Chapter 178-Helping a friend
Alicia's P.O.V
Alicia and Strand sat inside of one of the apartments, Strand helping her look over the last documents. She looks at the door as it flies open and Rick almost ran in, yelling. "Eugene's been arrested!"
"Arrested?" Alicia asks, looking at an equally befuddled Stand, then back at her brother-in-law. "How did Eugene get arrested? We're talking about the same Eugene, right? Eugene Porter?"
"He was out with the girl who he talked to on the radio. Her name is Max, they were at the training grounds for the soldiers and some walkers showed up and attacked Pamela's son. Eugene killed them, then her son apparently said something, and Eugene punched him. We need to go talk with Pamela." Rick says and Alicia nods as she stands up and follows Rick out of the room, Strand trailing behind, admittedly curious.
Eugene's P.O.V
Eugene was sitting in a cell staring out the window, trying his hardest not to think about the situation. Also hoping his people wouldn't get into trouble for a dangerous situation like this. "Quite a situation you have gotten yourself into," He turns around and looks to the door of the cell, to see Mercer standing there.
"What happens next?" Eugene asks him, face pale, realizing he is all alone with Max's brother now.
"Hopefully your group is able to get you out. No one has ever punched Sebastian." Mercer snorted.
Eugene started to plead."Please, I'll say I'm sorry. I was just a bit angry."
Mercer shook his head "Sebastian doesn't seem to care. Just wait for now. I get some food and water brought in here."
"Thank you." Eugene's shoulders dropped, looking back out the window.
"Max told me what happened." Eugene looked back at Mercer in surprise. "You were defending her. Thanks."
With that, the General left leaving a more hopeful Eugene, knowing at least Mercer was on his side.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl walks into the apartment building and walked up to the apartment that Rick was staying in and saw Tara, Aaron, Maggie, Al, and Heath. "Heath?" Daryl asks as he looks at the man, taken aback.
"Hey, Daryl!" Heath grinned as he stood up and walks up to the man, hugging the still aback Dixon.
"You've been here?" Daryl asks Heath who nods as he lets him go.
"Yeah, I came back to Alexandria but it was a ruin, I have been told that it was bombed by Negan." Heath tells Daryl who nods. "You're different from when we last saw each other. I met your wife. I haven't seen any of the kids yet."
"Jerry took them out," Maggie tells Daryl who nods.
"Speaking of my wife, where is she?" Daryl asked, then saw the grim looks on their faces.
"Eugene got arrested," Al tells Daryl who looks at her shocked.
"Arrested? Eugene? For what?"
"Punching the Governor's son," Tara informed him. "Alicia and Rick went to talk to Pamela."
"Great." Daryl let out a frustrated sigh, Eugene being one of the last ones he expected to get into trouble. "Has anybody talked to Lance?"
Daryl saw the tight look on her and Beth's faces, realizing the two didn't seem to like the man, Beth soon saying "No."
"I'll ask Strand," Daryl assured them as he leaves the room, already feeling annoyed that there wasn't any peace and quiet...
No matter where he went.
Alicia's P.O.V
Alicia and Rick walk into Pamela's office where the Governor is sitting, waiting for them with a scowl on her face. "I figured you two would come around." Pamela sniffed. "You know I can't just release Eugene. He punched my son."
"Eugene is not a violent person. If he punched your son, he had a good reason." Rick said back. "Have you ever heard the story yet?"
Pamela stared with narrowed eyes, shaking her head in response.
"Eugene was there with someone named Max, who is she?" Alicia asks.
"She's my assistant and Mercer's sister," Pamela answered, causing Rick and Alicia to look at each other at that information. "I will speak with her, but Eugene did assault someone, there has to be consequences."
"What kind of consequences?" Rick looked worriedly at her.
"Jail time."
"I've known Eugene for over a decade. I know who he is, he has saved this group more times than I can count, I'm going to go talk to him after this. I advise you to do the same with your assistant." Rick firmly informed her, before he left the room leaving Alicia and Pamela.
