The next morning Kate woke up in the cell she had picked, a cell that was just hers though Lucy had offered to share with her and Zac well he hadn't offered, she didn't know if she even expected him too because he was with Beth after all, even if he hadn't stated it she had guessed as much from the clues.
"You sleep okay?" a voice asked and Kate slowly moved from the bottom bunk to find Zac standing at her cell door. "The beds can be a bit rough and stuff."
Kate nodded her head slightly as she eyed Zac, "How did you know I was awake?" she questioned as she stretched a bit before walking to where he was.
"You stopped snoring," Zac spoke as he gave Kate an apprehensive smile. "Lucy is up and eating breakfast if you want to join her," he revealed not sure if he should have. Was it okay to tell his wife or ex-wife that her mistress or girlfriend was up?
"Okay," Kate said as she looked away from Zac feeling a bit of tension between them, tension that had never been there before. "I am hungry but..I mean I'm not going to eat just because Luce is there," she said as she stepped out of her cell not sure why she was defending herself right now. "I do depend on food to survive so..."
"Yeah..." Zac said as he turned to walk away once Kate had left her cell and as she followed behind him he couldn't help but wonder if things were always going to be this awkward between them. "You know I love you, right Katie?"
Hearing Zac, Kate looked over at him as she smiled though she wasn't sure it was genuine, "I love you too Zachary," she replied before looking away and they continued their walk in silence though even with declarations of love there was still tension and neither had said they were in love with each other, just that they loved each other and Kate was sure there was a difference between love and being in love. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rick who was outside, standing on the prison's gate covered walk way, looked out over everything with his binoculars, watching as Michonne came out of the overturned bus and he wasn't sure if she had chosen to sleep there or what and to be honest he wasn't sure he really cared either way.
After watching her briefly he scanned the yard again, only stopping when he noticed a figure at the gate by the graves, a figure that he knew well. His wife in a white dress.
Putting the binoculars down Rick reached for the rifle which he slung over his shoulders before going down the stairs quickly and making his way towards the graves and to Lori, though it was only when he was just a step away from her grave that he saw her disappear and he turned, looking around him confused, because where had she gone too?
Turning his head he looked down towards the lower gate, the outside gate and once again he spotted Lori standing there in her white dress and as she moved to walk away, Rick took off running, wanting to get to her.
Michonne who was still in the prison yard, watched curiously as she saw Rick run right past her and out one of the gates which he left open and she moved to close it, keeping her eye on the man.
Rick who had finally made it outside walked towards the small bridge where Lori stood and as he reached it, he made it his way towards her, seeing her turn to face him and hold out her hand, a hand she rested on his cheek when he did finally reach her and he closed his eyes at the familiar touch, a touch he missed.
Michonne raised an eyebrow as she moved away from the gate, moving to a place where she could see Rick better and again she watched him in curiosity as he just came to a stop on a bridge and it was then she wasn't sure he was exactly all there but then again she wasn't sure she could blame him either. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hearing a knock on her door as she sat in her apartment the next morning, Andrea hesitated briefly before standing and going to get it.
The moment the door was open though she almost regretted it as she came face to face with Phillip, not sure if she was going to get moody him or nice him.
"May I?" Phillip asked keeping his voice soft as he looked at Andrea after she had opened the door. It was only after she had looked down but moved away from the door that he walked in, feeling that she was okay with him being there. "That was uh...that was quite a speech you gave," he told her knowing he had been impressed with what she had said yesterday to the people here. "Exactly what these people needed to hear."
"What about the prison?" Andrea exhaled a sigh as she crossed her arms over her chest, wondering what he was going to do about that.
Phillip looked away from Andrea as he shook his head, "As long as they leave us alone, we have no problem."
"So no retaliation?" Andrea questioned not sure if she believed his words.
"No," Phillip stated as he looked back at Andrea. "What would that get us?"
"I need to go see them," Andrea said knowing she had to go and see her friends, maybe she could tell them what Phillip had said or work something out.
"I thought this place could be something else, you know?" Phillip continued as he ignored Andrea's words. "Something better. I wasn't up to the challenge and i screwed it up. I've done some terrible things," he sighed as he walked around her bed to a dresser which he leaned against. "I'm not fit to lead these people, but you are. They don't need to be terrorized, certainly not by their own leader."
Andrea raised an eyebrow at Phillip's words, "So you're abdicating?" she questioned still feeling wary of him.
