Hey guys, I'm finally back with another chapter! Sorry it took so long, but I have other stories I have been focusing on (plus a lot of procrastination). But now I'm going to work to complete this story before returning to the others, so (hopefully) there with be a more regular release of new chapters, until this story is finished. Without further delay, I present, Chapter 6.

The Truth Revealed

Jeff watched as Javier got over his shock and finally walked to his brother, followed by Kate and the kids.

"Dad?!" the kids said at the same time.

"Is it really you?" he asked them.

"It's really us, brother," Javier replied. "We need to come inside."

"I wouldn't recommend that, boss!" Max called down.

"Relax, Max, it's my family," David replied.

"And four people displaced by an unfortunate recent event and a man looking for his people," Jeff muttered, as he glared at Max.

"Your community kick you out?" David asked, having overheard him.

"Worse," Eleanor replied. "It fell."

"Yikes," David said, taking a moment to think. "Come on inside. I'll see what we can do for you."

With that, David turned and everyone followed him inside. However, while David, Kate, and the kids walked toward his home, the rest of his people changed the plans for the rest of the group.

"Sorry, but you all have to go to quarantine to be checked for bites," a young woman said. "And to answer some questions."

"Oh, so they get to go in without a check and we have to be?" Tripp asked, obviously annoyed.

"His family, so he can make that call," the woman replied.

"Javier didn't get to go," Conrad pointed out.

"Guess David's immediate concern is his wife and kids," she replied. "Now let's go."

Jeff looked at Javier, who looked back at him with a look of betrayal. David was his brother and he had brushed him aside, like he wasn't even there. Realizing it was best to remain silent, they walked on as they were lead to quarantine.

"When I get out of here, I'm gonna find the man who killed Francine!"

"Conrad, settle down. You're not the only one with revenge on the brain."

"I can't believe Javi's brother is alive and with New Frontier!"

It had been ten minutes since the group had been left in quarantine and everyone was already getting restless. What didn't help the situation was the fact that new questions had been raised, with no answers to the old ones. Finally, Javier had to speak up to calm everyone down.

"We need to play along," he said, as the others looked at him. "For now. When the time is right, we'll start asking questions and demand justice."

Jeff opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off.

"Hey," David said from behind his brother.

Everyone's attention was now on the unexpected and unwelcome visitor.

"Sorry I couldn't get here sooner," David continued. "But I had to deal with something."

"Taking care of your wife and kids and not your brother?" Jeff asked. "Yeah, that had to have taken time."

David glared at him, with a silent warning to shut up. Jeff wasn't intimidated, but he remained silent, knowing the time wasn't right to make hasty decisions.

"Come on, Javi," David finally said. "They're asking for you. Kate most of all."

Javi looked at the others.

"What about them?" he asked.

"They'll be here for a while longer," David replied. "Still need to go through the process. You know how it is in most communities."

"Yeah, we know…" Tripp said, sarcastically.

David continued on, without looking back, as Javier followed.

After they had exited the quarantine room, David stopped and looked at his brother.

"Play along?" he asked. "That doesn't sound good, Javi."

David paused, waiting to see if his brother had a reply.

"We have a process, Javi," he continued. " Our own way of doing things. We have to make sure the community is safe. You can understand that, right?"

"Yeah," Javier replied.

"I hope your people don't have a problem with our ways," David said.

"They just need to get used to things around here," Javier replied. "Like any community, things take time to adjust to."

"I hope you're right," David said, looking at him with concern.

They continued in silence, for a moment, before David spoke up again.

"Listen, Javi," he began. "Gabe...he told me some messed up things."

"I was going to tell you in person," Javier said, thinking David was referring to his relationship with Kate. "Gabe should've let me do that."

"He told me you almost lost Mariana," David continued. "Just as few days ago."

Javier internally sighed in relief that he had been wrong.

"It's true," he said, as David stared at him.

"How?" David asked.

Javier closed his eyes and collected his memories of that near-tragic day.

