Chapter 44-Putting trust in another

Negan's P.O.V

The gates to Hilltop open slowly, and the group rides into the community. Negan climbs off his horse and hands it off to Tara, who takes the horse away without a word... Negan then looks at Shane. "Now, can we go home?" Negan asks, trying not to sound like a whine.

"Rick needs to talk to Maggie, and he's coming with us," Shane tells Negan, who nods as Rick walks up towards Barrington house.

"Negan." Tammy says. Negan turns around and looks at Tammy and Earl.

"You're the blacksmith that Carl works with, right?" Negan asks Earl guardly, who nods.

"Earl, and this is my wife, Tammy. Kenneth is our son." Earl answers.

"Good kid, needs to pay attention to his surroundings more but...a good kid" Negan says.

"Thank you. He told us what you did. Our son wouldn't be here if it weren't for you," Tammy says. Negan nods. He kept his face neutral, but the former leader of the saviors was shocked. Outside of the people at the campgrounds and Rick, Carl, Gabriel, and Enid on occassion. These two people weren't treating him like a monster.

"No need. We protect our own," Negan says. Earl holds out his hand to Negan.

"Well, let us thank you," Earl says. Negan takes the man's hand. Negan looks at Earl.

"Maybe you can thank me," Negan says as he pulls the crowbar off his back. "Not a bad weapon, but's it's rusty, and I could use something better."

"Want it to have a blade?" Earl asks him.

"Maybe a small one," Negan says with a smirk. Earl nods.

"Give me a few days, and I'll have something for you," Earl says.

"Thanks," Negan says. The two of them nod as they walk away.

"See what happens when you help people." Shane says from behind him. "One step at a time man."

"I've been helping you for a year, and all I've gotten is a headache." Negan mumbles. Shane laughs as he pats his shoulder and goes to wait by the car.

Daryl's P.O.V

Daryl was holding Merle outside. Alicia was inside trying to get Ofelia to sleep. Daryl rubs his eyes and looks at John as he walks towards the porch. "I got some coffee," John says.

"We have that?" Daryl asks John, who nods as he sets the cup down.

"Morgan and Rosita have found a lot of it," John tells him as he sits. "You seem tired."

Daryl glares at the cowboy and then looks at the baby in his hands. "They kept waking up." Daryl mumbles. "I'm not sure who got less sleep. Alicia, me, or those two."

"That is part of being a father. They'll sleep through the night eventually." Daryl nods as he takes a drink of the coffee. "Have you heard anything from the group?"

"The bridge was out. They stayed at Sanctuary," John tells Daryl, who nods. "They should be back soon. But don't worry about that. Go put that one down and try and get some sleep," Daryl nods as he drinks the rest of the coffee and goes inside. He takes Merle to his crib and lays the baby down. He walks to his room and sees Alicia sleeping on the bed.

"She put Ofelia to sleep and was out," Charlie comments from behind her. Daryl turns around and looks at her. "I'll listen for him. I'll get Daniel to help,"

"You sure?" Daryl asks his adopted daughter.

"Yeah, I need to beat Daniel in chess anyway." She says with a grin before she leaves. Daryl walks to the bed and lays down.

Rick's P.O.V

Rick stops the car inside the campgrounds. Behind him, Shane turned off the truck. Rick climbs out of the car and looks at John and Madison as they walk up to them. "Where's Daryl?" Rick questions as he looks around.

"Sleeping," Madison answers. "Babies didn't sleep much last night, and neither did Daryl or Alicia. It's common. When I had Nick, I only slept when he did. My husband worked."

"Lori was the same," Rick tells her. "So who is leading in his place?"

"We are," Shane says. "Morgan, John, and I."

Rick nods. "Well, can you get everybody together besides those two?" Madison and John nod as they walk away. They all met in the big cabin ten minutes later. "I imagine Shane and Morgan told you all the news...The bridge is out, and we need a new bridge, or else we'll have to continue taking the long way around, leading to more danger. Daryl and Alicia can't come."

