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Amelia's ears perked up at Chloe's affirmation of her proposition to do something for James. It made Amelia feel that much better in this dark moment and her mind right away started racing with thoughts about what could be done to help the always nice James. Sadly as she rocked her brain to think of something, she realized that he probably would get prepared for anything he could. She considered giving him her knife since it was well kept and it could help him, but James would probably get his own.

She smiled to Kris as the other excused herself to do some work. Maybe she too would better get to work to forget the events, but not now. James was going to be send off soon and she wanted to do something... think of something.

“Maybe... I think I will give James my first aid kit...” She eventually said after a lot of thinking things through. It was pretty much unused since she got it aside a few bandages, but it still had nearly all of it's supplies. It was the best thing she could give him that would be of some help to him after all. She threw a look at Riley and Chloe in questioning fashion as if to ask what they thought of the idea. Amelia knew she didn't really have that much time to do so too.

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@ONL - Alexander was able to move away from the well without issue thankfully, it would have sucked if he had slipped and fell into the well. The snow would take care of the thirst for a while and even ease the hunger pangs for a time. Yet more than a mouthful or two and he would start feeling a bit colder. The snow wasn't fluffy, it was like a flavorless Slushpuppy at this time on the top surfaces of the snow drifts.

The sun was warming things up more and on darker clothing it might even start to feel a bit warm. This was a good thing. While Georgia heat was usually a curse, the states ability to warm up fast after mass freezes was welcome most of the time. Now the humidity was another thing. People would always complain that it wasn't the heat that got you, it was the humidity. There was truth to this. Even in colder weather humidity could be a curse, it made the moisture stick to your skin and with even the softer winds right now could send a chill for you. Breathing it in also made lungs a bit tighter during cold snaps than if you were breathing cold air that was dry. Didn't help the joints at all either, older or injured joints ached like no tomorrow in the state with any shift in the weather. Georgia was no place for retirees. Only good thing is this wasn't Chicago right now, the winds weren't making things even worse and taking away any heat the sun provided.

The rumble happened again, a bit stronger than last time. It wasn't just felt where Alexander was but through Newnan as well. It was a bit duller where Alexander was and seemed to be stronger the further south one went. It wasn't particularly strong and it could easily go unnoticed, especially if one was in a building - you just wouldn't notice it at all then.

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"Oh I plan on making sure you follow through with that," Thana teased lightly as she pressed her hands against his chest. Her tongue running along her lips for a moment, savoring the taste he left on them. She wanted to stay right where they were and pick up where they had left off last night. There were still plenty of rooms left in the house that hadn't been broken in yet but she knew that would have to wait. Ash had work to do, especially with everything that had happened because of James and the man still wasn't outside the wall yet from what she knew.

Stepping back away from him she straightened her clothing a bit and checked the time. It seemed they had spent a decent amount of time between Ash's little reflection after everyone had left the scene and speaking in private. "But that can wait until tonight, right now it seems we need to get back on the clock," she said in a bit more formal tone. Turning she looked back over to him and reached out, hugging him gently. It would probably be the last bit of affection she would give him until things settled down later on.

"Just tell me what you need," she added as she looked up at him and let him go. Thana didn't know what James job had been here really, what void would be left other than an emotional one. Hell she didn't know where she would fit in now but the more the day progressed the more she was sure she would be sticking it out in Newnan for sometime, if only because of Ash.

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Gavin made his way to Agriculture with his escort, glancing around the place a bit and spotting a couple of guards, and then James stepping out and handing one of them a small bag filled with what he didn't know. The man took it and then spotted Gavin and his armed man beside him walking over to them. Gavin had a goofy grin on his face and waved towards James.

"Hey man, listens, cans I haves a words with yas real fast? Gots a little proposition for yous," he said as he tipped his hat to Backwoods Hogger. Gavins escort just wanted this over with and it seemed it was written all over his face. The man wanted to be done with this and if that meant Gavin leaving he was fine with that at this point.

Over in the Franklin area, Benny opened his door and yawned a bit. Seemed he had slept through everything. Granted he had drank some last night and wasn't due on shift for another five hours. His quirked a brow as he looked at the couple, Peaches bounding out between his legs and hopping around the two of them before dashing off into the snow. Benny let him go, the dog was known for roaming the city freely at this point. He seemed to one of two pets and he was a lot friendlier than the orange cat.

"Everything okay?" he asked as he rubbed the back of his neck and tried to wake up a bit more, quirking his brow a bit as he felt a small vibration but figuring it was a chill running through him since he was standing barefoot with snow piled up around the building.

Miss Sally on the other hand was wide awake. Having poured the two of them a nice cup of tea and setting down a box of hobnobs in front of Ravi. "Peachtree City..." she said, not asking if she had heard right. Sighing she sat down and took a small sip of tea. "The place is called Eden..." she explained before going into a quick summary of what she knew about the place. It didn't take long to tell Ravi about Thana's sister Zoie who had died due to a gunshot wound from them and others that had perished. About how ruthless they were.

"Bloody hell, if that's where he is going part of me wants to warn him, part of me wants to join him. Those buggars need to be taken care of," she ended her little speech about the place with and shook her head. Looking over at the clock on her wall she sighed. She needed to get dressed and wanted to tell James good bye. "Give me a minute if you would get get out of my bunny slippers. Go ahead, enjoy your spot of tea, I shant be but a moment," she said standing up and gathering her clothing before heading into the bathroom of her apartment. Gavin was either a very honorable man or down right crazy. From what Ravi had told her so far, he was both.

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Tatiana smiled at Niesha has she agreed to be her midwife and looked over towards Froggy waiting for an answer. "But of course little bird. Good idea! We can start lessons tomorrow, you will need a check up anyways. Will teach Niesha all I know, she will do good I think," he said as he grabbed a wheel chair and moved it over to Jack, winking slightly.

"Be careful, yes. Sidewalks and roads should be okay but don't let her drive herself yet. Need good control, no letting her go sledding in this," he joked before stepping back and starting to clean up a bit since he was done patching her up.

"Dank you," she said to both Froggy and Niesha as she took the supplies Niesha handed her. Looking over to Jack she made a move as if she was about to get off the table on her own. It was slow and halfway playful, nearing daring him to let her feet touch the floor before he could move to put her in the wheel chair.

"Okay, ve eat vhen I done. Let head to gate. Vant to talk to James," she said softly. This was not how she had wanted to start out her honeymoon and while she was hungry that could wait, the food would keep a little while longer. Right now James was what was important to her.

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"You're what?!?!?" Jim exclaimed, eying Ryan like the man had just lost his ever loving mind.

"I'm leaving Newnan, now, since you're loading for for James anyways. Come with me to the armory to get my shit and escort me to the fuckin' gate like yer supposed to when I check my weapons out," Ryan said shouldering his bug out bag that Newnan provided each resident and dropping his personal one on the ground inside of Supply.

"But why? You and James aren't friends, are you?" Jim asked, really damned confused to what was going on. If anyone was going to leave he figured it would have been someone like Richard, you know before his head got cracked open by James axe, or even Beatrice since James and her were friends from what he could see. But Ryan? It didn't make any sense.

"Simple, ain't no one got any business being out there alone if they can help it. And no we aren't friends but I don't hate the man either. Really can't say I blame him for what he did, I've wanted to crack ol' Dick's skull open myself a few times," Ryan said with a grin.

Jim couldn't believe this. James had tons of friends in Newnan, so there was a list a mile long that would probably be willing to go out with him. Granted no one had said anything yet. Thinking on it, it kind of made Jim a bit sad. James had been here as long as he had, was friends with almost everyone, but the ex-con was the only one so far willing to step outside of the wall with James to have his back?

"Well if that don't beat all.... um, okay," he said before picking up his radio and sending out a radio to Ash to let him know what was up. "Boss, I am taking a slight detour back to the armory. Ryan is leaving Newnan," he informed the Captain. Ryan smirked a bit as he picked up his personal bag and headed towards the door.

