5

I would like to dedicate this chapter to my writing pal -Darkguardian- you are awesome! Thank you for motivating, challenging and helping me! This one's for you!!!!

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"I don't know why you're being like this," Kate sniffed in irritation. "You never know, if you let yourself you might even have fun."

I glanced at her reflection in the mirror I was standing in front of. She was laying on her back across her bed picking at her nails. We had been in Woodbury for only two weeks and already she was back to acting like a bratty teenager. It was obnoxious in the moment, but at the same time I was more thankful than I knew how to say. Two weeks behind the walls of Woodbury and for Kate it was like They were just a bad dream. She was Katie again.

I wished I could be the same but I couldn't forget. I had changed in order to survive and I don't know that I could go back if I wanted to. When I tried to think back on it, I couldn't really remember what I was like before. Survival was all that mattered and to be honest I was worried too much time spent behind these walls would make me soft.

We had been treated well since our arrival in Woodbury. We shared a room in the dormitories. We had our own bathroom, our own beds and three square meals a day in the large mess hall. Kate had started working in the daycare three days ago and seemed perfectly content to live out our days in the compound. She had already made friends and if I wasn't mistaken had nearly been forced to resort to beating back the teenage boys of Woodbury with a stick. Two weeks of good nutrition and showers and she was back to her gorgeous, albeit vain self.

Somehow she had managed to find makeup, I was fairly certain it was black market here. She had spent the last twenty minutes forcing it and much more on me. My hair was smooth and straight, I was wearing make up and Kate had somehow found a soft, dressy, green blouse for me to wear. I grunted as I looked at myself again.

"You're wearing it," Kate said without looking up from her nails. "It brings out the color in your eyes."

She was right of course, but I still glared at her once more. I was not happy about this. Due to her meddling I had a dinner date tonight with Phillip. The leader of Woodbury, who had brought us in, had been pursuing me since our arrival.

From almost the first night he had tried to get me to have dinner with him, offered to give me private tours and stopped by personally to check in on us. Any time I had turned him down he had laughed it off, but there was an underlying feeling of unease I just couldn't shake when I was around him. I had managed to avert him for the most part, but today he had inquired about my dinner plans in front of Kate. Kate leaped at the chance to throw me at the leader of Woodbury.

"You act like you're going to the gallows." Kate grumbled. "Phillip is cute enough for an old guy...sorta," she allowed, frowning. Then she shook it off. "Anyway, he's nice and thoughtful and in charge and interested in you. I don't see what the problem is."

I glowered at my little sister. "You realize he's only ten years older than me," I said arching a brow.

Kate giggled, "yeah, like I said...old."

I threw the hairbrush at her.

She laughed out loud when it hit her and I found I would do worse than endure a potentially awkward dinner to see my sister this happy.

"Seriously though," Kate said. She climbed to her feet and came up behind me. She was several inches taller than me and could look over my head as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. "We could be happy here...you could be happy." She said seriously.

I arched an eyebrow and gave her a droll look.

She smiled gently. "I mean I realize he's not a sexy badass with a crossbow..." she led off.

My gaze hardened to something serious and I pulled away from her to move to my bed and slide my boots on. "Don't-" I started to say but she cut me off.

"We left them," she said equally as serious. "They're gone. And I don't want you to not see Phillip for the nice guy he is because you are caught up with memories of gorgeous blue eyes."

I gaped at Kate. "It was never like that," I assured her.

She turned back to me and it was her turn to look shocked. "Really?" She asked in disbelief. "What's wrong with you?" She blurted.

I sighed and turned away from her. My fingers unconsciously fiddling with the ring hanging around my neck.

She sighed, displeased I had gone serious on her and ruined her fun. "Just... give Phillip a chance okay?"

I let out a put upon sigh. "Okay," I finally relented. I had zero intention of giving him a chance. There was still something about him that bothered me, I just couldn't put my finger on it. And it wasn't just because half the population of Woodbury called him The Governor. Though that was weird enough in itself.

