The Lengths You Will Go
A/N: A request from Zeejack. An idea that spawned from discussing where Team Family should live. Hope you enjoy it.
"We should go. We should go to Washington."
She recalls the words as if he were uttering them right now but it's the remembrance of the expression on his face, the love shining in his eyes that takes hold of her and won't let go. Only they haven't had an opportunity to discuss that moment and even if they did, she wonders what she would say. She takes a cautionary glance at the people surrounding her, wishing she could read their thoughts and if she'd be able to accept any negative musings directed at her.
She is the reason he made the decision for the group to travel to Washington. Because of that decision, they are now walking down a rural road with limited supplies and no water. They couldn't risk maneuvering the main interstates as too many abandoned vehicles littered the roads and the walker presence was too active. The rural route meant less access to deserted cars and stores which meant no gas and no supplies.
The gas ran out several miles back so they gathered what few belongings they had and started walking. Seems like the wildlife is even scarce the closer they get to their destination. She can tell they are getting closer because of the change in the weather. In Georgia, the heat was sweltering, cultivating in uncontrollable body perspiration whereas Virginia was more forgiving. The sun was shining but not blaringly and giving off just enough warmth to stave off the slightly cooler breeze. As the day wore on, the lower the temperature would fall.
She notices as Rick turns around to look behind him, seemingly checking on her and then the others. He looks down at Judith in his arms and continues to put one foot in front of the other. She moves forward and offers to take the baby but he declines as she knew he would. She reaches out and touches a hand to Judith's head, clinging to the determination to get them someplace safe.
They thought they'd found a place when they agreed at Beth's urging to escort Noah back to his home in Virginia. It was a huge risk but she and Rick both felt they owed Noah for helping them to rescue Beth and for reuniting Glenn with his sister, Gena. They'd lost the prison so they figured this might be a new place, a new home. Only they didn't find what they expected. The subdivision had apparently been attacked and not by the dead but the living.
Noah's mother and brothers were gone, some of the homes burned, the rear fence demolished. The hope Michonne felt quickly dissipated and she knew she couldn't face Carl with yet another disappointment. There had to be a place for them somewhere and she was determined to find it. She refused to give up so she racked her brain to remember what she knew of Virginia and its surrounding areas. Recalling the map she and Rick perused to plan their route brought back the fact that they were only miles away from Washington. It was the nation's capital. Surely there had to be something left there, some answers, maybe other people, maybe a place where they could be safe.
As a last ditch to maintain some hope, she put the idea to Rick, imploring that it was better to make their way to Washington to discover if anything was there rather than continue the journey with no true destination. She could see the reluctance although he never uttered a word. He just listened. They were interrupted by walkers ambling out of the woods as usual. She closed her eyes in frustration and turned to leave at his behest only he wasn't saying they should leave their immediate area. He was saying they should leave and go to Washington.
She'd never been more relieved in her life. He believed in her. At least he wanted to so he took the chance for her, to make things right for her and she can't help sending up prayer after prayer that she didn't lead him into making the wrong decision.
Hours later, they decide to stop to rest near the side of the road, trees lining either side. They are all exhausted, thirsty, and hungry. Daryl stands and walks across the way, disappearing into the woods. They all know he is making yet another attempt at finding food. Sasha's gasp draws their attention towards the place where Daryl just disappeared only to see him moving backwards toward them.
The snarls come first and then the barks of four feral dogs as they follow Daryl out of the woods and onto the road. The group freezes, everyone eyeing the dogs, and devising a plan. Rick slowly reaches for the knife at his side while Michonne inches a hand toward her katana.
Four quiet shots end the threat as Sasha targets the dogs, utilizing her automatic with a silencer. A collective sigh of relief rolls through everyone and they try to return to a place of relaxation.
Rick looks at the dogs then back at Michonne and his children before rising to a stand and moving towards the trees to gather a few branches. He breaks them into pieces and asks Carol to quietly build a couple of fires. No one says a word as Rick, Daryl, T-Dog, and Morgan each grab a dog and begin to skin them.
That night for the first time in a long time, they all had full bellies. If only they had some water to wash it down but Michonne dismisses the thought. Instead opting to believe they'd find water the next day. She rubs her hands up and down her arms for warmth as the night brings in cooler air. She notices Carl shivering while lying on his side holding Judith to his chest. She quickly gets up and moves toward him, placing herself behind him and wrapping her arms around them both, trying to offer any warmth she could.
Morgan and Tyreese take watch duty so Rick makes his way to his children, choosing to get some sleep. His expression softens when he sees Michonne lying with them. He glances up at the inky, star patterned sky, and hopes the temp doesn't fall any further. He sits on the ground, watching them for a brief moment before taking a position on his side, facing them.
