[Outfit Above]
S7 Ep: 5 "Go Getters"

My brows scrunched at the bright light of day that hit my eyes, my eyelids fluttered for a moment until I was able to open my eyes fully and look towards a vase with some purple flowers in it. I felt someone's warm hand rub gently over my own. "Hey.." I looked up at the sound of his soft voice and found Glenn looking down at me. "Welcome back." I pushed myself into a different position where I was on my back. "Do you remember me?" A brunette man asked as he stood in front of me with his hands on his hips. I nodded slightly. "I'm Dr. Carson. You're at Hilltop Colony."

I looked over at Glenn who sat beside me. "How long have I been asleep?" Glenn traced his fingers over the back of my hand. "Three days." I looked back at Dr. Carson as he began to speak again. "You suffered from the condition abruptio placentae. It's a separation of the placenta from uterus. It's unusual this early, but, uh...could be caused by trauma. Possibly the bruises on your abdomen." I closed my eyes and took in a shaky breath. "Did I-I..." I stuttered. "...lose...?"

Glenn instantly shook his head and stood up, he brushed hair back from my face softly. "No...no the baby's okay." I released a breath of relief and leaned into his touch. "The separation was small. Baby's heart rate is normal. Here, listen." Dr. Carson squeezed some gel on my stomach and clicked the ultrasound machine letting me hear the baby's heart rate.

'There it is." I took a few deep breaths trying to calm my worries. "Now, you need to take it easy for a few days. You don't want to exacerbate the separation any more. And I really think you need to stay here for the duration of your pregnancy. If anything else happens, I can take care of it." I looked up at him and sucked in one last heavy breath. "You have any questions?" I set a hand down on the table and try to push myself up. "Whoa, whoa." Glenn gasped and set a hand on my back. "Easy. Easy, easy, easy, easy." Both he and Dr. Carson warned as Glenn helped me sit up, I leaned slightly into his side I took in shallow breaths. "Can you say that again?" I asked quietly.

"What?" Dr. Carson questioned. "Everything you just said." I repeated and he did as I asked. "Maggie gathered some clothes for you to change into." I nodded at him. "I'll be here if you need anything..but as long as you take it easy you should be okay." Dr. Carson walked away into another part of the med trailer letting me get changed into fresh clothes. I slipped into new jeans and laced up the sneakers they gave me. I started to slip off my old shirt until I winced in pain, Glenn set his hands gently on my arms. "I got it..I got it." He carefully slipped my shirt over my head and helped me change into a new garment and a fresh top.

I rested my head against his chest as he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close he pressed a chaste kiss to the side of my head. "Do you want to lay back down?" I shook my head and sighed. "I want to get out of here." Glenn nodded in response and led me towards the door, he opened it and stepped down first with me behind him. Sasha and Maggie both jumped up from their spots near the steps. "You, uh -- You okay?" Sasha asked softly. I nodded before Maggie stepped towards me and carefully hugged me before stepping back. "We made a spot for them." Maggie said. I exhaled sharply through a spike of pain both emotionally and physically. "Where?"

Maggie, Sasha and Glenn took me to a spot in the back of the Hilltop where Abraham was buried and the spot they laid out for my father was. I slowly squatted down by the rocks and stick marking a place for him. I knew that he wasn't actually buried here but it was nice for me to have somewhere quiet to go when I needed him. I was going to be here for a while after all. Sasha bent down next to me and opened her palm revealing my dad's medal of honor that he carried around to remind himself of what he once was. "Rick gave it to me before we left...It was in your dad's pocket." I took the medal and held it in my hands, brushing my thumb over it in memory. "All Abraham had was a cigar." The two of us chuckled lightly for a moment before we started to sniffle.

