The Walking Dead: Just Stay Alive

Season 5 Episode 8: Brain Over Brawns

Day 300

"Wow, it's really been that long since all this started?" Teresa asked, looking over Miles' shoulder as he wrote into a journal. He was a bit surprised, since he hasn't let anyone look at it since he began writing it.

"Um yeah… My mom told me I should write about each day… so I have." Miles said, slightly embarrassed. "We were at home for awhile until everything started going wrong."

"Well I imagine we'll make this place a long lasting home." Teresa said with a smirk. Miles smiled back and went back to writing into his journal while Teresa looked over at the closed bedroom door where the sobs of a little girl could be heard. Miles looked up too and put his journal down.

"Taylor sweetie, let Miles and I in." Teresa said, walking up to the door. She wasn't giving an answer, only more cries from the girl. Teresa opened the door and Miles followed right behind her. They both sat down on the bed, while Taylor put her head against Miles' shoulder and continued to cry into it. His eyes went wide and he put a hand on her back, slowly rubbing it.

"It's gonna be okay." Miles said to her.


Maria sat at the head of the meeting table, leaning back in her chair, her feet on the table. Her expression was hard to read, but she was clearly furious with the news she had just learned. Jordan was sitting to her left, and had just told her how Jose had been one of the people lost in the battle. Lucas, to her right, had his head in his hands, distraught about her best friend.

"So who's over there now?" Maria asked quietly. Rebecca was next to Jordan, but she hadn't spoken to anyone since Memphis was attacked.

"Joshua and one of my trusted leaders." Jordan said. Maria looked over at Lucas who was now rubbing his eyes.

"Lucas, I need you to do something for me." she said, causing him to look up at her and nod. "I'm putting you in charge of Jackson for the time being. When you get there, Alicia and Joshua will be your council for the time being. Go as soon as you can." Maria said. Lucas nodded and stood up. He leaned down to kiss her cheek before leaving the house.

The room was now even emptier. There were three vacant seats at the council, two belonging to dead men. Maria sat straight up now, looking at the only two council members who were left and still in Memphis.

"I want them all dead." Maria said, looking to her left at Jordan and Rebecca. Rebecca's eyes went wide and Jordan mouth hung open in shock.

"Why?" Jordan asked.

"Why? Because they killed one of my right hand men. They killed two of our council members. We have militia members who are injured over in their community. Didn't one of your friends end up dead because of them?" Maria asked, standing up and raising her voice towards Jordan.

"Yeah…" Jordan responded quietly, being told about Jason during the truck ride. He looked up at her and stood up. "But killing them all will make us just as bad as they were."

"I don't care. I want to protect my people. Anyone who is locked up right now is a threat. The longer they live, the likelihood of danger rises." Maria basically yelled, getting into Jordan's face. "You two are dismissed!"


Nathan leaned against the fence, as two walkers slowly approached him. He pulled out his Kbar knife and slowly knifed each walker in the head, and then watched them both fall down. He heard a whistle and turned his head to look and see Darnell waving his hand. Nathan nodded his head, cleaning off his knife with a rag, and going over to Darnell.

"You hear our new job?" Darnell asked once Nathan was close enough. Nathan nodded his head and the two entered the warehouse. Bars had been set up in the time they were gone, not the strongest looking things, but they kept all of the General's army in line. Zach was sitting in a chair, leaning back and looked up to see the two join him.

"Hey guys, welcome to Hell." Zach said with a smirk. Nathan noticed how each prisoner had their arms tied behind their backs to keep them from doing anything or knocking over the makeshift cell walls.

"Damn, this place is depressing." Darnell said, taking a seat next to Zach. Nathan kept a hand on his Kbar, while he leaned on the wall, staring at the prisoners.

"Are we going to get food anytime soon?" Andrew asked from the back of the cell, making eye contact with both Darnell and Nathan. No one answered him and he just smirked, shaking his head and looking back at the ground.

"Nah, they aren't gonna feed us. They're probably just counting' their bullets and gettin' ready to put them in our skulls." Trevor said. The rest of the prisoners began to whisper to each other. "Thats what happened to Heath, why won't it happen to us?!"

