New Beginnings *6 years later* (December)

With the danger of Glenn being shone a good time past them, Mikko sat down at the edge of the roof figuring out the best way to get down and make a run for it. When Glenn started speaking to her she gave a thumbs up.

what would you do without me? Besides be ravished by women all day. She joked.

Before she could tell Glenn of any plan she may or may not have had he informed her that Daryl was on his way. She hadn't seen the group on the ground and gave a thoughtful look at Glenn.

You and Daryl have some kind of psychic connection that you know he's on his way? Seeeeeecret looooooovers She playfully sang.

Michonne hadn't gotten too far when Daryl pulled up beside her. She quickly hopped in beside him.

My hero. She grinned at him. It looks like there's three of them up there. I wonder who they ended up picking up.

Now that they were closer to the house they could see the full extent of the situation. The third person, whoever she was, would be dealt with once they were away from danger. Michonne now assumed that they got into so much trouble because they were trying to save the girl.

Think we can run enough of them down for them to get off the roof and get inside here?

Michonne went straight over the fence... siiigh .. well that didn't change much of her plans, except, "Hey Stitch reckon you can help these guys? I'll take the atv and the meat back to the tree houses?" she asks her best friend. They needed help and that food shouldn't go to waste.


Had he known that Michonne wanted to snuggle him the little alien would have been all for it - as he uses the weapons, firing an explosive at the gates breaking them open and the others went ahead his ears perk up and he nods, "Okay -" He gives the thumbs up.



The noise had attracted zombies of course, but Lilo dived out of the Dragonfly - leaving Stitch to take over driving through the broken fence - she dashing for the fourwheeler and it's meat - wasn't hard to start it and she turned it around heading away from the town. She visited the communities more regularly than Erica or any of the others from the turtles lot, though Don regularly came too, help teach medical skills and see to things like dentistry, the only one they made little effort to connect with or visit was Negans. So she was familiar with the area and knew where to go to reach Carl's community.


Stitch meanwhile cheers - this was a favourite past time of his, Lilo's and the big turtles... destroying zombies... He grins seeing Michonne hop into the Humvee and though wasn't aware of her question he answered it anyways, the Dragonfly splattering Zombies as he mows down a whole heap ahead of Daryl. The wheel had button and all the controls needed for speed and brakes and turbo. As well as the weapons, he throws the vehicle into a tight spin so it was facing back the way it came now firing at the zombies. Clearing enough of a path for those on the roof to the Humvee.

Mikko stood on the edge of the roof watching the gore down below unfold. this is the most badass rescue I've ever been in! She shouted to the others. We need to get one of those.

She was ready to jump down and get inside the humvee.

She hurried to Ally and took her hand. Ready to jump? Once you're down there I'll toss you the bags to put in the truck.

Oooh, an egg? Judith was curious about that, but... weapon... Erica had a weapon for her! By now, Judith was bouncing on her heels, more excitement than she had shown in a while. Mature beyond her years, very little sparked that child within...

"I promise!" And, she truly meant it. Casting an expectant look back at her big brother, who couldn't mask a half of a smile. Of course he was protective of her with weapons, just as his father had been with him, but she had shown a maturity around them, and damn well skilled for her age. And she had promised, it was to be used only in his presence.

This was a lot to take in for Ally... one of the vehicles looked like a UFO, and the other, a suped up Humvee...

Giving a nod at Mikko, She jumped down onto the roof of the humvee and once Mikko tossed the bags down to her, handed them into the window to the man that was reaching for them. "Get in!" The driver urged, not bothering with introductions at the moment.


Ally was quick to crawl into the back seat of the vehicle, holding the door open for Mikko and Glenn...


Once Mikko was down and safely in the vehicle, Glenn hopped down and climbed inside... though uncomfortable with sharing the same space with Ally.. but at least Mikko was between them!


"Think this means you owe me... I got some game that needs skinnin'.." Daryl told Glenn and Mikko. "Who's the girl..."