"You know, I really believed if I kept her alive long enough, Milton would find a..." Phillip sighed as his mind went to Penny. "I just need time...to get myself together."
"So you want me to fill in for you?" Andrea asked as she locked eyes with Phillip.
"Who else can? Milton? Martinez?" Phillip questioned knowing he didn't find them competent. "If you choose your friends in the prison, I'd understand but these people need you," he said hoping to get under her skin. "I...we need you," he muttered as he walked closer to her and he paused in front of her for a bit before walking out of her room.
Standing there as Phillip left Andrea chewed her lip as she tried to decide what to do, where her loyalties lay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You feeling okay?" Jessica asked as she entered Avery's cell where her sister sat on the floor, staring off at the wall. It seemed right now out of all of her siblings that Jessica was the only one not having some sort of life crisis, minus her being envious of how strong Avery always seemed though in retrospect right now that wasn't big compared to Kate returning to Zac who had just found out his baby was dead and that Kate had moved on with another woman and Jessica wasn't sure what had happened to Taylor and Maggie but Taylor was acting weird as well and Avery, even as strong as she was she was pregnant and Daryl had left her for Merle who apparently even with a missing hand had survived.
Avery made a face at Jessica's words, "I just hurled my breakfast back up, I'm pretty sure I'm not feeling so well this morning thanks to my little Dixon spawn."
Laughing slightly Jessica sat down beside Avery, "Well I meant with Daryl being gone. I did hear you throwing up so I figured that made you feel like shit."
Avery sighed loudly as Jessica spoke, "He's gone, how am I supposed to feel?" she asked rather harshly before shaking her head. "I mean I get it, I get why he left with Merle but that doesn't help the fact that it hurts that he left me. I thought I meant something to him but I guess I was wrong huh?" she asked as her voice wavered. "I meant nothing and now he's gone and I'm having his baby and I'm alone and pissed off..so fucking pissed."
Jessica frowned before letting her arm go around her sister's shoulder, "I'm sorry," she apologized though she knew her words wouldn't bring Daryl back or change Avery's feelings.
Again Avery sighed and she rested her head on Jessica's shoulder, "How are you handling things?"
"What do you mean?" Jessica asked feeling a bit confused.
"I mean knowing Merle is alive," Avery explained knowing most of her anger and being pissed off was directed towards Merle. "You were with him for a bit at the start of all of this. Isn't it affecting you or even Glenn?" she asked wondering if Glenn was scared about Merle being alive though in a way maybe neither cared because Merle wasn't here and why would Jessica care if the man she had been with wasn't around? Why would Glenn possibly fret if Merle wasn't here to try worming his way back into Jessica's pants?
Nah maybe Jessica and Glenn got it easy.
"I guess I haven't given it much thought," Jessica answered as she chewed her lip, though now that Avery had put it out there she let her mind wander to possibilities of what could've happened if Merle had came back to the prison. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daryl put down the crossbow he had, had raised as he turned to look at Merle, "There ain't nothing out here but mosquitoes and ants."
"Patience, little brother," Merle spoke as he stood in his spot and looked around at his surroundings. "Sooner or later, a squirrel is bound to scurry across your path."
"Even so, that ain't much food," Daryl shot back as he leaned against a tree.
"More than nothing," Merle shrugged almost nonchalant.
Daryl sighed softly as he raised his crossbow up again slightly, "I'd have better luck going through one of them houses we passed back on the turn off."
"Is that what your new friends taught you? Hmm?" Merle questioned as he turned to face Daryl, slowly walking towards him. "How to loot for booty?"
Going silent at Merle's words Daryl kept his gaze off his brothers, "We've been at it for hours. Why don't we find a stream, try to look for some fish."
"I think you're just trying to lead me back to the road, get me over to that prison," Merle mused as he watched Daryl put his crossbow down again.
"They got shelter," Daryl spoke as he thought of the prison, trying to keep his mind off of Avery who he had left behind there. "Food. A pot to piss in, might not be a bad idea," he said hoping that somehow maybe Merle would come around.
Merle half wanted to laugh at Daryl's words, "For you maybe. Ain't gonna be no damn party for me."
"Everyone will get used to each other," Daryl spoke knowing there had to be a way they could make it work, get along peacefully.
"They're all dead, "Merle stated as he shook his head. "Makes no difference."
