Disclaimer—I don't own or make claim to the characters from The Walking Dead. I only own my original characters.

Everyone runs to Maggie's house and Glenn, Rick, Michonne and I run in to find her in agony on the kitchen floor. Michonne & I get her up and into her bed so she's ready when Denise comes rushing in to examine her. All of us but Glenn leave the room. We are all pacing in the living room when Denise comes back out. We look to her for answers.

"How's she doing?" I ask.

"Not good," she replies. "I can't determine what is actually happening, but it's not good."

"Can you help her?" asks Rick.

Denise looks frustrated and finally exclaims, "I'm a psychiatrist, not an obstetrician! I have no idea what's going on. It could be the beginning of a miscarriage. It could be placenta previa. There are a million other things it could be, but we need an ultrasound to look inside and see."

I look at Rick and Michonne. "Maggie showed me an ultrasound picture. Wasn't there an OB at the Hilltop? With an ultrasound machine?"

Rick looks thoughtful. "Yes. Yes, there was. You're right, we need to get her to the Hilltop." He looks at Michonne, "We need to get the RV ready and head out."

Michonne cautions him, "Rick it's dark. We'd be sitting ducks if we try to drive to the Hilltop in the dark."

Denise says, "I agree. There would be too much jostling for her as well--you won't be able to see where you are going and all those bumps may make her worse."

Rick huffs a breath out. "I know you're right, but can she last the night?"

Denise says, "I can keep her comfortable through the night as long as it isn't a miscarriage. If it is, well, the Hilltop can't help her any more than I can."

Rick ponders this. "OK, we leave first thing in the morning then. I'll go get the RV ready."

"No," I say. They all look at me surprised. "You can't take the RV. In fact none of you can go."

Rick looks offended. "It's not your call. We aren't just going to sit here and watch Maggie or her child die when we can get her help."

"And I don't expect you to," I say. "But I do expect you to listen to what I have to say. You said Carol killed 4 of Negan's men out there. That means he's got people out there combing the roads for the ones who killed his people. You go out there now, in an RV with a bunch of people, he's going to find you. It's a good distance to the Hilltop."

Rick eyes me, "We still have to do it though. Even with the risk, we have to save her!"

I reply, "I think we can save her and get her to the Hilltop without creating such a big target. We have to be smart about this. Giving you all the data I have on Negan isn't going to do you any good if you just die on the way to Hilltop tomorrow," I say passionately while my eyes clash with his.

Michonne looks interested and asks, "How can we get her there without Negan knowing or making ourselves a target."

"I'll take her," I say. "I'll use my van. If Negan stops us, who cares? He already knows about me and when he set us free he gave strict orders to his men that I'm off limits. He made enough of an impression that none of them will question me even if they find me out there. It's the only reason I was able to stay in the area until we're supplied for the trip home. He guaranteed my safety on pain of death and made sure all of his people knew it."

Rick looks at me in disbelief. "You want to take her alone?!"

"Well...not alone, exactly," I reply. "My kids and I will take her."

"You'd put yourself and your kids at risk out there?!" Rick almost yells. I look at Michonne. She isn't upset like Rick and seems to just be weighing the possibilities.

"They wouldn't be at risk," I reply calmly, realizing I need to tone it down. "Right now, they'd actually be safer out there than here. If Negan finds you and the kids are here then they are dead because he'll think we gave info on him to you that led to the satellite station being attacked. But out there, Negan's people know me. They know that my kids are never far and would expect to see them with me. They'd be suspicious if they weren't there. Actually, we'd be at much less risk than you would be if you go out there."

"It makes sense," Michonne says. Rick looks at her in disbelief. "You aren't actually considering this insane idea?!"

Michonne replies, "I am. I think you should too. It's a good idea and she's a good strategist. She's using the tools she has to keep everyone safe."

Rick shakes his head, muttering to himself as Daryl comes in the front door. Shortly after, Glenn comes out saying that Maggie finally fell asleep.

Glenn says, "We've got to get her to the Hilltop."

Michonne replies, "Sandi has a good plan to get her there." Daryl and Glenn both look at me inquiringly. I recap my plan. Glenn looks frustrated. Daryl says, "But no one here could go with? Not even Glenn?"

I shake my head. "No, I'm sorry. I could explain finding a female friend along the way that needs help so I'm taking her to a Dr. at Hilltop. But after what happened at the Sanctuary with my husband and Kayla...well, I don't think they'd buy me letting any man near my kids. I don't think we can risk taking anyone else but Maggie."

We all look at Glenn. He looks conflicted. He shakes his head. "I'm not going to say I like it, but I can see it's the smart choice."

Rick growls, "I don't like it at all. It's too risky for Sandi's family. There's got to be a better way."

Daryl responds, "I know you don' like it Rick, but she's right. It's Maggie's best shot that don' risk everyone else. I think we gotta do it, man." Everyone looks at Glenn. He says, "Yeah, let's do it."

"I'll have everything ready. We leave at first light," I say. Rick gives me a look. I can tell he's holding a lot back that he wants to say. He nods at us all and walks out the door with Daryl. I begin to head for home as well when Michonne touches my shoulder. "You have to understand," she says, "he doesn't doubt your abilities, it's that he's protective of you. It's killing him to put you and your family in danger when he feels he should be the one taking the risks." I nod at her, acknowledging what she is saying and head home.

The next morning I am up early. Everything is ready, the kids are more than willing to help Maggie, all we have to do is wait for the sun. I take my hot chocolate out to the swing on the front porch again. It isn't long before I hear footsteps. I look up to see Rick approaching. He doesn't look like he's slept much. He hesitantly motions to the other side of the swing. "May I?" he asks. I nod, giving him permission hoping he isn't here to argue with me about taking Maggie to the Hilltop.

