Happy New Year to everyone!

Thanks so much for the reviews and follows.

Chapter 19

"Jesus!" a loud voice boomed throughout the auditorium as the group made their way to the stage. "And the lovely, Max, what a surprise!"

"King Ezekiel," Jesus said. "I want you to meet our friends."

Max tried to stifle a laugh as she took in everyone's reaction to the King. They all were standing there with their mouths agape. Yes, he was a little over the top, but that's not what had caught everyone's attention. What the group was staring at in awe was the tiger that sat by King Ezekiel's side.

"Max, please come. Shiva has missed you," Ezekiel said.

Max looked over to Daryl, who was giving her a worried look, to let him know that it was ok. She almost bounded up the steps to where Ezekiel was sitting. She was just as surprised as everyone here the first time she met the pair. However, after spending time at the Kingdom, Shiva began to take a liking to her. Max squatted down as the tiger nudged her head against her hands and actually purred.

"Max, you're the only one that my girl does that with," Ezekiel said amused.

Daryl was still standing there with his mouth wide open. He could not believe the sight he was seeing. How could she not be scared to death of this beast?

"Now, what brings you fine people to the Kingdom?" Ezekiel asked as Max stood up and returned to the group. Daryl couldn't help but notice the smile on her face.

"King, this is Rick Grimes," Jesus said, gesturing to Rick. "And this is his family."

"Rick?" a voice came from behind them. They all turned around to see Morgan walking towards them.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Morgan," Rick started. "We ran into some trouble while trying to get Maggie to the Hilltop."

"What kind of trouble?" Morgan asked, noticing the grief on Rick's face.

"We ran into a group of men, a large group, larger than any group we've encountered so far." Rick began, trying to choose his words carefully. "They call themselves the Saviors."

Ezekiel's interest peaked at the mention of the Saviors.

Rick continued, "Abraham and Glenn are gone. They took Daryl hostage and came to Alexandria where Olivia and Spencer were also killed. Jesus helped Daryl escape just a few days ago."

Morgan looked at each set of eyes. When he looked at Maggie, he could see the pain she was feeling. "I am so sorry," he said. "Is everything ok with the baby?"

"Yes," she replied. "Thank you for asking."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Ezekiel said. "What is it that you want from my people?"

"We cannot take on Negan and the Saviors on our own," Rick began addressing the King. "They far outnumber us, even with help from the Hilltop. I thought if we could get all three communities to ban together, we might have a shot."

Ezekiel thought about this for a moment. "True, the Saviors have been a thorn in my side for quite some time now, but I fear that bringing a fight to them would only worsen things," he said. "I'm afraid I do not share your confidence."

"Ezekiel," Jesus began. "Please, listen to Rick's plan. If you still do not want to get involved, we'll understand and leave you be."

As Ezekiel, Jesus and Rick made there way out of the auditorium to go over what Rick and Jesus have come up with so far, Max walked over to Daryl.

"How you doin," she asked, looking up at him.

"Ok," he said. "Still trying to get over seeing you petting a fuckin' tiger."

"Oh, she's just a big baby," Max said with a smirk.

"Hello, I'm Morgan," Morgan said, extending his hand to Max. "I don't think we've officially met."

"Hi, I'm Max," she replied.

Morgan sensed something going on between Daryl and Max. He noticed Daryl seemed relaxed with the woman, even more so than he is with Carol. Which reminded him, "Daryl, I think you need to come with me."

Daryl and Max followed Morgan to a house outside of the Kingdom's walls. Morgan walked on the front porch and knocked on the door. Daryl was a little surprised when the door opened and he was looking at Carol.

"What are ya'll doing here," she said a little perturbed, looking at Morgan.

"Carol, we need to talk to you," Morgan said.

"I told you, I want to be left alone," she said, getting more irritated, still not looking at Daryl.

"Ain't gonna happen," Daryl said and pushed his way into the house.

Carol stepped aside so Morgan and Max could also enter.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Daryl started, making Carol jump slightly at his outburst.

"We're going to step outside and give you two some privacy to talk," Max said, grabbing Morgan's arm and heading out the door.

"What are you doing here, Daryl," Carol asked.

"I could ask you the same question," he replied.

"I told y'all, I can't do this anymore," she said quietly.

"Yeah, I heard. A fuckin' note huh? After everything that we've been through, you run out without saying a word to anyone," Daryl was getting frustrated. Rick had told him that Carol took off the day that he went after Dwight. He had told him that Tobin found her note that morning.

"Daryl, it's not like that and you know it," her voice rising a bit. "I can't keep killing. And if I'm with you all, I know I will have to make that choice again."

"You got into my shit out on the farm when I started to pull away from the group. And here you are doing the same damn thing! You have no idea what we've been through, what all has happened, because you want to live in your little house pretending that you can live in this world without having to do bad things. Well, we do have to make those choices and do things that we may not be proud of, but the difference between us and the truly bad people out there is that we do it to protect the people that we love."

Daryl's anger was starting to subside. Carol had been through so much. With trying to just survive day to day, it was easy to not think about the choices that she has had to make. Since arriving in Alexandria, it gave all of them a moment to process the things that they've all done. Daryl was fortunate that he found Max. She's given him a reason to live again and do what needs to be done. Carol didn't have that. Sure, she had been seeing Tobin, but Daryl had a feeling that was more out of convenience than anything.

"Daryl, what are you talking about?" Carol asked. "What's happened?"

Daryl took in a deep breath. How was he going to tell her about Abe and Glenn?

"We met the real Negan," he said. "Dwight captured me, Michonne, Rosita and Glenn when I went out looking for him. Met up with Negan and the rest of the group out in the woods. Rick, Sasha, Abraham, Carl, Eugene and Aaron were trying to get Maggie to Hilltop. She was in pain and scared something was happening with the baby. Negan killed Abe and Glenn, right in front of us."

Silent tears fell down his face as he told Carol what happened. When he was done, she sat down on the sofa in shock.

"Daryl, I can't," she finally spoke. "I'm sorry."

Daryl looked at her with what she thought was disappointment. He turned on his heels and stormed out of the house, passing Morgan and Max on the porch.