Once Ally and the bags were in the vehicle, Mikko jumped down and got inside moving over close to Ally so that Glenn could squeeze in.

We are so glad to see you guys. And you have a deal. She liked to skin the game that Daryl brought back anyway so that she could save parts for Anton.

This is Ally. She's cool. A little shy. Ally, this is Daryl and Michonne.

Michonne gave a nod to the girl. Where are you from? the woman asked Ally.

Whew! Glenn was relieved that Mikko volunteered for skinning the game. That was something Glenn still did NOT enjoy doing! Hearing Mikko tell Daryl that Ally was shy, he gave her a side eye of disbelief...


"She's not.. that.. shy..." He said, almost under his breath. Meanwhile, Ally was sizing Daryl up, while the man's attention was focused on driving them out of the area.


"I'm from... all over..." She told Michonne, grabbing Glenn's pack and digging for more jerky. "But, I think I'm staying with you guys now..."

We'll see... Michonne said and left it at that. The girl first had to show she could be trusted and of course she would have to meet Carl. She turned back in her seat to face the road as they drove back. Having noticed the look Ally gave Daryl Michonne placed a hand on his leg hopefully letting the girl know he was taken.

Mikko couldn't help a snort at Glenn. Of course if Ally tried anything like that on her man Ally would be missing her lips. But because it wasn't her man it was amusing.

You have to meet our groups leader and stuff. But i'm sure you'll be welcomed into the group. Mikko told her. I'm eager to get home...Make sure my son hasn't tried to eat anyone...

It upset Noah to no end to see his best friend hurt, but at least his mom patched her up! He had his own personal bad experiences with Anton, but this made him reeeeally dislike the older boy!


Noah had been watching attentively as his mom patched Sandy up, and when given the clear and 'told' to play inside, he hopped down from the chair he had been sitting in and gently took Sandy's hand, tugging her towards his and Logan's bedroom. He had the perfect medicine! A drawing pad and some crayons and markers that his dad and Mikko had brought back on one of their runs....

Eugene wasn't one for weapons, and only carried them on his person if venturing outside... but this was not planned.. [color=purple]"I do not.."{/color] He informed Beth, eyes following the fence up to the very top. The heavily protected top. Even if he could climb, he would be ripped apart by the razor wire....



"He went over... I just know it. I'm going to have to go out there..."

Eugene was going to get himself killed Beth just knew it. Than not only would Mikko be coming home to a missing kid but a dead husband as well. She grabbed the cuff of his shirt and shook her head.

You should wait for Mikko. Even if she does get angry, better she be angry at a husband who's a alive and uninjured then dead or servierly wounded.

That's when a male voice came from behind one of the larger trees. I would probably listen to your friend if I were you. You never know what dangers you'll find out there.

Beth froze. her grip tighten on Eugene's shirt. It had been years but she would never forget that voice.

Erica listened. With what Leo had given her in mutation she listened to Judith's heart rate, her breaths, the tips of her pointed ears fluttered a little with the effort. Her eyes, glowed briefly, searched her young friends, her little sisters, this little fierce warrior who had healed a broken Erica years ago and made her grab at what she desired with both hands and make her intentions known... to open herself up... and fall so hard.

She rarely saw this excited child like spark. So far in Yoshi and shen they had retained theirs. Her heart swelled, if anything had driven Leo to take Bishop's strong hold as his own it was the need to make sure she and then their precious cargo had been safe, safe enough to at least given something of a childhood to him. To his sister who came later. It couldn't last and soon enough the two would have to learn to be as warrior as Judith, as their father... but for this bit longer...


