Disclaimer: Buffy The Vampire Slayer was Created by Joss Whedon and is property of many companies but not me. The Walking Dead was created by Robert Kirkman and the show, which is the world I am referencing in this, is shared with Production Creators Frank Darabont and Angela Kang.
Author's Note: I have met my goal for the year w00t, w00t! I'm not saying I thought I'd fail, but I will say I'm relieved I made it. 😊Hoping this momentum spills over to my other stories but that really depends on what characters are talking to me.
This was actually twice this length with another scene about when they arrive but it didn't feel like it added anything so I scrapped it. There will be a jump in the next post.
So I tried not to start any new stories, failed, and as you saw there were one shots with a slightly AU ending to early Midnight Sun in 'Dashed' and the Santa Clarita Diet 'Halibut! And then Drop Dead, Gorgeous happened… Focus is not my strong suite y'all, pray.
[22]
The crystal ball Giles had gifted her had not survived the years, Tara saving the pieces it had broken into for other purposes. The larger ones were wrapped away and could be used for divination, the smaller shards had been worked into necklaces, rings, the smallest pieces for amulets. Willow hadn't drifted from her thoughts for a moment since she'd left with Dawn and the bowman, thoughts of checking in persisting as evening encroached but she resisted until bed.
Sliding into bed, she studied the ring on her third finger, resting her hand against the pillow Willow should have been leaning on. It didn't take much concentration to feel her, and she ran her opposite hand against her fingers, squeezing her own gently. When the feeling was returned, she smiled and rolled over, comforted enough to fall asleep.
[Break]
"Are they awake yet?"
"No, there hasn't been any movement since 3."
"Good. I want you to check out their farm, if it's like they say we'll let them work it through Harvest."
"We'll trade?"
"Let's see how things go."
[Break]
Where the group had shown no outward reaction to the town the evening before, neither Dawn nor Willow could remain unmoved at the bustle of the townspeople the next morning. Families crossed the street, not as many as a year ago, but still a surprising sight. Kids playing in the street without the fear of traffic, mothers chatting as they worked in the small, raised beds they had passed the night before. A door chimed as someone exited a store, the sound ringing without concern of attracting attention, and a darkhaired woman with long waves stepped out, raising a hand to shield her eyes and study the group being lead out.
When the woman waived after a moment's hesitation, Dawn returned it, looking back as they passed out of the woman's direct sight and found her still watching. The lack of shock told her newcomers weren't an entirely new experience, but the surprise indicated it wasn't frequent. Before she could examine further, Daryl was grumbling with one of the men guarding their vehicle, passing him to check around the car – not caring that checking for any sort of device or damage would be offensive.
The Governor strode over before Daryl had finished, appraising the man as he worked, "Smart, never can be too careful." Daryl snorted at the observation, completing his survey until he was satisfied and leaned against the hood, waiting for the leader of Woodbury's decision,
"Martinez will follow you to your farm, make sure you get back to your people safe. If he thinks what you said is true, you can send your leader back with him along with the woman you mentioned. We'll host her through her pregnancy." No one asked a follow up about if they didn't, the three visitors keeping their gaze on The Governor until he was done talking.
"Gargulio," the kid from the day before appeared, key ring held out for Daryl who palmed it without looking at him, the kid looking to The Governor for direction "go, get some rest." Features smoothing, the kid stopped short of a grin and headed slowly in the direction back to town.
Shumpert pulled up in a Quad Cab, the Dodge Ram a washed white, windows down as it idled. He gave the group a nod and waited until they had driven through the gate before following after, Philip's eyes on them until it closed once more.