virago|c.g.|

xxxiii

Jesus turned to the group, a satisfied smile on his face as he saw some with curiosity in their eyes. He continued on with his information spill, some of it being what Clary had heard on her first visit. "Those windows up there let us see for miles in every direction. It's perfect for security. Come on, I'll show you inside."

The group followed Jesus inside the home, a soft smile on Clary's face as she recognized the familiar interior. She wasn't surprised to see it had remained spotless, considering how Gregory had been back then.

As Clary looked around, Jesus giving more information to the group, they fell silent as doors creaked open. As Clary turned, she set her jaw when she saw Gregory. "Jesus. You're back. And with guests." Jesus nodded to the man before motioning to the others. "Everyone, this is Gregory. He keeps the trains running on time around here." Gregory opened up his arms. "I'm the boss." Clary held back the scoff forming in the back of her throat, knowing the tiniest bit of disrespect would send Gregory to anger. To be truthful, Clary had never been the biggest fan of Hilltop's leader.

Rick, looking to the man, did a slight nod before taking a step forward. "Well, I'm Rick. We have a community—" Gregory have a look of distaste. "Why don't you all get cleaned up, hmm?" Gregory asked, causing Rick to squint his eyes slightly. "We're fine—" Rick began, until Gregory shook his head. "Jesus will show you where you can get washed up. Then come back down here when you're ready." Gregory made his way close to Rick, whispering, "It's hard to keep this place clean." Clary clenched her jaw as his eyes fell on her. He squinted his eyes partially, as if trying to remember who she was, but he couldn't quite put a finger on why she seemed somewhat familiar. However, she didn't let him keep his eyes on her as she turned away to follow her people and Jesus through the home.

•
•
•

"Maggie just went in to talk to Gregory," Glenn declared, leading Clary to nod as she looked out of the window to see people down below milling about. She never could get over the view the Barington House provided, looking out at the vast hills and green lands. "So, while we have a break, I need to ask you something." Clary looked to Glenn, seeing his gaze wavering. "Shoot," she said, worried about what he had in mind. "Are you and Carl— you know, trying to go into something?" Clary clenched her jaw, quick to shake her head before she turned to the man and leaning against the windowsill. "If I'm being honest, I have no idea. I— I find myself wanting to and I'm surprised that I'm not afraid, but then I am mostly because of what I was taught in Solaris. What I learned."

With her jaw still set, she looked back out of the window. "Loving my sister, my mentor, Millie— it just meant they died. After my sister died, Leon practically spiraled, saying that being Commander meant to be alone, to not be driven by love but rather anger and hate. My Second only enforced that." Her eyes fell upon Glenn to see his gaze had softened. "That's why I didn't want to get close to you or Maggie or anyone really but... your love trumped my anger. And my fear." Glenn nodded, a soft smile on his face as he joined the girl leaning against the windowsill.

Clary allowed herself to place her head on his shoulder, letting out a soft sigh before he spoke. "I know you've been afraid. Anyone that's lost as much as you have would be. But opening yourself up allowed you to find a home. It allowed you to somehow make me and Maggie lucky enough to have you close to us, to— to see you like a daughter." Clary sat up from where she laid her head, her eyes wide as she looked at Glenn. Of course Maggie had implied seeing her in such a way but, to hear it come from his lips, it felt so real. But it felt right, like maybe all she lost brought her to find love without expectations.

"Do you— do you mean that?" Clary asked hesitantly, to which Glenn nodded immediately. "Of course I do. At first I was afraid to admit it, because I was scared that maybe we wouldn't get the life we planned, one without fighting or rationing. But seeing what we can get, it gives me hope that I'll get to live a life with you and Maggie and the baby." Glenn watched as the girl's features softened, causing him to worry. "And I don't say this to force you to say you see me or Maggie in a certain way but— I think you deserved to know." It seemed to be a recurring theme, cutting the girl off before she could speak her mind. The two turned as they saw Rick, his jaw set. "Come on, there's some things we gotta discuss."

The two nodded before following Rick downstairs, seeing the group and Jesus had already gathered. Clary stood besides Glenn, her eyes on Maggie to see the woman clenching her jaw as Jesus spoke. "We want to generate trade. Gregory does. But ammo isn't something we urgently need." Jesus looked to Rick as he stepped forward. "Well, hows that?" He questioned, watching Jesus shrug slightly. "The walls hold. We just brought in more medicine. Gregory wants the best deal possible." Clary's eyes gravitated towards Daryl as he paced back and forth before speaking. "Yeah, well, we want things too." Rick nodded. "We need food. We came all this way, we're gonna get it." Rick's eyes met Jesus' as the long haired man nodded, his eyes stern as he spoke. "I will talk to him and we will work this out. Circumstances change. We're doing well now, and you will next. I will make him understand that. Can you give me a few days?"

As Rick and Michonne agreed to Jesus' terms, the lot of them turned towards the entrance of the house as they heard voices rising. The door opened, revealing a man as Gregory's office door opened to reveal the man himself. "What happened?" Gregory questioned the man, whose eyes were wide. "They're back." As the man retreated back outside, Gregory following,

Rick led the group outside of the home and down the steps. Keeping her hand on the handle of her sword, she watched as a man approached Gregory, followed by another man and a woman. "Nathan, what happened to everybody else? Where's Tim and Marsha?" The man Gregory called Nathan didn't stop walking forward. "They're dead." Clary watched as Gregory sighed. "Negan?"

Negan?

Negan.

Clary hadn't heard that name in a long time, having almost forgotten what it sounded like until it seemed to fill her head. She remembered her time in Solaris, it being the only name she could think of as she swore revenge on the cursed man. Revenge on the man that had beat her sister to death right in front of her eyes with a barbed wire bat.

Negan.

The Saviors.

Clary had been an idiot to think she could run from them, give in to the lie produced by Alexandria to think she was actually safe.

Clary took a step back, whether out of fear or disbelief. She couldn't even react to the scene unfold as the man stabbed Gregory, a fight ensuing. Clary stood back, her eyes glazed over as her mind raced a mile a second. She was only brought back to attention when Glenn appeared in her line of sight, his eyes wide with worry. "Clary? What's wrong?" He questioned worriedly, seeing her wide eyes filled with a fear unlike he had ever seen. "Negan, he—" Glenn furrowed his eyebrows. "The man Nathan mentioned? What about him?" Clary didn't respond for a few moments, her silence scaring the man as he didn't know what was going on.

However, before he could ask again, her voiced sounded softly. "Negan. The Saviors. I— I've dealt with them before." Finally, Clary's eyes met his, filled with fear. It surprised him considering how strong she always seemed to be. "They're the reason my people are dead."