Chapter 183-Settling in

Gabriel's P.O.V

Gabriel walked up to Heath as the man stood by the wall looking at the names. "I never thought Abraham would die," Health says as Gabriel stopped beside him. "Glenn, either, they both seemed like they knew exactly how to live in this world," Health says.

"They did but none of us could have predicted Negan, he outsmarted all of us," Gabriel says. "He would have killed all of us if not for Eugene."

"I've heard," Heath says as he looks at him. "I gotta be honest, I'm a little surprised to see you still standing."

Gabriel chuckles. "I am not the same man I was when we attacked that outpost station. I killed a man for the first time there, I have killed many since," Gabriel tells him.

"So have I," Heath says. "It hasn't been an easy road, picked up plenty of scars."

"We all have," Gabriel says. "But hopefully with the alliance and the Commonwealth working together, we can go into a new era, make the new world even better."

"That is the goal isn't it?" Heath asks the man who nods. "You mind showing me around, a lot has changed since I was last here and you can tell me about the last ten years."

"I would be happy too," Gabriel says as he starts to walk and Heath follows.

Daryl's P.O.V

Daryl stops outside of Pamela's office and takes a deep breath before he knocks. "Who is it?" Pamela asks.

"Daryl," Daryl says.

"Come in," Pamela says and Daryl pushes the door open. "An unexpected surprise Mr. Dixon. I was under the impression we wouldn't talk."

"So was I," Daryl says. "Mind if I sit?"

"Be my quest," Pamela says as she motions towards the chair. "What can I help you with?"

"You know that Alicia is pregnant, correct?" Daryl asks Pamela who nods.

"Yes, I have contacted our best doctor, he will be taking care of her, why do you ask?"

"Because Clementine is pregnant as well," Daryl says.

"Clementine...The girl with the hat, with the letter D on it?" Pamela asks Daryl who nods. "She is young."

"She made a mistake, but she wants the child and I ain't going to stop her. I was hoping you could see if the same doctor could help her," Daryl says.

"I could ask," Pamela says. "Of course, I help you, you help me."

"I'm gathering your food, thought I was already doing that," Daryl says as he leans back into the chair.

"You are, but I'm sure you noticed, a lot of the members of your hunting party are getting quite old," Pamela says. "I need more people who can, give those old timers a chance to live out the rest of their lives in peace. I have a feeling, that you could train some and maybe even a member of your group without a job can hunt."

"Clementine and Alden can hunt," Daryl says. "Alden's been learning over the last couple of years, I know he doesn't have a job and if Clementine does anything, she'll teach, around the community. The point of her seeing this doctor is to make sure she is safe."

"I can accept that," Pamela says. "Can you speak with them?"

Daryl nods. "Just to make this clear, this is about helping Clementine, I ain't looking to lead anybody again."

"I know," Pamela says. "I will go see my doctor soon."

Daryl nods as he stands up and leaves.

Rosita's P.O.V

Rosita and Morgan stood with a bunch of trainees outside of some run down buildings. "You will all break off into pairs. Each team will run the course at the same time, first team out wins," Mercer says as he looks at them. He looks at Rosita and Morgan for a moment. "You two on the left," Mercer tells the two who nod as they go to one side. "You will have one knife between you, work together," Mercer says a she looks at the pairs. "Go."

Rosita and Morgan enter the building shortly after entering they see two walkers. Morgan looks at Rosita and nods. Rosita grabs the first ones shirt and stabs it in the head. She then pushes it onto another walker and hands the knife to Morgan who stabs the second walker as Rosita goes up to the third one and stomps on it's head. After Morgan holds the knife out to his wife who takes it as they continue to make it through. The two quickly make it through the building and find Mercer on the other side. "Quicker than I thought."

"I thought you would separate us," Morgan says.

"I thought about it," Mercer answers. "But I don't think either of you will have a problem working as a team, it's your friend Negan that I'm worried about."

"Negan will work with them just fine," Morgan says. "They might get a headache from listening to him but he'll work with them."

"I could make him your partner," Mercer says.

"I deal with him enough, let him be someone else's problem," Morgan says as the other pair comes out.

"Let's move on," Mercer says.

Alden's P.O.V

Alden sat with Connie as she wrote in her notebook. He looks at Kelly as she walks in the room. "She hasn't looked at me in like an hour," Alden says.

"That's normal," Kelly says as she sits down beside him. "I know you came her because of her."

"I did," Alden says.

"Thanks," Kelly says. "She deserves to be happy," Alden nods as Daryl walks into the room.

"They offer you a job yet?" Daryl asks Alden who shakes his head. "You wanna hunt with me?"

"Sure," Alden says.

Daryl nods. "Your first day is tomorrow. We head out at 7," Daryl tells Alden before he walks away.

