Chapter 2-Seeing old friends
Alexandria
Morgan walks to the door as someone knocks on it. Morgan opens the door and smiles. "Hi, Carol," Morgan says. Carol smiles as she hugs Morgan. Morgan hugs her back and looks at Henry. Morgan lets Carol go and hugs Henry. "How have you been?" Morgan asks them.
"Worried about you and Daryl," Carol says.
"More friends, Morgan?" Cole asks.
"Yes," Morgan says as Ezekiel walks up on the porch. "Where is Shane?"
"Went to get Judith from Madison," Ezekiel says.
"Come inside and meet our group," Morgan says. Carol, Ezekiel, and Henry follow him inside.
Hilltop
Daryl, John, Dwight, and Al sat at a table with Maggie, Tara, Enid, and Jesus. "So you are taking care of this girl?" Maggie asks Daryl, who nods.
"Yeah, kids, an orphan. The people that were taking care of her are dead," Daryl says.
"How did they die?" Enid asks.
"Nick threw one of them onto deer antlers, and Alicia blew the other up," John says.
"Sounds like your friends are nice," Jesus says.
"They are good people," Daryl says. "On the first night, Morgan and I met John. He offered us candy,"
"You have candy?" Enid asks. John nods as he pulls a piece out of his pocket and holds it out to Enid, who smiles as she grabs it. Dwight looks at Alden, who was talking with some of the other Hilltop residents.
"How is he fitting in?" Dwight asks. Maggie looks at Alden.
"Good," Maggie says. "He has been helping as much as possible," Daryl nods as he gets done eating. "I'm heading to Alexandria tomorrow to trade food with Rick. Maybe you can stay the night,"
"I should be getting back. Rick isn't happy about me leaving, and I have to make sure my people are getting along with the others," Daryl says.
"I'll stay if that's okay," Al says, making them look at her. "This place is much cooler than Alexandria,"
"Up to you," Daryl says to Maggie.
"I guess I should get to know your group. Who knows, maybe you'll get your interview," Maggie says to Al, who smiles.
"Okay, Jesus, are you still coming?" Daryl asks.
"Yeah," Jesus says as he stands.
"Hey, let Carl know not to come here. I'll meet him in Alexandria," Enid tells him. Daryl nods.
"We'll see you tomorrow," Daryl kisses Maggie's forehead and walks towards the van with Jesus, Dwight, and John. Daryl gets on his bike, and Dwight gets in the driver's seat of the van. Daryl drives out, followed by John. Al looks at Maggie.
"You want to give me the tour?" Al asks Maggie, who nods as she leads Al away.
Alexandria
Eugene opens the door and lets Daryl and John drive-in. They drive to the house. Daryl turns off his bike as Carol comes out. Daryl smiles as he gets off his bike and hugs his friend. Daryl lifts her up and. "Did you miss me?" Carol asks.
"Not really," Daryl says.
"I'll take that," Carol says. Daryl looks at Ezekiel.
"Good to see you," Daryl says.
"You as well, my friend," Daryl says. John, Dwight, and Jesus get out of the van. June walks down to John and kisses him.
"Where's Al?" Troy asks.
"Hilltop. She's staying for the night," Daryl tells them.
"Nice group of people you got here. Told us about your plans. I think it will be good for you," Carol tells Daryl, who nods.
"Hey, get inside. Let me check that wound," June tells Daryl.
"In a second. I got something I need to do," Daryl says before he walks away.
"Go with him," Morgan tells Alicia, who nods as she follows him. Daryl looks at Alicia as he walks down the stairs and into the room with Negan's cell. Negan looks at him and Alicia.
"You came back, Daryl, and you brought a pretty lady," Negan says.
"Don't look at her," Daryl says as he walks to the cell. "I left because I couldn't live with you being alive. After what you did to Glenn. After what I caused. I'm going to honor Glenn while you rot in this cell for the rest of your life. I want you to know that you lose. I won't let you affect me anymore," Daryl says before he leaves. Alicia looks at Negan before she follows him. Daryl walks down the road.
"Hey," Alicia says to him. Daryl looks at him. "You feel better?" Alicia asks.
"Yeah," Daryl says.
"Daryl," Aaron says. Daryl looks at Aaron and smiles. Daryl hugs Aaron. "I met Shane and Madison,"
"How is that kid?" Daryl asks him.
"Her name is Gracie. She is doing good," Aaron says.
"We're heading back to my house. You want to come?" Daryl asks. Aaron nods as he follows Daryl back to the house. Daryl, Alicia, and Aaron walk inside the house and see everybody in the living room. He sees Charlie at the table with Carl, Henry, and Daniel, who was showing them chess. "Carl's here?"
"Yeah," Carol says. "We saw Rick, but he didn't say anything," Daryl nods as he sits down.
"Carl Enid will be here tomorrow," Daryl tells the teen, who nods.
