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Jo

The sound of the gates closing behind us, separating me and Daryl once more felt strangely final. He wan't ready to be on his own, and I didn't like the idea of leaving him with strangers. But I couldn't argue with Rick's logic. We couldn't risk bringing him back until after The Savior's came looking for him. I had absolutely no doubt I would be Negan's first stop in his search for Daryl. Negan's ego wouldn't allow him to just let Daryl go, especially when he knew the threat against Daryl had been the only thing keeping our group in line.

I climbed into the cargo area of the SUV with Sasha and Tara and stared silently out the window. I couldn't chat about our next move and act like I was completely on board with Rick's decision. I couldn't pretend I wasn't worried about Daryl. Part of me just wanted to say screw it, go back and get Daryl and just disappear. He and I could survive just the two of us and we could leave all of the behind. But when I looked at Rick, Michonne, and Carl, hell even Tara, Sasha, and Rosita, they were my family. They were our family and neither Daryl nor I would ever be able to go through with turning our backs on them.

I swallowed thickly as I peered out of the dirt crusted windows. If I was being totally honest with myself I was terrified of what would happen when they came looking for Daryl. I couldn't imagine what Negan's reaction would be when he realized his favorite toy was missing. I wondered if he would risk facing me himself if he didn't have his piece of leverage that kept him safe.

"Jo?" I jerked out of my thoughts to see Jesus looking over the back of the seat at me, concern etched on his face. "You okay?" he asked cautiously.

"Yeah, of course," I replied too quickly.

Jesus lifted his eyebrows and nodded slowly, lowering his eyes to where my hand had subconsciously dropped to the throwing knives strapped to my thigh. I was running my fingers over their smooth handles. I followed his gaze to my hand and then looked back up at his carefully controlled face.

"Ezekiel will keep his word and protect Daryl. He will be safe there until you can go back for him," Jesus promised me in a maddeningly reassuring voice. He didn't know that. He had now way of guaranteeing that and shit always went south when Daryl and I separated.

Something must have showed on my face because Jesus pressed his lips into a hard line and shifted so he was able to face me easier. "Look, I know it's disappointing he didn't help and he seems a little-"

"Crazy?" Carl pipped up from the other side of the car.

Jesus frowned at Carl in annoyance but turned back to me with a sigh. "Yeah...but he takes his honor very seriously. Daryl will be safe there."

I just nodded but didn't take my fingers off of my knives. I just wanted to get home and deal with Negan as quickly as possible. Then the others could come up with a plan B, while I went back for Daryl. I turned back to look out the window, making it clear I didn't want to talk any more.

Jesus sighed again and moved to turn back to face the front. Everyone else was silent and uncomfortable. I knew if I started talking I could set everyone at ease, but I just didn't have it in me. Not now. I needed to think. I needed to figure out how I was going to deal with Negan. Jesus shifted again and I looked up to see him holding out the long range walkie.

"You're the one that's going to need to be back there for sure," he said by way of explanation. "You should keep it on you. In case we get separated."

I nodded and took it, securing the clip to my belt.

We rode in silence for nearly an hour before the walkie chirped with static. I left it on my hip as reports came in about Daryl's disappearance. Dwight's voice was hard with authority at first, but as the primary search became fruitless it became tight with fear. I couldn't help the predatory smile the pulled across my face. Someone was going to hang for this, I hoped it was that bastard. I pulled one of my knives and rolled it through my hands to pass the time.

The last words I heard from Dwight was a tight growl. "I'll tell Negan," and then the walkie was quiet for nearly an hour.

The SUV slowed and stopped and I looked up out the window to see what was going on.

"Someone blocked the road, it's gotta be the Saviors," Jesus said thoughtfully.

"Look," Carl said pointing out of his side of the car. "I think that's their base over there."

"Jo?" Rick called back to me.

I leaned forward so I could see out the window and nodded. "Yeah, that's them."

"Must be trying to make it hard to get to them," Jesus said looking back at the cars blocking our way.

"We gotta keep moving. We'll move them and then move them back. They don't need to know we were here." Rick put the SUV in park and we all climbed out to start moving the line up of cars.

I was just climbing in my third car when I heard Negan's voice. I flinched and it took me a moment to remember the damn walkie on my belt. As usual his tone was a strange combination of agitation and humor.

"For anyone out there who loved the obese bastard as much as I did I just want to say a few words. Fat Joey was not the most badass son of a bitch, but he was loyal."

