Notes: I know there wouldn't be so many people put in such bad situations, dying, or injured in the real Whisperer war, if it's anything like all out war, but I think this would be more realistic. It is war after all. I hope you like it still. I saw there was a fire in the forest in the trailer, but I exaggerated it to just put more of a sense of danger in there. I also wanted to isolate the fire to only one side of the forest. That way they could still walk through the forest. The war will only take place in the forest. They will always come to a clearing to have more room to fight. A lot of the characters that die on the walking dead don't get to say goodbye, so I really wanted to make it so most of them can, even if they have a fatal injury. I thought I would finish this before the premiere, but I didn't so I have a different reason for the fire starting, but I don't want to change it now, so I'm leaving it alone. This is also before I knew why Carol was hallucinating, so there's a different reason for that too.

The Whisperer War

Michonne, Judith, Daryl and Dog, Carol, Rosita, Gabriel, Aaron, Eugene, Siddiq, Ezekiel, Jerry, Alden, Earl, Lydia, Magna, Yumiko, Connie, Kelly, and Luke are about to go to war and Michonne stands in front of everybody to let them know the plan. Negan is picking tomatoes and listening in.

"I think it is best for everyone to go their own ways, but if you want, then you can go with someone. I know it's safer for us to stay together, but this way we can cover more ground and kill more Whisperers and walkers. Nora has volunteered to stay and watch over Gracie, RJ, Cocoa, and the other kids and we will say goodbye to them before we leave. I'm taking Judith with me." Michonne smiles at her and she smiles back. "There might be some people who will get injured and we might even loose some people.

Anybody who is injured can go to the infirmary. Siddiq is going to stay behind just in case of any injuries. If someone dies then we are going to have no choice but to leave them behind and then find them after the war and carry them back with the help of other people, otherwise there's a chance at running into the wrong people or walkers on the way back and you can loose your life too. It's already painful to loose people, but to loose people for a reason that could have been prevented would be even more devastating. After the war, we will meet back here, and ask everyone if they know someone who was left out there and tell us weather they are gone or injured and then go and bring back the ones we have lost and burry them or take them to the infirmary if they're injured. I think that's everything, be safe." They all exchange hugs, knowing it may very well be the last time they see each other and they go to Nora's house to say goodbye to their kids. Aaron kneels down.

"I'm going to miss you daddy."

"I'm not going to be gone long, but you might be asleep when I get back."

"That's okay," she says smiling. He gives her a hug.

"I'll miss you too and I love you," he says tearing up, knowing he might not be coming back.

"I love you too daddy." He gives her a kiss on the head. Michonne kneels down and gives RJ a hug.

"I love you."

"I love you too mommy."

"I'll be back as soon as I can." She gives him a kiss on the cheek. Judith gives RJ a hug. "Be good while we're gone."

"I will."

"I know you will," Michonne says and gives him another hug. "We're going to beat the bad guys."

"Cool!"

"Yeah, cool," Michonne says smiling. Rosita and Siddiq take turns holding Cocoa.

"My sweet baby girl, I love you," she says smiling through the tears. She gives her a kiss on the head and then hands her to Siddiq. He smiles and gives her a kiss on the head. "We'll be back soon. I love you." Negan watches as they all leave. He isn't having it. I'm not going to sit here while everyone else gets to have fun kicking ass, he says to himself. When I get a chance, I'm sneaking out of this joint. Nabila doesn't want to stay put either. She is at the Hilltop worrying about Jerry. She has to do something. She walks over to Bertie's with the baby and the kids. She knocks on the trailer door.

"I need to go out there and fight, can you please watch the kids for me?"

"Of course, but do you even know how to fight?"

"A little."

"You can't go out there alone. You have two kids and a baby who can already end up without a father. Do you really want to risk their mother's life too?"

"I'm going for them so I could help their father. I'm doing it for me too, I can't loose him," She says starting to tear up. "I'll never be able to forgive myself if something happens to him and I wasn't there to try to stop it. I have to try, please let me try." She takes a deep breath.

"Fine, but don't you make me regret this." She gives her a one armed hug since she is holding the baby.

"Thank you."

"Be careful please, and if you find someone along the way then take them with you."

"I will." She kisses her baby on the head. "I love you," she says smiling. She hands the baby to Bertie and kneels down. "I'm going to bring your daddy home." They smile and nod. "Be good for Bertie."

"Okay," they say. She hugs them both at the same time.

"I love you."

"I love you too mommy," they both say. She kisses them both on the cheek and then stands up. She smiles at Bertie and she smiles back. She starts to walk away and then turns around to blow them a kiss. They blow one back and she smiles and waves bye. They wave too then she walks away, starting to tear up. Nabila comes to a clearing. She hears someone running and hides behind a bush. It is Jerry.

"Jerry," she whispers.

"Nabila?" He sees her peeking out from the bush. He is happy to see her, but frustrated with her at the same time. "Stay down and don't come out no matter …" He is interrupted when he is jumped by a Whisperer. He falls to the ground and midway down lets go of his axe and it goes air bourn and lands behind the bush, almost hitting Nabila and she covered her mouth, so she won't scream. He is now on his back with the Whisperer on top of him and strangling him. He can feel himself about to go unconscious. He raises his hand, signaling Nabila to stay hidden, but she didn't come out here to watch him die. She thinks of using his axe, but she knows that it will probably be too heavy for her and there is no time to waste. She slowly walks up to the Whisperer and Nabila is the last thing Jerry sees before going unconscious. She

grabs her knife, raises it up, and stabs the Whisperer in the back. She pulls the knife out and he falls forward. She puts the knife away and then tries to pull him off of Jerry, but no matter how hard she tries, she can"t do it, but then she thinks about herself and the kids living without him. She takes a deep breath, gathered all her strength, and grabs the Whisperers legs.

"Get off of my man," she says with gritted teeth as she pulls him off. She crawls over him so they are now face to face. "Jerry." She puts a hand on either side of his face. "Jerry," she says a little louder, looking around to make sure that she doesn't attract any walkers or more Whisperers. She thinks of a different, quieter way of waking him. She kisses him. He opens his eyes.

"True love's kiss," He says with a big smile. She laughs. He gives her a kiss. "As much as I'm happy to see you we have to bounce." He stands up. "I was hiding from some walkers and I was waiting for them to pass when a walker snuck up on me from behind and I was like I'm outta here. I ran for it and took my chances with the walkers that I was hiding from. I got ahead of them and that's when I heard you. Are the kids okay?"

"Yes, I left them with Bertie. I couldn't hide any longer, I needed to save you." He kisses her.

"Thank you."

"Just one thing," Nabila says. "Don't ever leave me behind again, I am capable of taking care of myself."

"And me too apparently," he says gesturing to the dead Whisperer on the ground.

"It was sort of a sneak attack. I don't think I …" He kisses her.

"It doesn't matter. I have no douht that you would have done anything to save your man." He smiles.

"You've got that right."

"That's my girl." They kiss again. "We have to go now." They hurry off hand in hand, but he forgets to pick up his axe. Negan sees someone being surrounded by walkers and trying to kill all of them. He hurries over to help and then he sees who it is before they see him. It is Alpha. He turns away and starts walking, but he stops when he hears Alpha calling for Beta and for help.

"Damn it!" He says gritting his teeth. He turns around and starts swinging Lucille at the walkers while Alpha stabs the rest. "Now that was badass!" He says with a big smile and his signature lean. Alpha isn't smiling.

"The question is what am I going to do with you now?" Alpha asks. "You're one of them."

"That depends on who you ask. Personally, I only like some of the brady bunch."

"Are you done?"

"Whoa lady, I'm just pointing out some important shit so you don't get the idea that I'm all in with the merry crew." She gives him a look that gives him the chills. "Go on," He says.

"You're really full of yourself aren't you?"

"I just enjoy the hell out of my life and the fact that I'm still kick'n. You should try it sometime."

"I like myself just the way I am. I am strong and I don't let feelings get in my way. Feelings make you weak, Being with these people is making you weak. I can tell or you would have just left me to die."

"Watch it now, I may have become a little soft, but I'm still capable of killing someone who pisses me off." She scoffs.

"Me maybe, but not any of your people."

"They're not my people." She ignores him and continues.

"Because I'm the enemy, but you wont kill anybody that has to do with the people you do like, even if you don't like them. Like I was saying before I was interrupted, you're one of them, but you saved my life, so should I spare your life or kill you anyway because you're with my enemies." Negan scoffs.

"You're welcome. You know before I became "soft," he says making air quotes, "I would have been saving you so you can join me in killing the merry band, but now I saved you because that's the new me. Again, you're welcome."

"You talk too much. Maybe I should slit your throat."

"Been there, someone's done that."

"You're still here? How?"

"He spared me for his son. He wanted peace for me and his father."

"Weak, his father was weak. He should have killed you, but he let his feelings for his son get in the way."

"Yeah, I'm right here," he says waving his hand. "For the record, he had a great son and has a …" She throws him a look and smiles. "What?"

"You really do talk too much, don't you. That's your weakness, kids."

"If you kill anyone I've grown close too, then all bets are off."

"Who says I am going to spare you, I'm just weighing my options."

"I've got options too. You killed my ex wife, so maybe I should kill the wicked witch and then be welcomed back like a freak'n hero, but if I let you live, you might kill someone I actually care about."

"Why did you save me?"

"I already told you why." Alpha shakes her head. "What?"

"There's more to it."

"You remind me of me before I became the saint I am now." Alpha scoffs.

"I am nothing like you."

"Oh but, you are."

"I don't run my mouth off like you."

"You see Lucille here? I smashed in two of their friends heads right in front of them, I've burned faces, hell, I've thrown my own doctor of all people in a brick oven, so yeah, we are alike, except I think I have you beat."

"You really are full of yourself."

"Yeah, and proud to be. It's part of what makes me the fun loving guy that I am."

"You saved my life and there are not a lot of people that would be willing to do that, so I'm willing to let this go if you're willing to."

"Stay clear of kids and teenagers and we have a deal."

"Are you really that naive? This is war and after what has happened on both sides I'm aiming to kill anyone and everyone," she says smiling and walks away. He watches her walk away and he hopes that someone else kills her before she can kill someone else he cares about. Alpha lites the forest on fire with some matches she found. This way it would make it harder for people to get to her, Beta, and the Whisperers and if someone died in the process, it wouldn't be because of her, not physically anyway. She takes a deep breath and smiles. "Now that's better," she says and then walks away.

Looking For You

Judith and Michonne have been separated and now Judith is trying to stay as quiet as possible while looking for her.

"Mom!" She whispers. "Mom!" A Whisperer comes up behind her and grabs her. She kicks and screams, but no matter how hard she tries she can't get out of his strong hold, and then she hears something in the distance. It is Dog barking. "Dog!" Dog comes running and bites the Whisperer's leg. He lets go of Judith and falls to the ground, crying out in pain.

"You and that damn dog are dead. Alpha and Beta will be sure of it."

"You'll stay away from my mom and the rest of my family if you know what's best for you." Her and Dog are walking away when he calls out.

"Wait!" Judith stops.

"What now?"

"You're right, I want to be on your side. I'll do anything! I'll die if you leave me here."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"You could have my weapons."

"Put your hands up," she says pointing her gun at him. She moves slowly toward him, Dog being careful too, growling as he walks toward him. She reaches out her hand and he hands her his gun. "What else?"

"That's it." She throws him a look and he hands her a knife. She puts it in her weapon belt, but while she is doing that, he grabs her hand and is trying to pull her down with him. She drops the gun.

"Let me go!" Dog has had enough and runs to the Whisperer, jumps on him, and bites down on his neck, growling. The whisperer yells out in pain, grabs Dog, tears him off his neck, and throws him toward the fire. Dog yelps when he lands next to the fire and his paw lands close enough to burn it and he pulls it away. The Whisperer dies soon after. Judith runs to Dog. "Dog!" She kneels down and he is crying. "You burned your paw. I'm sorry Dog." She lays her head down on him. "We can't stay here. Can you get up boy? Come on dog! You can do it!" He lifts his head and then slowly starts to get up. "Good Dog." Judith stabs the Whisperer in the head, looking away and cringing as she does so. Dog is limping. He starts going back the way he came from. "No Dog! This way! I'm trying to find my mom." He barks and continues going the way he came, barking and looking back at Judith. "What is it Dog?" She follows Dog and he leads her to a knocked out Daryl, dangerously close to the fire. Judith runs over to him and Dog limps as fast as he can. Judith kneels down and begins shaking him while Dog licks his face.

He starts to wake up.

"Okay, okay." Judith laughs. "Sit Dog." Daryl sits up and puts his hand on the back of his head. Judith hugs him.

"I'm so happy you're okay."

"You too." He looks at Dog. "What happened?" He asks petting him. She explains everything.

"He saved my life." Judith hugs Dog and Daryl pets his head again.

"Good Dog. Never let your guard down with these people, you hear me?"

"Yeah." They get up and Daryl hugs her.

"Where's your mom? She's not …"

"No."

"What happened?"

"We were surrounded by walkers and fighting them, but there were just too many, so while she distracted them, I crawled out through a small space between them. I heard her yell run, and she was surrounded by them. I could barely see her anymore."

"You don't remember him, but there was a man named Tyrese who was part of our family and he was in a similar situation and survived. Your mom's strong and she has too much to live for. She's been through so much. She is, she's okay, I know she is."

"Okay," Judith says with tears streaming down her face, and Dog licks her. She laughs and wipes her face.

"What happened to you?"

"Like you, a Whisperer snuck up on me and knocked me out, but the Whisperer would have killed me if it weren't for Dog scaring him away. That was the last thing I saw before knocking out."

"That must be when Dog found me. I wonder if that was the same Whisperer Dog scared away." Judith asks.

"I think so," Daryl says.

"He was looking for help for you Daryl and found me, she says petting him.

"What do you say we go look for your mom?"

"Okay." Daryl starts walking, but holds his head.

"I think you and Dog should go to Siddiq, he can treat you and Dog."

"Hell no! I'm not leaving you here, you almost died."

"You almost died too. I want to look for my mom."

"If you wait, me and Dog can help you look."

"The longer we wait the more chances something will happen to her. We don't leave family behind and I'm not leaving my mom out there. I'm going with or without you, so go. You're not any good to me or anyone else like this."

"Fine, but as soon as I get the okay from the doc, I'm going to search for you and your mom."

"That's fine, now go get better."

"Yes ma'am. Be careful," Daryl says.

"I will, you too."

"We will." They hug and then Judith hugs Dog.

"Thank you for saving my life Dog." They go their separate ways. After Daryl and Dog get the okay from Siddiq, they go back out and Siddiq decides he wants to go out and help too. Michonne just finished killing the last of the walkers, putting all of her emotions into killing them. She would avoid cutting their heads off because it was just too soon. She breaks down. She doesn't know where Judith is, but she needs to be strong so she could find her. She calms herself down. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She is standing there when she hears a walker on her left and she grabs her katana and runs it through the walker. She pulls it out and then stabs it in the head.

She needs to think, but this time she keeps her eyes open. She hears what sounds like a Whisperer and it is. She is pissed off now. She just wants to think. The Whisperer hurries over to her and she pulls her katana out. She doesn't care anymore, she needs to go for the head. She swings her katana.

"Michonne!" She stops immediately and just in time, coming only inches away from their neck. She takes a deep breath and takes the Whisperer mask off. It is Siddiq. She hugs him.

"What the hell were you thinking! I could have killed you!"

"I found the mask and I thought it would be a good opportunity, but I guess I need to remember to take off the mask before approaching someone I know."

"You think?" They both laugh, something that is badly needed for both of them after that. It definitely helps Michonne feel better. Siddiq is about to give her a hug and has both hands on her arms when a Whisperer comes into the clearing.

"Hey!" Siddiq's back is facing him. Siddiq and Michonne exchange shocked expressions. They hear him coming closer and Siddiq gives her a nod only she notices and she gets the cue. She starts struggling.

"Let me go!"

"Good, you got one. Where's your mask? You know we don't show our faces."

"The bitch took it off!" He whispers as he roughly takes it from Michonne and slips it on. The Whisperer secures it from the back. The Whisperer goes behind Michonne and takes her katana, sheath and all.

"Here, I'll trade you," the Whisperer whispers. Siddiq takes her katana and the Whisperer grabs her and tries pulling her from Siddiq, but he is holding on to her tightly and now the whisperer is getting angry. "I gave you the katana, so she's mine! Maybe you can have her after me, Maybe," the Whisperer whispers. He pulls harder and Siddiq has to let go. He has her weapon and now he has to pick the perfect time, but he knows it has to be soon, knowing what the Whisperer has planned.

"Get your hands off of me!" She says gritting her teeth and struggling to get out of his grip. He grips her dreadlocks and pulls them down.

