Saving Grace

Merle

When Ivy woke up she slowly sat up, stretching, looking around her. No sign of Daryl but she figured as much. Standing up she walked down the steps, although a little clumsily from the sleep in her eyes.

"Ivy!" Sophia exclaimed, running up with Carl, the two hugging her. With a smile ivy hugged them both tightly, glad to be near them again.

"We thought you were dead, you and Carol both. I didn't know what to do..." Carl fought back tears, Ivy rubbing his head, feeling bad for worrying the two.

"I'm sure Lori was worried about losing her nurse too huh?" Ivy instantly regretted her words when she saw the kids faces fall, before seeing Beth come out, holding an infant.

"Carl..." Ivy whispered sadly, pulling the boy to her again, hugging him tightly.

"I had to put her down Ivy... She would of turned." His choked words made her heart hurt, he shouldn't of had to of gone through that. She should of been there to help deliver the baby, maybe she would of survived.

Carl pulled away, wiping his eyes before turning to Beth, taking the baby from her.

"She doesn't have a name yet, but you have two nieces again." Clearing his throat he offered her to Ivy, a sad smile coming to her face as she took the baby. She held her to her chest, letting the baby play with her fingers.

"Hey sweetheart, we are all gonna take good care of you okay? You have a big brother who will watch you like a hawk." Giggling came from Sophia, a smile on Carl's face. People in the room watched the interaction, including Daryl who just walked in, a small smile etching his face.

"Glenn and I are fixing to go on a run, she needs formula." Hearing this from Maggie, Ivy handed the baby back to Beth, nodding.

"That includes me too then, she needs food so we are getting her some food." Her words caused a rise out of Daryl, his face full of concern.

"The hell you are." He all but yelled out, Hershel also full of worry.

"Dear you're just back on your feet, you can't be goin' out of here yet." Ivy shook her head, this little girl doesn't have a mom anymore, she is yet to see Rick. Someone had to take care of her.

"I can't sit on my ass when that baby girl needs food, and no one's gonna make me. So are we leaving or not cause the longer we take the later she's going to eat." Daryl threw his hands in the air before walking out angrily, Ivy ignoring his tantrum.

"Let's get going I guess." Glenn muttered, the three setting off towards town.

"How ya' feeling?" Ivy let a quiet laugh escape her at Maggie's question. She either looks like shit or she was gone longer than she realized.

"As good as I can I suppose, I'm more worried bout the kids than myself at the moment. They've gone through hell and now there's a baby. I have to make sure they are okay." Smiling, Maggie leaned back and rubbed her arm from the front seat, nodding. She admired the woman's strength, to come back from near dead and worry bout others before herself.

"Hopefully we hit the jackpot so we don't have to find more for a while." Glenn breathed out, the two women agreeing. Soon they pulled into a store, the trio stepping out of the car.

"I'm gonna do a check around the building, don't want something sneaking up on us. Look for formula, baby clothes, and toys. A carrier would be great too." The couple nodded before splitting up.

Ivy quietly walked around the outside of the building, machete in hand. Three walkers resided behind the building so with quick movements she took them out, doing it at silently as possible. Just as she was about to make her way back to the front of the building she heard yelling, and then was yanked backwards. She thrashed around but a hand was placed over her mouth.

"Shut up if you want to live." She didn't know if it was a threat or a warning but it was hissed quietly into her ear by a woman. Hearing Maggie's worried voice she nodded, the hand being removed. She whipped around to see a dark woman covered in sweat.

"Those are my people, I have to help them." She whispered back in a panic. The woman argued but Ivy shook her head furiously.

"If something happens to us please, take what we grabbed to the prison five miles up the road. A baby there needs it. Tell them Ivy sent you." Before the woman could argue Ivy shot forward, seeing a man holding Glenn and Maggie at gun point.

"Hey asshole, drop the gun!" Ivy ordered out, machete up and another knife in her hand, ready to be thrown. The man looked her up and down, a smile coming to her face.

"Now, now, Red. I know these two. Why don't you get your pretty little ass to walkin' before I make you my side piece?" Ivy's face turned into a snarl, hating the look on the man's face. If she threw her knife, it risked the others getting shot.

She swallowed hard when the man grabbed Maggie, putting the tip of his gun to her head as he walked towards Ivy.

"Drop your weapons darlin', now." Much to her dismay she dropped her machete and knife, her eyes shooting daggers at the man. She wanted to rip his throat out for so much as touching Maggie.

"Good girl, now, how bout you take a nap for a bit?" She furrowed her brows but before she knew it he hit her in the head with his metal nub, everything going black.