CHAPTER FORTY-TWO || IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE WORD

"Lex, Alex wake up. we're here" The gentle voice of Glenn as he nudged her shoulder gently woke alex from her deep slumber in the car, Peeling her eyes open the sun burnt her iris'. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes Alex nodded scanning her surroundings. A big metal gate stood tall before the cars. Anxiety instantly flooded her stomach as she took Glenn's hand as her husband led her out of the car.

"Josh" Alex nodded signalling for him and Carl to stay behind both her and Glenn, The two boys followed her instructions. standing behind them, protection always came first. her boys and Judith. Their safety always came first. Alex gulped her eyes darting between different members of the group trying to get a feel for the emotion that lingered in the air.

Yet, Daryl, Rick, Carol and Abraham's expressions were stone cold, Expecting the worst. And so was she. Terminus had changed the way Alex's mind processed the new world. Terminus, Cannibals. that's what she was expecting as Glenn took her hand waiting for the gates to open.

a rattling Came from Alex's left, Starling her she instantly reached for her gun. Yet in seconds Daryl had already put a stop to the noise with a quick trigger pull of his Crossbow. The small mammal now impaled on an arrow as the gates opened. Alex's heart racing as she and Daryls eyes met as the brooding man picked up the small animal.

Turning back to look at the gates Alex squeezed Glenn's hand, Three men stood staring at the group. One man, with almost shoulder-length blonde hair stepped forward upon seeing Aaron. The unfamiliar man's posture almost mimics the same caution of ricks, as Daryl piped up eyes narrowed as he held up the possum: "We brought dinner"

the same man with almost shoulder-length hair stepped forward, Alex's eyes narrowing as she focused on the way his eyes traced each member of the group waiting on the outside of the gates. The man's body radiating distrust. His eyes met alex fueling her unease as Aaron Cleared his throat.

"Come on in Guys" Aaron gestured toward the gates as he walked through. Alex's heart racing as terminus rushed through her mind. Hers darted to Glenn before flickering back to Josh and Carl who remained behind them. Alex nodded almost trying to reassure herself as she followed Glenn's lead walking through the Gates.

The group's hearts all seemed to race as they walked through, The screeching of metal that followed as the gates began closing behind them made Alex gulp. Pushing the dread back down to wherever it had remained dormant within her body.

The same Blonde man who'd caused Alex to raise a brow stepped Forward, Another man beside him, Dark curly-haired. Alex's hand rested by her thigh, Inches away from the holster that laid there, Inches away from her gun. She was Ready. but as the man Spoke that readiness diminished: "Before we go any further, we need you to turn over your weapons... stay, you hand them over"

"We don't know if we want to stay" Rick's voice returned to the same cold way it had been when the group had first encountered Aaron. Everyones grasps on their weapons tightened, Despite everyone's hardened exteriors. They were scared. Scared of being defenceless.

"It's fine Nicolas" Aaron dismissed his order, Yet the man beside him ran a hand through his blonde locks shaking his head, His jaw clenched tight as his eyes examined the group in front of him, scanning each individual with precision before voicing his opinion: "No its Not."

"If we were gonna use them, we would've started already" Rick scoffed, His Baby girl in his arm, while his free hand clenched his revolver. Alex's eyes focused on The blonde man as Glenn reassuringly caressed the back of her hand.

"Let them talk to Deanna first Tyler" Aaron's words directed to the Blonde man, almost sending him a warning glare. Tyler's eyes scanned the group as his eyes met Alex she watched as his eyes focused in on the two young boys stood behind her.

"Who's Deanna?" Abraham Questioned, His hands still firmly placed on his Gun. The unsettling nature of finding a community, and the possible dangers that came with it even fueling Abe's anxiety.

"she knows everything you'd wanna know about this place. Rick, why don't you start?"Aaron suggested, Rick inhaled turning his head to look back at the group debating on whether leaving everyone was a good idea based on their previous experiences. As he went to meet Alex's eyes he caught sight of a prowling walker outside the gates.

"Alex" Rick ordered, His niece turning almost automatically, her hand falling from Glenn's as she pulled her gun from the holster on her thigh. Turning to face the walker Alex took a breath aiming her gun for the gap between the poles in the gate, and with a second deep breath she pulled the trigger. A perfect shot as the bullet flew between the gap in the gate blowing the brains of the walker out through the back of its skull.

****

"They're still your guns. you can check them out whenever you go beyond these walls. but inside here we store them for safety." Deanna explained as everyone handled over their weapons placing them down on a wheeled table, The same blonde man from earlier on whose name had been revealed to be Tyler stood watching.

Alex's breath caught in her throat as she hesitantly placed the gun down on the table, Her actions were made possible By Glenn Rhee. If he trusted Alexandria enough to give up his Gun so did she. And her actions fueled both Eli's and Sam's. both of their Loyalties laid with Alex Grimes-Rhee.