"Calm down and maybe we can both enjoy this." He roughly kisses her and she bites his lip. He cries out in pain. He lets go of her hair, grips her arms again, and then head butts her. She is conscious, but out of it. He throws her to the ground. Siddiq reaches for the katana, but he stops when he sees the people who have died charging in and then all of a sudden the Whisperer has Michonne's katana and is decapitating all of shakes his head.

No! No! Go away! He says to himself. Michonne needs you! He bends over with his hands on his knees, still trying to snap out of it. He looks up and they are all gone and the Whisperer is now on the ground, over Michonne. He takes the katana and hurries over to Michonne. He sees him unbuttoning her shirt. She is now unconscious. He is having doughts about using the katana. He can't take the chance of it running through Michonne too, but like Michonne, he can't go for the head yet either. He is about to drop the katana and pull out his knife when he sees the Whisperer get up on his knees and starts unbuttoning and unzippering his jeans. He takes the katana and runs him through. He falls on top of her and Siddiq pulls him off of her and then straddles her. He lightly taps her face.

"Michonne." She slowly starts to wake up and then sees Siddiq who is still wearing the mask. She punches him and he falls on top of her. She slips out from under Siddiq. He is out cold. She sees the dead Whisperer on the ground and then looks at the Whisperer she punched out and recognizes the clothes that Siddiq was wearing and realizes she punched Siddiq.

"Oh shit!" She turns him over and then takes the mask off. Now she finds herself straddling him and lightly slapping his cheeks. "Siddiq!" She whispers. He starts waking up. He groans.

"Why did you punch me?" He asks with his hand on his soar mouth.

"You were still wearing the mask."

"I wasn't thinking. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm sorry for punching you."

"Uh …" He looks away and clears his throat.

"Oh!" She quickly buttons up her shirt and her jeans that are unbuttoned and unzippered. "Okay." He looks at her. She looks at the Whisperer and sees his jeans are undone too. "He didn't …"

"No, I killed him before he could." She takes a deep breath.

"Thank you." She hugs him, both of them still on the ground. They get up.

"I need to finish the Whisperer off," Siddiq says.

"Let me." Michonne pulls the katana out of the Whisperer's back then she takes her katana and runs it through the Whisperer's head. Siddiq sees her forehead.

"Let me check you out."

"No really, it's not necessary."

"Michonne," he says in a stern voice.

"Fine."

"No concussion, but you have a big bruise and some swelling. Do you feel dizzy?"

"No, my head just hurts."

"You should rest, but I know you're not going to, are you."

"Absolutely not, I have to find Judith, have you seen her?"

"No." She looks devastated. "But Daryl and Dog walked into the infirmary."

"Were they okay?"

"Yes, for the most part. Dog has a burned paw and Daryl has a head injury. Daryl explained to me what happened to him, Dog, and Judith and now I'm going to tell you."

"Dog saved her. If it weren't for Dog, Daryl and Judith would be dead," Michonne says.

"Yeah, I'm glad they're okay."

"Me too."

"Maybe Daryl and Dog are with her now," Siddiq says. She nods her head and smiles. "I stayed behind for a while, but I had to help my family." She holds his hand and smiles and he smiles back.

"I'm going to look for Judith. You get back to the infirmary just in case someone needs you."

"I wish I could be in more then one place at once."

"I know, I think we're all feeling that right now. Thanks again for saving me. She hugs him. Stay safe."

"You too."

Reuniting

Judith is quietly calling out for her mom. She sees a walker coming toward her, growling. She waits for it to come close enough. She takes her mini katana out and swings it at the walker's leg and it falls to the ground. She stabs it in the head and then she is grabbed from behind. She screams. It is a Whisperer. She wonders who is going to save her now. She wriggles and kicks.

"Let me go!"

"Time to die," he whispers. He lifts her up in the air and is about to throw her in the fire when Aaron comes out of nowhere, yelling out as he runs toward the Whisperer.

He puts a hand on the Whisperer's shoulder and then pushes his mace hand straight through him and out the back and then he pulls it out, along with pieces of skin and guts that are stuck to it. He shakes them off. The Whisperer just stands there in shock with a hole in his stomach, still holding up Judith. He lets go of Judith, but Aaron catches her, making sure his prosthetic hand doesn't touch her. She smiles.

"My hero." He smiles and puts her down. He kneels down.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah." He hugs her.

"Where's your mom?"

"We got separated." She explains everything to him. She starts to cry and he wipes her tears away.

"Let's go look for her."

"Judith!"

"Mom!" Michonne kneels down and Judith runs into her arms. They are both crying." You're okay mom." Michonne pulls away from the hug.

"And you're okay." She wipes Judith's tears away and pushes her hair back.

"I thought I lost you," Judith says.

"Me too."

"Aaron saved me." She sees Aaron. She gets up and gives him a hug.

"Thank you."

"Anything for Judith, she's family," he says looking at Judith and smiling and she smiles back. "We all are," he says looking at Michonne and smiling. She smiles back and holds his hand. She looks at the dead Whisperer and walker.

"What happened?" Judith and Aaron explain. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you," she says tears streaming down her face.

"It's okay, you couldn't help it. You saved my life by distracting them mom." Judith hugs her again.

"I ran into Siddiq and he saved my life."

"Is he okay?" Aaron asks.

"Yeah."

"What happened?" She explains to Aaron and Judith. "I'm so happy you"re okay Michonne." He gives her a hug.

"Thanks." Judith gives her a hug too.

"It was a great plan, but it went wrong quick," Aaron says.

"Yeah, but it could have been so much worse."

"Yeah," Aaron says looking sad. Michonne holds his hand and smiles.

"I'm fine." Aaron nods and smiles. "He told me about what happened between you, Daryl, and Dog."

"Are they okay?" Judith asks.

"Yeah. He said they went to go looking for you after they got the okay and then Siddiq left too and that's when he saved me. I hope everyone's okay."

"Me too," Judith says.

"Same here," Aaron says. "This all proves that we need each other to get through this. We can't do this alone. I'm sorry Michonne, but you were wrong."

"I know that now. I just wish I could tell the others." Aaron hugs her.

"What now?"

"Me and Judith will stay together. Do you want to come with us?"

"You're both safe and as much as I said we shouldn't do this alone, I have to search for others, they might need help too. It's what I do."

"I know, be careful." They both hug him at the same time.

"I will, you too."

"We will." They go there separate ways. Carol is now confronting Alpha.

"You killed my son, now you must die." Alpha scoffs.

"Your people took my daughter, I got her back and then your son and your people took her again, and you've crossed my border more then once. You and your people will all be dead before dawn."

"Bull shit! You couldn't care less about your daughter. She told Daryl about how you beat her and she told me you called her weak."

"She is dead to me now. She's chosen where she wants to be, so now she will die with the rest of you."

"You won't live long enough for that to happen." She scoffs.

"You're wrong, but it doesn't matter. I have my Whisperers, the walker herd, and Beta. Your people are weak, you don't stand a chance."

"You don't know anything about us."

"I know that me and the Whisperers already killed eleven of your people so far, and you don't call that weak?"

"No, we wouldn't have made it this far if we were. You and your people are weak, hiding behind the walker masks and walkers to survive. No more, I'm going to be the one to kill you."

"So far all I've heard is a bunch of talk and no action. I'm waiting, come and get me." Carol is about to run at her, but then She hears someone calling for help. It is Siddiq. Carol is so close, so close to getting her revenge for Henry, but she can't let him die. He is more important to her then revenge. She'll get hers, no matter what.

"We're not done here." She runs off.

"No, we're not." Before he called for help, Siddiq was wondering if he should have left the infirmary, but no one was showing up. He feels so useless at the infirmary, so he left and now he is in the forest dealing with his PTSD. Siddiq thinks he hears something and looks around. It's just in your head. Just like seeing the others when you were supposed to save Michonne. Next thing he knows there's a walker approaching him and Siddiq's walking backwards and pulling out his knife, but he drops it when his back hits a tree and now he is trapped between the tree and a walker trying to bite him.

He tries pushing him off, but this walker is stronger then others. He tries pulling out his gun, but the angle is too awkward. He is holding the walker back with both hands, but he can't hold it back much longer as it keeps on pushing forward, trying to bite 's when he called for help. The walker is about to bite him and he shuts his eyes, waiting for his fate.

"Duck!" He hears Carol, but he thinks he is hearing things again until he opens his eyes and sees Carol holding up her bow. He ducks and Carol shoots an arrow through the walker's head and into the tree. The walker starts to fall and the arrow breaks. Carol holds out her hand for him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." She hugs him. "Thanks to you, I don't think I could have held him back much longer." She picks up his knife and hands it to him. "Thanks." Carol is looking around.

"Do you hear that?"

"No, I don't hear anything. I thought I heard something earlier, but that's when …"

"Shh. You don't hear that?"

"No, what is it?"

"It sounds like … Henry!"

"What? Carol wait!" He yells as she goes running off. "Carol!"

"It's Henry." She runs right into Daryl who is searching for Beta. He grabs her arms. "Are you okay?"

"No." She starts crying and he holds her.

"I think she should go to the infirmary," Siddiq says.

"Yeah, I think so doc." She doesn't even notice Dog's wrapped up paw.

"No! I saw him!" She yells pulling away from the hug.

"He's dead Carol, you're hearing things," Daryl says.

"He's right, that's what distracted me," Siddiq says. "I heard voices and that's when a walker attacked me. I think we have PTSD, you shouldn't be out here." Carol gives him a look. "What?"

"Don't give me that. We both have the same problem, but it's okay for you, bull shit!"

"That's why none of you are going."

"What?" They both say at the same time.

"You're going to the infirmary and I'm staying."

"No, I said bitch has to die and I'm going to be the one to do it." She starts to go, but Daryl grabs her hand.

"Please don't go. I can't loose you." She starts tearing up.

"If I don't do this then you'll loose me anyway, I'm sorry."

"What if this happens again but worse and you end up hurting someone this time. You'll never forgive yourself and I'll be damned if you're going to get yourself killed," he says still holding her hand.

"You can't stop me, nobody can." She runs off again.

"I'm going after her."

"I'm going too."

"Let's go." When they find Carol she is staring at a tree. "Carol?" Daryl says. She doesn't hear him. Dog tries barking, but she doesn't hear him either. She is focusing on her hallucination. Henry is tied to a tree.

"Save me mom!" Carol runs toward the tree, but Daryl runs in front of her and holds her arms.

"Daryl stop!" Siddiq yells, but he doesn't listen. Siddiq knows that she could end up seeing Daryl as someone else. "Come back Daryl! She isn't in her right mind!" Dog is barking, but he is focused on Carol.

"Henry's tied to a tree, we have to help him."

"Okay, you stay here, I'll save him."

"But he asked me to save him," she says crying.

"Do you trust me?" She nods her head. "Then stay here."

"You promise you'll save him."

"I promise."

"Okay," she says smiling.

"Okay, wait here." Daryl walks up to the tree and wraps his arms around it as if he is untying him. He turns around and is about to step aside so Carol can see that Henry is free, when Carol sees someone who she thinks is Alpha running through and then stops. The real person that ran through stops to see what is going on and if everyone is okay. The person steps in front of Daryl to ask him what is going on.

"It's Alpha! Move out of the way!" She says raising her bow.

"Carol no!" The person is about to turn around and Siddiq and Dog moved forward, but it is too late.

Friendly Fire

Carol shoots her arrow and it hits Aaron in the back. Aaron grabs Daryl's shoulder's, unintentionally piercing one with his prosthetic and he has a shocked expression on his face as he looks into Daryl's eyes, seeing sadness and regret. Aaron is slowly slumping down and Daryl wraps his arms around his waist and lays him down on the ground. Siddiq is in shock. "Get over here!" Siddiq and Dog run the rest of the way and kneel down next to them. Carol hurries over to them, still thinking it's Alpha.

"What are you doing! She needs to …!" She sees Aaron and starts crying. "No! No! What have I done!"

She kneels down. "I'm so … I'm so …" She faints.

"Carol!" They call out, even Aaron. Daryl doesn't know what to do. Carol is passed out and Aaron is vitally injured. He pulls Carol onto his lap and holds her close and then holds Aaron's hand. Daryl's shirt is torn in the shoulder. "You're hurt, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's nothing the doc can't fix, you're the one that's really hurt." Aaron scoffs. That's a major understatement. I'm dying, I can feel it. Go ... you and Siddiq ... take her to the infirmary." Daryl just looks at him, eyes brimming with tears.

"No, I can't leave you." Siddiq starts tearing up.

"Can I have a minute with you Daryl?" Daryl reluctantly moves Carol off his lap, lays her on the ground, and then gets up. Dog curls up next to Carol.

"Make it quick doc."

"He's dying, but Carol's going to be okay, physically anyway. She just found out that she gave Aaron a fatal wound and it is understandably overwhelming, so she passed out. Stay here with Aaron and say goodbye while you can." He nods his head.

"I know now's not the time, but I need to know, did you find Michonne and Judith?"

"I didn't find Judith, but I found Michonne."

"I found Judith and then Michonne found us." Aaron says. They look at each other and Daryl and Siddiq kneel down.

"Were they okay,?" Daryl asks.

"They're both okay. They left together. Let's just hope it stays that way," Aaron says. They nod in agreement.

"I was going to tell you Daryl, that I actually found Michonne," Siddiq says. "But we ran into some trouble."

"I actually know about this. Michonne explained it to me and Judith."

"Was it Alpha?" Daryl asks.

"No, a Whisperer. We went our separate ways, her looking for Judith and me going back to the infirmary, but I couldn't stay. My family needs me, so here I am now." Siddiq kneels down and holds his hand. "I'm sorry, I should have insisted more on Carol going to the infirmary," Siddiq says.

"It's not your fault, it's not anybody's fault," he says looking at Daryl, knowing he would find someway to blame himself. Daryl looks down. "Can the both of you look after Carol? She's going to blame herself too."

"I will," they both say.

"Thank you." He smiles. Siddiq and Daryl get up and Daryl picks up Carol, kisses her on the head, and then gives her to Siddiq.

"Be careful and please keep her safe."

"It goes without saying." He gives him a nod. He gives Aaron a smile and a nod and Aaron does the same. Daryl watches them until he can't see them anymore. He kneels down next to Aaron again. Siddiq is carrying Carol and luckily they only run into one walker which he kicks in the stomach and the walker falls to the ground. They safely make it to the infirmary and he lays her on the bed. He holds her hand. "You're going to be okay, your family will be there for you." Daryl is holding Aaron's hand and Dog has a paw on Aaron's leg. Aaron pets him.

"I'm sorry, if I had tried harder to convince Carol to go to the infirmary you wouldn't be dying right now."

"Stop wasting my breath Daryl," Aaron smiles. "As you know, Siddiq said pretty much the same thing. It wasn't your fault Daryl, you're a good man. When Carol wakes up, tell her it wasn't her fault, it was the PTSD."

"I will. Thank you for taking us to Alexandria. You were the first one to make me feel welcome."

"You and your family didn't make it easy though at first. Please tell Gracie I love her and watch over her for me. Like I said so long ago, you would make a great father, I've seen it. Judith, Henry, Lydia, Carl. I trust you with her, and the others will help you too, that's what family does," Aaron says.

"I will."

"Thank you, and you still get to pass up on the exploding diapers." Daryl scoffs and Aaron laughs and then starts coughing, coughing up some blood. Daryl takes his rag and wipes his mouth. "Thanks. It's been a pleasure knowing you Daryl."

"Same here man." Aaron smiles and Daryl smiles back, starting to tear up. Aaron slowly closes his eyes and Daryl can now let himself go and he cries. He brings the hand that is holding Aaron's hand up, and he leans his head on it. Dog cries, sensing that he is dead and knowing Daryl is sad, and he puts his head on top of Daryl's leg. He knows what he has to do. He can't stay here much longer. He takes his knife and stabs him in the temple. He doesn't want to leave him here, but he knows it is the best thing to do if he doesn't want to die for someone who he couldn't do anything for anymore. He needs to stay alive for Gracie, Carol, and the others. They all need each other, especially now.

When he gets to the infirmary, Siddiq is sitting with Carol who is still passed out. He hurries over to Carol.

"You took care of him?" Daryl nods and Siddiq gives him a hug. "I'm sorry Daryl."

"Me too. How is she?" He asks taking Siddiq's place and sitting with her, holding her hand.

"She just needs to wake up, what about you Daryl? There's nothing you could do for her right now. Let me take care of your shoulder for you. Okay?"

"I guess doc." Siddiq examines his shoulder and then puts stitches and bandages it up. "Thanks."

"Sure." He goes back to Carol and sits with her.

"I need you to wake up Carol. I won't leave until I know you're okay, and our family needs all the help they can get." Siddiq walks up to Daryl.