"So, how long are you staying here?" Carol asks.
"Two or three days," Daryl says.
"We are staying here till tomorrow. I'll give you a radio, so if you need help, you can contact us," Ezekiel says.
"Thanks," Daryl says. Daryl looks around.
"Where are Morgan and Nick?" Daryl asks.
"Backyard. Jesus went out to see them," Strand says. Daryl nods as they continue to talk. Jesus looks at Nick and Morgan as they go through the motions of their training.
"Got yourself a student," Jesus says, making Morgan look at him.
"Yeah, Nick isn't bad at it," Morgan says. He walks up to Jesus. "How have you been?"
"Good, little bummed out when you left," Jesus says. "Paul Rovia. My friends call me Jesus,"
"Nick Clark," Nick says.
"Please continue. I want to watch," Jesus says. Morgan nods as he walks over to Nick and continues.
Hilltop
Al films Glenn and Abraham's grave. "I knew Abraham. I met him a while ago. I saw Eugene but wasn't able to talk to him," Al says.
"Abraham was a good man," Maggie says. "A funny one too,"
"Yes, he was," Al says
"Have you filmed a lot of people?" Maggie asks.
"Yeah, Daryl talked about Glenn. How he died the guilt, he feels over it. He sounded like a good person," Al says.
"One of the best," Maggie says.
"I don't know much of Glenn's story. Daryl didn't like talking about Glenn, and he wouldn't very rarely talk about a woman named Beth," Al says.
"My sister. Daryl and Beth escaped the prison together. He was cold after she died," Maggie says as they hear yelling. "Now you get to film some drama," Maggie says as she walks away from the graves and walks to the front where Gregory was arguing with one of the saviors that lived at Hilltop. "What is going on here!?" Maggie asks.
"These demons shouldn't be allowed to be here!" Gregory shouts at Maggie. Maggie looks at the savior.
"He didn't do anything, Maggie," Tara says. "He bumped into Gregory, and Gregory wanted to cause drama,"
"Go," Maggie tells the man, who nods as he walks away. She looks at Gregory. "You better keep your mouth shut. Or you will be out on your ass," Gregory nods and leaves with a look of anger on his face.
"So, who is he?" Al asks as she comes over.
"Gregory used to lead this place. But once Maggie arrived, she took his place, and he hates it," Enid says.
"So he is an asshole?" Al asks
"Yes," Tara says. Al nods as she looks at the house.
"Where is my tour of this place?" Al asks Maggie, who smirks.
"Follow me," Maggie says as she leads Al inside.
Alexandria
Rick on the porch of his house. He looks at Michonne as she sits down beside him. "You should talk to him," Michonne says.
"Why does it matter? He won't stay," Rick says.
"I don't think that is what's bothering you. I think you're just worried that he'll stay gone this time," Michonne says. "It's okay to be worried about him. But this is Daryl we are talking about. He came back when we were at the prison every time he left. And he came back this time. We don't know what happened in Texas, but Daryl trusts these people with his life. Daryl doesn't trust easily, and he came back with Dwight. You want everything to go back to the way they were before he left, but the Daryl who left is not the Daryl who came back," Michonne says. She stands up. "Now I am going to take Judith and go and see our friend. You can stay here and pout, or you can come with me and get to know this new Daryl," Michonne says before she walks inside. Rick sighs as he stands up, and Michonne comes out with Judith.
Daryl sat on the porch with Dwight. Both men had a cigarette in their hands. "Are you going to talk to him?" Daryl asks. Dwight looks at him.
"I don't know. I don't know if I can see him," Dwight says. Dwight looks at the ring on his finger. He moves it around his finger. "I don't know what to do. I know coming back here was the best decision. But does this mean I forget about Sherry?"
"Nah, but she could be dead. You can't put your life on hold for her, Dwight. Especially not now. Not in this world," Daryl tells Dwight, who nods. They look at Rick and Michonne as they walk over to the house. "Give me a minute," Daryl tells Dwight, who nods as he walks inside. Michonne follows him with Judith as Rick sits down beside Daryl.
"Did you help them?" Rick asks. "Did you help them kill the Vultures?"
"Nah, I tried to stop 'em. I didn't want anybody else to hurt after the Governor, Terminus, the Wolves, the Saviors. I just want the fighting to stop. I don't want to watch the people I love die anymore," Daryl tells him. "I didn't know if I wanted to come back. But those people Alicia, Nick, Madison, Strand, Dwight, and Luciana, need a fresh start. They have done things they regret, and they want to start over. I figured Virginia was as good as any place," Daryl tells him.
"Why not in Alexandra or one of the communities. Besides that, you don't want to be separated from them," Rick says.
"Because these places have history, Rick. I know the Sanctuary isn't back up and running yet. I don't want them to have to deal with the aftermath after all that. They don't know you guys. This campground is the perfect place to start," Daryl says. "I need a fresh start too. And I got that going to Texas. If I stay here or in Hilltop, I'll be in the same place I was a few months ago," Daryl tells him. Rick looks at Daryl and nods.
