Chapter Fifty-four: A Bigger World

Shock was an understatement as we stood there with our guns trained on Jesus. It was safe to say that I was now fully awake. And the man didn't seem the least bit concerned about the weapons that were trained on him. But my main thought was how the hell he was even here. He had just been unconscious. Only now he was awake and standing at the foot of our bed. Tara and Denise were not going to hear the end of this one.

"We need to talk." He told us.

"Okay?" I frowned at him.

He nodded, "I'll give you a few minutes."

He left the room, Rick and I immediately looking at each other.

"I thought he was unconscious." Rick stated as started to pull on clothes.

I was doing the same, "He was."

"Then what the hell is he doing in our house?"

"Don't sound so annoyed with me." I shot at him. "He was unconscious when I left him. Then I was sleeping next to you. This isn't on me."

"I wasn't trying to blame you." He told me gently.

Moving around the bed to him, I stepped as close to him as I could get. "You sound like you're accusing me of something."

"I'm sorry." He said putting his hands on my arms.

"Let's – let's just go see what he wants." I told him and attempted to move away from him.

"Hey." He said gripping my hand, pulling me back to him. "I'm sorry. I was just…surprised."

"Me too, baby." I told him with furrowed brows.

"Forgive me?" He smirked.

Smiling, I shook my head and leaned into him, "Of course I do. I always do."

"Just sometimes it takes upwards of four months."

Laughing lightly, I leaned up and kissed him deeply, "I love you."

"I love you." He said and snaked his arm around me, pinning me against his chest as he started to kiss me again. "Alright, let's go talk."

"He might not actually be that bad." I smiled.

He kissed me quickly, "Shut up."

Laughing lightly, we opened the door to see Carl with a gun to the back of Jesus's head. Sighing, I stepped forward and snatched the gun from my kid's hands.

"Hey." He frowned at me.

"Don't aim weapons at people in our house." I told him with a raised brow.

"Who is this guy?" He asked.

Before I could reply, Daryl, Glenn, Maggie and Abraham all came rushing up the stairs. "It's okay, guys." I told them.

"You said we should talk." Rick told Jesus. "So let's talk."

Going down to the dining room, the sun was already starting to come through the windows. So we'd gotten more sleep than I thought we had. But what a way to be woken up. Sitting around the table, I went to the kitchen and started to make some coffee. If we were going to have to sit and talk to this guy, I at least wanted a little caffeine in my system.

"Mom." Carl said softly.

"It's okay." I smiled, putting my hand against his face.

"Who is this guy?"

Sighing, I looked at everyone, all sitting there in silence. "I'm not sure. Your dad brought him home last night."

"And now he's here in our house?" He frowned.

I nodded, "He is. Let's find out what he wants."

Moving behind Rick, Michonne was sitting next to him, Carl staying next to me. For a long moment I just looked at everyone, and then my eyes were on Jesus. He was looking just as anxious as the rest of us. A sense of awkwardness coming off of him.

"So, how'd you get out?" Rick asked him.

"One guard can't cover two exits or third floor windows. Knots untie and locks get picked." He replied. Carl and I exchanged a look. I raised a brow at him and he smirked at me. "Entropy comes from order, right?"

"Right." Daryl replied. I looked at him and he simply winked at me. Smiling, I nodded at him.

"I checked out your arsenal." Jesus went on.

"Excuse me?" I frowned, the words just slipping out.

"I haven't seen anything like that in a long time. You're well-equipped, but your provisions are low. Very low for the amount of people you have. 54?"

"More than that." Maggie stated.

"Well, I appreciate the cookie. My compliments to the chef." Jesus said as he took a bite.

"Yeah, she ain't here." Daryl shot at him.

"Look, we got off to a bad start. But we're on the same side – the living side." He told him. "You and Rick had every reason to leave me out there, but you didn't. I'm from a place that's a lot like this one. Part of my job is searching out other settlements to trade with. I took your truck because my community needs things, and both of you looked like trouble. I was wrong. You're good people. And this is a good place. I think our communities may be in a position to help each other."

"Do you have food?" Glenn asked.

"We've started to raise livestock." He nodded. "We scavenge, we grow. Everything from tomatoes to sorghum."

"Tell us why we should believe you." Rick asked him.

"I'll show you." Jesus told him. "If we take a car, I can take you back home in a day, and you can all see for yourselves who we are and what we have to offer."

"Wait, you're looking for more settlements?" Maggie frowned. "You mean you're already trading with other groups?"

Michonne looked up at me and I frowned, nodding at her. Then we were all looking at Jesus as he smiled, "Your world's about to get a whole lot bigger."

Rick looked up at me and I nodded at him, "I think we should go."

He sighed and nodded, "Yeah. Get ready." Everyone got up and dispersed, leaving just Rick, Michonne, Carl, and Daryl with Jesus. "You guys go get ready. I'll stay with him."

"How about you go?" I smiled at him. He raised a brow at me. I raised one back, "Don't even. It wasn't my fault and you know it."

