Lilly Watkins has always been the strong one compared to her twin. That doesn't change when the dead start walking. Taking care of her family during the apocalypse, she never relied on anyone else. When she meets Daryl Dixon, a more temperamental pe...
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We made it to the gates of Alexandria with a few hiccups; the hiccups being a dead battery that needed to be replaced.
Eric goes in first to alert the guards. There's movement to the side and Daryl is immediately on it. He grabs the now-deceased opossum, holding it up for the returned Eric. "I brought Dinner."
"At least it isn't a dog," I mutter, earning a slight elbow from Michonne.
"It's okay, come on in guys," Aaron says, ushering us into the opening doors.
"Before we go further, hand over your weapons."
Immediately, Rick is apprehensive. I am too. We cannot be defenseless here. It's not other people, it's Walkers. They have to see that.
"Let them talk to Deanna first," Aaron says, his eyes meeting mine. He notices my hesitation. "How about you talk to her first, Rick? Then Lilly after."
Rick hands Judith to Sasha before following Aaron. We wait around for roughly an hour before it's my turn. I place a kiss on Cash's head and follow Aaron myself.
"You must be Lilly! Aaron and Rick have spoken highly of you," she greets. "I am Deanna, the leader of Alexandria." We shake hands before she gestures to the couch in front of her. There's a camera pointed towards me. "I like to record interviews. I hope you don't mind."
"That's fine. I haven't seen a camera in five years."
She grins, offering me coffee. "So, the real leader of your little crew."
I pause. "I wouldn't say that. Rick–"
"Has made sacrifices no one should ever have to make. I acknowledge that. Then there's you, Lilly. Aaron told me that Rick listens to you." She sips on her coffee, eyeing me over the mug before setting it down. "You're a strong woman. You've leaned on yourself for a long time."
"You're a great analyzer. We had one of those too. Someone took his head off." I took a sip this time, watching her reaction. As anticipated, grief hits her features.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. We recently just lost his daughter, too, Maggie's sister. Exchange went wrong."
"I see you personally consider these your fault."
I shrug. "No. I have many deaths that are personally my fault. Not those."
"Would you do it again?" she asks me seriously, leaning forward.
"To protect my family and friends? I'd do it a thousand times again."
She leans back, almost joyous at my answer. "Could we become your friends? Your community?"
"Maybe."
"That's all I want to know. For Rick, could we?"
I grin, reaching for my cup again. "Honey, you already have. The minute he saw how Aaron and Eric cared for each other, it was game over. He's a little rough around the edges lately, but past that, he's still someone who will protect. He's worn down though."
