Alexandria was very calm; it started to feel like a proper home again. A walker hadn't been seen inside the walls for a few weeks, and Rick had returned with his team victorious after killing every single one of Negan's men in an outpost close to Alexandria. Rick felt on top of the world. Nothing could've spoilt his day, nothing at all.
As the group's bloodied weapons were being cleaned and stashed away, Rick climbed the steps onto the porch of a quaint, white house. It was the home of Olivia, a larger than life lady who kept track of all inventory.
Rick didn't bother to knock, he swung the door open, letting it bounce against the wall. Olivia was busy playing with Judith, and the thump of the door against the wall made her jump, and drop the rattle she was shaking for the toddler.
'Rick!' Olivia heaved herself up off the floor and held a hand against her chest, 'Is everything alright?'
'We won!' Rick's giant smile was infectious, and Olivia found a grin creeping onto her face also. 'Those guys in the outpost, we don't have to worry about them anymore. Negan is no longer a concern.'
Olivia adjusted her glasses and paused for a second, 'So, what can I help you with, Rick?'
'I have a taste for some of that...what's that fancy wine called? The red one we found last week?'
'Chateau...rouge? I know the one you mean.' Olivia turned her head and yelled, 'Audrey! Get in here.'
A woman, no older than 25 shuffled into the room. Her arms were full with carrying tins, and she had a piece of paper in her mouth, an inventory list no less. She was Olivia's sister, but you wouldn't think they were related. Audrey's hair was a natural almond brown, and had the clearest blue eyes, despite all the sleepless nights and stress of the apocalypse. She was also of a heavier build than the average woman in Alexandria, not as big as her sister, but finding clothes to fit her was a slight mission in itself. As a result of this, she could never wear anything pretty, just baggy t-shirts and jeans.
'Audrey, fetch that wine, please.' Olivia demanded, turning her attention to Rick once more. 'So we're safe?'
'Absolutely.' Rick purred, walking across the room and picking up his daughter. 'You missed me?' he cooed, ruffling Judith's wispy hair.
Judith gave a shy smile, and covered her face. In the midst of a game of peekaboo, Audrey arrived with the wine. She plonked it on the kitchen counter and her gaze ran between both Rick and Olivia.
'One glass or two, Rick?' Audrey asked, motioning towards the cupboard which held their small supply of champagne flutes and wine glasses.
'No, just the bottle. I'm spending the night with Michonne. We can finally breathe easy for a while.' Rick grabbed the bottle by the neck with one hand, and held Judith in the other. As he approached the open door, he spun around. 'You girls have a drink too, whatever you like.'
Without hesitation, Olivia responded, 'No, that's fine. We have a job to do.'
'Rick!' Audrey piped up as he turned to leave, nerves cracking her voice. Rick spun around, a little miffed that he was being delayed a second time. 'Now that we're safe, can I be moved onto supply runs? You know I'm a good shot-'
'I think it's safer for you to be here, with Olivia.'
There was a short, awkward silence between them both, 'But when I came here you said-'
'A lot of things have changed since then, Audrey.' Rick interrupted again. 'Your place is here.'
Olivia closed the door behind Rick, since he had no hands free. She shook her head and began cleaning up the toys from Judith's playtime. 'I've told you, Aud, he's not gonna put you on supply runs.'
Audrey crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. 'And why the hell not?'
'Maybe because you're not...built for supply runs? You heard what happened to Denise.'
'Fuck you.'
'Just saying.'
Audrey stood there for a few seconds longer than needed, then turned her heels and walked to her bedroom. 'Go celebrate with Rick. We all know you wanna screw him.' She slammed the door behind her, and no more words were exchanged between the sisters.
Audrey lay awake all night, she couldn't settle. As the first glimmer of morning peeked through the curtains, she gave in and jumped out of bed. No-one was awake yet, or so she thought. It was unusually quiet in town, but that didn't bother her. After a quick shower, she threw on her shirt, hiked up her jeans and stepped into her boots.
Audrey approached the armoury and fiddled with a ring of keys. After finding the right one, she slid it into the hole and slowly turned. Although no-one was around, she was still trying to be careful. A satisfying clunk indicated the door was unlocked. Audrey heaved the heavy door open and took in a deep breath. It smelt like a concoction of burnt rubber, the sharpness of metal, and gunpowder. It sent a shiver up her spine. Her father used to serve in the military, and her youth was spent on gun ranges. He taught her everything he knew about guns, and more importantly, how to shoot one. Olivia wasn't too fussed with weaponry, instead spending her time with their mother learning how to cook.
Audrey picked up a handgun and wrapped her hands around it, feeling the weight of it. Pleasant memories came flooding back, and tears started to well up in her eyes. She was never allowed in here without Olivia.
'Pow.' Audrey giggled, pointing it at the wall.
'Audrey!'
The gun, through fumbling hands, fell to the floor. Audrey spun around, her eyes wide. She knew exactly who it was before she turned. 'Shit. Olivia.'
'I'll take those.' Olivia reached forwards and snatched the keys from Audrey's belt. 'I think you should leave.'
'The armoury, or Alexandria?' Audrey joked, tucking her hair behind her ear.
'Hmph.' Olivia shook her head as almost as if she was contemplating her answer. 'Just go, before I tell Rick.'
Audrey didn't bother picking the gun up from the floor. She walked straight past Olivia, 'You'd like that though, wouldn't you?'
'Shut up, child.'
'Bite me.'
Safe to say, there had been tension between the two sisters for quite some time. Even prior to the walker outbreak. Nobody in Alexandria was sure why, the sisters weren't very vocal about it, and Rick was fine to let those details slide. Everyone had their past, but not everyone has a long future in these trying times.
