Ch 13 On the Road Bonding Part 1.

As we drive off to the CDC I ask Cora to take over the driving while I take a nap. I ask Rick to take over on the driver seat and Glenn to be the passenger. Told them I was gonna take a few Z's because I'm at my limit. Then go to the back. I calm everyone down tell them I'm just tired I take a quick shower kiss my girls and lay down with Amy for a little while. Everyone smirks at that.

Thanks to gamers body I don't need much time to rest. As long as I'm in a safe environment it'll count as rest and re-up my body.

Everyone is doing their own thing. Cleaning weapons, kids either watching TV, or playing games, others looking at maps.

After about a few hours of driving I wake back up. I get regeared with new clothes not caring about who's watching and check on my girls still napping. I noticed it's already 4pm and wake them up to eat. They sing together while on NaNa's bottom bunk while eating a quick meal from some MRE's I had stored told everyone they're more than welcome to em.

"Ok babies be on your best behavior daddy is going back with grandpa Rick and uncle Glenn." I instructed them gave em a kiss and hugged Amy then went to the front of the cab with a couple MRE's for the guys.

Rick moves back to the passenger seat me to the driver and Glenn rides bitch.

"Hey old man I don't mean to pry but what's up with Shane?" I ask already knowing the drama. He looks at me contemplating how to answer.

"To be honest we both know why." He admits. "But I'm not going to feed into it. Shit happened they thought we were dead and that's that." He explained to me but seemed to me it was more to himself than me.

"Look pops we've known each other for a really long time. And to be honest you're my dad and Lori is mom, you know. So if you got it then I won't interfere but if need be…I'll end him." I state bluntly but truthfully.

"Pops just because he was their for our family when we weren't able to doesn't mean he has a right to them. Only reason I haven't done anything is because of you. But that clears my debt with him." Rick just thinks about it and nods.

"Pops I'm here for you whatever you decide I'll back it up. Just please don't let your emotions cloud your judgement. I lost my parents already. Don't make me lose more." I look at him with a bit of fear and anxiety as I try to rein in my emotions. And he just grabs my shoulder while I drive.

"I promise son it won't come to that. I won't let it ok. Just be there for the kids and Lori I'll handle Shane ok." He reassured me, or at least tried to. I gave him a smile. Glenn wondering what's going on.

I look at him and tell him what's going on and to just shut up about it, because at this point it's an open secret and no one talks about because it's no one else's business. He nods back in understanding. They ask how things are between Amy and I. And how the twins feel about her so I explain that when they chanted 'Amy ring' fiasco meant they wanted me to marry Amy. They chuckle at that. Letting them understand what me and Carl already knew but we're taking things slow not even a kiss yet. But we cuddle together for the past 2 nights.

'Cora can you make a special ring for Amy letting us know her vitals and location at all times with a mermaid theme?' I asked mentally and she confirms and I am able to reach as far as the pillow to deposit it from my inventory. So I did and put a note saying 'Happy birthday my shield-princess. If you agree to be mine forever please wear this ring on so we can be a true family.'

[In the Camper]

Andrea finds it and squeals loudly making all the girls in the back squeal in happiness for Amy. While she's blushing away trying to wipe tears of happiness she's asking if this is way too fast.

"Sweety it's the end of the world I don't think normal dating process is required besides I've known him for years, the twins love you and I've spent enough time with you to know that if you put on that ring you won't regret it." Explains Lori.

"Amy go ahead and listen to your heart." Andrea speaks up with happiness in her eyes. "I'll support you with whatever you decide." She adds as she hugs her.

"I think you better put that ring on your finger before someone takes him off your hands." Teases Carol. Making the other women laugh in amusement.

"Speaking of couples, how was that kiss you gave Daryl huh." Amy teases back. Making everyone whooo in response Carol just pipes down blushing hard making everyone laugh more. Amy studies the ring still thinking about what to do with a smile.

Andrea gave her a beautiful mermaid necklace and this matches it so maybe they planned it together is what she thought.

[In the RV]

Morgan and Dale talking about their wives and how they lost them. And how it hurt them. What they did afterwards and how Morgan met Rick and Bjorn.

Shane and Jim just cleaning all the weapons they had on hand. Talking about maybe teaching everyone including the kids how to at least shoot to protect themselves if we aren't around. Shane tell Jim that the Bjorne twins are already trained and he was shocked by that revelation so was Dale and Morgan. I mean who would show 3 year old girls how to shoot guns.

Then wonder what guns they shot. He explained that Bjorn would take them to the shooting range every weekend to watch what everyone was doing making them study what the people were doing.

From stances to shooting positions. How they would unload and check the chambers. How they cleaned the pistols. Then one day he had them shoot the baby looking hand guns that shot .22LR rounds.

They were impressed at what Bjorn was teaching them. But also a bit concerned. Shane told them not to be because even the whole time they were at camp since the collapse they were strapped catching them off guard.

