FEAR ⇾ THE WALKING DEAD

lxxxii. | "negan?"

Abraham breathed out. "Good gracious, Ignatius."

"Most of the rooms have been converted to living spaces. Even the ones that weren't bedrooms." Jesus held his hands together, looking at everyone's reactions, specifically Rick's.

Rick asked him, "People live here and the trailers?"

"We plan to build," he smiled. "There's babies being born."

Ella smiled, her hand inching toward her stomach. Glenn pulled her close and kissed the top of her forehead. Ella was very content up until the door behind Daryl opened right up. It was an old, confused man standing in the doorway. "Jesus! You're back," he stepped into the foyer. "With guests."

"Everyone, this is Gregory. He keeps the trains running on time around here." Jesus informed.

"I'm the boss." he softly chuckled. His gaze lingered on Rick the longest as if he was studying the man, or if he was trying to get a grip or taste of who Rick was. It was very weird.

"Well, I'm Rick, we have a community-"

Gregory turned to the stairs and waved his hand in the direction of it, completely disregarding what Rick was going to say. "Why don't y'all go get cleaned up, hm?" he rudely suggested.

Rick squinted his eyes. "We're fine."

Again, Gregory ignored Rick, acting like Rick wasn't even there to begin with. "Jesus will show you where you can get washed up. Then come back down here when you're ready," Gregory got close to Rick's face, seemingly disgusted by the group. Ella was angry with the man. She had the urge to slap him and to slap him hard. "It's hard to keep this place clean." 

Rick nodded. Jesus sighed. "Follow me."

____________________________

ELLA FINISHED UP before Glenn did so she ended up going back downstairs. She overheard Abraham and Daryl talking about Rick and Michonne hooking up. It grossed Ella out to even think about that sort of thing when it came to Rick, but Abraham usually had a reason when he brought certain things up. She slowly walked down the steps to listen to their conversation. "I don't know." Daryl said, the floorboards underneath him moving when he moved. Daryl was definitely uncomfortable thinking about that sex related stuff. He always covered it up by pretending he didn't care but he sure did

She watched as Abraham crossed the room to Daryl. "You ever think about it?" Abraham asked him. "Settling down?" Ella was now at the base of the stairs, behind Abe, when that question was asked.

Daryl made direct eye contact with Ella, her appearance surprising him. Abraham took a look at Ella. Daryl eyed Abraham, before leaving. "You think shit's settled?" he asked, disappearing into another room.

Abraham twirled his necklace in his hand, thinking about something. Ella leaned against the stairs as she watched. "Abe, are you doing okay?" she asked him.

Abraham put his necklace back under his shirt. "Yes ma'am. I'm only having thoughts about the future."

"They seem to be troubling you," her thumb itched the palm of her hand. He didn't reply to her for he seemed to zoning up a little. She wanted to get closer but she wasn't sure how he'd react. "You can always talk to me. I'm sure I can attempt to give advice. If it's about the immunity, the trying to cure the world. . . it's just never going to happen. The human race lost that fight, there is just no way for that happen, but we can win by surviving and living every day like it's our last-"

"It's not about that. I've come to terms with that," he sighed. "It's about the women in my life."

"Oh?"