"I can't just sit here anymore. Aaron's dead," he says choking up. "And Carol can't and shouldn't fight in her mental state." Daryl stands up.

"And what about you, you have the same mental problem she does."

"Yeah, but I'm not as bad off. He knows he is just as bad as Carol, especially after the hallucination he had right before he saved Michonne, but doesn't want to admit it. "I can still fight. I want to while I still can." He shakes his head.

"You're the only doctor left after …" He stops, knowing that Siddiq was close to Enid since she was like his student and family. Siddiq starts to tear up. Daryl put a hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he says wiping away his tears.

"You're needed here, you're staying."

"Fine, but if you find someone keep them with you."

"I will, Carol's not the only one who's going to need your help. It's bullshit!

"You're right. I'll stay."

"Good." Carol slowly starts to wake up and Daryl sits down next to her again. She sits up, hugs Daryl, and then pets Dog. She hugs Siddiq too after he sits down on the other side of her. "Do you remember what happened?" Daryl asks.

"I had a hallucination that I saw Henry tied to a tree and then you were pretending to untie him and then I saw who I thought was Alpha run through and I shot …. She starts tearing up. Aaron. Please tell me that was a hallucination too." She can see it all over Daryl's face, the grief. She starts crying and Daryl holds her while Siddiq holds her hand.

"I killed him, it's my fault."

"He knew you would blame yourself. He told me to tell you that it wasn't your fault, it was your PTSD. You know you have to stay here now right? If you leave something like this can happen again."

"He's right, I wanted to leave and help too, but Daryl convinced me to stay, that I'm needed here. I have the same thing as you. You have to stay for the same reason."

"I know," Carol says.

"I'm sorry, I should have tried harder to stop you."

"Nothing could have stopped me. You're a good man Daryl, it wasn't your fault either."

"That's exactly what Aaron said too," Daryl says.

"Well that's because it's true," she says smiling. She hugs him. "I know I can't control my hallucinations, so it isn't my fault, but I still feel like it is and I owe both of you an apology. I shouldn't have been so reckless. I cared more about revenge and went out there knowing about my hallucinations, but I never thought that I could end up killing one of our own, one of our family, and now Gracie's without a father." She starts crying and Daryl pulls her into his arms.

"You're going to be okay." Siddiq hugs her too.

"We'll get through this together."

"Thanks, the both of you." They smile and she lays back down. Carol lays there thinking about Gracie, Aaron, Daryl, Siddiq, Michonne, Judith, RJ, and the rest of her family. I can't just lay here. I have to make this right, but not now, not until I can sneak away. Rosita and Gabriel are stuck in between walkers and the fire in the forest.

"I don't think we're going to make it Rosita."

"The hell we're not, I'm not leaving my little girl without a mother." No matter how many they kill, it seems like they aren't making a dent and they are being pushed toward the fire. It seems like there is going to be no way out of this one.

"I love you Rosita."

"I love you too." They kiss and hold hands. Gabriel starts praying when they hear it.

"This is not the time to be talking to the big guy upstairs!"

"Eugene!" They both shout.

"I'll take care of them on my side, you do the same, and then when enough have been eliminated, we can vamoose!"

"Okay!" Gabriel says.

"Lets do it!" Rosita says. Just as they are almost done, some walkers that are on fire come out of the forest. "Are you seeing what we're seeing Eugene!" Rosita asks.

"Unfortunately, yeah! Stay as far away as possible from the extra crispy ones when you make the kill! We don't want them falling on us when we kill them!"

"Got it!" Rosita says. There are some close calls, like when Rosita kills one, she barely gets out of the way before the walker could fall on her. Before they know it they have killed all of them. Rosita runs to Eugene and gives him a hug. "Thank you." He can't help but smile.

"Anything for you."

"Thank you Eugene." He holds out his hand and Eugene shakes it.

"I did it for her, don't read too much into it." Gabriel puts a hand on his shoulder and smiles.

"I don't believe that for a second. You're my family weather you like it or not."

"That will be a firm not. I think we should get a move on," Eugene says. Gabriel smiles at Rosita and she smiles and shrugs her shoulders.

"Let's go," Rosita says. They walk along the side of the forest where Eugene came from, Eugene leading the way. Gabriel and Rosita are talking, Eugene walking ahead of them.

"Shh." He raises his hand up and they stop.

"What is it?" Rosita whispers. Eugene stands there for a minute.

"It is nothing, I just thought I …" Eugene stops when a Whisperer comes out from behind a tree and stabs Eugene over and over again in the stomach.

"Eugene!" They both yell. Rosita runs to the Whisperer, stabs it in the back until it falls to the ground, and then Gabriel stabs it in the head. Eugene is still standing there, holding his gaping wound. They hold on to him as he falls to the ground so he doesn't fall too hard. Rosita holds Eugene's hand.

"It looks like the sand in my hour glass has ran out."

"No we can take you to Siddiq," Rosita says.

"There's no time," Gabriel says. "He'll die before we even get him there."

"Listen to the man, it's time for me to meet my impending doom, which also means I need to make some confessions. I love you Rosita Espinoza," he say crying.

"I love you too Eugene," Rosita says crying, but …"

"I know, in a strictly platonic, in the friend zone way." Rosita laughs.

"Yeah, something like that, I'm sorry Eugene."

"It's okay, all I want is for you to be happy. I was just hoping it would be with yours truly." She kisses him on the cheek. "You're a good man Gabriel."

"Thank you."

"Take care of her. Don't take her for granted or I will come back and haunt you. And for the record, what you said about weather I like it or not, it was most definitely a not, but now that I'm about to meet my end, I'm leaning more toward like it." Gabriel holds his hand and smiles at him.

"Do you want me to prey for you?"

"Yes please." When he is done Eugene smiles at Rosita and she smiles back. He slowly closes his eyes. Gabriel holds Rosita as she cries.

"We can't stay here." She kisses Eugene on the forehead and then Gabriel stabs him in the temple. They continue into the forest.

Hanging On For Dear Life

Carol is able to slip past Daryl and Siddiq and when they find out she is gone, Daryl and Dog go looking for her and Siddiq stays just in case someone needs help. Carol is standing on the edge of the ravine where the walkers were once held. She needs to think and considers jumping after what she did and what she's lost, but then she thinks of all the people she'd be hurting. She closes her eyes and when she opens them again she sees the walkers.

That can't be, you're hallucinating again, but then she sees her family being attacked by walkers. Siddiq's stomach is being torn open like Dale, Michonne and Judith are over taken by walkers and she can only see their faces while they scream as they are being torn apart, Gabriel and Rosita are holding hands as they are each being bitten in the neck by a walker, Eugene is forced down to the ground as they take over him, tearing him apart, Ezekiel and Jerry are back to back, being closed in by walkers until she could only see Ezekiel being bitten on both sides of his neck while a walker is biting into Jerry's face. Alpha is in the middle of it all and she could see her with Lydia and Daryl in choke holds, Daryl looking up at her and giving her a small smile and a nod.

She can see him holding hands with Lydia, and Dog is lying on the ground. Two Whisperers come out of nowhere and starts gutting them both, Daryl looking into her eyes as she does so. Alpha lets them go and they fall to the ground. It is all punctuated by everyone's blood curdling screams.

"No! This isn't real!" She yells out as she cries. She closes her eyes and repeats it over and over again and when she opens her eyes the ravine is empty and she takes a deep breath of relief. There is a Whisperer coming up behind her, but she doesn't hear him until the last minute. She turns around and the Whisperer grabs her arms and pushes her off the ravine, but she holds on to the edge. The Whisperer stomps down on her hands. Carol screams out in pain. Daryl hears her, and him and Dog run toward where the sound came from. The Whisperer stomps down on her hands again and she cries out in pain and she is loosing her grip. Her screams bring out three walkers.

"You do not belong here," he whispers before blending in with the walkers. He would have killed her, but it would have drawn too much attention to the walkers.

"Carol!" Daryl pulls out both of his knives and kills two walkers at once with a stab to the head each.

"The one in the flannel is a Whisperer!"

"Got it!" He ignors the walker now, but still tracks it's moves.

"She's going to die and so are you."

"Over my dead body."

"I'm slipping! I don't know how much longer I can do this!"

"Hold on!" The Whisperer has a machete and swings it at Daryl, just missing him barely because he jumps back. Daryl is swinging both his knives while moving closer toward him and he slashes the Whisperer in the stomach. The Whisperer runs at Daryl with his machete and he steps out of the way just in time as he brings the machete down. The Whisperer knows he can't fight much longer. He is getting weaker because of the wound that Daryl gave him. He falls to the ground.

"Please kill me before the walkers can," the Whisperer says in a normal voice. He quickly stabs the walker in the head.

"Daryl!" He quickly stabs the remaining walker in the head, runs to Carol, and gets onto the ground just as she lets go, but he grabs her hands just in time and she is now hanging in mid air. Daryl pulls her up and Carol swings her legs forward and gets her footing again, making it easier on Daryl. When she is on solid ground Daryl hugs her and Dog is sitting up next to her and barks. She pets him.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, thanks to you pookie." She smiles at him, but he doesn't smile. He gets up and she gets up too. He has his back to her. She holds his hand, but he pulls out of her grip and turns around.

"You almost died!" He yells, trying to rein in his emotions, but Carol can see the tears brimming in his eyes.

"Keep your voice down Daryl. The walkers will …"

"I don't care!" He yells. "Bring them on! We can deal with them, we have before," he says lowering his voice. "It's the people. Hershel, Beth, Denise, Glenn, Abraham, Sasha, Jesus, Henry, Tara, Enid, Aaron. Oh god, I'm an asshole. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way."

"It's okay, I know what you meant. He is one of your many losses," she says wiping her tears away, not wanting to show that it hurt her. He gives her a hug.

"Who knows who we don't know about yet. Rick, I don't know if he's alive, but he might as will be dead. If I lost you …" He stops, not able to think about it too long. She put her hands on his face.

"I'm not going anywhere if I can help it," she says smiling. "Okay?" He gives her a small smile and a nod. She gives him a kiss on the cheek. "We've better get going, it's not safe here," Carol says.

"Hold on." He goes over to the Whisperer. He is dead. He stabs him in the head. "Okay."

"You're a better person then me. I wouldn't have killed that walker, I would have left it alone so that Whisperer could suffer, then I would let him turn if the walker didn't get the brain, then he can suffer for eternity or at least until someone puts it out of its misery."

"You're a good person who is grieving. Under different circumstances, you would have done the same thing I did."

"I don't know anymore," she says tears streaming down her face.

"I do."

"How?"

"I have lost a lot of people and I shot Dawn because she killed Beth, but we're not them. Under any other circumstances we would never do the shit that we do." She smiles at him and he gives her a small smile back.

"Just like you with Dawn, I need to kill Alpha, so that's what I'm going to do, but I need to do this alone."

"Are you sure?"

"I'll be okay."

"What if you get another hallucination?"

"I'll just say to myself its not real."

"What if it doesn't work? You'll be alone."

"I already did and it worked."

"You had another hallucination?"

"Yeah, it was horrible."

"What was it?" She explains it to Daryl.

"It worked, so it should work again. I have to do this or I'll never be able to move on."

"Okay," he says eyes brimming with tears again and hers are too. They know very well that it may be the last time they see each other.

"I love you Daryl Dixon. I don't expect you to say it back, but …"

"You too," he says.

"Close enough" she says smiling. They hug for what seems like forever. They finally part. "Be careful and you be careful too Dog," she says kneeling down and petting him.

"You too." She gives him a kiss on the cheek. She walks away and he watches her until he can't see her anymore and then he goes his own way. While watching out for walkers, Whisperers, Alpha, and Beta, Gabriel and Rosita are talking about their memories of Eugene. Rosita is talking about his mullet, and Gabriel laughs.

"I liked the mullet, but …" Rosita is interrupted when a Whisperer comes running at her from behind and grabs her. Gabriel immediately pulls a gun out and points it at him, but he is ready, having Rosita in a choke hold while pointing his own gun at Gabriel. "Put your gun down." He puts the gun at Rosita's head. "Do it now or I'll kill her."

"Okay." He starts to slowly put his gun down with the other hand up. "You don't have to do this. If you stop now, then god will forgive you."

"Oh, You're one of those. I don't care!" He says tightening his hold on Rosita. He pulls her over to where the fire is burning.

"Please don't hurt her, I'll do anything."

"Anything?"

"Anything." He puts the gun on the ground, still holding Rosita. He comes back up.

"I don't think so." He picks her up and throws her into the fire.

"Nooo!" Gabriel's cry is drowned out by Rosita's blood curdling screams. They both pick up their guns, but Gabriel is faster and shoots him in the head. He immediately breaks down and falls to his knees. He stays there on his knees for a long time, but he knows he needs to move on before walkers, or more Whisperers show up. He is about to get up, when he hears a walker coming from the forest. He gets up quickly and was going to just walk away, but he knows if he lets it go it might kill someone he loves, so he decides to stay. He is waiting for it to appear. It is a badly burned walker. He doesn't want to waste bullets, so he pulls out his knife. He slowly approaches it. He is about to stab it in the head, but he stops. It is Rosita. It is her eyes he recognizes.

Her head has patches of hair and her whole body is burned, patches of burned skin peeking out from the burn holes in her clothes. "No. No!" He yells backing away, but she follows him, pieces of skin falling off her. He holds Rosita back with one hand as she reaches out for him, growling, and he reaches for his knife with the other hand. He is still walking backwards, and he trips and falls, dropping his knife. Rosita gets down on the ground and crawls on top of him. They are now face to face and Rosita is snapping at him. "I'm sorry, I love you." She stops. It is as if she is listening to him, but then reality sets in when she starts snapping again. He reaches for his knife while trying to keep her up and away from him with the other hand. He grabs it and stabs Rosita in the head.

He gently pushes her off him. He starts crying again and then kisses her on the cheek. He reluctantly leaves her behind. Daryl and Dog are surrounded by walkers and he shoots them in the head with his bolts, then Dog retrieves them and bites walkers, but retrieving them is just giving them more time to close in on them. He switches to his knives, but there are just too many. He has an idea, but he knows it will be painful. He moves toward the fire where there is a small gap where the walkers are. He jumps up and grabs a branch that is on fire. He cries out in pain.

He throws the branch over the heard and a lot of them walk toward it, but there are still too many and now the gap is closed and he can't reach anymore branches. He continues using his knives and is able to make another gap and he and Dog are now able to escape on the side of the forest where the fire isn't burning. He is determined to kill all of them before leaving so they wouldn't kill any of his family. He uses his knives, but it is getting exhausting. There are just too many.

"Daryl!" It is Ezekiel.

"Get out of here," Daryl yells.

"That would be the coward's way! I will not let you perish!" He runs up next to him. "I shall fight along side you!" Dog barks and Ezekiel laughs. "Yes! Dog agrees!" He takes his sword out of his walking stick and they start to kill the walkers.

"I thought you hated me!"

"Hate is a strong word! I would say I was … He stops after he is having trouble getting his sword out of a walkers head. He finally gets it out. Jealous!" He says looking at Daryl. He continues fighting.

"It's okay! I understand! I would do anything for her too!" They continue fighting.

"Your hand, what happened!"

"It's nothing!"

"You need to go to Siddiq and have that checked out!"

"I will, after all of them are dead!" They are almost done, but Daryl is having trouble getting an bolt out of a walker's head, bending down and putting a foot against it's head as he tries to pull it out and when it suddenly comes out, he falls back words and onto the ground. Ezekiel runs to Daryl and bends down, offering him a hand. They stand back up. "Thanks." Ezekiel sees a walker approaching Daryl.

Save You

"Walker!" He pushes Daryl to the ground and the walker grabs his arm and Ezekiel cries out in pain as the walker bites a chunk out of it. Daryl gets up, runs to the walker, and shoots a bolt into its head. Ezekiel falls to the ground and Daryl goes down with him.

"How stupid are you!"

"It depends on who you ask," Ezekiel says with a laugh.

"I think Carol would agree with me, come on," he says starting to help him up. "I'm taking you to Siddiq. Why did you save me?"

"For Carol and for you too, believe it or not," Ezekiel says. "We don't leave family behind." Daryl gives him a nod. They get to the infirmary after a few walkers getting in their way, but were quickly taken care of by Daryl and Dog, Dog biting the walker's leg. Even Ezekiel made a kill, using his good arm to stab a walker in the head. They walk in and Siddiq hurries over to help Daryl with Ezekiel.

"What happened?"

"He took a bite for me."

"Lay him down here. You know what has to be done?"

"Yeah, I know."

"Okay." Daryl knew right away too because of Hershel and Aaron. "I'll get what I need." Daryl sits down.

"You'll be okay, I've seen it done before."

"Me too," he says thinking about the people who lost limbs trying to save their people and others because they were vulnerable, like kids. Siddiq comes back. "Have you seen Carol?"

