Rand walked outside the keep to see shit all over the bailey. "Here's where the fun begins," she whispered. After she'd gotten up she'd gone back to her room and took a shower. She'd gotten an abridged version of what they'd done and she was happy. She tracked Tom down in one of the storage areas. He, Mark and Tsula were poking inside the bags or boxes they'd taken from the department store.

"Rand," he turned and smiled.

"Tom. Making progress."

The man had the nerve to roll his eyes. "I guess."

She laughed. "Trust me. We'll need most of this. So, have you looked around?"

"Yes. Waya and Tsula showed us. You have food growing," he said in awe. "Coffee. Tea."

"We found it like this, Michonne, Daryl and I. Here are my thoughts. Find all of the food and put it in the ice house. We'll store it there. After we're done with food we'll work on toiletries, clothing, housewares, so on and so forth. While we're finding the food we'll mark on the outside of the boxes or bags what's inside." She frowned at the generic description 'Toiletries' on the outside of one box.

"Good idea."

"Great. We'll do inventory at the same time. We have some laptops. A simple spreadsheet system should suffice."

"Oh. Is that what you want me to do? Set up a spreadsheet?"

"I can do it or Michonne can do it. The important thing is to know what we have. And we have a lot." Rand thought she heard the man mutter 'I'll say'. "How are your shooting skills?"

He frowned. "I told Michonne and Daryl I've never killed anyone. Even after this started."

"I didn't ask about killing anyone. I asked about your shooting skills," she countered.

"I've never used a gun in my life."

"You'll have to learn. You don't have to kill live people but I didn't pay the cellphone bill and we've been cut off."

He had the grace to turn red. "Sorry. I see. Warning shots."

"Along those lines, yes."

"I've never used a gun before, either. I frowned on guns."

"Your prerogative. You can still frown on them but you will have to learn to use one."

He nodded. "Fine."

"Okay. Let's find out how much food we have, shall we?"

They spent the rest of the morning finding the food and putting it to the side. The department store had a few wagons she and Tom put together. They put the food in those and had the kids wheel the food to the keep and stack it outside. They marked the bags and boxes they'd found with the contents. At lunch she made tuna and opened a big thing of mayo, sniffing it before she used it, and they sat down to eat.

"We made good progress today," Tom grinned as he ate.

"We did. We still have a lot of stuff to go through."

"Those shelves from the department store. We should put those together and put them in the ice house. It will make it easier to keep track."

"Good idea. We'll work on that after lunch. One of us can set up the spreadsheet."

He laughed nervously. "Spreadsheets had been my life. I'm astounded you have electricity. Jack had mentioned putting in solar panels." He stopped and cleared his throat. "We used candles until they ran out. We learned to do what we needed during the day." He sighed. "I…can do the spreadsheet."

"I'll take you up on your offer. My arm is killing me."

"Should you be using it?" he looked concerned.

"No, but I don't have a choice."

"I saw some aspirin around."

"I'm fine. I'll take something later. I'll need to take some antibiotics."

After they were finished eating she sent Tom and the kids to find the shelves while she did dishes. They didn't have a bad first day. If they continued to bust ass they could get all the food in the ice house and know how much they had. She'd have to check the farms and find the county assessor's office. And the utilities. Then she needed to get the apothecary cleaned out and stock it with clothes. More shelves in there. Shit. She'd have to go back out to another department store. Find those lockers for guns. Deal with the fencing, since Daryl hadn't said anything to her yet. She needed a metal door with a coded lock and get that installed. She wondered how many guns they were bringing back. They had a few rooms in the keep, empty storage rooms, they could use. More locks. She sat down on the floor, her back against the stove.

This would have been so much easier if she'd been by herself. She could move at her own pace. Or Michonne and Daryl had stepped up. She hoped they'd be okay doing this run. She should have insisted she go and let them stay here and handle things. She didn't want Michonne or Daryl to look weak or like she didn't trust them, she'd had to let them go.

Right now she just wanted to curl up in bed and go to sleep. Sighing, she got to her feet, put on her 'I know what the hell I'm doing face' and left the keep.

Tom had to admit, two days later, Rand was an incredibly determined woman. They'd stored all of the food, they had a lot, and started clearing out the apothecary for clothes. The bailey looked like chaos, but organized chaos. They'd started moving things to piles of what they were, which is what he, Michonne and the others had started, but not having to look through everything every time was smart. There was just so much of it.