Michonne opens her eyes and smiles at him. He returns her smile and quietly moves his daughter from Carl's arms into his. A slight movement in his peripheral vision draws his attention despite the darkness. He realizes it's her hand as she has her arm stretched out to rest her cheek on. Second guessing himself has only cultivated into missed opportunities so he goes with his first mind and grasps her hand with his.
She holds in her surprise, thankful for the darkness that surrounds them. She finds herself gripping his hand, hoping he knows how much she cares. They are unable to look away as they stare, both holding on tightly, communicating silently, before they relax and slowly caress each other's fingers before drifting off to sleep.
The temperature did drop and with it came some high winds. Rick and Michonne find themselves huddled closer together, trying their best to keep the children warm. The others do the same but to little avail. At the first peek of the sun, they are preparing to travel on. In small intervals, they move off in pairs of two to relieve themselves and freshen up as best as they are able.
T-Dog and Glenn were looking over the map yet again, trying to see if there was a place to veer off to scavenge for supplies, something they could've missed before but it all remains the same. A clap of thunder draws everyone's attention to the skies. The winds continue as does the thunder followed by bouts of lightning.
Judith starts to cry and Carl rocks her gently, slowly, attempting to comfort her but she doesn't stop. Beth steps up and takes her into her arms, soothing her with quiet words but Judith continues to cry. The little one looks around anxiously until her eyes land on Michonne. One small hand reaches out and then another, stretching in Michonne's direction.
The latter stretches her arms out as well, pulling Judith into her chest, cradling her protectively. "Shhh….it's ok."
Before Rick can suggest they move on, the skies open up and the rain starts to pour. They can't help it. They laugh as they open their mouths and welcome the pelts of moisture against their tongues.
Carol, Morgan, Beth, Noah, and Maggie grab any bottles or items that can hold water and place them strategically to catch the rain. Carl places his hat over Judith's head to protect her and despite the cool weather, Michonne is thankful that a new day brought water for the group.
Darker clouds move in as the rain falls harder and faster and the thunder grows louder and the lightning more frequent. They realize that they need to find shelter and fast.
Daryl remembers an old run down barn he saw while out hunting and quickly tells everyone to follow him. The rain is almost blinding by the time they find the barn. Several of them wait outside while Rick, Tyreese, Sasha, and Glenn go inside to make sure the barn is safe.
Minutes later, the group is scattered throughout the barn, small campfires roaring at two separate corners. Carol and Maggie find some stacks of old hay and set out to make small beds instead of sleeping on the hard earthen floor.
"How much longer you think we got?" Tyreese asks.
Rick looks up from the campfire. "Hopefully this storm will blow over quickly and we can get back on the road. I think it was only 20 miles until the next town."
"We can try for some vehicles and supplies there," Glenn states.
They grow quiet again as the wind is so strong it is shaking the chained doors at the entrance of the barn. Rick looks over to his side at his children, giving them a reassuring smile.
"We're ok Dad," Carl states.
His father only gives him a brief nod before tossing another stick onto the fire and making his way to the front of the barn to check the doors.
Michonne follows quietly, noticing how his wet clothes cling even more to his body, outlining his physique perfectly. "He's right you know. We're ok."
He pulls the chain yet again, testing its strength, wanting to be sure it will hold. "I know."
"Of course we'll be better when we find a place," she returns.
"So you think we will?" His eyes travel down her body and back up again as he awaits her answer.
"Don't you?" She turns her body to face him. "If you don't believe we will then what's the point in all of this?"
"Some days are just better than others."
She steps a little closer. "I know….but we can't give up. I know there's a place for us somewhere. There has to be."
He frowns as her words trudge up a memory of him saying something similar after they lost the farm. He remembers the drive he had and he sees it in her. He realizes he can't give up even if he wanted to because she wouldn't allow it. He leans in and kisses her cheek softly. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not giving up."
She takes a deep breath and closes the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder.
They sleep exactly as they had the night before, the children nestled between them, and holding hands until they fall asleep.
The next morning, the rain doesn't linger but the storm left fallen tree limbs and other debris in its wake. The bad weather also brought even cooler temperatures. If the group gets lucky and finds a store in the next town, they will have to procure warmer clothes.
Noah and Beth awake before the others and quietly unlock the chain and cautiously make their way outside the barn. Once they are assured the area is free of walkers, they walk around and explore for a bit. She takes his hand and leads him over to a huge tree. They sit at its base and gaze out over the land as the sun rises.
"You know I never did thank you for helping me the way you did back at the hospital," Noah says.
"Yes you did. You've thanked me several times," she returns.
"I guess I just feel like I'll never be able to thank you and your people enough. You didn't have to do what you did for me."
"Noah it's fine and we're all together now so they're your people too."
