Chapter 1

A group of fourteen approach the big gates of Alexandria, two residents of the home. They approach with caution pausing in their steps when they hear a commotion going on behind the gates. The relief they felt earlier was soon thinning between dangerous or safe and with the commotion going on they were leaning towards dangerous.

"You can't leave!" A man's voice call out halting the group where they are with their weapons raised. They could hear the clatter going on behind the gate before it's open and the sight they are greeted upon surprises them.

A women probably mid-twenties, Zena pins Nicholas up against the gates with a knife to his throat in a threatening manner.

"Come on, Beth! We're leaving!" The women with the knife yells out as the familiar body and face helps get the packs on the ground on her back ready to leave.

"You don't know what you're doing!" Nicholas yelled back having gain some admiration for the young women. The woman push Nicholas back into the group that had gathered and walked backwards missing the new group that had arrived.

"NO! YOU don't know what the hell you're doing! You live behind these walls in a fucking fantasy! These walls ain't gonna protect you forever. One day, when people and yes, I fucking mean people make their way in here. You're gonna wish you listened to me." Zena yells breathless.

"Z, don't do this. You are an asset to this community." Deanna, the leader of the community comes up to calm the woman.

"I have too, I made a promise to that girl right there. I will find her family for her and I ain't gonna stop until I do." Zena explains nodding towards Beth who had her back to the group looking at her physical appearance looking familiar to Maggie's sister but they knew it wasn't possible. Dawn had told them how she had died and shown them her body in Atlanta. If they were thinking about any way possible it was false hope.

As if she could feel their burning gazes she turns to find herself surrounded with her family and a couple new faces. "And you kept it, Z." Beth whispers loud enough for Zena to hear and to turn around.

The new group who arrived stared at the girl as if they couldn't believe who they had stumbled upon especially after learning that she had already died.

Maggie was the first one to run up and pull her into a big hug crying out holding onto her sister as tightly as she could. Everything that she said was incomprehensible as she spoke through her sobs. The group suddenly surrounding them hugging both Maggie and Beth since Maggie just wouldn't let her go fearing that she would wake up and it would only be a dream.

Daryl stayed back with Carol watching with disbelief of the young women standing there before him. He couldn't move a single step near her, the guilt that he couldn't keep her safe ate at him. If he did, she wouldn't have to experience whatever it was out there that she did. He could only gaze upon her from far away even when her eye found his, he could only look away.

Zena watches as her family surround her with warm and happiness but the truth still matter. Zena had to leave, she couldn't stay any longer. She didn't deserve everything she had got at Alexandria. Helping Beth was just an excuse, she needed something to keep her going and to help cleanse her and Beth was just that. A girl who believe in hope and shined of innocence even when she knew what was out in the world.

Zena throws a knife nearly missing a man with a big beard's face and hitting its target. Everyone in the group threw up their weapons at her and the group went silent with all eyes on her but she didn't care. Rick eyed Zena with caution but realized that she possibly just saved his life as she was walking over ignoring the threatening looks she got from a few of his people.

Rick saved her the trip of getting it herself when he pulled the knife out of a walker and cleaned it on his pants for her. They held each other gazes for a moment, a mutual understanding was reach. Ignoring the fast beating of her heart she took the knife away from it.

"Thank you." She nodded and continue making her way to him and putting it back in her shoe. She grabbed her bag and was going to head out. "Z! We don't have to leave anymore." Beth said grabbing her arm as she walked by.

"But I do." Zena answered not looking at Beth but the path ahead of her. "No, you don't. If I can stay here, you can too." Beth said pulling her arm to make her look at her. Zena knew that the moment she considered looking into Beth's eye the answer would be decided and she didn't want to do that.

"Beth, I can't stay her- " She tried to explain or so she tried. Beth stopped her quickly with whatever excuse she was going to come up with.

"Yes, you can. We've all done bad things to survive, no one is going to judge you for yours." Beth pleaded. Zena's hand shot out and pulled Beth onto the ground using her body to cover her from the gun shot coming their way.

Zena look up to find Nicholas with his gun out straight at her or the walker behind her. Fury filled her eyes as she realized that he almost got Beth killed. Without looking away her hand swiped out with her knife killing the walker instantly. Her angry and fury eyes sent shivers down everyone's back knowing a killer's eye when they see it.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?! The gun shot is just going to draw more of them!" She yelled ignoring the throbbing pain in her shoulder.

"I- I was trying to save your life." He stuttered.

"Yeah, well it didn't look like it! You could have killed Beth!" Zena stomped over and snatched his gun from it.