"Where'd you get all this stuff, Rand?" Mark asked as he ate his dinner. Tom had heated up soup. His wife was the one that cooked. When they'd gotten to the cabin Marlene and Jackie had switched off.

"We took it."

"From where?"

"Places."

"Like the dicks?" he frowned. Tom choked. He really wished she'd never taught his son that word. It was a good word for them but he didn't like Mark using it.

"Kind of. We didn't kill anyone for this, like the dicks did."

Mark nodded. "So, if you saw someone you don't kill them and take their stuff, like the dicks?"

"To be honest, Mark," she paused. "No. If we saw people." She paused again. "You know what? The only people we've interacted with were the dicks."

"Rand kills the dicks," Tsula nodded.

Tom stopped eating and looked at the woman. He was…not surprised. He, after they were in the tent, was just happy to be away from those men. He didn't ask questions. He decided it was better that way.

He'd always thought people that killed other people were drug addicts or people with mental health issues. These days who didn't have a mental health issue? Rand sat there, calmly, explaining to his son she killed people. He was grateful she killed those monsters. He knew they'd killed people. She didn't seem like them. She seemed…normal. Like someone that used to work in an office. He shifted in his seat.

Tsula shouted "Rand!" the next day. "They're back."

"Okay, Tsula," she waved her hand and stood up, groaning.

Tom, the bastard, just smirked. "Let's go see what they brought back."

He got up from a chair he'd put together from the department store and followed her. He'd offered to put one together for her, but she'd declined. She didn't think she'd be doing as much of this after the others got here. She did smile as she looked around the bailey. Most of the crap had been moved to the locations they were going in. Some of it was still stacked in their appropriate piles but they'd done a good job.

When she lowered the drawbridge, Daryl got out of the lead truck. "Gotta lotta shit."

"Good. Guardroom for the guns. I figure just stack the crates outside the door."

"Gas?"

"Inside the bailey for right now. I need to talk to you and Michonne when all of this is unloaded."

He frowned. "You alright?"

"Tired as fuck. You?"

"Same."

He stared for another minute before he turned and went back to the truck. He started unloading, Michonne picked up the containers, gas she assumed, and walked by her into the bailey.

"You got a lot done," she commented.

"You bet, General," she grinned and walked across the drawbridge.

Daryl was tired and sweaty after they'd unloaded all four trucks. Damn, that run had been long. He'd been on runs that long before, but they'd never gotten this much shit. The Big Spot had been the biggest run they'd ever done and even that got fucked up. Rand woulda seen the helicopter.

He showered and changed into the other set of clothes he had before he headed to the dining room. Whatever Rand made smelled good.

"Tuna casserole with shelf stable milk," she told the table. "Okay," she announced after she took the first bite. "I was never a fan."

"Fuck that. Smells good," he countered before he started eating.

He noticed no one else said anything bad about dinner. It was silent at the table. Tom and Mark volunteered for KP and started clearing the plates. He came back with some coffee and put it out. Mark was behind him bringing creamer, sugar and spoons. They left the dining room after cleaning off the table.

"Good run," Michonne said as she sipped her coffee. "Bat-shit crazy and walkers."

"No shortage of both. Bat-shit and walkers are no match for the Knights of the Castle," she grinned at them.

Daryl rolled his eyes.

"Reports now or tomorrow?"

"Now," Adrian nodded.

"Fine. I'll go first. Most of the bailey's cleaned, as you saw. The piles are organized. I've started another list of things we need to complete most of the projects. I can go tomorrow or if someone else wants to go later, it's open. That crap's not going anywhere where it is."

"I'll go in a few days. Me and 'Chonne," he volunteered.

"Great. You?"

"Lots of guns, lots of gas," he answered. "One bat-shit crazy and a lotta walkers."

"I like reports like that," Rand winked at him. "Farm. Nothing yet."

"Dicks?" Waya asked.

"None to report. But we haven't gone anywhere and no one can get in here. They could be in the moat, for all I know."

Adrian rolled his eyes. "You'd know."

"I would. No dicks in the moat." She sat back in her chair. "Anything else?"

"Tsula?" Waya leaned forward.

"Her and Mark were a big help to us. All of the food is in the ice box. Every single thing. Tom has the inventory on a spreadsheet. It's organized, too."