He nodded, leaning over and pressed a kiss against my cheek, whispering to me, "I trust you more than anyone."

"Good." I smiled and kissed him quickly.

They all walked away, leaving me alone with him. Sitting down, I sighed, lacing my fingers in front of me as I stared at them. I knew he was watching me but I didn't think he was going to try and do anything. For some reason, I trusted him. He radiated goodness and I knew that he wanted what was best for his people.

"I've seen the Kingdom." I told him.

He looked at me with both understanding and surprise. "And you didn't tell your family?"

"I told Michonne." I nodded at him. "But they asked that I didn't say anything."

He smiled and nodded, "They have good reason to be cautious. We all do."

"Why?" I frowned.

He cocked his head at me with a knowing expression, "You'll see."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I frowned at me.

"Hey." Daryl said walking back up to us, ready to go. "You good?"

I smiled at him, "I'm good." Stepping up to him, I put my hand against his arm. "Keep an eye on him. I'm gonna gear up."

"You won't need it." Jesus told me.

I looked at him, "There's no such thing as being overly prepared anymore."

He sighed, "Sad but true."

Going upstairs, Rick was leaning against the dresser. He looked at me with a knowing expression. "What did you want to talk to him about?"

Smiling, I stepped up to him, kissing him deeply, "Nothing, baby. I just wanted a few minutes alone with him. I barely got that before Daryl came back."

"Why though?"

"No reason, Rick." I said and grabbed my knife, strapping it to my thigh.

He scoffed, "Why do I have a feeling that you're keeping something from me?"

"Because you're paranoid?" I offered with a smirk.

He laughed lightly and moved over to me, "Good thing I love you."

I wrapped my arms around him as he did the same, "It is a good thing."

"I'm not sure we should be doing this." He stated and sighed.

I put my hand against his face, "I know. But I believe that there are still good people out there. And if we can open trading with them, it'll only help us survive longer. We need this Rick. Just like we needed Alexandria. Our people are getting hungry. If this is a way to help them then we owe it to them." He nodded. "And ourselves."

He smiled and kissed me, "Yeah."

Going back downstairs, I went outside, seeing Carl helping to get gas ready. Wrapping my arms around him from behind, I pulled him against my chest. He laughed lightly as I looked over his shoulder, pressing a kiss against his cheek.

"Thank you."

"Yeah."

"You okay?"

"Yeah." He repeated as he smiled at me.

Letting him go, I helped him carry it to the RV, "It'll be nice to get you out of here for a little bit."

"I'm not going." He replied.

"You don't have to worry, Carl." I told him. "You have to relearn a few things but I know you can do it."

"It's not that." He replied.

"Hey." Rick said coming up.

"Hey." Carl replied. "You sure about this?"

"No. But if he's telling the truth, this could be the start of everything." He replied. Hearing steps we looked to see Michonne and Jesus coming down the stairs. "All right. Well, get your stuff. Gabriel can take care of Judith while we're gone."

"No, I'm not coming." He replied.

Rick gave him and look before looking at me, I raised my hand, "I didn't say a word. I assumed he was coming as well."

"Someone's gotta stay back, keep this place safe." Carl went on. "A kid with a messed-up face probably wouldn't make the best first impression anyway."

"Carl, you're beautiful." I told him as I look his face in my hands.

He smiled and gently gripped my wrists, "You have to say that."

"Do not." I replied. "It's true though."

"As my mom you have to say it." He told me as Rick handed him his sister.

"Let's chew up some asphalt!" Abraham called out.

"Be safe." I said hugging Carl tightly, kissing Judith's forehead. "Keep everyone safe."

"Always." He smiled at me.

Getting in, I moved to the passenger seat as Rick slid behind the wheel. Making myself comfortable, I couldn't help but stare at him. He was an amazing guy and I couldn't have been more lucky to have him in my life. He was amazing. He was everything.

He looked at me, reaching his hand out and I quickly took it. Holding it, I ran my fingers of my other up and down his arm as we started out. Looking over my shoulder, I took in my family. I couldn't help the happiness that filled me. Glenn had his hand against Maggie's stomach as she dozed. She was the future. She was probably the most important person in the world right now. At least our world.

"Hey. Can I ask you a question?" Abraham's voice drifted up.

"Sure." Glenn replied.

"When you were, uh, "pouring the Bisquick", were you trying to "make pancakes"?" Abe asked.

I couldn't help but laugh, looking at Rick who was chuckling as well.

"Uh…yes?" Glenn told him. "Oh, okay, um…it's something that we talked about, yeah."

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"No, I just…" Abe started. "Well, given the precarious state of affairs on any given Sunday, I am damn near floored that you or anyone else would have the cojones to make a call like that."

"I mean, well…we're trying to build something, me and her." Glenn told him. "All of us."

"For the record, I see rain coming, I'm wearing galoshes. I double up."

Still laughing at them, we sobered immediately as we came up on a crash. Rick and I looked at each other before he started to slow down. I let his hand go and took in the site that was before us.

"Yo, Rick." Daryl called up. "What's going on?"