"How can you be so sure?" Daryl questioned and this time his mind automatically went to Avery, not wanting her dead because if she were dead it would kill him.
"Right about now he's probably hosting a housewarming party where he's gonna bury what's left of your pals," Merle spoke as Daryl turned to look at him and he finished up making the fishing hook he had made. "Let's hook some fish. Come on."
Going silent at Merle's words Daryl stood there as he contemplated what his brother said, still not wanting Avery dead. There was no way she was dead, she had to be alive.
Shaking his head he came out of his thoughts and eventually followed behind Merle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Now you said you found Tyreese's group here?" Taylor asked curiously as he bent down beside Glenn who had just drown in sidewalk chalk a layout to the prison and Taylor pointed to the part where Carl had said he found the group he had brought in.
"Yeah," Carl nodded his head as he looked at where Taylor was pointing.
"We secured this," Taylor stated knowing they had made sure it was secure.
"He thought he came through here," Carl spoke as he pointed to the place where Tyreese said he thought he came through at and traced the way he had traveled.
Taylor sighed at Carl's revelation, "Means there's another breach," he said as he tried to gather his thoughts. "Okay, the whole front of the prison is unsecured. If walkers just strolled in, then it's gonna be cake for a group of armed men."
"Why are we even so sure he's going to attack?" Beth asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Maybe you scared him off."
"He had fish tanks full of heads," Michonne spoke up as everyone who was in the main cell area turned to look at her. "Walkers and humans. Trophies. He's coming."
"We should hit him now," Taylor said as he looked at Michonne.
"What?" Beth asked feeling a bit panicked.
Taylor turned to look at Beth, "He won't be expecting it. We'll sneak back in and put a bullet in his head."
Zac raised an eyebrow as he listened to Taylor and he shook his head, "We're not assassins."
"You know where his apartment is," Taylor said as he stood up and looked at Michonne, feeling a bit agitated that no one seemed on board with this plan. "You and I could end this tonight," he said as he watched Michonne hesitate. "I'll do it myself," he spoke which finally got her to pause before she nodded in agreement.
"Okay," Taylor said as he walked away from Michonne.
"He didn't know you were coming last time and look what happened," Hershel said as he watched Taylor. "You were almost killed. Daryl was captured and you and Maggie were almost executed."
Shaking his head Taylor ignored Hershel's words, "You can't stop me."
"Rick would never allow this," Hershel told Taylor knowing Rick would be against this.
"You really think he's in any position to make that choice?" Taylor asked a bit harshly knowing right now Rick didn't seem all sane.
"Think this through clearly," Hershel muttered as he locked eyes with Taylor. "T-Dog lost his life here. Lori too. The men that were here. It isn't worth any more killing," he sighed as he watched Taylor look away from him. "What are we waiting for? If he's really on his way, we should be out of here by now?"
Taylor turned back to Hershel, "And go where?" he asked again harshly.
"We lived on the road all winter," Hershel said as he kept his eyes trained on Taylor.
"Back when you had two legs and we didn't have a baby crying for walkers every four hours," Taylor countered knowing things had changed.
"We can't stay here," Hershel countered against Taylor's words.
"We can't run," Taylor muttered knowing they couldn't just leave the prison.
It was after he spoke those words that he watched Maggie look at him briefly before she turned and left the room, heading down into the cell block and he swallowed hard, knowing he had upset her.
"All right, we'll stay put," Taylor sighed feeling a bit defeated but not too much. "We're gonna defend this place. We're making a stand. Zac, you and I will go down to the tombs, we need to figure out where the breach is."
Giving Taylor an uneasy look Zac ran a hand through his hair but finally nodded, "You got it," he replied knowing he'd help his brother regardless of feeling uneasy about it.
"You'll need some help," Michonne said as she looked down at Taylor.
"No," Taylor told Michonne as he shook his head. "In case anything happens, I need you out here," he said as he looked around realizing that all of their group members, minus Rick were gathered around in here right now. "Who's on watch?" he asked a bit frustrated.
Not getting a response, he shook his head and walked off, "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillip looked around as he entered Milton's lab, walking to where the man sat in front of a stereo playing some sort of weird noise or sound as he just sat there completely oblivious to his presence in the room. A fact that made Phillip get something out of his pocket and throw it on the table which seemed to jolt Milton out of whatever state he was in.