"You're their ambassador. What do you suggest I do?" Pamela asks her.
"Find out the truth. But I can tell you, locking Eugene up will not end well for anybody." Alicia tells her flatly, causing Pamela to narrow her eyes with a cold look, clearly not used to be challenged.
"Is that a threat, Mrs. Dixon?"
"No. If I was threatening you, you'd know. When we find out the truth and when we find out Eugene did what was right. You'll have a choice, you can either believe your son and punish him or do the right thing and release him."
"What happens if I believe my son?" Pamela says.
"Our deal becomes null and void," Alicia says. "Because I know Eugene did what was right. He's part of our group, which means he is part of the greater good. I don't know anything about your son, but I imagine he's had it easy his whole life. We'll talk later, Pamela." Alicia soon finished before she turns and leaves the room.
Strand's P.O.V
Strand walks into an office and sees Lance sitting at his desk. "Nice office." Strand dryly started as he looks around.
"Victor Strand, right?" Lance asks Strand curiously, who nods as Lance motions for him to sit down. "I assume you are here to talk to me about Eugene."
"Correct. So we don't have to waste time." Strand sat down and looked at Lance seriously. "What happened?"
"I got two stories. On one hand, Sebastian is claiming that Eugene attacked him, Eugene and Max told me that Eugene saved Sebastian and after Sebastian said some hurtful things, Eugene punched him." Lance replied, causing Strand's lips to press. "I do believe Eugene. But Pamela won't listen to me."
"But you could try, but you will not. It does not help you." Strand says as he leans back in his chair.
"Is that why you think I have helped your people, for my own benefit?" Lance asks Strand, raising an eyebrow without changing his smirk.
"I think you did it because you believe we can help the Commonwealth, but you have to know that Eugene will be better as an ally, not a prisoner," Strand assured. "Everybody wants something for help Mr. Hornsby. I know Jerry wants you to get Ezekiel that surgery and I want you to speak with Pamela about Eugene, so what do I need to do?" Strand asks. Lance's smirk grew wider as he leans forward.
"Are you negotiating with me?"
"I am offering my services in exchange for yours," Strand answered with a smirk back. "So come on, how can I help you?"
"Hilltop." Lance replied, causing Victor to look confused.
"What about Hilltop?"
"All of your communities are happy about helping us, but not the three ladies who run Hilltop. I need them on our side if we want this to work."
"So you want me to talk to them?" Strand asked.
"No, I want you to convince Mr. Dixon too. From my understanding, he is very close with the two sisters. You get them on board with all of this. I will speak with Pamela." Lance says. "I will also help Ezekiel."
After a moment, Victor let out a breath "Then you promise to help us?"
"Oh of course." Lance smoothly smiled "After all, we're all on the same side here."
Pamela's P.O.V
Pamela looks at the door as Max knocks on the door. "Come in, Max. Shut the door," Pamela warmly tells Max who nods as she shuts the door and sits down in front of Pamela's desk, looking at her lap. "You know why you are here."
"Yes," Max mumbled, her face red and tight with worry.
"Good, now I want you to be completely honest with me, Max," Pamela said kindly. "Why were you with Eugene?"
"I..." Max pauses. "I ran into him getting ice cream, and we just started talking. He was fun to talk to and I liked talking to him so I asked him if he wanted to hang out after work and we did."
"Why go to the training yards?" Pamela asked, unsure why Max paused and if she was being honest.
"Privacy. I wanted to talk to him alone without everybody's eyes on us." Max tells Pamela who nods.
"I guess that makes sense. Now...what happened, be honest Max." She finished with a lecturing tone, causing Max to wince and gulp looking up at Pamela.
"We were walking when we heard a scream, Eugene went running and found some walkers going towards Sebastian. He killed them and some of the blood on his girlfriend's clothes and Sebastian…he started yelling at Eugene, insulting him and me. Eugene just lost his temper and punched him in the face."
"Where were Sebastian's guards?" Pamela blinked.
