ONE YEAR LATER- MOUNT FALLS
A town picnic was planned and Negan almost allowed himself to become immersed in the excitement of such a thing happening, anywhere. And it was happening. Here in Mount Falls.
Coming here after what happened in Alexandria was the best decision Negan had ever made. And he had that batshit crazy, Dexter Morgan, to thank for it! If he had not shown himself to be what he truly was, Michonne would have never agreed to pack up the kids and come here.
Not that they had much choice. Because after what happened, Maggie turned half of the stronghold against them. The other half believed the lie Michonne and himself had told everyone, as to how Darryl, Evil Rick and Dexter, came up dead.
Well, actually, Negan had made up the lie and Michonne had went along with it. He knew she hadn't liked doing it, but he knew she was a woman that understood self preservation. And they had to make everyone believe that Dexter AND Maggie had killed Darryl and Evil Rick in that basement…
Negan opened the terrace doors to his and Michonne's second floor bedroom. They now lived in the sumptuous home that Evil Rick and Madison had once live in, and Negan himself, had been elected the 'Governor' of the town.
Nick Clark hadn't liked it, but at the same time, Negan knew he hadn't liked Evil Rick either. Nick blamed him for Madison's death, as he well should have. So while Negan didn't have too many problems out of him, he knew not to turn his back on him.
Then there was also the not so pleasant part of living here. His goddamned priest brother! Father John…Christ…he was over more than once a week eating dinner with them and he could tell Michonne and the kids really liked him…Jesus…
But the truly bright spot in his life was the fact that Michonne was pregnant. Pregnant with their child. Negan was just happier than shit that they weren't still living in Alexandria now. There was no telling what Maggie or a 'Maggie Fan' could do to Michonne in her condition.
A few people came with them to Mount Falls. Deke's being one of them. He and Deb had broken up when he refused to believe that Negan and Michonne had done the 'basement killing'. Actually, Deke told him later that he didn't really give a fuck if they had done it or not. After eating the barbecue from Mount Falls and hearing what they had, Deke wanted to live here. And it was Deke Negan saw walking up the walk towards the house, his facial expression grim. Sensing trouble, Negan walked off the balcony in his robe and through the bedroom. Michonne and the kids were already up and in the kitchen where Alicia, who had stayed on as a maid of sorts, was fixing breakfast for everyone.
Now, Michonne didn't like this set up at all. She didn't feel a maid was needed, though Negan suspected Chonnie was just uncomfortable with the fact that she was Madison's daughter. If Nick liked or disliked it, he couldn't tell, nor did he give a fuck. But Chonnie was beginning to show and tire a bit. He didn't want her doing a lot of work and Judith and RJ were getting to be handful.
Negan passed the kitchen and walked to the door, just as Deke walked in. Alicia smiled at him from the kitchen doorway and Deke smiled back in a way that let Negan know that something was going on there. Deke pulled his eyes from Alicia's and looked at Negan.
"We have trouble." he said. Negan motioned for him to follow him into the study. Evil Rick had kept a big desk, a bar, some stupid looking paintings and a fireplace in this 'study'. He had given the paintings to Father John, because they had creeped Negan out! One was a picture of a goat and it looked as if it's eyes followed you everytime you came into the room!
"What's up?" Negan said, collapsing lazily in the chair behind the desk. Deke did not sit down.
"Did you know that Nick Clark was living with Rosita here?" Deke asked. Negan slowly sat upright.
"Rosita, who?"
"You know damned well who! Trampy Rosita from Alexandria!"
"What the fuck?!" Negan hissed. "How'd she get in here? There are rules here! No overnight guests that are not Mount Falls citizens!"
"Yeah, I'm sure Clark knows that and doesn't give a fuck! I had to get some gas and when I passed by his house, her ass was outside trimming some bushes in some little ass robe! Nick walked out, shirtless and shit and waved to me!"
"Did Trampy Rosita see you?" Negan asked.
"Yeah. She turned and grinned at me. I don't know how long she's been here."
Negan folded his arms. That was part of the problem here. Mount Falls was a little too big. You didn't quite know who was here.
"You know, it couldn't hurt to get some intel on what the fuck is going on back at Alexandria. Hell, those people were worthless without us." Negan said.
"I know." Deke agreed. "Not to mention Maggie never seemed like the type of woman to let shit go. She could have sent Rosita in here. I'll go ask Nick…"
"No." Negan said, eyeing Lucille from across the room. 'She' was lying on a leather couch. "I will talk to Mr. Clark myself and find out what the fuck is going on. I'll have to make an example out of him for bringing in overnight guests."