"Yeah, both me and Siddiq have."

"She's okay?"

"As far as we know she is," Daryl says looking at Ezekiel and then Siddiq. Siddiq gives him a nod of understanding. They don't want to get into that yet because Ezekiel doesn't need to worry about Carol on top of this. Carol can tell him herself.

"If I don't make it, tell Carol I said I love her."

"You can tell her yourself," Daryl says.

"I'm ready, are you?" Siddiq asks.

"I'm ready as I'll ever be, but after you're done with me you have to check out Daryl's hand."

"It's just a burn," Daryl says.

"I'll be sure to check that out."

"Okay."

"On three. One … Ezekiel grabs Daryl's hand. Two … three!" Ezekiel cries out as Siddiq cuts off his arm. After he is stitched up and wrapped up, he sits up and is about to get out of bed, but Daryl holds him back. "You can't go anywhere for at least a few days," Siddiq says.

"I have to look for Carol! She wants to kill Alpha! I have to make sure she's okay."

"No, it's not going to do you or Carol any good if you're not strong enough to fight," Daryl says. "I'll go, you stay and I'll find her, make sure she stay's safe."

"Okay, thank you." He gives him a nod.

"You're not going anywhere until I look at that hand."

"Fine doc, but make it quick."

"I'll try." He wraps up Daryl's hand.

"Thanks doc, I'm going to find Carol now."

"Okay, I hope you find her."

"Me too."

"Me too," Ezekiel says. He and Dog leave. Kelly is signing to Connie about the five of them separating.

We've done it before, Kelly signs.

That was different. That was just the five of us, this is war. Like Michonne said, the more of us that are out there, the more Whisperers and walkers we can kill. Kelly steps in front of her. I like Michonne, but I don't agree with her, but you're my sister and I'm with you no matter what. Connie smiles.

Me too. Kelly hugs her.

Someone's coming. Kelly grabs her arm and they hide behind a couple of trees. It s some walkers. Kelly puts up three fingers. Connie nods. She puts up one, two, and then three fingers. They kill the walkers, Kelly getting one in the eye with her slingshot while Connie gets one in the head with hers. They decide to move on. They turn around and there is a whisperer in front of Connie with a gun raised to her face. "No!"

Kelly grabs the gun, but the Whisperer has a hold on the gun still and it goes off as Kelly grabs for the gun and moves it away from Connie. They are now fighting over the gun. Connie gets her slingshot out and is trying to aim for the Whisperer, but one minute it would be the Whisperer, and then Kelly facing her. Just as she has the perfect shot, the gun goes off again and she misses and hits a tree. She is determined to get the shot this time. The Whisperer slams Kelly up against a tree as Connie makes the shot and hits the Whisperer and the gun goes off one last time, hitting Kelly. The Whisperer collapses and Kelly slumps down the tree. Connie lets out a silent scream. She runs to Kelly and kneels down. She was shot in the stomach. Connie starts crying.

You're going to be okay, I'm taking you to the infirmary. She helps Kelly up. They are lucky to not run into any walkers or Whisperers so far, but Kelly can barely stay on her feet any longer, which is making it hard for Connie to hold her up. Kelly falls to the ground, taking Connie down with her.

I can't go any further, you're going to have to leave me. She shakes her head no. Just then, some walkers come out from behind the trees. Connie stands up and starts to use her slingshot, but there are just too many, but there is no way she is going to let them get to her sister, so she keeps on fighting them. They are closing in on her. "Connie No!" Someone comes out from behind the trees and kills the walkers. When the walkers are killed, Daryl and Dog come into view. Dog sits up next to Kelly, and Kelly pets him, and Dog licks her. Kelly and Connie laughs and Daryl smiles.

"What happened?" Connie explains with her notepad book so that Kelly doesn't have to talk. "Come on, I'll help you the rest of the way." He helps Kelly up and she puts her arm around him, and Connie helps on the other side. They make it to the infirmary without a problem.

"What happened?" They lay her down. Daryl explains to make it easier on Kelly and Connie. Daryl sees Ezekiel with his eyes closed. "He's sleeping," Siddiq says.

"How is he?"

"He's going to be okay. I'm going to examine you now."

"Okay." Connie holds her hand. Kelly cringes.

"Sorry. There's no exit wound. This means I'm going to have to take out the bullet and then we can stitch you up."

"Okay."

"I'm going to get what I need."

Your hand? Connie signs.

"She's asking about your hand." He explains to Connie what happened and Kelly signs for Connie.

"I'm glad you're okay," Kelly says speaking for Connie. And I'm glad too" Kelly says.

"Thanks, both of you, but I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Ezekiel, he took a bite for me." Kelly is signing for Connie and listening to Daryl.

"He's lucky to be alive," Kelly says as she is signing. Siddiq comes back.

"Try not to speak, save your breath. I need to take the bullet out now, but we don't have anything to numb the pain.

"What about Ezekiel?"

"I gave him something to help him sleep, he won't be waking up. Bite down on this." Kelly signs for Connie before putting the cloth in her mouth. Connie holds her hand again.

"You've been shot, are about to get a bullet taken out of you, and you're still signing, now that's what I call a badass," Daryl says.

He called me a badass, Kelly signs.

Well you are, Connie signs smiling.

"Thanks guys," Kelly says and signs.

"Are you ready Kelly?" She nods her head. Kelly looks at Connie as Siddiq looks for the bullet. "It's out!" He holds it up. Kelly takes the cloth out.

"Cool!" Kelly says and signs. They laugh and Daryl smiles.

"I'm going to stitch you up, but then you have to stay here. I strongly suggest you stay here for the rest of the war."

"Really?"

"Yes really." Kelly signs to Connie what Siddiq says. "Can you please stay here and make sure Kelly doesn't go anywhere Connie?" Kelly signs to Connie with a disappointed look on her face.

She's not going anywhere, Connie signs smiling. Kelly laughs.

You're killing me sis.

But you love me anyway, Connie signs smiling.

Yes I do. He stitches her up.

"All done."

"Thanks Siddiq."

"I'm happy to, it feels good to be useful when I'm not out there."

"I'm going back out there," Daryl says.

"Okay, be careful," Siddiq says. He gives him a nod. He walks to the door and Connie runs up to him and gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Thank you, she signs and it is one of the few things he understands in sign language. He smiles and gives her a nod. She stands there watching him leave. Kelly doesn't miss it either. Connie goes back to Kelly.

You're worried about him, aren't you? She nods.

I care about him.

I know, I can tell. Why don't you go after him?

Nice try, she signs smiling.

"Siddiq will watch me right?" She signs and says and then looks at Siddiq smiling.

"Right, but the reason why I want Connie here is if someone comes in and I won't be able to watch you anymore." She signs to Connie what Siddiq said and then starts signing and talking to Siddiq.

"I promise I won't leave you. Please excuse us Siddiq, but were going to have a private conversation now," Kelly says smiling and signing.

"Okay," Siddiq says.

You swear on my life Kelly.

No, don't do that.

Well it's the only way to convince you to stay.

Fine. Siddiq waits patiently for them to finish their private conversation. I swear on your life.

Thank you, she signs smiling.

Yeah.

"So, she's staying?"

"Yes, I'm staying," she signs and says looking disappointed. Connie pouts and Kelly laughs. "Shut up," Kelly says and signs.

"I didn't say anything," Connie sighns smiling and Kelly says. Siddiq laughs. Connie gives her a hug and then she leaves.

"I guess it's just me, you, and the king," Kelly says.

"When he wakes up maybe we can strike up a conversation so you don't get bored," Siddiq says.

"Thanks."

"Sure. In the mean while," he sits down and grabs a book that is on the nightstand.

"You're going to read to me?"

"Yes, I am." She laughs.

"Okay." The book is titled "In A World Lost."

"A book about these strangers who become family after the apocalypse hits. Sounds familiar, doesn't it." Siddiq says.

"Yeah, it does," Kelly says smiling. Siddiq smiles and holds her hand. He starts to read.

His Spear

He is reading for about a half an hour and then a voice chimes in.

"It sounds like us," Ezekiel says. He puts the book down and goes over to him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I had my arm cut off." They laugh. "What are you doing here Kelly?"

"I got shot." They exchange the stories behind their wounds.

"It looks like we're both stuck here until the war ends," Ezekiel says.

"At least we can keep each other company," Siddiq says.

"Yes indeed," Ezekiel says.

"So, are you going to read to us or what?" Kelly asks. Siddiq smiles and continues. Earl and Alden are keeping an eye out for Whisperers and walkers while talking about Enid, Tammy Rose, and baby Adam. They come to a clearing when they hear something in the forest. They know it isn't a walker because it isn't growling. The person knows they are there, and he comes into the clearing. It is Beta. Earl steps forward with his gun in his hand. Beta is not phased and he just stands there. Alden puts a hand on Earl's chest.

"I've got this."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He steps in front of him. He is wondering why Beta hasn't moved. He moves closer to him so he can have a better shot. He throws his spear, but Beta catches it.

He starts laughing. "Shoot! Shoot!" Alden yells. Earl raises his gun up, but before he could shoot, Beta raises the spear, aiming it at Earl, but then switched his aim to Alden and throws the spear at him.

"No!" Earl steps in front of Alden and the spear goes through him and he drops the gun. Alden him him on the way down so he wouldn't hit the ground so hard and drive the spear further in. Satisfied with the way things turned out, Beta walks away. Alden starts to help him up. "No."

"But …"

"No! You can't take this spear out or I'll bleed to death and we can't leave it in and make it through the forest without causing more damage."

"I'll go, and me and Siddiq will bring back what he needs to help you."

"No! I'll be dead before you get back." Alden knows it is true, but he doesn't want to believe it. He starts to tear up. He holds his hand. "You and Enid were like our own kids."

"We both lost the love of our lives, Alden says."

I miss her so much," Earl says.

"Yeah, I know how you feel and now one of them is amongst us."

"Lydia?"

"Yeah, she's going to get more of us killed."

"She's a good kid. You and her are alike. You were with Negan and then we took you and the other Saviors in and nobody trusted you, and then you wanted to prove yourself and be one of us and eventually you earned your place and you were one of us, proving that you were not Negan. Lydia is not her mother, she's with us now, fighting her family, for Henry, for all of us. I want you to try to accept her, just try."

"Alright, I'll try."

"Take care of Adam please."

"I will." He smiles and then closes his eyes. He pulls the spear from him, and then takes his knife and pushes it through his temple. He picks up the gun. He starts crying. "I'm sorry." He walks away. Yumiko is worried about Connie, Kelly, and Luke.

"I hope they're okay." Magna stops.

"We've been through so much, we're not going to let this tear us apart, okay?" Yumiko smiles and nods.

"Okay." Magna smiles and gives her a kiss. "Come on, we have to focus on our surroundings," Magna says.

"Okay, I just want to grab some water," Yumiko says.

"I can't believe you brought water with you when there's a war going on." Yumiko laughs.

"Just make it quick, it isn't good to stay in one place for too long."

"I know." Magna keeps watch. "This stupid zipper."

"Give it to me. Got it." When she looks up, Yumiko is being held in a chokehold by a Whisperer who is whispering to her.

"You see how your friends died."

"Just let her go and you'll never see us again and we'll tell them to go easy on you because you let us go."

"Bull shit! We have extra eyes and you've killed a lot of our people and we've killed a lot of yours, a lot more of yours. There's no way you're going to let this go because we're not either." Magna can't hold back her anger anymore.

"You've got that right you son of a bitch! You're dead! You're all …!" The Whisperer breaks her neck. She watches as the Whisperer pushes Yumiko's body aside. "Yumiko!" She starts to run to her, but she stops and puts her hands up when she hears a gun being cocked. She still has her back facing him.

"Turn around slowly."

"If you had a gun, then why did you break her neck?" She asks trying to hold in her emotions.

"We wouldn't want to bring walkers here, would you? Not that it matters, I'm protected."

"Can I just say goodbye and take her necklace? Then you could do whatever you want with me?"

"Fine, but hurry up. I don't need your people finding me, I'm not done with them." She walks over to her and kneels down. She leans over her and gives her a kiss.

"I love you," she says as tears start to fall down her cheeks, but now isn't the time to be vulnerable.

"Get over here!" He says gritting his teeth and grabbing her arm, roughly pulling her toward him. She holds the necklace by her side and is prepared to kill. They are now face to face and he roughly kisses her. She takes advantage and knees him where it hurts. He falls to his knees and then to his side. She pulls him up by his shirt and onto his knees, and then pulls off his mask. She grabs his hair at the nape of the neck, and then moves in close.

"That was for me! And this is for Yumiko!" She takes the knife on Yumiko's necklace and stabs him in the head. She walks over to Yumiko and finally breaks down. She goes down on her knees, lays her head down on her body, and cries. She gives her a kiss, grabs her crossbow, and then walks away. Daryl doesn't know how he got Dog and him into this mess again. Well yeah, he does. He is worried about Carol. What if she starts seeing things again and Alpha, Beta, Whisperers, or walkers get the upper hand on her. He was so distracted he wasn't paying attention and now they are surrounded by walkers. Dog would bite the walkers and Daryl would shoot them with his bow. He kept on retrieving his bolts so he could reuse them. They had killed a lot, but not enough and they are closing in, but they aren't going down without a fight. Dog keeps on biting them and Daryl keeps on shooting and retrieving, and then there is that horrible, familiar sound of a bat cracking a skull.

"Oh hell no," Daryl says. Dog barks. "No Dog, shh."

"Dog! Is that you! Are you there too Daryl!" He says smiling. He knows he is, but he is just being a smartass. "Daryl! Long time … He stops to smash in a couple more heads. No see!" He kills a couple more.

"What the hell do you want!"

"Now is that how you greet your savior!" He kills a couple more. "Well actually I'm more about saving Dog then you, but … He kills more. I guess you're a packaged deal!" Daryl and Dog continue killing walkers on their side.

"We don't need you!" Dog barks at Daryl. "No Dog!"

"Dog is a hell of a lot smarter then you!" He says killing a couple more. "If we work together, we'll be rid of these man eaters in no time!"

"Well then shut the hell up so we can do this!" Negan laughs. They work in silence, and then eventually there is a big space where walkers used to be. Daryl and Dog take advantage and go through. They are now surrounding Negan. "Good luck! You're going to need it!"

"You're welcome!" Daryl continues on, but Dog isn't following. He turns around to see Dog sitting up. He barks. Dog remembers what Negan did for him and Judith. "You're shitting me right? I don't think so." He turns around again. Dog isn't moving. He barks again. "No, come on." He whistles. He barks again. "I said no!" He walks away. Dog grips onto his jeans with his teeth while growling and starts pulling him toward Negan. "Stop Dog!" He doesn't stop until he is next to Negan. Dog barks.

"I knew you liked me!" He says killing more walkers.

"Dog likes you!" He says shooting bolts at a couple of them.

"Just watch, we're going to become besties!" Dog barks. "See! Dog agrees!" Daryl scoffs. They kill all the walkers. "Listen man, all jokes aside, thanks."

"Thank Dog, I would have left you to die," he says walking away. He kneels down and pets Dog.

"Thanks." He barks. Daryl turns around.

"He only likes you because you saved Judith and him. Come on Dog!" He barks and runs to Daryl. "Good boy."

"And now he likes me more because I saved his owner." Daryl ignores him.

"Come on! That has to count for something! Even Michonne has been nice to me!" He continues walking. Negan laughs, and then goes his own way. Luke and Alden are talking about the two man band, Luke trying to make him laugh, knowing he is still sad about Enid.

"You know we're going to have to go on tour." Alden gives him a small laugh. Alden stops.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, everyone cheering and yelling encore."

"No, seriously." They look around. Alden sees it first. It is a Whisperer next to a tree. He sees a knife in his hand. He raises it up and throws it. "Luke!" He drops his spear, and then grabs Luke and pushes him down to the ground, Alden going down with him. Alden gets up and the Whisperer is now holding a gun pointed at him, but the Whisperer isn't expecting Alden to have skill with the spear and Alden takes a step back, and then throws the spear, hitting the Whisperer right between the eyes. He falls to the ground, and then quickly retrieves his spear. Alden runs to Luke. "Are you okay!"

"I don't know." Alden lifts Luke's shirt up.

"I think it's just a graze," Alden says.

"I don't care, it still hurts like heck."

"Come on, let's get you to Siddiq." After spearing some walkers and Luke killing a couple, they make it to the infirmary.

"What happened Kelly?"

"We can ask the same thing," Kelly says. Kelly tries to get up, but Siddiq gently pushes her back down. "Come on doc."

"Don't move, rest," Siddiq says going to help Alden with Luke. They lay him on the bed.

"I'm okay, it's just a graze from a knife a Whisperer threw. Alden pushed me to the ground, so it was only a graze. He saved my life," he says looking at Alden and smiling.