"We got a crash ahead. Looks like it just happened." Rick replied.

Everyone was up now and looking out the window.

"It's one of ours." Jesus stated.

There was carnage all over the road. The walker under the truck more grotesque then I'd seen in a while. Looking at Jesus, he swiftly left, looking with horror at what had happened. Rick followed him, with me right behind him. He brought up his gun and I did the same, both of us moving to either side of him.

"If this is a trick, it won't end well for you." Rick said and I realized that he was pointing his weapon at Jesus.

"Rick." I said putting my hand on his arm.

"My people are in trouble." He replied. "They don't – we don't have a lot of fighters. I know how it looks, but I'll play it out. Can I borrow a gun?"

"No. We got tracks right here." Daryl told him.

Looking at the ground, we followed them to a house. Rick banged on the door, listening for the dead.

"They gotta be in there." Jesus stated.

I nodded at him, "It'll be okay."

Abraham moved toward us, "We moving in or what?"

"How do we know this ain't firecrackers in a trash can?"

"You don't." Jesus stated.

"We'll get your people." Rick told him. "You're staying here with one of us."

"That's the deal." Michonne frowned at him.

Glenn immediately looked at Maggie, "Will you stay?"

"Yeah. Y'all go. Just be careful." She told him.

I looked at Rick, "I'll stay with her."

"Yeah." He said and quickly brushed my cheek with his thumb. "We're gonna be careful."

"Just hurry." Jesus told him.

"You hear me whistle, shoot him." He stated.

Smiling, I shook my head at him, cocking my gun as an answer.

Maggie did the same, replying matter-of-factly, "I will."

We watched as Daryl held the door open and they all filed in, ready for anything. As soon as they were out of sight, my stomach turned and I found myself staring at the door, listening for any sign of trouble. I felt the need to stay and watch over Maggie, but if anyone inside needed help then I'd be inside in a second.

"If you even think about moving, I swear to god I will shoot you in the foot." I told Jesus as he shifted.

"I wasn't going to try anything." He replied and I could see his smile out of the corner of my eye.

Looking at him, I frowned, "Stop." He nodded, erasing it as he looked away from me. Then I was looking at Maggie, "You doing okay?"

She smiled at me, "Yeah."

I smiled and nodded, "Okay."

My head jerked toward the building, hearing noises from inside. Taking a slow deep breath, I stared at the doorway, waiting for my boyfriend and family to come out. Maggie was doing the same. Moving to her, I wrapped my arm around her as we waited.

"Jesus?" I said softly.

"Yeah?"

"Please tell me that this isn't a trap." I replied calmly.

"It's not a trap." He replied.

In the next second my gun was under his chin, pressing the barrel into him. I stared into his eyes, clenching my jaw as anger moved through me. "Tell me again, Jesus. And don't lie. I'll be able to tell and I will blow your fucking brains out."

"Linny." Maggie said as she stepped next to us.

I looked at his eyes, his mouth, every muscle, waiting to see what I wanted to see. The truth. But before I could press him further, everyone came filing out of the building. There was a hand against my shoulder and I turned to see Rick. He smiled and nodded at me. Lowering my gun, Jesus greeted his people as I followed Rick back to the RV. He immediately moved behind the wheel, starting it up and looking over his shoulder as everyone else came in.

A man was helped to the bedroom, limping. Freddie. The man helping him was Harlan. That was all I'd leaned so far. Glenn stood watch as Maggie moved inside the room as well. Crossing my arms, Abraham smiled at me, putting his hand on my arm. Putting my hand over his, I smiled and nodded at him.

"It's okay." He told me softly.

Smiling, I gripped his wrist, "I know."

He winked, bringing his hand to my cheek before he took a seat again. Rick started us out again and I sat on the edge of the chair, facing my boyfriend. He did a double-take, smiling as he offered me his hand. Taking it quickly, I brought it to my lips, pressing a kiss into his palm. He chuckled softly, brushing my cheek before I took it in both of mine, holding it tightly.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Are you?" I countered with a smile.

He looked at me for a long moment, seeming to contemplate it. "Yeah, baby, I'm okay. Just…slightly worried about all this." I sighed and nodded. "You must be too, considering how I found you when we came out."

"I just wanted to be sure." I told him, leaning forward as I ran my thumbs across his hand.

"And?" He asked as he gripped my arm.

Sighing again, I ran my fingers up and down his arm, looking at the group of people here with us. "I think he's been honest with us." I finally replied, looking at him. "He might actually be a good guy."

"Might be?" Jesus said as he stepped up to us.

I smirked up at him, "Yeah. Might be. You haven't proven anything yet."

He nodded, "You'll see when we get there."

"At this point I'm going to have to say if we get there." I replied with a raised brow.

He laughed lightly, "We'll get there."

"What's your story, Jesus?" I asked him.

"Just like everyone else's." He smiled at me.

I laughed lightly, "That would imply that you know something about us. But you don't." I glared at him, "You don't know shit."

He just smiled at me, "You don't either."

I stood and turned toward him, "I'm not claiming to. I know myself. I know my people. I don't know you."

