Restoration

What if the Communities re-founded the USA?

"We don't know what's in the ambulances," Sighed Clementine, pinching the bridge of her nose, "they're still being dug out."

The Ericson's community had found a fleet of ambulances sitting in a clearing, most were covered in dirt and caught in a mess of tangled weeds. The Coalition was practically abuzz with the potential medical supplies and equipment in them.

"If we can get sample of the medicine," Came a woman's voice from the Commonwealth radio, "we could restart production of them."

"The same can be said for the tools." Said Maggie, the leader of Hilltop, "having all those medical journals would be useless if you don't have the right tools for them."

"Heh," Clementine let out a humourless laugh, "not gonna lie, a bone saw would've made losing my leg a bit easier."

"Would the vehicles themselves be salvageable?" Asked Rick, the leader of Alexandria, "Having something that makes a lot of noise could help with directing Walkers."

Clementine heard a car alarm going off, "Well, the car alarm works."

"That's good," Said Javi, "I've managed to convince Lingard and Eleanor to send their medical journals to Ericson, so you can work of transcribing them."

"I'll get Aasim working on it when they arrive," Promised Clementine, "How's the restorations going?"

"Since our numbers suddenly boosted," Said Rick, "we've managed to keep steady progress. The Kingdom, Heaps and Woodbury have practically been cleared, and we all know that Hill Top was successfully reestablished."

Clementine was silent for a moment, "What about the Civic Republic?"

"They haven't responded to any of the messages we've sent." Sighed The Commonwealth radio, "We've given them a time and location to meet. We're going to go alone, in case they decided to shoot us."

Clementine sighed, as Rick called the meeting to a close, after signing off, she turned off the radios. Looking down of the window, she saw Louis and AJ pulling a gurney out of the buried ambulance, not far from them, Violet kept a gun pointing at a corpse, in case it was a Walker.

Part of her was cynical about the Civic Republic, but another part of her dared to be hopeful that things would turn out okay.

R

"How old are you?"

Clementine glanced at the man from the Civic Republic.

"I was eight when the world went to shit, turned nine a few months in," Clementine glanced up, "It's been, what, twelve years since all this started?"

"And you've been leading them for five years?" Asked the man, frowning.

"More or less," Shrugged Clementine, looking around as the various CR doctors examined everyone, "What's all this about?"

"We were told you were building a library," Answered the man, "we decided to check it out. Part of us checking it out, we take blood samples from everyone. Give our doctors something more to work with in making a cure."

Clementine sighed, "Apparently you still have money."

"We do."

"If you want to assimilate the communities, you'll need to offer them something a bit more appealing." Offered Clementine, "With us, it's books. With Richmond, it's medical supplies. There's a community some ways south of here that will only let you in if you offer them bullets."

"That's good to know." Smiled the man, just as a man clutched his chest and collapsed.

"Oh, fuck." Said Clementine, calmly pulling out a pistol from her waistband.

"He's fine!" Yelled the doctor, "I just gave him a sedative!"

R

Clementine let out a low whistle, looking around the parliament of the Civic Republic of Philadelphia, "Alright, I'm impressed."

The sound of a gavel hitting a desk made the room go silent.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Said a Civic Republic senator, "while we all know why we're here, I feel the need to state it."

Clementine sneezed.

"Bless you." Said the Senator, before going back on subject, "Hopefully, today, the United States of America can come into existence once more."

"Shouldn't we be in DC for this?" Yelled one of the guests.

"The current state of the Democratic County isn't properly sustainable at present." Excused the senator, getting a frown from Clementine.

"So why don't we clear it then?" Yelled another, "You talk about funds and computers, what use are they to us?"

Clementine groaned, looking around, noticing the shade of red the Senator's face went.

"Both of you are soldiers," Stated a woman, making the room go quiet as she stood up, "I was told about Operation Cobalt, about how you and your squads ran through the streets killing everyone you found." She glanced at the senator, "While the Civic Republic has been slow, they have all of us outclassed in every way possible."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Asked Clinton, frowning.

"It means we can bitch and moan about why or why not we're not in Washington," Said the woman, looking around, "but we can't make a move on it without them. They have managed to consistently keep their shit together while the rest of us were stealing from, fighting and killing each other."

The woman took a breath, looking around the room, "We have the experience to deal with the Walkers, but experience is nothing without resources. The Civic Republic has those resources, they have the men, the weapons, vehicles and, everything that's needed to deal with the Walkers."

Looking around, "I know I don't speak for everyone," the woman swallowed, "but I'd gladly follow the Civic Republic, if it means an enduring sense of safety, for everyone."

The woman glared at the group, as the senator spoke up, "We have enough food, medicine and weapons to help with the clean-up, as well as a working vaccine to combat the bites, with a provisional vaccine to fight back at it."

