"The Saviors have us cornered! It's no use fighting anymore Rick!" Michonne nervously stared at him. Esmeralda stood next to her, nodding her head.

"It's not about winning or losing." Rick sighed. "It's about our freedom." He placed a hand on Michonne's cheek with a sigh. "I will find a solution to this. And I will kill Negan." He shook his head. "We've already won." Rick softly kissed Michonne on the lips. "And I am willing to die to keep that victory alive."

Esmeralda shook her head as Rick and Daryl discussed an upcoming strategy.

"Esmeralda!" Clopin motioned her over. She tilted her head as Quasimodo smiled. "I have the perfect way to solve our own dilemma." He blinked. "Really? How so?"

The trio sat in the grass.

"Okay. Do you remember how by odd coincidence we found Frollo's old robe while traveling?" She shrugged. "Yes? So? For the last time, I told you. We are not going to use the fabric to make new scarves." She giggled after trying to sound serious. Quasi couldn't help but laugh too.

"No." Clopin couldn't help but break a smirk. "I was planning on taking a more psychological approach to this so called battle. Now I don't know if you guys have noticed,.." He hid his mouth with his hand, even though everyone else was fifty feet away.

Esmeralda and the hunchback leaned in. "..but Rick, in a strange way, seems to be more full of himself than Frollo is." Clopin whispered then cleared his throat.

"I didn't even think that was possible!" Quasimodo blinked. "Anyway, Do continue."

Esmeralda quickly nodded. "Agreed. Technically, We didn't win this war. We are low on ammunition thanks to his group's poor shooting and terrible experience. Wait a minute. What is the purpose of this so called war again?" She scratched her forehead.

"Okay. So anyway, Here's my plan..well our plan, just the three of us." Quasi and Esmeralda crossed their legs. "Fire away." She smiled.

"Alright. Now when Negan and the rest of his men arrive here, since Claude is strangely one of his second in commands, one of us will sneak into the truck and place his judicial attire on the passenger seat."

She blinked. "..I don't know. What if his old self starts to..resurface?" "Then we fight back. I do believe that is unlikely though. Sadie is his main objective now. Although accidents can happen." Clopin admitted.

"I..I really don't know. He and Sadie have really been getting along and I don't want to get her killed."

"Esmeralda!" The gypsy king held her shoulders then sighed. "We and Sadie are enemies now. And Frollo almost separated you from Quasi and I. This is our chance for revenge."

"Stop living in the past Clopin!" She groaned and lifted his arms off of her. "It was nearly a year ago! I can fight for myself!"

"Oh silly me!" He sarcastically put a hand to his cheek. "Golly. It was as if you saved yourself in the courtyard and Quasimodo simply just watched in awe!"

"I was freakin' unconscious and tied to a pole!" Esmeralda shouted. "Surrounded by fire!"

Quasimodo sighed once he heard the gates of Alexandria slowly open. "Guys. They're here."

They cleared their throats and apologized with a quick hug. "I'll go..get the robes." The gypsy woman left inside one of the houses. "Thank you." Clopin cleared his eyes and went to join Rick's crowd. Quasi followed him.

Sadie opened her eyes to find Gracie mindlessly sucking her thumb. She smiled and threw on her leather jacket. "Morning sweetie."

Gracie looked over to her and lightly squealed, kicking her legs. Sadie picked her up and held the baby above her, making babbling noises to try to get her to laugh. It was easier than she thought.

Sadie held her with one arm to look for a bottle in her bag. Gracie started to cry. "You're hungry huh?" She softly kissed the baby on the cheek and held the bottle. Gracie hungry drank from it. "Not so fast sweetie." Sadie shut her eyes.

Awaiting the Saviors, Rick tilted his head in confusion but relief. Only one truck was parked in the middle of the street. Claude and Negan proudly exited the vehicle.

Without any weapons on hand, Rick and his group looked up in scared silence.

"Some things are easier said than done Rick." Negan cleared his throat. "Now uh..What was that f*ckin' shit about not keeping your end of the f*ckin' bargain?" They came face to face with each other.

"I'm going to kill you." Rick whispered with a scowl.

