All Nightmare Long

Chapter 562

Author's Note: When I go back to work (Whenever that is) updates will slow down. Things are moving forward for team family, full steam ahead. I've always had the idea Summer would take over Hilltop, even before I knew Maggie was leaving. And the communities won't be so separated like they are since Rick will be around. I'm not sure if I will be including Michonne's "friend" who takes the kids or not. A pregnant Jewel will not let that stand. Please review.

Team Family:

Summer and Joey both glanced back at Gregory as the others walked out of the office. "Idiot," Summer mumbled.

"Walking ballsack," Rosita said.

"Wanna kick that idiot's teeth in," Sasha said at the same time.

"Yeah, well we don't need him anyway," Daryl pointed out.

"Yeah that's right because we have Sasha, Maggie, Beth, Summer, Jesus and Archie here," Rick said.

"If Summer stays, I'm staying," Joey said.

"Can't hurt having more people on our side here," Mar stated.

"And Enid and Lexi," Maggie said as the two girls walked into the room.

"Hey, um," Enid started to say.

"What's wrong?" Sasha asked.

"Nothing," both girls answered.

Lexi looked at Enid. "We just need you to come outside," Lexi said.

"Yeah, come on," Enid said. Maggie was the first person to follow her, Summer and Jesus right behind her with the group following her as they go on the porch seeing a lot of the Hilltoppers.

"What's going on?" Maggie questioned.

A black woman stepped forward. "Hey if you don't remember, I'm Bertie and I owe my life to you all, twice over. A bunch of us do. Enid and Lexi say that you want Gregory to get us to fight with you. Is that true?" Bertie questioned.

"Yes," Maggie answered.

"Do you think we can win?" Bertie asked. "That we could really beat them. Us?"

"I do," Maggie said.

"You'd have to train; we could train you. I'm not going to lie to you, we fight, we may die. Not everyone may survive, but it's better then living under Negan. We are fighting for the future, that's what we all want to do, survive and thrive. And we can't do that alone," Summer told them.

"Enid said you could show us the way, I'm ready," Bertie said.

"We can fight," Zihayr answered.

"Let's do it," another one of the group said.

Jewel and Rick smiled and took each other hand and nodded.

"We just had a meeting with Gregory and he doesn't want us to fight, he wants to act like this conversation never happened," Archie said from the porch.

A man approached. "Names Gunther, Lexi was saying that Summer would be a good leader. She's a kid."

"She's not a kid," Joey insisted.

"OK, so you're not a kid, but do you got what it has to lead?" The man asked.

Maggie nodded at Summer to go ahead. "Look, all you know of me is that I was out here fighting walkers' while your fearless leader was cowering behind the curtains of his office looking out. Maggie, Sasha, Beth and I, a group of strangers from Alexandria put our lives on the line to protect this place. My parents have led our group since the beginning, we came to Alexandria and they lead there with Quinn. My family is back in Alexandria but I'm willing to stay and fight for you because you need someone to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. We're not asking you to do anything we won't do ourselves. And when I'm not here, Maggie will be."

"Do you think that Gregory will let you be leader?" Eduardo questioned.

"It's not about let, it's about what's right for you, for the community," Lexi said.

"The decision doesn't have to be made now. You can decide, and let us know later," Maggie said.

The group started walking toward the gate.

"It's a start," Michonne said.

"We'll get more," Sasha said.

"It won't be enough," Michonne said.

Quinn shared a look with Tara.

"Jes is going with Garza to meet his people, maybe they can convince them to join us," Jewel said.

"Well maybe if we find the right stuff, we won't need the numbers," Daryl said. "Blow them up, burn them to the ground."

"We've been sending people out distances, haven't found anything of use," Mar said.

"You said they're weren't just soldiers with the Savior's, that they're were workers there. People that didn't have a choice," Tara said.

"We gotta win," Daryl said.

"You said someone helped you, do you think that person could help from the inside?" Summer asked.

"She'd be risking to much," Daryl said.

"We need more hands. Negan has outposts, the geography, the distance works against us. We got to get back, if they come looking for Daryl, we need to be there," Rick said.

"Negan will take him back if he finds him," Mitch pointed out.

"You don't have to get back yet," Jesus said as he pulled out a radio. "Not yet, it's one of theirs, long range, we can listen in, keep track of them.

"So if we're not going back, what are we doing then?" Michonne asked.

"I think it's time I introduce you to Ezekiel. King Ezekiel," Jesus said.

"King?" Rick asked.

"Well maybe he won't be such a coward if he has King in front of his name," Jewel said. "Summer, I think you need to stay here, help Maggie, work on Gregory."

"Right," Summer said as she hugged Rick and Jewel.

"Want me to hang around?" Joey questioned.

"I'd love you to, but they need you now," Summer said as she squeezed his hand.

Jes POV:

Garza glanced over at Jes who was driving. "You gonna say anything or be quiet the whole ride?"

"Obviously that plan isn't going to work if you ask me stupid questions," Jes stated.

"I was just wondering," Garza responded. "So, your group seems alright. Rick seems a bit uptight."

Jes let out a laugh. "Yeah, not as uptight as Shaw. At least Rick let's people in the group."

"He's got his reasons. And he was willing to let you in, if you wanted," Garza reminded her.

"Yeah only if I left my group and that's only because I was military," Jes stated. "So, what's the chance of him joining the fight? Or am I totally wasting my time by going with you."

"He's not the only one that can make that decision," Garza answered.

Jes snorted. "Yeah, that totally isn't the vibe I get from Mr. I'm still CNL. of something."

"You don't know him, not really," Garza defended the man.

"Please, he's like most of the other brass that I ever worked under. His way or the highway. Only difference now is you can push back because there's not an Army anymore. He's still trying to hold onto something that isn't there," Jes stated.

"And what about you and your band of merry men and women?" Garza asked.

"What do you mean?" Jes questioned.

"You had kids at that meeting and talking about leaving people in charge to watch babies. This is the end of the world, and you people are taking care of babies?" Garza questioned.

Jes tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she slammed on the brakes and looked over at him. "Those children, those babies are the future. Hell, I was one of the first from the group besides Mika and Jewel to hold Hope. That's what I'm fighting for."

Garza laughed. "You held a baby? Willingly?"

"Maybe it wasn't so willing at first," Jes admitted as she started the car. "But you'd be amazed how those little people make you feel, especially after a battle or a death. We need hope and that's what the kids provide. Now will you shut up for the rest of the ride?"