Months later

It's been a while since I was brought into the community. They call it Alexandria, the walls were stable enough to keep walkers out and they had people patrolling. Aaron had put in word for me about helping him scout for more people. Originally they wanted me on walker duty or to help be a sort of cop for the place. I knew I couldn't do that. Especially because of what happened the last time I tried to help control things. My mind went back to Hershel, I was still having nightmares of that day. The day I lost my whole family, I was still trying to keep my distance from everyone in Alexandria. They all knew me, knew my name but I didn't bother learning theirs.

I knew how places like this would end up. Just like every place we tried to call home. They always fell apart. Or someone would try and take what was ours just because it was a good thing, because we were surviving. This wasn't a world for places like this anymore. It was only a matter of time before this place started to fall too. It's not like I was hoping for this place and these people to end just like us. But shit happens no matter what.

Aaron said he had found a group of people that he thought would be a good fit, he would tell me about this on our meetups. We had gone our separate ways to keep looking for people. Once a week we would meet up and discuss the people we found. Sadly for me all I found was more of this Negan guy's people. Some I could tell had a good heart but most of them were disgusting men. I mean honestly who could let rapists and all around abusers be part of their group. But I guess maybe he didn't know. We didn't think Shane was capable of it till he did to me, and tried to do it to Lori. All around me people I cared for died or I lost them in one way or another.

Just like that I was thinking about them again. My family. I wondered if Rick was still out there with Carl and little Judith. I knew he wouldn't let them go without a fight. That's just who Rick was. I also knew Glenn and Maggie would stick together, those two would die in eachothers arms. I laughed a little at that thought of those two getting married and all that. Then there was sweet Beth, if she didn't make it out with someone I knew he was dead. If she did make it with someone I knew they would keep her safe. Then there was my sweet redneck that I missed so much.

Daryl knew how to take care of himself, it didn't stop me from thinking the absolute worst. I knew he wouldn't go down without a fight. He was strong. And he was mine. I tried my hardest not to think about him, it hurt more than anything else. He was the only one I knew was still alive that knew me deep down. If he didn't make it I knew I'd be alone. I'd die in this shit world alone without him.

It was time for Aaron and I's weekly update. I made it back through the gates of Alexandria and was greeted with smiling faces. I just walked past them and headed to the house they had given me. It was nice colonial style and all fully furnished with everything you would need in a modern house. Once inside I sighed, I hated it here. It was the reminder of what life used to be before the dead started to walk again. It was a painful reminder of the life I wish I had but would never get. I stripped my dirty clothes and grabbed a towel and went to take a shower. Standing under the warm running water was just another reminder of how much I hated places like this. It was a tease for everyone outside of those walls that Deanna decided to turn away. No one ever second guessed her choices. But why would they second guess a fucking congress woman.

It was a long three hours between showing, and eating something. Just a plain sandwich with the little food I had in my kitchen. I couldn't stay long, I wanted to get back out there back to hunting down those men. I didn't want them getting close to us, I knew what would happen. I was getting ready to head back out. My bag was on the kitchen table half packed and almost ready to go. That's when a knock came to my door. I headed over and opened it and it was Aaron, his hair was still damp and I knew he had just gotten back too.

"Hey, come on in." I smiled and stepped aside and he walked in. He noticed my bag and looked at me.

"Hey. How was the hunt?" He asked before I could say anything, he noticed my half packed bag. "Going back out already? Did you find someone?" Sitting on the couch in the home it was white clean like everything else. I let out a laugh and shook my head zipping up my bag.

"No, just another one of those groups. I've been tracking them to make sure they don't get too close to here. I know what happens when groups like this find something like what you all have here. They tear it down and burn it from the inside out." I said sitting down next to him. Aaron was the only one I let get close to me. But not too close. He knew about my old group, he knew a few small details about my life. But only Daryl and Rick knew about my scars, about my past. I would never ever let someone that close to me again.

"Another group like the last one?" I nodded and leaned my head on his shoulder and he sighed softly letting me lean on him.

"I forgot how many people were disgusting pieces of shit." Aaron nodded and decided to change the subject, he smiled a little.

"The group I found, I think they would do great here. There's men, women, a kid, even a baby. I want to get them here as fast as possible. The kid was wearing a sheriff hat, I think it's his dads." I shot up and looked at him. That sounded like Carl, a baby could have been sweet little Judith.

"Do you know any names yet?" I asked my eyes filled with hope and he looked at me worried.

