6 months later...

Things had changed around The Sanctuary, as Rick took charge and began to put things into order his way. Alexandra had come to terms in her mind that Negan was gone, and while every day with a struggle without him, the pain became more bearable as time passed. She never forgot his words, and sucked up her pride despite wanting to take everything out on Rick for what he did. She remained a quiet, compliant member of the new society for the sake of her baby.

The doctors were as claimed at The Hilltop. Alexandra was shocked by the available technology and bonded with the medical staff there. They were the only people she attempted to converse with outside of her small group of people that she trusted. Randy followed her lead and proved to be her greatest ally, along with Sarah, as he pretended that he was the baby's father. As much as Alexandra wanted to shout from the rooftops that it was Negan's, she knew it wouldn't work out for any of them if people found out.

The stories about the final day of the war all began to coincide as Alexandra secretly moved around in order to get information. Negan's throat was slashed. Rick's leg was broken. Negan hadn't been seen or heard from since.

Alexandra couldn't bring herself to speak with Rick or the main group of people who surrounded him. Their passing conversations were brief, even when he attempted to be nice and gush over the fact that she was going to have a baby. Had he known it was Negan's child, she knew he would probably feel differently. When she found herself walking down the street alone as Rick headed in her direction, she forced a quick wave and went on with her head down.

"Hey." He motioned her over to him with his hand. "How far along are you now?"

She looked down. "About six months."

"The doctors here... they'll take good care of you... and your baby." He nodded once. "I know you were a doctor at The Sanctuary, so we appreciate your help here."

"Thank you." Alexandra was about to continue walking but Rick continued.

"You should get to know some more people here. They're good people."

She nodded again and was about to make away for an exit but she stopped and decided to go straight to the source about what had happened with Negan. "Rick, um..." Alexandra didn't consider herself to be a good liar, but tried to appear nonchalant. "Was your leg broken during the war?"

"Yeah." He nodded.

"It's healed up alright?" she thought on the spot. "I mean, I'm so nervous about giving birth, but if they patched up your broken leg okay-"

"They're the best there is," Rick told her with a smile. "Like I said... they'll take care of you."

"I know this might be... forbidden to talk about but..." Alexandra sighed and shrugged. "Did Negan... did he die that day?"

Rick opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it. He looked down, around and in all directions.

"Forgive me if I'm being too direct." She knew how to appear shy and naive when she needed to.

"Well... um... Alexandra, right?" he asked.

She nodded and smiled at him. "Yeah, that's right."

"You don't have to worry about Negan anymore."

"Because he's dead..." Alexandra needed concrete information. She recognized how intently she was staring at Rick as she waited for an answer and then consciously loosened up her posture.

"He's... not around anymore. I don't kill people unless it's absolutely necessary." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Let me know if there's anything you need."

Alexandra nodded. "Okay." She wasn't sure exactly what Rick meant but the fact that he didn't give her a definitive yes made her think.

She headed down the road in the same direction she had begun. If Negan didn't die that day they would have attempted to exile him, she thought. But Alexandra knew him well enough that if that was the case he would have made his way back to her in the six months that he had been gone.

"So that's not an option," she said aloud, stopping for a moment as she thought with a hand on her hip. A feeling struck her like a jolt of lightning and she wondered if it was at all possible that Negan could have been taken prisoner if Rick had spared him. If Rick had finished the job and killed Negan Alexandra assumed he would have just said that when she asked. There was no reason not to.

She looked around the immediate area and then retreated back to the home she shared now with Randy, as the two of them carried on the illusion that they were a couple.

Alexandra shut the door and looked at Randy as he sat flipping through a book. "Can you cover for me tonight if I sneak out?"

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"The shed at The Sanctuary. I have to keep stocking up on things there with the truck."

Randy shook his head. "It's too dangerous to go alone."

"I'll be fine."

"Alex..." His eyes pleaded with her.

"Randy you have been helping me so much... I can't thank you enough. I don't think I could ever make it up to you." She shook her head and sat down next to him. "But I need to do what I'm doing."

"Why? I don't understand."

Alexandra paused and looked at him. "I think... I think Negan might still be alive."

Randy's expression softened and he shook his head. "I don't..." He sighed, "Alex he-"

"I asked Rick if he killed him and he didn't say yes."

"That doesn't mean-"

"There's a chance." Alexandra fought off the tightness in her throat and spoke confidently. "And if he's alive then he has to be here."

"Here?" Randy shook his head. "Why do you think that? We would have seen him."

"Not if he's being held hostage somewhere." She raised her eyebrows.

"Even if you're right, and I don't think you are... how can this all get resolved?" Randy motioned to her stomach, "and you can't go out there with the undead lurking. You're pregnant."

"Randy... please. Like I said I've asked you for too much already... but all I need you to do is cover for me. If Negan's alive I'm going to have an escape route for him... for us."

"And if he's dead then all of this risk is for nothing."

"If he's alive I'll find out."

Alexandra and Randy both turned and waited as Sarah slunk down the stairs and peeked around the corner before emerging. She grinned and slid down the short banister.

"What are you doing?" Randy shouted, though surprise more than anger rose in his voice. "When did you get in here?"

She grinned devilishly. "Awhile ago."

"Sarah, you can't..." Alexandra's voice drifted off and she looked at the young girl.

"I know you're thinking what I'm thinking," Sarah went on. "I followed Negan for months without him knowing." She smiled, "You think I can't do the same with Rick?"

"No." Randy shook his head and looked at the two girls. "No, no, no!"

"What?" Alexandra asked.

He looked at her. "Both of you... just no."

"That dumb boy Carl thinks I'm a helpless little girl." She winked. "Boy is he wrong."

"You're getting your hopes up that Negan is alive, Alex." Randy shook his head. "I don't want you to get hurt. His throat was slashed."

"Rick never confirmed he was dead." Alexandra looked at him. "I hate to admit it but the medical staff here is better than you or I. They could have helped him."

"Why in the hell would they do that?"

"These people aren't... murderers."

"She's right." Sarah confirmed with a nod. "Except maybe Carl. Even Negan was scared of him."

Alexandra wandered into the closet and pulled the black hooded sweatshirt off of a hanger. "I'm going to The Sanctuary. If anyone asks I'm sleeping."

"And I'm going to schmooze Carl some more... and see more about this Rick fellow." Sarah winked again. "I love secret missions."

For the first time in awhile Alexandra felt a rush of adrenaline; a spark of hope. She saw the look on Randy's face and felt a twinge of guilt for the position she had put him in. "How can I make this up to you?" she asked. "You've been rock solid for me the last six months... and before."

His eyes lifted to meet hers. "I want back on the medical staff... that's all I want."

Alexandra looked him in the eye. "I'm always over there. I'll do everything in my power to make it happen." She nodded. "I promise. I'll try." She stared at him, waiting for a response. "Okay?"

Randy nodded. "Please be careful Alex."

She nodded back and smiled. "Thank you."

Sarah threw up the hood on the sweatshirt she was wearing to mimic Alexandra. "We got this shit."