There was a knock on the door and Michonne walked in. She nodded to Deke, whom she knew had their backs.
"What's going on? And I know it's something."
Deke looked at Negan, as if he was unsure he should say something to her. Negan stood up from the chair.
"Rosita is in Mount Falls. She's sleeping with Nick Clark and we're sure it's no coincidence." he told her. Michonne said nothing at first, then looked at Deke.
"Father John came by to pick up the kids for the picnic. Why don't you go and keep Alicia company?" Michonne suggested to Deke, who had no problem taking her up on it. He left the study and closed the door behind him. Michonne then looked at Negan.
"This isn't an accident. When did Nick leave here? I mean how did he get a chance to even meet her?" Michonne asked.
"Oh you know Rosita! She was probably hanging out in the bushes outside of the gates there, when Nick saw her! He sure as shit didn't travel to Alexandria."
"Which means it's no accident that she's here. I'll go over there and find out…"
"You'll do no such fucking thing!" Negan snapped, grabbing her by her pregnant waist. "Nick's attitude is half assed. I don't trust him. I don't want you over there and I sure as fuck don't want you over there with her around. You can bet Maggie sent her here to do her dirty work."
"Negan, I can't just sit around here and do nothing."
"Yes you can. That's what this town is all about. Now, I'll go over and find out what those two are up to. And I'm taking Lucille."
"You promised your brother you'd never use that bat again." Michonne reminded him.
"I just promised him that to get him the fuck up out of here! He's been eating here ever night, Chonnie. Why?" Negan complained.
"He's lonely. A priest's life is lonely. Or at least his is. He said he had two sons and that he was raising them when their mother died."
"Yeah." was all Negan said to that.
"Negan, you could be supportive here. It probably wasn't easy for him…"
"Hell, Chonnie, nothing about this world has been 'easy' for anyone! He uses that line on every woman he wants to get with and I think he has you in his crosshairs! I don't want him eating here anymore."
"Judith and RJ like him."
"They'll live."
Michonne eyed him with surprise.
"You're serious? And I don't think your brother was lying when he said he had a wife and two boys."
"Oh no," Negan said coolly, "he wasn't lying. He had a wife, who was all over me when my brother wasn't in the room! Lucille hated her, and two boys who were into chasing ghosts and shit."
"Chasing ghosts?"
"You know…paranormal shit. My priest brother was into that crap too. He never could make a living, so I don't know where this priest crap came from. He didn't go to a school for it or anything. Just don't fall for his crap, Chonnie."
Michonne said nothing more about it and came to the realization, that if this is what Negan wanted, then maybe, to keep the peace, Father John would have to come around less. Still, she found what Negan was saying about his own brother, hard to believe.
Michonne changed the subject, returning to the former one.
"I know you want me to stay here, but we can't get too comfortable here. We have to be on our guard. We killed Dexter and blamed it on Maggie. This town is filled with people that have never had to fight for what we have. I'm going to get my sword and go with you. Just in case."
"Chonnie…"
"Negan, for all we know, Rosita is not the only one at Nick's house!" she said firmly. Negan took a deep breath and nodded.
"Okay." he said and could think of nothing else to say to that. She was right.
Rosita was the one that opened up Nick's door, grinning at them. She was dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans. Her hair was in a ponytail.
"Negan. Michonne. Wow. Long time no see. Nick and I were just eating breakfast. Would you like to join us?"
"Shut up, bitch! What are you doing here?" Negan asked coldly. Michonne put a hand on Negan's arm.
"How did you get in here?" she asked Rosita.
"Nick and I met."
"Cute." Negan responded. "Met HOW?"
"Nick went on a run to clear his head and I was on a run. We just clicked."
"Nick has no need to go on any 'runs'. He's well provided for here." Negan said.
"But for how long?" Rosita asked. "I mean wasn't that Evil Rick stealing from his world? And since you killed him…"
"Oh here we go! Dexter and Maggie killed him and Darryl! Maggie was fucking Darryl and probably Evil Rick too! You never thought it was funny that three men end up dead in her basement while she's upstairs asleep? Maggie was smarter than that! Nothing like that would've ever happened underneath her nose." Negan said.
Rosita ignored Negan and looked at Michonne.
"I don't know. Then of course, Michonne backed you up and said all of that BS was true. That someone like Maggie would kill her own husband, Darryl and some man that looked like Rick."
"We heard noise," Michonne said, 'left our house and found Maggie in the basement, standing over the bodies with some kind of cleaver. The next thing we know, Maggie is blaming us for everything. We realized that the town was divided and left, Rosita. You're being here is going to cause problems."