I shifted the car into neutral and waved to Jesus to start pushing while I steered.

"He had a great sense of humor, in fact we were just joking about oral sex with Lucille the other day."

I shifted the car back into park but didn't climb out. I sat and waited for Negan to finish his speech.

"Things will not be the same now that he is dead. Without Fat Joey, Skinny Joey is just," I heard Negan sigh dramatically even over the static. "Joey. It's a goddamn tragedy. So, let's have a moment of silence."

Jesus stepped up next to the window. "Daryl killed him," he reported unnecessarily.

I looked up at Jesus with emotionless eyes. He was looking at me as though the news should have had some kind of bearing on me. "I don't care if he killed two dozen of them as long as he got away."

"That's not what I meant," Jesus said quickly, annoyance coloring his tone. "I mean, they will be upset when they come looking for Daryl because one of their men is dead."

I bit my lip, feeling bad for snapping at Jesus. It wasn't his fault this was happening, he had done nothing but help us and I was being a pain in the ass. "Sorry," i called to him as I climbed out of the car.

He glanced back at me. "Don't worry about it," he told me firmly. "I know you're just worried about him and the fact that you are going to be the one to face the music with Negan..."

"I can handle Negan," I said quickly, and I almost sounded like I believed it myself.

"Rick," Michonne called from where she stood, keeping watch. All of us turned to look at her. "Come take a look at this," she said holding out her binoculars.

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Jo

"What's all this for?" Michonne asked as she paced up and down the line of the explosive rigged cable.

"Wait," Carl said. "When I was hiding in the back of the truck, I heard a couple of them talking about this. This is for a herd."

Suddenly it all made sense. The car were to funnel the herd towards the explosives and destroy as many of them as possible. I turned to look at Rick. "That's why it's a steel cable, it's not just for one walker."

"It's for a lot," Rosita agreed stepping closer to the explosives than I wanted to be.

"We need these," Sasha said, glancing nervously in the direction the herd was coming. I turned and followed her line of sight up the highway. There was a bend about a mile away that made it impossible to see when the herd was coming. For the Saviors to use this amount of resources however, I had to assume they were certain about the herd. Negan was a psychotic narcissist but he understood strategy just fine.

"Yeah," Rick agreed. "We have to disarm them first," his eyes drifted to me.

I held my hands up and took a measured step back. "Don't look at me," I advised. "I don't do explosives."

Rosita stepped forward determinedly. She knelt down next to a grate that all the wires led to. When she opened it there were several unidentifiable bricks, a battery and a rats nest of wires, none of which I had any idea what to do with.

"Uh..." Tara said, her eyes wide. "Okay," and she took a large step back.

Rosita's shoulders tightened in agitation. "Backing up is not going to make a difference if this thing goes off."

Tara swallowed audibly and lifted her eyes to me. I just shrugged. I was useless in this situation.

The walkie hissed at my waist and Negan's voice came through. "We got ourselves a red situation. I need a search party. We are going to go see if Daryl ran home like the dumb animal he is."

"On it boss," another voice came through, I couldn't be positive but I was fairly certain it was Simon.

"No," Negan's voice was a gravely snarl. "I'm taking this one. I want to be there before lunch. Rally the troops, we are going to turn that sleepy little burb up side down. He's there. No way he didn't go back to that stone cold fox waiting for him."

When I looked up both Rick and Jesus were watching me.

"We gotta go," I said tightly. One hand held the radio while my other was gripping the handle of a knife.

"We need these," Michonne said motioning to the explosives. She was right of course. We did need them, I just had no idea how to get them I was useless. "And we need to clear a path anyway."

I ran a hand over my face in agitation. I was going to do nobody any good standing around here.

"Yeah," Rick agreed. "Rosita?" Rick called.

"Yeah," she said through gritted teeth. "There," she called holding up the battery in triumph. "First parts done."

"What now?" I asked.

Rosita looked back at the cable of explosives. "We need to unwrap the secondary explosives. The dynamite, the RPGs. Make sure the casings are not messed up and don't mess them up either. This thing could still blow."

"Jo keep watch!" Rick called, he motioned for Michonne to throw me her binoculars. I caught them easily and stepped away from the cable, keeping my eyes on the horizon. I tried not to think about what was happening behind me. I hated explosives. I couldn't fight explosives.

