I'm so sorry for the laate update, my friend turned 21 and we were planning and then celebrating it, so things go quite hectic. Once again, not too much happening in this chapter, it's more one that leads into the next chapter, where the really exciting stuff happens, as you all know;) Thanks for all the favourites and follows, ad especially to Kaikitty165, portalefiamme and Lizzy-Reedus-MacManus-Dixon for reviewing, I appreciate it!

Kaikitty165: Thanks, I'm excited to type Anna as she develops and changes due to living with Team Family and how she really figures out who she is beyond her amnesia and the troubles it introduced to her life.

Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter 13

Anamika was leaning on the wall, her arms crossed and her eyes studying the inhabitants of Alexandria around her. She could see the panic in all of their eyes, though some tried really hard to hide it and pretend nothing was going on outside the wall. Kind of hard to do when the groans of the walkers surrounding them were making it hard to think.

Anamika had walked the perimeter of the wall inside and had confirmed, to her disgust, that the walkers were all around needed to set it up so that this could never happen again and they needed to make sure they had an escape route, even if they had to hand dig a tunnel after this was all over.

She ignored Rick as he walked over, knowing the gist of what he was going to say and instead started thinking of ways to get out of this. She knew Daryl, Sasha, Abraham and Glenn would come back to help them, though she honestly wasn't sure that Nicholas would make it, snivelling coward that he is, but she wasn't sure if they had the time to wait for Daryl and the others to make it back.

"Those people that attacked us… They found their way back here because of me." Anamika looked up at that, hearing Aaron's guilt filled voice and seeing his lowered head. She looked around to see anger, disbelieve, disappointment and heartbreak on the people's faces and anger flared up in her at the silence that was filled with blame.

"That's bullshit. These people were in the area for some time and they would have found us with or without your backpack. People always find a way and that's not on you. Do I make myself clear?" She looked around at the people and was satisfied when most nodded along with her words or couldn't look her in the eyes. She looked at Aaron, who smiled timidly at her and she returned it readily.

Ignoring the issue with Deanna, Anamika wandered away, set on checking up on Judith and Carl and maybe catching a nap, she was exhausted and thought she could just as well make use of the fact that she was behind walls and would be for the foreseeable future.

"Anna!" She turned at Rick's voice, waiting for him to catch up and squinting in the sun as she watched his face, waiting for him to speak.

"So, Carl told me that you saved him and Judith, protected them with your life and then fought for Alexandria. Carol also told me how you helped her and made it possible for her to reach the armory unhindered."

The woman stayed quiet, unsure of what to say. She had never thought Carl and Carol would speak to Rick about her efforts and to be honest, she didn't do it to get Rick's trust, she did it because she couldn't allow anything to happen to Carl or Judith, or to the people of Alexandria who looked up to her, even if she remained a bit uncomfortable and cautious around them.

"You didn't have to do that, but I'm thankful for it. My kids are everything to me and Alexandria is a way for them to stay safe. You more than proved yourself one of us. So, starting now, no more guards, I'll give you your gun and machete back as well, so you don't have to take on an armed man with no weapons and a baby in your arms." She couldn't help but match Rick's grin, chuckling slightly even though there was nothing funny about that situation.

"Thanks Rick. It means a lot. Carl is a brave boy, he really protected his sister well." Rick nodded, a proud smile on his face as they walked to the armory.

"That reminds me. The keys to your truck." Anamika stared down at the keys in Rick's outstretched hand, her mind stuttering to a halt. Stunned, she looked up at Rick and saw an uncharacteristically soft look on his face, that she knew he reserved for family. She had never seen anyone direct such a look towards her and she felt her heart clench and a burning in her eyes. She managed not to cry, but it was a close call.

"But… the supplies…" Rick shrugged, still holding the keys towards her, though she didn't take it.

"They're yours. You gathered it and probably spilled blood doing so, I won't take that from you." She felt her throat clog up and exhaled noisily, swallowing to make sure nothing escaped past her expression, though from the slight smile on Rick's face, she was sure she failed. She reached out, closing her hand over Rick's so that his fingers curled around the keys again.

"Keep it. Add it to Alexandria's stores. If I'm one of you now, then what is mine is yours right?" Rick gazed at her intently, before he nodded and smiled, pocketing the keys. Anamika felt a new sense of belonging settling in her chest, knowing she finally admitted that she would not be able to leave these people, especially Carl and Judith, now that she had gotten to know them. Glancing at Rick, she smiled and thought that it might not be so bad to stick around.

After that they walked the last bit to the armory in silence, a new understanding between them, as well as a feeling of trust and camaraderie. After she was handed her machete and pistol, she nodded to Rick and made her way to his house, while he wandered off somewhere else. Reaching the house, she saw Carl standing on the porch with Judith, though his eyes were focused on something else, as was his mind she reckoned.

"Hey Carl! Guess who's a free woman?" She laughed as Carl started and turned towards her, before what she said registered and he smiled.

"My dad gave you free reign?" His eyes were focused on her weapons and she smiled and nodded as she walked up the steps.

