» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» CLEAR «

Pass The Parcel, Or Rather, The Baby

"Come on, I can help. I've been on a ton of runs before. Okay, I haven't, but there's a first time for everything." I pestered Rick as he packed up a bag. He was taking Michonne and Carl to find more guns. I was desperate to go, but Rick seemed to disagree.

"You're staying, okay? I already talked to Glenn, he wants you here. I can't argue with him, sorry." Rick told me.

I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. Rick slowed down and sighed sympathetically before stopping in front of me. "Look, the less people I bring, the safer it is for everyone. We need to keep as many people here in case the Governor comes back. Can you protect this place?" He was doing that thing he did when Carl asked to help. Giving him a job to make him feel important, when really it's just to keep him safe.I was about to protest again when Carl came out his cell, Judith in his arms.

"Belle, can you take her? Look after her while we're gone?" He placed her in my arms and I adjusted her squirming body. I almost laughed - Carl was giving me a job. Like father, like son.

I watched from the balcony as the car drove away, the cloud of dust eventually settling. "Okay, Judith." I bounced her in my arms, "What are we gonna do today?" Her hands moved from her mouth to my face, grasping softly at it. It took me a moment to realise her fingers had been in her mouth and were now wet, spreading it on my cheeks. "Ew. You're gross." She just giggled.

»« »« »« »«

"Hey, Beth. Whatcha making?" I held Judith over my shoulder, rubbing her back. Beth glanced up from her position over the stove, smiling as she saw Judith.

"Cooking some beans for lunch. Might throw in some spaghetti rings, too." She replied. I sat on the table and laid Judith against my legs, tickling her belly.

"You're real good with her." Beth remarked. I looked up from the baby and saw her watching with kind eyes. They looked almost sad, like she knew why I was so good with babies.

"Thanks. I never thought I'd get to use these skills again. At least I'm good for something." I muttered the last part, hoping she wouldn't hear me. I was still sour that Rick made me stay behind.

"You're good for everything, Bee. I ain't ever met someone like you before. You're so strong and brave, but at the end of the day you can still cuddle up in bed with a kids doll and a smile on your face. It's something to admire." She praised me. I felt myself become shy at her compliments, hiding my face so she wouldn't see my blush.

"Thanks, Beth."

»« »« »« »«

I found Maggie sitting in her bed, a book open in her lap. She put it down when she saw me enter the cell, gesturing for me to hand Judith to her. I sat on the bed next to her and watched as she stroked the baby's head. I didn't expect to hear soft sobs coming from Maggie.

"Maggie, are you okay?" I placed a hand on her arm. She breathed out a laugh, using one hand to wipe away her tears.

"I am, I'm okay. She's just...she's just so beautiful, she's got no idea how many people love her, what the people out there are like. She doesn't know..." She trailed off. She was talking about the people in Woodbury, what they did to her and Glenn.

"What happened?" I whispered. I wanted her to know she could talk to me about it, but I didn't want to force her into anything. "Did he hurt you?"

"It-it's not something you should hear. You're a kid, you shouldn't worry." I had a feeling I knew what happened, why she wouldn't tell me.

"I knew someone like that once. A man, like the Governor. He didn't just hurt people. He made them feel ashamed. He forced them into things." I admitted to her. Her face screwed up in a sorrowful expression.

"Oh, Belle. I'm so sorry." Her voice was airy, like she was gasping between cries. She brought me close to her and wrapped an arm around me, holding Judith in the other. We stayed in the hug for a while, until Maggie stopped crying. I just wanted her to feel okay again.

»« »« »« »«

"Say hello to Uncle Glenn." I passed Judith into Glenn's arms. He rocked her gently as she giggled up at him. He held out his hand for her and she wrapped her fingers around it, squeezing it as tight as she could. The hopeful look on his face as he watched her smile made my heart warm. He would be a great father one day.

"Glenn...you love Maggie, right?" I wondered.

He smiled at me, his eyes distancing with a soft look as he thought of his girlfriend. "I do. A lot. In fact," He pulled me closer so he could whisper, "I'm gonna marry her. Soon."

I almost squealed, but kept it quiet as I bounced in my seat. "That's great, Glenn. I'm really happy for you. I hope I can find someone who loves me like you love Maggie."

"You will, kid. I know it."

»« »« »« »«

Daryl was sitting outside the cell Merle was locked in. His back was pressed against the bars of the barrier, the only thing stopping him from falling to the lower level. I held Judith close to my chest as I sat against the wall. I would just have to pretend Merle wasn't there.

"I know you wanted to go with him." Daryl told me. He looked up from where he was picking at his shoe.

"Every time he goes out there, I think about the time he got shot looking for Sophia. What if it happened again, but this time he didn't make it back?" I admitted. Carl was my best friend, I didn't want to lose him. I knew the risks of heading out in the world.

"You don't need to be worried. He's got his dad with him, even Michonne. He's safe with them." He comforted me.

"You think she's okay, then?" I liked Michonne, and not just because of her sword. If she was allowed to stay, she would be one of the strongest members of the group.

"She helped out in Woodbury. She ain't tried anything yet. She's alright by me." Daryl answered.

"You know-"

"Shut up, Merle." Daryl and I interrupted him. I heard a gurgle beside my ear and lifted Judith in front of me, seeing her curious eyes looking back.

"You wanna hold her?" I offered to Daryl. He looked like he was about to take her when Merle piped up again.

"You've gone soft, brother." He taunted. I rolled my eyes. He never knew when to stop. Daryl stood up, pacing over to the stairs. Great, Merle had ran him off.

"Were you born an asshole? Or did you go to a special school?" I asked Merle as I got up off the ground. I didn't want to spend any more time with him then I had to.

»« »« »« »«

I was sitting in Carl's cell, watching over Judith as she slept in her basket. She gripped tightly onto the toy duck in her hand. I perked up when I heard footsteps enter the cell.

"Carl!" I exclaimed in a hushed tone. I leapt up and jumped into a hug, causing him to stumble back slightly, his hat knocking off. I caught it as it fell and I felt his arms wrap around me.

"Is everything okay? Did something happen?" He urgently whispered. I pulled away and put the hat back in its rightful place.

"No. I'm just happy to see you. Did everything go okay out there?" I returned the question. He glanced down at Rick and Michonne sorting through dozens of weapons. All sorts of guns, explosives, anything you could think of, it was there. It was clearly a successful trip. Michonne threw an empty bag underneath the table and picked up something larger. A crib, perfect for a baby.

"Yeah, it was good. I think she's one of us." He peered at Michonne. I hoped she was here to stay.

»« »« »« »«

This is another one of those chapters where it takes place away from the plot of the episode

I also wanted to make her bond with Judith stronger