Frollo glanced over at his former stepson and the gypsy king. Clopin quickly looked at the truck as he saw a flash of red from the corner of this eye. Esmeralda reached through the window and placed the garment under the passenger seat.

"Where's Sadie?" Quasi huffed. "Why would it matter my dear boy?" Frollo blinked. "I assumed that you three would have claimed her as a lost cause by now and moved on."

Esmeralda narrowed her eyes and walked over. "Whose side are you on? Really?" She folded her arms. "I am simply on the side of justice." He moved his face just centimeters away from hers. "Gypsy." She looked away. "If you're trying to scare me, it's not working."

"That is not my purpose any longer." "You had zero purpose to exist in the first place!" Quasi spoke up.

Frollo silently stared at him, backing away as Negan headed back to the truck.

"Maybe that was a step too far." The hunchback bit his tongue. "You think?" Esmeralda rolled her eyes.

"Looks like we found ourselves a solution Claude." Negan started the truck. "Only the most arrogant of mankind have the inability to survive. How exactly do we execute that?" Frollo turned to him.

"Well. We need ourselves a pretty loud mouth. And I know.." He grinned. "..just where to find one." Claude tilted his head then shrugged. "Sandra does have a way with words."

"Exactly. So why don't you and I come up with a bit of a..oh I don't know..'script'..for her?" Negan grabbed the walki talki to notify Simon about their early return.

Frollo scratched his forehead then widened his eyes. His eyes noticed a shade of black and purple under the seat. 'I..it can't be! It's..not what I think it is!'

Once the truck parked in front of the Sanctuary, The former judge grabbed the cloth from under the seat. He blinked as his fingers lingered over the stitch that Sadie had sewn. Claude hid the garment in his jacket, holding it against his chest.

He raced upstairs, only to run in the room to find the girl in the kitchen. She picked Gracie up off the floor and softly kissed her on the head.

Claude slowly shut the door, catching her attention. "Oh." She zipped up her jacket. "Hi Claude. You're back early." She smiled. Sadie lightly hiccuped and put Gracie in her high chair, realizing that in his left hand, he was carrying his judicial robe. "F..Frollo?"

"No." He glared at her. "And do not speak to me heathen. I know that you had something to do with this!"

She looked at the wall with a scowl. 'I knew I should have burnt that fabric when I had the chance. I will kill those gypsies for bringing up his troubled past!'

"May I get you a.." "No!" He tossed the robe on the couch in distress. "Claude, Let me help you." She walked over to him. "Don't cast me out. Where did you find that?"

He tightly hugged her with a hand on the back of her head. "I..was on my way back and it was under the passenger seat of the truck. It was those bloody gypsies! The next time I see them, I.."

Sadie shut her eyes. "Save your voice Claude. I will handle it."

He heavily sighed. "Will you Sadie?"

"Of course I will." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "If anyone, between the two of us, is to yell in a time like this, it's me. You've already had your fair share of the deal earlier. Care to pass the torch?" She lifted her head.

Frollo looked down at her, embarrassed to be seen so vulnerable. "I'm not afraid anymore Frollo. Of anything. It's the least I can do. For disappointing you." "What disappointment Sadie? For being a non-believer? You have not stolen, pickpocketed, or have done anything that violated the rules of Paris like they did. You, ironically, are the most holy one among them."

She shrugged. "So no torch?" Frollo impatiently rolled his eyes. "Yes! Yes. I am passing the torch. Be my voice." "Sure thing."

He groaned, much to her concern.

"Do you want to hurt me?" Her face fell and lifted her arm, touching his right shoulder. He turned his back to stare out the window.

"I don't know." Claude blinked. Sadie rubbed the back of her right arm.

"No."

She instantly looked at him. "I do not want to hurt you Sandra. But stand against the wall in the hallway."

She obediently did so without another word.

Frollo slowly walked over to her and unzipped her jacket, then placed his hands on her bare waist.

"I didn't know that you would be back so soon. I'm s.."

"Shh..Don't talk."

She tightened her eyes as his fingernails dug into her skin. "Ugh.."

Frollo knelt down and gently bit her neck. "I love you so much Sadie." He whispered. "All is fair. Love and war." Sadie responded and opened her eyes, hugging him back.