"Hey, want me to take her for a bit so you can go do whatever it is you wanted to do?" Carl nodded, handing his sister over and jogging down the steps, disappearing down the street.

"Who's a pretty little girl huh? Yes, you are the most beautiful girl in town, yes you are." Smiling as Judith giggled and babbled at her, she went down to the grass, playing with Judith for the next two hours, before the little girl started yawning and she picked her up, heading inside. After feeding her some pureed fruit, she walked with her around the livingroom, cradling her body in her arms as she hummed, before singing the chorus.

I am a lost boy from Neverland
Usually hanging out with Peter Pan
And when we're bored we play in the woods
Always on the run from Captain Hook
"Run, run, lost boy, " they say to me
Away from all of reality
Neverland is home to lost boys like me

Feeling Judith's warm body heavy against her, she saw the little girl was already sleeping. Walking over to the couch, she lied down, gently settling Judith against her chest, before she closed her eyes, her arms securely wrapped around the toddler's body. It wasn't long before she felt sleep creeping up on her and gently turning on her side, she laid Judith between the couch back and her body, before she, too, fell asleep.

She woke to pots banging in the kitchen, her mind confused as her eyes blinked sleepily. There was something squirming in her arms and as she looked down, she saw Judith sitting against the couch back, a big smile on her face as she fiddled with Anamika's hair, which had come loose sometime as she slept.

Yawning, she tickled Judith's stomach and smiled as the girl giggled. Sweeping her up in her arms, she wandered over to the kitchen, finding Carol making breakfast while Carl and Rick stood at the counter.

"Morning sleepy head." Looking around startled, she realised it was indeed morning, which meant she had slept with Judith all night on the couch when they laid down last evening. She was surprised no one woke her up or took Judith to her cot and Rick apparently saw that, as he answered her silent question with a smile.

"You looked so comfortable and Judith was perfectly happy where she was, that I decided to leave you. Carl managed to get something precious out of it as well." Looking towards the boy, curious, he grinned and held up a polaroid. Anamika blushed brilliantly when she saw herself snuggling with Judith on the couch, both Judith and her drooling a bit as they slept. Carol, Carl and Rick all laughed as she grumbled half-heartedly and handed Judith to her father so she can be fed.

Pointing a threatening finger at Carl, she mock-threatened him, eyebrows scrunched together dramatically, "I'll get you back for that, just you wait!"

"Sure sure, whatever you say Anna." Huffing, she pouted and crossed her arms, though she couldn't help but chuckle when Carl ruffled her hair with a smirk, obviously teasing her. It was then that Carol served them breakfast and as soon as they finished eating, they left the house, because walkers still surrounded them twenty-deep and there was a lot to do.

Since Rick was heading to the front gate, Anamika headed to the back, patrolling to make sure she couldn't find any weak spots, especially with the walkers pressing up as they did. She spent most of the morning doing this in solitude, ignoring the gunshots she heard when they ended after less than a minute, figuring Rick had sorted whatever was happening.

Just after noon, she started making her way back, intending to ask Rick if there was anything he needed her help with, when she detoured after she saw Judith with Jesse. Tickling the girl's tummy and kissing her cheek, she smiled at the woman and continued on. When she almost made it to the front gate, a groaning creak had her looking up in confusion, and then the sounds of wood creaking and breaking filled her ears. Sprinting forward, she rounded the corner just in time to see the old clock tower fall on the weakened bit of the wall, taking the entire panel with it.

Her breathing slowed as the world went silent around her. Her heartbeat thudded slowly in her ears, the beats loud in the sudden absence of noise. Her thoughts had stuttered to a stop and she inhaled slowly.

Thud

Thud

Thud

She exhaled harshly, the groaning moans of walkers slamming into her as people started yelling in panic and ominous shapes moved through the dust. Her body snapped into motion and she shouted loudly, her commanding voice instantly capturing the attention of the people around her.

"Go to your houses, barricade the doors and hang curtains or linens in front of any windows. Stay quiet and calm until Daryl and them comes back and we sort this out. Move, move, move!"

People started running again, entering their houses in little groups and locking and barricading the doors behind them. Anamika was killing walkers left, right and center as she insured everyone made it inside, then she ran to where she could see Rick supporting Deanna, who was bleeding from her leg and side. Grabbing Deanna's other arm and slinging it across her shoulders, she started leading them to Jesse's, where she knew Judith at least was.

Michonne, Carl, Gabriel and Ron soon joined them as they fought off walkers, but when the walkers came from the front as well, Anamika dropped Deanna's arm and leapt forward, slicing through them as she yelled at Rick to go to Jesse's. Luckily, it seemed Jesse heard the commotion, as she came out and started shooting the walkers surrounding the group, ensuring they had a gap to get in. Running backwards, she made sure everyone got in and only turned to run in when she heard Rick yelling at her.

Immediately, as Rick, Michonne and Jesse ran up the stairs with Deanna in Rick's arms, she started closing curtains and grabbing linen from the closet to cover up any windows that didn't have curtains. Hearing Judith start to cry from where she was in her brother's arms, she walked over, holding her arms out and taking the baby girl, swinging from side to side with her as she hummed softly.