"I had to, what would I do without the better half of the two man band?" Alden smiles and Luke smiles back.

"What about you?" Siddiq treats Luke while Kelly explains.

"I was shot when I was trying to get a gun away from a Whisperer. Connie tried, but she couldn't get a good shot at the Whisperer, until it was too late …" Kelly explains the rest. "Now here I am with Siddiq, the king, and now you and Alden to keep me company."

"I'd hate to say it, but I need to go back out there," Alden says.

"Awe man," Luke says.

"What am I? Chop liver?" Kelly asks.

"No, I just mean Alden is like family to me too."

"You too," Alden says smiling. Luke smiles.

"And besides, I love chop liver," Luke says. They all laugh.

"Thanks Luke, same here," Kelly says. Alden leaves.

The Beginning Is The End

"How about another story Siddiq?" Ezekiel asks.

"Ooh, story time," Luke says rubbing his hands together.

"So, what do you have this time Siddiq?" Ezekiel asks.

"The Lord of the Flies."

"One of my favorites," Ezekiel says.

"Me too, we read it in school and then watched the movie," Kelly says.

"It was the opposite for me," Luke says. "I watched the movie first, and then read the book."

"I've read it several times," Siddiq says. "Yet another story that feels like real life," Siddiq says. He starts reading. He stops mid way.

"What's wrong?" Kelly asks.

"I can't stay here. I had left earlier, and then came back knowing I'd be needed here, but I'm worried about my family. The three of you are stable and will be safe here. I'm sorry, but I have to."

"We understand, right guys?" Luke asks. They agree.

"You're doing your part here," Kelly says.

"You're a good doctor," Ezekiel says.

"And you're a cool dude," Luke says. Siddiq laughs.

"Go, go do what you need to do. You've done you're job here, now help the rest of our family," Ezekiel says.

"Thanks guys, I'll be back as soon as I can." Gabriel is walking through the forest when he sees Siddiq.

"Siddiq!" He hugs him.

"I'm glad to see you're okay," Siddiq says.

"You too," Gabriel says. "More then you know," he says thinking about how Cocoa is going to need her father after loosing her mom. They pull apart, but Gabriel is holding his arms. "You have to come with me."

"Why?"

"I can't talk about it. Please, just come with me."

"Okay." They are almost there when Gabriel sees the walker before he does and Gabriel pushes Siddiq out of the way just in time because Gabriel ends up being attacked, taking a bite to the neck instead of Siddiq. Siddiq shoots the walker in the head and they both fall to the ground. Siddiq runs to him. He kneels down.

"I'm sorry, this is my fault, I should have stayed at the infirmary, then you wouldn't have had to save me, and now …" He starts to tear up and Gabriel puts his hand on top of Siddiq's.

"It's okay, really. I wanted a fruitful death and I think saving the life of the father of my girlfriend's baby qualifies," Gabriel says smiling and Siddiq laughs.

"Yeah, I think so too. Thank you," Siddiq says.

"Listen, I don't have much time. Rosita's dead," he said starting to cry, and Siddiq has tears streaming down his face. "She is not far." He tells him where she is.

"Okay, and thanks again for saving my life." Gabriel smiles at him. Siddiq smiles back, and then Gabriel closes his eyes. He continues on to where Gabriel had told him Rosita is. He tries to prepare himself for what he will see, but nothing can prepare him for what he sees in the clearing. He kneels down next to Rosita. He is almost afraid to touch her, afraid he might hurt her, even though he knows that is impossible now. He attentively holds her hand. He starts crying. "I'll tell our baby you died a hero, trying to stop the people who wanted to hurt her family." He needs to see Cocoa. He hurries back to Alexandria and runs to Nora's, who is taking care of the kids. Nora is in the bedroom in a rocking chair, holding Cocoa.

"Look, it's your daddy." She stands up and hands her to him. He holds her and looks down at Cocoa and smiles. He kissed her on the head and started tearing up.

"I'm here. When we're done fighting the bad guys, I'll be there for you in every way. Your mommy was so brave, she wasn't afraid of anything." He gives her another kiss on the head. "I'll be back soon." He hands her back to Nora, who is crying after overhearing.

"I'm so sorry." He hugs her.

"Thank you, and thank you for taking care of her."

"It's my pleasure," she says smiling down at her. "Be safe," she says.

"Thank you, I will." Siddiq closes the door behind him. He sits down on the steps and breaks down. After that he wants to check on his family in the infirmary, but he dpesn't want to face anyone, so he hides and listens in. He doesn't hear anything and he thinks the worst, even though he knows it isn't possible, but with his PSTD, his mind goes to places they wouldn't have other wise. He peeks in. They are sleeping. He let out a breath of relief and smiles. The book is lying open on Luke and he has a hand on top of it while his other arm is hanging off the bed, Kelly has her hands behind her head, and Ezekiel has one leg crossed over the other. Apparently they fell asleep listening to Luke read. and then while he was still reading, Luke fell asleep himself. Siddiq walks in quietly and carefully takes the book from Luke. He moves his head to the other side. Siddiq smiles, and then sits down, deciding to stay for the rest of the war where he needs to be, and to stay safe for Cocoa. He starts reading to himself where Luke left off. Alden is walking through the forest when he sees something in the clearing. It is a Whisperer on top of Lydia, choking her and whispering something, but he can't see who he is choking.

"You don't belong here anymore." Alden runs to them and stabs the Whisperer in the head with his spear. He didn't even see him coming, he was so focused on killing Lydia. He falls to the side and he sees that it is Lydia. He feels anger at first, looking at her coughing and trying to catch her breath. It briefly crossed his mind that he should have let him kill her, but he didn't know who the Whisperer was choking, so no matter what, he would have ended up saving her. Then he remembers what Earl told him, to try. Then he remembers him telling him how he was with Negan, so nobody trusted him, but now he's one of us. Also, that I'm not Negan and she's not her mother. He now realized how much alike he and Lydia are. He helps her up and she is still catching her breath. She hasn't looked up yet.

"Thank you," she says looking up. She is shocked. "Why?"

"I have to be honest. I didn't see you until I killed the Whisperer."

"So it was an accident."

"Yeah, and I was angry at first, but then I remembered what Earl told me before he died."

"I'm sorry, I know you two were close."

"Thanks. He told me to try, and how I was with Negan and had to earn my place, and now I'm part of the family. It looks like that's happening with you, Daryl, and some of the others."

"They're more family to me then my mom ever was."

"I could say the same about Negan. That's how I know now, you're not your mom. What your mom did to Enid wasn't your fault"

"I'm sorry for what my mom and the Whisperers did to you and your family, are still doing."

"Our old lives are behind us. Now you are starting a new one with your new family," Alden says. He smiles at her and puts out his hand. She smiles back and puts her hand out too. They are shaking hands, when he sees a tree falling from his side view. He pushes her out of the way and the tree falls on top of him instead.

"Alden!" She runs to him and tries to lift it up. Alden tries helping, but knows it is no use, but Lydia keeps on trying.

"Stop!" She stops and kneels down next to him.

"I'm going to find someone who can help me lift this off of you." She starts to get up, but he grabs her hand.

"No! It's not worth it. There are walkers, Whisperers, Beta, and your mother, you don't want to run into trouble and I don't want you to either, stay." She kneels back down.

"I'm sorry." She starts to cry. "It's because of my people that you're not going to make it through this war."

"Remember, they're not your people anymore, we are." He puts his hand on top of hers and she put her other hand on top of his. "I'm having trouble breathing. I don't think I have much more time." He is right. Blood is coming out of his mouth and nose. "And just when I started to like you." Lydia forces a laugh and he smiles. Alden closes his eyes and takes his last breath. She gets up and removes his spear from the Whisperers head. She takes her knife and stabs him in the head. She gets up, picked up his spear, and goes back into the forest, keeping a better eye out for more Whisperers. Lydia tells her self she will keep a better eye out for more Whisperers, but she wasn't expecting her mind to wander. She is thinking about Alden and how their lives would have been like together as friends if their friendship wasn't cut short when it had barely started. Now here she is again with a Whisperer trying to kill her, but this time in a chokehold with a knife to her throat. Now it will be a miracle if someone saves her again.

"The next person who comes through here will watch you die or maybe I'll kill them and you can watch, and then I'll kill you." Lydia chimes in.

"Or they'll kill you on sight."

"We've better stay away from the fire, those trees are fragile and can fall at any moment." He moves away from the fire and into the clearing. "I hear someone coming."

Lydia hopes it is Beta, her mom, a Whisperer, or a walker, even though she knows they would hear it growling, anyone but someone she cares about. She has already lost the chance for Alden and her to grow the friendship that had just begun, she can't bare to loose someone she already is close to. They come into view. It is Daryl, Dog, and Connie. They all raise their weapons, the Whisperer holding a gun up at them and Dog growling. Connie uses her slingshot and hits his hand. He cries out in pain and drops the gun. He lets go of Lydia and she runs to Daryl. He isn't expecting that and drops his crossbow so he could hold her. Connie runs to pick up the gun, and then runs back to them and points the gun at the Whisperer who is now on his knees holding his wounded hand. Lydia is crying and shaking.

"You're okay now. I won't let anyone hurt you." She nods, still in his arms, and Dog sits up against her leg and she pets him. Daryl picks up his bow and Connie, now walking backwards, with the gun pointed at him. He is still focusing on his hand, so Connie slowly turns back around and puts the gun away. They start running, but they don't get very far because another Whisperer is hiding behind a tree and he sees and hears everything. He jumps out and grabs Lydia.

"You can't escape your fate," he whispers in her ear. Before they can do anything, he slits her throat. He throws her aside and Dog runs to her and lays his head on top of her. The Whisperer runs to his fellow Whisperer and helps him up, but as soon as he stands up there is a gunshot. Daryl shoots the Whisperer that slit Lydia's throat in the head and the Whisperer with the wounded hand puts his hands up, but Daryl doesn't give a shit and shoots him in the head too. He runs to Lydia and kneels down beside her. She is still alive, but barely hanging on.

"I'm not going to make it," she says in between breaths.

"The hell you're not!" He'd be damned if Negan is going to survive his slit throat and she's not. He picks her up and starts running to the infirmary, Dog and Connie running behind him. He will mow down anything and anyone who gets in his way, there is no time to stop. Luckily he doesn't have to worry about that, he finally makes it.

"Lay her on the bed." Daryl and Connie sit with Lydia and hold her hands. "What happened?" Siddiq and the others ask.

"One of those assholes slit her throat."

"I'm going to get what I need." Siddiq comes back with a small towel. "Here, put pressure on it." He gives it to Daryl. "I'm going to get some supplies." Dog greets everybody and they pet him. Kelly speaks for Connie so she could talk to Lydia.

"You are going to be okay." Lydia smiles. Siddiq comes back with the supplies.

"Okay, you can remove the towel now." Connie gets up so Siddiq can sit, and she goes over to sit next to Kelly and starts crying. Kelly hugs her. They part so they can start signing.

Don't worry, she's going to be okay. Kelly wipes her tears away and Connie smiles and nods her head.

I almost lost you and Luke, I hope the others are okay, Connie signs.

I know, me too.

Saving The Day

Connie goes over to Luke and carefully gives him a hug, and they start signing. Kelly is watching the conversation so she can join in.

I'm so happy you're okay. I was signing to Kelly about how I almost lost you, and her, and I hope the others are okay.

I know they are, I'm glad you're okay too. You never know who's going to walk through that door, Luke signs. At least we're together now, until we can reunite with Yumiko and Magna, Luke signs. The three of them share a smile. Kelly starts talking and signing for Connie. "When we're all done healing, you and everyone who isn't here are all invited to the two man band with Alden and me," he says smiling.

"I think all of us can use some happiness when all this is done," Ezekiel says.

"I'll be there," Daryl says.

"That sounds great Luke," Siddiq says.

Yeah, I can't wait, Connie signs.

"That sounds cool," Kelly says and signs.

"This is pretty deep, but I think you're going to be okay." Everyone smiles. He starts working on her. "All done. You won't be able to talk for a while." Connie smiles and pulls out her notebook and pen, and gets up to sit next to Lydia again while Siddiq cleans up. She gives it to Lydia and they start passing it back and fourth. When Lydia is done writing, she hands it to Daryl.

"Thank you Daryl and Connie." Connie smiles and carefully hugs Lydia. Daryl starts writing because he doesn't want anyone else to hear this, but Lydia. He givesit to Lydia. I care about you, I can't loose someone else I'm close to. Lydia smiles.

I care about you too. He flips the page because he doesn't want Connie to read it, and then gives it back to Connie.

You're welcome, maybe I can teach you some sign language. She hands it back.

I would really like that, it's not like I have anything else to do. Connie reads the notebook and lets out a silent laugh, and Lydia laughs too, but holds her throat. She looked like she is in pain.

"Are you okay?" Daryl asks worry written all over his face. She forces a smile and nods her head.

"Laughing isn't going to be good either for a while," Siddiq says and Kelly signs. Connie holds her hand. Lydia starts tearing up and Connie gives her the notebook. She finishes writing, and then hands it to Daryl and points to Luke. He gives it to him and he reads it to himself.

Alden saved my life from a Whisperer and we decided to be friends. He saved me again when a tree from the fire was falling, but he didn't make it that time because the tree fell on him. I'm so sorry. Tears are streaming down his face. They pass the notebook around and everyone reads it to themselves. There is a moment of silence. The way he died was just so unexpected. Luke looks at Lydia, who is crying. "It wasn't your fault, you're not them," Luke says Kelly signing for Connie.

"Okay?" She nods her head. Daryl carefully hugs her while Connie goes over to Luke, gives him a hug, and then sits down next to him and holds his hand. Kelly starts to get up and Siddiq helps her, and Kelly sits down on the other side of Luke's bed and gives him an awkward hug since she is wounded.

"I'm glad he was there to save you," Daryl says. She smiles and nods her head.

"He was a brave hero," Ezekiel says. The others agree and Kelly talks for Connie. She agrees too.

"I'm sorry for your losses," Siddiq says. They say thanks, Connie signing thanks. Daryl asks for the notebook.

Can you please look after Lydia for me Connie?

I'd be happy to.

Thanks.

Be careful Daryl. He gives her a smile and a nod, and then gives her her notepad book back.

"Take care of her doc, I'm going to go back out there." He smiles.

"I will. Be safe," Siddiq said and the others echoed his sentiments.

"I will." Dog goes up to Lydia's bed, stands up on his hind legs, and puts his paws on Lydia's bed and she pets him. "Can you watch Dog for me Siddiq? I don't want him out there anymore."

"Sure, I think everyone will like that too." They all agree.

"Sort of like our very own service dog," Ezekiel says. Daryl kneels down and calls Dog. He runs to him.

"You'll be safe here Dog, be good." He pets him, and then Dog barks and goes back to Lydia. He takes one more look at Connie, Lydia, and Dog. He can't help but think of them as three more possible losses, so he is happy knowing they will be here, and out of danger. He leaves. Negan is running from three Whisperers who don't seem too worried that he is getting away, and are just walking, knowing that they have their prey running scared, but little do they know that Negan may be running, but he isn't running scared from anything. Negan wants to get ahead of them so he can hide from them. He can't see them anymore, so he figures that hiding in a tree would be the best hiding place even though he has never climbed a tree in his life. Luckily he finds some trees that aren't on fire, right outside a clearing, but some trees on the other side are on fire. Even though he is out of breath, he finally makes it up the tree as high as he could go, loosing his footing a couple times along the way. The Whisperers are coming closer and he still can't see them, but he could hear them whispering.

"Where did he go?"

"He won't get away." They are getting closer when he hears someone coming from the side of the clearing that is fire free. He looks in that direction and sees Michonne and Judith. He looks in the direction of the Whisperers. Michonne and Judith are going to come to the clearing first. Should he warn them? He knows that they are very well capable of taking care of themselves, but he knows he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he didn't say anything and something happened to Judith or even Michonne ever since she has been treating him pretty good ever since he saved Judith. He doesn't want to give up his hiding place, so he decides he would drop something. They come into the clearing. The Whisperers see them first and he doesn't have time to warn them. The Whisperers had run and hid behind a tree when he is focusing on Michonne and Judith.

"Shit!" He says to himself. They hear something and are reaching for their weapons, but suddenly they are surrounded, two with guns and one with a big knife.

"Drop your weapons," one says. Michonne looks at Judith and nods her head. They drop their weapons. One of the Whisperers pick them up and the other one is handed Michonne's katana while he gives Judith's mini katana to the other and Rick's gun to the last one.

"You're not going to get away with this. You're messing with the wrong family, a family of bad asses!" Judith says, and Negan smiles.

"Judith!" Michonne whispers firmly and puts a finger to her mouth. They put their hands up. "What do you want?"