He kept that smile, nodding at me, "But you will."

"Then tell me just one thing that's true." I said holding up my finger. "One thing, Jesus."

"I'll tell you two." He replied. "First, my name is Paul Rovia. Second, I trust you."

I shook my head, "You don't know me."

"Tell me one thing that's true." He smiled.

"I don't trust so easily." I stated.

"And clearly I do."

Frowning, I felt Rick take my hand, gently playing with my fingers. "I will do anything for my family."

"I will, too."

I lurched backward as the RV slammed into a hole. Instinctively reaching out, I was gripped and yanked into a chest. Jesus's arm was strong around my waist. Pushing against him, he held me firm.

"Don't worry." He whispered before he let me go.

Moving to Rick, I just frowned at him, gripping my boyfriend's shoulder. "Yeah."

Rick attempted to move the RV but nothing was happening. "Damn it. A storm must've passed through." He stated, turning it off. "We're stuck." He announced to the others.

Jesus leaned forward, making me lean back, looking out the windshield. "No worries. We're here."

Looking, there were walls up ahead. We all got out, stepping through the mud. All of us looking up at the tall walls.

"That's us. That's the Hilltop." Jesus stated.

Looking at Rick, he nodded at me. Then he looked at the others and we started toward the gates. It was a nice day. Blue skies. Not too hot. Smiling at Rick, it would have been nice to be taking a walk. Not going to a brand new community where anything could happen.

"Stop right there." A man yelled from on top of the gates.

We all raised our weapons, pointing them toward the voice.

"Whoa!" Jesus called, holding up his arms.

"You gonna make us?" Daryl shot at the man.

"Jesus, what the hell is this?" The man called down.

"Open the gates, Kal. Freddie's hurt." He called up before looking at the rest of us. "Look, sorry about these guys. They get antsy standing up there all day doing nothing."

"They give up the weapons. Then we'll open the gates." Kal replied.

"Why don't you come down here and get 'em?" Daryl countered.

"Gentleman, look, we vouch for these people, all right? They saved us out there." Harlan told them.

"Lower the spears." Jesus called up to them.

"Look, I'm not taking any chances." Rick told him. "Tell your guy Gregory to come out here."

"No. Don't you see what just happened?" Jesus replied. "I'm letting you keep your guns. Look, we ran out of ammo months ago. I like you people. I trust you. Trust us."

"Why?" I frowned.

Jesus stepped closer to him, "I already said I trust you. All I'm asking is for you to try." I just glared at him. "I get that I don't know you and that you don't know us. Help me change that. Take a step forward into what could be the best decision of your life. A better life for us all."

Keeping his eyes for a long moment, I stepped away from him, putting my gun away as I moved toward the gates. He fell in step next to me, Rick on my other side. My stomach was turning and I felt completely nauseous.

"Open the gates, Kal." Jesus commanded.

The gates started to open, everyone eager to see what was inside. The first thing we saw was stalls. Then you couldn't help but notice the large Victorian house that sat on top of a hill. Jesus stepped forward and the rest of us quickly followed. There were several trailer houses, their ends nearly up against the walls. They had a chicken coop and for a moment I found my feet taking me there. Feeling an arm, I looked up at Daryl, smiling as I wrapped my arm around him. They had growing plants and gardens. There was banging and we saw a blacksmith at work. I was officially floored, feeling my mouth open of its own accord. I didn't think anything like this existed. Even after seeing what I had while in the Kingdom, I hadn't expected this.

"This is amazing." I said softly.

"Hey, thanks again." Freddie told us.

"Come see me whenever." Harlan told Maggie and Glenn. "I'm just over here in the medical trailer, okay?"

Moving closer to Rick, we took it in. I brushed my arm against his and he smiled at me, momentarily putting his hand against my lower back.

"There was a materials yard for a power company nearby." Jesus told us. "That's how we put up the walls. A lot of people came here from a FEMA camp. Trailers came with them."

"How did people find out about this place?" Michonne asked.

He turned and motioned to the ginormous house. "That's called Barrington House. The family that owned it gave it to the state in the '30s. The state turned it into a living history museum. Every elementary school for 50 miles used to come here for field trips." He explained. "The place was running a long time before the modern world built up around it. I think people came here because they figured it'd keep running after the modern world broke down. Those windows up there let us see for miles in every direction." We all looked up, seeing a round room on top of the house with windows on every side. It appeared to be octagonal. "It's perfect for security. Come on, I'll show you inside."

Moving to the house, there were white pillars that stood out against the brick walls. He opened the door and led us into a massive entryway. There was a floating staircase that winded up to the upper level. There was a nice rug with a table directly in front of us. We all filed in around it, seeing rooms on either side. It was very old fashioned.

"Good gracious, Ignatius." Abraham said with awe.

"Well, fiddle-dee-dee." I smiled at him.

"Most of the rooms have been converted to living spaces." Jesus went on as we took in the small seating area right off of the entryway. "Even the ones that weren't bedrooms."

"People live here and the trailers?" Rick asked.