Gracie started to cry and Sadie went to pick her up. Claude scratched his forehead. "You were..expecting this whole time Sandra?" "A.." The girl sighed as Frollo stood behind her.

She giggled. "You were actually the fifth person to make that joke. But no. This sweetheart was rescued from one of the Savior outposts. Isn't she cute?" She sat on the sofa with the baby in her arms.

He lightly smiled and followed her. "She is. I can not argue with that." Frollo sat next to her. "What an angel. Does she have a name?" He held out a finger, letting her hold it. "Yep. Her name is Gracie."

"Gracie." Claude repeated. "I am..guessing her parents did not survive?" "I suppose not." Sadie wiped her eyes. "Either they were ambushed by walkers or Rick and his team showed zero mercy on them. In that case, I have decided to be her mother now. Well mother figure." She shrugged.

"You will be a wonderful mother figure Sadie." Claude kissed her on the forehead.

Sadie hummed. "So yeah. I'm probably going to be asked to be Negan's second voice too. If that's the case, I should probably warn you in advance that my language won't be the cleanest." He leaned her head on his shoulder. "Systems have to be brought forth one way or another. But you did not have to warn me about that. I figured that that would be the case."

Sadie lifted her head as Gracie started crying again. "I'll hold her. Lay back down heathen." "That's just the motivation that I need." She shut her eyes as Frollo held the child. He glanced down, hearing her sniffle. "Do not start crying too Sandra."

"Sorry." She quickly wiped her eyes. Claude stood up and left to the bedroom to lay Gracie in her playpen. He handed her a stuffed bear from her bag, waiting for her to calm down.

Sadie looked miserably at the ground. "Are you in pain Sadie?" "Not..physical pain." A tear slipped down her cheek. "Tell me." He sat her on his lap. "What's on your mind?" "I..I don't know. I just cry for no reason sometimes." She leaned against his chest.

"I understand. I am not going anywhere Sadie. Why don't you get some rest? And charge your vocals."

She couldn't help but giggle. Claude slowly inhaled the scent of her hair and rubbed her back.

"Split.." She hiccuped. "..emotions." "Shh." A small smile formed on her face. "Choose me..or the fire.."

"Is that a threat?" She whispered. "It is not. I will explain later." Claude rolled his eyes. 'The things I do for humanity.' "Okay."

Gracie softly started to cry at first and then began screaming. "Roasted." Sadie stood up and went to pick her up. Claude glanced out the window. She left to get her a pacifier. "Aw it's okay." Sadie placed it in her mouth and kissed her on the head. Gracie smiled before closing her eyes.

"Oh come on. Babies cry." She came back to find a slight frown on Claude's face. "Yes yes. I know. I was only reminded of my father."

Sadie went to the sink to pour him a glass of water with ice. 'I need permission from Negan to start killing though. Probably Clopin first. Then Esmeralda. But I'll leave Quasimodo alive.' "Thank you Sandra." He covered his eyes with his hands.

'I hate seeing you upset.' Sadie sighed and sat beside him with Gracie on the floor in front of them. The baby squirmed and cooed at the ceiling. "Would you like me to make you something?" Her soft words unfortunately fell on deaf ears. "No?"

Frollo huffed. He rose his head with a scowl. "I want them dead. All three of them." "Claude.." "I meant what I said Sadie!" He looked at her. "I just want you specifically causing stress in my life."

She sighed, feeling his rough hand on her cheek. "No one else." "I'm not intending to do that. Just tell me how to stop."

"You don't." Frollo's lips met hers. "Huh." She shrugged and watched Gracie on the floor. "If you say so." Sadie sat on the carpet to play with the baby.

"I know so."

"How'd it go?" Simon put his hands in his pockets. Negan narrowed his eyes. "Gather everyone in the warehouse. And that damn kid." Simon shrugged and walked upstairs.

Her eyes shot open and she sprinted to the bedroom. "Oh you are sneaky." Claude stood up as the door opened.

"Hi." Simon smiled and folded his arms. "So. The boss is in the house. And boy does he have some state of mind. So uh..Where's the chick?"