I kissed the medal before laying it down against the rocks and just held my hand there. "It feels like everything is wrong." Sasha sniffled and I shook my head disagreeing. "Not everything." Sasha nodded with one last sniffle. "He told us that you're gonna be alright. He said you'll just have to take it easy for the next few days." Maggie said from behind me. I started to push myself up until Glenn came over and helped me up the rest of the way, he kept an arm around me to keep me steady. "He told me that we have to stay. He says it's better if he's close, just in case, till the baby's born." Sasha nodded once. "Then we'll stay."

"I'm still thinking about it." I told them quietly. "We're staying." Glenn stated firmly as he looked down at me. "And so are we." Maggie agreed. "It's nice to see you up." I looked to the left to find Jesus walking over with some Hydrangeas. "Flowers. It was you." I said with a soft smile. "Ones by your bed, too." Glenn said as he nodded to Jesus as thanks who nodded back. "I read somewhere that blue flowers inspire strength and calming." Jesus explained as he picked up the dead flowers from Abe's grave and my father's marking. "What's green?" I asked as Glenn rubbed my arm. "Release." Jesus answered. "Thank God you're finally awake." I sighed and held back a roll of my eyes at the sound of Gregory's voice. That man always pissed me off.

"You people said you got them all." I nodded and took a few steps towards him with Sasha, Maggie and Glenn standing not far behind me. "We thought we did. It was just an outpost."
"H-How many of them were there?" Gregory asked nervously. "There were a lot. Maybe hundreds." I answered. "Do they know the deal you made us take, Amanda?"

"It's Aubree." Jesus cut in with an exasperated look earning an annoyed one from Gregory in retaliation. "No." Gregory looked back to me and I continued. "And we didn't make you take the deal, Gregory." Gregory shook his head and his hands cutting me off. "I-I-I'm happy we could patch you up. You need to go. Make sure you let Rich know what we did for you." He started to walk away but stopped when I called out to him. "Dr. Carson said I should stay." Gregory turned around and walked back towards me as he set his hands on his hips.

"If he thinks he has the authority to make that decision, he's mistaken." Maggie and Sasha crossed their arms while Glenn glared at him.
"Don't you all look at me like that. She'll be safer with her own people. And we'll be safer without her." Gregory stepped past me and closer to Maggie and Sasha. "You need to keep your distance from Aubree and Glenn and stay focused on your work here at Hilltop." His eyes then fell to the memories for Abraham and my dad. "Did you do this? We don't bury our dead. We burn them." Sasha glared at him as she crossed her arms defiantly. "I did it."

She gestured to Maggie and herself. "And we don't live here." Jesus reached out towards Gregory getting his attention. "Gregory, this is Sasha and Maggie. They helped Glenn get Aubree here. They're all from Alexandria." Gregory shook his head as he stuttered and glanced between Jesus and us.

"I can't -- I-I don't have time to keep track of everybody." He looked over at Jesus. "I've been recuperating, too, Jesus -- from a stab wound. You know? Aubree said that her people could take care of the Saviors. S-So far, all they've done is put our community at risk." I licked my lips and crossed my arms trying to keep my temper in check as Gegory turned back towards me. "You know, if they see you here, they'll think we colluded."

"We did." Sasha said. "I did not agree to this." Gregory argued as he gestured towards the memorial. "If they think we helped attack their outpost, they'll do that to us. Jesus, do you have any idea what plausible deniability means?" Jesus frowned. "Yes."

"Well, then you know it's our way out. If they leave, we have plausible deniability." Jesus shook his head. "Gregory, it -- it'll be night soon. It's not safe for them to leave now." Gregory scoffed. "Look, I'm a good guy. You can stay the night. But leave in the morning." Gregory once again turned around and began to walk away but Jesus stopped him once more. "We'll talk more about it tonight." Gregory shook his head and looked back at Jesus. "No, I made my decision."

"I'm just saying that maybe --" Jesus started before he was cut off. "Do you want to go back with them?" Jesus remained quiet for a second. "I'll take them back." He said. "I meant --" This time Jesus cut Gregory off with a hidden glare. "I know what you meant."