"Fuck man, that announcement might have just made Ash's day," Ryan chuckled as Jim headed out the door with him and over to James truck. Tossing his bags in the back of the truck he then climbed into the passenger side and waited for Jim to join him. Ryan sighed a bit, he hoped Chloe showed up at the gate to say goodbye to James so he could as well. If not, he'd just have to deal with no goodbye to her. Maybe it was better that way. Sighing he felt a bit of a vibration but chalked it up to the gurgling in his stomach. He hadn't grabbed breakfast. Grabbing Jim's wrist as he got in the truck, Ryan took a look at the time. T-Minus Twenty-Five minutes and counting until James had be outside the wall.

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Jack listened intently to Niesha's words, making sure that they were firmly engrained into his memory. He didn't want anything to prevent Tatiana's recovery, and with the knowledge that foot wounds could be particularly difficult, that just gave him all the more reason to be protective. The supplies that Niesha handed over to Tatiana were practically holy relics to Jack, bits of wonder that could be used to restore his wife to tip top shape.

The news that Froggy would teach Niesha to be the midwife, as well as Niesha's agreeement, further relaxed Jack. Had this happened before the outbreak, he still would have been stressed beyond belief at the prospect of his wife having a child. And now, under these conditions, the stress was increased exponentially. There weren't birthing classes or anything for them to attend now, classes that Jack would've signed them up for in a heart beat. He would have likely purchased at least fifty books on pregnancy and childbirth, sticky noting them up and putting his high school diploma to good use.

"Try it, I dare you," Jack teased Tatiana, wheeling the chair over to her as she tried to let her feet touch the floor. He had seen people get lifted into wheelchairs a few times before, giving him a rough idea of how to do it. It helped that Tatiana's legs weren't broken--she just had to stay off of her foot. Picking her up, Jack lifted her into the wheelchair, doing a bit of a bow once he was finished, as if she were royalty.

"Just remembah, you're eatin' for two now, solovey," Jack reminded her, before gripping the handles of the chair. He wasn't surprised that she'd want to eat when she had finished up with James, especially since a little more than half of James' hour had been spent. "Thanks doc, Niesha," Jack nodded, before whisking his wife off towards the gate to meet with James.

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Beatrice felt the soft rumble throughout Newnan, causing her to pause and tilt her head. She was a Californian and was no stranger to earthquakes, or at least, that was what she assumed it to be. There was always a chance that the ground had opened up and decided to swallow them whole. After the outbreak, almost anything seemed to be possible. Glancing at her watch, there wasn't much time left until James would have to leave Newnan. Only twenty five minutes.

"Fuck it," Beatrice muttered before turning on her heel and hurrying back towards the Franklin addition. The decision felt stupid and rash, but staying in Newnan wasn't necessarily any better. Besides, she had survived for three years outside of these walls. She had only had nine months or so of "security" inside of them. But James, James had been in Newnan far longer. The lovable goof might just need her help.

She went just about as fast as she could without slipping, keeping a brisk pace all the while until she finally saw her apartment building come into view. It would be strange to leave it behind, and she snorted slightly to herself. Riley and Amelia would have the entire thing to themselves, then. They'd probably turn it into a love nest or something disgusting like that. With a bit of an eye roll, Beatrice entered the building and hurried to her room, before setting herself at the quick task of packing up her supplies.

She had a feeling that she'd come to regret this decision, but she wasn't about to change her mind once it was made up.

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Chloe shrugged slightly, finishing off her plate of food. She nodded at Kris as the girl left, thinking on whether or not she could have made it to fame. Had her twin sister not become a famous rockstar, she perhaps would have been a bit more cynical. But if a girl from Grimm could do it, anyone could, really. Though, their town had also produced an FBI agent, so perhaps they were a bit more exceptional than Chloe liked to think...

"Dunno, really. I should go check in with Froggy, but he'll likely want nothing to do with me," Chloe sighed, airing some of her frustrations with her job. She was trained when it came to medicine, but Froggy didn't trust her, even after all of this time in Newnan with no incidents. She then shook her head and chuckled a bit. "It's weird, I'm a bit disappointed Irish hasn't come to bug me yet. A girl can get used to that sort of attention--even if he's a he."

It was an odd situation she was in with Ryan, one that Chloe failed to understand. The man was her best friend, and she knew exactly what he wanted. It would've been simpler if she hated his guts, easier to justify turning down all of his advances and not thinking on it later. But as things stood, they were complicated. And it wasn't like any of the women in Newnan had caught Chloe's eyes either. As much as she didn't want to admit it, there was a very real possibility that Ryan O'Reily would be the only person to ever love her like that. It was something she'd have to live with for her entire life.

"First aid kit isn't a bad idea...but I think those are included in the bug out bags," Chloe pointed out. She glanced over towards the clock. There was a little less than half an hour until James had to be out of Newnan. There wasn't much time to arrange anything big for him, probably just enough to dash back home and then head out to the gate to say goodbye. She herself hadn't been friends with James, but she knew that Riley cared a lot about him. She figured she'd go with Riley to support her as she said goodbye.

"If we are going to go say goodbye to James, we probably should get a move on," Chloe pointed out, stepping away from the table for a moment to bus her dishes before returning. "The window of opportunity is coming up soon."

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"That seems par for the course for them," Ravi replied sadly, shaking his head. To hear that a settlement that essentially defiled a woman to the point of death had been responsible for the deaths of several people in Newnan wasn't too much of a shock. It was to be expected, with the way people were nowadays. Ravi had seen the worst of humanity before the outbreak, but they were generally caught and placed behind bars. Without any sort of law, they were now able to roam free and continue committing atrocities.

Ravi felt mostly the same as Miss Sally. He wanted to be there for Gavin to help, but it was true. He had never killed a man. He still harbored intense guilt over killing Liv, despite it being the only thing he could have done to save her from a fate worse than death. He knew that there was no chance of a cure, that this was simply the world they lived in now. And yet, he couldn't help but blame himself for it, as if there could have been something he could have done to save her.

"He's a stubborn bastard," Ravi sighed, nodding as Miss Sally got up to get changed. He took a sip of his tea, and had the circumstances been different, he would have been all excited about the cup in front of him. But there was a heaviness in his eyes and in his shoulder, as Ravi knew that Gavin wouldn't be able to take on Eden all by himself. Even with the help of one or two people, it wouldn't be enough.

Texas Rangers may be formidable, but that didn't make them immortal.

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James looked to his escort, a taller fellow who had a look that screamed his preference to be far away and doing anything else. He remained vigilant; after all, James was a murderer now. His past actions could not negate the truth of this, merely explain it. And as each minute ticked by, the unenviable blackneck became less and less a part of their community. Hearts would continue to harden as the ethical implications of what he did cycled through their psyches, and he might find that any charms he possessed would come up wanting, as Newnanites turned grief to anger as a defense mechanism. But it didn't matter. James would miss them, truly miss them, so very much.

He regarded the notebooks wrapped in the tote bag as he was handing them over to his escort, and thought better of it. "Naw, man. Done changed my mind. Got to explain a little bit to the man. Owe him that. Might be my last chance, y'get me?" He smiled weakly. "Don't worry there, brother. It'll all be over with soon. C'mon, let's..."

It was at this moment that he noticed the barely familiar frame of Gavin sauntering up to him. He could see a glimmer of recognition, as if the man were specifically looking for him. When it turned out that he actually was, it was still surprising to him. "Yeah, hey hey... look, um, now ain't the best time for a talk, I don't think. I'm in the middle of gettin' myself exiled... Wait, what you mean about Proposition?"

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Oh yeah, he was smitten. Hard, too. But more than that, Ash found that he could draw a sense of stability and strength from the woman, as if they had served together or had known one another prior to the planet turning sideways. Ash looked soulfully into her eyes, a tiny smile of solid satisfaction showing itself. Listening to her words, he gave the barest of perceptible nods. He wanted to feel happier, and in truth did. Really did. But the situation going on outside of the walls of his house was deadly serious. Reconciling the Soldier from the Man, from the Leader that Newnan needed was going to be more difficult from this point on, he could tell. But maybe when it was just the two of them, no matter what else was going on, he could steal some time just for them.

