I do not own TWD or it's characters.
I have read the comics, and do take those into consideration while I'm writing. However, I am writing it like I think the show will write it. Therefore, I'm trying not to mention things from the comics. Also, just because someone is dead in my fanfic does not mean they are dead in the comics, and just because someone is alive does not mean they are alive in the comics. I've taken liberties with the story. I hope those of you who read the comics can forgive me for that.
The next week passed uneventfully. Chipping in, Judith hunted every morning with the hunting group. She was able to get a few more items of clothing, and had settled into a nice routine. She had just come in from hunting on her seventh day at Hilltop when behind her, the entrance exploded with shouts and demands.
"PUT YOUR WEAPON DOWN!" Jimmy, the guard who had been on duty the day she arrived, shouted at someone. Pulling an arrow from her quiver, she rushed to peak around the gate. Seeing her uncle Daryl, who refused to drop his crossbow with a rifle aimed at him, she hurried to diffuse the situation.
"Ain't droppin' shit while you got that gun in my face," her uncle hollered back.
"That's my uncle," she said to Jimmy, placing a hand on his arm. Jimmy looked at her uncertainly, before slightly lowering his gun. Daryl's crossbow never wavered.
"About time you got here," she shouted, coming out from behind Jimmy. Daryl's crossbow immediately dropped to his side.
"Thank god," he muttered, running up to Judith. Pulling her into a bear hug, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Hoped you made it okay, Lil Asskicker."
Snorting at the old nickname, Judith punched him in the shoulder. "Told you not to call me that." He ruffled her hair once, before hooking his arm over her shoulders.
"You 'gon let me in and show me around? I want the grand tour." He motioned with his crossbow, causing Jimmy to duck. Snickering at the poor guard, she pulled her uncle in the direction of the gates.
"Yeah, come on. Everyone was worried."
"And by everyone, you mean you?"
"Pretty much." He laughed harshly, allowing me to follow him inside. Word of the commotion outside had spread quickly. Judith and Daryl were barely inside the front gate before her aunt Maggie rushed up, embracing Daryl in a hug.
"Oh, thank god!" she drawled, pulling him in close.
"I'm fine. I'm always fine," he muttered, embarrassed at the spectacle. She let go and smiled at him.
"Had us all worried."
"So I've heard." Carl walked up and gave Daryl a small hug before pulling back.
"Glad you made it," he imputed into the conversation.
"Where's your ma?" he asked. Carl shook his head.
"No one knows," Judith answered. "Come on. We'll go to Aunt Maggie's and let you get cleaned up. Then we'll talk."
"I dunt need to clean up." Sniffing at him delicately, she plugged her nose.
"Yeah ya do." He tugged her hair before following down the street. Everyone joked as they made their way to Aunt Maggie's house, but Judith could sense something was wrong with her uncle. She made a mental note to ask him about it later. Right now, they were climbing the porch steps and her Uncle Glenn was coming out the front door. Giving Daryl a quick hug, he smiled hugely.
"Man, I'm so glad to see you!"
"Yeah, ditto." Looking down at his feet, her uncle tried to diffuse some of the attention piling up on him. "Got some water I can use?" Years ago, before she could even remember, Eugene had designed and made water tanks for showers. Basically, each inhabited house had a tank that collected rain water. It was heated by the sunlight, and used for the shower plumbing that was already inside. If it was a cold day, or you showered at night, you froze. But in the summer, the water warmed sufficiently for a nice warm shower. He had explained it to her once, but it seemed much too complicated for a single person to tackle. However, he had only needed to build one and show how it worked before people lined up to volunteer helping him install them throughout the community. After Providence, he had gone to Hilltop and done the same.
"Yeah, man, let me show you." Glenn walked Daryl into the house, leaving the others lingering on the porch.
"We should probably let him rest," Judith suggested. Agreeing, everyone left to do their jobs for the day. Before Judith could step off the porch, Maggie grabbed her arm.
"Help me in the garden?" Nodding, Judith followed her to the communal garden. There were already people working, pulling up weeds and watering. Choosing a section no one else was working in, Maggie squatted down. Joining her, Judith pulled up a weed, waiting for her aunt to start.
"I think I'm pregnant." Mulling it over, Judith considered before replying.
"How far?" Maggie shrugged.
"It's only the second month since my period." Nodding, Judith chewed on her lip before replying.
"So, you'd be pretty early, huh?"
"When I was pregnant with Dylan, Eugene gave me a book on pregnancy. Been awhile since I read it, but I'm thinking 6 weeks?"
"You told Uncle Glenn yet?" Maggie shook her head.
"What if it doesn't make it? Don't want to get his hopes up too soon. I'm not even sure." Maggie and Glenn had been pregnant once before after Dylan. Maggie had lost the baby before she had even started showing.
"You should tell him." Maggie rubbed her eyes.
"Yeah, you're right." They weeded in silence for a few minutes.
"That all you needed to talk about?" Judith looked at her anxiously. She hated gardening, and her aunt knew this.