"You know what's funny?" Rosita asked, as if she had not heard a word Michonne had said. "Nick thinks you two might be guilty too. Not that he cares. He hated Rick. But now he thinks that the two of you, might have killed his mother at the prison. I wonder WHERE he would've gotten that idea from?"
Negan's eyes widened, when Michonne suddenly grabbed Rosita by the throat and threw her down onto the front lawn! Nick came running out, in some half assed looking t-shirt that needed to be washed.
"Stop it!" he yelled, pulling Michonne's hands from around Rosita's throat and pushing her back. Negan cocked the bat at him.
"Watch who you're pushing." he said calmly. "How'd she get in here? You know the rules. Overnight guests need to be screened."
Nick helped Rosita up and then looked Negan.
"I figured since she came from Alexandria, you two would vouch for her."
"How long has she been here?" Michonne asked.
"Like a week. Father John knew she was here so I figured he would tell you." Nick said in a way, that made Michonne not believe him. He knew damned well the kind of trouble this would cause. Father John, however, might not have thought anything of it. He tended to believe the best in people.
Negan didn't comment about his brother. John was a clueless bastard. He always had been. Negan planned to have a talk with him about this later.
"Well, we're not vouching for her, Nick. So she needs to be locked up until it's decided she can stay." Negan said. "I'm going to get some men and…"
"Okay, okay!" Rosita snapped. "I lied!"
"About what?" Michonne asked sarcastically.
"About how long Nick and I have known each other. It's been longer. Nick wants me here." Rosita told them.
"She's pregnant." Nick said. "And apparently things aren't going well at Alexandria."
"How is your food supply?" Michonne asked, concerned.
"That's not the problem." Rosita said. "Maggie runs Alexandria now. And she let in some weirdos. I couldn't take it anymore. Especially when I felt as if my baby could be in danger."
"You've seen these weirdos?" Negan asked Nick.
"From a distance." Nick said. "They use the skin of the dead as a disguise and wander around killing people."
"What?" Negan and Michonne asked in unison.
"I don't get why Maggie allowed them in, but she did. And now the community is even more divided than ever." Rosita said. "They creep me out."
Negan ran a hand over his face.
"Will these 'weirdos' come looking for you here, Rosita? Seriously, we don't need this shit."
"Hey! Rick, bastard or not, wouldn't have put up with this shit! There wouldn't be a threat like this around here if he were alive!" Nick snapped.
"That's because," Michonne said calmly, "he had people from another universe he could use to get rid of people like that. People and weapons." Michonne said, pulling on Negan's arm. They moved a few feet away to have a private discussion.
"You know," Michonne said, "maybe it would not be such a bad idea to find that portal. If for no other reason, to shore up our supplies. Evil Rick kept a lot here that's lasted us, but we are going to need to replenish things."
"That's why we have the helicopters. We'll fly and…"
"And beat up people for their supplies?" Michonne asked. "I don't like the idea of seeing any of those other universe people either. I don't. But maybe we can also use them on these people Rosita is talking about."
"How about a compromise? How about we find out if Rosita is even telling the fucking truth about any of this?" Negan asked, giving Michonne a quick kiss, before she nodded. They then returned to Rosita and Nick.
"We're having a picnic today. Then tomorrow, we're going back to Alexandria to see if anything that Rosita here has said, is true. You're coming with us, Nick. If it's not true, both of you are dying, are we clear."
Rosita looked at Michonne.
"Wow. You'd kill a pregnant woman. You're pregnant yourself, Michonne!"
"You have nothing to worry about if it's true." was all Michonne said. She didn't even know if Rosita was pregnant or not. That would have to be the first thing ascertained. But too much had happened to take the word of anyone from Alexandria, anymore.
Michonne hurried over to Father John's church. He had done her a tremendous favor by taking Judith and RJ to the picnic ahead of time. She knew he was keeping paper plates and forks over in his supply closet in the church, and wanted to get them. But when she walked into the church, she saw something she didn't like.
There was a blonde woman, maybe in her late twenties, early thirties. pulling up her halter top as she came out of a confessional. Father John stepped into view as well but did not flinch under Michonne's inquisitive, yet hard gaze. What the hell? Why wasn't he at the picnic with the kids and who the hell was this?
"Michonne. This is Hannah McKay. I'll assume you've met?" Father John asked casually. Hannah reached out and shook her hand.
"I am thrilled to meet the First Lady of Mount Falls!" she gushed. "I'd better get to the picnic now."
She rushed out of the church without looking back and Michonne stared after her for a bit, before turning to face John.
"I didn't expect to find anyone here. I thought you were with Judith and RJ?"
