Surprise!

So after the fifth season ended, I randomly got the urge to continue this story. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure if i was going to keep going, but since you guys are just so unbelievably amazing, I decided to continue it:)

This is just kind of a teaser chapter for a possible(?) continuation, depending on if you like it. Oh, and make sure you read the note at the bottom!

Thank you and enjoy!


Alexandria.

Ashley gazed through the clean glass of the living room window, observing the people outside as if they were a show. They walked along the manicured sidewalks, relaxed smiles and cheerful expressions a common occurrence among each individual.

She didn't know what to think.

It was funny, she mused, that she was so accustomed to living each day not knowing if she would live to see the next. She was out of her element in a normal, safe neighborhood.

Well, 'safe' wasn't confirmed just yet.

She never told anyone, not even Carl, that she sided with Rick when they first heard about this community from Aaron. Rick was extremely wary from the very beginning, which of course, was understandable. They went through a lot after Terminus, and she had heard stories about the group's prison. No one would blame him for being worried.

But everyone was excited about it. Alexandria. This 'safe haven'. Didn't they remember what happened the last time they tried to trust in a place like this? Yeah, they were locked in a train car ready to die.

Carl's enthusiasm was infectious, though. She recounted his nervous, yet excited blue eyes gazing up at the large, impenetrable walls of this community. He wanted this to work. He wanted a safe place for Judith. For them.

Ashley understood, and she went along with the possibility of failure anyways. Who knew? Maybe it would work…

Her gray eyes trailed over the couple walking down the sidewalk, taking in their smiles and clean appearance. A small child skipped alongside them, pigtails bouncing.

Bullshit. This place was complete bullshit. Have any of these people even seen a Zack? This was the freaking apocalypse and everyone was acting as if nothing was happening instead of preparing themselves.

Nevertheless, they seemed harmless, if a little naïve, but Ashley felt secure enough staying here. They needed a place like this.

But it didn't mean she wouldn't be cautious.

Oh, but the showers were heavenly.

"Hey."

Ashley peered over her shoulder to the entrance of the room where Carl stood. It was the most relaxed she had seen him since they met about 8 weeks prior. His face was clean, his lengthy brown hair looked soft and hung just a little in his eyes, and his gray thermal shirt looked comfortable and warm.

He didn't even have his hat on.

"Hey," she greeted back, turning her gaze back to the world outside.

She could hear his approaching footsteps, and feel the heat of his body as he sat beside her on the spotless couch cushions.

Carl joined her in people watching. They sat in relaxed silence, with just the sound of their breathing heard.

He turned to her.

"You okay?"

Ashley sucked in a breath, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Carl watched her movements.

"Yeah," she sighed. "It's just…"

"What?"

"You like it here, right?"

Carl stared at her, and Ashley felt his bright blue gaze penetrating her thoughts. He knew her. He knew her so well after just several weeks of meeting her, and Ashley felt a little nervous about that fact.

"I know what you're thinking, Ash," he murmured. "I agree. I mean, it's…it's awesome that we found a safe place. But everyone here is just so…" he struggled with the right word.

"Clueless," she supplied.

Carl chuckled. "Yeah. Clueless."

Another beat of silence.

At this point, the sun was slowly going down, casting a dim, salmon colored glow on the street. The windows reflected off a pinkish hue. People were going inside their respective homes for the day for a good night's rest.

Unconsciously, Ashley began running a soothing hand over her right pinky, feeling its disfigured form around the second knuckle. It still hurt, even after almost three weeks. Maybe she should go to Alexandria's surgeon. She remembered Deanna mentioning someone…

Ashley could see Carl's expression in her peripheral. Jaw clenched and eyes tight, he watched her rub her finger as if in pain. Suddenly, she understood, and immediately stopped.

"Carl."

He inhaled and raised his gaze up to her.

"It's okay," she promised, resting a hand on his wrist. "Forget about it, okay?"

He didn't want to, she could see that in his eyes, but he nodded anyways and attempted a smile. He turned his hand over and squeezed hers.

'Do not blush, dammit.'

She appreciated he warmth of his flesh on hers; reminding her that she had someone with her. She wasn't alone. She hoped she never would have to be again.

The front door opened in the foyer, right next to the living room. Ashley casually brought her hand back from Carl's grasp as his father turned the corner.

"Hey kids," Rick greeted, Judith nestled in his arms. She still couldn't get used to seeing him without a beard. Or a scowl, for that matter.

Michonne trailed in behind him, and Ashley shared a smile with her. She liked Michonne a lot. She had been on Ashley's side from the very beginning, and the two of them had more in common personality-wise than she initially thought.

Ashley quickly sat up and motioned for Rick to hand over the baby. He chuckled, but gave in to her wishes.

Snuggled in her arms, Judith gurgled and grinned with her tiny teeth at the two teenagers. Carl hovered over her shoulder, blowing up his cheeks and crossing his eyes, causing the infant to giggle.

Oh, she loved babies. Judith was by far the cutest baby she had ever seen, and it was a miracle she was reunited with her family.

Family. Ashley hadn't been with family in a long time, but sitting here right now, with a baby in her arms, Carl at her side, the two smiling adults in front of her, and their strong group in their own homes, she never felt so complete.

Her family was with her, and that was all she really needed.


I wasn't sure how this would come out but overall I'm pretty satisfied with it. I hate writing stories like this that may interfere with the show's storyline, which is why I decided to wait until the season ended before I kept going! Having Ashley in Carl's life messes up how it's supposed to be in the show with Enid, but hopefully I do alright with them.

I'm trying something pretty different with this part of the story. The first part of Claimed had to do with survival and had most of the actual show's attitude on things, but this one has a wayy different approach haha. It's gonna be more about Carl and Ashley, and since they're in Alexandria, I figured I'd give them a chance to go through typical teen drama and build on their relationship where they have a chance to relax and not worry about surviving 24/7. I know it's not true to the TWD's normal view, but I'm just dying for some fluffy action, aren't you?

Let me know if you want me to keep going! If you don't like teenage drama and fluff then tell me. I'll try to tone it down more. Love you all!