"That was a lot of food," Seth whistled.

"Yes, it was. That's it. Anything else?" she looked at all of them.

"No," Waya stood and held his hand out to Tsula. She smiled, took it and they left.

"Tired," Seth stood, too, followed by Adrian.

"See everyone in the morning," Rand waved as the dining room cleared.

"How's your arm?" Michonne asked after they were alone.

"Hurts like a bitch. So? How was it?"

"Fine. Like we said, some bat-shit had a gun on Adrian. Shot him in the chest, he took bat-shit's gun and shot him in the head," Daryl responded.

"Would you do another run with them?"

Michonne raised her eyebrows. "Another base?"

"Not right now, no."

"Sure."

Rand nodded. "Next order of business is castle business. We have a lot of stuff. A lot of stuff. That lot of stuff needs more stuff. We also need someone to keep track of that lot of stuff. I'd like to make Tom the seneschal. If you agree?"

"Seneschal?" Daryl questioned.

"In medieval times, the seneschal managed the household of the castle. If one of you would like the job, it's yours."

Michonne frowned. Daryl shook his head. "Okay. Tom is the seneschal. Of the castle for right now. I'm turning him loose. He understands what we need done. I've started a list of other things we need to organize this crap. He may add to it. You said you would go out in a few days. Good. It'll give Tom time to get his head wrapped around what I'm handing him. Next order of business is the county assessor's and the utilities offices. I'd like to find something about the castle. Prints would be ideal. They wouldn't have been filed there but we may find the architect or the builder. Hopefully, Mike Ward worked local. I'm pretty sure for the builders he did. Why pay to truck crap in when you can get some local?"

Michonne thought that made sense. "Why?"

Rand sighed and drank coffee. "Water for one. I'd like to know where we're getting it. I'd also like to look into our own water system. For down the road. Next is the trees. I'd like to thin them a little around the castle. We need the wood for winter. Fencing is on the list. Make what we have stronger or install a different type? Thoughts? Ideas?"

Michonne stared at the woman. She'd put a lot of thought into this. More than Rick ever did with the prison. More than Deanna did for Alexandria. She didn't think she would have thought of half of what Rand did.

"Michonne?" Rand looked at her.

"It's. Rick or Deanna never put this much thought into their places."

Rand raised her eyebrows. "I don't know who those people are and they didn't have to. I told you, I've lost three places. I'm not losing another one. This shit is important. We're making another place to live. These are some things that were already thought of in the old world by planners, politicians, so on. People took them for granted. It's one of the reasons why the people that led my other communities failed. They took things for granted. I would have done all of this even if you or Daryl weren't here. I'm sorry if this bothers you. Did you want to leave?" Rand asked her.

Michonne shook her head. "No, I don't want to leave. I just realized that I'm not the one to lead this place. Not just the hand holding. I wouldn't have taken everything for granted, but some of it I would have."

"Thanks?" Rand questioned.

Daryl scoffed. "Yeah. You lead this place."

Rand raised her eyebrows. "Okay. Did you want to continue tomorrow or did you want me to break it down in smaller pieces for your advice?"

Daryl laughed harshly. "You want our advice?"

"I do, Daryl. Why I'm keeping you after class."

"Smaller pieces," Michonne requested.

"Okay. Tom is the seneschal of everything but the guardroom. We'll put the guns and things inside. There are some empty storage rooms in the keep. More locks. We need a locking system for the guardroom. Some sort of gun system for when people leave the castle. If you're out maybe look around. Something might come to you."

"Right," he drawled. Hell, he'da never thought of half the shit she just said. She was the one to lead the castle.

Rand frowned. "I'm not making fun of you. I think of things a certain way. If you have better ideas I'll listen. Watch schedule. Now that the big bad base run is over, I'm making one. Not the best. Tom's never used a gun before and he'll need someone to teach him. Seth?"

"Yes, Seth," Michonne agreed.

"Don't tell me what I want to hear. I could talk to myself," she drawled.

"Seth. Adrian can be arrogant and Waya doesn't talk much. Seth can be a smart ass, but he'll be relatable."

"Waya. He used to be a cop," Daryl countered.

"Waya. Hm. I did think of him first because of his background. But he doesn't talk much. Tom's…he hasn't caught up to us, yet, Daryl. He was…sheltered before and after, even with the dicks. Social doesn't begin to cover it."

