A/N: There are some racial slurs in this chapter but I felt it was both in character and a part of the time period. Thank you for the reviews for this story. It is appreciated.

"Michonne?"

"Yes, papa?" Michonne stopped gazing from the stagecoach window as she had been doing for the past twenty minutes, trying to wrap her head around the London streets she passed through. She turned to her father to see him grinning at her, his white teeth in contrast to his dark skin and mustache.

"This will be our home, child. No need to look at it as if you'll never see it again."

"Rene, let her look." Her mother offered as she touched his collar to straighten it. "It's been a long trip from America. Let her enjoy it."

Michonne returned her focus on the window and watched as the lights on in the homes and apartments she passed. This was home? She knew her father had business but were they to stay here forever?

Forever was a long time to stay from their home in Philadelphia. From her wooden horse and her fancy dolls. Her papa had told her that he needed to spread the abolitionist cause further than he had, so they had to leave. They had to find a new place in the world.

Michonne ached for home as she looked out once again.

Michonne opened her eyes to see the sun setting. It had been a long time since she dreamed of London and it took her a few moments to orientate herself. Her mouth tasted like cotton drenched in almonds and she wanted to gag everything up from her stomach. Her leg ached and her head felt heavy as she struggled to rise from against the soft pillow below her. A hand stayed her and she sunk down on the pillow again in utter exhaustion.

"I wouldn't advise you do that." A gentle voice chided. A cold cloth smoothed her forehead and she glanced at the older man with the warm face and a beard that was white as snow. Another white man that was kind to her? This had to be a record for her.

"Name is Hershel and you are on Hope Ranch. We were worried about you for a moment because you got a little fever. But you are okay now."

"We?" she rasped. She saw him motion for someone else and a girl who looked like she was no more than sixteen approached and gave her a friendly smile as she handed the man some water. Hershel then moved to lift up Michonne's head and she was too tired to fight it. The water was cool on her tongue and took away the bad taste. He laid her back down again softly and she took in a deep breath before she spoke her next words.

"I have to get out of here."

"I wouldn't count on it. You might not have a fever but that leg needs a couple of days to heal."

"I'm going to put you in danger." Michonne attempted to get up again but was pushed down like a lightweight on her first drink. She felt a new presence by the door and turned her head to see the blue eyes of a boy hovering by the door. As soon as she met his eyes he ducked and disappeared down the hall.

"No danger is going to dare come here." Hershel stated as he stood up from his chair. "Beth, go tell Rick and Daryl that our guest is up."

"Who are Rick and Daryl?"

"Daryl is one of the ranch hands. Rick is the reason why you won't be harmed. He's the sheriff."

Rick watched his son fly down the stairs as if a ghost was chasing him. Carl had been watching their visitor for a couple of days now. Rick could understand the curiosity. It wasn't often that a Negro woman wearing men's clothes and brandishing a strange sword collapsed on their ranch with a bullet wound. But he was also weary of the stranger and what she could bring to his doorstep. Carl stopped in front of his father, sheepish and growing red from being caught looking at the woman again.

"Carl."

"I know. I wasn't supposed to be looking at her anymore. I'm sorry."

Rick grimaced as he finally noticed that his son seemed to grow an inch overnight. At this rate he would be taller than his father come the fall. It was hard to believe that his son was already twelve and was close to looking like a man.

"It's okay but you can't do it anymore."

"I won't. I promise."

"Good." Rick watched as Beth made her way down the steps as if she was in just as much of a hurry as Carl. She paused as she saw he was in the foyer.

"Daddy says that the lady is awake and he wanted you and Daryl to come see her."

"Tell him I will be there in a few moments."

He was unsure about this woman and what trouble she might bring with her. Rick was certain she wasn't shot on accident but someone had to be looking for her. He wanted no trouble in his house or in his town. He was certain he could take care of any threat coming his way but he didn't want to.

Whoever this woman was had to leave as soon as she felt better.

Merle "Mad Dog" Dixon didn't ask for much in this life. A woman to whore with, money to pay his expenses, and to be known as the man you didn't fuck with. The truth is The Samurai fucked with him one time too many.

"What do you mean you lost her?"

Colton had enough decency to look ashamed. Merle slapped him and pushed him into the ravine that he and his gang had settled into.

"You ain't got the sense of cowshit!" Merle yelled. His other men didn't say anything, not wanting his anger to be directed at them.

"I'm...I'm sorry."

"Fuck you! This nigger bitch has been on us since we left Missouri and you can't take her out?"

Merle moved to his gun but thought better of it. He, instead, turned and went to his horse.

"Spread the hell out. We need to find her and find her quick. We don't have time for this horseshit!"

He mounted his horse and galloped east with twelve men behind him. He had to go see his boss before things got even more complicated.