Shambles- The Walking Dead [Alden x Maggie] [1/2]

14- Jeopardy

"Maggie, you're gonna want to see this," Sasha yelled. She still stood guard on top of the plateau by the gate. They had barely closed it after Gregory's entrance or the next problem had already shown up.

"What is it?" Maggie asked as she walked back up to the gate.

"You should see for yourself," she insisted as she swung the gate back open.

"You have to be kidding me," Maggie sighed as she saw the four lines of hostages walk up to the gate with their wrists bound together. Guards walked on either side with their guns drawn. Jesus walked out in front of the group and met Maggie by the gate.

"I know this wasn't the plan but they surrendered," he began. "We're going to need a place to guard them and keep them safe from Walkers."

"We are not letting them in! No way!" Gregory yelled like anybody would still listen to him as he stormed up behind Maggie. "With what they did? With what they do? They are monsters!"

"Gregory!" Jesus snapped to get him to shut up.

"No!" he yelled back. "This is not a sanctuary for killers! We'll be putting the safety of everyone in jeopardy!"

"Get out of here!" Maggie ordered him with a growl.

"I know what they are, I have stared into the face of–"

"Gregory! Go!" she growled again, her eyes spitting fire. This time he took the hint and retreated.

"He actually came back after all that," Jesus said calmly, leaning back on one foot.

"And I actually let him in," she replied.

Tara walked up from behind Jesus and crossed her arms. "No offense Jesus, but I kind of agree with that prick." She switched her gaze to Alden. "And we should probably put him in with them too."

"No," Maggie defended. "He's one of us now, I have decided." She looked at Jesus and sighed, "there are families here. Children."

Jesus pointed to Alden, "You let him in. He's arguably done worse things than half of the man out here."

"That's the thing; 'half' is not all." She let her eyes glide past the rows of hostages. Some looked harmless, others looked like they'd kill anybody if given half a chance. "Alden brought Sasha back. Not to forget he had a child with him," she replied calmly.

"I'm with Jesus on this one," Alden started. He knew it was very unlikely that anybody would listen to his opinion, but he still wanted to give it. "You guys locked me up in an empty trailer the first night. I'm pretty sure there's a second one. We could use those and guard them. My stuff's in there but I could move it out. I'll sleep outside if I have to." He turned towards Maggie. "You believe I deserve a second chance, then you should give them one too."

"You both know what they've done to us, what they've taken from us," Maggie continued. "I took a risk on you because I used to know you. If I hadn't I would've shot you already."

"Of course I remember what they did to us," Jesus replied solemnly. Alden looked down at his feet; of course he did as well.

"Most of Negan's men are only with him because they want to stay alive and he has them convinced that his way is the only way. They're not all fanatics like Simon," Alden tried after a brief moment of silence. "I know some of them have to be killed or they'll only cause pain and death, but most of them aren't like that. Scared people that deserve a second chance, that's what they are."

"All you're telling me is your reason for sticking with Negan," she retorted back.

"They surrendered," Jesus continued. "We can't let them go and we can't kill them." He looked at Maggie. "We can't."