"Alpha waves," Milton explained as he turned to look up at Phillip. "I was trying to induce a meditative state. I've been having trouble...." he started but shook his head as he saw the look Phillip was giving him. "Your battery, it's over here," he said before standing from the chair he had been sitting in and walking to where the battery was.
As Milton went to get his battery Phillip sat down in the chair Milton had been sitting in previously, "You've been invaluable," he said to the man. "Do you intend to stay?"
"Leavings never crossed my mind," Milton said as he turned to look at Phillip fully, surprised that the man had even asked that.
"Good," Phillip nodded a smile on his lips. "Cause I count on you...and not just for your...expertise," he said as he looked around the lab. "But I consider you a friend."
"I...thank you," Milton replied being a bit taken aback and in shock. "I feel...me too."
"I counted on Merle as well," Phillip spoke his voice going a bit harsh as he thought of Merle, the man who had betrayed him. "Martinez, he's a good solider. He'd take a bullet if I needed him to. Would you?"
Milton watched as Phillip stood up after asking that and he nodded his head slowly, "I would," he said feeling a bit small with Phillip right in front of him. "Yes," he said again hoping to sound more firm but he failed.
"And Andrea? I'm not sure where her loyalties lie," Phillip sighed going against everything he had told Andrea earlier today.
"I can see how her previous affiliation with Merle, no matter how contentious it was, could cause doubt," Milton agreed though after he did his mind went to Kate, someone who had left Woodbury with the people who had attacked them. She was still someone he considered a friend though he doubted Phillip knew that.
Phillip paused briefly as he locked eyes with Milton, "You keep tabs on her for me," he said wanting Milton to tell him if Andrea did anything suspicious.
"Of course," Milton nodded in response to that request and it was after that he watched as Phillip turned to leave. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kate who had finished putting sheets on her bed, something that Carol had given her after breakfast turned when she heard someone clearing their throat and when she did she smiled at the sight of Lucy at her cell door.
Giving Kate a smile, Lucy slowly walked into Kate's cell, "These aren't so spacious are they?"
"Not really," Kate laughed as she shook her head. "But at least it's shelter."
"Guess you have a point there," Lucy said before looking down at the floor. "So...you still love your husband?" she asked not sure why she went with that. She had wanted to thank Kate for comforting her after Alice left with Tyreese's group and she had wanted to say she missed Kate sleeping beside her but instead somehow she had revealed the conversation she had unintentionally overheard this morning.
"I was going to come and get you for breakfast but then I heard you talking and so I waited by the door at the entrance of the cell block," Lucy explained as she still avoided Kate's gaze. "I heard you and Zac saying that you loved each other."
Kate swallowed hard at Lucy's words, "We did," she nodded in confirmation which made Lucy look back up and she frowned at how scared Lucy looked. "We love each other but I'm not sure I'm in love with him nor do I know if he is in love with me. It's not like we've had time to talk it out I don't know when we will."
"And you're going to sleep in here by yourself until you do?" Lucy asked almost feeling like she wanted to cry because she was scared of losing Kate. She was in love with Kate and as selfish as it was she didn't want to lose her to her husband.
"I figure it's for the best," Kate answered as she nodded her head. "I mean Zac's alive...should I...do I cheat on him right in front of him?" she asked not sure how to handle this situation.
Lucy heaved a sigh as she ran a hand through her hair, "Is it even cheating if you aren't sure you are in love with him?" she asked before leaving the cell and heading outside. She just needed some fresh air and to think. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrea who was walking around Woodbury, walked towards the gate not seeing Martinez up there standing guard like he usually did.
"Where's Martinez?" she asked as she looked up at the people, having to hold her arm in front of her eyes to keep the sun out of them.
"I don't know," Karen answered as she turned to face Andrea.
Andrea raised an eyebrow at that, "Did you see him leave?"
"Yeah," Karen nodded her head as she looked down at Andrea.
"Who was he with?" Andrea asked as she continued her questioning.
Seeing Karen hesitate Andrea put her arm down as she kept her gaze on Karen. "Karen, it's okay. You can tell me."
"I don't know anything," Karen answered as she turned away from Andrea, refusing to say a word.
Once Karen had turned away Andrea shook her head and walked off soon spotting Milton as he came out of a building, "Milton!" she called out though the man kept walking. "Milton, stop!" she called out again this time watching as he did so and she walked the rest of the way to where he was.