The gate itself shut and Beth stood with a winning smile knowing that if she needed the gate to open she would need to cause a commotion again. As soon as the gate shut, Maggie placed herself by her sister's side holding her hand never wanting to ever leave again. And along that came Glenn, Carl, Daryl at the back watching out with Carol as the rest of the group just circled around Beth as if she was a prize possession and she was. Zena was stuck at the front of the group like she was a part of them and maybe she is. The life she's had out there alone until Beth came along and yet the journey that they had to go through together just made them similar with each other, not that Zena could see it.

"Before, we take this any further I need you all to turn over your weapons. Stay, you hand them over." Aiden stated showing up shortly after seeing Nicholas gun in Zena hand, he knew it would be a while before he got it back.

"We don't know if we want to stay." Rick said stepping up as the leader of the group holding onto his child. After seeing the commotion, he starts to wonder if the place is safe as it was said to be. "If we were going to use them, we would have started already." Rick threatens.

"It's fine, Aiden. Why don't you let them talk to Deanna first?" Aaron said gesturing towards the small women who stood proud and strong looking at the newcomers with excitement yet calculating in her mind where they would work if impression were true.

"Rick, why don't you go first?" Aaron proposition seeing that it would be best to start with their leader.

"Zena, you need to get that looked at." Aiden says seeing the blood on her shoulder and on the ground when she walked by to go to the house she was currently residing in.

"I'll take care of it myself." She spat wandering off to where she and Beth both occupied for the moment.

"Zena, I need that gun- " Nicholas tried to get his gun back but she just shoved him back away from her with the gun raised and pointed at him. "When you can figure out human to walker and work on that aiming of yours. You'll get it back."

"You can't just- " He was cut off with a single glare. "You tried to save me as you so put it and yet your aiming was straight for Beth's head, why is that?" Zena nodded as no answer was given, everyone knew Nicholas needed to work on his aiming more. He wasted more bullet on walkers when all it needed was a bullet to a head.

"When you get a better answer for me, you come and get your gun." Zena walked away ignoring the pain in her shoulder and the stares of the newcomers. The residents there all knew how dirty Zena would look like regardless of how many showers she takes because she goes out every single day killing walkers and scavenging for food never resting a single day, even when they had more food than they needed. The only reason she was out there was because she was looking for Beth's family, knowing the type of people they were when hearing about them from Beth they would have never left her behind.

Half an hour later, Rick and his children came through the house that Zena lived in with Beth, looking at the empty photo frames and the layout of the house. Everything was plain, no signs of anyone living there, they wouldn't have known if Zena didn't walk out from the kitchen with no shirt on and Beth right behind her.

Beth grabbed her shirt and put it over her shoulders to cover her back shielding the scars from eye view. Beth even help her put her shirt on with the new wound keeping her from moving her left arm with little movement.

"Deanna assigned us these houses." Zena nodded while Beth looked excited. "Uhh, we'll move our stuff from the master bedroom, you look like you'll need it more than we do." Zena said with Beth agreeing with her.

"You both live here?" He asks halting Zena from moving from her spot. "No, Beth lives next door but we couldn't sleep alone after being out there for so long so she moved in." Zena explain the situation not speaking more than answering his question before moving up the stairs to quickly to grab her bags which wasn't much. She only had one bag, her clothes were all stuffed in there. She didn't touch the clothes they gave her at the pantry because they wanted to make her look like a normal human being and pretend the world was normal again but after everything that she had done. Being a normal human being just wouldn't be accepted, she couldn't accept it not with all the blood on her hand, she couldn't.

She left them hanging in the closet and grabbed her bags and dart out the door, she places her items in one of the rooms downstairs. It was much smaller than the one she had upstairs but it was what she like. Two small windows but enough for her to get out through, and two doors out; her door to the room and the door connecting to the shared bathroom. Living in a world where everything has gone to shit, having more than just one way out gave Zena comfort.

Later that night when Beth was changing the bandage up for Zena, a knock at the door startled her as she quickly rushes to put on her top hoping that who it was didn't see the scars on her back knowing herself that it would probably be too late but one could hope.

"Hey, umm, dinner's ready." Maggie said from the doorway and from her expression Zena could tell she saw her back.

"We'll be right out, let me just finish up here." Beth said to her sister with a sweet smile. "It's fine, you've changed the bandage already go join them. They haven't seen you in forever, Beth." Zena urged her on wanting to be alone.

"I'll bring you something to eat before I go to bed." Beth said knowing that Zena didn't like the thought of being around strangers much, that it brought back memories that didn't need to be remembered.

Right when Beth left through the door, Zena grabbed her pack and was ready to leave. She climbed out through her window and made it to the street with Beth stood with her arms crossed and Zena couldn't help but look ashamed.

"You said you wouldn't leave." Beth stormed over loudly pretty sure she got the attention of her group.

"Shh!" Zena whispered. She sighed, "You know I can't stay. After everything, I've done, I don't know how to live with myself. Finding your family for you, it gave me a purpose but now I don't have one anymore. I don't belong here, Beth." Zena whispered hoping no one will hear their conversation not knowing that Rick, Maggie, Glenn, Daryl and Carol were all listening to them.

