Finishing What Was Started

Not a word was spoken as Jeff and Clementine gathered their weapons and other belongings. No words were needed, since they knew what lay ahead and who they were facing. After many years, Lilly was somehow still alive and had completely lost her mind. As he finished packing, Jeff noticed Clementine looked worried.

"You alright?" he asked.

"I think so,", she replied. "Just not sure if I'm ready to face Lilly again. It's been so long since I last saw her."

"We have to face her, Clem," he replied. "There are two kids counting on us to save them from her."

Clementine nodded in agreement as they both picked up their gear and headed down the road.

1 hour later:

The area was eerily quiet as Jeff and Clementine cautiously entered the ruins of Macon. Not even the walkers were around, as they approached an old pharmacy with an old helicopter sticking out of the roof.

"Wonder when and how that happened," Jeff said.

"I'm not sure," Clementine replied. "Last time I saw this building, that wasn't there. This used to be Lee's family's drugstore. It's where they died, too."

"If I remember your story correctly," Jeff said. "This is where you guys met Lilly, Larry, and the rest of your group, isn't it?"

Clementine nodded in confirmation and they continued on. Finally, they spotted the sign for the old motel and got their weapons ready. Cautiously, they approached the decaying parking lot and took out the few walkers that were present outside the buildings before stopping to take a look around.

"Lilly!" Clementine called. "We know you're here! Show yourself!"

At first, there was silence. However, the near silence was broken by a door opening behind them. They turned around and saw Lilly standing before them, with AJ held in one arm.

"Hello Clementine," she said. "It's been a while."

"Let him go," Clementine demanded.

Lilly chuckled.

"No," she replied. "I don't think we will."

"We?" Jeff asked, in confusion.

Without a word, another familiar figure stepped out of the same room with Abby bound at her wrists and with a cloth over her mouth.

"Joan," Jeff said, with fury. "I should've known you'd be involved in this."

"After what you did at Richmond," Joan replied. "You better believe I would want payback, Jeff. You had this coming."

"Clem," Aj cried, as he reached for Clementine.

"Be quiet," Lilly said, sternly.

"Why are you doing this, Lilly?" Clementine asked.

"Why?" Lilly replied, with a chuckle. "Think, Clementine. Back to a time when you were only 8 years old. I was left behind. I killed Carly for bringing the bandits on us and that's how I was rewarded! Lee sided with her, even after her death. That's why I'm doing this."

"But it wasn't Carly who brought the bandits on the group," Clementine replied. "It was Ben. I don't know why he did it, but… Kenny figured it out after Duck turned and got all but Kenny and I killed. Carly was-"

"Wait," Lilly interrupted. "What do you mean 'Duck turned'?"

Clementine sighed.

"Duck was bitten during the attack," she began. "I heard Katjaa talk to Lee about it being time to put him down, while we were on the train we found and took to Savannah. Lee was gone for a long time… it was during that time that Duck turned, bit Katjaa, then went after Ben and I. He managed to catch Ben off guard, but Katjaa kept him from getting to me…"

Clementine then quickly went over the events from that point until the events of Richmond, making sure to explain Jeff's involvement in her survival as she went. As she went, Lilly's expression changed many times as she processed the story. Finally, Clementine ended with the events of Richmond. When she started that part, she told it from her perspective, as there was no doubt Joan had already given her side of that part of the story.

""That's a lot to go through," Lilly said, in amazement. "As much as I butted heads with Lee, I believe he would be so proud of you. All he ever cared about was making sure you were safe, so you had the chance to see your parents again… I'm sorry to hear you were too late."

"It was hard to accept," Clementine replied. "But I at least have closure on what happened to them."

There was silence for a few moments before Jeff spoke up.

"So what do you think, Lilly?" he asked. "You can come back to Richmond with us and have another chance to truly help people. Or you can stay here, in the past. Truth be told, the latter sounds quite lonely. And you, Joan. I believe you too can have a second chance."

Both women seemed to think it over, then Lilly spoke up.

"You'd do that for me?" she asked. "After all I put both of you though?"

"Yes we would," Clementine replied. "The past can be left behind and we can work for a brighter future… together."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Joan said, as she glared at Lilly. "You're going to go back on our agreement?"

"We were wrong to do this, Joan," Lilly replied. "Do what you want… but I'm going to take the offer. My dad wouldn't want me to be like this. He'd want me to be safe… even though he knew I could take care of myself."

With that, Lilly walked over to Clementine and handed AJ to her. The little boy immediately latched onto her.

"Clem!" he said, with joy.

"Hey goofball," Clementine replied. "Happy to have you back."

Jeff smiled, then turned to Joan.

"What's it gonna be, Joan?" he asked. "You can join us and start over in Richmond, set off on your own, or stay here. The choice is yours."

Joan thought about it again, then sighed.

"Alright," she said. "You win. Take her."

She lightly pushed Abby toward Jeff, who cut the rope and removed the cloth gag.

"Daddy!" she said, as she hugged him.

"'Daddy'"? Clementine questioned.

"She started that not long after we were separated from you and AJ," Jeff replied. "Guess I am her dad now, having taken care of her for a few years."

They then remembered Joan was still standing in front of them.

"Are you coming with us?" Jeff asked.

"No," Joan replied. "I'll take my chances elsewhere. Just promise me one thing: That Richmond is taken care of. Clint, David, and I built that community. I would hate to hear that it fell."

Without another word, Joan turned and walked away. The small group watched her vanish from view before they turned and made their way back to Richmond.

Epilogue

After weeks of walking, and driving (when working cars could be found), Jeff, Clementine, Lilly, AJ, and Abby reached the gates of Richmond. After talking to Max, they were let in and greeted by the entire community. They told their stories of the journey to find the kids, along with the surprisingly peaceful end to the chase, leaving everyone amazed. With her redemption known, Lilly was accepted as a part of the community and given a position as one of the guards, while Jeff was offered a chance to help Javier and Kate lead Richmond into a bright future.

Days later, a spectral figure watched as Jeff and Clementine played with AJ and Abby. He watched as the kids tossed a ball between themselves and to their guardians and smiled. Soon, Jeff took AJ and Abby to get some rest, leaving Clementine standing alone. She started to follow after the others, then stopped… and turned to look in the direction of the spectre. She must've seen him as she smiled and gave a small nod, before moving on her way to join Jeff and the kids. As she walked away, Lee Evertt smiled again.

"Well done, Clem," he said, before vanishing from view.

At long, long last, this story has concluded. So sorry it took so long. Also, this ending wasn't my original plan, but I was beyond ready to put this one to rest and get back to another story I've been neglecting. So I apologize if it's underwhelming. But with that, I am done with The Walking Dead stories for the foreseeable future. Take care and see you another time!