"I don't know, they weren't there. I know he shouldn't have punched him but Eugene saved Sebastian's life." Max tells Pamela who nods.
"Thank you, Max," Pamela says and Max nods as she stands up and leaves the room, leaving behind Pamela with a clenched fist.
Then she stood after a minute, heading to one of her guards "Bring my son in here. Now."
"Yes, Governor."
Strand's P.O.V
Strand walks into the apartment building and walks to the room Daryl was staying in. He found the former leader looking out the window, and then Daryl asked without turning. "Eugene out?"
"They're working on it," Strand says as he walks up beside him. "I could use your help."
"With?" Daryl asks as he looks at him, his face pressed with annoyance.
"Maggie, Beth, and Tara," Strand says. "Lance might be able to convince Pamela to get Eugene out, but he is worried about their cooperation when it comes to the Commonwealth. None of us are happy about the situation, but they don't even seem to want to do it. Lance wants all the communities to be fully on board."
"The hell does this have to do with me?" Daryl almost growled.
"I figured you could talk with them, they listen to you," Strand said back calmly.
"Ain't my job anymore," Daryl says as he turns to leave. Strand grabs his arm making Daryl look at him. "Get the fuck off-"
"No." Strand growls. "I get that you are going through shit, but we need this, if we get this, Eugene will be okay, Ezekiel will be okay. Eugene saved your life during the war, he saved all of us against the Whisperers and you owe it to Carol to help make sure her husband survives. He's got fucking cancer right now and needs the doctors. Lance told me that he'll make a deal to get him help, so stop being a goddamn coward and go do this!" Strand finished with a yell. Daryl swings his fist at the man who ducks and pushes Daryl against the wall and pends his arm behind his back. "Is this who you are now, Daryl? Lashing out at your family because you lost someone. So many people have died fighting for us, following you because they believed, Troy, Dwight…Nick, I will not allow you to make their sacrifices mean nothing!"
"You are going to go talk to Maggie and Beth," Strand says as he lets him go and backs up. Daryl turns and storms past Strand who watches the door as Alicia walks into the room. "You hear that?"
"Yes." Alicia tiredly says. "You just managed to piss him off."
"How did it go with Eugene?" Strand asks.
"He's innocent. I'll talk to him, find Rick, he can convince them." Alicia tells Strand who nods as he leaves.
Daryl's P.O.V
Daryl walked onto the roof and paced as he heard the door open and looked at Alicia, following him. "Leave me alone," Daryl growls.
"Daryl—"
"Leave me the hell alone!" Daryl shouts at her. Alicia stares at him sadly as he breathes heavily.
"You can't run from this, Daryl. The grief, the pain, you can't outrun it."
"I don't need another goddamn pep talk!" Her husband growls.
"This isn't a peptalk, this is me calling you out on your bullshit! I know what Carol meant to you, but you aren't the only person who lost someone during that war. I lost my brother!' Alicia shouts at him. "I didn't take out my anger on my friends or family, I leaned on them, I leaned on you, you're blaming yourself for Carol when there is nothing you could have done! You couldn't have saved her, you couldn't have saved Dwight, Troy, Nick, Dorie. No not just them, you couldn't save Glenn, Hershel, Beth in that hospital, Sophia!" Each name caused Daryl to clench each time "You couldn't save them because you're one-man Daryl. Their deaths are not your fault! You need to let go of the blame you put on yourself! Because you still have people to protect, whether that is as a leader or not and you can't do that if you're so tied up in your own bullshit. Carol is dead, Daryl, you're not, you still have people who love me but you are going to lose them if you keep this up," Alicia says. Daryl doesn't say anything, just turning back to the roof and Alicia sighs as she turns and walks towards the door. She stops and looks at him. "I was like you in Texas, you helped me, showed me there was more to live for. The man I met there, that's who I fell in love with. Not the man you're acting like." Alicia says before she leaves the roof.
Thanks for reading. Next chapter the group continues to work on getting Eugene out of prison as Rick talks with Maggie and Beth and Lance talks with Pamela. As always suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.