"We plan to build. There are babies being born." Jesus said and smiled at Maggie.

The double-doors to our right opened and a middle-aged man appeared. He looked all high and mighty. He was wearing a suit and I took an immediate dislike to him and he hadn't said a word yet. But there was something about the way he presented himself and the look in his eyes as he took us all in that was telling me he couldn't be trusted.

"Jesus. You're back. With guests." He smiled.

"Everyone, this is Gregory." Jesus introduced. "He keeps the trains running on time around here."

"I'm the boss." He said with authority.

I couldn't help but laugh and I looked at Rick. His eyes were on Gregory. "Well, I'm Rick. We have a community –"

"Why don't y'all go get cleaned up, hmm?" Gregory interrupted with a smile.

"We're fine." Rick told him.

"Jesus will show you where you can get washed up." Gregory replied, not even acknowledging what Rick was saying. "Then come back down here when you're ready." He went on, closing the distance between him and Rick. "It's hard to keep this place clean."

"Yeah." Rick told him. "Sure."

"Follow me." Jesus said and started to lead us up the stairs.

"You're kidding right?" I asked him.

"About what?" He replied.

"That man being the leader of this place." I replied.

He smiled, "Afraid not."

"You clean up first." Rick told Maggie. "You talk to him."

"Why?" Maggie asked.

"I shouldn't." Rick smirked at her. "And you gotta start doing these things."

"What about Linny?" She asked.

I laughed, "Don't even, Mags. I am not meant to lead anyone."

"Sure you are." She smiled, gripping the back of my shirt. "You'd be good at it."

"Even so." I smiled back. "I do not want to be in charge of people."

"Clean up with her." Rick told me. I shot him a look. "Go on."

I nodded, "Fine."

Being let into a bathroom, I went to the window while Maggie turned on the water. Looking out at the people below, they were doing laundry, making spears, taking care of the livestock and gardens. People were living here and they were living well. This house was amazing.

"What do you think?" Maggie asked me.

"I think we need to be smart with this Gregory character. I don't trust him in the slightest. I don't think he knows a damn thing about this world or how to survive in it. I think in the end he's going to be nothing more than a coward."

She laughed lightly, grinning at me, "That's a lot of thoughts about someone we just met."

Smiling, I nodded, "But I think I'm right."

She nodded, "You probably are."

"So you need to be smart when you talk to him. Don't give him anything and don't make deals or promises that we can't keep or come through in."

"I know what to do." She smiled.

Sighing, I nodded, "I know. I'm sorry. I know you know what to do."

As soon as she was done, I took my turn at cleaning up. It felt weird and yet nice to be able to feel clean. Cleaner anyway. When we were both done, we opened the door to see the rest of our family waiting. Maggie went to Glenn while I went to Rick.

"I'm going to shadow her." I stated.

He nodded, taking my face in his hands, "Yeah."

Smiling, I kissed him sweetly, "I love you."

He laughed lightly, "I love you. Be good."

"I'll be me." I smirked at him.

He laughed harder, "I don't know if that's the best idea."

I looked at him with mock shock, "I am a very nice person." He pulled me against him. "I'm accommodating and compromising and just a treat to be around."

He kissed me again, "When you want to be. With me. With our family. But these people?" He said and paused. "I might have to worry about you."

"My temper isn't that bad. I simply don't like bullshit and I have a hard time not calling people out on it. And this Gregory reeks of bullshit."

He nodded and ran his fingers through my damp hair, "I know, baby."

"So I'm going to keep her safe."

"I know you will." He told me, kissing me again.

"Come on." Maggie said gripping my hand.

Nodding, I followed her down to the study, knowing that Gregory was more than likely expecting us. Knocking, we went inside, seeing him behind his desk. Sighing, I flanked Maggie, knowing that she had to look like the bigger dog. And she probably was. I kept telling myself that being with Rick didn't make me any more important than anyone else. I didn't want to be anything special. I'd lived my life in the shadows. Just because I had found my place and purpose, I still didn't want the spotlight.

"Natalie." He said to Maggie.

"It's Maggie."

"Close enough." He replied waving her off.

"Not really." I frowned at him as I crossed my arms.

He looked at me for a long moment, "I think it would be best for this conversation to be held between just Natalie and me."

"Her name is Maggie." I shot at him.

"It's okay." She told me. "Wait outside."

Looking at her, I glared at Gregory, "Fine."

"Thank you, Caroline." She called after me.

Going outside of the room, I tried to listen but their voices were too muffled. Going to the window, I looked out at everybody doing their daily jobs. I hoped Gregory would listen to her, but from what I saw in those few brief moments, he was a fucking idiot. He annoyed me and I wanted nothing more than to kill him and let Jesus take over. At least he had half a brain. Maybe even a whole one. One that he had every intention of using.

"It's something, isn't it?" Jesus said coming up to me.

I looked at him before moving back toward the study door, "Yeah."

"Why don't you trust people?" He asked me.

"It's not that I don't trust people, Jesus." I told him. "I simply don't trust as easily as I used to."

