WITH YOU | TWD

[17] FORTIFICATION

Rick stood at the head of the table, a map of Alexandria spread out before him. The room was dimly lit, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present. Daryl, Michonne, Charlie, Glenn, Maggie, Abraham, Rosita, and Aaron formed a circle around Rick. His voice cut through the silence. "We've been lucky so far. But the Saviors know about us."

"Do you think Gregory will tell them?" Maggie asked, her voice tight with worry.

"We need to be ready," Rick replied, his tone resolute.

Charlie listened intently, her mind racing. She glanced around the table, noting the tension etched on everyone's faces.

"We need to fortify the walls and set up a 24-hour watch. Glenn, Maggie, you are in charge of that. Sasha, Abraham, you and Aaron will coordinate the patrols. Rosita, make sure our weapons are in top condition and that people are ready to fight. Eugene...I'd like to show you the plans later. Daryl, you're on defense planning."

As she was looking at the map, her mind already racing with ideas on how to improve Alexandria's defenses. Then, she looked up and she couldn't help but admire Rick. Time and again, she had seen him step into the role of leader with a natural ease. She glanced at Rick as he continued to outline the plan.

"If everything is clear..."

Before anyone could move, Charlie's voice cut through the silence. "What about me?"

The room went still, all eyes turning to Rick. For a brief moment, his confident demeanor faltered, and he hesitated, a fraction of a second too long. "You stay with Judith," he said finally, his tone firm but not unkind.

Disbelief washing over her like a cold wave. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. After everything they had been through, everything she had done to prove herself, Rick was sidelining her. She had faced walkers, the horrors of the Wolves, she was even kidnapped - but nothing hurt quite like this.

"What?"

The others were silent, and she could feel their eyes on her, but no one spoke up. Not even Daryl, who stood beside her, his expression unreadable. Rick's voice pulled her back to the present. "You can go now."

The group dispersed, each member heading off to fulfill their assigned tasks. Charlie stayed rooted to the spot, trying to process the swirl of emotions inside her. She caught Daryl's eye, hoping for some sign that he understood, that he saw the unfairness of it all. But Daryl just gave her a small, sympathetic nod before turning to follow the rest out the door.

The silence of the room pressed in on her, and she realized that she couldn't just let this go. She needed to say something, to understand Rick's decision. Summoning her courage, she cleared her throat and called out, "Can we talk?"

Rick, who had been gathering up his notes and preparing to leave, paused and looked up at her. His expression was expectant, open, but also tired. "Okay," he said, looking at her expectantly.

Her heart thudded in her chest as she struggled to find the right words, but all she could manage was, "I just—" she stopped, realizing how vague and unformed her thoughts were.

Rick waited patiently, his eyes encouraging her to continue. But that only made it harder. His voice broke through her thoughts, gentle but firm. "Charlie, if something's bothering you, just say it. We don't have time for doubts. Not now."

"I get that she's important and needs someone to look after her, but... I feel like I could do more. I want to do more. I've been here long enough, proven myself, haven't I?"

"You have," he said. "That's why you will stay with my daughter because there's no person I trust more with it."

"I'm not a nanny, Rick."