He sits down and clears his throat, leaning his elbows on his knees and staring at his hands. "I just wanted to talk to you before you left. I know I'm not your favorite person right now and I understand that. I promised Michonne the other day that I'd keep my distance so you'd help us, and I've done my best but I just wanted to explain something to you before you leave.

I trust you. I do. You are one of the most capable people I've met since this all started. I wouldn't hesitate to put my life in your hands. I made a mistake by not telling you about what we were going to do. I told you that I didn't want you to see me as a killer, but that was selfish. You deserved to know what was going on, both as a member of the community and as someone I'm beginning to care about very much. You not only have valuable insights, but strategically you can see opportunities the rest of us can't. I didn't mean to diminish your part in this community, I suppose I let those caveman instincts take control. It seems that's the world we've regressed to sometimes."

He takes a deep breath and then continues, "I had the urge to protect you from everything, even from the truth about me and what I've done, what I'm capable of. I'm not a good man anymore, I've accepted that about myself. But, I didn't want you to have to know it. I was selfish and wanted a chance for you to get to know all the other parts of me before you had to know that. But, again, you surprised me. You already accepted that about me, about yourself, about everyone. You already knew. I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to show me that you already know how it is."

He looks up from his hands, cocks his head to the side and looks me in the eyes. "I've been thinking about your trip to the Hilltop all night. I don't want you to do it. I know you say it's safe for you, but all the what-if's have been going through my mind. Logically, I know it's a good plan, a great plan. But emotionally I want to tie you up and keep you from going." I roll my eyes at this.

He huffs out a laugh. "Yeah, I know what I'd get if I tried to do that. I also know you already know how to protect yourself, how to be careful. But I'm going to ask you to be extra careful nonetheless. You and your kids are important to me. I don't understand how you became so important to me so quickly, but there it is. You promise me you'll be OK. That you'll come back." He stares deep into my eyes. I look down to break the contact and say softly, "I promise." My mind is spinning at all he had to say. I'm not sure how to react to it all, but I can make that promise. I'm always careful, but some extra caution today wouldn't hurt.

He takes a deep breath. "Ok. Thanks." He gestures to where the faintest light is coming over the horizon. "I guess it's time to do this then." Just then the front door opens and Annie pokes her head out. "Mom, the sun's starting to come up. Are we going now?"

I take a breath and stand up. "Yes, time to go. Tell Kayla, Kira and Jordan it's time, OK? The van is in front of Maggie's house, meet me there."

Annie steps out the rest of the way, followed by the other three. Annie grins. "We're already ready."

"Alright," I say. "Let's get loaded up then." They all have their backpacks on and Kayla hands me mine. Rick reaches out and grabs it as I'm about to. "I've got it," he says. OK, I guess it gives him something to do, right? We head down the stairs to where the van is parked in front of Glenn and Maggie's house. I open the back of the van just as the door opens from the house and Glenn appears carrying Maggie down the stairs as Denise follows. The kids load all the packs into the back, followed by the one Rick is carrying for me and one for Maggie that Denise adds. I motion to Glenn to bring Maggie to the passenger door of the van and open it so he can get her settled inside. The kids pile into the back while Denise gives me some last minute instructions of how to care for Maggie on the trip. Glenn kisses her goodbye and Rick wishes her luck and shuts her door. I'm left looking at them and all the others that have gathered. Michonne, Abraham, Sasha, Tobin, Aaron, Eric, Father Gabriel, Eugene, Daryl and Carl have all gathered to wish us luck. They wave at Maggie and wish her well while I walk around to the driver's side of the car. Rick walks up and opens my door. I look at everyone and say, "It'll work."

Michonne responds, "It will. It's a good plan."

Daryl adds, "You get 'er there."

I say, "I will. Better get going. The sooner we leave, the sooner we'll get there and figure out what's going on. I don't know how long it'll take. I'll try to get back by tomorrow night to give you some news, but if I don't make it, don't go out there," I caution. "Don't go out for supply runs, don't go out for anything until I get back. Depending on what happens, it may take some time, but I'll get word to you somehow. It won't necessarily mean that something bad has happened if I don't make it on time. Don't get caught because you get impatient waiting." I look at Rick, who's still holding my car door, while I say this.

He nods. "We'll be patient. We'll give you a few days to get back before we start worrying." Carl comes up and gives me a hug. He says, "Stay safe and come home." He backs up and then Rick rounds the door and bends his head to whisper into my ear, "Don't forget your promise." I nod. "I won't," I reply. "And Rick? You are a good man," I whisper back. I can't leave letting him think he's bad man. He's not, far from it. I feel a small shudder go through him as I say this. He then places a small kiss on my temple and backs away. "Be safe," he says. I nod and get into the van with my emotions reeling. How can one small kiss feel so meaningful? He shuts the door and I start the van and wave. I drive to the gate where it's opened so we can pull out. I look in my rearview mirror as I drive away. Rick, Carl and the others are all standing there watching us go.

Hilltop or bust.

A/N I know, I know, this isn't the way it happens in the show. I'm taking some liberties here and changing some things up, hopefully in a way that you'll like!   And a huge thank you for those who have voted or followed the story. I appreciate you so much!

This chapter shows the complicated relationship Rick and Sandi have. She says she wants nothing to do with him, but yet she listens and has to reassure him that he's still a good man. She just can't seem to pull completely away. He can't seem to truly keep his distance. What comes next as she gets Maggie to the Hilltop? Do you think she's really safe from Negan's men, or is she just kidding herself?

If you liked this chapter please consider voting or following and I would love some comments! Please? I'm just kinda shooting in the dark right now and hoping that you all are liking this.