We Don't Die

Contribution

Clementine and Derek are together searching a town that was just a twenty minute drive from Alexandria. They encountered a couple of walkers, but that's nothing new. They search the pharmacy first. Derek grabs what he can and so does Clementine. They walk out. "Listen, I'm sorry for what I said to Jeremiah. And for trying to kill him." He says to break the awkwardness. Clementine stares at him. "How can you even say things like that to him? You know how much he loves me and AJ!" She exclaims. Derek looks down. "I'm sorry." He says quietly. Clementine raises an eyebrow. Derek lifts his head back up and Clementine notices he's crying. Derek's hair in his eyes doesn't help the hiding. She approaches him and gives him a hug. "I'm so fucking sorry." He begins with his head buried on her shoulder. "I damn near killed a man I love over jealousy. Jeremiah is a man I love, I love him like he's my brother." He says quietly. They break the hug and she moves the hair out of his eyes. "We should keep looking. It's going to get dark soon." She says. Derek snorts and nods. They continue to search the town.

Next Day

Everyone is gathered around to hear what the announcement is. They stand and wait around outside. Rick comes out. "Hope you all know why you're here." He begins. "We're here today because we made it this way. We made the sacrifices and put our lives and others lives at risk. It was hard and our humanity was at extinction, but we did it. I just want you all to know I'm very proud of you and that I love you." He pauses. "We're building a bridge, just ten minutes down the road from here. It'll be the safest and fastest way to provide supplies for other communities. Remember how it took us half a day to almost a full day to get to the Kingdom or the Hilltop?" Rick questions. "I do. Lives were lost during those deliveries. We honor the ones we lost by building and communicating with others so this world can still be ours! We end these walkers and make the living rise again!" He yells and everyone cheers and claps. Jeremiah smiles while placing his hand on AJ's chest and holding Clementine's hand. "God bless you all." Rick finishes. Everyone goes their ways except Jeremiah. He approaches Rick and holds his hand out and Rick accepts. They shake hands and hug. "God bless you, Rick Grimes." Jeremiah says. "No, not me." Rick says. He places his hand on Jeremiah's shoulder. "God bless you. You contributed for this community and done so much while we were at war with the Whisperers. When others were scared and in doubt, you got them out of that. Gave them hope and strength to finish the war and win it and for that, I'm forever grateful. I'm thankful to have a man like you in this community." Rick says. Jeremiah smiles and they hug again. "When do we get started on the bridge?" Jeremiah asks. "First thing tomorrow morning." Rick answers. Jeremiah nods and walks down the stairs and heads home with his family.

Next Day

Jeremiah wakes up and goes to the kitchen to get some coffee. He grabs the pot and pours the coffee in his cup. Clementine walks by and leans in the doorway, watching her love drink coffee and it makes her smile. She approaches behind him and hugs him. "How did I get so lucky meeting you?" She asks. Jeremiah places his hands on hers and smiles. He turns around and picks her up and kisses her. Clementine wraps her arms around his neck while his hands are on her hips, as they kiss. "Mom?" AJ calls out. Jeremiah sets Clem down and AJ walks in. "Hey buddy." Jeremiah says. "How'd you sleep?" Clem asks. "Like a rock." AJ answers. Clementine and Jeremiah chuckle and he begins making them breakfast. "That smells good." AJ says with a smile. He starts sniffing the whole kitchen and this makes Clementine laugh. "I hope you'll like it. I'm making scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, and bacon." Jeremiah says. "That does sound good." Clementine says. Jeremiah focuses back on the cooking.

Outside of Alexandria

Rick and Jeremiah stand next to each other waiting for others to show. "How are things with you and Derek?" Rick asks to break the silence. Jeremiah stays silent for five seconds. "We're not on the best of terms at the moment." He speaks up. Rick looks at him. "Don't go killing your best friend." He says. "Not my intention. Sure, we may fight and disagree on some things but I would never kill my best friend." Jeremiah says confidently. "You have no idea." Rick says. Jeremiah looks at him. "Everything okay, Rick?" He questions. "Yeah. Just reminds me of me and my best friend when the world went to shit." He says. "I remember. You told me not too long ago." "And you see why I do everything I do. Shane thought I would never make it far and thought I was going to get everyone killed. I think of him everyday and truth be told, I miss him. I wasn't the one who killed him, but I sure as hell would've to keep my family safe." Rick says. Jeremiah nods and the others arrive. Rick and Jeremiah get on horses while the others drove.

At the Bridge

Everyone begins building. "We still need more people." Rick says. Jeremiah notices this and agrees. "I'll reach Hilltop and the Kingdom and see if anyone is willingly to help us out." Jeremiah replies. Rick nods. Jeremiah pulls out his walkie. "Maggie." He says. She picks up. "Jeremiah? What do you need?" "Do you have any free hands available? We're building a bridge to move supplies to other communities faster than before." He responds. "Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I can come along and so can Jesus and Carl. We'll be there in about twenty to thirty minutes." "Thank you." Jeremiah says. He then reaches a signal. "Jeremiah, is that you?" A voice calls out from the signal. "Who is this?" Jeremiah questions. "This is Mark from the Kingdom." He answers. "Mark, do you have any free hands available at the moment? We're currently working on a bridge to help deliver supplies to other communities faster." He says. "I'll send a crew down there." Mark says. "That's greatly appreciated. Thank you." Jeremiah sets the walkie in his back pocket and bends over and begins hitting his hammer on the nails. "We're gonna need more muscle." Rick says. Jeremiah looks at him. "Go get Negan."

At Negan's

"Fucking count me the fuck in!" Negan yells. Jeremiah and Negan get in the car and Jeremiah drives to the bridge.

At the Bridge

Everyone has jobs to do. The muscular ones lift and hammer in the nails, while the others drive to find more supplies for the bridge. "This'll be a new start." Rick begins. "We do it for the ones we lost." He finishes. "This is for you, Andrea." He whispers to himself.