"Okay?" she asked to confirm.

"Okay." I snapped, my patience dwindling quickly. "Worst case I have a terrible time and at least get dinner out of the deal, right?"

Kate squealed and wrapped her arms around me. "Right," she agreed triumphantly. I honestly couldn't tell if Kate was worried about my happiness or thinking about the benefits we would get if I was somehow involved with the leader of the community.

"Now, if you don't get going you're going to be late. Don't worry about me, and have fun, be interesting for a change and try not to be too much like...you know...you."

I turned to glare at her but she had already pecked me on the cheek and pushed me out the door, slamming it behind me.

Save me from meddling teenagers, I thought ruefully as I started walking over to Phillip's private apartment. I didn't like that he wanted to have dinner in private, I would have been much more comfortable in the large mess hall but this is what Kate agreed to. It's not that he had done anything to make me feel uncomfortable, I just hadn't been at my ease around him since the moment I met him. Though to be fair, I wasn't at my ease around anyone now except Kate.

Trust no one.

I approached his door and was surprised to find I was nervous. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans before I raised my fist to knock. Phillip opened the door seconds later. I hadn't even completely lowered my hand.

"Jo," he said with a warm smile. He stepped back opening his arm in welcome. "Come in please."

I gave him a tight lipped smile and stepped into the large studio apartment. Phillip was in the middle of cooking. He closed the door behind me and ushered me further into the room. He was dressed casually in clean jeans and a white button up shirt that he left open at the collar. I tried to look at him objectively and guessed I could see what Kate meant. He wasn't unattractive, though he certainly wasn't my type. He looked a little too much like a high school science teacher.

"I'm so glad you agreed to join me," he seemed genuine as he stepped back towards the small kitchenette.

"It smells amazing," I said truthfully.

He gave me a wide, sincere smile. "I'm glad, I'm afraid it will be a few minutes before it's done. Nothing fancy," he said turning his back on me to return to the stove top. "I hope you like chicken Parmesan. I forgot to check and I'm afraid it's the only thing I know how to make." he laughed at himself and I found myself relaxing a little.

Maybe Kate was right. Maybe I was being a little too me about things. He seemed nice enough and seemed like he was genuinely happy for me to be there. "I like chicken parm," I said in a quiet voice.

He turned to face me and motioned to a small table that had a bottle of wine sitting in the middle with two glasses. "Please make yourself comfortable. Pour us some wine if you would like."

I walked over to the table and picked up the wine. It was a red, but that was about the extent of my knowledge of wine. I didn't normally drink red wine, but I didn't want to seem rude so I opened it and poured us each a couple of fingers in the glasses. I walked over to him and handed him his glass. He took it from my hand and smiled down at me.

"I'm glad you accepted my invitation."

I pressed my lips together and nodded, taking a step away from him. "Kate wasn't going to take no for an answer." I said, forcing out a light laugh. I was nervous and uncomfortable but it was different. Something was different.

Stop, I thought. Reset.

I wanted to smooth a hand over my mouth but then I remembered Kate had forced me to wear lipstick. My free hand curled into a fist and I walked back over to the table and sat down in the chair to put some distance between myself and Phillip. I looked around the room, subconsciously noting the windows and that there was only the one door to the outside.

He chucked lightly as he continued to cook. He took a sip of his wine and set it down on the counter near him. His back was to me so he couldn't see how uncomfortable I was. "Your sister is...tenacious."

My snorted laugh was real this time. "That's an understatement."

He laughed at that. "She seems to be fitting in well," he observed, stirring whatever was in the pot on the rear burner and sipping his wine.

I took a sip of the dark red liquid and fought back a wince. I hated red wine.

"Yes she is," and I was completely earnest now. "Thank you, for getting her a position in the daycare. She is truly, very happy," It didn't really matter how uncomfortable I was. Kate was safe and happy and I was willing to endure a lot to make sure she stayed that way.