"Not to worry. They are in the town square, playing with their friends. What brings you by here?"
Michonne folded her arms.
"I thought we might need extra plates and utensils. I knew you kept some here."
"Oh."
Michonne waited for him to say more, but apparently, he was not. If John was going to explain why the hell that girl's halter top needed to be pulled back up after coming out of a confessional, he seemed slow to come forth with any explanation. Michonne decided this was none of her business. And it wasn't.
"I'm going to get going. Just bring some extra supplies in case we run out." she said and turned to leave, but John stopped her.
"Michonne, there is something I need to tell you."
Michonne turned back to him.
"John, you don't owe me any explanations about Hannah."
"Ah. Yes, well, actually, she is who I want to talk about. Ordinarily I would not break a confidence but I am concerned."
Michonne frowned, not following what he was saying.
"You're concerned? About what?"
"Hannah. And my brother and you. And the kids."
"John, what are you talking about?" Michonne asked, sensing she was going to hear something else this morning not so pleasant.
"Hannah. Hannah knew someone from Alexandria and she's grieving."
Now Michonne folded her arms.
"Grieving? Because…"
"This person, this man, is dead."
"He's someone that lived there with us?"
"Michonne," John said gently, "it's Dexter Morgan. She says that his ghost has come to her and told her that Negan and you killed him. Just tell me it's not true."
Michonne said nothing at first. All she could think about is what Negan had said earlier about John…the paranormal shit he and his kids were in to.
"Hannah knew Dexter from where?" Michonne asked instead.
"From Florida, I guess. That is where she is from. Now Michonne, about what she's saying…"
"How long has she been here?" Michonne asked abruptly.
"I don't know. Not long, I suppose."
"John! When you see new people you have to tell Negan and I! You have to! It's important for the safety of this town!" Michonne said in exasperation. Then, Father John did something unexpected. He pulled her to him and kissed her—hard! Michonne was too stunned to pull away and let the kiss go on longer than it should have! She finally wrenched herself from him!
"What was that?" she asked calmly, struggling to catch her breath.
"I think my brother is dragging a good woman down the wrong path. Michonne, Hannah has had contact with my boys. She knows where they are. I want you to come with me to find them. I want you…"
Michonne suddenly grabbed his face!
"John! This woman is lying! And if she knew Dexter and is actually still alive then…" she trailed off.
"She's killed before. We've all had to survive." John countered.
"I get the feeling she 'killed' before the whole world died." Michonne said. "Look, let's go to Negan and tell him what you learned. Maybe he can help."
"Help how, Michonne? By throwing Hannah out of here? Or worse? Come with me to find my family."
Michonne didn't know what to say to his request. Yes, she wanted him to find his family but she didn't believe Hannah had seen them, much less anyone else they knew! She had probably pumped him for information about how Dexter died. She probably also knew Deb and Harrison.
"I'll run it by Negan." Michonne replied.
"No. Just leave with me tonight. We'll take Judith and RJ with us. I can keep us all safe."
It was then, that Negan walked into the church carrying Lucille. And he didn't like what his eyes were seeing one bit!
"I hope I'm not interrupting…for your sake, JOHN."
Michonne took a deep breath and looked at Negan.
"Your brother thinks he knows where his sons could be. Someone that lives here saw them."
Negan sat Lucille down on a pew and walked up to them.
"Who would that be? Rosita?"
John eyed his brother.
"Who is that?"
"That would be the woman you let in here to live with Nick Clark."
"Oh. Her. Yes she is lovely…"
"I don't want to hear that shit! You should have told us a stranger was living here." Negan told him.
"She wasn't a stranger because the two of you knew her. But I suppose she is yet another person from Alexandria that you've wronged, hey brother? You won't survive here. I think you should let me take Michonne and the kids someplace safe."
Negan just stared at his brother for a short while, before his head craned over towards Lucille. Michonne ran interference, pulling Negan away a bit.
"He wants to find his sons. Let him go. Having him here stresses you out."
"Did that fucker just say he wanted you and the kids to go as well?"
"Yes but…"
"Go find the kids and I'll meet you at the picnic."
Michonne did not move.
"I'll wait here for you." she finally said.
"I'd rather you went ahead." Negan replied.
"Negan, don't. He didn't mean anything by that. Someone else is here that we didn't know about and he's worried about us. That's all." Michonne assured him.
"Who?" Negan asked in a deceptively calm voice.
"Someone Dexter knew." Michonne replied and Negan understood what she was saying. He concentrated on his brother.
"How long has this person been here?"
But Father John was tired of answering questions.