"What I need, Thana... I need you in my corner. I need you to quietly let me know when I'm screwing up, and counsel me back from it. And to be blunt, what with James leaving, I need a new Agricultural Lead. And the ability to see into his head. He'd already started plans for this year's crops, and some "away missions" besides."

Ash sighed. "But yeah, you're right. We need to get back out there." He smiled, a little more openly this time. "For now." He remembered the previous night. Hell, he would never forget the previous night. The smile still on his face, he backed slowly toward James's belongings he had set down earlier. Ash let his gaze linger on Thana, unwilling to look away until the last possible instant. He was in love.

Breaking the mood, Ash's radio barked at him. It was Jim, with very interesting news. "Understood, Jim. That's a little unexpected. If he wants to leave, go ahead." Ryan wanted to leave Newnan, too? Ash hoped it wasn't to pursue some form or revenge against James for killing Dick, away from prying eyes. He had to look at this situation himself. If he suspected something shady, then he'd insist on staggering their departure times. "Back on the clock, indeed..." he drawled out, the native Virginian accent more prominent in those words than anything he'd spoken in a long while.

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Tiffany watched as Beni open the door. Soon, Peaches was bounding around them. She quickly gave the dog a pat before it scurried off into the snow. It was nice seeing the dog. She loved the animals that were in their town. Peaches was friendlier, of course, but Schrodinger the cat was entertaining too. It made her forget why they came here, but it quickly dawned on her that they were delivering bad news.

She kind of felt like a TV detective, going to the door of the family to tell them their loved ones were dead. In a way, that's what they were doing. While she was sure Beni wouldn't care too much about the other two, she felt certain Sana would hit hard. She gave him a warm smile before she spoke. "Hey Beni, we're here to talk to you about something bad. Last night, we lost three people. Bryn, Richard, and...Sana. I can give you the details if you want them, but I can understand if you don't. James is also being sent packing for being the one to put Richard down. They wanted us to spread the word, so here we are. I am so sorry Beni." She didn't know what else to say really. She waited to give him time to process it and see if Ray had any other words to offer. This wasn't easy. It never is.

“I-” Niesha closed her mouth, deciding that now was not the time to ask anything, at least not about blood tests that were eight months old. In a day that started off as this one did, it just didn’t seem right to make it any more complicated than it had to be. So she let it go for now, and smiled instead, watching the couple leave. She was sure that Tatiana would be alright, with a few days rest, although the woman seemed intent on taking on the world. ”She doesn’t seem to realise what… a beacon she is, in this day and age” She said softly, more to herself than anyone else.

She gave a soft sigh, and turning to Froggy. Starting lessons tomorrow, dear god. How had she got to being here, to learning how to help a woman as she gave birth to a child? She had no idea… and that she frighten her, but it didn’t. What did that say about her, these days? Maybe she shouldn’t open up that can of worms. At least not today. ”Is there anything that I can do?” she asked, after a moment, wanting something to do.

”I just… need something to do” She said, feeling a little out of place. She was use to the routine she’d fallen into these last few months, and the way the day had started had thrown that out of perspective… which might very well be a good thing. Becoming complacent could quite easily get herself killed…. And maybe not just herself. So maybe midwifery lessons were a good thing. The idea that there would be not just one new baby in Newman, but more, in the future? It was a good thing. And good things made everything a little easier.

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The gurgling sound got quiet as Alexander pushed southward, even if the pace was still slow due to the thick layer of snow and Alexander's hurting joint. Yes, he was an eldering man. Yes, he was starting to get that old characteristic of old people with their joints that hurt with even the slighest shift of wind. And yes, it annoyed him. But really, this was the apocolypse, and Alexander knew that once he found out whatever the heck the smoke was, he might finally get some time to complain. Right now though, he did his best to just soak it up and keep moving.

It was at his thighs that he felt it first, then all across his chest and upper torso; it was getting warmer. Alexander found himself to be surprised, if that was a feeling he'd recognized in a situation that he wasn't about to die. He hadn't been in Georgia before, and even he found it odd that the heat was building up as quickly. Now he wasn't complaining, it was just that he hadn't experienced that before. The humidity, that was a completely different story. It felt reminiscent of the jungle moisture of South-East Asia, save from the cold that it brought upon his skin. For the second time that day, he wondered for a split second if he preferred to be moist and warm, or moist and cold.

The thought, just as quickly as the one before, disappeared into the distance as he heard another noise. He had heard it before, the low rumbling. But it was louder, not by much, but still audible. What the hell was it? As Alexander kept pushing south, he began to wonder what it could be. It wasn't a constant humming, but a short and audible rumbling. So not a vehicle moving in any direction related to him, but something like...artillery or mortar fire? Probably too quiet and lack of power for that. Earthquake? As far as Alexander knew, Georgia wasn't Californa or anything like that. Houses crumbling down? Perhaps, but he still wasn't sure. Or more clearly, he had no idea at all.

Still, it was as much a sign of activity as the pillars of smoke, and so he kept on walking through the snow, heading to whatever awaited him.

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Riley looked towards Amelia as she thought about what she could give to James before he ended up leaving Newnan for good a first aid kit was a pretty good idea. They were pretty useful, but she did know that the bugout bags given to everyone within the town for emergency reasons they were already there. "It's a good idea." Riley said, as she thought about what she could give James there wasn't much of her personal affects that she still kept on her person. If she still had her car before it broke down on the first day she stumbled upon Franklin, it was most likely there collecting rust now. She also didn't have her guitar anymore losing it a really long time ago, sighing ever so slightly.

Riley then heard Chloe mention about Froggy having nothing to do with her, which sometimes did make her angry she did know her sister better then everyone else in Newnan. Sure Chloe did screw up back in college, and started spiraling out of control and became a drug addict and then a drug smuggler. But Riley knew that her sister was now clean, she hated having to leave her sister behind in the earliest days of the outbreak having seeing her sister going into withdrawal. "Want me to you know talk to him for you?" Riley asked Chloe.

Then Chloe mentioned Ryan, looking towards her sister it was true usually he was always right on her sister's heels like a love sick puppy. "You know it is pretty weird that he isn't here, hes like a cute little puppy dog when he is around you." Riley said teasingly as she finished eating the rest of her food as well, getting up she went to bus over her empty plates where they all usually went to for the domestic kitchen crew to clean up for. She then met back over at their table looking over at Chloe, and gave her a slight nod. She was going to hold off on setting up training sessions until later on in the afternoon after James had left, and it would give people sometime to digest the events of what happened this morning. "Then should we head over to give something for James before he leaves?" Riley asked looking down at Amelia as she offered a hand towards her, looking back at her and smiling softly she was happy to have her.

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Raymond leaned up against the wall looking at Tiffany as she spoke, and nodded slightly he was upset at everything that had happened as well though it was nothing that could be taken back now. These days you couldn't really afford to mourn for the death of a loved on, even if you were behind walls an attack, a break in the walls or even an outbreak of some kind could happen at anytime. But Raymond wasn't sure what he would do without Tiffany he would do whatever it would take to make sure that she was alive, even if he ended up getting killed himself.

Then the door opened, as Peaches came bursting out as the little pup jumped up and down on his leg and Tiffany's before turning around and running off somewhere. He did like the dog quiet a bit, as Ray took a moment to watch her scamper off into the snow Ray then gave his attention back towards Benni. Ray was about to say what happened but Tiffany ended up beating him to the punch, letting her give him the info what had happened. Raymond gave Benni a few moments to let the bad news sink in, it was really bad timing having to wake up and hearing a friend ended dying in the night after the wedding.

"If you do want to talk about it, we are there for you. We are sorry to spring this on you all at once." Raymond said looking at Benni remembering the day that they all had met back in the woods which felt like a lifetime ago. Though he was probably lucky to have not been woken up by the gunshot, he then felt the ground rumbling ever so slightly, he took the time to look around curious what it was but probably thought it was just his imagination since it was very little.