"So it's settled." Gregory concluded but Sasha and Maggie both spoke up. "No, it's not." Sasha said. "Aubree is pregnant." Maggie explained and Gregory shrugged exasperatedly. "Well... that's her mistake." I felt Glenn tense in anger from beside me, I slipped my hands around his clenched fist, helping calm him down. If I was stronger I would have had to fight myself to not punch Gregory. Sasha and Maggie both took a step forward about to go after Gregory but I shook my head. "Wait." The two women stopped and we all stood in silence. Jesus started to walk away but not without tossing the dead flowers to the side with a sigh of anger.

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I knocked on the trailer door before opening after hearing Jesus call us in. "I made the bed for you and laid out some clothes. They're mine, so they're more utility than comfort." He told me as Glenn and I entered. "It's okay..We won't be here much longer." Jesus sighed. "I'm sorry, about all of it. I'm...gonna see what I can do." I nodded and glanced around the room for a moment before looking back at Jesus as I held onto the top of one of the chairs at the small table. ""Why do you burn your dead?"
"Um... The idea was just to keep going." I frowned sadly.

"What do you have to remember 'em by?" Jesus shrugged. "Us." He glanced around quickly before setting a hand on the door handle. "I'll see you in the morning." He left the trailer leaving the four of us to ourselves. "Now what?" Maggie asked with a sigh. "Maybe we stay. What can Gregory do?" Sasha asked with a chuckle. "He's in charge." I said plainly. "He's an idiot." Sasha deadpanned causing Glenn to stifle a bitter laugh. "That's not all he is."

"He's a coward." I added and Maggie nodded in agreement. "They're more dangerous. We have the night. Let's think on it. Things will be clearer in the mornin'." I nodded with a silent sigh as I ran a hand through my messy curls. I slipped off my sweater and changed into a tank top instead before laying down next to Glenn and curling into his chest. We didn't get to lay down for long when a loud screech of feedback and a sudden change to a Beethoven song. "What is that?" I asked as I rolled off the bed and slid my boots on. Sasha ran towards the door and looked out while Maggie checked the windows. "The gates are open. There's fires. The music is coming from a car." I tried to get the door opened but it seemed to be locked from the outside. "We have to turn that thing off." Sasha said as she tried to get the window open with a grunt but it wouldn't budeg. Maggie and I lifted one of the chairs onto the table and placed it under the hatch.

"Dr. Carson told you to stay off your feet." Maggie told me but I shook my head arguing. "I'm not letting you two do this by yourself." Maggie narrowed her eyes at me. "Sit." O released a breath and held the chair still. "Go." Sasha and Maggie both climbed up to the roof and jumped down onto the steps before running off. I climbed up next along with Glenn who wasn't happy that I didn't listen. I looked over to the Barrington House and saw Jesus on the balcony. "Jesus! Sasha and Maggie are down there! They need help!" Jesus slid down the pillar and ran off to help Sasha take down walkers. "You two!" The two other men that were on the balcony with Jesus looked over towards me.

"Get the gates closed!" The first man nodded at my instruction. "On it!" I looked down and watched as Maggie, Sasha and Jesus tried to get the car open to shut it off but couldn't get it. I walked towards the side just above the door. "Bree, what are you doing?" I looked over at Glenn as I sat down on the side letting my feet dangle. "There's a tractor in the back. If I can get to it I can crush the car." Glenn shook his head, his eyes wide. "Bree that's insane. You're supposed to be careful." I nodded. "I will be." I slid down the side and landed straight on my feet. Glenn sighed exasperatedly to himself before climbing down after me.

"I'll cover you. Go." I took off as fast as I could through the walkers towards the back fields. I jumped into the tractor and turned the keys getting it started before I reversed it backwards till I passed the house. I turned closer towards the car and continued on taking down walkers in my path. I held on tightly as I backed over the car crushing it, I went back over it once more finally stopping the music.