"Yes, you do. You belong with me. After everything that we went through together, are you really going to leave me?" Beth begged through her teary eyes.

"You have your family with you now."

"You're my family too." Zena couldn't argue with her because she spoken truthfully, all she could do was pull her into a hug.

"You said, 'always & forever' but now you're leaving. You promised me always & forever when we got out of that hell hole. You're breaking your promise." Beth push out of her hug and turned away, headed back into the house leaving Zena behind alone in the dark with her bag dropped beside her.

All she could do was sign and sit on the street thinking about the bad memories yet the spoken promise she made with Beth, but that was before her family was here. Now that they were, what does she need Zena for? Zena couldn't find an answer to that. She sat with her head between her knees and eyes closed, thinking and thinking ignoring her surrounding yet she heard the pair of footsteps approaching her reminding her of her dreadful past.

Without thinking she stood up faster than anyone could blink with her knife out at the people approaching. It was only Maggie, Beth's sister with her husband on the porch watching. She could see he almost jumped off the porch when she flew up with a knife but stopped himself.

"It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." Maggie said with her hands up. "Tell your man to put down his weapon and I'll put mine down." Zena said seeing from the corner of her eye, Daryl who had his crossbow up and aimed at her.

Her focus on Daryl who had his crossbow aiming at her she didn't hear Rick approach from behind her until it was too late. He grabbed both of her arm by bringing his arm under her arm and pulling them up so the knife wasn't pointing at anyone and speaking softly yet threatening into her ear.

The familiar position and the way he whispered into her ear brought back memories that she had buried under all her madness. "No, no" She murmur repeatedly not comprehending what Rick was saying to her trying to fight her way out of his hold but she was too weak. She couldn't free herself and that stilled fear inside her.

Zena had her eyes closed tightly not being able to focus on anything, her breathing becoming shallow. She was bringing herself back into the very nightmare she wanted to escape.

"No, stop. No" She cried softly as hands started to grab at her, tearing at clothes, the sickening feeling of lips at her throat, chest and the disgusting horrible laugh that screamed to enjoy her pain.

Beth ran out seeing what was happening along with the rest of the group. "Rick, stop! Let her go! Don't!" Beth yelled probably waking up the rest of the neighborhood. Rick hadn't listen though he was confused on what was going on.

"Let her go, Rick!" Beth command leaving no room to argue with her.

Zena open her eye seeing Beth there, "No, Beth! No, run!" She yelled trying to break free and she finally did since Rick was distracted by Beth's sudden command. She broke free but not before tearing the back of her shirt exposing her scars to the group. Zena grabbed her knife and pointed it at the entire group. Everyone seem to have become a threat to her.

Her entire body shook and it wasn't because of the cold, the fearing of not being able to break free was still filling her up.

"Zena, it's okay. We're not there anymore, we're safe. We're safe." Beth said taking the knife from her hand and emphasizing on the word 'safe' as she pulled her into a hug. Beth could feel her body still shaking and she knew it wasn't because she was cold.

"It's okay, he's never going to get us again. We're safe here." The whole group watched as the women who made an impression of being strong that first time they seen her has been broken down in just a couple of minutes. It wasn't said but everyone knew that what she and Beth went through must have been rough and hard to have leave scars and trauma.

"I'm fine." Zena breathed out telling herself more than she was telling Beth. "I'm fine." Zena dug out another shirt from her bag and slipped it on before making a move to grab her knife before Beth's hand stopped her.

"I'm fine. I just need some time alone." Zena assured her.

"Well, have alone time in your room. Don't go out there, it's late and dark." Beth begged knowing that she wouldn't be able to change her mind.

"I'll be back." Beth didn't believe her because after all she did want to leave. "Hey, I'll be back. I promise and you know I don't take my promises lightly. I'll be back, alright." She held out her pinky and Beth connected hers.

Zena couldn't bear to look at any of the group and quickly made her way towards the wall getting out wooden sticks, she put them in the wall and starts climbing out. When she reaches the top, she turns to watch the group once more, seeing Beth in the arms of her sister yet staring straight at her as if she wants her to keep her promise no matter what. Zena sticks out her hand in a love sign before hopping over the walls and into the dark forest.

"Let's go inside, Beth." Maggie says pulling her sister back inside after everyone had already left. Beth begrudging follows inside looking at Rick, Carol and Daryl who stood on the porch. Everyone but Daryl met her eyes, she was confused. Did he not like her anymore? What happen? Why won't he look at her? Saving that for another day to ask him, she goes inside with Maggie to chat with everyone to get to know the rest of the new faces better.