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Kristina continued to walk along the road towards the outer wall where Agriculture was, as she walked through the gates she was going to feed the livestock which wouldn't take that long. Then she would sat goodbye to James, as she got closer towards her destination Kristina spotted James, his escorts as well as the new face from last night. She wasn't sure what they were all talking about, as Kris started to get closer she could hear something about a proposition. Kristina started to get closer and then started to move a little bit faster until she was close enough and hugged James tightly.

Kristina held the hug for awhile, she considered James family and listened to everything that he had taught her since she had joined Newnan she then let go and backed up somewhat tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Kristina really wished that he didn't have to go, but that was what had to be done, she felt a lot safer now that Richard wasn't around anymore but she just wished that James didn't have to go. Looking between the two men and their escorts, biting her lower lip for a moment, she was curious what they were talking about before she had arrived. "What are you guys talking about?"

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Amelia's only good idea about what she could give James was just pretty much shot down like a duck in hunting season by Chloe's statement. She wanted to say something, but no words came out of her mouth in confusion and after a moment closed it, returning to pondering the very uncomfortable situation that she found herself in. James was leaving and she had nothing to give him... A friend was going to vanish from her life.

“Yes...” She finally quietly agreed with Riley's sister about the time. She had no ideas of what to do with this. What could she gift him? He was going to have a knife of his own. A medkit just got shot down too. She sighed, unable to think of anything.

Amelia looked at Riley with a frown.” But... I couldn't think of anything in the end...” She said and sighed before took the hand and stood.” We'd better get there indeed. Even if we cannot give him something, at least to wish him safe travels and say goodbye.” Amelia said quietly. She was pretty sure this might be a final goodbye and that's one of the things that hurt her most. The world wasn't fair and the knew that there were enemies around them too. She did try to ignore that at least for the moment though. Amelia's current hope was that she'd be able to send off James with strong face... This was going to be hard to swallow even without tears.

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"And that's why birds do it, bees do it, even sentimental fleas do it. Let's do it! Let's fall in love! I'm sure giraffe's on the sly do it, maybe you and I should do it! Let's do it! Let's fall in love..." a very bleached blonde with a half shaved head sang as she sat in the drivers seat of her precious, aka her tank. She had been going on like this for at least the last half an hour as she painted her nails, brushed her teeth, got dressed, got undressed, got dressed again. Nothing she put on was any better than what she had on previously. Every outfit looked like a toddler raiding mommy's wardrobe with a pair of scissors. one had to learn quickly that Lola R. Holler was a woman who thought she had the fashion sense of the ages but dressed about as well as a drunken Tasmanian devil rolling through a goodwill store.

"Jet! Gonna go make breakfast! Time to fire up the grill!" she laughed as she grabbed two MRE's, a bottle of water, and a pot. "Gots us an Aces treat today! Macaroni and Cheese, with Chili! Together! Come on!" she said brightly as she climbed up onto the top of her heavily modified tank and flicked a match along her jeans. Lighting it up she tossed it into the grill and set the crumpled up paper on top of half burned coals on fire.

The woman obviously didn't care if she attracted attention or not, or if she was heard. Everytime when asked why she was so loud, her response was always the same - "I have a tank." - There just was no arguing with her. Flopping down in her chair she put her feet up as the recliner rocked under her weight. She was waiting for things to get warm enough to boil some water so they could actually have something warm that morning. Granted the MRE's were just a quick snap of the pouch and they were ready to eat but this one came with hot chocolate powder and instant coffee! Jack fucking pot in her mind.

Her brows rose swiftly as she saw someone coming towards them from down the street. "Incoming Jet!" she said as she poked her head down the hole of her tank and grabbed Kimel before resting back in the recliner as if she was sunning at the beach.

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Thana nodded a bit as Ash told her what he needed. It sounded reasonable enough. "I don't see a problem with any of that, as long as we have a clear line drawn. Outside of this house, we keep it professional. When on duty, we keep it professional. Behind closed doors and off work, well then, all bets are off," she said, establishing a clear line in the sand.

"I won't go along with you no matter what though. If I think you're wrong, you'll know it. As far as seeing into James head, no. Not going there. I will review his plans and adjust where I feel it is needed. I don't care what he did or has done for this community. If I am to take over as head of agriculture I will do things my way. I won't be a legacy of Leesburg for him. So that department will change, a lot. I am not as friendly as he is, I will run it in a military fashion. And I would start by testing each person already working agriculture to see just how much they actually know and how much they have just been following a day to day routine. That can start tomorrow," she said as she stood there with hands laced behind her back.

It was obvious she didn't think as highly about the work James had done as perhaps others had and she was going to be making some major changes if Ash actually put her in charge. As far as Thana was concerned, she wasn't there to be liked or be James legacy, if she took control she would make it her own and do it her way. Anyone that didn't like it could shove off. Security and safety was an illusion, food was not.

"Seems that way, lead the way Captain," she said motioning towards the door as she picked the key back up and slipped it into her pocket. James would be leaving shortly and she had a feeling he would want to tell the man goodbye.

A lot of people did, including Miss Sally. Opening the door to the bathroom she stepped out dressed and ready for the day. As much as a woman of her years could. Least now she wasn't wearing fuzzy bunny slippers. "Bloody hell it's going to be a long day," she muttered under her breath as she adjusted the collar on her coat and looked over towards Ravi.

"Just about ready to go," she said before picking up the hobnobs and stashing them away. Taking a sip of her tea, she savored it for a moment before clearing her throat. "Well, take an old woman's arm would you? It's about time we starting giving this place some culture," she said with a wink. Waiting on Ravi to take her arm before heading out of her apartment and locking the place up.

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Tatiana couldn't help but smile as Jack wheeled her out of the Infirmary. Giving a quick wave to Niesha and Froggy before the doors swung shut behind them. Froggy glanced over to Niesha and nodded. "If only we all could be that happy, world be much better place," he said as he sat down at his desk and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yes, you and me both. We should work. Take our minds off things. Hey, James leaving soon. Why don't you get together a small kit for him. We can spare some for him to start over. I will go get a spare first aide book, help him out there," Froggy said as he stood up. They had a decent medical library now with all the teaching that Froggy was doing over the nearly last year. (Pm for rolls on what is available to be spared for kit)

Tatiana took a long breath as they got outside and looked around, some were mulling about. Others looked to already be headed towards the gate to say goodbye. It made Tatiana sad that James was leaving but she couldn't do anything about that right then. Granted, once she spoke with him if she felt he was a danger to himself or to the town she would have no problem telling Ash that it would be safer to keep James within the walls, even if it was locked up for now. Yet the thought of imprisoning James didn't sit any better with her. Reaching back she rested her hand over Jacks as he pushed her and gave it a slight squeeze.

This was not easy on anyone. Beni was taking it as well as could be expected. He was closer to Sana than some but when he thought about Lyon he cringed. "No, thank you. I should probably be the one to break the news to Lyon. Sana was like a daughter to him, I am not sure what he will do. For all I know James just saved Lyon's life by being the one to kill Richard..." Beni said honestly.

"You two, go on. Let others know, I'll take care of Lyon. Peaches, Peaches, oh fuck it," he said turning back and going back into his home, leaving the door open for the little dog who was happy as a clam rolling around in the melting snow.

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Ryan smirked as he heard the radio call back from Ash. Jim sighing slightly. "Right boss, on our way to the armory now. Grabbing Ryan's shit and will be at the gate post haste with James truck," Jim radioed back before driving off.

Hopping out of the cab as they pulled up, Ryan strolled inside the armory with Jim in tow. "Alright... There you are," he said grabbing the machete he had come into Newnan with.

"That's it?" Jim asked confused.

"Well yeah. I escaped from Eden before I came here. You really think those asswipes sent me away with a full pack?" he said with a chuckle. Jim hadn't thought about it but now looking back he remembered Ryan hadn't come in with much at all.

"Here, take this. Compliments of Dick," he said picking up short barreled shotgun and handing it over to Ryan along with a box of shells.

"Seriously?" Ryan asked skeptically as he took the gun.

