on you."
Daryl nodded, "I got him."
"I'll go with you." Vivian stated, continuing to stare down at the girl in her arms,
"I appreciate the offer, but you're in no condition." Vivian narrowed her eyes at their leader, "I knew your ribs haven't healed yet, Viv. I'll take Michonne." Rick stated,
"You sure that's a good idea?" Daryl asked him,
"I'll find out." He replied, "And Carl. He's ready." Rick made eye contact with Vivian, "I need you hold it down here." He glanced over at Daryl, "Both of you."
Daryl nodded, "You got it."