"We ran low on gas for the van," he began. "I had been kidnapped by some of your people who mistook me for a thief, when they caught me syphoning gas at a junkyard. I managed to escape with help from an unknown source, and ended up making my way back to the junkyard Kate and the kids were still hiding in. Tripp helped me find them. They were all safe and sound."

He paused, letting his emotions show.

"Mari had found her headphones..she was smiling and had thanked me for keeping her tape player safe for her. Then this hooded figure came out of nowhere and tackled her to the ground, right as the gunfire started. He ordered us to find cover and killed three of your men in the gunfight that followed, before the rest retreated. After that, we made our way to the community of Prescott, which was taken down by your people, too."

David looked more shocked than he had at the gate.

""What happened?" he asked.

"Their leader held Conrad's wife hostage," Javier replied. "The young man who saved Mari turned out to be Jeff, the one who got smart with you at the gate and in quarantine."

"I've met him, before," David replied. "Was a brief meeting and we parted ways peacefully."

"I see," Javier said. "As I was saying, Jeff tried to help talk them out of killing her, only for Conrad to try it himself. Their leader killed her, as a result."

"Leader?" David asked.

"Some crazy bald guy with a beard," Javier replied. "Jeff shouted at him, by name, but I can't remember it."

David turned away and shook his head.

"Badger, what the **** have you done, now?" David asked, as if the person in question was right there with them.

He then turned back to Javier.

"Anything else happen?" he asked.

"Badger had a truck full of walkers smash through the gate," Javier replied. "We killed the driver, in an effort to stop it, but it was too late. Prescott fell, with the only survivors being the all of us you saw at the gate."

David looked furious.

"I'll handle this," he said. "Just keep quiet, alright? The politics around here can get messy."

"Didn't politics get messy before all this happened?" Javier said in a joking tone. "And I thought you were the leader."

"One of four," David replied. "Now let's go. We don't want to keep them waiting."

Javier wasn't sure he'd be able to handle what was to come. Nevertheless, he followed David to the church, to meet the other leaders.

An hour after Javier and David left, Jeff was still fuming at even seeing the latter.

"Something bothering you, Jeff?" Eleanor asked.

Too late, Jeff realized that he had let his emotions show.

"Just not happy to see David again," he replied.

"Again?" Conrad asked. "You met him, before?"

"It's a long story," he said. "One we don't have time for, right now."

Before anyone could answer, the door opened and a bald, dark skinned girl walked in with a few others behind her.

"Come on," she said.

"Where to?" Tripp asked.

"The gate," the girl replied. "You're being sent on your way."

Jeff wasn't surprised at this turn of events, but still felt like something was wrong about it.

"I thought Javi was going to vouch for us," he said.

"He tried," the girl replied. "But things went south fast, so you've all gotta go. Javi, too."

Minutes later, they were lead outside the borders of the community, with guns pointed at them.

"We didn't do anything wrong!" Conrad protested.

"Shut up," the girl said, as she tossed a duffle bag at the group. "Don't mess this up."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Eleanor asked.

No one from New Frontier replied, as they turned and went back inside, with the gate closing behind them.

Nearly an hour later, the group was walking North, following the map David had provided in the bag, along with a small selection of weapons. The only thing missing from the bag was food, which would be a problem, in the long run. Jeff had volunteered to lead the way, but Jesus ended up doing so instead, due to his tracking abilities. As they went, the decision proved to be the right one, as he helped them dodge walker after walker without being seen. As they went, Jeff heard Javier and Tripp talk about relationships, which he quickly tuned out, seeing it as a private matter. Suddenly, Jesus stopped, putting everyone on alert. Climbing a rock, he looked around, just as a tell-tale sound reached their ears.

"Tell me that isn't what it sounds like," Conrad said.

"Unfortunately, Conrad," Jeff began. "It is. How far out, Jesus?"

"About a quarter mile," Jesus replied. "Heading the same way we are."

"Then we could hit walkers, any second," Tripp said. "We better scoot."

Everyone slowly walked on, waiting for the first sign of the undead to come popping out of the woods. Before they knew it, they walked right into the sight of a small herd of walkers, who immediately started after them. Without hesitation, Javier wacked one hard on its head, Tripp stabbed one between the eyes and Jeff shot two before they could even move in his direction.