When he told them that one time he tried to take it from them they responded with "you can try" ZaZa started. "But you wouldn't wake up as you anymore" finished NaNa. With creepy smiles. They looked a bit disturbed at that.

Dale said that he didn't agree with Bjorn's decision but couldn't do anything about it. Jim agrees because Bjorn is the father and they're not. Shane contemplates before he answers but then Morgan says that I lived a hellish life and made sacrafices for my girls that even we as men would struggle through. That all Bjorn had from his wife were those two beautiful girls and he'll do whatever is necessary for them to live. Besides he's a Viking what we say and believe probably doesn't mean much to him. Especially now that the world has turned to shit.

They all think about it for a bit before switching topics again. And continue to evaluate the other members of the group.

[Back to Valhalla]

"Hey biker boys y'all good up there?" Asks Glenn.

"Yeah we're good Mr. Miyagi." Answers Merle.

"Why you asking?" Questions Daryl.

"Just checking with you guys riding this long without stopping usually gives people hemroids hahaha. Glenn responded with a joke making all of them laugh.

[Back to the RV]

*Boom*

The grill of the RV started smoking and everyone stopped near a run down hunting shop. Jim and Dale quickly got off and started to look at what went wrong.

I come up to them and ask if it was the hose or radiator because no matter what they did that thing always blew up.

We replaced both radiator and hoses. Yet it blew up again. Man at this point Bjorn thinks if Dale was doing this shit on purpose now. Logic aside everyone did need a break so we took one inside the hunter shop after we all cleared it. I told Glenn to help me take off 2 electric bikes. They're fast and silent and able to make around the city.

"Glenn take someone who you think won't slow you down and scout ahead change into your gear. They'll help protect you from walker bites. Be careful. Same with everyone put on your gear. If you get cornered you won't get bit. If possible raid some meds and drinks only because we're good on food unless y'all want some but no pressure just scout a head as much as you can and on the way back scout the surrounding areas. Don't know if that radiator nonsense carried far enough to call up some walkers. Be careful with these flashbangs use them to distract the horde if need be. You have till the break of dawn before we move out and stay in contact with Cora." I instruct him. He chose Daryl to go with him because he was smart, a tracker, hunter, and a master shot with a crossbow. I mounted two mini saddle bags with the same capabilities as the motorcycles.

I gave them 3 pistols each with silencers and twelve mags of 15 rounds each, and two boxes of extra ammo. Helped them secure it on them. Two bangers (flashbangs auto-correct keeps messing me up so I'm naming them bangers now) and a couple frag grenades. Then gave each of them a tiny remote drone with camera functionality with a small screen to help in scouting.

"Cora can control the drone in case of human error." I chuckle making them smirk, and lastly a hidden blade for both of them. I helped equipping them to the top part of their arms and showed them how to use it. And placed a camera that Cora is able to see through and coordinate details with them on the chest of their equipment. Needless to say they loved the new toys.

Merle nodding in approval of how I was protecting his baby brother making him respect me more as he was on top of my truck with a silenced M4 with Morgan as well both fully geared up and on alert. I hand them some fresh cold water bottles and an MRE. Everyone else is in the hunting shop looking for winter supplies. Yeah he can get things from the shop but he does it so rarely and only in situations like this so the others can strengthen themselves and not rely solely upon him. They need to be smart so he'd discreetly set things around the shop when no one was looking.

They got new tents, sleeping bags, blankets, fire starters that work in any weather situation, arrows, bows, hunting knives, multi tools for camping, blade sharpeners, portable stove burners and propane or butane canisters. Flashlights. New hiking boots for everyone. A lot of socks and underwear's for everyone. Female hygiene products because obvious reasons.

Jim and Dale finished with the repairs. They came inside. I told the group that I had sent Glenn and Daryl on a scouting mission and for us to rest here for the night. Dale then spots me after my announcement and comes over and he asks about my teaching methods with the twins.

I look at him questionly. I indulge him because this came out of nowhere. I explained how I teach them and everyone comes around to hear me as well while I have my girls playing with some hiking boots near me, NaNa wanted yellow ones and ZaZa wanted purple ones. And they switched one pair so they can both have one of each others colors. We smiled at their interaction.

"Son I'm not gonna tell you how to raise your kids." He begins and instantly a flare of anger rises within me but mask it well. "But do you think giving your daughters guns is good parenting?" He finishes.

"Let me ask you something Dale." I began voice cold as a winter's blizzard. "How many walkers invaded camp before we showed up at the camp?" I ask trying to maintain my fury.

"Not including the horde maybe one or two." Why?" Not quite understanding what's this line of questioning is leading up to.

"How many of these people do you actually know with all your heart?" I ask another while ignoring his question.

"Well we all don't know each other not really. We just wanna survive together is all." He finishes.

