A/N: I'm not sure if anyone will read this especially after what I did in the last chapter. In my profile it does explain my writing style but it is completely different from what a possible majority of the authors on this site does. No I will not apologize for what or how I write. Spitfire47

Sun streamed in through the cracks in the store, the crinkled shutters tapped against the window as a smooth breeze passed through the cracks. The air was musty from months old mold growing around the rotting wood and dead animal carcasses in the walls. A small fire pit was in the middle of the living room smoke still rose from the smoldered coals and swirled around in the air.

Beth was propped up against the wall, a blanket cover most of her body. Her head was tilted to the side a bit and her eyes closed.

A hand stroke her cheek and gently combed through her hair. Beth felt pain from the bruises and open wounds on her body, a single brush sent the young woman in small spasms causing her to bite the inside of her cheek to stop her from screaming. The Governor threw the blanket off her exposing her nude body, he laid on top of her just laid there for a few moments allowing her to absorb what is next to come. Beth took in slow breaths forcing herself not to cry; she'll do that later. He suddenly thrust in her catching Beth off guard. Her eyes shot open, she bit hard on her lip causing it to split. Beth squeezed her eyes shut as the Governor continued to push into her.

"Stop...just stop," Beth pleaded through gritted teeth.

Beth woke with a start her arm whipped out and aimed a gun at a squirrel that was perched on the broken window sill. It looked at the young woman before dashing off. Beth sank back against the wall giving a small sigh of relief. She got to her feet and shuddered involuntarily, the young woman still felt his presence. It had plagued her dreams for a long time sometimes they were so intense that Beth would be too scared to close her eyes again. It would sometimes alert Morgan who would try to console her and sometimes Beth would open up but she just couldn't bring herself to tell him all the details.

"You're awake."

Beth turned to see Carl coming through the door. He had Judith in his arms while also carrying a duffel bag in his hand. Carl placed the bag on the table and set Judith in the small playpen that they had found in a second-hand store. Beth smile and watched him take supplies out of the bag, she saw the scars on the three fingers he had broken while under the Governor's terror.

"Where are the others?" Beth asked coming up to help put away the supplies. Most were food supplies but there was a box of band-aids and a roll of gauze. Once the supplies were put away Beth walked to a closed room and walked inside.

There were a couple of spare sets of clothes that she had washed previously in the river. Beth stripped off her dirty clothes and started to put on the clean ones when she saw the scars on her upper thigh. Looking at them made her wince in pain as they tingled a bit. Beth sighed and pulled up the jeans before being drawn into deep thought.

XXXXXX

Three months ago they had run away. Travelling wherever not caring where they landed as long as they found shelter and supplies. Under Morgan's leadership they moved around the forest until the amount of Walkers became to bearing for either to take on. They had moved back around to the neighbourhood that Carl had lived in before the apocalypse when it was decided as the safest move since there were still some houses up and the traps that Morgan had laid down were still working.

Beth was worried that it would bring tension in Carl going back and she was right. One night she woke and saw Carl's mat empty, walking outside armed with a metal rod Beth found Carl standing in the ashes of his former house just staring at the charted frame in the full moon light.

It took Merle a bit of time to get used to the neighbourhood as well having lived up above the city before the apocalypse. Morgan's traps didn't help either as Merle kept getting caught in the ropes and nearly had his head cracked open when he forgot about the door trap. His behaviour became more sporadic fluxing between anger and solemn.

Morgan was Morgan. Beth knew it was difficult for him to choose to lead them back here where his son died but for the group is was the best possible place – for now. He was knowledgeable and was able to map out the areas they had explored while searching for supplies. Once in a while Morgan and Merle would clash from small things such as the house they were currently staying at to large things such as the increase of Walker activity.

XXXXXX

Beth grabbed a bag and headed towards the door. The young woman stopped at one of the small rooms, she quietly opened the door and peered in. Judith was sound asleep she was bundled in blanket in a small crib. Beth closed the door and let out her held breath as she continued down the hallway.

"Are you alright?" Beth turned in the direction the voice was coming from. She saw Carl assembling one of the toys that he had taken from the baby store. Beth nodded.

"I'll be back alright?"

Carl hesitated, it was clear that he wanted to go with her but Beth cut him off before he could speak.

"I'll be quick."

"Why do you have a bag?"

"I won't be long, promise."

Carl pushed himself away from the table and unclipped his gun. He held it out to Beth, the young woman blinked surprised by the young boy's actions. She had a weapon already and Carl knew that but Beth took it anyway, she wanted to leave quickly.

"Thanks…," she whispered.

Carl nodded and went back to assembling the toy. Beth walked outside.

XXXXXX

The sun beat down on her. She took in a small breath and walked forward feeling her feet grow heavier and heavier with each step.

"Beth."

The young woman turned around to see Merle leaned up against the house.

"Where ya going?"

"I'll be back," Beth responded with a hint of irritation. "I promise."

Merle sensed something was wrong and pushed himself off the wall. Beth wanted to walk away as he approached but she was rooted to the ground.

"Where ya going?" Merle repeated.

Beth rolled her eyes. "I'm just going to go clean some clothes."

"That ain't a quick job."