After a tense ten minutes I heard Rosita. "Okay, we can load the explosives into the trunk as long as they are in good shape. No dents, no tears, they are not live, they still need to be triggered to be set off, so they are as safe as they can be."

Rosita walked down the line, watching everyone as they gathered everything they could.

"Not that one," Rosita said. "I don't like the way it looks."

"Okay," Tara responded easily.

The first walkers of the herd came into view. I didn't need the binoculars to see them as they came around the bend in the road. This herd was massive. At least a thousand strong.

"Rick!" I called.

He turned and looked at the walkers as more came into view. "Okay," he called to the others. "There they are. But they are still far away, we still have time," he called to the others as he continued to disarm a cluster of dynamite that appeared to be connected to a can of gas.

"You sure?" Sasha asked nervously.

Rick nodded. "We need these."

"Rick!" I called as I studied the herd. "We need to get the cars back in front of the on ramp."

"They'll know we took their explosives," Rosita snapped back. "What does it matter?"

"We should keep the herd on the highway," I told Rick, ignoring the others.

It took him a minute, but I saw the moment he understood my train of thought and he nodded, a small smirk lifting one side of his lips.

"Why?" Tara asked, her voice was tight with fear as the herd came closer with every second. So far we couldn't see the end of it. Probably it was closer to two thousand.

Rick looked back at me I understanding. "In case we need it later," he said nodding.

"Okay," I responded. "Tara, Carl, Rosita, let's do it."

We piled in the SUV and sped down the road to the on ramp. The walkers were closing in, and now I could hear their growls as we ran for the cars. Rosita and I were jumping out before the car even stopped moving.

We started working together immediately to get the cars moved. Every car we moved brought the herd closer and closer. Their snarls were echoing in my head as they approached, but I forced myself to keep moving. Rosita and I ran for the next car. She paused to glance back at me.

"You okay?" she asked, her brow knit in concern.

I nodded, but didn't let myself turn to look at the herd. It was too big to fight, we weren't here to fight.

We moved the next one and Carl swore loudly behind us. "Shit! They're here!"

I whirled to see the herd closing in on us.

"We'll figure it out," Rosita promised.

Behind us I heard horns honking and turned to see Rick and Michonne behind the wheels of the two cars that were connected by the heavy industrial cable. They were going to try to get to us through the herd. We just needed to keep the SUV clear.

"Get in the car!" I ordered drawing a knife in each hand.

"Carl, Tara you heard her!" Tara ordered. I glanced over at her surprised to see she had her knife in her hand.

"Get in the car," I told her.

She shook her head. "You're not the only bitch who can fight you know."

"You're going to get yourself killed," I told her and held out another of my knives so she would at least have two.

"And you won't?" She snapped back, ignoring the offered knife and sounding very much like a petulant child.

I arched a brow but didn't bother with a response. She just shook her head angrily.

I snorted and felt a smirk cross my face. I finally had something I could fight. Then I turned to really look at the herd, I let myself process the way it flowed, the decaying bodies moved like water. Most were being drawn towards Rick and Michonne, but they would need a clear path to get into the SUV.

I drew a deep breath and took two running steps before I threw myself at the first walkers as they reached us. I struck and kicked and twisted and fought. Hacking through each walker as it came. My muscles stretched and warmed up and soon I was in the quiet place in my head where all there was was motion.

I waited until I had a sizeable pile of walkers at my feet before I backed up a foot towards the SUV using the bodies as obstacles to keep the herd further away from me. The walkers stumbled over the bodies as the tried to get to me, lurching into one another and knocking each other over like bowling pins.

Somewhere behind me I could distantly hear Rosita fighting, but I didn't turn. There were too many in front of me to think I would be able to keep anyone else other than myself alive. I could lose my focus. I missed my kukri, but the knives allowed me to be faster. My strikes more precise.

I heard her cry out and even knowing it would probably get me killed I turned. She had tripped over one of her own walkers and had fallen back onto the ground. I kicked out at the walker closest to me, knocking it back into the next and I ran for her. The herd was closing in on her, and it was like the tide coming in. I could feel cold, slimy hands reaching for me, pulling at my arms and shoulders, tugging at my jacket. When I reached her I body checked the one leaning over her, knocking it to the ground. I pulled her up.

"Get your ass in the car!" I screamed and she didn't hesitate this time. She whirled and ran.