"You startled me," Milton chuckled as he did his best to play dumb with Andrea.
"Where is he?" Andrea asked deciding to just cut to the chase.
"Where's who?" Milton asked still playing dumb as he looked down at his watch, trying to avoid her gaze.
"The Governor," Andrea muttered getting a bit fed up at the way people were acting right now.
Milton looked up as he gave her a confused face, "He's out on a run?"
"Is that an answer or a question?" Andrea asked not sure why he sounded as if he was asking her that.
"I'm not sure.." Milton started but then stopped himself. "Where he is..I mean. Not whether it was a question or an answer. It was an answer."
"A run meaning what specifically?" Andrea asked as she put a hand on her hip.
Milton shrugged as he gave Andrea a weak smile, "Supplies would be a safe bet. We were wiped out."
Getting even more fed up Andrea shook her head, "Milton, I want you to give me a specific answer to a specific question. Where's the Governor?"
"On a run?" Milton spoke though again it came out like a question and he hated this, feeling cornered. "You know, I bet he'll be back soon. I'm sure he's okay, if that's what you're worried about."
Rolling her eyes Andrea just walked past Milton not sure why things seemed really shady right now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beth who stood watch at the cell door moved quickly to open it when she saw Taylor and Zac coming back from their search on where the breach was.
"The tombs outside the boiler room are overrun," Taylor spoke after Beth had opened the door and he stepped out.
"That whole section had been cleared," Beth said as she shut the door once both men had came out of the door.
Zac shook his head at Beth's words, "It's a steady stream of walkers."
"We're wasting time," Hershel said as he turned to look at Taylor. "The Governor is supposedly on the way and we're stuck in here with walkers."
"Trapped between a rock and a hard place," Carol spoke up as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Taylor shook his head as he looked at everyone, "For the last time, running is not an option," he said standing his ground on that.
"Tay, if the tombs have filled up again, it may just be a matter of time before they push in here," Avery said a bit harshly as she glared at her brother.
"Or until some fence gives way," Beth added on as she locked eyes with Taylor.
"What if one of them herds is passing through?" Axel asked as he sat down at a table. "Or settled?"
Zac ran a hand through his hair as he pursed his lips, "Can't handle that with just the few of us," he told Taylor knowing that they couldn't do it. Even with all the people they did have they were weak right now with Daryl gone and Rick off on some crazy train ride that hell Zac felt like he was half on that ride too.
"All right, we need..." Taylor started as he looked down trying to think of something. "We just need to scout the far side of the prison. Find out what's going on."
"You're going out there?" Hershel questioned as he raised an eyebrow.
"Take a car and make it quick," Taylor shrugged as he looked over at Hershel.
"I'll drive," Glenn said as he stood from where he had been sitting.
Taylor shook his head as he looked at Glenn, "No, you stay here. Help with fortifications. I'll take Maggie."
"You sure she's up for that?" Hershel asked not sure Maggie would agree to this half assed plan of Taylor's. A plan he was afraid would get the man killed if he kept it up.
Looking away from Hershel, Taylor fell silent and he just turned on his heels, heading into the cell block where he was sure Maggie was.
Making it to their cell, Taylor came to a brief stop as he saw Maggie laying on the bottom bed facing the wall. Walking into the cell he looked down at her as he chewed his lip, "Where have you been?" he asked his voice going soft.
When he didn't get no response from Maggie even after she moved on the bed, Taylor looked away from her, "We need to find out how the walkers are getting into the tombs," he told her though he still got silence from her. "Are we going to talk about this?" he finally asked referring to everything that had happened when they had been taken. "Maggie, you need to talk about it."
"I do? Or you do?" Maggie asked Taylor as she finally turned to face him.
"What does that mean?" Taylor asked bitterly as he looked down at her again.
"What do you want me to say? You want me to say he made me get naked and stand in front of him? He came up behind me, pushed himself against me. Put his hands all over me. He slammed my head down and bent me over a table," Maggie revealed as she kept her gaze on Taylor.
"Did he..." Taylor started feeling his voice catch slightly as he wanted to know again if Maggie had been raped.
"Rape me?" Maggie questioned finishing the words for Taylor. "No," she answered as she sat up in the bed and looked at Taylor. "No," she stated again this time more firmly. "Do you feel better?"
Taylor shook his head as he looked down at Maggie, "I'm not trying to.."