"Yeah, go git with the other hunters. Shoulda never let your uncle turn you into such a tomboy." Smiling, Judith knew she was referring to her uncle Daryl, and that she loved her, tomboy or not. She stood up, wiping her earth caked hands across her jeans. She'd have to swing by Carl's place and grab her bow, then she could maybe hunt in solitary for a few hours. Heading to Carl's, she was stopped by her uncle Daryl coming out of Maggie and Glenn's home.
"Got a minute?" he asked her.
"If you walk with me." He matched her stride, chewing on his thumb. Noticing his nervous habit, she added, "Spit it out already."
"Don't go off huntin' by yerself." He glanced around them, keeping a constant eye on his surroundings. It was a habit of his, that she tried to emulate.
"Why?" He wouldn't warn her without reason. She wanted to know that reason.
"Them guys I was with? They were headed in this direction when I split off. I don't want them comin' up on you out by yerself."
"Fancy a hunt?" He smiled down at her. His crossbow was slung across his back, as it always was.
"Yeah, sure." Reaching Carl's place, she ran inside for her bow and quiver. Slinging the quiver across her back, she situated the bow and they headed out a back gate. Neither of them were big talkers. Both enjoyed the comfortable silence between them, settling into their old hunting habits.
Later, with three rabbits tied to her belt, Judith stopped for some water.
"You gonna stay here?" she asked her uncle.
"Dunno."
"Why wouldn't you?" It wasn't an accusation. Judith was a curious girl, and her uncle knew she was simply curious about what might keep him from staying permanently.
"Carol." Not needing any further explanation, Judith nodded.
"She turn?" Judith asked quietly, a few minutes later. Shaking his head, he chewed on the side of his thumb.
"Didn't let her."
"Good." They walked back to Hilltop in silence. Wanting to get cleaned up before dinner, her and Daryl separated at Carl's, her going in to shower. The water was still fairly warm and she quickly washed the sweat and grime of the day off of her. There was to be a bonfire that night to celebrate her survival. Her aunt had lent her a dress, but Judith stared at it nervously. Deciding to wear it, she slipped it over her head. It felt awkward against her body, and she had to keep glancing down to make sure it was covering her bottom. The dress was a green summer dress, that stopped right at her knees. She didn't have any shoes except her boots, so she threw those on. Walking to her aunt and uncles place, she saw Glenn and Daryl talking on the porch. Waving hello, she tried to bypass them to see her aunt when Glenn stopped her.
"Look at you! Your Aunt Maggie make you wear that?" She nodded, fighting back a smile. Daryl chuckled.
"Can't 'member ever seeing you in a dress 'fore." Daryl flashed her a smile. "Lookin' good, Lil Asskicker."
"It's not a big deal, guys," she said, trying to shake off the attention. Smiling down at them, she let herself into the house. Maggie rushed down the stairs at her entrance.
"Thought I heard you out there. My god, look at you! Ain't you just a pretty thang?" Her southern drawl had thickened, and Judith suspected she was being made fun of. Shrugging her shoulders, she sent her aunt a smile.
"No big deal, really." Glancing at her feet, her aunt started laughing.
"Oh, my! You can't be wearing combat boots with that pretty dress! Here, I think I got some flip flops. Be a little big on you, but better than them boots." Maggie headed upstairs, with Judith close behind her. Bending down at the closet in her bedroom, she handed Judith a pair of plastic flip flops. Scowling at them, Judith sat down and removed her boots. Slipping them on, she was thankful they were more comfortable than they looked.
Maggie and Judith came out of the house. Carl and Sandy had joined Daryl and Glenn on the porch, waiting on them.
"Well look at that! You look nice, Jude." Carl gave her a small hug. Slightly embarrassed by all the attention, she smiled.
"It's just a dress, guys." Everyone stood, and they headed to the bonfire as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Thanks to Eugene and his smarts, the communities now had beer and moonshine. Beer wasn't as prevalent as moonshine, so it was only brought out on special occasions. Everyone deeming Judith and Daryl's return a special occasion, glasses overflowed and spirits were high. Judith was sitting in one of the battered lawn chairs enjoying the fire and environment when her aunt sat down beside her. She handed her a cup.
"I'm gonna tell him," she said at Judith's glare. Thankful for the smuggled moonshine, Judith took a sip.
"Soon?" she asked her aunt. She simply nodded.
"Yeah, of course. But I couldn't tell him tonight in front of everyone when he handed me a drink, could I? I don't want anyone else to know. Not till we're sure."
"I understand."
"I was thinking I'd tell him tonight, after."
"Good idea." Judith took another small sip, loving the burning sensation travel from her tongue to her belly. This particular patch was apple pie moonshine. Apparently, it was a Dixon family recipe that Daryl gave to Eugene once distilling began. But that was years ago, and knowledge gained from stories told on nights like tonight.
"I wish Beth were still here. She'd be singing right now. She would have had some poor guy go scrounge up a guitar years ago so she could play."
