Chapter 1

The passing of the constitution was cause for celebration, and even George was able to let loose a bit and enjoy herself. The residents of Newmerica had gathered in the town square to dance, drink, and laugh. George was reminiscing with Doc about their smokey road trip when she spotted Addy leaning up against a railing alone. She excused herself and sauntered over, taking a sip of her ale. She casually leaned up against the rail next to Addy, and noticed how the redhead barely acknowledged her presence.

Addy looked out over the jubulation and shook her head. She had seen enough death and heartbreak to know this false sense of security was to be short lived. One horde of Z's and this place would be overrun and turned. When she saw George approach out of the corner of her eye, she sighed out and took a generous swig.

George let the silence hang in the air for a moment before speaking. "Looks like I'm not the only one who believes in this place."

Addy scoffed. "Am I supposed to be impressed that the overwhelming majority of you are naive and delusional?"

George pursed her lips and shook her head slightly. "Is there no room left in that soul of yours for a little hope?"

It was Addy's turn to shake her head. "Soul? What soul?"

George furrowed her eyebrows and turned to face the broken woman. She thought about how sad it was for Addy to have been through so much that she would give up. She stayed silent and let Addy continue.

"Look, apparently we've come through two completely different apocalypses. I've lost more than I can say. I watched everyone I care about die. Horrifically. Tragically. I've spent way too many times getting my hopes up just to see them blow up in my face, over and over again." She shook her head strongly. "Nope. Not any more. You're welcome to believe your little Utopia here is the saving grace of humanity, but I'm not gonna drink the kool aid, I'm sorry."

George leaned towards her. "You think you're the only person who's suffered loss? I don't know all you've been through. I'm sure it was hard, and tragic, and devistating, and twice as much as any human being should ever be asked to endure." She paused for a moment as Addy for the first time looked over at her. "But don't you dare think for one minute that I haven't been through, that these people haven't been through just as much."

Addy thought for a moment and looked out over the crowd. She found it hard to imagine anyone out there going through losing Mack, losing Lucy, losing all she had since Black Summer. But as she looked at haggard faces and torn clothes, she supposed it could be possible,

George pointed to their right. "Look over there."

Addy lifted her eyes and looked to where George was pointing. There she saw her family. Doc, Warren, 10K, Red. Hell, even Murphy. She softened her facial expression as George continued.

"As much as you've lost, you haven't lost everything. There's always hope. That's what this place represents. It may not be perfect, it may never BE perfect. But we're damned well gonna try and make it home."

Addy took George's words in and smirked. "You certainly are a politician, aren't you."

George chuckled and pushed herself off the railing. She looked at Addy a moment longer before turning to walk away. "Just think about it. This could be your home too."

Addy rolled her eyes as she watched George saunter off. "Don't count on it!" she called, shaking her head and smiling. She saw George shrug and scoffed before looking back at the crowd of Newmericans. She glanced at George one more time before smirking and taking a swig.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

With only a slight hang over, George walked through the city of Altura, checking to make sure the square was being cleaned up and that the markets were running smoothly. She came to a halt when she saw Addy. She was purchasing some rations from one of the vendors. She was dressed to travel and had all her gear with her. George sighed and put her hands on her hips. She looked down as an idea formed in her head. She smiled and headed toward Addy.

When Addy saw George approaching she groaned and rolled her eyes "God. Here we go."

George stopped in front of Addy, ignoring the annoyed look on the woman's face. She was used to it by now. "Decided not to stay, huh?"

Addy threw her backpack on, stoic faced. "I was never going to stay. There was no decision to be made."

"Where will you go? What will you do?"

Addy shrugged, looking away to avoid eye contact. "I dunno, around. Kill Z's, rescue talkers. That's who I am. What I do. I don't belong here."

George nodded in defeat, watching Addy fiddle with her gear. "Well, if you ever change your mind, you'll always be welcome here."

Addy looked at George, and couldn't help but appreciate the sincerity in her face. She allowed herself a small smile, offering a single nod. Just as she turned to go, she was stopped by George's voice.

"One second," George stopped Addy before she could take a step. When she held the other woman's eyes she spoke. "I have proposition for you."

Addy sighed and shook her head. "George, we've been through this, I-"

George put her hands up in defense. "Just...hear me out." When Addy sighed out in resignation, George continued. "I know you like being out there. And you're good at it. I'm proposing a partnership."

Addy crossed her arms and leaned on one foot. "I'm listening."

George shifted her weight, a small victory that Addy would listen. "You do your thing. Killing Z's, scavenging, rescuing people in need, talkers and humans alike. You bring survivors who want to come here to us, along with any supplies we might need. In return, we'll replenish your rations, ammo, anything you need. When ever you're here you'll have a room, a hot meal and a warm bath."

Addy didn't expect to actually consider any proposition George had, but this didn't sound bad. It offered her the freedom to be out doing her thing, but also a purpose and direction. She was hesitant that this deal might force her to actually have an investment in Newmerica, which she was decidedly not willing to do. But in the end she figured the risk was worth it. Besides, despite her insistence otherwise, she was already partially invested in the place since thats where her Operation Bitemark family had decided to stay. She looked at George's expectant eyes, and was loathed to give in to this woman she had an obvious rivalry with.

George looked on hopefully as she saw the wheels turning in Addy's head. She raised her eye brows and grinned expectanly. Addy shook her head slightly, tongue in cheek as she held back a grin. "Fine. Deal."

George jerked back in victory, pumping her fist slightly. "Yes. Thank you, you won't regret this." She sighed out, noticing the slightly awkward way Addy was standing there. She felt Addy appreciated this plan more than she wanted to admit. "So, I don't have a supply list yet, but just go, do your thing, and...we will see you when we see you."

Addy licked her lips and nodded, feeling like she had let George win somehow. She looked up at George from a down turned face and couldn't help a shy smile. "Alright. Madam President."

George felt herself blush and shook her head adamantly. "Hoh, no no no, I'm not...its not like..." she stuttered awkardly and swallowed as she saw the amused look on Addy's face. George shifted her weight and fidgeted awkwardly until she finally squeaked out "Don't-don't call me that. It's weird."

Addy chucked and started walking backward away from George. She found she liked flustering the woman. She felt like she got a tick in the win column. "What, do you prefer Your Highness?"

George felt her face burning and stuttered again, "What? NO! I-of course not I'm just..." her voice dropped as her posture kept changing as her embarrassment grew. "George. It's just...George." Finally she crossed her arms and stood tall, hoping that her body posture would hide her obvious mortification.

Satisfied with George's fluster, Addy gave a genuine smile before turning and trekking out of Newmerica and back into Z Nation. She tweaked her mouth to the side, trying desperately to stifle the smile George had threatened to put on her face.

George cleared her throat and shook off her embarrassment, watching the redhead walk away. She watched for a moment and sighed, before finally turning and walking away.