Forever Fighting

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Rick's POV

I was on watch out in the guard tower. I had so many things to think about at the moment, I needed this time to clear my head thoroughly. I could easily hand Michonne over to the Governor. It would solve everything, according to him. I had this feeing in my gut that it wouldn't be the last we would hear from him, though. I couldn't trust this man, so how could I give him a living person not knowing if he would attack or not? I didn't want to give him Michonne, she was starting to be apart of us. I know Carl has warmed up to her after our run into town. Beth and her had been talking a lot. I saw Sky even making friendly conversation with her. Maybe I can't give her to him. It isn't right. It isn't humane to do that. She would be dead the second she was with him, or worse. How could I have that blood on my hands? I already have so much, I can't keeping adding to the death toll. If I don't give her over though, the Governor will attack, then who will be the cost of that? I shook my head a peered through the scope on Charlie's sniper rifle. I watched along the perimeter of the forest line, watching for any sign of danger. That is when something slightly caught my eye. I couldn't make it out, but it was gone the moment I looked harder. I decided I needed to talk to somebody about this, somebody who I could trust and not be judged by asking what to do. I could go to Sky....but I don't know where I am at with her at the moment. We still have a lot we need to talk about. Then I could ask Daryl, but he would have an opinion to one direction because of Merle......Charlie. I'll ask Charlie. She talked with Michonne. She knows tactics. Yeah, she just came from a bad place, and her head might lean to one option, but I know she will keep a fair game. I walked out of the tower and into the cell block. I immediately spotted Charlie next to Daryl and Carl in the common area. Her eyes met mine and I looking down, then back up. "Charlie, can I have a word with you?" I asked. She looked at me weirdly, then to Daryl. She nodded her head and got up. A she walked, she ruffled Carl's hair on the way by. She smiled at him as he did back to her.

I waited for her to come outside. I stood by the gate that blocked off walkers from getting in here. "You asked for me?" She said as he grew closer. This will be the first I tell anybody about the deal The Governor made with me. I knew I had to get it off my chest. I began to explain to her what the Governor said for me to do, and what he would do if Ii don't deliver. "There has to-" She started, but I cut her off. "It's the only way." She looked out into the field, pondering her next words, I supposed. Walkers snarled from behind the fence. "No one else knows." I added. "Are you going to tell them?" She asked. "Not til after." I replied. "So, you already made up your mind? You are going to hand over Michonne?" She asked, almost in disbelief. I knew she was trying hard to hold back. "Like I said, there isn't another option." I stated harshly. She looked down, knowing I was right. "Okay. I'll stand by you, Rick. No matter what." She said. I felt relieved. I knew Charlie was family, everybody here was family, but was good to have the reassurance of hers. "We have to do it today. It has to be quiet." I said. She slowly nodded her head, keeping eyes with me. "You have a plan?" I nodded my head and looked out to the field, much like she did before. "We tell her we need to talk. Away from the others." I moved closer. There was a glint in her eye, she didn't agree with this, not at all. No matter how much she had been through, she wasn't the type of person to kill an innocent. "Its just not us, Rick. I mean, if we do this, where do we draw the line? Michonne is practically one of us, she has helped us. What if there is another group out there like the Governors? What if they want one of us? Me or Sky? Would you do the same then?" She asked me, almost yelling. I know she is mad. This isn't us, she is right. Where do we draw the line? "If we do this, we avoid a fight. No one else dies." I tried. I didn't know what else to do the try to convince her. "A fight? How do you even know he is telling the truth. How do you know he wont stroll though our gates like last time and pluck us off one-by-one, Rick?" She was right. Everything she is saying is right. Charlie had just mentioned everything that I had questioned. Maybe I I want her to change my mind about this, but then...we don't know the outcome. "I said I would stand by you, Rick, always. No matter what happens, you are family to me. If this is the way you want to handle it, then I will go along with you....just know the blood of her is on yours...and my hands." She finished. Her hands? Did she see it that way too? I didn't want guilt to be rested on her, but what choice did I have now? "I'm sorry, Charlie. I didn't want to put this on you....but I need you with me on this." I begged her. She shook her head and let out a big breath of air. "I'm with you." Charlie mumbled. "We need somebody else." I spoke. I looked to her, hoping she would get what I meant. Merle would be the only other person to help on this....Daryl too. "I'll talk to them." She replied. Good, she got the knowing. "I'll do it." I stated and turned around. "Then I will go with you." She said. I looked back to her. "No. Just me." I turned and walked back into the prison, leaving Charlie outside alone.