"I have not missed jobs," Alden says and Kelly chuckles.

Henry's P.O.V

Henry sat on a bench watching the water. "What's on your mind?" Alicia asks as she walks up behind him.

"You know what is on my mind," Henry says as Alicia sits down beside him.

"I just finished talking with Clementine," Alicia tells him. "Are you scared?"

"I'm terrified," Henry says.

"Good, You'd be an idiot if you weren't," Alicia says. "But Clementine is just as scared as you are, so you have to be there for each other, the next nine months are going to be hard, she is probably going to threaten to kill you a few times, I threatened Daryl a few times. But it will be worth it and Henry, you are going to be a good father."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know your father and mother," Alicia says softly. "You were raised by Ezekiel and Carol and I know they did a good job."

"She would be so mad at me," Henry says softly as tears form in his eyes.

"No she wouldn't sweetie," Alicia says as she lays her hand on his shoulder. "Henry, you were worried you were going to die and you guys made a decision. I can't say much, I got pregnant in a prison watch tower. What I do know is that Carol would be here for you, she would support you because she loved you so much and she would be so excited to meet her grandchild. She wouldn't be mad at you, I know that and I know I'm not her but if you ever need to talk, I'm right here."

Henry nods as he wipes the tears from his eyes. "Thanks, Alicia."

"Anytime."

Rick's P.O.V

Rick set a plate on the table and looks at Michonne. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Michonne asks.

"We need to know who he is," Rick says. "He brough us into this and I don't believe he did it out of the kindness in his heart. He has his own motives," Rick says. "You disagree?"

"No, I agree," Michonne says. "We just have to be careful, if Lance thinks that we are working against him or we aren't fully invested in this deal, he could pull out of it and as much as I hate to say it, we need this deal, Hilltop needs this deal."

"I know," Rick says. "He should be here soon, I promise, I'll be careful."

Michonne nods as Rick walks out of the room.

John's P.O.V

John watched as the soldiers shot at targets he set up. "How are they doing?" Shane asks as he walks up behind him.

"I already want to quit," John says. "When I trained the people at Hilltop, they at least knew how to use a gun, some of these guys look like they've never even shot one. Mercer said some of them was just for show but I thought they would at least have a little bit of experience."

"I've taught, children, this can't be much harder," Shane says as one of the soldiers stops shooting. "What?"

"Are you guys going to show us anything?" He asks. "It seems like you're just chatting. Show us why Mercer chose you two, outsiders to teach his soldiers, you shot a mug out of someone's hand, could have been a lucky shot."

John sighs as he removes his revolver. "If I hit all of these targets in the center, you're going to keep your mouth shut,"

"Let's see it Clint Eastwood," He growls and John smirks as he starts to shoot his guns. He quicky hits each of the targets before spinning his revolver in his hands and holstering them.

"Now shut your mouth, plant yourself and take jumping every time you pull the damn trigger," John says as he takes the rifle out of his hand. "Plant your feet, aim your weapon, take a deep breath and squeeze the trigger, don't pull on it," John says as he shoots one of the targets three times. "Everybody understand?" They nod as John walks back over to Shane.

"These guys are going to give me more of a headache than Negan," Shane says.

"More than likely."

Jerry's P.O.V

Jerry sat in the theater with his face in his hands. "You looked stressed out," Deacon says as he walks up to him.

"Carol and Ezekiel made this look so easy but there is so much to be done, we need to get the crops replanted and getting hunting parties out, we need to get whatever people we can to Hilltop so we can get it rebuilt."

"It seems like you need a partner," Deacon says. "It just so happens that I have some experience running a camp," Deacon says making Jerry look at him. "If you'll have me."

"I have a question first," Jerry says and Deacon nods. "Why didn't you stay at Commonwealth?"

"Because I knew you'd need more help here," Deacon says. "Sarah is due soon, in four months, when we get close, we'll go there but until then, I'm here to help you."

"I would be happy for the help," Jerry says and Deacon nods.

Rick's P.O.V

Rick, Michonne, Carl, and Enid stood in the house. Rick stood up when they heard a knock on the door. Rick walks up to the door and pulls it open. He looks at Lance. "Sorry, I couldn't fine any wine."

"We'll make due," Rick says. "Come in," Rick says and Lance walks into the house.

Thanks for reading, next chapter Rick talks with Hornsby and then we'll have a time skip of two to three days. Now I have some explaining to do, I thought I put this in the last chapter and I didn't. I did not abandon this story, it was on hiatus. My Beta reader wasn't able to work on it for a little while and it did not feel right doing the story without him, he has written a scenes and has come up with ideas for this story, he is closer to a co-author than beta reader. But he is back and I am ready to dive into the Commonwealth. Thanks for your patience and as always suggestions, ideas, and feedback are welcomed. Until next time.