"Call me a chick again and I will slit your damn throat." Sadie came back with narrowed eyes after putting on her jeans. Claude covered his mouth. 'She certainly wasn't kidding when she said vulgar.'

"Woah! Biology strike?"

"You wish." She bolted out the door and walked down the staircase with a straight face.

Negan handed her a piece of paper. She immediately crumbled it up into a ball and fully zipped up her jacket. "Short, sweet, and to the point. Gracie's fine and unharmed. Was fed."

He tilted his head. "That's the spirit darlin'." He lightly punched her shoulder. "Heard that everyone was slacking. Can you fix that?"

"Why me?" She snapped.

"Why?" Negan towered over her with a scowl. She huffed and clenched her fists. "Did your smart ass mouth just question me?" Sadie blinked. "It looks that way."

Negan's scowl dropped to a charming grin. "Oh..ho! That will certainly not fly in my book darlin'." Sadie narrowed her eyes and smirked at his bat. "Cute."

Negan forcefully grabbed her by the neck, causing her to choke. She tightened her eyes. "That's right.." He whispered, listening to her cough. "..Go to sleep babe." "Negan.." Sadie gasped and opened her eyes.

"I can't hear you." Negan only moved his lips. The girl clenched her chest. "You are in some deep shit missy." He moved his mouth once more then dropped her on the ground, leaving her there.

Sadie caught her breath and slowly panted. "Do it again." Negan stood above her. "What?" "It felt good. Do it again."

He huffed. "F*ck no. You'd lose consciousness." Sadie closed her eyes half way in confusion. "What? Where the actual hell did that come from? And so what if I did? Forget it."

He helped her up. She waved her hand and walked up on the balcony to sit. "Just forget it." She flattened the paper and began to read it.

"I don't punish unless the rules are broken." He climbed the stairs with Lucille on his shoulder. "Just wanted a way to get out of this stress shit." "That's why I wrote you a script darlin'. Deliver the standard message."

Sadie closed her eyes as Negan planted his lips on her forehead. "Roger." Sadie pushed herself up. "I'm going to check on the baby." "Baby?" He placed a hand on her stomach. "What baby?"

Sadie huffed. "I'm talking about Gracie you idiot." He picked her up. "Ah man. I'm so glad she's safe. I'll go with you." "Put me down please." Negan shrugged. "Alright alright."

"This uh..seems sorta out of the blue. But uh..What are your thoughts on killing people?" Sadie smooth talked as they went upstairs. "And why are you asking that?"

"I'm just curious. Because I'm feeling needy for a little risk." She opened the door for him, not knowing that Frollo had left.

"Risk huh?" Negan crashed on the couch. "My philosophy, is that people are a resource."

"Then we can use their corpse as firewood." She smirked and went to pick up Gracie. "Am I right?"

Negan held out his arms as she handed her to him. "You got some pretty screwed up thoughts brewing darlin'. And I like it." Negan kissed Gracie on the cheek. "Tell ya what. If you can handle the following objective, then I'll maybe let another kill slide for you."

Sadie shook her head. "Woah. Seriously?" A smile appeared on her face.

"Alright you little psychopath. Chill out." He rubbed her forehead.

"Yes. Now listen." Sadie calmly sighed. "Yeah? Wait. You're not making me kill Shiva are you?"

"The cat? No way." "Okay." She lay her head back on the couch.

"There is a leader at the Hilltop. His name his Gregory." "Just that name alone gets on my nerves. Carry on."

He blinked. "Now he's a real coward. He needs to be put in his place." "Is he being a coward for the sake of being a coward? Or is he being a coward in terms of strategy?" "Your logic is killing me darlin'. The first one you said." Negan sighed, bouncing Gracie on his knee.

"I hate that." She put on her shoes. "May I borrow a gun?" "Yeah. Go right ahead. Gary will supply you with one."

"Got it." She opened the door.

"Sadie." Negan sat the baby on the couch. "Yeah?" "Be careful darlin'." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I will." They shared a kiss before she left.

Gracie looked blankly him. "Ah mommy will be back soon." Negan sat with her and turned on the television. She reached for the clicker. "Fine. You take the wheel darlin'." He changed the channel from a war movie to a show about puppets. She looked to the screen while he closed his eyes.