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The next morning Sasha, Maggie, Glenn and I marched into Gregory's study. "Gregory?" Sasha called before pushing open the doors to his study. "Ah, I-I was just telling Ms. Caitlin to bring up some of her famous rhubarb preserves for you both. It's our way of saying thank you for helping out last night." Gregory said as he gestured to us with a glass of scotch. "It's Ms. Maitlin." Jesus corrected. "You can take them with you when you go. And you should go now, because the Saviors could get back any minute." Sasha and Maggie glanced at me for a moment before stepping forward. "We'll go." Sasha said for the two of them. "Mag..Sasha.." I said quietly with a shake of my head. "But let them stay." Sasha said as she gestured towards Glenn and I. "We'll call it even on last night." Maggie finished.

"No deal. But it's been lovely having you here." Gregory shut down plainly. Sasha walked closer to him frustratedly. "Just tell me how we can make this work." Gregory looked at Sasha intently and he leaned closer to her in his chair. "I think we'd need to... meet on that one-on-one just to explore--" I cut him off angrily with gritted teeth. "Go to hell." Gregory looked over at me with faux shock. "Are you actually imply-- No. You know what? I'm sorry. I'm gonna tell Ms. Caitlin to keep her preserves." The sounds of trucks approaching and shouting outside worried us all. Gregory jumped out of his chair and looked out the window as did the rest of us.

"You know what they'll do if they find you here? Jesus, get them in the closet." Gregory began to push us all back towards Jesus. "Gregory--" I started. "Go get in there now. And you don't move, you don't speak, and maybe you'll get out of this alive." He cut me off and pushed us further towards Jesus to lead us to a large closet where we all hid in.

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Once the Saviors left the house to pack up their cars, Jesus came to get us from the closet in Gregory's bedroom, he knew that Gregory would try to give us up. "I told you to hide them in the hallway closet!" Jesus shrugged with his arms crossed against his chest as Gregory barged into the room. "No, you said "closet." " He argued innocently. "This is my bedroom. What if they came in here before I--"
"Before you tried to give us up?" Sasha cut him off as she leaned against the mantle. "You would have been dead before you could." Gregory shook his hand at me after I spoke. "Honey, I'm talking to Jesus." Jesus turned towards Gregory and glared at him. "Stop."
"Why are you even defending her?" Gregory demanded. "We're here right now because she and -- and Rich didn't handle things like they said they would."

"The Saviors tried to kill you." Jesus challenged. "That was a misunderstanding. And as soon as the Saviors leave, we get them the hell out of here before something bad really happens."

"Stop! They're staying." Jesus said firmly. "Or do you want to make it public? You want to make the deal with Alexandria public? Lose your plausible deniability? Lose your position?" Gregory struggled with something to say to Jesus knowing he was right. "So you're gonna be in charge now?" Jesus shook his head. "No. It's just that you won't be. Aubree and Glenn are staying. Maggie and Sasha are staying. I'm staying. We're all gonna be one big happy dysfunctional family." Gregory glanced back at the four of us before looking back at Jesus. "So we will be. And I'll see us through this. I made progress with them today. You saw it." Jesus shook his head with an exasperated smile.

"That's not what I saw." Gregory raised his brows. "Yeah? Well, it's what happened." He walked past Jesus and towards me. "We play nice, they play nice. See, dear? Saviors can actually be quite reasonable." I glared at Gregory and before he could say anything else I used most of my energy to give him a hard right punch. Gregory groaned and held his nose, he slowly stood up straight and revealed a small line of blood under his nose. "You've got one right hook." I didn't say anything and instead my eyes fell onto my father's medal that had been clipped to his shirt pocket. I moved his jacket and pulled off my father's medal holding close in my hand. "It's a nice medal. Doesn't need to be left out in the rain."
I looked up at Gregory with a steely expression. "This." I held up the medal. "Is for someone of honor, which you most certainly are not." I put my father's medal into my pocket and looked back up at Gregory. "This is our home now. So you'll learn to start to call me by my name. Not Amanda, not "dear," not "honey."Aubree. Aubree Rhee."