So being able to deliver this and watch those bounces and that grin and Carl's half smile filled Erica with a glow usually only shen and Yoshi and Leo could bring. And to a just barely lesser extent her strange clan family and tree house family. She had Judith's word, so she held the sheathed weapon up to Judith. "Then this... is all yours, check out all the gadgets... and watch your fingers all the blades are very very sharp" She grins, a wink at Carl, Judith would no doubt quickly discover the added additions to the weapon, Donnie added a compass in the hilt and flint in the handles of the two throwing knives that could be pulled out by their rings at the lower end of the scabbard, these two being Mikey and Raph's ideas. Donnie also adding solar capabilities that would power and light the torch in her holster strap and the shell cell.



To Carl Erica adds, "I have a shell cell for you too, Lilo had been patching up towers around us... and further out... as far out as as often as Don can make the needed equipment so I have one for you that should work about here at least." apologetic a tad cause these things took time to make. In this world that required a lot of recycling and repurposing.


Once Judith had her weapon Erica took a moment to send Leo a message. **Reached the tree houses safely, giving Judith her gift, will call later. Much love to family and our babies. I love you Leo, home asap.** heart thudding as it did when she thought of him.

Logan followed the two back home and to the bedroom. Unlike the other two had started drawing, Logan sat on his bed.

Maybe he'll stay lost. He finally said (and signed).

He then noticed something in Sandy's hair and pointed it out. You have something in your hair...

She reached up and pulled out the caterpillar that had been hanging on to her locks. She placed it on the drawing pad and watched it walk around.

You should probably bring that back outside.

Six years had passed, and Lexi's life had changed drastically. After Negan, never did she think she would find the love of her life. That kind of thing was simply a fairy tale. Negan had taught her that love... was nothing more than ownership of another human being, abuse and torment.


She had gotten a beautiful baby boy out of the deal, but the fact that his crying when she was out on her own led her to make a difficult choice. It still haunted her, the fact that she had to leave a starving infant at the mercy of his father for almost two years.But her options had been limited. Take her chances and hope that Negan would keep him alive and safe within the sanctuary... or... silence him and end his starving.


Her time with the Whisperers also weighed heavily on her mind, at times.. in those rare moments when she was away from Laz and her two children. How incredible it had been to be somewhere safe during the birth of her second child, and how lucky she felt that Zoey was fathered by the most incredible man she had ever met. Laz adored his daughter, and treated Kai like his own.

The world was dying, but at least she had her family...she was happy. Though, deep down.. she still had feelings for Negan. She remembered the man he was when she first met him, before he took the Sanctuary from Dwight. Leadership had made him cruel... and.. the grief and possible guilt he still felt over his late wife, Lucille.


They had their hands full with Kai. Even though the boy loved and adored Laz, the kid was a restless spirit. For now, Lexi had chosen to let Kai believe that Laz was his biological father. She wasn't sure if she could ever tell him the ugly truth. That his father was a cruel man, that she had to abandon him for his own survival. That she has been a Whisperer. This reality was much sweeter...


Lexi made herself useful wherever needed. Helping Beth with babysitting when the young lady became overwhelmed, helping Maggie with the garden, and helping the resident doctor tend to those sick or injured, and assisted with delivering babies. Today, she was enjoying time at home, busy in the kitchen while Laz finished up today's lessons with the little ones.


Kai, as always, was restless. Zoey, being too young for schooling, was 'helping' Lexi in the kitchen. Fresh produce collected from the garden, and fish that Daryl had provided would make for a nice dinner, and she was preparing enough to share with those expected to return from outside the walls tonight. The scavenging team and the hunters. They would be too tired to even think about preparations, so she would make sure everyone was fed.


~*~*

Kai was beyond happy the lessons were over for the day. He had been wiggling and fidgeting the entire time. When Laz gave him the okay, he scooted off his chair, eager to go outside! But not without hugging his father first. As mischievous as the 8 year old could be, he had a sweet side. But hearing his father tell him to avoid Anton, he rolled his eyes.


"He's not that bad.." He told his father, but gave an unconvincing not of his head, fingers crossed behind his back... "Oookay!"

laz knew that his boy and Anton were close, as close as Anton would be to another person at least. It worried him a bit, but he had to let Kai make his own choices and friends. After picking up in the small makeshift classroom, Laz headed out to find Lexi.