"You think this could be your family? Raven, I thought you said they had died. I know you have hope they're still alive. That's why I knew you'd do good at this. But, don't give yourself false hope." He took my hand and I stood up. My breath was labored as I thought this could be my family even if he didn't believe it. I did.

"Names Aaron. Please." I begged my whole heart was thumping aggressively against my chest. He just shook his head.

"I don't have any. I'm sorry." My heart dropped a little. But this still could have been them. I had told Aaron all about my family, about the ones I had lost, he knew them. I told him every detail of their faces I could remember. Their names, I told him it all just in case one of us ran into them.

"Okay, I'm leaving again in the morning. I should get some sleep. Don't wait for me. You can show yourself out." I spoke softly as I went upstairs.

"Raven." Aaron called for me.

"Please don't, Aaron. I can't, not now." He nodded before leaving. I went upstairs and laid on the floor next to the large queen size bed. I couldn't sleep in it. It would leave me vulnerable. This place was safe, sure. But not safe enough to get comfortable. Not when my family, the people I love and care about are still out there fighting for their lives. While I'm here in a house with a bed, water, and food.

"I'm coming guys, don't worry I'll find you and bring you home. Safe." I said looking out the window at the night sky.

The next morning I woke up early well before the sun had come up. I went to check out my gun from the weapons lot and got some food. Putting the food in my bag I left out of the front gates and made my way back to where I had followed the group too. I started tracking their tracks. I wanted to make sure this place was safe even if I believed this wasn't going to end well.

It's been a couple more weeks. I had managed to track down one of Negan's groups to a sort of safe house. It was fully stocked with weapons and food. I watched these men for hours, even days. It's been two weeks since I had last seen Aaron. I knew they would pretty much ban me from going for a few weeks again since I wasn't doing my check ins. But it was worth it. I wanted to know all I could about this group of men.

After another few days I went back to Alexandria. Once I walked through the gate Deanna was matching my way. "Oh fuck me. Not now Deanna, please I'm tired."

"Where have you been? You know you are required to do check-ins if not with me at least with Aaron. He said it's been two week since you last talked." I groaned as she followed me all the way to my house and even let herself in as I walked in.

"Please by all means let yourself in." I said as I ignored her previous statements.

"This is why we think you would be better inside the community." Deanna stated before I let out a long and agitated breath.

"We've talked about this before. I don't want to get close to you guys and you don't want to get close to me." Deanna sighed and shook her head.

"You can't keep living like this, like you are waiting for this place to fall apart." Deanna said softly and I rolled my eyes.

"You know why I don't think this place will make it. I've been to many places that felt safe, like things could be normal. And each time they fell apart. So excuse me that I don't get too comfortable." I growled in frustration.

"You know I can't let you back out there." Deanna crossed her arms and I rolled my eyes.

"Obviously, you guys did this shit last time I didn't come in for check in." I stared at her, she was the mother I never wanted again.

"No Raven, until we can trust you again, we aren't letting you go beyond our gates."

"Are you fucking kidding me!?"

"No I'm not, Sara's birthday is today, her family set up a party, I'll see you there." Before I could cuss her out some more she was gone and I was alone. I was fuming pissed. I was so close to finding this piece of shit Negan. I cursed and took my bag upstairs grabbing all my dirty laundry and heading towards the door. I stopped and sighed. I didn't really want to deal with people. If I did my laundry this early I would have to deal with some people. "Fuck that."

I went upstairs and showered before taking a nap, or at least trying to. I woke up not too soon after trying to fall asleep. My mind couldn't stop racing. But hell it was fine, I was used to not sleeping. I got up and pulled on some black jeans with some rips, a white tank top and my combat boots. The tank was so white you could basically see through it but, I could care less it was hot a fuck and I didn't really have much in the way of clothes. Fighting my fears I got up and decided to go outside for a walk. There was a little commotion at the front gate and I made my way standing in the middle of the street close enough to the gate to see who was coming through but not close enough so Deanna didn't think I would run out. I saw Aaron walking up to the open gate and who was following made my heart stop.

My whole world started spinning like it was about to crash down and I would wake up. Aaron had grabbed me and taken me back to the house I was supposed to call mine. He sat me down on the couch and I didn't realize I had stopped breathing.

"Raven, you need to breathe, come on. Slowly in." He took a deep breath in and I followed his actions.