"June can't either," John says. His girlfriend looks at him. "You need to be here in case Alicia or the babies need help," June nods, knowing John was right.

"All three of you should go," Madison says as she looks at Shane, Morgan, and John.

"Someone needs to lead," Morgan argues.

"I can," Madison says. Morgan, Shane, and John nod accepting that answer.

"Who else?" Rick asks.

"11 of us can go, and ten of us can stay," Shane offers. "That should be enough to defend this place."

"We could move to Hilltop," John offers, making them look at him. "From here to Hilltop is two hours. Let's say a herd runs through here. Sure, the trenches may stop a good amount of them, but if there are enough of them. They could get over the trench and hit the wall. It will be able to hold a small herd but not a herd big enough to get over the trenches. It would take us two hours to get back here to help defend, and by then, it could be too late."

"How long will it take to build the bridge?" Shane asks Rick, worried.

"A few weeks at the most. Eugene's already drawing plans up. Morgan can you give him a hand?" Rick answers, remembering how good his old friend was with wood work and craftsmanship.

"On it." Morgan nods firmly

"I mean, it's a good plan besides the fact that if I try to stay in Hilltop. I'm going to join Jed." Negan says, bone dry

"Maybe not," Shane says.

"You have Carl, Enid, Earl, Tammy, and Kenneth on your side. It would only be for a few days as well. Until we get camp set up." Shane says.

"It ain't worth the trouble. I'll stay in the truck," Negan says.

"Negan-" Shane starts to say.

"I'll stay in the truck," Negan says firmly and slowly. Shane nods, knowing there is no point in arguing.

"Hilltop is already struggling as it," Rick says.

"What about the R.V's?" Madison asks. They had three R.V's around the campgrounds that they used for watch.

"We could use those to sleep in,"

"Daryl and Alicia can't stay in an R.V," June says. "The babies can't either. There would be no room for the cribs.

"Let me talk to Maggie on the radio," John says. "See what we can do."

John's P.O.V

John sat down and grabbed the radio. "This is John Dorie. Hilltop, do you copy?" John asks.

"This is Hilltop, John," Al says.

"Hey, Al. Can I speak to Maggie?" John asks Al.

"Yeah, hold on," Al says.

"John, I'm here before we start this conversation. How are Daryl, Alicia, and the babies doing?" Maggie asks.

"Good, sleeping right now. The Door's still open for you to see them" John answers. He could hear Maggie lets out a small sigh.

"What do you need?' Maggie questions after a moment.

"I'm assuming Rick has told you about the bridge." John says.

"He has..." Maggie says, her voice trailing off, clearly knowing there was more.

"He wants us to help him, but we wouldn't be able to defend this place properly if some of us left for a long period of time. I want to know how would you would feel about some of us staying at Hilltop until the bridge is done."

"Negan-"

"Negan will be there for a few days until the camp is set up, and he will sleep in a car. I get that you hate the man, but put that aside and think about the others. About Daryl, Alicia, and the babies," John interrupts Maggie. His voice was firm but filled with anger. "I'm sorry," John says after he takes a deep breath. "I'm getting used to this whole leading thing."

For a moment, John was worried Maggie would just hang up, but it came through again.

"I will get a few trailers ready and ask Tara if Daryl and Alicia can take her room for a little while. She's close with Beth. I bet they wouldn't mind sharing. Negan stays in a car, and the second that camp is built. He is gone." Maggie says tightly.

"Alright, we'll bring three R.V's. Shane and Madison will take one, and Negan can probably sleep on the couch. I'll take one with June, and Morgan and Rosita can share one. Everybody else will need somewhere to sleep," John says.

"I'll get it done. We have a few empty trailers that should work. I'll see you tomorrow," Maggie says before the radio goes quiet. John says as he stands up and leaves the room. John walks back into the front room, and everybody looks at him.

"We're going to Hilltop. Pack bags for a few days at least. We'll have someone check up on the garden and grab clothes for everybody if needed. We'll take the R.V.'s and the two trucks."