Michonne coughed. "Seth."

"Seth it is. One more thing? Can you please take charge tomorrow? My arm hurts like a bitch and I just want to sleep in. Let Tom do what he needs to do. He'll know to see you if he has any questions."

Michonne nodded and she stood up. "Good. Breaking into smaller pieces is helpful for me."

"I'll take the dishes," Michonne offered.

"Thanks. I'll be up some time, I just don't know when."

Daryl helped Seth and Adrian organize the guardroom. He was impressed with the amount of guns, RPG's and hand grenades they'd taken. It had been a good run. Shit. It wouldna gone smooth with the others. They couldn't even clear out most of a store before a helicopter fell through the roof of the Big Spot. That was his and Sasha's fault for not checkin' the whole thing out. Sasha's mainly. He'd told her where it was and she set up the run. The music playin' had been a good idea.

They'd stacked the overflow into one of the empty storage rooms in the keep before he made his way outside. He lit a cigarette and saw Michonne was helpin' Tom, Tsula, Mark and Waya. With just the seven of 'em they'd cleared out a damn town. They had most of the town here. No runs for food, no runs for gas, no runs for guns or tryin' to find all three. This was a good place. He'd follow Rand.

Part of it was luck. Luck the town had mostly walkers and some of 'em were slow. Luck him and Michonne found the others. Luck him and Merle found the Atlanta camp. Shane was an ass and he deserved what he got, but Rick had been a good leader. Until Lori died. It took a while, and Hershel, before he got his head outta his ass.

Sometimes he'd get mad at himself for not goin' with 'Chonne to find that cocksucker. They coulda still been there. Beth would be alive, Hershel would be alive, Ty would be alive. Rick wouldn't be a dumbass. He finished his cigarette and went to find out what the hell else needed movin'.

Michonne was happy to see Rand when she walked out of the keep after lunch. They had a good system down now and she'd gladly add the woman to the chain. She or Daryl didn't tell Tom of his promotion to seneschal, she decided to let Rand do it. She ran this place.

She'd had Tom stay on the inventory system as items were separated and moved to where they would be stored. Rand had decided, for the most part, where the town was going to go.

"Hey," she greeted them, carrying a cup that Michonne knew was coffee.

"Hi, Rand," Mark gave her a thumbs up. "We got a lot done. Me and Tsula moved it all."

She raised her eyebrows. "You did, huh? Good for you two." She waited. "Is there any chocolate left?"

Tsula giggled. "Yes. Waya and Tom said we could have some, but not a lot."

"Good. I like chocolate, too."

Michonne pointed and the woman moved. She didn't know how many hours later but the bailey had been cleared. The places where things were going to be stored was a different story.

Rand looked around. "This looks good. Like we've actually moved in. I'm sorry I wasn't here for most of it. Tomorrow is a day of rest," she announced. "Do what you want. Everyone's been busting ass pretty good. We all need some down time."

Michonne found her the next day on the brick overpass. "Day off?"

She shrugged and looked through a pair of binoculars they'd gotten from the department store. "We need to start watch. Everyone did the hard stuff. I came in at the end. So, day off. Didn't you have days off at your other places?"

"I wasn't there much at the first one. I…left the second."

"It's been said that everyone needs a day off." She turned to look at the woman. "If all you do is fight or flight, you run the risk of burning out, making mistakes and the next thing you know? Someone's sticking a knife in your head. Or you just walk."

"We had a few days off when we got there."

"Your last place?" Rand turned back to the open field.

"It…was hard," she admitted.

"Fight or flight or both?"

"Both."

"I don't know who ran your last place before you met the dick, but it's a good idea. It needs to be well thought out." Rand frowned. "What the hell do I know? I'm making this up as I go along."

Michonne rolled her eyes and leaned against the railing. "It doesn't sound like it."

"I am. I assumed, dangerous word assume, I'd be here by myself. Less hassles. Frankly, this world sucks. Huge. People just complicate things. Dead people for sure, but live people more than dead people."

Michonne stood with her for a couple of hours before she left. Rand was glad. She didn't like or dislike Michonne. The woman could use that katana and a gun. She seemed decent. Really, what more could you hope for these days? She was quiet. Maybe one day they'd be friends.