We're The Ones Who Live | The Walking Dead (2)

Part 36 - Tour of the Communities

SIX WEEKS LATER

The engine of the van made the vehicle vibrate as it moved slowly along the road, as it had done for a couple of hours now. CJ sat in the back seat whilst Mercer drove, and Daryl sat in the passenger seat. 

Mercer was dressed in his full trooper gear, which was bright orange as opposed to the white all the other soldiers wore. Daryl was in normal clothes, much to CJ's relief - seeing him dressed in that armour was something she was still getting used to. She herself was wearing her own clothes too. Flannel shirt, jeans, boots, and her vest, which was buckled up to just below her chest.

They were on their way to Alexandria. Pamela wanted to visit all of the communities Lance had brought to her, and Alexandria was first on the list. CJ was a little surprised when Pamela came to her to tell her she wanted her to come with them on the journey. 

Since the ball where CJ had run after Tyler Davis, Pamela had been talking to her a lot more, taking more of an interest in the redhead. Apparently, the Milton wanted the former leader of the community to be the one to show her around and make a case for why the Commonwealth should continue helping them.

CJ wasn't going to argue. She missed her home, and the missed the people who were still there, trying to make it work.  So, when she was told Pamela wanted her to come along, she didn't hesitate to agree. 

She got the impression from Pamela that the woman wasn't too keen on the idea of using her resources on Alexandria. Though she had technically given up the role of leader when she agreed to move to the Commonwealth, CJ still felt that Alexandria was her responsibility, and she wanted to know what was going on there.

"C," Daryl's voice broke her from the thoughts.

Her head snapped to him, seeing him looking back at her from the passenger seat. "Hmm?" she hummed.

"I said, we're five minutes out," Daryl said. She hadn't even heard him the first time he spoke. "You good?"

"Yeah, I'm good," CJ mustered up a small smile before going back to picking at her nails.

Daryl watched her a little worriedly before watching the road ahead again. He imagined that his wife was nervous about seeing Alexandria and how they had been doing since they left, much like he was. For the final stretch of the journey, he left CJ to her thoughts. 

When they pulled up to the gates of Alexandria, Daryl hopped out of the van and went around to the back doors to let CJ out, taking her hand as she stepped down. All around them, people were working, building, gardening, everything. It almost looked more like a worksite that a town where people lived. But it was still home. 

Spotting a familiar face, CJ smiled and jogged over to Aaron, the two of them hugging tightly. 

"Hey," Aaron chuckled. "You alright?"

"Yeah," CJ whispered, squeezing him tightly before pulling back. "How are you? How's everything been?"

"We're doing okay," Aaron nodded, his voice quiet. "A few setbacks."

"Setbacks?" CJ questioned. 

Before Aaron could answer, he looked past CJ's shoulder, spotting Pamela and Lance walking their way, the two of them smiling brightly. 

"Lance, you remember Aaron," CJ introduced. 

"Of course," Lance nodded with a smile. "Good to see you again."

"Likewise," Aaron replied kindly. 

"Aaron," Pamela greeted. "Pamela Milton. A pleasure."

"Care for the grand tour?" Aaron asked, making a sweeping gesture.