All Nightmare Long

Chapter 579

Author's Note: Now that season 11 isn't showing until next year, I may catch up. I put "may" in broad strokes. I'm trying. Please review. Let's check in on Hilltop then Joey, Mitch and the two Arlington guys. I'll try to fit that into this chapter.

Beth and Archie's POV:

Beth stood on top of the gate, looking out for any signs of trouble. She glanced over her shoulder at Archie who was standing guard at the bottom of the gate. "Everything looks quiet."

"Lassie, don't you know not to say something like that? That's like a curse," Archie teased. "How's Maggie?"

"Stubborn, as usual. It's taking Sasha, Summer, Enid and I all we have to get her to rest," Beth said.

"Do you think we can do this?" Archie asked.

"Do what?" Beth asked.

"Fight Negan, fight the savior's. We've all lost people, you've lost people just for trying to take him out, lassie," Archie told her.

"I think that we can do anything we put our minds too. I've seen my family do the impossible before, and I believe we can do it again. We have to, for all of us," Beth stated as she looked at him. "You don't talk about your sister, why?"

Archie sighed. "I guess it's easier to pretend she's dead, it doesn't hurt as much. I haven't seen her in over a year, all I know is that she's one of Negan's 'wives' and I only know that because Negan bragged about it."

"Is she a red head like you?" Beth questioned.

"Yeah, yeah she is," Archie answered, with a small smile. "She's a spit fire," he said as he climbed up to join her.

"I'm sure she is keeping Negan on his toes if she's anything like you," Beth said with a smile. "We lost my daddy a couple months ago. His name was Hershel, he was a veterinarian but took on more of a doctor roll. He was bit, and Rick and Jewel had to cut off his leg. He shouldn't have lived, but he did because he was strong. He was killed by a man, an evil man. He tried to take our home, he attacked us, and we all got separated. I shouldn't be alive, but I am. I'm alive because my family didn't give up on me. We fight for family," she told him.

Archie stood close to her. "Am I considered family?"

Beth gave a small smile. "You're becoming close."

Archie stepped closer. "That's good to hear lass," he said as he tiltled his head to kiss her.

Summer cleared her throat as she walked up. "Am I interrupting?"

Beth stepped back and shook her head. "What's up?"

Summer gave a small smirk. "Archie, we're going to need some weapons made, especially if we're going to train people."

"I'll start immediately," Archie responded as he climbed down. "See you later lassie," he said to Beth with a wink as he turned to leave.

Summer climbed up and smiled at Beth. "Sorry, I interrupted."

"You're fine," Beth assured her. "Nothing was going to happen."

"Really? It sure looked like he was going to kiss you," Summer teased. "You should talk to Maggie."

"I can't, she has enough on her plate, she's grieving," Beth said.

"She is, but she lived, and she had Glenn for a while, and I think she'll tell you that she'd take that little while over nothing at all. Just like I wouldn't trade having Joey for the time I have with him. If there's a chance, take it. I'll take the rest of your shift, go talk with Maggie," Summer told her friend.

Beth hugged her. "Thanks," she said as she climbed down.

Summer nodded as she watched for any signs of life outside the gate.

Joey and Mitch's POV:

Palmer turned around, doing a quick survey of the area. "How far are we from Hilltop?"

Mitch arched an eyebrow. "You don't get out, much do you?"

"Shaw likes to his minions on a short leash," Brody said. "We're about two miles South of the Hilltop."

"Shaw doesn't keep you on a short leash. You come and go when you please?" Joey said.

"Brody's a lone wolf," Palmer stated.

"Shaw doesn't seem like the type to really put up with lone wolves," Joey pointed out.

"Shaw cares about us, just a different way than your people care. It's his way, but he's kept us alive," Thor said.

"It seems the only thing he cares about is himself and keeping everyone in line," Mitch said.

"The kids not wrong. I come and go, help out when I can. This seems like something that will do some good and keep people alive. And, it may even teach Shaw how to play well with others," Brody said.

"What do you think?" Joey asked, glancing back at Thor.

"I know that we're mostly all still alive," Thor answered.

"Which means you've lost people," Mitch said.

"We all have," Thor responded.

"That's true," Joey responded stopping putting up his hand.

"Why are we stopping?" Thor questioned.

"You'll see," Mitch answered as Joey whistled.

A moment later a whistled was returned, and Joey returned it with another whistle in a different tone, lowering his hand. "We can move."

"How did you know someone would recognize it?" Brody asked.

"Because our people knew we were out here, someone is always going to be on guard, waiting for us and the others. It's what we do," Mitch said as they came to the gate it opens.

Joey smiled as he walked up and hugged Summer. "Hey."

"Hey," Summer said as she hugged him back. Summer stepped back and glanced at Mitch. "Get over here," she said as she hugged him. "Shaw sent people; I'm surprised."

"He's smart enough to know that we can't defeat this man Negan on our own if he comes," Brody stated.

"He's not a man, he's a monster," Summer said as Jesus came out.

"Brody, good to see you," Jesus said as he extended his hand.

Brody took it. "We're here to help, any way we can. I'm surprised that Gregory is up for this."

"He doesn't really have a choice in the matter," Jesus said as he glanced at Summer.

"This is Palmer," Brody introduced.

"Welcome to the Hilltop," Jesus greeted.

"What's the plan?" Joey asked.

"We're waiting for Uncle Daryl and Mar to get back from the Kingdom, to see if they are with us. Dad and mom should be letting us know how they are coming looking for supplies soon. I've got Archie working on forging some weapons, Zihayr and Maggie are starting to train people," Summer said.

"We brought some weapons," Thor said.

"Shaw wasn't very generous," Mitch said as he rolled his eyes.

"We can help with making some, and training," Brody assured them.

Summer nodded. "Then let's get started."