"What happened?" He asked next.

"What didn't happen?" I countered. "Trust is valuable. Trust is earned. It shouldn't be given blindly."

He shook his head, "No. It shouldn't."

"So you get taken by my boyfriend, appear at the end of our bed, and just want us to trust you."

"You've come this far."

"Out of curiosity and the realization that we can't keep going on the way we have been. We've hit a setback and we need help. You're offering us that. It might be worth it. It might not."

"You've seen the Kingdom. Yet you're leery of me and this place."

"Very different places." I told him.

He smiled, "Yeah. But it's some place, isn't it?"

I cracked a smile, "It is."

"And Shiva?"

"Softer than she looks." I grinned at him. He obviously knew things. If the King liked him I couldn't say that that didn't tip the scales for me. "And bigger."

"You touched her?" He said with surprise.

I grinned at him, "I touched a Tiger."

He stepped closer to me, looking at me fondly, "Looks like I may have cracked that wall of yours."

Sighing, I nodded, "I do enjoy talking about animals."

Then the door opened and Maggie came out. "Come on."

Going back upstairs to where the others were, Maggie quickly filled us in on what Gregory had said. He wanted guns for food. He wanted us to work here to pay off our share. To him that was a fair offer, but the more she spoke the more I hated him. He was a fucking idiot. He had no idea what he was doing. So I was happy when Maggie had shut him down, demanding a deal. He didn't bite so now we had to decide what our next step was going to be.

"We want to generate trade." Jesus told us. "Gregory does. But ammo isn't something we urgently need."

"Well, how's that?" Rick asked.

"The walls hold. We just brought in more medicine. Gregory wants the best deal possible." He explained.

"Yeah, well, we want things, too." Daryl told him.

"We need food." Rick told him. "We came all this way, we're gonna get it."

"I will talk to him and we will work this out." Jesus told him. "Circumstances change. We're doing well now, and you will next. I will make him understand that. Can you give me a few days?"

"We can." Michonne stated.

Rick and I looked at her before each other. I offered a small smile and nodded at him. "Yeah." He told our new friend.

There was faint yelling outside and we all followed Jesus as he went downstairs. The study doors flew open and Gregory appeared, "What's wrong?"

"They're back." A man named Wesley told him.

We all moved outside, Gregory taking the lead as three people were walking toward us, "Ethan, what happened to everybody else? Where's Tim and Marsha?"

"They're dead." Ethan told him.

"Negan?" Gregory asked.

Ethan nodded, "Yeah."

"Negan?" I frowned and looked up at Rick. "The men in the woods mentioned a Negan."

"What men?" Jesus asked.

"We had a deal." Gregory told Ethan.

"He said it wasn't enough. Was the drop light?"

"No."

"They still have Craig." The woman told us.

"They said they'd keep him alive; return him to us, if I deliver a message to you." Ethan went on.

"So, tell me."

Ethan put his hand on Gregory's shoulder, "I'm sorry."

In the next second he stabbed Gregory in his side. Rushing forward, I gripped Ethan's wrist, keeping the knife up as Rick gripped his other, helping me pull him away. Looking, Jesus and Daryl had gripped Gregory, lowering him to the ground.

"Get off of me! I had to!" Ethan yelled.

He shoved me back, attacking Rick, watching as he took him to the ground. Another man attempted to pull Rick off of him but Abraham tackled him to the ground. Rick still had the upper hand, watching as Daryl gripped the man Abraham tackled, breaking his arm before pushing him off of Abe. Looking back as Rick, Ethan had gotten the upper hand, making me react. Rushing forward, I tackled him off of Rick, rolling with him before I landed of top of him, my knee digging into his groin as I held the knife to his throat. Only in the next second I groaned as I felt cold metal pressing into my ribcage.

"Not nice." I frowned down at him.

"Hey!" Glenn yelled.

Ethan forced me off of him, getting up as he pressed the gun deeper into my skin, making me hiss with pain, "Stay back! Anybody who tries to stop me is killing my brother!"

"Drop it." Michonne told him holding her sword up.

"Linny." Rick said with concern.

"I'm good." I groaned through the pain. He shifted the gun up and I felt my rib shift into a very unnatural position. "Easy."

"Drop it." Michonne repeated louder.

He turned to look at her and in the next second Rick pulled his knife, stabbing Ethan in the jugular, blood pouring out over him and over my shoulder, spilling down my side. He shoved Ethan away from me before pulling me into his arms.

"You okay?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yeah. Always." Then I was smiling at him. "Always covered in blood."

He smirked before we realized that all eyes were on us. He looked back at them, "What?"

"Ethan!" The man he had been with cried, checking his friend. "You killed him."

"He tried to kill Gregory, then me, then her." Rick replied.

The woman rushed forward and punched Rick hard, sending him to his knees. Putting my hand against her chest, I threw her to the ground, "Don't do that again."

"Drop it now!" Kal said pointing his spear at us.

The others are standing with us now, Maggie with Gregory on the ground, putting pressure against his wound.

