New Beginnings *6 years later* (December)

Least the kids were happy now. The two of them looking over their little pet. Mikko heard the others on the ground calling for Sandy and nodded when Gabe suggested she tell them the kids were alright. She walked outside and called down to Michonne and Gabe.

They'er up here. They'er fine. Gabe and I caught them going after a bug and brought them in.

Michonne hurried up the ladder to Mikko's house and pushed passed Mikko making her way inside the house. Seeing Sandy was ok with her own eyes made her both relieve and angry that Sandy ran off in the first place. You young lady are ground for forever! Lets go!

Sherry couldn't just sit inside while her husband was out there. She asked Beth to stay inside in case Abby woke up then hurried back out looking for Dwight. As she was serching snow started to fall. They all needed to get inside, least the gun fire had settled down.

Finally she came upon Dwight and Lexi and ran to them.

Oh my god, Dwight! Are you ok? We got to get you inside and in bed.

Lexi was unrelenting... it was frustrating. Dwight understood that she was trying to help, but he was not ready to put this on Sherry...on Abby. Hell, he just wasn't.. ready. Giving an annoyed nod of understanding, he was about to tell her that he would, eventually...when the time was right. When the day came and it would feel easier somehow, when it was painfully obvious that something was wrong...

Before he could speak the words, Sherry appeared and he was quick to wipe his face once again, then struggled to his feet, choosing to use the tree for suppost instead of Lexi's offered hand. To do so would be to admit that he wasn't 100%.

"I'm okay. Took a bad step.. " He told Sherry.

Lexi narrowed her eyes..surely Sherry wouldn't buy that. The blood on his coat sleeve from wiping his face. The small trickles of blood that continued from his nose, and the corner of his mouth...no bruising to back up the earlier lie he had told her.

"I still think it would be a good idea to get some bloodwork done, D. A checkup. I could do it tonight, or if you're too tired.. tomorrow. You know I'm always here, and I think Lilo is staying for awhile. "

Dwight tensed when she mentioned bloodwork and checkups, knowing she had blown his 'cover', hinting at something more serious...

Taking Sherry's hand, he gave it a light squeeze, casting Lexi an annoyed look, hoping she wouldn't continue to press. "I will take it into consideration."

Sherry knew something more was going on. It was obvious. And after what Lexi said it was even more obvious. She returned the hand squeeze and gave Lexi a concerned look then looked up at Dwight.

If something else is going on with you You better tell me. Maybe you should get a check up...

Hearing that Mikko had Sa sy a d Noah, Glenn was quick to follow Michonbe up into the treehouse, and wasted no time wrapping his son into his arms, hugging him tightly. He knew this could have had a very different outcome, and his emotions were still reeling over what happened to Logan.

Finally breaking the hug, his tearfilled gaze met his son's, who looked apologetic, but too young to grasp the level of worry and panic he had caused!


"Please don't ever do that again! You had us so worried!" another tight hug, and he wasn't sure if he would ever release him!


Gabe watched the reunions, glad there was a positive outcome, but.. he couldn't pass up the chance to get under Glenn's skin...


"So, how's that incredibly hot girl of yours?" He asked, fighting down a mischievous grin...

The question had the desired effect on Glenn. It was no secret that the newcomer had once had his sights on Maggie. "Still hot. AND happily married. Oh. Amd pregnant. We are expecting our third child..." ...So back off!

Mikko was glad that the kids were reunited with their parents. Michonne dragged Sandy out of the house not even letting the poor girl say bye, Gabe seemed a bit more sensable about the whole thing. Kids will be kids sometimes they sneak out the house.

Then Gabe mentioned Maggie and Mikko smacked him upside the head.

Don't listen to him, Glenn. Gabe is just trying to make me jealous. And it was working!

Gabriel muffled a chickle... it was working, but on Mikko, too? She was jealous of him? Was she joking? Surely so...probably to ease some of Glenn's tension...


But hearing Glebn and Maggie were expecting number three, he eased off. "Congratulations, man. That's cool. Was just bustin' yet chops..."


...the fact that he may have made Mikko jealous was not quick to leave him...