Rick, Daryl and Carol watch as Beth enters the house not wanting her to hear what they were going to start. "What do you think?" Rick asks knowing that they knew what he meant.

"She's been through a lot." Carol answers yet she was still unable to trust her 100% completely.

"She saved Beth." Daryl stated the fact that couldn't deny and it should be enough for them to trust her but it still wasn't enough. They couldn't give out their trust so easily now days not after everything that they went through and all the hardship they endured, they couldn't give it out so easily. She had to prove herself to them otherwise, she's just known as someone who saved Beth.

"We can't let our guard down here. They took our weapons and now they're trying to split us up. We'll all be staying in one house tonight." Rick said after some careful thought, Daryl and Carol both agreeing with her. They needed time to settle down and take in the fact that they were in a safe place but the thought always wonder if they were truly in a safe place or not.

The entire group was getting ready for bed when there was a knock on the door, everyone was instantly on alert but it was only Deanna at the door.

"Rick, I- " Deanna paused seeing the new Rick without his growing beard. "Wow."

Rick groans tired of everyone giving him the same reaction as if he was a different person.

"I didn't know what was under there." She said amused by his reaction. "I wanted to stop by and see how you were all settling." She gave him a smile looking around the house and seeing the whole group there but one missing girl, Zena. "Oh, my, staying together. Smart." She smiles wider knowing she made the right decision into bringing their group here.

"No one said we couldn't." Rick defended.

"You said you're a family. That's what you said. Absolutely amazing to me how people with completely different backgrounds and nothing in common can become that." Deanna said ignoring his statement and look around with excitement in her eyes.

"Everyone said you gave them jobs." Rick stated bringing her attention back to him.

"Mm-hmm. I did. Part of this place. Look like the communists won after all." She said jokingly yet no one found it funny but her.

"Well, you didn't give me one."

"I have. I just haven't told you yet. Same with Michonne. I'm closing in on something for Sasha. And I'm just trying to figure Mr. Dixon out, but I will." Deanna said looking around at every individual finding Beth sitting with Maggie and where one girl went another one wasn't far behind which was why Deanna expected Zena is appear out of nowhere but she didn't.

"Where's Zena?" Deanna ask not seeing the woman. "She does know that she can't leave without my permission."

"She in her room resting, Nicholas shot her today in the shoulder. You saw." Beth defended her friend without a second thought.

"Tell her to be more careful. She is an asset to our community." Deanna spoke knowing where the girl was even without them saying anything.

The rest of the group were quiet as Deanna left and soon the group were resting with Rick alone still awake unable to sleep in peacefulness.

He goes into the kitchen and opens the drawer where the knives are kept and pick one up. The familiar feeling of holding a knife in his hand felt comforting. Just as he was about to put the knife back into its drawer, the window in the kitchen rattles drawing his attention with the knife up to protect him and his group. He watches as the person comes through the window with their back to him.

Zena turns and find Rick standing there with a knife pointed at her, finding the situation ironic she let out a small giggle. "Down, buddy." She jokes walking around him like he was harmless.

Rick takes in her appearance, she was dragging her leg behind her slowly as if she was hurt and her clothes were a little cleaner but it looks like she got catch in a trap or something.

"Where did you go?"

"Out." Zena said looking at him when he asked her that question. Her answer was vague and it ticked Rick off because he couldn't figure her out. If they wanted to make their stay here work, she could possibly become a threat if they didn't deal with her soon.

"Hey." Rick said grabbing her arm to keep her from moving away from her. Her body tensed as she turned to look at him.

"Don't touch me." She said in a threatening manner. Rick slowly took his hand off her arm showing that he didn't mean any harm.

"Dad?" His son, Carl called out for him rubbing his eye he comes into the kitchen and Zena darts down onto the ground to hide. Rick stares at her baffled yet amusing as she gestures for him to leave and keep quiet about her being there.

"Yeah. You alright?" Rick replies staying in his position enjoying the amusement that she brought. He hasn't felt like this in a long time, it was peaceful.

"Couldn't sleep?" Rick asks as Carl approaches. Zena lays on the ground because appearance Rick wasn't going to be leaving anytime soon.

"No, I just couldn't find you when I woke to go use the bathroom." He said yawning, "What are you doing?"

Rick gesture toward Zena who was currently asleep on the floor with a small smile that only if you looked close enough you would be able to see. Carl saw it, he was always looking at his dad, always.

"She climbed in through the window." Rick told him with a small laugh making Carl smile along with him. "Come on, let's get her to bed." Rick told Carl and bent down to pick her up bride style.

Rick set her next to him not trusting her enough to leave her alone by herself. He created enough room for her and him altogether. He set her on the inside caging her in at the foot of Carl and Noah's sleep arrangement and slept next to her. Some how he felt more comfortable with her by his side, even Carl felt the same way and soon enough they both fell into a deep slumber.