"Yeah, you are a shit shot with anything but a shotgun and he won't be needing it anymore. It would just go into general armory supplies after today and well.. Damn it, if you are going to have James back, you are gonna need more than a fucking knife," Jim said as he picked up a box of shells and shoved them to Ryan. Ryan seemed about as surprised that Jim was willing to part with one weapon as much as Jim was that Ryan was leaving.

"Yeah, well um, thanks mate," he said as he shoved the shells into his pack and headed back out to the truck. It was something.

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Jack returned Tatiana's squeeze, brushing a bit of hair out of Tatiana's face with his other hand, before returning it to a near death grip on the handles of the wheelchair. He didn't want to lose his wife and see her wheelchair roll comically away from him, like in some sort of cartoon that came on Saturday mornings. But he also didn't want to lose Tatiana period. James was about to be lost, as soon as he left the gates of Newnan. He might last a week, two months, or eighteen years and they wouldn't know the difference. He would be gone.

Jack saw the others heading towards the gate to say farewell and he grimaced. There wasn't an outpouring of people mourning Dick, but there were plenty here to say goodbye to the man who murdered him. James' exile made sense for the experiment of Newnan, for the survival of the settlement, but Jack couldn't help but wish it wasn't needed. He wished it could've been solved by James shoveling pig shit for a year. There were so many people whose lives had been made a little better by the redneck. So many people who could do no more than tell him goodbye before he left the walls.

"You holdin' up okay, solovey?" Jack asked, continuing to push his wife's wheelchair and take her to the wall, in order to meet with James.

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Beatrice finished consolidating her belongings and supplies into the olive green bag she had entered Newnan with, wondering for a moment whether or not they'd let her keep the knife. It'd be strange as well not to have a bow with her, after learning how to use one over the past nine months or so. But at the same time, it'd also feel great to have her gun back in her hand. She hadn't been lucky enough to be made a lead, meaning that it had been ages since she carried a gun freely.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Beatrice left her apartment, leaving it unlocked. It'd be easier for domestic to go through it later, Beatrice figured. The armory was relatively close by, just requiring a walk out of the Franklin addition and then on over. It always amused Beatrice slightly that she had been stuck in the Franklin area, despite never being affiliated with Franklin at all. She had come in by herself, allowed into Newnan by James.

By the time she made it to the armory, she spotted Jim and Ryan in the truck. She would've preferred going to Guy for this, but with Jim right there she didn't see a reason to ask someone else. "Hey!" Beatrice shouted, in order to get Jim's attention. "I'm leaving Newnan. Can I get my things and the royal escort out?" She hoped that he had heard her. She really didn't feel like tracking down someone else to get her things with.

Though it was interesting to see Ryan with him in the truck. Maybe she wasn't the only one making a stupid decision that day. It seemed to be the overall theme, so far--with Sana killing herself, James killing Richard, and now people leaving the safety of Newnan.

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Chloe shook her head. "Nah. I'll fight my own battles when I'm ready," Chloe replied. She knew that Riley meant well, but she hardly saw how it would help to have her sister go and tell Froggy that Chloe was ready for more responsibility. If she was going to argue with Froggy, she didn't want to do it via a proxy. She'd have that confrontation eventually...but not anytime soon. She'd be much more willing to start therapy sessions with Tatiana and that idea still scared the hell out of her.

"Yeah, shame I wasn't bi," Chloe chuckled. "Could you imagine Mom and Dad's face if I brought Ryan O'Reily home for Thanksgiving dinner?" Though it was starting to get a little odd, Irish's absence from the mess hall. She figured she'd question him about it later, once this entire mess had blown over. Tensions and emotions were too high.

Chloe paused for a moment at Amelia's resignation. There was something that she could give to James. Prison mates did it on occasion, giving a lock of their hair to another inmate. It was more sentimental than a PopTart from commissary, but most preferred the PopTart anyways. But of course, she figured that suggesting it to Amelia might be a little bit weird. It was more something lovers had done for each other than anyone else. "I think he'll be happy to know that you came," Chloe said finally, trying her best to give the ginger a bit of comfort.

But it was true: they did need to get a bit of a move on. Chloe got up from the table and left the mess hall, assuming that Riley and Amelia were coming along with her. When she left the building, she noticed that others seemed to be headed to the gate as well to say goodbye to James. Some were milling around as well. She bit her lip slightly. How long would James last outside of these walls? But he had murdered her friend. And Chloe knew as well as anyone else--the law was rarely merciful and hardly ever kind. Even now.

"Do you think anyone's going with him?" Chloe asked Riley and Amelia.

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Ravi took a final swallow of his tea as Miss Sally emerged from the bathroom, looking like a gran dressed and ready for the day. He smiled a bit as he set his own cup down, missing the words muttered under her breath. The entire situation was bleak and it was clear that Ravi's own grin had been forced. His best friend and hetero life mate was planning to head off into certain doom, with hardly any backup. It would've been a great action film and that only served to worry Ravi more. All of them had been lucky to be alive this long, to make it four years in this hellish world, but that didn't mean their luck would last forever.

"Perhaps the Crown should take this land back," Ravi chuckled, taking Miss Sally's arm. Georgia once was a British colony, after all. He remembered teasing Major one on occasion that had the colonies never rebelled, perhaps this entire situation never would have happened. The British would've stopped it in time, after all. Stiff upper lip and everything. But that was all just jokes--nothing could've averted this plague.

Once they were outside of Miss Sally's abode and the woman had locked up, Ravi looked at her uneasily. He wanted to believe that her warnings would stop Gavin, but he figured they would only encourage him even more. Had he not been the sort to speak his mind bluntly, he perhaps wouldn't have said what he did next. "Miss Sally...Is there any chance that Newnan could send others with Gavin to fight Peachtree City? They've done such horrible acts, crimes against humanity...They need to be stopped." Ravi paused. "Gavin won't let me come with him to help, the stupid bastard. But...maybe he'd allow people from Newnan to come with him."

There were many things that Niesha wished were better in the world. Mostly… Mostly she wished that they wouldn’t have to fear death every day. After so long, it seemed like Newman would stand forever, but they had suffered loses, and it seemed like they always would. She wouldn’t even wish for the dead to be dead- the cure…. It might never exist. It might be as elusive as the cure for Cancer. She looked up at the chance to do something, and nodded. While she had wanted to get away from thinking about what had happened, it was a task she’d take, knowing that every little bit would help out there.

”Alright” She said softly, going to the stores to check what they could spare. She decided to start off simple, and move on wards from there. Band-aids. She spent a few moments going over them, a slight smile forming without her noticing. The band-aids they had seemed mostly designed for kids, but she knew a little bit of colour might just be better than the usual dull brown. She grabbed a couple of each- Mickey Mouse, Sponge Bob, Thor, Wonder Woman, The Ninja Turtles, and then just for the heck of it, a couple of the camo ones. She packed them away neatly, before looking over what else they had. There were things that were in low supply that she knew they couldn’t give to James, not when there were people here that would use them.

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, after all.

Which was utter crap to Niesha, but she sighed and moved passed them. Hospital grade tape. There was enough there that she grabbed a couple of rolls, adding gauze to the mix as well. She hesitated, and then grabbed some super glue. Anything, she thought, that could be used on large cuts, on deep cuts, to stop bleeding. She added some rubbing alcohol and moleskin to the mix as well, and she seemed to spend a moment or two on a rather… unique issue. Pads and Tampons. James wasn’t female, but… There was no denying that they were rather equipped to deal with blood, to absorb it. In this day and age, you used anything you could get your hands on.

Still, would it be appreciated? Anything could be used as a bandage… Anything could be used to slow down bleeding…

She decided to throw in a pack of pads, making a note in her mind to write down the reason why, when she was finished.

She moved onto medications, her hand hovered over the aspirin, hesitating, before she grabbed a bottle. Covering pain wasn’t generally a good thing, but she knew any advantage out there could be the difference between life and death. And James was sensible enough to make sure he didn’t neglect pain, an injury. Cortisone, Symbicort.... Both could be used for breathing problems... She grabbed one of each, at this point realising she was just going to give James anything she could. She remembered what it was to be out there, and she knew that if she’d been out there every a few weeks longer, she wouldn’t have survived. There was only so long you could keep on going.