"I had a choice," Maggie told him plainly. "Either I take off my shirt or he would take off your hand. I just listened to Merle beating the shit out of you in the other room. What could I do?"
"I'm sorry," Taylor spoke as he tried to move towards Maggie but she reached out and pushed him away.
"Go away," Maggie said to him angrily as she shook her head seeing his stunned reaction. "You got your answer, now go away."
Looking down helplessly Taylor turned and left the cell, giving Maggie what she wanted. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"So we'll reinforce this with some metal from the yard," Avery stated as she worked with Axel and Glenn to fix up the gate covered walkway with some wood. "If anything happens, we'll just duck," she shrugged as she made like she was faking to duck behind one of the wooden planks they had set up.
Axel chuckled slightly at Avery's words, "Well I hope nothing happens. Guns scare the bejesus out of me," he revealed as he shook his head. "I robbed a gas station with a toy gun. Never even took it out of my pocket."
"You said Oscar was the thief," Glenn stated feeling a bit confused as he stopped briefly from setting up one of the planks. "That you were in here for pharmaceuticals."
"Well I didn't want ya'll to think I was a violent man, if you follow me," Axel explained as he looked between Avery and Glenn.
"So what are you saying?" Avery asked as she moved to put up some more planks. "You're in here for a toy gun?!"
Shaking his head Axel continued working, "No, listen to this. The next day the cops found me at my brother's house. Still had the water pistol in my pocket," he revealed as he locked eyes with Avery. "I swore up and down that, that was the only weapon I had but they said they didn't believe anyone could be so stupid and get away with it, so they turned my brother's house upside down and found his thirty-eight. Said it matched the description," he muttered as he rolled his eyes. "There you go. Armed robbery. Tell you the truth, I don't even know how to use this damn thing," he said as he reached for his gun and held it in his hand.
"You're all about the truth now?" Avery asked playfully as she moved and reached out for his gun.
"Yes, ma'am, I am," Axel nodded as he watched Avery.
Feeling Axel watch her Avery slowly pulled the magazine out and held it out so he could see, "It's fully loaded," she spoke before putting it back in. "Let's hope it stays that way."
Taking the gun Axel watched as she walked away from him, "You're quite a lady."
"Hmmm..." Avery chuckled as she shook her head and blushed slightly at his words but she said no more to him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zac who had came back in the prison briefly after helping with some stuff outside slowed some when he saw Hershel looking at him as if he wanted to kill him and to be honest that look kind of scared him because he was sure he hadn't done anything to earn it. He wasn't the one doing silly plans that could possibly get them killed, no that was Taylor.
"Your wife is back," Hershel said as he eyed Zac warily, losing the glare he first had when Zac came in. "I should be happy for you that she is and I am but I'm also scared for my Bethie."
"B..Beth?" Zac asked almost feeling like he had been punched in the gut because he had been so sure that Hershel hadn't known. That he was the only one in the dark.
Hershel nodded before chuckling some, "You all think I didn't notice?" he asked honestly before shaking his head. "I noticed. I'm not stupid...and I may not like it because of the age but I noticed and I kept silent because Beth was happy and you are a decent man, probably one of the last decent men but now with your wife back I'm afraid Beth is going to get hurt."
"I don't wanna hurt Beth," Zac told the older man as he walked a bit closer to him. "I do love your daughter and I'd never intentionally hurt her. I don't wanna hurt Kate either and I love her too, I've loved her longer."
"You have loved her longer," Hershel spoke as he watched Zac sit down beside him. "But she was away for awhile and turned to someone else too."
"So you're saying I should leave her?" Zac questioned as he raised an eyebrow.
Hershel shook his head at that, "I'm saying you two need to have a discussion and figure things out whenever things cool down around here. The quicker it happens the quicker everyone involved has a less of a chance of being hurt even more," he said before standing up and heading off to go find the other Hanson brother, the one who was more than likely going to die if he didn't stop being stupid.
Zac watched Hershel leave and he looked down at the floor knowing the old man was right but he wasn't sure why talking with Kate scared him. Maybe it was because he knew what was coming...he loved her but he also knew he more than likely wasn't in love with her anyone, yet he wasn't sure how to end something that had been there since he was a teenager.
Not to mention he was afraid that if he talked to her he'd also mention their baby and there was just some stuff he didn't want to know even if his mouth found a way to ask it without his brain cooperating.