He drops his eyes to his lap, quelling down the sadness that wants to invade. He had lost his family but at the same time gained a new one. His feelings are conflicted as he shouldn't be happy but if he is truly honest with himself, he is happy….to be alive, to be with Beth, to be with this group. They are going through a rough patch but he knows they will be ok. His eyes pop when he feels Beth's hands cover his.
She waits for his eyes to find hers before she leans in and kisses his lips softly. The sound of a snapped branch startles them and they pull apart quickly, noticing a gentleman in a navy coat, plaid shirt, and coordinating pants. He holds his hands up slowly and gives them a tentative smile.
The teens pull their guns as they come to a stand. "Who are you?" Beth asks.
"I'm not going to hurt you. I promise. My name is Aaron and I'd like to speak with the person in charge."
"How'd you know there were people here?" Noah demands.
"I saw you on the road yesterday. I wanted to introduce myself then but the storm came and I had to find shelter just like you did," Aaron explains.
"So you live around here?" Beth wants to know.
"Yes I do. If you take me inside I can tell everyone what I do for my community," Aaron states.
Noah eyes him cautiously. "You're going to have to hand over any weapons and that backpack. That's the only way you get inside."
Aaron complies, offering the items slowly. He then falls in line behind Beth with Noah at his back as they make their way to the barn.
Several minutes later, every person inside the barn with a gun has it pointed at him, he is frisked roughly, and now being questioned by their leader.
"So you just out for a morning stroll and happened upon us?" Rick asks as Michonne and Carl who is holding Judith stand behind him.
Aaron swallows nervously. "No. I….part of my job where I'm from is to recruit people. I live in a community not far from here and I saw your group on the road. I wanted…."
"You've been following us?" Maggie asks.
Aaron shakes his head. "I had every intention of approaching you yesterday but the storm came. I didn't think we'd get much accomplished with the weather as bad as it was, so I waited."
"What kind of community is this?" Michonne wants to know.
"I have pictures in my backpack," Aaron states as he looks to Noah. "Would you hand her my bag please?"
Rick steps forward and retrieves the bag from Noah, unzipping the front pocket at Aaron's instructions. He pulls out an envelope and begins to search through the photos, holding them out for Michonne to see as well.
Aaron describes the security of his community's walls and fences as they pass the photos around. "I've been in this community for months now and we've been safe. We all have."
The group remains quiet. Rick looks to Michonne and sees the slight hopefulness in her eyes. He wants to trust this guy but everything in him is screaming for him not to trust any outsider ever again.
"We've been functioning well but like before we need people in order to survive. The more people we have, the stronger we are," Aaron states with hope lacing his words.
"So who else is with you? There's no way your community values its people and allows one of you to recruit alone," Rick counters. "Is it your job to flush us out while the others wait to ambush us?"
"No. Rick if I wanted to ambush you. I'd do it here. Light the barn on fire while you slept and pick you off as you ran out the only exit," Aaron returns. "You can trust me."
Rick weighs Aaron's words and looks to Michonne and then the others, warring with himself.
Michonne recognizes his indecision and understands it. "We need to find out what this is. What if it's what we've been looking for?"
"She has a point Dad. We can't stay on the road like this," Carl urges.
The others begin to chime in but all communication ceases when there is frantic knocking at the barn door.
"Aaron, it's Paul. I need to come in. There's a group of roamers coming this way. Hurry," a voice whispers through the door.
Aaron panics. "That's Paul. He's a recruiter too. He was waiting with the cars. If he's here it means trouble. Let him in please."
"If this is a trap…." Rick begins.
"It's not. I promise."
Gena peeks through the cracks and confirms that it's only one guy and opens the door allowing him inside. She closes it quickly and secures it with the chain.
"Who…." Daryl starts.
"We don't have time to talk. The roamers will be here in a matter of minutes. We need to make a decision right now. Take them out or leave this barn. We'll have to double back to the vehicles," Paul offers.
Everyone but Michonne and Carl look to Rick. She gathers up their things while Carl continues to hold Judith safely in his arms. The others look from Rick to Michonne and back again.
"Get your things. Let's go," he commands as Michonne and Carl step up to stand with him.
Paul leads the way and the group is impressed when he quietly takes out two walkers on their way to the vehicles. The two guys looked too clean and well-groomed to be able to handle walkers but Paul is surprising them and it makes them wonder what Aaron can do.
They find their way to an old Cadillac and an RV. Rick requests that Aaron drives the car while he rides shotgun with Carl, Judith, and Michonne in the rear. He also wants Paul to drive the RV while Morgan occupies the passenger seat. The group remains cautious and prepared as they travel to this community.
Over an hour later, Aaron pulls the Cadillac up to a gate and parks as Paul maneuvers the RV behind them.
"Well we're here. Welcome to The Estates."