"Thanks. We're happy." And he would leave it at that. His attention then shifted to Mikko. "Thanks for grabbing the kids. It's been a bad night.."

So I've heard. I hope the rest of the night goes by without more issues. Mikko picked up the jar with the caterpaler in it and handed it to Noah.

Don't forget pickles. She said. It was more to Glenn than Noah. She really needed to learn how to sign.

If you run into Eugene out there tell him to get back home it's getting late.

And now Sherry wanted him to get checked out. Great. He had tried so hard to spare her of the worry, and Lexi had blown it in just a few seconds. Finally pausing in his tracks, he gave a defeated sigh. Not looking back at Lexi, upset that tonight had not gone differently.


"How long will it take? Told Carl I would keep Beth safe...Abby's home asleep.. "

Lexi was surprised that Dwight was giving in. She knew this would have had a different outcome if Sherry had not shown up. "Not long at all. Hour, tops. Need to take some blood, run a few chest x-rays, take vitals..."


Dwight was still against this, but the cat was out of the bag. Sooner or later, this would need to be done. He looked at Sherry... "Tonight or tomorrow? Abby and Beth okay?"

Tonight. You need to get checked out tonight. Beth is watching Abby. Both of them are fine and you can't help anyone if yer sick.

Sherry wrapped an arm around Dwight's waist.

Now lets get out of the snow and see what's going on with you.

Naturally Dwight wanted to put it off, just a little longer, but tonight got Sherry's vote, and of course Lexi seemed in favor of that, too. The irritation softened and he quietly gave in, knowing eventually he was going to find himself inside that infirmary, one way or another...


It had been so long since he had stepped inside one of those. He spent a very brief amount of time in Negan's, after his former leader had melted away half of his face with a scorching hot iron. The infection had nearly killed him. Of course Negan had granted him just enough treatment to keep him alive so that he could live the rest of his days serving in torment as he wedded his wife... disfigured...


His more recent time was after pulling Sherry out of Sanctuary after she had been shot. The doctor here and Lexi had worked so tirelessly to save her. He remembered all of the long nights curled up on a cot beside her, refusing to leave her side. How worried he had been that he would lose her...

Trying to silence the memories in his mind, he gave Sherry a gentle squeeze as they walked, closing in on the infirmary...


Lexi remained quiet for most of the trek, pulling her jacket a little tighter around her small frame as she led the way. She couldn't even imagine what the pair was feeling. She knew they had to be afraid, and part of her felt bad for being so unrelenting... but the nurse in her knew, if this was a serious medical issue, the sooner it was caught, the better. Hopefully it was nothing life threatening, but the signs were very concerning...

The couple had been through so much. Having their community taken over by Negan. They had fought it, even tried to get away, but it had cost them so much. Sherry's sister was killed in the process. Dwight was disfigured after being caught, and Sherry had agreed to become Negan's wife to save her husband's life....they had survived a life of hell...


Finally reaching the infirmary, Lexi led them inside and turned on the lights. The building was empty, but with the recent attacks and surely more to come, Lexi wondered just how long that would be the case. She was thankful that Lilo was in town...if too many were injured, she would need the help...and Lilo's vast knowledge and experience within the medical field.


She led Dwight into the treatment area and gestured him to sit, pulling a chair close for Sherry. "I will be glad when this snow let's up. " She tried to make small talk, hoping to ease some of the tension as she did vitals, readied the vials, grabbed syringes and the band, tying it around Dwight's arm, instructing him to pump a fist...


Blooddraw went smoothly, and while the samples were being ran, they moved to the x-ray room, where Dwight was instructed to remove his coat and shirt, and lay on the table. He had always been thin, but had lost noticable weight over the last month...

During all of this, Dwight held to Sherry's hand, as if maintaining the contact would ease both of their fears and make it all okay. He hid it well, but deep down, he was scared.

"Any chance you could be pregnant?" Lexi asked Sherry, not wanting her exposed to radiation in case she could be, but not wanting to disrupt their hand holding...


Just to be safe, she grabbed a thick, heavy vest and draped it over Sherry's shoulders, protecting her abdoman region...