"Have I ever mentioned how much I hate these things?" he shouted, to no one in particular.

"I think we're all sick of them!" Eleanor replied, as she tripped a walker, allowing Conrad to shoot it.

After taking his fourth walker down, Jeff caught sight of Jesus cutting a walker's head in half with the ax he had retrieved from the duffle bag. Suddenly, he heard a walker right by him, forcing him on the retreat. However, he found himself cornered and weaponless, as his knife was knocked out of his hand. Pinned against a tree, he held the walker at arms length, keeping its mouth away from his wrist. Unfortunately for him, the effort quickly became futile as more walkers converged on his location. Accepting his fate, Jeff prepared to let go of the walker he had been holding back.

"I'm sorry, Clem," he whispered.

Suddenly, the weight of the walker was gone, along with the sound of the others. Looking up, he saw Clementine standing over him, her hand extended in his direction.

"This team's not done fighting, yet," she declared, as she pulled him up.

"You came back," he said.

"I would never leave my friend to die," she replied. "We're a team. And we've survived some of the worst this mess has thrown at us, so a few walkers won't be the end."

Jeff nodded in agreement, before Clementine turned to Javier, as the resumed walking.

"That map David gave you is leading you into a herd," she said. "I think he's trying to get rid of you."

"Come on, Clem," Javier said. "He's my brother. He wouldn't lead me to my death."

"You can't trust him, Javi," she replied.

Suddenly, she stopped.

"I learned that the hard way."

Jeff looked at her, seeing the sad look on her face.

"What happened, Clem?" he asked.

"After I got separated from you, Jeff," she began. "I thought I was alone. I tried to make it so we'd never need anyone again. Then I found the New Frontier… they gave me this mark on my arm and made me one of them. They promised to help him."

She closed her eyes, as a tear escaped.

"That turned out to be a lie."

For the next few moments, Clementine told the story of how she tried to help AJ get over being sick. She had tried to take some medicine to give him, hoping it would work, when she was caught. David had been furious at her actions and kicked her out, forcing her to leave AJ behind.

"Okay," Conrad said. "That's just ****** up!"

"The real killer wasn't just in being forced to leave him," Clementine added. "As I was lead away...he- he called out my name. His first word and it was as I was forced to leave him behind."

The tears flowed freely down her face, as she finished. Jeff approached her and wrapped his arms around her, in comfort.

"David's a jerk, Clem," he said. "But not just for what he did to AJ."

"Clementine looked up at him, as he released her.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Remember how I told you Abby was somewhere safe?" he asked.

"Y-yeah," she replied.

"Well...that was a lie," he said.

Jeff and Abby were walking through the woods, near Richmond, watching out for walkers. As they went, they realized they weren't alone. Jeff watched and listened for signs of the undead, but was surprised to find a group of men walking out of the woods. Their leader was a tall Hispanic man, who looked like a military man.

"Hello," the man said.

"Hello," Jeff replied, as Abby hid behind him.

"Sorry to frighten your daughter," the man said. "But we saw the two of you alone and thought we'd offer assistance."

"That's kind of you," Jeff replied. "And she's not my daughter, though I have been her guardian for the last year. Poor kid's from my hometown, back in Indiana. I knew her parents, so I figured it'd be best if she stayed with me."

"She's an orphan?" the man asked.

"Yes," Jeff replied. "One of the many this mess created."

Soon, they were discussing an opportunity for JEff and Abby to join their community.

"I promise you, Jeff," the man said. "You won't regret joining New Frontier. We have the safest community in the area. Plenty of food, shelter, and protection for you...and Abby."

Jeff thought over the offer, then made his decision.

"It's a tempting offer, David," he said. "But we've been on our own for a while and have gotten along well. Plus we're looking for the other two who were with us, until we got separated. I'm sorry, but we'll have to decline."

"I understand," David replied. "At least remain for the night. I'm sure you'd love the extra company."

Jeff nodded in agreement.

Everyone was silent as Jeff finished his story.