"Good now out." He exhaled and I did too and that was it. I started crying aggressively, it hurt my heart to cry this hard once I could get some words out I looked up at him.

"P-Please tell me...is that them?" My voice was so broken and shaken up I didn't even recognize my own voice. Aaron looked at me and wiped my tears pushing my hair from my face.

"It's them. You can see them after Deanna talks to them. Right now, you look like shit and you need rest. Do me a favor. Get some sleep. I'll come get you when they are done." I nodded and laid down on the couch falling asleep shortly after Aaron left. It was the first time I was about to sleep for longer than an hour. I was asleep for hours for the first time in a long time.

I woke up alone and the sun was still up. According to the clock on the wall I was only out for about an hour, maybe two. I got up and walked outside needing some fresh air. I was living next door to Aaron and when I went outside I saw him on the porch. I ran over and stood on his steps.

"Where are they?" I asked again, my own voice sounded foreign to me.

"Three houses up, they were outside last I saw." I smiled and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you for bringing my family back to me." I whispered before taking off up the street. I stopped short as I saw Carl running down the front stairs and he looked up just in time to see me. I was crying again and he just stared at me as I got closer. "C-Carl..." I said softly, scared that if I spoke too loud he would disappear. His face dropped and he ran over to me.

"Aunt Raven." He said as he threw his arms around me and I hugged him like my life depended on it. He hugged me back just as tightly. I was crying so hard and I think Carl calling out my name stirred everyone. Rick saw me as I looked up back at the house. I watched him hand Judith to Carol and he ran just as fast as his son to me. Carl had let me go to give room for his dad and Rick scooped me up and my feet barely left the ground as he hugged me.

"I thought you were gone. I thought we lost you too." Rick said, crying into my shoulder. I wanted to ask what he meant but right now I just wanted to hold my family.

"You aren't getting rid of me, that easy cowboy." I smiled and pulled away and walked closer to the house. I kissed Carl's head before stopping in my tracks. On the front porch steps was my redneck. Rick and Carl walked away from me and I couldn't move. "Daryl." I said softly and that was what spurred him into action. I blinked and in that moment strong arms picked me up and I wrapped myself around him. This was the one person I was not letting go. Not for a fucking second. I was crying into his neck as I felt warm wetness against my shoulder. Daryl was crying, outside where someone could see but, with how he was hiding his face no one would see this moment. It was for me only. He slowly dropped to his knees and mine curled under my thighs as I knelt on his lap.

"I knew you would find me." I whispered softly to him and he took a deep shaking breath.

"How could I not. You left a fucking bread crumb trail of notes. I was always going to find you, little bird. I promised to wait for ya' didn't I?" He said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear and new tears fell from my eyes along with a dry laugh from my lips at the sound of my nickname from his lips. I believed I would never hear that sound again but I did. I had him back in my arms where this stupid fucking redneck belonged. I didn't waste another second before kissing him hard. Both my hands hand come up to frame his face and I felt the chapped-ness of his lips but, I didn't care one fucking bit. He kissed me back with every ounce of strength he had left in him. His grip tightened on my waist and I whimpered against his lips.

They were back with me. I had my family back and I wasn't going to let them go ever again. No one, nothing was going to take them from me. I said hello to the rest of the group that I remembered. One of the girls inside I knew from the group Phillip brought the last time, but Rick said we could trust her. He told me there were others I would have to meet and I nodded but I still had to see Deanna to see what her decision was on letting them stay, if she threw them out then I was going too.

I met with Deanna and she said she was still deciding. I knew it would take a while. I saw quite a few people when they came in. The interviews took time. I had to go through it. Although mine was easy since it was just me. I made my way back home. I hated calling it that but, with my family safe in these walls I could learn to be okay with this being home. I laid on the floor staring out the window like every night but this time. I actually slept peacefully the whole night.

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Which is going to break Raven's heart when they tell her.

Also who is super hyped up about Raven meeting a certain solider? Just me?

Anyway guys let me know how I did on this chapter and what things you might want to see with Raven and the group.

I already have all the ideas for when daddy Negan comes in but, I might make ya'll wait till book two for that one.

Who knows! Don't worry smut has been my addiction as of late so. You will get a very very VERY large amount of Daryl dicking down Raven. I promise I won't hold out on you guys.

Thank you all for sticking around. I know it's been hard and a very bumpy road with this book. But I really appreciate all the comments and votes and the nice things you guys say and DM me. so Thank you for making me want to keep doing what I love.