"What do you think?"

"We all want you dead," another says.

"You crossed our border, now you'll all die."

"You can kill me! Just let her go!" She is trying not to get emotional, but you can hear it in her voice.

"You think it's that easy? Now we're just going to kill her slowly." Negan's blood is broiling now. "Grab them!" One of the Whisperers yells. One of the Whisperers holds Judith's arms while another one slams Michonne against the tree that Negan is in and holds her there with a knife at her throat. Another Whisperer slowly approaches Judith.

"No! Please don't!" Michonne yells starting to cry. Judith is struggling and in the process her hat falls off.

"Let me go!"

"Please let her go!"

"No amount of pleading is going to save you. Accept your fate." He picks up her hat. "This is mine now," he says putting it on his head. He takes out Michonne's katana and raises it up. Judith screams and closes her eyes.

"Nooo!" Michonne cries out, closing her eyes too. Negan jumps out of the tree and onto the Whisperer that is holding Michonne. Michonne can't believe what she is seeing. Judith opens her eyes.

"Negan!" Judith yells with a big smile on her face. The Whisperer lets her go, and him and the other Whisperers look on in shock. The Whisperer that Negan fell on top of is now unconscious. Judith kicks one Whisperer in the leg and she punches the other one in the stomach. She runs to Michonne and they hug.

"Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah, we're okay, thanks to you," Michonne says, "but what are you doing here?"

"First of all, you're welcome," he says with a big smile on his face. Michonne scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Second, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to redeem myself and have some fun in the process."

"Okay, but behave yourself."

"Yes mom," Negan says sarcastically. She let out an annoyed breath.

"Thank you," Judith says as she gives him a hug.

"Any time kiddo."

"Watch out!" Michonne yells as they see the two Whisperers that almost killed Judith, running at them, yelling and holding up the katana and the mini katana. Negan picks up Judith by the waist and hands her to Michonne.

"Stay back," he tells them. "Batter up!" He yells with a smile, preparing to swing. He swings at one Whisperer's head and he goes down. The other one stops for a second and then raises the katana as he runs the rest of the way to Negan while yelling. Negan aims for the head again. "Damn that feels good!" He says smiling. He turns around and sees Michonne's angered face. "Sorry, too soon?" She takes a deep breath.

"Let's just say that I'll forgive, but I'll never forget, and that's only because you saved Judith."

"Three times," Negan says. "Twice here, and that includes you too now Michonne," he says smiling.

"Thanks."

"Well, what can I say, I've grown fond of Miss Grimes here," he says, putting an arm around her. "And I admire her badass mom."

"Language!"

"Sorry kid. It looks like someone's waking up," Negan says. He starts to raise his bat, but Michonne grabs his arm.

"No," she says firmly. "You don't have to."

"I guess you're right, I can get carried away when it comes to Lucille. It's going to take time for me to get used to not doing that in front of any of you."

"I'm glad you're making an effort."

"So what are we going to do?" Negan asks. The Whisperer looks up at them.

"You are dead, you are all …!" Judith kicks him in the face.

"That's my girl," she says smiling and Judith smiles back.

"You know, Judith's got a point," Negan says. "We should just leave him here and another Whisperer will show up sooner or later, most likely sooner, which is why we should get out of here."

"Yeah," Michonne says. Judith and Michonne pick up their weapons. Negan picks up her hat and is about to put it on her head, but a strong gust of wind blows it out of his hand, and into the fire.

"No! My hat!" She starts crying, knowing it is the only thing she has left of her brother besides the picture he took of them on the rocking chair and the hand prints on the piece of porch they removed.

"Wait here," Negan says. He runs into the fire.

An Unexpected Rescue

"No Negan!" Judith yells. She wants to go in to help him, but Michonne holds her back.

"No Judith! All we can do is wait." They hear Negan yell out in pain, and Judith starts crying while Michonne holds her. Negan comes out holding Judith's hat and half of his face burned. "Oh my god," Michonne whispers. They run to Negan, and Judith gives him a hug.

"Here you go little lady." He puts the hat on her.

"Thanks." He is out of breath and looks like he is going to pass out. Michonne runs to his side so she can help him walk.

"I can walk just fine on my own."

"Good, less weight on me, now shut up and let me help."

"If you insist." They are walking through the forest and Negan looks like he is going to pass out.

"Don't you dare pass out on me, I can't help you if I can't hold you up."

"Talk to me," Negan says.

"It'll be better if you talk," Michonne says. You'll be doing something and I can tell if you're trailing off, and besides, we all know you love to talk, so talk."

"I saved Daryl," Michonne scoffs.

"I'm sure he was happy to see your face." Negan laughs.

"Yeah, that's just about right, so much that he left me behind, surrounded by walkers after I saved his ass."

"I bet Dog was happy to see you after you saved us," Judith says.

"Dog convinced him to help me when he was going to leave me behind."

"I don't blame him," Michonne says. He scoffs.

"Well thanks."

"But Daryl is family to me and Judith."

"Dog too," Judith says.

"Yes, Dog too," Michonne smiles. "So even if he doesn't seem grateful, we are and I believe deep down inside he is too."

"Thanks."

"So I guess I'm glad that you decided to fight with us, otherwise me, Judith, Daryl, and Dog would probably be dead right now."

"I somehow douht that." He smiles at Michonne and she smiles back.

"Who could have ever guessed you knew how to climb trees." He scoffs.

"I don't, but I had no choice, I was running from those Whisperers who … attacked …" Negan starts to go unconscious.

"No! Come on Negan!" Michonne yells.

"You're a tough shit!" Judith says.

"Language!" Negan and Michonne say at the same time.

"This is important," Judith says. They both smile at her.

"We're almost there," Michonne says.

"You can knock out when we get there," Judith says.

"Alright little miss." They get to the infirmary. They walk in and everyone's in shock at the sight of Negan's burnt face and Michonne helping him.

"He's been fighting going unconscious."

"Okay." Siddiq helps Michonne walk him to the bed and lay him down. Dog greets Judith, and she laughs and the rest of them laugh too. He greets Michonne, and then Negan too. Negan laughs.

"I like you too."

"Take it easy Dog, Negan's hurt," Siddiq says, gently pulling him off of Negan.

"That's okay Doc, I like Dog."

"I don't want him near your wound though." Judith hugs all of them.

"Hey doc? Dog's here, but where's Daryl?" Judith and Michonne are thinking the same thing. They are worried he haasn't made it. Negan likes Daryl. He is worried, so he has to ask.

"He's fine, he just needed to leave Dog here so he knows he's safe." They let out a sigh of relief and smile. Siddiq starts examining him.

"Damn it doc!"

"Sorry. It looks like third degree burns. I'm going to treat your burns, and then bandage you up."

"Thanks doc."

"I'm glad to help." After he is done bandaging Negan up, Negan falls asleep.

"I want to go back out there with Judith."

"I want to stay until Negan wakes up."

"Okay, we'll stay, but just until he wakes up."

"Thanks mom." She hugs her.

"What happened to you guys?" Michonne asks taking a seat next to Siddiq, and Judith sits next to Ezekiel. They all explain what happened to them, Lydia writing down on her notepad, and then passing it to Siddiq so he can read it to everyone and Kelly speaks and signs for Connie. Michonne and Judith hug Lydia and Luke after they get emotional after telling their stories again about Alden. Michonne and Judith hug all of them after hearing their stories. "I'm sorry," Michonne says. "I was wrong," she says tearing up, and Siddiq puts an arm around her, and Judith goes up to her, gives her a hug, and then sits on her lap. Connie hugs her too, and then goes back to Kelly. Michonne smiles at them. "I should have never had you guys going alone. I'm glad that some of you decided different and that someone came to the rescue for those who went alone, speaking of, Negan saved Daryl and Dog, and then Judith and me." She explains everything to them. They are speechless.

"If Negan can change, anyone can," Siddiq says.

"He saved my new family, so I consider him family too now," Connie signs and Kelly says. Kelly, Luke, and Lydia smile and nod their heads in agreement, them being new to the family too.

"It is never too late to become a new man," Ezekiel says. Negan wakes up and Judith runs to him. Siddiq gets up and gives her his chair. Dog sits next to Judith.

"Thanks," Judith says.

"Sure," Siddiq says. Judith holds his hand and Michonne sits next to him on the other side. "You're still here? Why?"

"Judith wanted to stay until you woke up."

"How do you feel?" Siddiq asks.

"Like karma's catching up with me and she really is a bitch." Judith gives him a frustrated look. "Language right?"

"Yep."

"I've burned two men's faces and burned one alive, not to mention all the other things I've done, some you know and some you don't."

"I think I could speak for everyone here when I say, I think you've made up for it," Michonne says. They all agree and Dog barks. Everyone laughs and Negan pets Dog. "Really?"

"Really," Judith says smiling. Connie starts signing and Kelly speaks for her.

"Thank you for saving Daryl, Judith, and Michonne." She gets up and carefully hugs him. He is surprised, but he hugs her back.

"Thanks for saving the three of them," Siddiq says and puts out his hand for Negan. He shakes his hand. The others who are in beds thank him too, all of them becoming close to Michonne and Judith.

"I must be dreaming, I don't know what to say."

"Negan speechless," Michonne says with a laugh. The others laugh too.

"You're welcome."

"Come on Judith, let's go."

"You're going back out there?" Siddiq asks.

"Yeah, our family needs help."

"Be safe," they say, and Connie sighns and Kelly says, and Lydia writes.

"We will."

"Feel better," Judith says carefully giving him a hug.

"I will kiddo."

"Yeah, feel better," Michonne says.

"You be careful, both of you." Michonne smiles and they say goodbye to Dog, both of them petting him and Dog licking Judith. She laughs and they laugh too. "We will." They leave. They strike up a conversation, Negan getting to know everybody better and them getting to know the new Negan.

Daryl And Carol's Revenge

The Whisperer that Michonne, Negan, and Judith left behind, told a couple other Whisperers what happened and have been looking for them to get revenge for killing two of their own. Judith and Michonne never see it coming. The Whisperers know about Negan hiding in a tree now so, they jump out of the trees, and they are now surrounded, they don't even have time to grab their weapons, but they are ready with their three guns. Two of them take their weapons while the one they left behind points a gun at them, then he grabs Michonne's arms and pushes her up against a tree while another one ties her wrists behind the tree while the other one holds Judith back.

"Mom!"

"Let her go!"

"This seems very familiar, but this is how it's going to go this time. We are going to take the girl with us, and back to our camp, where we will decide which way we will kill her." Michonne starts trying to break free.

"Let her go while you still can, before it's too late. There will be hell to pay if you hurt her, from me and from the rest of her family."

"It doesn't matter as long as we make you pay for what you did, it will be worth it." Judith tries to struggle out of their grip.

"Stay still or your mom will pay for it!" She stops immediately.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry we killed your people! Please let us go! We'll do anything you want! Me and my people!"

"This will do just fine, and then we'll kill the rest of your people that we haven't already killed after we leave you here to be devoured by walkers, then we'll be even."

"My people will find me first, and then we'll go to your camp and kill all of you, and that's a promise."

"They're not going to find you because we are going to lure the walkers here and while they're tearing you apart, we'll simply walk away." They start to make a bunch of racquet and shortly after, there are several walkers headed their way.

"No! Judith!" Michonne yells as they start taking her away.

"Mom!" Judith yells, and she can barely see her mom anymore since she is being surrounded by walkers. She struggles as hard as she can and screams, so they are having a lot of trouble taking her away. Michonne struggles too and kicks the walkers to try to keep them back and head butts them too, but it just makes them angry and frustrated that their food is fighting back. All of a sudden shots ring out and all of the walkers are shot down, and then the person turns the gun on the Whisperers that are holding Judith, and tied up Michonne.

"Let her go now!" They let her go, and Judith runs to Michonne.

"Is that …?" Michonne asks.

"Yeah, it is." The person shoots the Whisperers. "Maggie!" Judith yells and runs to her. Maggie kneels down and they hug.

"You're so big." Judith smiles.

"I missed you Maggie." Maggie hugs her.

"I missed you too." Michonne clears her throat. "Let's go help your mom." They run to her. "Sorry, it's been a long time," Maggie says as she cuts Michonne free.

"It has." They stand there just looking at each other for a minute, then they hug. "I'm sorry," Michonne says starting to cry.

"I'm sorry too," she says also starting to cry. "It's so good to see you Michonne."

"You too." They part and Michonne holds her hands. "How's Hershel?"

"He's great, I talk to him about Glenn." They both have tears streaming down their faces. "He looks more like Glenn everyday." Michonne smiles.

"I dropped him off at Alexandria, it's beautiful."

"Thanks."

"I thought the worst when I only saw a few people there, but I knocked on Nora's door and was relieved to see that she was still there, but she was holding a baby, and nearly dropped it when she saw me, and then it turns out that she's taking care of the kids while you guys are fighting a war and the kids were upstairs playing, so I didn't get to see RJ, how is he?"

"He's great too, I talk to him about Rick and Carl." The tears are falling again.

"I do too," Judith says. "What I can remember anyway." She starts to cry too and they share a group hug.

"Then she told me that the baby is Rosita's and her name is Cocoa. Eugene must be thrilled." Michonne gives her a look. "Well then, who's the father?"

"Siddiq, but she's with Gabriel."

"Wow, a lot's happened since I've been gone."

"Yeah, I need to fill you in on a lot, but now's not the time, we've already been here too long. I hope everyone's okay," Michonne says.

"Me too."

"Me three," Judith says. They smile.

"When I asked Nora where everyone was, she didn't want to get into it, afraid she might break down, but she told me that there's a new enemy called the Whisperers, the leader is Alpha, and there's a war going on right now."

"I'll explain everything to you later. There are already several people in the infirmary, but it will all have to wait, let's go." They gather their weapons. Judith picks up Rick's gun and her mini katana.

"You have Rick's gun now?"

"Yeah, I also have my own mini katana."

"And of course Carl's hat," Maggie says. "You always have your family with you."

"Yeah." They all start tearing up and share another group hug before continuing on. Carol comes into a clearing and sees Alpha with her back toward her, kneeling down with a dead walker and cutting herself a new mask as she hums.

"Alpha." Alpha smiles and then gets up and turns around to see Carol with her bow up. "I knew you would be back."

"Damn right, you killed my son and now you die." She pulls her bow back.

"So you think you can kill me? I prepared for this," Alpha says. "And I have my sanity, do you?"

"How do you …?"

"I have my people watching and waiting. They saw what happened. You killed your own, mistaking them for me, so I think I have the upper hand here," she says smiling. "Now, you can live and leave, or you can stay and just hope you don't kill someone else you love because of your weakness."

"I won't let that happen again," she says tears streaming down her face. And this time I'll get it done."

"Yeah, if someone doesn't call for help, that's what I mean by you're weak, if you weren't then you would have killed me and then rescued your friend." She lowers her bow and stands there for a moment.

"Daryl?" Alpha looks around. Carol is looking on the ground next to Alpha. "You killed her Daryl." She hurries over to Alpha and hugs her. Alpha doesn't know what to do, so she plays along, knowing she isn't in her right mind, but should she kill her, which sounds really good to her because an added bonus would be her thinking that Daryl killed her and then she could use her face as a mask instead, and watch her friends reactions whenever she approaches them wearing her face. She smiles at the thought. Or she convinces Carol that they go their own way now. She decides she will kill her, or should she say, Daryl will. She hugs her back. Michonne walks into the clearing and she can't believe her eyes. She hides behind a tree. Did her and Alpha make peace? Or is it possible that she can be faking it like in Alexandria. Carol is facing Michonne while they are still hugging and she sees Michonne peeking out from behind a tree. Carol smiles at her and knows she is faking right away. She smiles back and nods. She parts from the hug. "I'm so happy you're okay Daryl."

"You too," Alpha says. Carol bends down to pick up her bow. "Let me." Alpha picks up her bow. She knows she has to drop the act or get killed by her own weapon. She stays bent down.

"I don't feel to good Daryl," she says never taking her eyes off her.

"I understand, you haven't been the same since Henry and I think there's only one way to make you feel better."

"Yeah?" She asks looking down, knowing what Alpha has is sneaking peeks and sees Alpha putting an arrow in. Michonne knows exactly what she is doing, she is going to make Alpha suffer for killing Henry. Carol shoots up, and slashes Alpha in the stomach with her knife. She doesn't hit anything vital so she can die slowly. Alpha cries out in pain. For a second Alpha is in shock, not expecting that. Carol punches, her in the face, and she falls to the ground. She scoffs.

"You just made it worse for your friends, they'll die a slow, painful death by Beta and my Whisperers." She laughes, and Carol kicks her in the stomach.

"On your knees bitch."

"No." She kicks her again and she doesn't do anything.