Phillip turned to face me, a light smile on his lips. "It was honestly my pleasure." His lips flattened and he looked unsure for a moment. "And you," he asked. "Are you happy?"

I opened my mouth to respond but he swung away as a timer went off. It gave me a moment to compose myself and come up with an answer. For some reason I felt like this entire night was a test. "Woodbury is a wonderful community. Anyone would be happy here." I finally hedged. I don't know why I didn't just lie. I was a great liar.

Phillip opened his small oven and pulled out a pan, setting on the counter. He pulled two plates out of a cupboard and quickly dished up our food. He didn't say anything until he set both plates at the table, and returned with his wine. He dropped casually into his chair. There was something about the way he held himself that set me on edge. But I couldn't put my finger on it, which was the problem with body language. It was all nonverbal, which made it difficult to translate for the conscious mind.

"Yes," he finally said. He motioned for me to dig in as he continued.

I picked up my fork and steak knife and cut into the chicken. It was perfect.

"But I didn't ask if other people would be happy here. I asked if you were happy here," he said pointedly.

The food felt like ash in my mouth as I frantically thought of a good answer. I forced the food down my throat and coughed. He looked up from his own food with concern. I quickly snatched up my wine and took a demure sip. I shouldn't have to feel like I'm playing chess at dinner, but that was exactly what this felt like. I wished I could figure out what it was that had me feeling so off. My instincts were normally right, but I had been out there a long time and it was entirely plausible I was overreacting.

"There's just been a period of adjustment." I said truthfully. I took another sip of wine. It tasted god awful but I needed something to help me get through this night.

Phillip nodded as though he understood. "You're a fighter and a survivor." he said reaching over and pouring more wine into both our glasses. "I saw that the moment I first laid eyes on you. Recognized it in you."

That made me feel uncomfortable as I remembered the way he had stared at me the first time he saw me. I took another swig of wine and cut myself the largest piece of chicken I could cram into my mouth. I really wanted this to be over.

He smiled at me as though he were charmed by my bad manners. I had to work really hard to school my face into something that wasn't a frown or a sneer.

"Sometimes it can be hard to return to normal life when you have adapted and thrived in the new world," he said, taking a drink of his wine.

I didn't like him trying to psycho analyze me. It set my teeth on edge. I reached out and took a larger gulp of wine.

"Have you given any thought to what you would like to do here?" he asked, sipping his own wine.

I shook my head.

"What did you do before?"

The question was innocent enough but I didn't want to answer him. I didn't want him to know that about me. It felt so personal. But I knew deep down that if he really wanted to find out Kate would happily tell him. "I was getting my PhD." I said between bites.

This peaked his interest and I wanted to kick myself. Stop being so interesting! I berated myself. If I could just be a gracious and boring survivor he picked up on the road maybe he would lose interest. Kate often joked people would like me better if I was a little less me, but being me seemed to be getting me into all sorts of trouble tonight.

"What was your area of study?"

"Wild life biology," I mopped up the last of the red sauce with my piece of garlic bread. I had inhaled my meal. He still had half of his chicken and his garlic bread left and didn't seem in any hurry to finish it off.

"Wow," he said taking another slow bite. I felt like he was eating slowly on purpose, like he could tell how uncomfortable I was and he was playing on it. "What was the topic of your dissertation. Wild life biology is awfully broad..."

I let out a small, controlled sigh through my nose. "North American predators." I informed him. "I spent a good deal of time studying wolf pack behavior while I was pursuing my masters." I don't know why I felt the need to tell him that, maybe because I wanted him to know I saw through all his nice smiles. I knew a predator when I saw one. That's when it clicked in the back of my brain. When I realized what it was about him that had me feeling uncomfortable, he was a predator.

