Lauren sat in the back seat of the green SUV, anxiously fidgeting as they approached a seemingly abandoned granary. This was allegedly the spot they were supposed to meet at according to Andrea's note. The hum of Daryl's motorcycle died off as they drove up to the building. Rick had decided to bring along Lauren, Daryl, and Hershel to the meeting, and was clear why he had chosen those three.
Lauren was an obvious choice, being Rick's sister and all, she was essentially second in charge. Daryl and Glenn stepped up when Rick was dealing with his own issues, but Lauren always seemed to be the one they looked to for the final call, much to her dismay. not to mention the fact that she was the one who had been told about the meeting in the first place. And Hershel was there to be a voice of reason. Rick had looked to him for advice since back on the farm. And Hershel was a wise man. As for Daryl? He was one of their strongest fighters. But more importantly than that, his loyalty to their little family was clear. Contrary to Merle's remarks about Daryl being 'Rick's bitch', Rick had a strong respect for Daryl.
Silently, Rick and Daryl grabbed their weapons, doing a quick sweep of the area. Once they deemed it clear, they headed towards the back of the building to check the rest of the property, leaving Lauren and Hershel in the still-running car. Daryl returned a minute or so later.
"He's already in there." Daryl informed the two as he approached the car. "He just sat down with Rick."
Hopping out from the backseat, Lauren took a look around, furrowing her brows in confusion.
"There's no cars." Hershel pointed out.
"So how the hell did he get here?" Lauren questioned. Daryl shook his head.
"It don't feel right." He gestured to the car, turning to the older man. "Keep it running."
The sound of a vehicle approaching had all three of their guards up immediately.
"Heads up." Lauren nodded towards the tan military van speeding down the road. She immediately pulled out her handgun, Daryl raising his crossbow as Hershel made his way out of the car.
The van came to a halt and Andrea stepped out from the passenger side, accompanied by one man who looked suspiciously like Dwight Shrute, and another who seemed to be trying way too hard to look intimidating.
"What the hell?" Daryl scowled, not lowering his bow. "Why's your boy already in there?"
Andreas' face twisted in confusion. "He's here?"
"Yup."
It was quiet for a few minutes after Andrea stormed into the building. Hershel was leaning up against the car and Daryl paced beside Lauren as she stood with her arms crossed, examining the two men who came with Andrea.
The Dwight Shrute-looking man had his notebook on the hood of the van, scribbling furiously. The other man definitely looked like a military guy, he carried himself the same way Merle did, never quite seeming at ease despite being leaned against his vehicle casually.
"Maybe I should go inside." Hershel finally broke the silence. Before Lauren or Daryl could even begin listing all the reasons why he should absolutely not go inside, the notebook man spoke up.
"The Governor thought it best if he and Rick spoke privately." He told Hershel. He spoke like he was the Governor's own personal assistant.
Lauren raised an eyebrow at him, slightly amused. "And who the hell are you?"
"Milton Mamet." He said matter of factly before turning his attention back to his paper.
"Great." Daryl scoffed. "He brought his butler." He shot Lauren a smirk as she tried to, unsuccessfully, stifle her laughter. Even the military guy let out a chuckle.