On his way to the kitchen he passed Evelyn who was standing by the front door, she had entered as Kai left.

Everything ok? Laz asked the young girl as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the kitchen.

Evelyn frowned and shook her head. Her eyes were watery from tears and more where threatening to fall. Ant ran away. She said sadly. Daddy chased him, but they never came back. Her lip trembled as she spoke.

Laz have the girl a hug and sat her on the counter top. They'll come back. I promise. And your mommy will be home soon too.

He got a piece of cloth and wiped her face. Why don't you and Zoey go play until everyone gets back.

Jusith was practically glowing at this point! She carefully took the weapon into her tiny, yet incredibly capable hands, a quiet 'wow!' escaping her lips. She gingerly ran her fingers over it, mindful of the blades, exploring all of the hidden features and of course eager to try it out! She handed it to her big brother just long enough to wrap her arms around Erica's waist, giving her another appreciative, strong hug. "Thank you so much! I promise to take care of it! And, thank Leo and the others, too!" She smiled, and once released Erica from the bear hug, took her new treasure back from her brother, giving it another thorough look over...


Carl offered another half smile at Erica's thoughtfulness and his little sister's happiness, it was so rare to see her actually act like a kid, so happy... and then Erica mentioned having a Shell Cell for him... "Thank you... but only if you can spare it..." Because he knew that resources were scarce. There were a few walkie talkies within the community, but their usage was usually reserved for those going out on missions, and communicating between other communities...


Eugene had been working on supplying the community with more solar panels for charging and electricity and signals, but the 'pleasures' in life as far as devices were still pretty limited...

Hearing once again that she would need the leader's approval before being allowed to stay, Ally gave a small pout as she enjoyed her fifth piece of jerky. It had been days since her last meal, and if this group did not accept her, it could be even longer before she ate. Her fate was uncertain, but it was something she was used to...


She saw the way the woman in the front seat placed her hand on the scruffy man's leg... it should have been a signal that he was off limits, but that did not register with her.She still had the feral mentality when it came to mates. The only thing stopping her, Ally was smart enough to know any actions or distracting someone as they drove would not end well...



Glenn was trying to stay awake. It had been a long and tiring outing and would take almost an hour to get home. Still, knowing a sex hungry female was on the opposite side of the back seat was enough to make him fight with heavy eyelids, occasionally throwing a side eye in the blonde's direction, sensing Mikko's amusement. Funny!


He wondered what his little ones were up to. What Maggie was doing. It had only been a couple of days, but he missed his family, missed Maggie's warmth. He hoped they were still awake when he got home.

Trying to suppress a yawn, he knew that he had to do something to keep his brain busy, otherwise he would fall asleep. "Who's up for 'I spy?'" He asked, hoping for some takers.


Daryl snorted as one hand left the steering wheel, coming to rest on top of Michonne's and giving it a squeeze. "Lame. Got any booze in those packs, I vote for 'Never have I Ever..'


Glenn rolled his eyes, of course Daryl would think any game that didn't involve alcohol would be lame.. "Yeah, because I always pack alcohol when going out on scavenging runs... besides, you're driving..."

Noah agreed with his brother, only responding with a little nod. His hands were too busy for signing at the moment. He smiled when Sandy removed the caterpillar from her hair and allowed it to crawl across her paper. But unlike agreeing with Logan about Anton, he shook his head in response to the caterpillar, knowing how his best friend felt about her insects, and with her being hurt, she needed all the comforts she could get.


'It's okay.. it'll freeze out there..' He signed to his brother, hoping he wouldn't argue.

Mikko was also tired. she slumped down in her seat and leaned her head back letting her eyes close. She couldn't wait to get back home to her people. She was sure Eugene had his hands full with the kids and was eager to pamper the poor man. He deserved it, especially having to deal with Anton. She always worried about her son when she was gone. She knew that one day he would do something that would cause them to be removed from the community.