"Uncle Daryl told me she had a beautiful voice."
"Lovely. Absolutely lovely." Tears glistened briefly in Maggie's eyes. Wiping at them, she laughed at her foolishness. "I got sentimental about her when I was pregnant with Dylan, too." Judith gave her a small smile. Gathering herself, Maggie stood up. "You didn't get that from me," she warned Judith with a grin, before heading off to find Glenn.
Daryl fell down into Maggie's abandoned chair moments later.
"Gimme that," he said, reaching for the cup. Handing it over, she watched him take a large gulp before passing it back.
"Don't you let Carl see you have that." Both glanced over to where Carl and Sandy were talking with another young couple.
"I don't think he's paying me any mind tonight."
"Not now, but he probably will later. Just be careful. Wouldn't want Maggie to get in trouble for giving it to you."
"How'd you know it was her?" Judith asked with a smile. Daryl seemed to know everything.
"Watched her hand it to you. Plus, besides me, she's the only one who would let you have it. Since I didn't give it to you, musta been her." Daryl's body froze. Setting her cup down, Judith glanced around, studying the crowd.
"What's wrong?" she asked, unable to determine what had stiffened his spine.
"Nuthin'. Or maybe something. I dunno. Wait here." He stood up and began weaving his way through the crowd. Standing, Judith followed him. "Told you to wait," he muttered when she caught up.
"In my defense, you knew I wouldn't if you told me to." He smiled at her over his shoulder before coming to a stop in front of a small man with coal black hair.
"Yo, Jon. What you doin' here?" The man's eyes lit up with recognition and a flash of fear before he smiled.
"Well, hell Daryl! I knew you wanted away from those assholes, too!" With a glance at Judith, he smiled. "Pardon. You were terrible at hiding how much you despised the lot. Me, though. I hid it. Terrified I'd get found out. First chance I got, I hightailed it outta there. Actually, I need to thank you. You're disappearance gave me the opportunity." Daryl grunted in reply. The man swiped a hand across his forehead. "Yeah, lucky for me when you left. Those guys were bad news. Bad news."
Without any reply, Daryl turned around and walked away from Jon, Judith close behind. Back at their original chairs, Judith took a small sip before handing it to Daryl. Finishing the glass in one gulp, he set it down.
"I'll git you more," he muttered, making to stand. Judith put a hand on his arm, stopping him.
"No, I think I might need a clear head tonight, right?" Nodding, he settled back in his chair.
"Probably a good idea." They sat in silence for awhile before she brought it up again.
"Mind telling me what's up with him?"
"He was in that group I was with." Judith nodding. She thought she'd recognized him.
"Yeah, I vaguely remember him."
"Somethin' ain't right. I don't think he wanted out of that group. Somethin' ain't right." Daryl stared into the fire for a few moments more, before standing.
"Gonna tell Glenn about it." With that, he left. Judith stared into the fire, contemplating what had happened with the man named Jon. She worried her lip about it, until a young man sat down beside her in Daryl's vacated seat.
"Hi. I'm Dan." He held out his hand. She looked at it for a second too long before reaching out a shaking it.
"Judith," she murmured.
"Yeah, I know. Everyone's been talking about you. Heard you've been surviving out on your own since Providence fell." She merely nodded. "That's pretty impressive."
"I 'spose." Slightly annoyed, she turned to face him. She felt her heart slam into her chest as her eyes met his. He was quite gorgeous. Forcing a smile on her face, she decided to make more of an effort to get to know him.
"Your parents teach you that? Surviving?"
"Yeah. And my Uncle Daryl." He started laughing.
"That guy who had Jimmy in an uproar this morning?" Smiling back at him, she laughed.
"That's the one."
"Seem to remember you gave Jimmy quite a start as well." Judith shook her head.
"Nothing like my Uncle Daryl. I didn't have a crossbow trained on his face when I walked up." Dan laughed.
"Very true." Glancing at her empty glass, he looked back into her green eyes. She stared back into his baby blues. "You need a refill?"
"Nah, I'm good. Shouldn't have even had that one." At his questioning stare, she decided to elaborate. "My aunt brought it to me. I'm sixteen."
"Thought you looked a little young." Her heart broke a little, thinking he was no longer interested. Surprised, he settled back into the chair.
"I turned eighteen last month, so they finally let me drink. No more getting my older brother to smuggle me a glass. Not that there's much opportunity to be drinking anyway." She smiled, happy to hear he was close to her age. Music started playing nearby. Sitting up, Judith tried to find the source.
"That would be Eugene. I asked him to maybe get some music going so I could ask the pretty red head for a dance. Apparently he decided music was an okay use for that wind power he makes." His eyes burned as he looked over at her nonchalantly. "So, Judith. A dance?" Unable to find her voice, she nodded.
I hope you guys are enjoying my Judith story. I have tons of ideas on what I want to happen, and were I want the story to go. Thanks for reading!