I whipped around with both of my knives out, trying to clear some room to fight, but they had come too close. The density was too great, there was simply no where for them to go. The snarls were deafening as they echoed around me. I gritted my teeth, silently cursing Rosita. I wasn't going to make it. There were just too many of them, and I couldn't remember which way it was to the SUV. Any time one of them touched me I struck out, aiming not just for killing blows any more but just to keep them off me as long as possible. I was getting sloppier as they closed in.

Then there was another hand, grazing my shoulder and I whirled towards it.

"JO!" Rick yelled and I somehow managed to pull my knife up at the last second. It clipped his shirt but didn't catch skin.

He shoved me and Michonne towards the SUV. Together the three of us barreled through the remaining bodies separating us from escape. We all leapt into the backseat in a huge pile. I rolled over the back to make room for Rick. I landed unceremoniously on top of Carl in the cargo area.

He groaned.

"Go! Go! Go!" Rick screamed.

Tara slammed her foot down and the tires squealed.

I rolled off of Carl and hit the side of the car when Tara swerved aggressively. I grunted in pain. "Ow," I said through gritted teeth.

Rick and Michonne were holding each other and laughing hysterically that we had actually made it. I lay on my back, looking up at the ceiling of the SUV listening to my racing heart and trying to take control of my breathing. I had really thought I wasn't going to make it that time.

Goddamn Rosita.

Suddenly Carl appeared over me, looking down at me, frowning.

"You still alive?" he asked glibly.

I groaned and he chuckled.

"Thanks for breaking my fall kid," I said pushing myself up so I could watch us speeding away from the herd. I flinched as an explosion blew apart the front half, sending body parts flying in all directions. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

"Yeah," Rosita said smugly from the front seat. "I didn't like the look of that shit at all."

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Jo

We parked a short ways from the front gate and ran into Alexandria. Tobin met us, shoving the gate wide open for us.

"You lose the car?" he asked in concern.

"It's somewhere safe," Rick promised him. "Listen I need you to get everyone ready. We are-"

Rick's voice was cut off by the rumble of engines. I met his eyes briefly and bolted. I had no intention of letting Negan find me waiting for him at the front gate. It didn't send the right message.

I ran for the house. I leapt up the porch and ripped off my blood spattered jacket and the knives on my thigh. I tossed them on the counter and frowned. This left me in nothing but a revealing tank top and my shoulder rig. Also not the right message.

I looked towards the backdoor and spotted a scarf and denim jacket Michonne had worn before. I was still pulling it on as I jogged out the backdoor and continued towards the plot of land we used as a garden. I was shaking and fighting to catch my breath as I scooped up a bucket and went to work picking beans.

I stayed where I was, keeping my hands moving slowly over the plants, but still quick enough so I would have some in my bucket when he came. I listened carefully as I heard trucks pulling through the gate. I was just glad I didn't have to deal with The Saviors there. Rick was doing that. I just had to be ready.

The hairs rose on the back of my neck when I heard his silky, slimy voice down the street. He was projecting on purpose.
Putting on a show. "Well now Rick," I kept my focus on picking beans off the plant. I was careful and deliberate, pulling each one off, making sure I didn't damage the plant and putting them into the small bucket in my hand. "See I'm here to see someone very special. Perhaps you could point me in the direction of my hot friend. Mrs. Dixon."

I took a deep calming breath as I heard the footsteps coming towards me. I kept my back to them and took another breath. Daryl's life depended on my performance being flawless.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Negan asked as he approached. "Taking on more domestic duties hot friend? Because I was under the impression your talents lay elsewhere," Negan's voice drawled suggestively from behind me.

I turned to look at him, refusing to show any reaction. I simply arched a brow. "You're early," I quietly intoned, glancing down at the bucket in my hand as though I were trying to determine if half of what I had in the bucket would be enough for Negan.

Negan let out a chuckle and stepped towards me. "You can go Rick," he called over his shoulder as though Rick were an after thought. "I would like a few words in private with my hot friend."

I glanced once at Rick, he was watching me carefully with worries eyes. I didn't think it was an act. I nodded, letting him know I was okay. When I glanced back up Negan was watching our exchange, a pleased smile on his face. I didn't want to know what was going on in his mind.

I cleared my throat and turned back to the plant in front of me, pulling another couple beans off the vine.

"We..." I started to say and looked down at my bucket again. "We weren't ready," I said in a low voice. "But, I could go out now," I offered looking back up at him. "I can go out and find stuff," I said letting a hint of nerves color my voice. It wasn't hard. Daryl was depending on me. Everyone was depending on me. Not to mention there was a small chance Negan would decide to try and take me back with him. I was nervous.