"I don't think I will." Rick stated and pointed his gun at him.

Doing the same, I shifted closer to him, "Try it."

"Everyone, this is over!" Jesus yelled. "It's over. Ethen was our friend, but let's not pretend he was anything more than a coward who attacked us. He did this. And these people stopped him."

"What can I do?" Rick asked him.

"Put the gun away." He told him. "You've done enough. You need to know that things aren't as simple as they might seem. Just give me some time."

Harlan came rushing up to take care of Gregory. Daryl helped Abraham to his feet while Glenn made sure Maggie was okay. Standing with Rick, I was still holding my gun at my side, not ready to put it away just yet.

"It's okay." Rick nodded at me.

Then a hand was on my wrist and I looked up to see Jesus, "It's okay."

Nodding, I looked at Rick before putting my gun away. "Sure."

Looking at the woman, she was crying over Ethan's body. I actually felt sorry for her. He obviously meant a great deal to her. Rolling my shoulder that was covered with his blood, I looked at Rick. If anything happened to him, I didn't know what I'd do. He had become the most important person in my life.

"You okay?" He asked putting his hand against my face.

Nodding a little too quickly, I swallowed a lump in my throat, "Yeah."

"Let's get cleaned up." He told me.

"Okay."

Going back inside, we could hear Gregory carrying on. Making our way back to the bathroom, I cleaned him up and him me. At first we were quiet and stoic as we did. Thinking about the day's events so far. But it didn't last long. Soon we were laughing and carrying on as we finished. When we were done we joined everyone else in the sitting room downstairs, waiting for Jesus to come back with an update on his pathetic leader.

"Hey." I said when he finally came in. "Well?"

"Dr. Carson was able to patch Gregory up. He's in pain, but he'll live." He replied.

"So what happens now?" Michonne asked him.

"Things like that don't usually happen here, but, uh, it's settled." He replied.

"We heard the name Negan." Rick said and looked at me. "A while back, Daryl and Abraham had a run-in with his men. Linny again when she saved two men from the woods. Who is he?"

"Negan's the head of a group of people he calls the Saviors." He told us. "As soon as the walls were built, the Saviors showed up. They met with Gregory on behalf of their boss. They made a lot of demands, even more threats. And he killed one of us – Rory. He was 16 years old. They beat him to death right in front of us. Said we needed to understand, right off the bat." He said and paused. "Gregory's not exactly good at confrontation. He's not the leader I would've chosen, but he helped make this place what it is, and the people like him."

"He made the deal." Maggie stated.

"Half of everything." Jesus nodded. "Our supplies, our crops, our livestock, it goes to the Saviors."

"And what do you get in return?" Glenn asked.

"They don't attack this place." He stated. "They don't kill us."

"Why not just kill them?" Daryl asked.

"Most of the people here don't even know how to fight, even if we had ammo."

"Well, how many people does Negan have?" Rick asked.

"We don't know. We've seen groups as big as 20."

Sighing, I nodded and looked at Rick. Then Daryl was speaking, "Now, hold up. So, they show up, they kill a kid, and you give them half of everything? These dicks just got a good story. The bogeyman, he ain't shit."

"Well, how do you know?" Jesus asked.

"A month ago, we took his guys out PDQ. Left them in pieces and puddles." Abraham replied.

"You know, we'll do it." Daryl said stepping forward. "If we go get your man back, kill Negan, take out his boys, will you hook us up? We want food, medicine, and one of them cows."

Rick looked at him before Jesus, "Confrontation's never been something we've had trouble with."

My stomach was turning. I didn't like this plan. But if all we were after was one man and a few of his goons, I guess it would be worth it. We needed the supplies and if this was the way to get it done then…so be it.

"I'll take it to Gregory." Jesus said and walked away.

Looking at Rick, he offered me his hand and took to the balcony on the upper level. Michonne, Maggie, and Glenn followed. We all looked out over the gardens, watching the people below. Taking in the food a plenty, I couldn't deny that Daryl was right. We needed them. And they needed us. We had the means to protect and extinguish. They had the means to feed. All we had to do was convince that stupid son of a bitch that it was the best deal out there. But something told me that Gregory wouldn't make it quite as easy as that.

"They have food, we don't." Rick stated. "We don't have enough of anything. Except us. What we can do. This is the trade."

"It's gonna cost us something." Maggie stated.

"Only what we're willing to give." I told her gently.

Then the door opened and Jesus stepped out, "Gregory's up. He wants to talk." Rick stepped forward but Jesus held up his hand. "To Maggie." He added. "He wants to talk to Maggie."

Glenn looked at his wife, "You got this."

Rick smiled at her, "Deanna was right about you."

"Never doubted you for a minute." I smiled.

She nodded and looked at Jesus, turning back into the house. "I'm sorry in advance. Gregory can be a real prick."

"I know." Maggie replied.

As soon as she was gone, I felt the need to stare at the door. Glenn came and leaned against the side with me, both of us with our eyes locked on the door. Feeling his arm brush against mine, I leaned into him.

"She'll make the deal."

"I know." He replied.