"We have tested it on bite victims," A scientist stood up, as the woman sat back down, "they have all survived, and an atomized version has rendered the Walking Dead to just…dead."

"We cannot distribute the vaccine without everyone being under the same banner." Said the Senator, looking around, "This is provisional, until the States are united again."

Clementine frowned, before leaning over and resting her head on Louis's shoulder, "I'm beginning to regret coming here."

"We cannot go forward unofficially," Declared the Senator, "the leader of each community is asked to sign the declaration, and their community will receive all the benefits of being part of the Civic Republic."

Clementine glanced at Louis, before swallowing, "This vaccine, cure, thing, if a pregnant woman is injected, would the baby be immune to the virus?"

The Senator blinked, before looking at the scientist, who responded, "Our research points to that conclusion."

Clementine and Louis shared a look, with Clementine gnawed at her bottom lip.

R

"I know, it sounds bad."

"Clem," Sighed Louis, "It is bad. You yourself said we should keep to our word and we promised them that we'd stay until a definite conclusion."

"I know." Groaned Clementine, burying her face in her hands.

"What was that, anyway?" Asked Louis, "Today, at that meeting? You asked about pregnant women, no one at home's pregnant!"

Clementine looked down, making Louis's stomach drop, "Wait. A-are you…?"

"I found out just before we left."

Louis dropped down across from her, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Clementine swallowed.

"Clem!"

"I didn't know how! Alright?!" Burst Clementine, "How the hell can I tell anyone without it being some big fucking bombshell!" Clementine got up and started pacing, "I, I mean, how can I look after a child?! I barely managed with AJ, and even then, I had help!"

Louis sighed, before standing and firmly placing his hands on Clementine's shoulder, "Listen to yourself." Clementine breathed heavily, before Louis brought their foreheads together, "I love you, but sometimes you can be so dumb. You know what Ruby tells us, 'it takes two to tango'. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere, we'll get through this. Together."

Clementine closed her eyes, and let out a choked sob. Louis pulled her close and held her as she started crying.

R

"This," Violet looked around the sea of people, "is going to take some getting used to."

Across Ericson's grounds, people were milling around, carrying supplies and weapons. After the signing the Civic Republic moved to clear the surrounding states of Walkers, then moving on to the next state. Violet hadn't been happy when Clementine and Louis returned and told the others about the deal, but it was starting to look like it had its benefits.

Violet also wasn't complaining that a cute soldier had arrived a few days ago.

"Hey." Violet looked up at Clarice, "You okay, blondie?"

"I'm just…thinking."

"Do you usually contort your hands when you think?"

"No," Clementine limped past, "that's recent."

Violet frowned, "Clem, where're you going?"

"For a walk." Louis rushed past Violet and Clarice, as Clementine got further away.

"So…" Clarice gave Violet a look, "when's she due?"

"Some time in July, I think."

R 15 Years Later

Lee watched at his dad stomped around the park. He glanced around, Carley and their mom were out, so Lee had to deal with his dad's bad mood.

"So…" Louis looked over, "What happened?"

"Well," Louis rocked back on his heels, "AJ's gone walk-abouts, Ruby's sick and your sister has decided to decorate the ceiling of her room with food."

"Soo…" Lee looked to the side, "it's not about the bike?"

"Your mother's going to deal with that." Said Louis, before sighing.

Lee winced, as looked around. There were the odd Walkers, if they could be called that. He never knew of the Walkers that his parents faced, especially since his mom was famous for how effective she was against them. It also transferred over to people, since there were groups were resistant to the reinstation of the government.

"At least it wasn't a car." Joked Lee, as a car pulled into the central area of Ericson.

"Speaking of." Muttered Louis, as Clementine and Carley hopped out of the car.

"We almost ran over James on the way here," Said Clementine, "I think he's still pissy about losing his personal herd."

"Lee's admitted to the crashed bike." Said Louis, in way of greeting.

"That's nice." Responded Clementine, "Our beloved President has declared that all traces of the Wildfire Virus have been expunged from the United States."

Louis let out a snort, "Great, when's the rest of the world gonna get it?"

"Well," Clementine handed Lee a bag, "I heard on the grape vine that what remained of the European countries were given it, and that they're working from there."

Louis sighed, before looking down at Lee and Carley, "Right, you two get to bed, I'm not having Aasim rip my ear off because the two of you were late. Again."

Clementine chuckled as the twin stomped off, "You know, it's nice not being the bad guy for once."

Louis gave her a smile, "Well, you do complain that I don't do enough with them."

Clementine playfully scoffed, giving Louis a light shove, which made Louis pull her against him with a laugh. Glancing at the growing community, Clementine felt a sense of peace. Everyone knew that the world wouldn't fully rebuild in their lifetime, but it was their duty to give that rebuilt world a solid foundation.