Beth found that she was able to move again and she took advantage of it.

"Leave it," she scowled walking away from the redneck. She thought that he would follow since it would be able to catch up no problem but oddly he remained.

XXXXXX

The forest was thicker than Beth remembered but the path was still the same. She used the metal rod to whack away the branches in her way.

It was a short five minute walk from the neighbourhood, the grass had overgrown the clearing but it was the only spot they could think of that was appropriate. Three crosses were wedged deep into the ground. Each had a name cruelly carved into the rough bark; Carol, Milton, and Daryl.

Beth looked down at the crosses feeling a pang burden her heart. She wished that Carol was here because Beth wasn't sure on what to do. Morgan and Carl were still in the dark which was a good thing but Merle was beginning to suspect and Beth didn't want to him to go babbling.

I should be able to trust them but I don't know how…

Beth dug into her bag and took out a small stick she popped off the top and looked at the red tag that was on the tip of the handle. Tears welled in the young woman's eyes as she stifled a cry.

It…it didn't make it, one month in and a miscarriage.

Beth re-capped the test and let out a small sigh.

"Figured you'd be here."

Beth jumped and spun around to see Morgan standing just along the edge of the forest where it meets the clearing. He had his sniper rifle slung over his shoulder, and his arms crossed. Beth stiffened as he walked towards her but remained.

"So just a few seconds?" Morgan inquired.

"Let me guess Merle told you," Beth sighed.

"Carl actually."

Beth did a double take.

"The kid's been on edge ever since…," Morgan let the sentence trail off.

Beth looked down knowing Carl meant well but still felt slightly angered. "What am I supposed to do? Tell him that I was close to having his child?"

Morgan rubbed the back of his neck his heart went out to the young woman. Everything that she had been put through and then finally when she thought that the worst was over then Beth finds out that she was pregnant.

"How long?" Morgan asked the clarified, "how long did you know that you were pregnant?"

Beth took in a shaky breath. "A month."

The sniper nodded. "So you being sick was…."

"Morning sickness."

Morgan rubbed the back of his neck again, remembering how ill Beth had become a little over a month ago. Everyone feared that she had been bitten or scratched during their travels, they had to take Beth's word that she hadn't been injured by a Walker since she refused to undress in front of one of the men.

"When did you have the miscarriage?" Morgan asked.

"Couple days ago," Beth replied.

Morgan frowned. "So it happened when you weren't in the house?"

Beth nodded. The two held a small silence each engulfed in their own thoughts.

"What are we going to do about the others?" Morgan asked.

"I think Merle suspects something," Beth answered honestly, "he doesn't know what it is but he suspects something. Carl however is still in the dark."

"I think that it's best that we don't tell Carl," Morgan said after a couple minutes of silence. "Merle…I think we should just play it out. If he tries to find anything out then we might have to tell him."

Beth nodded understanding and agreeing with Morgan. Everyone was still healing.

"Come on, let's go back."

Beth nodded again and followed Morgan out of the small cemetery.

XXXXXX

The day drew on slowly and everyone found it hard to concentrate, but they managed to make it through and were looking forward to a quiet night. Beth was sitting at the table folding up the last of the clean clothes while Carl was sitting around the small fire holding Judith. Morgan was burning the last of the Walkers outside and Merle was inside he was propped up against the back wall with his eyes closed.

As Beth came out of the change room Morgan came into the house smelling a bit of burnt blood and smoke. He nodded to Beth as they passed each other, the young woman felt herself blush a bit. He knew, Beth didn't know how but Morgan knew. Beth sighed knowing that she would have to get over it, one person is better than everyone knowing and demanding answers.

She took a place around the pyre and felt herself relax she leaned back against the board feeling her own eyes slowly shutting. Suddenly Beth felt something prod her in the leg. She opened an eye and looked down to see Judith crawling away. The young woman leaned over and picked the baby up just before she got too close to the fire and cradled her.

Crawling already, Beth sighed, tears threatened to well in her eyes but she took in a breath and managed to keep it down. She looked over at Merle to see him awake his eyes were on Judith then they rose and met Beth's. The young woman managed to look away but felt guilt settle in. Judith squirmed in her arms and she gently put the baby on the ground, watching her crawl back to Carl. Beth placed a hand on her abdomen remembering the excruciating pain and the burn in her legs afterword.

Morgan entered the room and sat down putting his back against the couch. He looked over to see Judith crawling around between Carl and Beth, he gave a small chuckle. Morgan noticed the sad look on Beth's face then looked over at Merle who held a neutral expression. He knew that the redneck would continue to investigate into what Beth is hiding but they had a plan and Morgan was positive that Beth was going to stick to it.

All five survivors just absorbed the peaceful silence, for once there weren't any Walkers in the streets making ruckus nor was there any intruders trying to steal from them.

Beth felt exhaustion slowly come over her. But she was…happy, she was calm and she was able to think clearly.

I don't know how to say sorry, Beth thought to those who died, to all the friends and family. I can't say it enough, nor will I ever but now moving on, let go and heal. Beth gave a final look around: I'll be fine; we'll be fine.

A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed, alerted and favoured Revive. Spitfire47