"You're right. Things have been tense with the saviors and the other communities. Maggie has a few of them, and the only reason they are there is that they helped Tara. We usually have to get the supplies from them for Hilltop when they trade. Same for Oceanside, you know, before you left. I was going to ask you to lead the Saviors," Rick says.
"I ain't doing that. And don't think about asking Dwight that," Daryl says to Rick, who nods.
"I see your point," Rick says. "I just don't want to lose you,"
"You won't," Daryl says. "Those people are my family, but so are you guys. I'll never forget that. I ain't going anywhere if I can help it," Daryl tells Rick, who nods.
"Tomorrow, Hilltop, Oceanside, and the Saviors are coming for trade. Carol was early. We've been at peace since Negan's been locked up. Maybe you let us throw you and Morgan a welcomed home party before you go. Carol and Ezekiel can stay an extra day. And it might help bring everybody together," Rick says. Daryl sighs and looks at Rick.
"The only reason I'm agreeing to this is because I left you without anything more than a note," Daryl says. Rick smiles as he stands up.
"Come on, let me actually meet your group without being a dick," Rick says. Daryl nods as he walks inside with Rick.
Hilltop
Al puts her plate away and looks around. "You look lost," Gregory says as he walks up to her. Al looks at him.
"Yeah," Al says.
"You came in with Daryl and the cowboy," Gregory says.
"His name is John," Al says. "But yeah, I did. I gotta go," Al says as she starts to walk away.
"Hey, wait," Gregory says, making Al look at him. "What was up with the camera?"
"I'm a journalist. I film places and people so I can get their stories," Al says.
"Hey, Al, can you come here?" Alden says. Al looks at him and nods.
"See ya," Al says as she walks away. Gregory frowns as he walks away. Al walks over to Alden with a smile. "What do you need?"
"Nothing," Alden says. "You just looked ready to put a bullet in your head,"
"His voice gives me a headache," Al tells him. "Thank you,"
"Yeah, hey, if you're looking for a story about what happened with the saviors and what they were like. I wouldn't mind talking," Alden says.
"I'll take you up on that. You got somewhere we can do this?" Al asks.
"We can do it on the balcony," Alden says. Al nods as she heads inside with Alden.
Alexandria
Daryl shuts the door after Rick leaves. Jesus was staying in the house. Daryl looks at the others. "Shane, you and Madison can take the master bedroom. There are two bedrooms in this house. John and June take the other one," Daryl says.
"Are you sure? This is your house," John says.
"It's fine," Daryl says. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy one," Daryl tells them. The two couples nod as they head outside. Daryl goes to the closet and pulls blankets out. Daryl gives Charlie a blanket on the couch and lays one of the blankets down on the ground. The group spreads out around the house. Daryl throws his bag on the ground and closes his eyes. An hour later, Dwight opens the door slowly and leaves. He walks down the road. He walks to the door and opens it. He walks inside slowly and looks at the cell.
"Dwighty boy," Negan says. "Last I heard of you is that Daryl kicked you out,"
"He brought me back with him," Dwight says. "Daryl is giving me a second chance,"
"Are you going to waste it by blowing my dome off?" Negan asks.
"No, I just wanted to see you in this cell," Dwight says.
"You find Sherry? Or is she shambling down in her messed up body?" Negan asks.
"Shut your mouth. You're the reason my wife is out there," Dwight says.
"I didn't make her marry me," Negan says. "Maybe you should have taken Daryl's offer back in those woods,"
"I know I should've," Dwight says before he leaves.
Hilltop
Al sat outside watching the tape on her camera. "Are you sleeping outside?" Maggie asks as she walks over to her. Al looks at her.
"Nobody gave me anywhere to sleep," Al says. "I couldn't find you after dinner,"
"Sorry, I was having a check-up," Maggie says.
"You guys have a doctor?" Al asks.
"Siddiq," Maggie says. "He was going between Alexandria and here, but Rick told him to stay here until I had the baby or we got another doctor,"
"June was a nurse. We won't be far. Once we get to the campsite, he could go back, and June could do your check-ups," Al says.
"That would work. I'll talk to Rick. Come on," Maggie says. Al turns her camera off and follows Maggie inside. Maggie leads Al into a room. "You can sleep on the couch,"
"Who's room is this?" Al asks.
"Mine," Maggie says as she takes her holster off. "Will the couch work?"
"I sleep in a van most of the time. The couch will be fine," Al says as she lays down on the couch. "Goodnight Maggie,"
"Night, Al," Maggie says as she turns out the light and lays down in bed.
Thanks for reading. As I said in the first chapter, these first few chapters will be slower, but those are okay. I liked writing Al and Maggie together, and the next chapter will have the twd characters interacting with the ftwd ones more. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.