You had to be tough and dangerous to survive in this world. Rick and Daryl were tough and dangerous. But it wasn't like this. There was something off about this, something more behind his practiced smiles and the charismatic words he used to charm the people of Woodbury.

He rewarded me by flashing another of those smiles, but this one felt too much like he was baring his teeth at me. I downed the rest of my wine. When I looked back at him he had finally finished his dinner. He poured us each the rest of the bottle. I moved to pick up my dishes and bring them to the sink, but he waved me off. I stood awkwardly with my wine glass in hand and he stepped towards me. He placed a hand at the small of my back and guided me towards the small living room area.

I wanted to pull away from him. I didn't like him touching me, even in such an innocuous way. But I didn't say or do anything. I didn't want to make a scene. I just wanted to get away from him. I would finish my glass of wine and excuse myself under the pretense of needing to get back to Kate.

I tried to move towards the single chair but he tightened his grip on my waist and directed me towards the couch. Alarm bells were starting to go off in my head, but I wasn't sure how to get myself out of this without risking our place here. Feeling like I had no other choice, I took a sip of my wine and obeyed. He sat right next to me so our thighs were touching. I tried to scoot away but there was no where to go. He took a drink of his wine and set his hand on my knee.

I stiffened.

"Well, you are just full of surprises." He commented. "Fighter, survivor, sister, scholar."

His voice had dropped an octave and I wanted my golf club back. "A biologist hmm, remind me to introduce you to Milton tomorrow. Perhaps you could help him in his lab."

I slugged back the rest of my wine as though it were a shot. "That sounds great," I said pulling away from him to stand. "We can talk more tomorrow," I said quickly, looking towards the door. I was done pretending, done playing his game. I wanted out of here, now.

He stood with me. The small space between the couch and the coffee table made me feel claustrophobic and I wanted desperately to take a step away from him but I couldn't. I had no room to maneuver unless I vaulted over the back of the couch.

"Yes, we can talk more tomorrow," He leaned towards me and reached up to cup my cheek.

I pulled back.

A flash of anger ran through his eyes and he grabbed my wrist before I could move further away. I tried to pull back but he latched onto me. I twisted to get away from him, but his fingers dug into the soft skin. I tried to hold it in, but I cried out painfully as his fingers dug into the tendons.

Desire swam through his eyes and I knew in that moment I was in serious trouble. I had to get out of here, and get Kate. We weren't safe here. Fort Benton, that's where Rick had taken his family. Maybe we could still find them.

"It doesn't have to be like this," Phillip said, his eyes hooded as he watched me face as I struggled. "I took you in, saved you..."

Without any warning I swung my other fist and caught him across the cheek bone. He staggered back, dropping my wrist. I tried to jump over the couch but he somehow snagged the back of the blouse. There was a tearing of fabric and I fell halfway over it, my stomach slammed into the back and knocked the wind out of me. I rolled the rest of the way over it and crashed onto my back on the floor.

"Jo," he said in a quiet voice as he stalked around the couch. "Trust me, you don't want it like this," he growled. He stopped over me and despite not being able to breathe I kicked him back as hard as I could in his stomach. He bounced backwards, and fell into the door. My only exit.

Not smart, now I had no way to escape. I jumped back over the couch and ran for the dinner table.

"You're a fighter," he growled climbing back to his feet. "I admired that about you." There was a sick kind of glee in his eyes as he wiped the corner of his mouth. He seemed surprised to see blood on his fingers and then he chuckled like I had pleased him somehow.

My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears I could hear nothing else. I scrambled for the table. In my haste I knocked my empty plate and fork on the ground. He slammed into me from behind. He sunk a hand into my hair, twisting it painfully and used his body to pin my lower body against the table. I screamed, not really believing anyone would come to my aid. He jerked my head sideways and licked up the side of my neck. I squirmed, trying to pull away and hated it as a whimper fought its way up my throat. I closed my eyes and breathed, I had to keep control. If I panicked, I was done for.