"When I woke up the next morning," he continued. "They were gone. Their tents, supplies, everything….including Abby."

Clementine gasped, as did Eleanor and Javier.

"They just took her?" Clementine asked.

"Yes," Jeff replied. "I guess they decided I wasn't a good enough caretaker, if I told them we were fine on our own."

"Wait a minute," Javier said. "David said his encounter with you was peaceful."

"And it was," Jeff replied. "It just didn't end well for me."

Recognizing that the subject was too painful for Jeff and Clementine, both, everyone began to move on toward their destination in silence. After a short walk, they reached the location circled on the map.

"This is an old warehouse," Conrad said. "Why did David send us here?"

"Who knows," Jeff said.

As they approached, they spotted a few walkers just outside the fence.

"Our smelly friends are back," Tripp said.

Moving quickly, they took them out as they ran for the open gate on the fence, closing it behind them. However, the truck door for the building refused to open fully, creating serious concern among them. Without thinking, Jeff found a small jack and placed it under the door. One by one, they rolled under the barely open door to safety. Jeff finally began to crawl through, but found himself being dragged back. Quickly, Tripp and Javier grabbed his hands and pulled hard, freeing him from the grip of the walkers just in time. Jeff landed inside, as the jack gave and the door fell.

"Thanks," he said, as he stood up.

"You're welcome," Tripp replied.

Before anyone could speak, there was a pounding noise on the nearby door.

"Hurry up! Let me in!"

"That's David!" Javier said, as he went to open the door.

As he reached the door, however, Clementine pulled her gun out.

"Don't you dare!" she said.

Jeff pulled his gun, as well.

"That kidnapping, murdering idiot deserves to die out there!" he growled.

"He's my brother," Javier said. "I can't just leave him!"

Before anyone could react, the door opened and David was inside. Jeff and Clementine glared at him.

"It's good to see you again," he said, in a sarcastic tone.

"Wish we could say the same," Conrad replied, knowing full well the statement wasn't for him.

David ignored the comment and walked over to Clementine and Jeff. As he came to a stop, Jeff punched him square in the gut, knocking him back a few steps and onto the floor.

"That was for Abby!" Jeff growled.

"You don't understand," David replied.

"What else is there to understand?" Jeff asked. "You kidnapped the only person I have left from my old life and you let AJ die! I think we understand you very well!"

David finally recovered from the hit and stood up.

"They're alive, Jeff," he said. "Abby is safe and AJ…" He looked at Clementine. "...he recovered. Kid's stronger than we gave him credit for."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" she asked. "Where is he?"

"Doctor Lingard has him," David replied.

"So he's back in Richmond?" Jeff asked.

"Yeah," David replied. "Abby's there, too. Can't remember who I left her with, but she's in good hands."

"You better not be lying to me," Jeff said.

"I'm not," David said.

Before Jeff could answer, the door suddenly burst open and walkers began to enter the building. Tripp rushed the only two to make it in and kicked one hard into the other and out the door, before he, Conrad, and Jesus braced themselves against it.

"Get something heavy to block this off!" Tripp called.

Thinking fast, Jeff, David, and Javier went behind a small container and pushed hard, moving it until it was up against the door. They all breathed a sigh of relief...until Tripp noticed something out of place.

"Where'd you guys find this?" he asked.

"Over there," Javier replied.

"Show me," Tripp said.

Together, the group slowly moved toward the original location of the container and were immediately surprised. There before them were several containers marked with "Property of Prescott Airfield", making Tripp, Eleanor, and Conrad gasp. Tripp noticed an arcade game that had been at Prescott, while Conrad found items from the bar.

"This is unbelievable," Jeff said. "There's stuff from so many towns. Towns I had seen the ruins of and others I had heard had fallen."

"There's so much here," Jesus said. "There's stuff from the Kingdom…"

Suddenly, they heard voices and took cover where they could.

"The herd's almost on us. Hurry up, already!"

"That Jeff guy is getting on my nerves."

"Well, you did kill those kids in front of him and nearly killed David's daughter in front of everyone, including him."