Negan took another step closer to me and looked down into my bucket. "I'm not here for a collection sweetheart," he said evenly. "I'm here to see you."

I swallowed audibly and a slow, predatory smile stretched across his face. "You see, Daryl, your husband, went missing. And with a hot wife like you, who has been left to her own...devices for a few weeks, I'm betting he ran back here as fast as he could to get him some. What do you think?" he asked running his tongue along his bottom lip.

I frowned in confusion. "Daryl escaped?" I asked, a little breathy. I let something small, something close to hope into my voice.

Negan stared down at me, his eyes glittering with amusement. It was his mask. I had no way of knowing what he was thinking. I frowned down at the ground, as though I were trying to process everything he was saying. He took another step forward so he was close enough to brush against me.

"Now, I have never seen you were a scarf before," he commented, reaching up and lightly touching the fabric. "And I have to wonder, are you just trying to copy my fucking fabulous style? Or...is there something you are trying to cover up? Did Daryl come home, get himself some and things got a little rough?" He leaned back so he could look me straight in the eye. "Cause Jo I gotta warn you, he'll be a little rough after everything we did to him."

I felt bile rise in my throat at the seductive look Negan flashed my way. He reached up and his fingers were warm against my neck as he slowly unwound the scarf. He made a surprised noise in the back of his throat. "No?" he asked. He looked me over. "Take off your jacket."

I hesitated, setting my jaw angrily. "He isn't here," I ground out the words. "And he hasn't been here. Not since you brought him."

"Come on," Negan said, leaning down so his cheek was only millimeters away from my own. "Let me see what you got."

I took a deep breath and, glaring defiantly at him I unbuttoned the denim jacket and threw it at the ground at his feet. His eyes darkened and he grinned at me. He walked slowly around me, looking me up and down and I was thankful that Daryl wasn't here. He would have lost it.

When Negan was back facing me, he reached forward and ran deceptively gentle fingers across my jaw. "And what if I take you with me. Think he'll show up then?"

I ground my teeth as I fought to not pull away from him. "He wouldn't know you had taken me because he's not here."

Negan pulled back, tilting his head to the side as he watched me. "Boy, that's cold," he observed. "I mean, he escapes and knowing I would come looking for you he doesn't even give you a heads up. That right there is the making of a real bastard."

I looked down and away as though his words had weight. As though I was considering what he was saying.

Negan tilted his head so he could study my face. There seemed to be some kind of genuine concern on his. "You meet before or after the turn sweetheart?" Negan asked in a surprisingly gentle voice.

"After," I ground out.

Negan nodded in understanding. "You met him, you, a smoking hot, badass fighter and him, equally badass survivor, you team up and things get hot, right? Well, guess what sweetheart. That man is a survivor, down to the marrow of his bones. I saw the scars. He will do whatever he has to in order to survive, including abandoning you here to face my considerable wrath."

I closed my eyes against his words, as though they were somehow affecting me. "He isn't here," I said in a hollow voice.

Negan leaned down so his breath was light across my neck. "Oh I know that sweetheart." He walked around me again. "My guys are going to double check though, just to be sure. I mean who could resist grabbing onto your smoking hot body with everything they have after the hell I put him through," he chuckled out loud. "

I looked away at his words and tried not to let them affect me. I tried not to think too hard about how that was exactly what had happened.

When I was sure I had control of my expressions I turned back to Negan. "He's not here." I repeated.

Negan nodded. "I believe you," he assured me. "But my men there," he said gesturing behind him where I could see swarms of Saviors spreading out through out Alexandria. "Are going to be very sure," his voice was low and dangerous. And then just as quickly it was swallowed up with a radiant smile. "Since we have all this time on our hands I was thinking you and I could take a walk."

My breath caught in my chest. I didn't want to go anywhere with him and alarm bells were going off in my head that this was a very bad idea.

"A walk?" I asked slowly.

"Yeah," Negan said swinging his bat up meaningfully onto his shoulder. "A little constitutional outside the wall, just you and me sweetheart."

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Hello friends! I'm sorry it's been almost a week since I have had a chance to update. Unfortunately this time of year is very busy with me for work but I will continue to try to do my best to get at least on update out a week. I so appreciate all of your support! I really hope you continue to enjoy the story!