So she’d give James every advantage that she could, and hope he’d survive. She threw in some multivitamins as well, figuring that if he couldn’t get anything to eat, they’d help his nutrition at the very least until he could get food. Even if Niesha personally thought multivitamins made for very expensive urine, when you had no food… it was very beneficial. Finally she turned to the herbs they could spare. There weren’t many, and she gathered what she could- chive, sunflower, ginger, witch hazel. From a drawer, she retrieved the notes she was making on herbs and their medicinal uses, ripping off some blank paper, she hurriedly wrote a note ”Pads in case of a wound, and you have nothing else” before hurriedly writing what the herbs could be used for, and how to make them useful.

Taking the supplies back out, she knew a few moments of gathering first aid supplies could help, but she still felt a little useless.

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Tiffany couldn't blame Beni. It would be best if Lyon heard it from a close friend anyway. She couldn't imagine the pain that would be dealt with and she was thankful she didn't have to deal with that. It was hard enough dealing with herself. As Beni closed the door, Tiffany stepped away and waited for Ray.

"Hope Lyon is ok after hearing that. I know they were all close. Anyway, where should we head now? Is James leaving soon? I'd like to see him off if possible." Even if she wasn't super close to James, he was still a member of the community and deserved a proper send off surrounded by people that cared. Or, at the very least, surrounded by members of the same community he called home. There would be some comfort in that, especially if he was going at it alone.

"I'm sure Ash will give him his weapons back, maybe some rations and supplies, but do you think anything else? They were really close? I can't imagine what he's dealing with now."

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Gavin gave James a broad grin. It seemed James was about to shoot him down before he ever got a chance to speak but then things changed and James looked to be interested in at least hearing what Gavin had to say. Sighing Gavin glanced over and spotted some woman starting to head their way. Buttoning his lip he motioned to her and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Nunya," he said before glancing back over to James. He stepped over to James, leaning in and whispering against his ear one or two words, making sure this eavesdropper couldn't hear shit. He gave the man a wink and then continued, "Talks to ya once we can talks without ears." Turning he tipped his hat to her, "Ma'am," he added before strolling off with his escort towards the gate. He wasn't about to say anything in front of her. He had wanted to speak with James, not a woman who decided to walk right on up and stick her nose into business that was none of her concern. Had he wanted to speak to her, he would have walked up to her. It was a simple as that.

"Gavin, you just hold on a sec..." called James, responding to Kristina's hug with a big squeeze of his own. "C'mon now, girl. Bossman done said that if'n you wanna talk with me, we gotta meet up at the Gate in about, oh, twenty minutes, alright? I ain't gettin' anyone else in trouble today, little lady. You go on now. I'll be along after."

James waved Gavin to him, walking back into the Agriculture storage building. It could afford them the privacy necessary to speak about the single phrase the tall Texan whispered into his ear; words that most definitely captured his attention. Gavin's head cocked around and nodded towards James before brushing passed Kristina and stepping into the building after James; swinging the door shut behind him. The escorts looked at each other and then shrugged, there wasn't a backdoor out of the building and it was sealed up tight due to it being winter so seemed they figured it was okay.

Well, not one to pass up on the opportunity Gavin set it out quickly and quietly; keeping his voice down. "Wells, you see. I done had a run in with a rights ornery bunch of folks and well I gonna be settin' out to rids the worlds of their asses right quick likes. Seeing as I done seen what you done and hearing the whys I be thinking you my kind of man and coulds helps a lot with this bunch. Plus, I be needing directions. So, tell ya what. You hitch me a ride and if you feelin' frisky you can haves in on the fun. That is, if ya be knowing where this place called Peachtree City be's at," Gavin said as he stood there and gave the brim of his cowboy hat a run over with his finger.

Caution was the first emotion, if it could be called such, that showed on James's features. The mention of Peachtree City was enough to do that, this day and age. He looked the man over, trying to figure out his motivation for wanting to take on the entire settlement by himself (and if he were even being honest about it in the first place). The part about this that irked him, however, was the fact that Gavin started this conversation with a smile. "You talkin' 'bout Eden." he said gravely. "Yeah, I know where Peachtree's at. I don't know 'xactly where Eden's at inside of there, though. Got a good idea." Two men taking on a group like that seemed suicidal. They were equipped, organized, and ruthless. "That there's a hornet's nest, Texas. Hittin' it with a stick might be bad for these folks. We do this, I gotta know it's gonna be full done 'fore I even start. You got a plan?"

Gavin was glad James knew of Peachtree City and the people but the fact he knew about them and they were still alive made him question just what the hell people in this town were thinking knowing people like that were out there. The expression on Gavin's face darkened as he nodded. "Yeah, trust me I knows they ain't playin' no games other than the sick and twisted ones. I really thinks Satan himself woulds be placing their asses next to Hitlers once I'm done with them," he said as he rubbed his chin. He remembered what the girl had been through and his brow furrowed, his eyes growing darker. "And now I knows that Strawberry be kickin', I be damned letting fuckers like them live any longer than they needs to be for me to gets to them. I ain't leavin' any of them still kickin, they ain't evers gonna hurt no ones again. Enough already been killed cause of them. Some problems gots to be dealt withs, no matters the cost, b'for anyone else gets hurts."

James was still in shock, at least little. The events of the previous evening were still kicking up a considerable amount of emotion in the man, and likely would for quite some time. There was a heavy amount of guilt and grief, slathered over a sense of aching calm. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but it was definitely the kind of reaction to something utterly wrong that he had both witnessed and committed that brought about change in a man. Whether that change was temporary or for keeps was still anybody's guess, but James wasn't fully himself in that moment. The one underlying factor that burned within him was a desire to keep the people of Newnan safe. Even if he wasn't part of Newnan anymore. "You damn skippy, Tex. I'm with ya, but you tellin' me you ain't got a plan. No intel, neither. We ain't gonna just walk up there and start us a'shootin', hope for the best. That's how we die, an' get folks here killed, too. No, sir. I started this mornin' expectin' to die, honest and straight. Damn near hoped Ash'd put a bullet in my brainpan. This... this here's purpose, Mr. Gavin, sir. I ain't gonna waste it, neither should you." James was nodding to himself, ideas forming in his curiously creative, redneck thought processes. A sort of determination seized him, energizing his movements and brightening his eyes. "We doin' this right, Tex. Yessir, we doin' this right. Form a fallback. Get a plan. Maybe talk to that Ryan fella, 'fore we're gone. He escaped from there, might know somethin' we can use."

Gavin nodded a bit and flicked the brim of his hat with his finger, sending it tilting back slightly on his head. "Ain't sayin' I ain't gots a plan but don't want to be talkin abouts a plan in fronts..." he said before trailing off and the door for a minute before looking back at the backwoods hogger. "Don'ts wants peoples follow us and tryin' to help. I ain't gots no problems dyin' and after what I done seen and heard, figured yous on the same path as me," he said rather matter of factly as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Less peoples knows the betters. Thana catch winds of any of this, her hot tail be runnin' afters as back up fasters than yous can says Bobs yer uncle. You thinks this Ryan character can keeps his trap shut, fine. Buts mights nots be ables to b'fore yous gotta leave if people's keeps walking right on ups like that girl did. Likes to know the inside of the place but no matters what plans we make, plans fall aparts. I'm goin's in, killin's tills I be dead. Aint' standing here waiting fer an attack, lettin' them plans shit. Don'ts even wants to know how many have died and been hurt because peoples just standing around talking, planning, or letting the fuckers lay in wait."

That last part struck home with James. He knew about Eden, weathered their harassment via ammunition. They had lost people to those savage bastards, but no matter how hard they tried, Eden never could take Newnan nor break the spirit of its people. Curiously, they had never been attacked by these people while out on a run. Maybe there was a reason for that, but then again, very few things in this world made sense anymore. They were the reason Zoie was dead, as well as a handful of others. Provided this new acquaintance really did have a prepared course of action, even conceptually, James was in. It would have to be altered to account for his presence anyway. "Aight then, we talk after. I done told you I'm in, Texas. Meant it. I'm all about some crazy today."