"Why don't you ask Hannah yourself? And while you're at it, you can tell her what you did to Dexter, and how it conveniently looks like someone else killed him and two other people." John said.
Negan shrugged.
"There was nothing 'convenient' about the shit. Someone else did do it and now we live here. And if you want to fucking breathe any air in this life, you will get on the side of right ,and stop letting people in here that mean Chonnie and myself no good."
"I would never do anything to hurt Michonne. I am scared sick that your crimes will hurt her and the kids. You have a child coming! Hannah and Rosita and God knows who else, are not going to let you get away with what you have done. I think you hurt Madison as well." John said.
"Chonnie, go to the picnic." Negan said firmly.
Michonne knew that the air needed to be cleared between the siblings. She just hoped Father John didn't come up dead! She pulled away from Negan, turned and walked out of the church. She spotted Nick coming out of a pastry shop, walked up to him and knocked a cake box out of his hand! It went flying onto the ground and a lone dog, ran up to it and began eating out of the box!
"Nice, Michonne!"
"Yeah. And it was 'nice' of you to tell Father John that Negan killed your mother at that prison! He most certainly did not! You know how I know that, Nick? Huh? Do you know how I know that?"
Nick rolled his eyes!
"No, Michonne, why don't you tell me how you know that that bastard didn't kill my mother!"
"Really, Nick? You couldn't see how much Negan hated Rick? He hated him because of me! And if Negan could have found women for him, himself, he would have! Anything to keep him away from me! So he would not have killed someone that kept Rick at bay!"
"But see, my mother didn't really keep Rick at bay, did she? And I think you fucked him the time you were here! When you said he 'abducted' you!"
"Wow, Nick! You were watching us that whole time, so when did we get the time to do anything?" Michonne asked sarcastically.
"Probably in the helicopter before you landed…"
"I'm not going to let you undermine what Negan and I are trying to do here." Michonne said coldly.
"Oh I know you won't, Michonne. Otherwise Rosita and I will end up cut up in a basement around here, right? I have to go. I need to buy another cake." he said and walked back into the pastry shop. Michonne ran a hand down her face. This wasn't going to work. This running away from Alexandria and starting over. Somehow, someway, that had to fix the past before they could being anew here in Mount Falls. Or anywhere else.
Hannah McKay had not went far. Meaning she had not went to the picnic. She had stuck close to the church when she saw Negan walk in, shortly after she left. Negan and Michonne. Dexter's murderers. She could feel Dexter's presence with her daily…hourly. And he would have wanted her to exact revenge for what Negan and Michonne had done. And she had no doubts whatsoever that they were the guilty party.
Hannah had never met Maggie, of course, but she planned to pay the witless wife of her her beloved, a visit, soon. She had allowed Dexter to be killed. Senselessly killed. And what Hannah suspected is that she allowed Dexter to be killed out of some kind of revenge for her lover. The one that had been called Darryl.
And how had she come by this information? Rosita, of course. Negan and Michonne were slow. Rosita was not the only one who was 'friendly' with Nick Clark. Nick was obsessed with revenge. Rosita was obsessed with revenge as well. It made Hannah feel more welcome here in Mount Falls.
She slipped inside of the church and listened in on Negan and Father John's continuing argument…
"Who the hell was Chonnie talking about before? Who is this person Dexter knew?"
John just stood with his arms folded.
"Are you going to answer me?"
"Are you going to kill her?" John countered.
"So," Negan drawled, "this is a woman? You said her name was Hannah, right?"
"Yes. She expressed concern about Dexter's fate and his son, Harrison."
"Well where is she? And how long has she been here?" Negan asked, pointing Lucille at his brother. It was then Hannah made herself known. She cleared her throat and John looked past Negan and stared at her. Negan turned to look at Hannah and frowned.
"I know you. I know you, don't I?" Negan asked, feeling odd. Hannah smiled.
"Yes. You do. I was one of your 'Savior Wives', remember?" Hannah smiled again. Only the smile clearly didn't reach her eyes and John looked from Hannah to Negan. But Negan suddenly remembered this crazy bitch! She had come in with some other guy….someone who died on a run. And her name had not been Hannah, but something else. He had offered to make her a 'Negan wife' but when it came time to 'consummate' the marriage, the bitch pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the arm!
Negan nodded. Yes, he had chased this bitch out of his bedroom and out of the sanctuary in the rain, for like a mile, before losing sight of her. He smiled slowly at her.
"What was your name again, darlin'? I forgot." Negan asked. He was not surprised she had known batshit crazy Dexter, and she for damned sure, would not be staying in Mount Falls. Not if he could do anything to prevent it.