Heaven in Hiding (Negan)

Chapter 47

I was in my room at my desk looking over some files when Liz came in. I looked up as she rushed to my desk.
"The hell?" I asked as I watched her stop in front of the desk.
"Ricks here." She said and I stood up.
"Shit. Okay. Jenny is sleeping. Can you watch her? I'll deal with that."
"Got it. He's coming through the main entrance." I nodded and sprinted toward where Rick was coming. I got to the platform to see him,michone and Daryl along with a few others. I ran down the stairs and walked up to them. I held my out out to Rick and he took it.
"What brings you guys here? I mean. It's not time for the meet up and that's not here anyway it's at Hilltop." I said as we let go of each others hands.
"Bridge went out. Your community was the closest for us to get to."
"Oh shit."
"Prudence." Daryl shouted making me look over at him. "You know who did that?" He asked motioning toward the writing on the wall. It said 'saviors save us. We are Negan.' I walked over and took a closer look.
"I don't. But-but don't think I want this or anything." I told him then looked at Rick. "This isn't what we're about anymore. I promise."
"Justin. Clean that shit up." Daryl said to one of my people. They argued a bit before I stepped in after seeing Justin getting annoyed.
"Justin. Can you just. Put something over it. Like a tarp maybe. I'll give you 250 points for your trouble. Okay?" I asked. He looked at me and nodded before getting up. I went back over to Rick. "Did you see our crops on the way in? They're still not doing that great."
"Yeah I did. We brought farming tools and heirloom seeds."
"Thank you so much. We really appreciate it. I mean it. I know we're taking more then we're giving." I told him and then I heard it. Jenny crying and footsteps. I turned back to see Liz.
"I'm sorry. She just won't stop." I gave her a soft smile and took Jenny from her arms.
"It's alright." I said as I started to rock her.
"That Jenny? She's that big already?" Rick asked. I smiled and walked toward Rick. It's been two months since he's seen her.
"Yeah. Wanna hold her?" I asked.
"Sure." He smiled and I handed her to him. She settled down quickly in his arms as he held her.
"Wow. You must be magic. Only way I can get her to stop is to nurse her." I laughed a bit as we walked toward the empty dorms away from the workers.
"It comes with practice. You'll get it. You're still new to this." He told me. I sighed.
"Yeah. And I'm doing it alone. It's tough. I'm sure you know how that is. Since Carl and Judiths mom died. Right?" He nodded.
"It's hard but we got people to help."
"I guess." We stopped in front of the dorms. "You guys can use this whole block. Stay as long as you need."
"Thank you Prudence." Rick said while handing Jenny back to me.
"Of corse." I said with a smile as I walked back to my room.

——————
The next morning as I was making my way down the the dining hall Rick found me. We ended up in the meeting room. I sat at the head of the table and he and Daryl sat on the left of me.
"Would you send some of your people to help us rebuild the bridges?" Rick asked.
"The ones that connect us all right?" I asked and he nodded. "What happened?"
"The storm took em out." Daryl said.
"Shit. I mean yeah. I'll go and I'll bring a bunch of our saviors and some workers who are willing and able."
"You don't have to." Rick said.
"But I want to. I want to show the other communities that I'm a team player. I'm on your side now. I know that they hate me and my people but maybe. Maybe I can change their minds." Rick looked at me for a little before nodding.
"I appreciate it. We're going to need all the help we can get."
"And you can count on the sanctuary to help. I promise." With that we got up , shook hands and I leas them out to their cars. "Rick." I said before he got into his car. "How is he? Negan. Is he okay?" I asked. I could tell by the look on his face he didn't want to answer.
"He's alive."
"He's not sick or anything right? He's healthy. Physically anyway?" Rick nodded. I let out a small sigh of relief. "Tell him I miss him. And. That I talk about him to Jenny all the time. Please."
He just looked at me and got in the car. Before I knew it they were gone. And I was standing in the same spot. I had to force myself to keep going. And I did. I went back to taking care of my people. To putting together a nice group to go help rebuild the bridges to connect us. It was the least we could do given everything they've been doing for us.

—————-

About a month and a half passed and Rick was doing a pretty good job getting all us together to help build this bridge. It was coming along so well. Nabila, Jerry's wife, has been watching Jenny for me so I could help with the bridge. Henry was passing out water like he usually does when I noticed Justin giving him a hard time. I watched as Henry hit him in the back of the knee and took the water container back. I couldn't help but snicker until I saw Justin go for him. I dropped my hammer and made my way over to him.
"Hey. Don't even think about it. He's doing his job like the rest of us." I told him. "Just. Get back to work."
"You ain't telling me what to do. You ain't my leader." He said and turned his back to me. Before I could reach out for him Daryl did. Punched him right in the face. I stepped back right before they started duking it out.
"Justin knock it the fuck off!" I grabbed onto his arm to pull him away from Daryl but he threw his elbow back and hit me right in the cheek and knocking me back. I spit the blood from my mouth and stormed over to him. God I needed to let off some steam. I grabbed his shirt collar pulling him back toward me and away from Daryl. He turned back to me and went to punch but I ducked and punched him right in the gut. He stumbled back and I punched him square in the jaw making him take a few steps back and toward Daryl who then got another punch in before Rick came and grabbed Justin and Aaron got Daryl.
"That's enough! All of you!" Rick shouted. "Get back to work." He looked at me and Daryl. "You two. Tent." I looked over at Daryl and then followed Rick. Fuck ,it was like getting sent to the principals office in school.
"This is stupid. So he gets a free pass?" Daryl complained when we got in the tent.
"How the fuck was that a free pass!? I was out there too. On your damn side!"'I argued.
"Enough. It's just a few more days. And he's strong. The saviors are over half of the workforce right now. We need em." Rick said. "We've had too many walk off already."
"Yeah. Cause that's how they are. Some of em ain't ever gonna fall in line and y'all know it." Daryl said looking between me and Rick.
"Now that's not fair! My people are good people. We have hidden shit bags just like the other communities. They're here. And they walked off because no matter what the fuck we do you treat us like dirty outsiders! We. Are. Trying!" I shouted back at Daryl.
"You're both right." Rick said. " it won't be easy. But we have to move ahead. Show them were all on the same side."
"That's what I want. For us all to live together. But my people. We've been through a lot just like you have. But you've been able to lean on other communities. We haven't. Not for a long time. This is new to them. And I'm doing my best but a good amount still aren't fans of how I'm doing things."
"I know." Rick said. Daryl left the tent and I sighed.
"I'm sorry Rick. I'm trying. I really am."
"I know you are." Rick said putting his hand on my shoulder. "You okay?" He asked motioning toward the bruise on my cheek.
"Oh this? Yeah I'm fine. This is nothing." I laughed before I walked out. I walked over to where Jenny was and took a break. I nursed her and played with her a bit before heading back to help with the bridge.