"Lex, me and Dad are going with Aaron. They said Tyler's gonna take you, Glenn and Josh" Alex's head turned toward Her younger cousin as she processed his words. A burning sense of dread invading her body at the thought of splitting up, Yet she nodded.

"Anything, I mean anything goes wrong or feels off. you find me jelly bean" Alex ordered to her cousin, Her steel blue eyes staring down at his with a sense of urgency, The young boy nodded an almost identical feeling rushing through his veins.

"I know" Carl nodded as Alex's hand fell on his shoulder, She gulped almost forcing herself to believe in the hope Eli had mentioned previously when they were in the car. Pulling Carl into a hug Ale rubbed her back before a subtle whisper escaped her lips: "don't leave your dad's side. I love you"

"I love you too" Carl smiled His sheriff's hat knocking against Alex's head as she broke the hug, Her heart raced with uncertainty as almost instantly after the hug was broken Carl rushed off. Heading further into the unexplored community.

"Follow me" An unfamiliar voice invaded her ears, Looking up she saw the same man she'd seen Earlier on, Tyler. Exchanging a worried look with Glenn, Alex shook her head urging Josh to take Close. Alex took Glenn's lead following Tyler deeper into the community, Walking down the street where her uncle and cousins had gone.

The walk was silent as Glenn tried to get a feel for the community they were opening themselves up to, Yet Josh remained starstruck as he looked around. Examining every building they walked past, This had been what he'd imagined for terminus. This was what he'd wanted since the beginning.

"I'm Adams- Tyler, just call me Tyler" The man corrected himself yet the introduction caused Alex to raise a brow, Not many people tended to introduce themselves Last name first. But she did, Eli did. Last names sometimes became the main identity for some. Especially soldiers.

" I've been told that families get immediate housing after their meetings with Deeana" Tyler explained the expression etched onto his face one of disinterested. His eyes darted to Josh at the mention of families. Josh's eyes still scanning his surroundings as he remained on Alex's Hip.

"We're all a family. We don't need to be separated." Glenn offered, his words almost the exact thought in Alex's mind as Tyler's words lingered in her mind, Maybe they truly were becoming a family.

****

"So Alex right?" Deanna questioned as Alex sat in the Chair opposite her taking a deep breath as she prepared herself for the meeting that was about to take place. Her heart racing at the thought of being alone even for just a few minutes. Alex stared at Deanne with a blank expression as she nodded.

"your group, did you know them all before?" Deanna asked as Alex only remained silent. Yet she repeated that action. Not saying a word Alex's mind spiralled with thoughts and possible dangers of even speaking to the woman in front of her. Deanna tilted her head, a lopsided smile tugging at her lips as she urged for Alex to Speak.

"This only works if you speak to me" Deanna urged. Alex nodded twisting the wedding ring on her finger, almost pretending Glenn was beside her in an attempt to calm her Anxiety before looking up and meeting Deanna's eyes.

"Rick's my uncle. Carl. Judith, she was born while- when- this was was all going on" Alex tugged her bottom lip between her teeth as Lori's death replayed in her mind, the way Alex was twisting her wedding ring around her finger turning into her picking the skin around her nails.

"Eli and Abraham. I crossed paths with Abraham at work, And Eli's been my best friend for years" Alex explained in vague detail trying to preserve some of her past in fear of it being used against her. Deanna nodded taking in every word that escaped Alex's lips.

"So Alex Grimes?" Deanna confirmed only for Alex to shake her head, That felt Wrong. Something was missing. She wasn't just a Grimes. Alex gulped as she corrected her: "Rhee. Grimes-Rhee"

Nodding Deanna continued with her questions, not being one to linger: "I was a congressperson, Before... You met Abraham at Work, What did you do before?"

"Army, Intelligence and a Trained sniper" Alex revealed, Deanna's eyes narrowing At Alex's words in surprise, Both grimes were Trained in that aspect. Both grimes had highly respectable jobs before the fall, Deana Hummed: "Tyler Suggested you were army... The ring you keep playing with, you were married?"

"not before. I am now, Glenn" Alex nodded watching as Deanna's eyes purely focused on hers as if trying to read Alex's story through her eyes. The questions seemed all too simple to Alex. too Easy. Deanna nodded again, mentally piecing together Alex's story before she spoke again: " The other boy, The one Glued to your hip. He your son?"

"not biologically" Alex had been trying to give as minimal Detail as she could, the paralysing dread she felt deep within her stomach never once easing as she stared forward blankly at Deanna.

" Not biologically?" Deanna repeated, her voice urging for more information, Not only on Alex. But she wanted to know more about Josh too. More about the people she was letting into her community. Alex scoffed, "Not biologically but in every other aspect of the word he's my son. Joshua Harper. He hasn't left me and my husband's side since we found him."

Alex's immense urge to protect and look after the boy could be felt from across the room, Deana could feel it. She could feel the deeper Love Alex had for Josh. And that only convinced her Alex was the type of person Deanna wanted in Alexandria.