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Later, the four of us along with Jesus watched everyone outside from one of the big windows. I leaned into Glenn's chest as he hugged me from behind his hand resting on my stomach under my own. "When I got here, Gregory was already in charge. Thought the people chose him for a reason. Looking at it now, I think it just happened. I didn't like how he did things." Jesus explained with a sigh. "But I couldn't imagine anyone else in his place. I can now." Sasha looked back at him. "Who?"

"We'll talk about it sometime." I looked over at Jesus as he spoke. "I should've talked to Gregory sooner. I'm sorry. Hopefully, you'll let me make it up to you." I offered him a small smile. "We will." Glenn told him with a nod. I looked back outside when the clang of the gates sounded. "The gates are closed."

"Wait, they're still loading up outside." I looked from Jesus to Maggie and Sasha. "We'll see you back at the trailer." I walked around Jesus and through the back of the house with Glenn beside me his hand tightly in mine. When we got to the trailer I noticed Enid sitting down by the graves. "You're here." Enid looked up and jumped at us as soon as she saw us, she squeezed my hand not wanting to hug me in case I was still hurt. "Are you okay?" I shook my head slightly. "I'm not. But I will be." I pulled her into a hug and we brought her back to the trailer with us. Glenn and her made sandwiches and some soup.

"People told me you killed walkers and a car..." Enid trailed off as she set the plate of sandwiches down on the table while Glenn brought the pot over. "With a tractor?" She glanced at Glenn for confirmation and he nodded with a light laugh. "Yes she really did. She didn't listen." I shrugged. "I couldn't sit by and watch. Not again. So I guess I sat and did something."

"You're supposed to take it easy." Glenn argued. "It's not like it was hard." Enid looked at me with widened eyes. "What did you do?" Glenn laughed loudly, earning a swat in the chest from me. "Why do you automatically assume I did somethin'?" Enid shrugged innocently but couldn't hide her grin. "Ok..so I used to work at this farm during the summer. They had this summer camp and after hours us counselors who ride around in the tracktor and sometimes run over old cars." Enid laughed. "And the owners just let you do that?" I pursed my lips and took a spoonful of tomato soup. "I never said they knew 'bout it.."

The door to the trailer opened making our laughs quiet as Maggie and Sasha entered. "Enid." Sasha said in surprise. "Hi. I -- I came to help." Maggie furrowed her brows in shock. "You came by yourself?" Enid nodded but had seemed hesitant. "Yeah. Have some dinner." Sasha and Maggie came and sat down at the table. "Why are there balloons on Abraham's grave?" Sasha asked with a confused frown. Enid looked over at me with slightly wide eyes of embarrassment. "I didn't have the heart to tell you." Enid looked at Glenn who looked back at her innocently. " I almost did..I'm a bad liar...but then she gave me a look." Glenn gestured towards me.

"And she's scary when she's mad." I turned to him with a deadpan look, Glenn smiled innocently making me shake my head with a sigh. "Sorry." Enid apologized to Sasha who shook her head. "There's no need to be sorry. Nothing wrong with balloons." Enid glanced between Sasha and I nervously. "There's nothing marking the graves." I shook my head and pulled out my dad's medal. "Nope. I was gonna use this for my dad's. He carried it around with him. It's called a medal of honor." I turned towards Enid and held it out to her. "I want you to have it." Enid began to shake her head in disagreement. "We don't need anything to remember him by. We have us." I finished while looking at Sasha who smiled softly.
Enid took the medal and slipped it into her pocket before taking Maggie's outstretched hand. We all held onto each other as Maggie began to pray. "For this new morning, with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything that goodness sends. Amen."
"Amen." We all repeated.

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Words cannot express how much I despise Gregory. I mean he's right up there with Negan on my scale. Is it a little psychopathic for me to be excited to write his death..?
Just a little?
- A

HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT??
Thank you D!!!
castieladore