"This could have gone a completely different way," he breathed raggedly in my ear and I could feel his excitement where he was pressed against my hip. The food in my stomach roiled and I almost vomited all over us both.

I let him kiss his way along my neck and grope under the ripped green blouse for a few painful seconds without fighting. I even let out a few more whimpers for good measure. He let out a self satisfied chuckle as he spun me around to face him. I pivoted, putting all my strength into the spin as I brought the steak knife around. I tried to push the knife up and under his ribs but he caught the flash of movement and just barely managed to block me. The knife grazed along his ribs anyway and he swore loudly.

Despite the ribbon of blood that opened along his white shirt he still managed to pull himself up and backhanded me hard enough that I saw stars. He stooped over me, pulled my up by the ripped blouse and punched me in the side of the head.

I crumpled.

I heard him call out and in moments two guards I had met before, Martinez and Merle, were in the room. They paused at the sight of all the blood. I was still laying with my head on the floor trying to remember how to think.

"Are you alright sir?" Merle asked lazily, stepping towards Phillip.

He nodded. "Fine Dixon."

The name made me blink stupidly from one man to the other. I couldn't have heard right. I was concussed...had to be.

Martinez had stepped up next to Phillip and was inspecting his injury. Phillip waved him off and pointed at me. "She attacked me. Take her down to the cells. Be careful, she's dangerous."

Merle swaggered over to me and cheerfully punched me into unconsciousness.

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It must have been hours later. When I woke, I was laying on a hard packed dirt floor. I was freezing and realized the green blouse was gone, leaving me in nothing but my cami and jeans. I could still taste blood in my mouth and slowly rolled my neck and moved my body to make sure nothing was broken. Everything hurt, but it all seemed to be working.

It took exactly one minute for my brain to recognize Their snarls. I looked up and scrambled backwards. Not two feet away from where I had lay bleeding nearly twenty walkers were pressed up against the bars of the cell, desperate to get at me. Their stench was overpowering as their jaws snapped hungrily and they reached through the bars towards me.

There was a soft chuckle from outside the cell and The Governor stepped out to where I could see him. "You're a fighter," he commented again. I could see the crazy in his eyes now and wondered at his ability to hide it so completely. "Now you'll get your chance," he promised me.

I struggled to my feet, I would not lay on the ground before this man. I wouldn't cower. I spit the blood in my mouth at him. He didn't flinch as it sprayed across his face. "I won't do anything for you," I growled, my voice hoarse and ragged.

He chuckled and slowly reached into his pocket and meticulously wiped at his face with a handkerchief. "Sure you will," he said with certainty, looking completely unfazed.

I snorted and glanced around for a weapon of some kind.

"We have a ring here, something not included in the initial tour I'm afraid. We have fighters face off every week, of their own accord of course...mostly. And you, my little spit fire. You will do it regardless. You will stand In that ring every week and smile like you want to be there. You are a fighter, I want to see it."

I growled low in my throat and sunk into a crouch. "I'll kill you the first time you turn your back," I promised him.

He laughed out loud, a barking laugh that I actually believed was his real one and it was all the more sinister for it. "I have no doubt my darling." He said with a sadistic smile. "Which is why you will live here," he said motioning to the cells around me.

"I won't be your little doll to parade out in front of your people. I won't do it."

"Sure you will. You seem to be forgetting one very important piece of this puzzle," he said smiling like a cat who got into the cream.

I felt like I couldn't breathe as I realized what he was saying. He stood and though he was moving gingerly from our encounter he still managed to preen at me.

He bent down so his breath was hot on my face through the bars. "I have Kate."

I sucked in a breath and felt my eyes widen.

He laughed and stepped back, clasping his hands behind his back. "Your first fight will be next week," he said smiling.

I hung my head, all the fight leaving me as I realized he was right. I slowly nodded my consent. We both knew I would do anything to keep my sister alive.

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