Giving Sherry's hand a squeeze, Dwight pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles as he waited for Lexi to snap the images that could potentially change their lives....


"I think this is the closest thing we have had to a date night in awhile.." He quietly teased as the first image was snapped, and then a second...

The Saviors wrote:

The men shot at the on coming vehicle. It was no use and seeing their friend get torn to pieces scared the crap out of the men. More shots were fired at the vehicle as the men got into their own truck in an attempt to make their escape.

This armored car was something Negan needed to know about, and something that they needed to take for themselves but they wouldn't be able to do that now.

Lilo grimaced, really she preferred usually to heal rather than hurt. But. Those that followed men like Negan deserved this. The armour was dented and holey a bit especially over the airless tires and spoiler. But the body armour designed more to deflect than take was unharmed save some scratches and dents and her within it still safe.


She honked the horn to get straggles moving towards their truck and if they thought to try using the bigger cumbersome vehicle against the swift blade that Donatello built from scraps and powered with zombie algae goop fuel then they had another thing coming. She shot at a couple of wheels. But otherwise had stopped firing and was now harrying and harassing them with the road blade itself, and it had that name for a reason, the ridges in the armour designed to break wind resistance when travelling where also sharp, meant for cutting at the dead, but also worked on living flesh. She would rush past, forcing people to jump out of her way or get run down.


Chasing them and making a mess of their truck. But leaving it running. It might have a few ruined tires, maybe not. Maybe they'll make it back without it breaking down or becoming bogged or slow and having to limp on flat tires. Which ever.

Stitch nods at Eugene and uses Jokers tug to pull him down - the moment of unbalance and the koala sized fuzz ball had the man on his back and looks down at him with huge dark eyes. If anything he looked so innocent and cute and fluffy and he knew it, and showed his true stretching in simply pulling his captive along, " Come... holding... come... Carl see you sometime... come!" not giving much of a choice in the coming and looking up at Eugene to lead him to where to stash the prisoner.

And Joker soon found himself laying face up on the ground. He was stunned but only for a moment.

I CAN WALK! He screamed as he tried to get to his feet. Is this how you treat guest?! I just needed a place to rest, some food, water! I do not appretiate being dragged around like a bodybag!

This whole community would pay for treating him like they were, for embarissing him like this. Whoever was shooting up the place would soon be the least of their worries!

Sherry walked with Dwight following Lexi to the little building they had set up as their hospital. The whole time Dwight was getting blood draw she was silently praying that it was nothing serious and that it was just the flu, something he could sleep off.

She was pretty sure she wasn't pregnant and said so but Lexi had made her put on the heavy vest anyway. Sherry didn't mind as long as she didn't have to leave Dwight's side. At his comment she grinned.

We'll have to have a proper date night soon. Though this is pretty romantic. she joked.

You best be ok. Or I'll have to kick your ass.

Eugene hesitated, not sure if he should even respond to the Joker. He vaguely remembered the guy, but it seemed the weirdo knew his girl...


"You...you know Mikko?" He asked as he lead the way, seeing Daryl with the impostor not far up ahead.


It didn't take them long to reach the prison, and Daryl already had his captive secure in one of the cells when they entered the relatively dark dungeon. Unlike the treehouses, the structure was situated on ground level for easier access with a struggling inmate.


Still careful to stay out of the way, Eugene opened the cell next to Daryl's prisoner and allowed their Alien friend to deposit their newer addition.


"I will be sure to direct Carl's attention in your immediate direction once current situations are handled and dealt with and he is all free and clear to converse with you, Mister. Apologies for initial interactions but your arrival was poorly timed and executed..no puns...

when Eugene asked about Mikko Joker grinned and took this chance to get under the man's skin a little.

Oh yeah...I know her real well. We met at the mall and she helped me get into Bruce's little lab. We had some other privet moments together, she's a real peach. Let her know I'm in town will ya, I'd like to see her again.

He went into the cell without struggling.

Also ask her to bring me some food, water...A gun.

Dwight knew that Sherry was worried. He wished that be could alleviate that, but knew that only good news from Lexi could do that at this point.