"Fine, we'll do this the hard way." She lifts her up by her arm, dislocating it. She cried out in pain. She finally gives in and gets on her knees.

"So what now? Are you going to kill me?"

"Almost." She picks up her bow and points it at her head.

"This is how you're going to kill me?" Alpha laughs. She shoots the arrow and it hits her shoulder. She cries out in pain and falls on her side.

"Nope." She aims her arrow once again at her head.

"Go ahead, I'm ready," she says smiling. She shooots the arrow and this time hits her leg. She cries out in pain again. Michonne watches Carol, in shock, yet mesmerized at her methods of torturing her. She has seen her like that before, but this is a whole other level. She knows exactly what she is planning for her death, an eye for an eye. Michonne comes out of the clearing and stands behind Carol.

"Are you ready?" Michonne asks.

"Yeah, I am." Carol forces Alpha back on her knees by pulling her up by her other arm and dislocating that one too, and she cries out in pain one last time. She is refusing to show she is in pain, but she can't help but let a couple tears fall down her cheeks. Michonne scoffs.

"You're crying, why? Don't you think that crying makes you weak?"

"I'm not going to dignify you with an answer, just do what you're going to do." Carol looks at Michonne, and Michonne gives her a nod. Michonne takes her katana out and hands it to Carol.

"Any last words?"

"Prepare to die," she says smiling through her pain and tears.

"You too," Carol says. Carol swings the katana back and then brings it forward, swinging at her neck, severing her head from her body, and her body falls to the side.

Her head rolls and comes to a stop near the fire. She wipes Michonne's katana on Alpha's body. She gives it back to Michonne and then retrieves her arrows from her shoulder and leg. "Can you help me throw her body in the fire?"

"Sure." Michonne grabs her from under the arms and Carol grabs her ankles. They carefully move towards the fire and get as close to it as they can. They start swinging her body back and fourth. "On three," Michonne says. "One … two … three."

They throw her body into the fire. Carol walks over to Alpha's head and picks it up. "You're not going to …?" Before she can finish, Carol throws it into the fire. She walks back to Michonne. "Why didn't you?"

"She deserves to die the way she lived, a monster."

"Are you okay?" She nods her head, but she starts crying hysterically. "Come here." Michonne hugs her. They are tears of relief and sadness. She is finally gone and she feels like she could let Henry go. She feels better then she has in a long time. They pull apart. "You're going to be okay." Carol smiles and nods her head as Michonne wipes her tears away. "Come on, let's get out of here." They continue on. Daryl has one thing on his mind right now. Fixing his mistake. He wants to get rid of Beta for good this time. It seems that Beta has the same thing in mind. Daryl comes to a clearing where Beta is waiting for him.

"Daryl."

"Beta." They start circling each other.

"I know why you're here," Beta says.

"The same reason I am," Daryl says.

"Here I am, let's see what else you've got." Daryl charges at Beta, and Beta is ready for him, just standing there. He picks him up and throws him at a tree and he hits it hard and then slumps down to the ground. Beta hurries over to Daryl, picks him up by his shirt, and slams him up against the tree a couple times before throwing him back on the ground. Daryl comes back up and slashes one side of his walker mask, leaving a big gash in it that goes through to his face. Beta pulls off his mask. Beta looks shocked and almost vulnerable. Almost.

"That's better, you can't hide behind the mask and I can watch you die." Now Beta is fuming. Beta takes out his knife and Daryl takes out his two knives. They start circling each other again. Beta swipes at Daryl and misses as he jumps back. Daryl runs for him and stabs him in the shoulder. His knife is now stuck in him and just like the little knife, it doesn't phase him much. He pulls this one out and he cringes and grunts at the pain. He is bleeding a lot, but doesn't care, he is going to kill Daryl before he bleeds to death. He now has his knife and Daryl's knife too. Daryl only has one. Beta is pissed. He charges at Daryl like a bull and starts swinging at him at rapid speed, Daryl barely avoiding getting slashed by jumping back and ducking. Daryl gets his shot in when he slashes his leg while he is ducking down. Beta cries out in pain. He has had enough and grabs Daryl by the waist and slams him against a tree again, this time gripping onto his hair on both sides of his head and slamming it against the tree a couple times. He lets go of Daryl, and Daryl drops like a dead weight and is out of it, but can still hear him.

"I just wanted the girl and it would have been done. It's your fault your friends are dying and still dyeing."

"Her mom doesn't give a shit about her, none of you do. She's with us now and she's staying with us." Beta just glares at him for a minute and then picks him up and throws him down hard behind some growth, where it would be hard for anyone to find him. Daryl cries out in pain, but not because he hit the ground hard. It is what is under some of the growth that he landed on. It is something hard. Beta is limping away and Daryl, still hidden, uncovers what he landed on. It is a weapon, but not just any weapon, it is Jerry's axe. He is wondering why he would leave it, hoping it isn't because he was forced to or he is dead. Hell yeah, he says to himself. He slowly gets up with axe in hand. He sneaks up behind him and then picks up speed, and Beta turns around just in time to see Daryl raise the axe and then swing it, cutting straight through him from side to side. Beta is still standing. He has a shocked look on his face and his mouth is open like he was going to say something before Daryl cut him in half. He simply pushes him and his top half falls backwards while his other half falls to the side. He finishes the job by putting the axe through his head. He is headed back towards the forest when he slows his pace to a slow walk, and then to a stop. He falls to the ground, unconscious.

Finding The Dead

The war is over now and they are able to kill most of the walkers and now, any Whisperers that survived are being told to go back home unless they are willing to live in peace with them.

None of them answer.

"Fine, go home then, but if you ever show your faces here again, we will kill you." They leave. Michonne goes to where Maggie is staying. Maggie stays with Hershel at the house that Michonne told them is theirs now. She knocks on the door and Hershel answers.

"Hi," Hershel says. Maggie comes up to them.

"He's so big, and you're right, he does look like Glenn." Maggie smiles. Michonne kneels down. "Can I hug you?" He nods his head and she hugs him.

"I'm going to make Hershel a snack, and then we can talk."

"Okay." She tells her about Alpha, Beta, the Whisperers, and Lydia. She also tells her about the new people. She tells her about the deaths and they both cry as they hold each other. "I'm glad we beat them."

"Me too. Siddiqs going to say who's in the infirmary, and Hershel can stay with Nora and the other kids while we do what we need to do. There's one more thing."

"What?"

"Negans one of us now, well according to me, Judith, and the ones in the infirmary."

"What!" She stands up and starts pacing. Michonne gets up and she stops. Michonne grabs her hands.

"Trust me and Judith, and I promise it will all make sense. I'm going to speak in front of everyone and tell them too. Negan will be there too. Okay?"

"No promises on my side, but I do trust you and Judith." She he hugs Maggie.

"Judith loves him and as far as I can tell, Negan cares about her too."

"This is crazy," Maggie says.

"I know," Michonne says shaking her head and smiling. "How about you and Hershel stay here and I'll give you the cue when to come out. Okay?"

"Sounds good." She leaves. Michonne stands in front of everybody again.

"I'm so happy to see all of you, but there are so many I don't see. Some can be injured and stranded, or unconscious, others can be gone," she says starting to tear up. Everyone else does too, especially the ones who know who's gone. "I want to look for the injured and the ones who didn't survive and bring them back here, but really quick, I want to let all of you know that someone is going to be helping us, someone that saved me and Judith's lives that a lot of you will want to see." Negan is standing in the back. He smiles, thinking it is him she is talking about. "Will you come out here please Maggie!" She is holding Hershel's hand. Negan gets serious. He knows he probably isn't going to be announced as a hero, but it is wishful thinking. Everyone who knows Maggie is in shock, but happy to see her and Hershel again. Maggie smiles and says hi. They say hi too.

"Say hello to Hershel." They wave and say hi to him. He smiles and waves back. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come back, I've missed you all and I want to help in any way I can. I see a lot of new faces. I also see a lot of people missing. Michonne filled me in on everything and said I will learn more from her speech. I can't wait to reunite with you and meet the new people." Siddiq comes up to speak.

"I am happy to say that some of the people that aren't here are in the infirmary. Connie's visiting Kelly. Ezekiel, Lydia, and Luke are there too, but one other person should be there too, he says, but is very stubborn," Siddiq says smiling and referring to Negan. Negan laughs to himself. "I'm hoping any other missing people just need a trip to the infirmary." Carol is happy that Ezekiel, Lydia, and the others are okay, but now she is worried about Daryl, is he dead or hurt? She can't stand to loose anyone else, especially him. Michonne is worried about him too, along with Maggie. Even Negan is a little worried. They can only hope that he is just injured and stranded. Magna takes a breath of relief and smiles, knowing they are all safe.

"There's another person who saved me and Judith, and also Daryl and Dog. Will that person please raise their hand?" Everyone turns to see. He raises it with a big smile on his face.

"Yeah, that's me," he says smiling. Michonne and some of the others roll their eyes or scoff. No body else is smiling, they are in shock. They turn back toward Michonne. "Ouch!" He says with his signature lean.

"I also won't forget how he saved Judith and Dog in the snowstorm, which most of you already know about. He injured himself in the process too. I know that you're probably never going to be able to accept Negan as one of us."

"Thanks a lot Michonne."

"Shut up for once Negan and you might actually realize when someone's defending you." He pretended his mouth is a zipper and zips it up.

"Good. Me and Judith on the other hand, think he has done enough to earn his place. Now I'm going to ask if anyone knows someone who died out there to raise their hand." Siddiq raises his hand. "Who Siddiq?"

"Aaron, Rosita, Gabriel, and Eugene," Siddiq says starting to cry. Carol does too, hearing Aaron's name and knowing she is the reason for it. Magna raises her hand. "Yumiko," she says in a low voice and starts to cry. Even Negan looks sad. He won't admit it, but they all had something he admired except for Yumiko, who he never met.

No one else raises their hand and they stand their in silence, except for crying and them comforting each other. They prepare them selves for what they are going to find out there.

"I want to come too," Judith says.

"I want you to stay here with Nora and the other kids."

"No mom, I want to help."

"And you have, now stay here for me, there are some things you shouldn't see in this world and this is one of them."

"Okay mom," she says sounding and looking disappointed. Michonne hugs her and Judith goes to Nora's. Michonne sees Negan following everyone out the gates. Michonne grabs his arm.

"No Negan, this is too personal."

"But you said …"

"I know what I said, but I think it's best for you to stay put. While me and Judith think you've earned your place, the others are still getting used to it. Right now it's about focusing on finding our dead or possibly injured and getting them to the infirmary or mourn and burry." He looks disappointed. Michonne starts walking away, and then comes back. "It's just going to take some time, be patient."

"How am I supposed to prove myself if I'm sitting here twiddling my thumbs, I need to help." Maggie walks by them, giving a glare to Negan. They both watch her walk by.

"Okay Negan, but if someone kills you, that's on you," she says smiling. He smiles. "Thanks." She gives him a nod and he walks out. Negan walks past Maggie and she turns around and confronts Michonne.

"You're letting him go out there to find our people and carry them back home!"

"Calm down, lower your voice. I know you're upset."

"Damn straight, he doesn't deserve to walk amongst us, let alone carry our dead."

"Didn't you hear anything I said? Negan saved Judith and Dog, and hurt his leg in the process. Also, during the war, he saved Daryl and Dog, and then saved Judith two more times, along with me, and burned his face retrieving Carl's hat from the fire. We would be dead if it weren't for him, that has to count for something."

"I'm thankful for that, but I'll never forget what he's done."

"Me either. Judith saw the new Negan first. Of course I didn't see what she saw, but then he saved her and I tried harder to see what she saw, and then he saved us twice during the war and burned one side of his face, and then I find out that he saved Daryl and dog. I finally saw what Judith did. I know you and the others may never see him the way we do, but you have to accept that he will be around helping. He's trying, he wants to change and show everyone he wants to, that's why he has to go out there, to prove himself."

"I don't like it, but it looks like I have no choice."

"Thank you Maggie." They hug.

"So I bet Daryl doesn't accept him yet."

"In Daryl's words. Hell no," they both say at the same time, and they laugh. "But Dog does, after saving Judith, Daryl, and him."

"Did Daryl name him?"

"Yeah." They laugh.

"I hope he is okay."

"Me too," Michonne says. They walk out together, but part ways when Maggie says she needs some time alone to think. Michonne reluctantly agrees. "But don't try to carry someone on your own," Michonne says. "Call someone for help first."

"I will and the same goes for you okay." They hug again then part ways. Connie comes running to Magna and stops in front of her. Magna starts crying and Connie hugs her. They start signing.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you, but you lost her too. Connie starts crying and Magna hugs her.

I want to be strong for you.

It's me, you don't have to. She smiles and nods her head.

How are the others?

They're great, they're going to be fine.

I can't wait to see them, but right now, let me show you where Yumiko is.

Okay. When they get there they kneel down beside her. Connie begins to cry. They begin to sign. How? Magna explains everything. So she saved your life even though she was gone.

Yes, she did, she signs crying, and Connie hugs her. Magna gives her one last kiss. I love you.

I love you, Connie signs and gives Yumiko an awkward hug.

Let's go, Magna signs. They picked her up and head back to Alexandria. Siddiq leads Michonne to where Gabriel is. Michonne kneels down and holds his hand. Siddiq kneels down too and puts a hand on her shoulder. She starts tearing up.

"I know we didn't always agree, but I'm glad we left it on good terms." They hear someone approaching. "Negan!" She hurries over to him. "I'm glad you're here."

"This is good Negan, everyone needs to see that you're trying to change," Siddiq says. "This is a good way."

"I'm glad you're on my side on this," Michonne says.

"Always," Siddiq says. They hug.

"Me too doc." Siddiq gives him a nod and smiles. "I would think that saving lives would have been enough to get people to accept me."

"Whatever it takes for however long it takes," Michonne says. It's not going to be easy after what you did."

"That's why I'm here now," Negan says. "To help."

"You can help Siddiq carry Gabriel." They walk through the forest.

"And I liked Gaby." Michonne glares at him. "Gabriel. He gave me chance after chance and I blew it. I would always crack jokes. He tried to help me and all I ever did was frustrate him. It really sucks that he won't get a chance to see the new me. If I had known that he was going to meet with the big guy upstairs so soon, I would have shown him a different side of me."

"I have a feeling, the man that he was, he knows."

"Yeah." They bring Gabriel home and then Michonne and Negan go back out.

"Michonne!" Carol runs up to Michonne looking panicked. "Have you seen Daryl?"

"I haven't seen him since before the war started."

"What about you?"

"Who? Me?"

"Yes you!" She yells. "Believe it or not, I am thankful for you saving Daryl. I would completely loose it if I lost him too, so thank you."

"I like Daryl, he's a strong badass which is why I know he's still alive and I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy getting to know you better," he says giving her a smirk. "I bet you're a badass like the rest of the gang," he says and then looks at Michonne.

"Damn right she is." She smiles at Carol and she smiles back and holds her hand. "Don't worry, we'll find him." She gives Carol a hug. They come to a clearing.

"No! Daryl!" Carol and Michonne run to him and kneel down. Michonne holds his hand while Carol puts her head on his chest. She hears his heart beating "He's alive!" Negan sees the axe lying next to him. He picks it up and swings it around.

"Which of you badasses slices and dices with this kickass weapon," he asks with a smile.

"That's Jerry's," she says getting up and pulling it roughly out of his grip.

"Wait, I know were not besties, but I thought we were getting along."

"Saving Daryl is one thing, but I don't like the sight of you holding one of our owns weapons and swinging it around like you've found some sort of fun toy."

"I'm sorry, but this is me, take it or leave it. It may be the new me, but I'm still going to be me, if you catch my drift."

"Yeah, Whatever. What is he doing with Jerry's axe?" Carol asks.

"Well holly shit! It's a good thing he did! Looks like one of the Whisperers lost his better half." Michonne and Carol are so worried about Daryl, they didn't even notice Beta.

"That's …" Michonne starts.

"Beta." Carol finishes. She gives Jerry's weapon to Michonne. She kneels down again and pust a hand on either side of his face. "Daryl, wakeup." He slowly wakes up and Carol smiles and gives him a kiss on the forehead.

"Are you okay?" Daryl asks.

"I'm fine." He hugs her, and then Michonne. "What about you?"

"I've got a splitting headache," he says slowly sitting up and putting his hands on his head.

"Splitting, get it?"

"Why the hell is he here and why didn't you show him how that axe works? What happened to your face?" Daryl scoffs. "Did Dog bite you?'

"Dog loves me, remember?" He says with a smile and his signature lean. Daryl rolls his eyes, regretfully because it makes his head hurt more after.

"While I'm not very happy either, he did save your life and I can't loose you."

"He saved Judith again and me too, burning his face when her hat fell in the fire and he went in there to get it. No matter what he's done, he's trying and saving our lives, I'd say, is a good start."