"Shut up, Max! If I had my way, I'd kill both of them to make up for my failure at the junkyard!"

Soon, Max and Badger came into view, confirming many suspicions.

"Badger," David said, with a look of rage on his face. "You're in deep trouble, now."

Jeff pulled his gun and glared at Badger, from the shadows.

You sure as **** are stupid aren't you?" Max asked Badger. "If David heard you saying that, he'd kill you."

"Do I look like I care?" Bader said.

Meanwhile, everyone had their weapons ready, with David giving Jeff the go ahead to lead the way. Quietly, they snuck up on the trio of men, who were too busy talking to see or hear them.

"Look at all this!" Lonnie said. "We'll be set for a while."

"No kidding," Max replied. "Let's get out of her before David finds out."

"Oh, he already knows," Jeff said, starling them.

"Oh hey, Jeff," Badger said, acting innocent. "Nice to see you!"

"Cut the crap, Badger!" Jeff said. "You know full well what you've done!"

"Murdering innocent children? Trying to kill my daughter? Going against my authority? Looting other towns?!" David said. "These are serious offenses, Badger. You better confess...or I'll let Jeff unleash all that rage he has built up."

All Badger did was spit in his face.

"So be it, then," David said, before stepping aside.

Jeff walked right up to Badger and immediately punched him in the face. He punched him again and again, finally releasing all the rage and hatred built up for so many things Badger had done that had affected him. Finally, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"That's enough, Jeff," Clementine said.

Jeff reluctantly lowered his hands and walked to stand beside her.

"Sure is a shame you lost Abby, Jeff," Badger taunted, as he walked away.

The comment sent Jeff over the edge, as he turned and tackled him to the ground. He resumed beating Badger until he was barely conscious, before Conrad and Tripp pulled him back.

"Let go of me!" Jeff yelled. "He deserves it!"

"Yes he does," Tripp replied. "But not like this!"

They released him and he glared at Badger, wanting to pummel him into the concrete.

"If you kill him," Clementine said. "You'll be just like him. You've never been one to get revenge, Jeff, so why start now?"

Jeff realized she was right and backed away, allowing David to talk to his subordinates.

"After all the work we've done together," he began. After all that time spent building and preparing New Frontier for better things. This is how you repay me?"

"It wasn't all our fault, David," Max said. "Joan ordered us to do this."

"Joan did this?" David asked.

"It's true," Lonnie replied. "Prescott, the Kingdom, and all the others...was our doing on her orders."

"And shooting at Mariana," Javier said. "Was that her doing, too?"

"Nah, that was Badger being angry at you for taking our gas," Max said.

David looked at his brother.

"You told me about this, didn't you?" he asked.

"I did," Javier replied. "Just this morning. And I tried to tell them I didn't know. But Badger wouldn't listen."

"You should've checked before you just took the gas," Badger said, weakly. "We might've let you have some. But you instead just took what wasn't yours. Made yourself a target."

"I'm sorry for that," Javier said. "I never meant to cause any trouble. I was just looking out for what I thought was the only family I had left."

"And I'm sorry to taking you hostage and nearly killing the girl," Badger said, sounding surprisingly sincere.

Everyone smiled at the truce...well, almost everyone.

"It's fine and dandy that you got Javier on your side," Jeff said. "But that doesn't excuse what you did to those kids...and your part in Abby's abduction."

Badger had no words to respond with. He knew those would be hard to move on from, but he also knew he couldn't handle another beating from Jeff.

"I know you're angry about that," he said. "But maybe we can sort that out, in time."

Jeff nodded in agreement, though he wasn't buying the sudden change in the man.

"So what now?" Conrad asked.

"I think it's obvious," David replied. "We're going back to Richmond to sort out this mess with Joan...and return the kids to Jeff and Clem."

Soon, the group was loaded into Badger's truck and the one stored in the warehouse and headed for Richmond.

That's it for this chapter! I decided to cut it off here, rather than the actual ending for "Above The Law" because I'm working the events from said ending from Jeff's experiences, rather than Javier's, so we can see a different side of it. Hope you enjoyed it. See you next time!.