Once the x-rays were performed,Lexi removed the heavy vest from Sherry, and gave Dwight the okay to put his shirt back on, which he quickly did. It was way too chilly to be bare skinned.

Lexi disappeared to the far corner where the computer was situated to examine the x-rays, quiet as she did so.


A soft smile broke through the concern when Sherry playfully threatened him. She was trying to keep the mood light, and so would he.


"I'll take date night over an ass kickin'..." He winked, reaching to take her hand, giving it a soft squeeze to let her know, it would be okay. No matter the outcome.


"I could watch Abby one night, or some nights so you two can have a date night...just throwing that out there..." Lexi offered as she continued to look over the scans.


Dwight playfully wiggled his brows at Sherry, trying to bury his own fear as they waited to find out what she had found...'if she had found anything...


And it didn't take Lexi long to spot the source of Dwight's decline. She instantly felt sick. She looked over the scans several times, but the proof couldn't be more clear. Her legs felt heavy as she stood, trying to figure out just how to tell the couple.

Printed scans in hand, she reluctantly returned, the dread and regret unmistakable on her features. She had never had to give this kind of news before.

Seeing her, Dwight instantly knew it was bad....


"I'm.. I'm afraid it's not good..."

Sherry gave Dwight a kiss on the cheek when he was done with the x-ray, and would take Lexi up on her offer. Things were looking possitive, least that's what Sherry was telling herself. Nothing was wrong she was just worried for no reason. Well it wasn't no reason, she was worried because Lexi seemed worried and she did notice the blood.

But Dwight seemed to be doing ok now so maybe it wasn't anything too serious.

Those thoughts were drowned out when Lexi came back to them with a look that told her something was wrong. And then she said things weren't good and Sherry's heart dropped to her stomach. She had to sit down for whatever the news was.

She took a seat next to Dwight wrapping her arms around him and waited for Lexi to tell them what was going on.

Kai reluctantly walked with Negan and Abby, a hint of a smile forming when the man mentioned a puppy. He always wanted a pet, but they were hard to come by these days...


They were taken to a room where Abby claimed the top bunk, not that Kai cared. Maaaaybe he would stick around long enough to get his pet, then head back home. Obviously the threat of rheir security was not enough to detour the kid of his plans.


"What kind of puppy?"

Once Glenn and his little one left, it was just him and Mikko, and what she had said certainly had not left him.


A hint of a grin tugged at the corners of his lips.


"I made you jealous? Does someone have a crush on me?" He teased with a wink.

A golden retriever mix. I don't know what it's mix with but it made a damn cute puppy. They're living in the play house, Tomorrow you'll get to have your pick and see the rest of the town. And being my son gets you in places others aren't allowed. And you get to boss people around. As long as you follow the rules of the community you'll rule here as a little fucking prince.

Negan ruffled Kai's hair and told both kids goodnight then closed the bedroom door to let them sleep.

Don't let it go to yer head. Mikko told Gabe as she pinched his cheek.

But if I'm ever not married then you should hit me up.

Glenn gave Mikko his promise that if he saw Eugene, he would tell him to go home. With Noah in tow, he left Mikko's place, but unfortunately did not cross paths with the genius on his way home...


Trailing Michonne and Sandy, Glenn and Noah were soon back at Michonne and Daryl's home.


Feeling horrible about worrying his parents, Noah rushed to his mother, arms held out for a hug...hoping she wasn't mad at him!



"He's okay. They went after the bug." Glenn told Maggie as he neared tbe couch, his gaze instantly fixating on his injured child. "How is Logan? Any changes?"

Maggie breathed a sigh of relief when everyone came back with the kids alright. When Noah ran to her she hugged him tightly. Don't sneak away again. You had us so worried. Tell us next time you want to go somewhere. She signed to him.

To Glenn she shook her head. Other then moving a little no change. He'll probably sleep for the rest of the night.


Michonne's anger was calming and once they reached the house she finally let Sandy go. Go get ready for bed. We'll talk about this tomorrow with your father.

Sandy nodded silently and hurried to get ready for bed.