Daryl's P.O.V

Daryl woke up when his door opened. He looked at the door and saw Charlie. "Negan's here to talk to you," Charlie says softly. Daryl nods as he slowly stands up. He slowly walks through the house until he gets outside. He looks at Negan, who is waiting for him.

"What?" Daryl questions, a bit rough from lack of sleep and who was there.

"Make sure you, Alicia, and the babies have enough clothes and supplies for a little while."

"Why?" Daryl asks.

"The bridge that connects the communities is gone. We have to build a new one. We're all going to be staying at Hilltop until it is done," Negan explains to Daryl, who nods, then paused staring at him, expressionless.

"What about Maggie?" Daryl asks.

"I'll only be there a few days. I'll be moving to the camp when it is finished," Negan explains to Daryl, who nods.

"We'll be ready." He tells the man, who nods as Daryl opens the door. He hears the babies start to cry. "Charlie get Alicia," Daryl says as he walks towards the room with the babies.

Negan's P.O.V

Negan walks outside with his bag a few hours later and throws it in the truck. He walks back towards his cabin. He stops by Daryl's cabin as Alicia comes out with Ofelia in her arms and a bag on her bag. "You want some help?" Negan asks Alicia, who looks at him and then nods. She drops the bag on the ground. Negan walks up to the bag as Alicia sits on the steps. Negan sits down beside her. He looks at Ofelia and smiles.

"You haven't seen them yet, have you?" Alicia asks Negan, who shakes his head.

"You and Daryl make some beautiful children," Negan says with a smile, seeing the baby slumbering peacefully.

"Thanks." Alicia says with a chuckle. "I remember when I was a kid, and all I could think about was what it would be like to have a family."

"I bet you were pretty accurate," Negan says sarcastically.

"Oh yeah. I predicted the end of the world and that the father of my children would be Daryl Dixon," Alicia says, rolling her eyes at what a spoiled little thing she was. "Thing is that I couldn't imagine it any other way. I couldn't imagine a life when the world didn't end, and I had a nice husband who wore suits and ties and a large house. This world sucks, but I wouldn't trade what I have for the world. I wouldn't trade anything for the old world," Alicia says as she stares at her daughter. Negan looks at the woman. He had known Alicia for about ten months now and since he met the woman for the first time. He saw true happiness. It wasn't faked. She looked happy. Alicia let out a chuckle breaking Negan out of his thoughts. "God, that sounded selfish."

"It may have been, but no one blames you for feeling that way. Not many people get to be happy on this ball of dirk, water, and s***. My wife Lucille would have liked you," Negan says to Alicia with a gentle smile on his face. They both turn and look at the door. Daryl walks outside. Negan goes to stand up.

"It's fine," Daryl says as he walks down the stairs with Merle. He looks at Negan. "You ever hold a baby?" Negan looks at Daryl. His shock was evident on his face.

"Um...Yeah, I have," Negan says. Daryl nods as he slowly hands Merle to Negan.

"This will go quicker if one of us has both hands," Daryl says. Negan nods as Daryl walks away.

Daryl's P.O.V

Daryl throws two bags in the truck and looks at Morgan as he walks up to him. "I never thought I'd see the day you handed your son to Negan. I didn't think you trusted him," Morgan says. Daryl turns and looks at him.

"I don't know if I do or if I will ever truly trust Negan. But you do, Shane, does," Daryl pauses as he looks at Alicia and Negan. "She does, and that's enough for me," Daryl tells Morgan, who nods as Daryl walks back towards the cabin. Morgan smiles as he goes back to his cabin.

Thanks for reading. So I have been debating on having the group go to Hilltop for some time now. But it makes sense for the characters, and it will give me the chance to do some character interactions I have been able to do because they have been split up. This chapter was big for Daryl, Alicia, and Negan. I never thought I would like writing Alicia and Negan together as much as I do. Next chapter, the group heads for Hilltop. Daryl and Maggie talk, and the work begins. As always, suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.