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The precision change from personal to Military gave Ash some pause. It was actually rather endearing, in its own way; a feeling of something comfortably familiar, structured even. Her more formal attitude was contagious - Ash felt himself slowly taking on a more military posture as she spoke. "I agree to your terms so far. I do not micromanage my team, Thana. If a department under my command gets results and doesn't lead to mutiny, then most of the time I just wait for the weekly report. You think you can do better, great. I look forward to a more prosperous growing season. You may absolutely start tomorrow, and you may absolutely make it your job. I will announce it formally with the evening meal."

Ash's mind drifted to the first part of Thana's terms, referring to their professional demeanor outside of the house and while at work. He agreed silently, nodding quietly to himself. But in all fairness, the part he probably liked best was the "all bets are off" portion of the talk. He smiled just a little, remembering the previous evening in the woman's company.

Thana's motion toward the door snapped him back into the present. It was getting nearer to James's deadline. He was the man who passed sentence, so he should be there to see it carried out. Plus, he was genuinely going to miss the man. He didn't wish James any harm, and in fact quite the opposite. He just didn't know any other way to help him without it screaming any more favoritism than his actions already did. Just about anyone else and Ash would have put that bullet squarely into their skull. Exiled persons might have a way of turning back up with more people, more guns, and a ton of inside intel. But James... He did what he did to protect his people, misguided and emotional as it was.

Gathering up the axe and pistol he confiscated from his friend earlier, Ash strode to and opened his front door. He sighed heavily, knowing what came next. "Ma'am? Let's get down to that Gate."

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Thalia wasn't certain why she agreed to team up with the woman that she did, but she was grateful for her company. Well, most of the time. And the TANK certainly didn't hurt matters any. It was a highly unexpected piece of security, being able to travel inside of rolling armor, and while a little cramped in there for her liking she could not deny the benefit of sleeping in or on top of the machine. As long as they could find flammable liquid, they had a motorized fortress.

Of course, this meant that the concept of stealth waved bye-bye a long time ago, and that wasn't really the tank's fault, at least not completely. The woman driving the gigantic hunk of steel had a lot to do with it, as made evident with her A.M. concert. Sometimes, Thalia could swear that Lola made more noise than the tank. For her faults though, Lola was a loyal friend, and generous with her hospitality. Thalia only hoped that her skills with electronics and as a survivor were of equal value for trade.

As the call for breakfast cut over the inexpertly sung notes of Cole Porter, Thalia rose from her position off to the side of the tank. She had been hunkered down near a small clump of once-manicured trees in a smallish, neighborhood park, gathering pine needles still insulated from the snow into a tinder nest. She had already taken advantage of the snowfall, locating clean, untouched drifts to harvest, filling every container capable of holding water. It was a precious commodity again, clean water. She was done enough, anyway. Something to eat sounded divine right then. She raised her head and responded, "Togethah, huh?" in a mild Boston accent. "Sold. Gimmie a sec..."

Thalia bent down to retrieve a long shaft of fire-polished hardwood terminating in a foot-long, ebon spike. It was a crude spear, but finely crafted and somewhat more intimidating than a common stick had the right to be. She unzipped her leather jacket and started for Lola's position when she witnessed the woman ignite a match and light the grill atop her tank with it. She was partly mesmerized and partly irritated; Thalia had really wanted to do that. Okay, next time. "And what's with this "Jet" bullshit again? Thalia or Angel. Frigging pick one. I even like Angel, okay?" Her irritation did not slow her down, though. Mac & Cheese plus Chili? Together? Totally worth it.

Her mood shifted to survival when Lola gave her advance warning of an approach (while calling her Jet again, she noted). Thalia grasped her spear low on the haft and spun around to take cover behind the tread of the tank, pulling her Glock 9mm in the process. She gave a quick glance around to survey the surroundings, making sure it was just the one target. "Zed, or is this one breathing?" she asked plainly, knowing that her friend had the superior vantage.

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The old man kept up his pace through the still mentionable layer of snow as he moved ever towards his destination, not that he knew what it was or when he would reach it. And for good measure, only he was allowed to call him 'old'. If you did, well, you might not like the old man standing in front of you with an axe. But alas, Alexander was alone right there, and nobody was in any position to call him by names.

Alexander turned a corner, avoiding what he had suspected was a building about to collapse, when he was met by a street filled with snow. Lots of it, as if the road workers hadn't been doing their job for years. Alexander certainly wasn't going to pick a shovel and start shovelling away the snow. But the snow meant that whatever Walker was in the street, probably was still frozen beneath the masses of snow. Hopefully. And since Alexander was in no mood to turn around, he kept on walking, albit at a slow and careful pace.

As far as Alexander knew, the street he had entered was only inhabited by the massive flanks of snow surrounding him. But he still looked over his shoulder once in a while and scanned the windows of the surrounding buildings every so often, just to be sure. He knew from past experiences that this would have been a perfect ambush-sight, especially for greens. And while he was looking as diligently as he could from his position down at the street, he was only hoping that it didn't come back to bite him in the ass later. Alexander caught sight of what he thought was an old café beside him, though he suspected it was as empty the Devil's promise, and sighed. "Damnit, I could really use some coffee right now..."

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"Well the offer always stands, I could try and convince him." Riley offered to her sister, she knew that her sister could handle her own battles, but she always did have her sisters back now more then ever. As they left the mess hall Riley walked down along the sidewalk and ran a hand through her hair, she smirked and laughed softly at the mentioning of bringing Ryan back to their parents house. "They would probably end up kicking the three of us out of the house." Riley smiled slightly letting out a slight sigh as she thought about their own family, and wondered if they were either alive, dead or walking around as walkers somewhere. "Ever wonder what has happened to them?" Riley asked her sister.

Then Riley turned her attention towards Amelia and drapped her arm over Amelia's shoulder leaning down to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Being there for him to see him out is probably the best thing you could do for him." Riley said softly, as they walked towards the inner wall gate, then going back over towards Chloe. It was a pretty good question there were a number of people that James was really close with as far as she knew. "I'm not sure, maybe Kris the two of them are pretty close maybe a few people from agriculture as well?" Riley said, though she wasn't sure who would truly be leaving Newnan behind with James. She looked up at the sky for a moment sighing slightly still it felt like it was some sort of crazy dream to her that is.

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"If you ever want to talk you know where i'll be." Raymond said, it was probably the worse news to spread out but it had to be done as Raymond knocked on the doors for the rest of the men's housing for Franklin. Letting them all know what had happened the night before with Sana, they were taking it pretty hard since they all knew Sana very well. As Raymond walked out onto the streets once more offering his arm towards Tiffany for support, she was pretty much the only person Raymond would let her do when they were walking along side one another. "Women's housing then I guess that's the only other place we have to do for the Franklin section."

Raymond looked down seeing Peaches rolling around in the melting snow, smiling slightly sometimes he wished he was a dog they at least didn't have to worry about the daily horrors of the world that they now lived in. They pretty much just worried about getting fed and then going out to take a piss or a dump. "I'm sure that they will be giving everything that James would ever need to be out there, they wouldn't let him leave with just the clothes on his back."

Ray then approached women's housing where most of the women from Franklin stayed including Riley, Beatrice and Amelia's apartments, he entered the building and knocked on everyone's door's spreading the word to who was there and awake. Once they were done Raymond turned his attention towards Tiffany and gave her a quick kiss. "Shall we head down to the main gate to say goodbye?" Raymond said.

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Kristina smiled ever so slightly when James returned the hug, she was hoping to at least get a little one on one time before he left Newnan which could possibly be the last time that she would ever be able to see him again. "Alright then.." Kristina said softly as she watched James and Gavin walk off towards the storage shed, she needed to get supplies in there to feed the livestock. But they had closed the door, sighing slightly to herself as Kristina turned around and made her way towards the stables.