"And have you any idea how to spot a child molester or rapist?" I ask barely containing my fury even more. Everyone still listening to me and realizing where I was going with this.

"The world was dangerous before and now it's worse. Do you honestly think each and every single person here will have the capability to protect my daughters let alone themselves?" I asked a bit heated now.

"I have no illusions that everyone here are friends and maybe even family because of our shared experiences and pain. But I will never blame anyone for not being able to help me protect my daughters because that is MY responsibility as their FATHER!" I iterate. "We are humans not immortals and we will make mistakes." I began.

"But make no mistake I will protect my daughters no matter the cost." I finished just as heatedly staring daggers into the man.

I walk to get a manikin and place it near the girls told them to get ready and they got to a fighting stance and told them form 2 and ZaZa goes for the back of the knee with her own custom hidden blade while NaNa pulls out a tiny silenced pistol and shoots the manikin in the head faster than anyone could react and quickly hides their weapons after the strikes and pulls away a few feet back to back.

Everyone staring dumb founded and shocked unable to comprehend what happened just now. Because in less than three seconds they took down a manikin but what if it was a walker or a person. The realization hit them hard.

"Ed was lucky to be alive as long as he was. My girls protect what they love with extreme prejudice because in our blood is the blood of Vikings and we are warriors from birth. The moment we take our first breath in this world, we never stop fighting to keep our breath from stopping." I finish my last sentence with calm indeference while I look at Dale with a cold look as if he was nothing more than a bother to speak to.

I command my girls to relax. So they do and look at me with smiles and I pick them up. I kiss them both and say good job girls looks like someone gets a treat. We giggle together. The others looking at us as if what we did was just everyday routine for them (which it was).

Amy walks up to Dale. "Dale we get what you're saying and trying to do but, for people like Bjorn with different lifestyles, morals, beliefs and customs, maybe that won't work. So please stay in your lane." She says calmly. Andrea and Lori nodding in agreement.

Lori still shocked at the revelation of what the girls were capable of and had always wondered why they never took off those arm bands and now she knows which scares her a bit more. Because they also hid their guns really well. Bjorn taught them good. And he was right. Ed was lucky to be alive.

The thought was shared by everyone present surprising everyone except Merle and Morgan because they were outside and Shane along with Rick already knew about it.

Bjorn checks the twins gear reloads another round for NaNa and gives them back their weapons. And gave them a few more as well. Along with some magazines to put in their pouches. And some swimming goggles looking glasses that were custom made by Cora for the twins that had different capabilities such as regular where it gets tinted with the surrounding intensity of light, night vision, thermal, and x-ray to a degree. Cora is awesome. And the girls love the new toys.

I load up the girls and the other kids into the truck because it was getting late already around 7pm and it's getting dark so I give them a dinner MRE, shower them and put them to sleep. While I shower and get ready for bed the others are still discussing the revalations they got a bit earlier. Shane picks up an NVG then turns towards the RV. He releases Merle and Morgan from watch so they can eat and so they can rest while Morgan comes and spends time with his boy before putting him to sleep. Same with Lori, Rick and Carl. Sophia and Carol laying down in the spare bunk together while Duane takes NaNa's bunk with his dad. Lori and Carl in his bunk while Rick slides out a small extremely comfortable mattress from the bottom of Carl's bunk.

Amy comes with Andrea they shower and crawl into bed with me.

"Damn I get a two for one is it my birthday???" I laugh teasing them they hit me and tell me to go to sleep. The bed was big enough for a couple more people but eh just a guy and two beautiful women can't complain.

"Cora dim lights lock doors stay on alert." I ordered and she complies.

Good night everyone and just like that I crash out. Amy and Andrea shared a concerned look at how fast I can fall asleep. Then wonder if I'm pushing myself too hard. Rick gives more details about my life and experiences under my fathers training. How he adopted us into the family making Lori remember he's just a boy. Making her silently cry for him and the twins. Rick says Bjorn is related to Vikings and that my blood can be traced back thousands of years. And was raised a Viking so bjorns views are completely different than Christian's and so are morals as he sit up and look at Andrea winking at her and states that Vikings believe in polygamy. Laughs and lays down making everyone else chuckle as she tries to stammer a response but couldn't making any blush hard learning something new and the implications about what may or may not happen.

Then she glares at Andrea making her a bit flustered and turns over to hug Bjorn possessively. Andrea just scoff at the situation and falls to sleep smiling at her sister's antics.

Bjorn just murmurs "don't leave us" in his sleep as a tear comes down the side of his cheek. Amy sees this her expression softens and wipes his tear away and whispers "never" and falls asleep holding Bjorn to her small yet soft and firm chest making him hold her a bit tighter as they all fall asleep.

The other saw the interaction and wonder just how much of a burden is he placing on himself not just for his daughters but for the group as well. They all fall asleep wondering how to ease his burden if even a little bit.

Next time on TWD…deep DBZ voice.