Shadows

20) Rick

They walked around the small building, Alicia's heart leaping as she saw her friends. She had seen them of course, about a week ago but they had spoken very little. She and Daryl had to keep up their act for Negan.

But now... now she could see them. She could tell them all how much she missed them.

Rick walked up to her, staring at her for a minute before pulling her into a bone crushing hug. "Welcome home."

She laughed, her arms anchored around his neck. "You have no idea how good it is to hear that."

They pulled away and Rick went to hug Daryl. Alicia walked over to Michonne pulling her into a hug.

"We've been so worried." Michonne said, squeezing her tightly.

"God, us too." Alicia agreed. "Especially after we came to Alexandria last week."

Michonne nodded. "You did what you had to do, and it kept your daughter safe. We can't blame you for that." She smiled. "Nice hair by the way."

Alicia laughed. "Thanks, I've always loved purple."

"She looks great with it doesn't she?" Daryl chuckled, giving Michonne a hug of his own. "We're glad to see you all."

"Same here."

—————
"No! No way in hell! That was not the deal!" Greggory protested as they stood in his office. "You people swore you could take the saviors out, and you failed." He scoffed, holding a hand out to Alicia. "And you've got Negan's daughter in my community. Any deal we had is done, null and void. We aren't trade partners, we aren't friends, and we never met."

He sat down. "I owe you nothing. In fact you owe me for taking in the refugees a great personal risk."

"Oh you were very brave, staying in here while Maggie and Sasha saved this place." Jesus spat. "Your courage was inspiring."

"Hey, don't you work for me?" Greggory cocked an eyebrow.

"Greggory." Rick stepped forward. "We've already started this."

"You started this!"

"We started this." He said firmly. "And we're gonna win.

"These are killers!"

"Is this how you wanna live?" Alicia spoke up now, walking towards his desk. "Under their thumb, killing your people?"

Greggory looked at her like she had two heads. "I'm sorry... did you really just ask me that? Isn't your father the man behind this shit?"

Alicia narrowed her eyes, leaning down to get close to his face. "Just because my dickhead of a father started this doesn't mean I support it." She said lowly.

The man scoffed. "You're probably just like him! I can't trust you and your satan spawn daughter."

Both Alicia and Daryl advanced on him, and Rick had to grab Daryl's arms to keep him from choking the man.

Alicia was holding him by the collars of his shirt. "Talk about my daughter like that again and I'll show you just how much like him I can be." She threatened. "You don't wanna trust me? Fine, I don't give a fuck. But don't you think about pulling my daughter into your problems. That is a two year old you're calling a fucking satan spawn."

Greggory turned his head away from her, slightly scared. "I-I'm sorry."

Daryl had calmed down now. "You're gonna be sorry when Negan shows up and deals with your ass. You're either with us or you ain't! You're sitting there talking outta both sides of your mouth."

Alicia didn't let him go, her gaze boring into his eyes. "You don't know my dad like I do. You fuck around and 'avoid' him for much longer and you're gonna be in trouble. You'll be neck deep in your own goddamn shit, and you won't know how the fuck to swim out of it. We've tried to help you but you're too fucking stupid to get that through your head. I'm tired of listening to you complain about how we're compromising you and all that bullshit. I quite frankly couldn't give a singular flying fuck less if you want to keep being a little bitch and playing the victim. Now, you can come to your senses and let me help you," she flicked his forehead. "Or you can sit with your thumbs so far up your ass you and taste them and let him take hilltop for himself." She pushed him back, releasing him. "Your decision, asshole."

Maggie placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back slightly. She let out a long breath, waiting for Greggory to compose himself and give a response.

"Well... I'd like to thank you for not having this meeting with me and not being seen on your way out. In other words, go out the back."

Rick nodded and they began to walk out.

"He can take it from the back." Alicia snapped.

"Walking ballsack." Rosita scoffed.

"I couldn't knock his teeth out." Sasha agreed.

Daryl stood beside Alicia. "Yeah, well we don't need him anyway."

"Yeah that's right." Rick nodded. "Cause we have Maggie, Sasha, and Jesus here."

"And Enid." Maggie said as the young girl ran into the room.

"Hey um..." she stopped, breathing heavily.

"What's wrong?" Maggie asked.

"Nothing. Just..." she laughed. "Come outside."

They suspiciously followed her without question. As they walked, Sasha nudged Alicia's shoulder. "You sounded just like him in there."

She smiled, knowing exactly who she was talking about. "Abraham?" She grinned. "Yeah, I really channeled my inner angry redhead there."

"He's definitely be proud." Sasha smiled.

"Thanks."

Outside there was a group of people who were ready to fight. Maggie agreed to teach along with the rest of the group.

And now.... now they were off to meet Ezekiel. King Ezekiel.