"Shut up Trevor!" Chelsea said over the murmurs that had begun to fill the room. Everyone became quiet once they heard Trevor's right hand turn on him. "Heath killed their doctor. They weren't going to congratulate him! Jesus…" she said, not looking up from her feet. The cell quickly filled with silence after that, and Zach smirked when he noticed Trevor seemed to be seething with fury.


"I'm not going to be able to deal with her." Jordan said, lying down on the couch, his hands covering his face. Teresa looked over at Lucy who was sitting in a recliner close to him. The door to Miles' room was closed, only because Teresa wanted Taylor to not have to feel uncomfortable in front of everyone.

"Look, you're gonna have to change up your style." Lucy said, looking over at Jordan. He moved his fingers to be able to look at her. "You're a more, fight first person. We all know that."

"Right?" he asked, not sure where she was going with this.

"She's the leader of the community you live in. Fighting her will not help your cause. At least, not in a physical way. But fighting her mentally. Getting in her head… that's how you do it. Brains over brawns." Lucy said. Jordan sat up now, leaning forward.

"So, like, politically?" Jordan asked. Lucy nodded her head and Jordan looked at the ground. "I'll need the council on my side before I start challenging her in front of people."

"Don't even worry about that." Lucy replied, stopping his thoughts immediately. "You want to continue to clash with her. Always fight against her choices. It'll build up her anger until she explodes. And when that happens… you'll look like a breath of fresh air." Lucy said with a smirk. Jordan smiled at her and looked back at Teresa.

"Can you believe this woman? Beautiful advice." Jordan said, jumping up and leaving the apartment building. Teresa and Lucy just smiled at each other.


Maria sat behind her desk, keeping her head in her hands. Her pistol was on the desk beneath her and she was looking down at it. She heard the door open and she quickly put the pistol into a drawer and looked up to see Madison walking in. Maria gave a half smile to the new girl and stood up.

"Hello there Madison." she said. Madison gave a half smile back.

"Hi, someone told me to come talk to you…" Madison said.

"Yes, being in charge of the council and of this safe zone I've made a decision. You will be the newest addition to the council. The unfortunate passing of Dr. Higgins has left a spot void for head of the medical department. I've heard you have the most experience so you have the chair." Maria said with a smile.

"R-r-really? Thank you… thank you so much!" Madison said, her face starting to glow as her smile turned into a full one. The two shook hands and Madison quickly left to get back to the makeshift hospital. Maria sat down and looked at her desk again. She pulled her pistol back out and set it down there, continuing to stare at it.


Jordan came back into the apartment after walking around the safe zone and making sure everyone recognized him and saw him as a kind and caring person. He kicked off his boots at the door and took off the leather jacket he wore and hung it up. He slowly began to take his black t-shirt off, groaning when he lifted his arms. He made his way towards his room, tossing his shirt on the ground, a small blood stain on the bandages covering the knife wound on his chest.

"Oh… my bad… I'll go to the couch." Jordan said, stopping when he saw Teresa lying on the bed. Teresa quickly sat up.

"No no, I can go to the couch it's fine." Teresa said, standing up. Jordan put his hand out.

"Seriously stay here. I can sleep on the couch." Jordan said. Teresa tried walking by but Jordan stood in her way. They looked at each other, their faces inches apart.

"You know, the big is bed enough for two people…" Teresa said quietly. Jordan continued to look down at her, nodding his head slightly.

"Yeah I guess it is…" Jordan said quietly back. The two stood silent for another moment, before kissing each other. Teresa fell back onto the bed, causing Jordan to fall with her and the two let out small laughs. They looked at each other and began to kiss again.


In Memoriam:

Nathan's Kbar walkers


Author's Note:

Ah yes, romance is back in the air. I started the seeds for this a while ago, it was probably noticeable back when I did. Reflecting on how I handled Jordan and Gianna, it was way too unrealistic. More Superhero-y than anything else. He saved her from a bad guy and she fell for him. Teresa and Jordan, I think, have been much more built up. She's been helping him look after his little brother, and was there to take care of both of them after they left the big ol' house. Anyway, the next morning should be interesting. As well as the future of all the characters. Love you all!