"Maybe, we'll see how long that lasts," he says starting to get up, but gets a little dizzy. Carol and Michonne get up. Carol holds him up from one side and Michonne starts to go to help, but Negan beats her to it and goes to the other side. "You stubborn son of a bitch," Daryl says.

"Look who's talking, and get used to it, I'm not going anywhere." Daryl grunts.

"I'm fine, I don't need your help. I'm not going to the infirmary and besides, the doc isn't even there."

"We know, we're all out here looking for people," Carol says.

"Dead or alive," Michonne says.

"The war is over?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to help in the end." Michonne scoffs.

"I'd say you already helped a lot."

"We saw Beta," Carol says.

"That bastard didn't stand a chance with the help of that badass weapon," Negan says.

"Is Jerry okay?"

"Yeah, he's alive," Carol says.

"Good, I have to thank him."

"We won't take you to the infirmary, but if you pass out on us, I'm going to kill you," Carol says.

"Whatever you say." They slowly let him go.

"Let's continue looking," Michonne says.

"I'm going solo."

"What? No, you're going to need our help," Carol says.

"I don't need no babysitters."

"I'll go with him," Negan says.

"The hell you are."

Continuing Finding The Dead

"Daryl!" It is Siddiq. He gives him a hug.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"When we found him he was unconscious," Michonne says. "He wants to go on his own,"

"Even Negan wanted to go with him to help," Carol says.

"They're right Daryl, you shouldn't do this on your own. I'm going to examine you, and then I'll go with you."

"Sure doc." He examines him.

"Do you feel dizzy?"

"No."

"Liar," Michonne says smirking at him. "He woke up and when he got up he needed help to stand."

"Snitch." Michonne smiles.

"Do you feel dizzy now?"

"A little, but I need to do this doc."

"Then I'll go with you, but if you feel like you're going to pass out, we're going straight to the infirmary."

"Fine." Carol hugs him.

"Be safe." Carol says. She hugs Siddiq. "Take care of him."

"I will." Michonne hugs Siddiq too, and then she hugs Daryl.

"Be good," she says poking at his chest.

"Yes ma'am." They leave. Siddiq shows Daryl where Eugene is. They kneel down. "He saved all of us," Daryl says.

"I know, I never thanked him," Siddiq says.

"Me either, he deserved better, he changed, he became a badass." They pick him up and take him back to Alexandria.

"How are you feeling?" Siddiq asks.

"Like shit, but I'm doing this."

"I would strongly advise you not to."

"Then that's a no?"

"Yeah, that's a no, unless I go with you."

"No, not this time doc."

"How do you expect to carry someone in your condition?"

"I'll figure it out," he says walking away.

"I'll go with him." Daryl turns around and sees Maggie. He walks up to her and gives her a hug.

"It's good to see you," he says.

"You too, none of us were sure if you made it, I'm so happy you did."

"I was just unconscious, so I never made it back."

"It's been too long," she says.

"How's Hershel?"

"He's great, he's with the other kids now."

"Have you seen Michonne?"

"Yeah, I saved her and Judith."

"Are you and Michonne good?"

"Yeah." She hugs Siddiq.

"I'm glad you're back."

"Thanks."

"Michonne needed you," Siddiq says.

"We all did," Daryl says.

"I know, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, you're here now," Siddiq says. She smiles at him and he smiles back. "Keep an eye on him. He has a head injury, even though he won't admit it." Maggie smiles.

"I will."

"Lydia wrote down for me where to find Alden," Siddiq says. He gives Daryl the paper.

"Thanks."

"Okay." They leave.

"Michonne told me about Lydia."

"Did she tell you about the Whisperers, Alpha, and Beta? What they did?"

"Yeah."

"Good, I can't go there."

"I know Daryl." She smiles at him, and he gives her a small smile back. "I can't wait to meet Lydia."

"I think she will like you. She needs a new family after what her mom put her through."

"It sounds like she's already started her new family with you and Carol."

"We're trying. Carol's better at showing her feelings then I am."

"I know you Daryl, you're a good man, so I know you'll be a good father."

"Thanks." They find Alden. Maggie kneels down.

"He tried so hard to prove himself to me, and then eventually he did and he became one of us." Daryl kneels down.

"I didn't know him the way you did, but my first impression of him wasn't good. He was comparing Lydia to her mom, so I told him to back off. I know he was upset about Enid, but still."

"They were together?"

"Yeah, I only got to know the Alden you knew after it was too late, when I found out from Lydia that he saved her life."

"He was a good man too."

"I know that now."

"I wish I could have been here for Enid. Seen her one more time before …" she started to tear up and Daryl put his hand on top of hers. "She was like a little sister to me."

"Why weren't you here?"

"It's hard to explain. Every time I tried to reach out, no one was there."

"It's okay, you don't have to explain." She smiles and nods her head. "Let's move him now," Daryl says.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I'm going to punch out the next person who asks me that." Maggie laughs.

"Okay, then I won't ask you again," she says staring at him and waiting for an answer. He scoffs and shakes his head.

"I'm fine, let's go." They decide to continue looking together after they get to Alexandria and leave Alden with the other bodies.

"Maggie! Daryl!" It is Michonne. "Can I come with you guys?"

"Of course," Maggie says.

"I think I'm going to go on my own now," Daryl says.

"How are you feeling?" They both ask at once.

"Sorry," Maggie says, but we can't help but worry."

"You're family after all," Michonne says.

"Thanks, but I'm fine, really this time."

"Okay," Maggie says. He gives them a nod, and then leaves. Michonne and Maggie find Earl. They kneel down and hold his hands.

"Adam has no parents now," Michonne says tearing up.

"Adam?"

"Yeah, they took in a baby that belonged to the Whisperers. Alpha was going to leave him for the walkers."

"That's horrible, I want to take him in if nobody else has yet."

"I think that can be arranged." Michonne smiles and Maggie smiles back.

"He reminds me of my daddy."

"The drinking right."

"Right, he drank, but he was a good man, just like Earl."

"A good man who made mistakes," Michonne says. They carry him back to Alexandria, and then go back out there together. Siddiq goes to where he left Rosita. He kneels down and holds her hand.

"I saw Cocoa. She's okay and I will be sure she stays that way. I told her you died a hero, just like I said I would. I'll keep her safe and so well the others." He gives her a kiss on the cheek, and then carries her home in his arms. Carol and Daryl arrive at the same time where Aaron was left. They hug, and then Carol and Daryl kneel down next to him. Carol holds his hand.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She says crying. Daryl hugs her. "We'll take care of Gracie, all of us will," Carol says. They turn around to see Michonne and Maggie. Carol gets up, and Michonne and Maggie go up to her and hug her at the same time. "Something happened, didn't it?" Maggie asks.

"We couldn't help but hear as we were approaching. Do you want to talk about it?" Michonne asks. She shakes her head no, but looks at Daryl. He gives her a nod of understanding.

"I will," he says. He explains everything and Michonne and Maggie have tears streaming down their faces as he tell what happened. Daryl barely keeps it together, reliving it as he tells it. They give Carol another hug.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, but you know it isn't your fault right," Michonne says, holding her hands. She nods her head and smiles.

"Good," Maggie says. They hug Daryl too, and then kneel down and hold Aaron's hands while Daryl and Carol stay standing, Daryl with an arm around Carol.

"Thank you for taking us in. We didn't know how much longer we would have lasted out there," Michonne says.

"Thank you for trying to help me find Glenn," Maggie says. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and Michonne gives him one on the forehead. They look up at Daryl and nod their heads for him to take him. Carol helps Daryl and they walk back to Alexandria one last time, Michonne and Maggie walking next to them. When they get back, everyone is gathered at the infirmary. Siddiq comes out.

"You can come in now." Dog runs to Daryl, and Daryl kneels down and Dog knocks him down and starts licking him. Daryl is actually laughing and everyone looks in shock and smiles. They have never seen this before.

"Okay! Okay Dog! Get off!" He gets off and Daryl stands up and everyone is looking at him. "What?" They smile and continue on. Carol hurries over to Ezekiel and gives him a kiss on the lips, and then a hug. Everyone is watching and smiling. She parts from the hug and puts a hand on either side of his face.

"I'm so sorry, I was wrong and I'm so happy I get the chance to say I love you," she says, tears streaming down her cheeks. He is trying to sit up with one hand and Carol helps him.

"I love you too, I never stopped."

"Me either." They kiss.

"Do you still have the ring?"

"I do." She takes it out of her pocket and they both laugh.

"May I?" She gives him the ring, smiling. "My queen, will you do me the great honor of spending the rest of your life with me?"

"I would be happy to." They kiss. Everyone claps and they smile. "What happened?" He explains. She starts crying.

"It's okay," he says wiping her tears away. "I have my queen back and that's all that matters. I am the happiest man in the world." They kiss. "Somethings wrong. What happened out there?"

"I can't, not now." He puts a hand on her face.

"You know you can tell me anything, right." She nods her head, tears streaming down her face. She explains everything. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you."

"It's my fault, I left you. If I were with you maybe Aaron would be alive and you wouldn't have lost your arm."

"Don't do that, there's no way we could know if things still would have happened the same way. It's the same with Henry, we can't change the past, but we can make the future better, starting now." She smiles and they kiss.

"Congrats you two," Nabila says and Carol gets up and they hug.

"Thank you."

"I knew it! I knew my two favorite peeps would rein again," he says with a big smile on his face. He hugs her, and then carefully hugs him, and then Nabila hugs him too.

"I'm so happy to see the two of you here. You are survivors and I am proud to have you in my presence," Ezekiel says.

"Thanks Dude." He hugs Ezekiel again. Jerry and Nabila notice Daryl holding his axe. "I'm sorry, but I think Daryl has a story to tell, laters." They smile.

Introducing Each Other And Saying Goodbye

"Thank you for saving Daryl, I just wish you didn't have to lose your arm in the process."

"With you by my side, I can get through anything." She smiles and they kiss. Maggie walks up to Ezekiel and Carol. Maggie gives him a hug. "It's so good to see you."

"You too, I just wish it was under different circumstances," Maggie says.

"Yes, but it's better now then never." They smile at each other and she holds his hand. "By the way, congratulations."

"Thanks," they say. Maggie gives Carol a hug. They part from the hug and Maggie holds Carol's hands.

"I'm so sorry about Henry." She says looking at both of them.

"Thank you," they both say starting to tear up.

"How's Hershel?" Ezekiel asks.

"He's great. I think I'm going to meet some people."

"They're one of us now," Carol says.

"I can't wait to meet them, see you later," she says.

"See you," they say.

"Daryl, Dude." He gives him a hug, Nabila gives him a hug, and Dog greets them. "What's up my peep," Jerry says petting Dog. "I think you have something I want back." Daryl gives him the axe. "Thanks my man."

"I want to say thanks, your axe helped me defeat Beta."

"Cool, can we swap stories?"

"Sounds good."

"Alright!" He says with a big smile. Daryl explains everything. "Whoa dude, super badass story," he says with a big smile.

"Thanks."

"Yeah, that was incredible Daryl."

"Thanks, what about you, how did you loose the axe?" Jerry and Nabila explain. "You've got one hell of a woman there."

"Damn straight." He gives her a kiss. Luke and Kelly know right away, as soon as they see Magna and Connie, but didn't see Yumiko. Magna starts crying, and Connie and her walk up to them, but before they can stop them, Kelly and Luke are getting up, Kelly not caring about her stitches, and meeting them half way and into a group hug. The four of them are crying now. When they part, they help Kelly and Luke back to bed. They start signing.

How? Luke signs. Magna starts signing and explaining.

She saved my life still, she signs smiling. They smile too. Luke and Kelly sign how they got hurt to Magna.

I'm sorry Luke, I know you and Alden were close.

Yeah, so much for the two man band, he signs tearing up. Magna sits down and holds his hand, and Connie sits down with Kelly.

What about you Kelly? Magna signs. Kelly explains. I'm glad the three of you are okay. It could have been so much worse, and after Yumiko, I wouldn't be able to survive that, she signs tearing up.

We wouldn't either, Connie signs. They all hug again, this time Kelly and Luke staying in bed. Carol sits with Lydia, and holds her hand.

"Can I borrow your note pad please Connie?" Carol says acting like she is writing. She hands it to her, and then she gives it to Lydia. Maggie walks up to them.

"You must be Lydia." She smiles and nods her head. "I'm Maggie, I've heard a lot about you."

All good I hope, she wrote.

"Yes, all good. I heard about your mom and if you're not already staying with someone, you're welcome to stay at my place."

You just met me, why would you do this? She writes.

"You remind me of someone."

"Enid right?" Carol asks.

"Yeah." She holds Maggie's hand.

I would like that, she writes. Maggie holds Lydia's hand and smiles. She smiles back.

"What happened?" Carol asks. She signals for Daryl to come over.

"Hey."

"Hey," they say, and Lydia waves.

"This must be Dog." She kneels down and pets him. "Nice to meet you Dog." He barks and Maggie laughs.

"He likes you."

"Well I like him too." She stands back up. "We want to know what happened." Daryl explains everything. "After everything you've been through, you deserve this new beginning," Maggie says.

Thanks, all of you, she writes. They smile at her, and Daryl gives her a smile and a nod.

Maggie walks up to Connie, Kelly, Magna, and Luke.

"Hi, I'm Maggie, and Carol told me you're one of us now, so I wanted to meet all of you." Kelly speaks and signs for Connie.

"I'm Connie and this is my sister Kelly, and this is Luke and Magna."

"So nice to meet you all." She hugs all of them, being careful with Kelly and Luke. "We have one member missing," Magna says looking down and tearing up.

"She lost her girlfriend, and we lost a family member," Kelly signs and says.

"I'm so sorry for you're loss. I lost my father, sister, and husband, but I have my son and my extended family. They got me through it and you'll get each other through it too, and now you have some new family members," she says smiling. They smile back. "Thanks," they all say and Connie signs. After visiting is over, they get ready to bury everyone. Carol helps Ezekiel, Connie helps Kelly, Magna helps Luke, and Daryl helps Lydia. Siddiq and Daryl dig the holes for the graves, and even Dog tries helping to dig the holes. Magna and Connie lower Yumiko into her grave while Luke and Kelly watch with tears streaming down their faces. They lower Alden into his grave, while Carol holds Lydia as she starts to tear up, thinking about how their friendship was cut short. Then Maggie and Michonne lower Earl into his grave. Siddiq and Michonne lower Rosita into her grave as Daryl puts an arm around Maggie. Daryl and Michonne lower Gabriel into his grave. Negan and Maggie put their differences aside to lower Eugene into his grave. Carol and Daryl lower Aaron into his grave while Michonne and Maggie put an arm around each other as tears run down their faces. They cover them with sheets, and then burry them. After that they reunite with their kids.

"Mom!"

"Mommy!" She kneels down and hugs them both. She smiles and starts tearing up. "We're so happy you're okay mom. I couldn't help but look out the window when RJ wasn't around, I know who we lost."

"Judith," she says in a firm voice. "I wanted you to stay here for a reason."

"I know, but they are my family too, I had to know," she says with tears streaming down her face. Michonne hugs her.

"It's okay, we'll get through this together." She hugs them both again. Gracie is calling out for her daddy.

"Daddy! Daddy!" She sees Daryl, who is there to talk to Gracie. He doesn't want to, but he knows it is what Aaron wanted. Aaron had asked Siddiq to watch over her too, but he figures with Rosita gone, he's a single father now, so he doesn't want t to put this on him. "Daryl! Dog!" She pets Dog and he licks her. She laughs.

"Hey." He kneels down.

"Have you seen my Daddy?"

"I'm sorry, but he didn't make it." She starts crying, and he can't help but tear up. "Come here." He hugs her. "He wanted me to tell you that he loves you."

"I wish I could tell him I love you too, I'm going to miss him so much."

"I know, I will too. He wants me and Siddiq to keep an eye on you, so we will."

"Siddiq was there too?"

"Yeah."

"He couldn't fix him?"

"No, it was too late for that."

"Where will I stay now? Can I stay with you and Dog?" He thinks about what Aaron told him on the bridge about him making a great father, and now he might end up taking care of his daughter.

"Yeah, you can."

"Thank you." She hugs him, and then hugs Dog. He can't believe that he is going to be settling down, but he figures he could do both still, everyone else is settled and still goes out there, even if they have kids, so he could do that too and besides, it's what Aaron would have wanted. "Can we go home now?"

"Let's go home." She holds his hand and they walk out. Siddiq takes Cocoa home.

"I will never leave you again." He smiles, gives her a kiss on the head, settles her down into the make shift bassinet, and then sits down in the rocking chair and falls asleep. Maggie takes Hershel back to the house that Michonne picked for them.

"We're home Hershel, we're finally home."