Slowly, Judith's cries petered out and her eyes closed, the tiny girl exhausted from all the excitement. Walking up the stairs, she placed the sleeping girl in her cot, turning when she felt a presence behind her. Rick stood in the doorway, his face haggard as he pinched his nose between his fingers.

"Deanna's been bit." Anamika sighed, rubbing a hand over her face and into her hair.

"Fuck." There didn't need anything else to be said and though she had talked to Deanna on various occasions, they had never really gotten close, especially with Deanna being so out of it the past week she had been here. Watching Rick watch over his daughter, she patted his shoulders and walked out, going downstairs to keep an eye on things. She saw Ron go into the garage and didn't think anything of it, but she took notice when Carl went in as well.

She frowned, but didn't move to check on them, as she knew they were kind of friends, though she detected some hostility in Ron, but that was to be expected, given the entire situation with his dad. However, when she heard a click and then a loud thud against the door, followed by the sounds of fighting, she immediately ran over, trying to open the door only to feel that it's locked, as she suspected. Taking a step back, she threw her leg out, kicking the door hard. She did this again and again, and when Rick came running down the stairs, followed by Jesse, she stepped back.

Rick, use your hatchet to break the lock, quickly!" Rick asked no questions, he immediately started hacking at it and when she deemed it loose enough, she told him to step back and gave the door one hard kick. It flew open and she rushed through, ignoring Ron as she grabbed Carl and pushed him towards his father, hacking a walker on her tail down before she ran out of the garage, slamming what was left of the door shut and leaning on it.

Rick soon came with a couch and she focused on keeping the couch in place, but when she heard Ron say something about a couch and saw Carl following him through the doorway, she told Rick she was going to help them and rounded the corner, just in time to see Carl close the door behind him.

Standing with her head bent towards the door, she heard muttered words, before she clearly heard Carl tell Ron to give him the gun. They talked a bit more, Carl telling him his dad was an asshole, when Anamika decided she had enough. She wasn't like Rick, who had a father's instinct, she didn't care shit that Ron was a kid that had a rough time lately, she only knew one thing, knew it with a certainty that burned in her.

Ron had tried to kill Carl.

She pushed the door open, closing it behind her as she stared at the two teens, who looked surprised to see her. Carl stepped forward, as if to caution her, but she gently pushed him aside and walked to Ron, grabbing his upper arm in a bruising grip. Bringing her face close to his, she let a bit of her darkness show, watching as his face paled and he leaned away from her. Baring her teeth, she spoke to him, her voice low and dangerous.

"I don't care what you and Carl say happened in that garage, I know the truth. If you ever try to harm or kill Carl again, I will end you. I don't care what Rick or your mother say or do, I will feed you to the walkers and laugh as they tear your insides from your still breathing body. Do I make myself clear?" He nodded, his eyes wide and his breathing shallow. Staring him down for a further few seconds, she abruptly released him and stepped back, turning to Carl.

"You really ok? He didn't hurt you?" Carl shook his head and she nodded, relieved as she gave him a short hug.

"Come on, let's go."

Anamika held watch for the next fifteen minutes, but the amount of walkers gathered outside had increased and they were starting to break through. Gritting her teeth, she helped Michonne barricade the windows that were starting to break, when she had an a relatively petite walker, the woman having been smaller than Deanna when alive, she pulled it through the broken window, ignoring Michonne's shouts as she stabbed it in the head and threw it behind her. The others were still trying to keep the doors and windows barricaded, but she began smearing guts all over her clothes, coating herself in it and even draping some intestines around her neck. She saw Rick come running down the stairs and stopping dead at the sight of her.

"Rick, I'm going to head out to the armory, get some weapons for us, maybe find a car that works to lead them away. If I'm not back in an hour, you get linens and do this, get out of the house, they will overrun it completely sooner or later."

"You can't go alone."

"I have to. You need all the people you can get here, but I can do this, I've done it plenty of times before. Rick, they need you, only you can lead them through this." She could see the reluctance in Rick's eyes and knew he was going to argue with her some more, but at that moment, Michonne's yell caught their attention and the walkers started breaking through, the barricades ineffective.

Everyone started rushing up the stairs and she checked to make sure they all made it, standing quietly in the corner as the walkers ignored her. Seeing that Rick and Michonne managed to barricade the stairway, she met Rick's eyes, giving him a nod and ignoring Michonne and Jesse's panicked questions about what she was doing. Slowly walking out the door, she turned in the direction of the armory, her gate slow so as to not rouse suspicion and her eyes flitting about her, flinching minutely when she bumped into walkers, which was basically constantly.

Luckily, the guts were working and they completely ignored her, blind to her presence as she moved through them, determined to save Alexandria.

WD

Sorry if this chapter is very canon, it's kind of hard to deviate when it's just them scrambling to escape the walkers, but I promise next chapter will be a bit more interesting:) Please let me know what you thought regardless, especially on Rick and Anamika's current dynamic and how you think it will develop.