Turning my head, I smiled at him, "Your wife is pretty damn awesome."

He smiled, "She is."

"Have I told you congratulations yet?" I told him as my smile grew. "I'm so happy for you."

He wrapped his arm around me, "Thank you."

I put my hand against his cheek and pressed a kiss against his other, "You two are going to make amazing parents."

He nodded, "Thank you. You do too, you know. With Rick's kids. Maybe you two should consider having one of your own."

Michonne was the first to laugh, looking out over Hilltop as she attempted to hide it. I looked at Rick and for once I couldn't really tell what he was thinking. He moved in front of us, putting his hand on Glenn's shoulder. The smile on his face was telling and yet I wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing.

"When the time is right." He nodded at his friend and brother.

Smiling, I slightly cocked my head at him, "Yeah?"

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him, bringing his face closer to mine, "Yeah."

Then he was kissing me, making me wrap my arms around him, pulling him flush against me. "I'd like that." I whispered to him.

"I thought you might." He grinned.

Laughing, I kissed him again, whispering even softer, "I love you."

He pressed his lips to my ear, "I love you, too."

Everyone else started to drift away, leaving just me and Rick. I wanted to do so many things to him. We were in a beautiful place. We were about to get food to sustain our people. We were all safe and happy. I was happy. I wanted to stay in this moment for as long as possible. Only, that was about seven seconds long.

Maggie pushed open the doors, "We made a deal."

"And?" I asked.

"We get half." She told us.

We all grinned at her, embracing her in turn as we made our way downstairs. Jesus was already aware and was getting men and woman to help gather our spoils. The more they placed in front of us the happier I got. There was plenty of food here and I honestly couldn't believe that Gregory was willing to give it up.

"You are amazing." I told Maggie as we walked a load to the RV.

She smiled, "I have my moments."

"No, Maggie." I stated with seriousness. "You are amazing."

"Even Negan didn't get this much up front." Jesus stated as we passed him by.

Grinning, I looked at Maggie feeling on top of the world. Turning back to the baskets that needed to be loaded, I saw Rick with Abe and Daryl, they were standing with Andy. Watching them, Andy finally nodded, starting to load again. Passing Rick, he put his arm across me, running his hand along me as we moved in opposite directions.

"I can't wait to get home." I called back to him.

"Me neither." He called back.

Most would think it would be because of everything we were just given. But no. Not in the slightest. The second – and I mean the second – we could slip away, I was taking my man upstairs and we weren't going to be seen for a while. Especially if there was a fight up ahead. I was sure we both could use the endorphins. The thought made me laugh, getting a look from Maggie.

"What?" She smirked at me.

"I'm getting lucky later." I beamed at her.

She laughed and shook her head, "Keep that up and you won't be far behind me."

"I'm okay with that." I nodded at her. "We do this, we kill Negan, and we might be in for a long stretch of peace. We'll have generated trade. Set our eyes on new communities…I think we're well on our way to helping create a whole new world. Civilization isn't dead, Mags. We can bring it back and be more than we've ever been before."

She grinned at me, "I like seeing you happy."

"I like being happy." I grinned back. "And I love seeing you pregnant and happy. None of us could ask for more right now. We're doing okay."

"You got room for one more, right?" Jesus asked Rick as I put in a load behind them. "I mean, we're talking about righting the world here. Plus, you still have my knives."

Rick smiled and nodded. Then he was looking at Michonne. She hadn't said a lot. "Hey, you up for this?"

"It's gonna be a fight."

"We'll win. We have to."

"We'll win."

"We'll show them exactly who we are." I smiled as I wrapped my arms around Rick's waist from behind. "We're a fearsome group who will not let anything or anyone threaten us. We'll take them down. Then on to our happily ever after." I pressed a kiss against the back of Rick's shoulder. "Right?"

He grinned at me, "Right."

Before we left, Maggie and Glenn went to see Harlan. He had all the medical supplies anyone would need, especially for someone who was pregnant. They came out happier than I'd ever seen them. Maggie practically flew to me, showing me the ultrasound picture that had been taken. The little bean in her belly. I cried which made her cry and both our men latched on as we embraced all the warm and fuzzy feelings. It would only be a matter of time before they were cut short, knowing that there was a fight in our future. Loading up, we were once again on our way home. Andy was in the front seat with Rick, talking about where the compound was and what to expect. We needed to know everything he knew if this was going to work.

"We can handle this." Michonne told me.

"I know." I smiled at her.

Looking back at Maggie and Glenn, I glanced at Abraham, seeing him smiling at the ultrasound picture. There was something about his expression that told me maybe his days of being a dad weren't over. I was sure he was amazing with his kids. He had a big heart and his protectiveness was unmatched.

"You have a beautiful family." Jesus told me softly.

I smiled and nodded at him, "I know."

Looking at them all, taking them in one by one, even if this wasn't my whole family, I knew that I was lucky. In this world, nothing was certain and anything could happen. I knew what I had. I was lucky. I knew I was. And I had every intention of keeping it for the rest of my life.