"I can feel your care for him. You care about him deeply, And that's good. That's exactly what this community needs. That is exactly what this community is for. This is the start of sustainability, We need people who have lived out there. the people inside these walls should be able to raise their children in a safe environment. You and your husband should be able to raise your son in a safe environment" Deanna explained, Her voice draining Alex yet her words replayed. Hearing Deanna call Josh Alex's son, Made her rethink decisions she'd made a long time ago.

******

"Josh Harper, you have a lot of people that really care about you" Deanna Smiled at the young boy who sat opposite her. His backpack planted firmly on his Lap as he avoided her eye-contact. he'd only agreed to do the interview per Alex and Glenn's request. Deanna's words barely registered in his mind as he looked up: "I do?"

"You do. Both Alex and Glenn speak highly of you, Why do you sound so surprised?" Deanna questioned again Urging for more information with the camera rolling behind her, Capturing every moment of every interview she was conducting.

"uh- I don't know. Maybe cause I didn't have parents until like months ago" He scoffed, His shoulders tense and squared off yet the casual sarcasm he used to protect himself dripped from his tongue like poison as it always did. In some way, it had become his only protection.

"you can tell me about that if you'd Like?" Deanna asked Pressingly, Her expression contradicting her as her features wore a warm motherly expression as she stared across at the young teen, who only scoffed shaking his head: "Not much to tell. So I'd rather not"

"I see you've taken on some of Alex's qualities, How old are you Josh?" Deanna questioned, her voice returning to a motherly sweet tone that had no effect on the orphan sat across from her. Josh couldn't trust her. His walls were built all too high to even consider dropping his sarcasm.

"13 probably 14 soon" Josh answered again diverting his eyes from Deanna before raking his fingers through his hair. Deanna nodded humming as she studied the young boys body language before she continued: "So you'd like to stay with them?"

"Glenn and Alex? Obviously. It's not like you can take me away from them." Josh scoffed, The question alone caused a surge of anxiety and nausea to spiral through his body. memories of his childhood making his heart skip a beat.

"I'm just making sure you're safe" Deanna defended, making sure josh's best interests were met if they stayed in Alexandria, Josh nodded rolling his eyes. Clutching his backpack he finally met Deanna's eyes as he sat on the edge of his seat: "I've never been safer. When I'm with them. So can i leave?"

******

"That was the best fucking shower I've ever had" Josh gushed as he walked into the living room rubbing his damp hair, Everyone's eyes falling on him. everyone in the room was still on high alert yet Josh remained his usual nonchalant humorous self. which of course caused a sea of unimpressed looks around the room.

"language Josh" Glenn sighed as he laid a pillow on the couch beside Alex preparing where they'd agreed to sleep for the night. Everyone together, Saftey always came first.

"what am I supposed to say? Duck?" Josh scoffed rolling his eyes at Glenn's Reminder as he sat beside Alex on the couch massaging the back of his neck. The relief of the shower having given him a new lease of life.

"something like that, yeah" Alex sighed, her focus remaining on the group's safety as she glanced around the room. each face reminded her why they needed to stay together. Eli's words about hope lingered in her mind, despite how hard she tried to fight the idea of a future. One glance at Glenn and her mind flooded with possibilities. flooded with what she wanted for the future.

A knock at the door caught everyone's attention, making alex stand. all wide eyes now waiting for the door to open, Rick's steel blue eyes met his nieces as he walked over to the door. twisting the door knob he revealed Deanna who all but let herself in surprised at Rick's beardless transformation.

"wow, I didn't know what was under there... Listen I- I don't mean to interrupt I just wanted to stop by and see how you were settling in." Deena took one glance around the room seeing each member of the large group settling down in the living room of one house for the night, her eyes widened clearly shocked by the lack of Trust before she continued: "Oh my... staying together. smart"

"No one said we couldn't" Rick pointed out, Alex's eyes trained on Deanna as she studied the interaction with precision. psychoanalysing everything about the woman, Scrutinising the woman's every move.

"you said you're a family. that's what you said. absolutely amazing to me how people, with completely different backgrounds and nothing in common can become that. don't you think?" She questioned Glancing around the room, meeting all the prying eyes that stared her down.

"Everybody said you gave them Jobs" Rick nodded leaning against the door as Deanna looked around the room once again nodding as Alex scoffed at the reminder of what Job choices she was given, Glenn sending her a look as if warning her to behave. before Rick continued: "Well you didn't give me one"

"I have. i just haven't told you yet. Same with Michonne, I'm closing in on something for Sasha, And waiting for Alex's decision. I'm just trying to figure Mr. Dixon out. but I will." Deanna chuckled to herself as everyone else remained silent. Alex sighed Leaning her head back on the couch, she had a decision to make.

****

A|N- bloody hell this is a long one. a lot has happened in this chapter... but anyway i hope you've enjoyed now i have a question for you guys, Would you Like me to write Sam and Eli's interviews with Deanna in the next chapter?

Anyway! thank you so much for reading please don't be a silent reader! (not proofread)