Mikko opened her eyes when Glenn spoke up, then Daryl.

No liquor sadly. Not that it does me any good. But we can still play raise your hand...Never have I ever...Thought one of the walkers were kinda cute. And being that at one time she was one of them they all had better raise their hand.

Eugene also froze as the familiar voice issued from the other side of the fence. Still, he protectively shoved Beth behind him, even though he was scared to death. His heart beating wildly, deafening in his own ears. There was a protective fence between them, but the fact that Negan knew where they lived, this was a recipe for trouble...


"If you are peddling your Jehovah's Witness bologna hooblah, I suggest you venture on elsewhere, mister. We are well aware of hard times and the dead have risen, which would give weight to your word, but quite frankly, there is no interest here..." He rambled on, knowing full well the severity of their situation, but hoping that by playing 'dumb', Negan would think this was a different group, and maybe...just maaaybe would let them be. But being te smart man that he is, Eugene knew that even if that were the case.... Negan would demand half of their stuff....

Oh, good! It seemed Mikko was interested! And maybe now, the rest would play along. But hearing her question... he hesitated... He had only ever had eyes for Maggie, but Mikko was his friend.. one of his best friends.. would she be hurt or offended if no one raised their hand? She had always been attractive, even when she was briefly a Walker.. even though she used to scare the shit out of him! Ally was quick to raise her hand, not giving nearly as much thought to this as Glenn.. who managed to almost.. alllllmost raise his hand. He started to and quickly pulled it down, but it was enough to be noticed. Unfortunately Daryl had caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror, who responded with a snort. "What the hell was that, man.. Maggie know about yer fetish?"


At this point, Glenn was turning red faced and now wished he had braved a nap over the embarrassment... "I was stretching!" He tried to cover it up, avoiding eye contact with Mikko....

That was not the response Negan was expecting, Eugene was a strange one indeed.

The man finally came out from the shadows of the trees holding Anton close to him. The boy squirmed in Negan's grasp trying to get away, but the man had caught and taped up the young ones arms and legs, and most importantly his mouth.

I'm guessing you're looking for this little basterd. It took a hell of a time getting him to calm his ass down, me and three guys had to hold this little fucker down to get the tape on him. I was impressed. But I don't want your kid. I want my kid. So...You bring me Kai. And you get this fucker back. you know where to find us.

Negan gave a calm smile and flicked a ciggirette on the ground before turning to leave.

Mikko noticed Glenn almost raise his hand and she gave a big grin and pulled him in for a tight hug.

Awwwww I knew you thought I was adorable! Yer cute too. I could just eat you up.

She then looked over at Daryl and flicked the back of his head with her fingers. You didn't think I was cute as a walker? I mean compared to the others. just between you guys and me. I kinda miss it. Sometimes I wish Wade never "cured" me. But...Don't tell Eugene.

She then looked over at Ally. You got a thing for zombies?

Eugene's jaw dropped in horror, seeing that Negan had his adopted son. Then, the mad man made his demands. He wanted... Kai? Kai was his son? That was a huge shock. He knew that Lexi had been a Savior, and a Whisperer, but he had never known of her son's real father...


As much as he wanted to get Anton back, he knew demanding that Lexi give up her son would not go well. And how cold he ask any parent to give up their child to that psycho?!



"Wwww..wait.." He called after Negan, moving closer to the fence, making mental note that they needed to make the barriers solid all the way around their compoud, and not just the more important half. The community's security was still a work in progress....


"I propose another trade. Me, for Anton. You release the little on, and I will come with you... no resistance. You can use me as trade fodder..." He was terrified to make this trade, knowing what Negan was capable of. His lip quivered, hands sweating, even in the freezing temperatures... "It is a solid trade. I am an asset to this community, Anton is.. just a child..."