She walked over towards one of the horses that were stored there and gently ran her hand over the horses' nose as she leaned back slightly, there were a few minutes left to kill before she did say goodbye to one of her closest friends. Kris thought again about leaving with in, but she also had other people she cared for a lot and didn't want to leave them either. Kristina continued to just gently pet the horses which sort of relaxed her.

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Once Meg had finished drinking some water she quickly went back to the work, the bodies of Sana and Bryn were now outside there was still a lot of blood left to clean up. Meghna turned around and made her way back up towards the bedroom of Sana's where she died, seeing the blood on the floor and carpet she started to go back to her duties and went to clean up the blood. She knew that it would be really close to time for James to leave, she was really good friends with him and was tempted to see her friend leave.

But she wasn't sure if she would get into trouble herself if she left for a little bit and went with the others to say goodbye to him, she was already in trouble by Ashton. Meg quickly went back to scrubbing away the blood as best as she could, once she was satisfied with Sana's room Meg entered Bryn's room and started her final cleanup for her bedroom as well hopefully it did look spotless. She would however most likely end up going back and cleaning it over once more before she did actually leave the building.

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Amelia smiled at Chloe's remark that her presence alone was indeed enough. She was glad that she was not the only one who thought so. Maybe if there was more time she'd think of something or maybe make something, but as things stood at this moment, that was not the case.

She then quietly listend to Chloe and Riley talk about their family and the possiblity of Chloe bringing Ryan to a family gathering. Well... that would be awkward, but then the topic of what could have happened to their parents made Amelia remember her own. She herself never found out what happened to them. They had left in the morning before the walker appearance and by then never returned. She was glad she never found out their fate though. It allowed her to hope they are alive out there somewhere. She was then pulled away from her thoughts though by a kiss on the cheek, causing her to blush up heavily. She still couldn't get over her shyness completely. Because of that Amelia simply looked downwards with weird happy smile.

“I... don't know.” Amelia replied about the question if others will go with James. She did believe it was possible. James after all was liked by many so it wouldn't be strange if they left. That said the more people left, the more dangerous the situation in the settlement would be. It was sad that it was all because James killed... Him leaving now was probably not a good tiding for the future.” I fear that if many people start leaving now... it won't be long before even more people leave.” She mumbled.” If we lose numbers Eden might try something again.”

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"No Zed, but might keel over from the looks of it," Lola said quickly as she sat there, rocking back and forth in her chair. She spun it around a few times, god she loved the worn out lazy boy. It was loads of fun and like a big plush turret seat when she had her gun. Just spin it around and let the bullet fly. Truly Aces. Yet from the look of things she didn't really need to shoot right then. It wasn't a Deadie, just an old man trudging through the snow alone and muttering something about coffee.

Lola, being the ever happy representative of her Kiwi Nation jumped up from her chair and slung her gun over her shoulder before waving her hands in the air with a bright smile on her face. "Hey Mate! You looking right knackered there! Comes on and warms up!" she shouted towards Alexander. The woman really didn't care what attention she brought to herself. She knew it wasn't the brightest thing just calling some guy out in the middle of a post apocalyptic hell but hey, she didn't care. He was someone new to talk to! And if he started anything they could play Thunderdome! Two men enter, one woman leaves.

"This way mate, around here," she added pointing to the side of the snow drift towards a path that was cleared out. It came around the corner and up to the tank itself. Thankfully she had enough common sense to point him towards a drift that was near the tank tread that Angel was hiding behind and she hadn't pointed out her companion. She knew Thalia would pop a gasket if she did and she had already been pushing the woman's buttons all morning by calling her Jet. (Granted, she had no intention of stopping that.)

Giving a rather flowery salute she laughed to herself. "Sergeant Lola Holler, New Zealand Army and this be my baby - Tank!" she said patting the large metal monstrosity that looked more like a reject from Better Tanks and Gardens now than an actual working machine.

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Gavin smiled broadly but the darkness was still in his eyes, James was in. It was a start. "Great man, well's I be letting ya go to finish up yer shit and I be at the gate whens yers ready. Crazy works fer me!" he said as he held his hand out to shake the mans hand. Once that was done he hoisted back up his pack and walked to the door, opening it up and stepping back out into the daylight. Spotting Kris with one of the horses he tipped his hat to her as he passed. "Ma'am." He was about as giddy as a school girl right then. things were falling into place. He found someone that knew where Peachtree City was and knew something about them. More than that, someone who seemed about as crazy as he was and had a want to get rid of them. It was time to play exterminator.

"What was all that about?" his escort asked as they headed towards the front gate.

"Oh just making an introduction is all. Gonna be traveling with Mr. James there," he said nonchalantly as he kicked his way through the melting snow. His escort looked a little confused but shrugged it off. At least James wasn't going alone, so that was something. Why they needed privacy for that was beyond him but he wasn't about to ask. The man seemed a bit off kilter but he doubted it wasn't anything James couldn't handle.

Miss Sally looked over towards Ravi as they passed the inner gate and kept heading south. She shook her head some. "I know your concern chap but I couldn't ask that of these people. They have lost a lot and now they are losing one of their most dear today with James being exiled. Our numbers keep falling, right now we have some peace. If we asked that of Ash right now he probably would but he wouldn't be in the right mind for it and if we lot him, Newnan could fall. Maybe come summer when the weather is better and we are more secure but right now I couldn't bring that to his attention, or anyone elses. We are just now training people to fight. We can't send them off to what is most likely a death."

The old woman didn't like the idea of one man going up against Eden but at least he wasn't known as an association of Newnan, so chances of it backfiring and them coming after Newnan again were low. "Some men are going to do what they are going to do no matter what anyone says. If he wants help from Newnan, I am sure your man Gavin would speak up. He doesn't seem like one to zip his lip on something," she added as they kept walking. Looking down the street she spotted Gavin heading towards the outer gate ahead of them. "Sometimes the best we can do is give our moral support and be there if our loved ones return. Sometimes knowing they have something to come back to if the one thing that keeps them alive out there."

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Thana nodded as she looked over towards Ash, she had a feeling this wasn't easy on him and she couldn't even imagine what he was going through right then. Once they had stepped out of the house they were officially back on the clock and she couldn't provide him anymore support than just nods, yes sirs, and being close. Yet they hadn't left the house yet. Reaching over she placed her hand over his as it held the knob and pushed the door closed once again. Her eyes coming up to his as she let out a sympathetic sigh. "I'll be by your side, no matter what happens," she said softly as she leaned in and brushed her lips against his. Giving him a soft lingering kiss before pulling away. One last bit of affection before she had to the sailor once again.

Swallowing lightly she adjusted her cap and pulled the door open again. Stepping outside she took a look around before making her way down the steps and heading south towards the Inner Gate. She kept her pace steady and her eyes forward as they walked. Others were heading that way. The inner gate was open with guards posted at the top. It seemed that they were tired of opening and closing it as more and more people headed to the outer gate to say goodbye. The radio crackled slightly. "Boss, will be a few more. Beatrice is leaving with James as well, grabbing her stuff from the armory and then will be there," Jim piped in before the radio went silent once again.

Thana cocked a brow slightly. "See, he will not be alone. Two are going with him. Might be fewer here but it gives him a better chance out there," Thana said in a matter-of-fact voice as she continued to walk. Seeing the woman she had been introduced to the night before as Miss Sally walking with what she thought was Gavins traveling companion. Yet she didn't see Gavin. Had the cowboy already left? If he had it was probably a good thing, last thing she needed was him trying to get loving with her in front of Ash right then before he left. His little profession had already caused a little stir up as it was. Though, it might have been for the best. At least now her and Ash had admitted their feelings for each other and had a clear line drawn that they were together now. Hadn't Gavin come along, who knows how long that would have drug out.

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Tatiana looked up at Jack and nodded slightly. "Dah, I okay my husband, just glad you here vith me," she said softly as they continued towards the outer gate. Seemed more than a few were heading down to the gate to say their goodbyes. She would wait to say goodbye until after everyone else had and she had finished speaking to James. Ash had told her to sit outside of the gate once he left and talk to him there. It seemed like a good plan. Safe enough to be close and if something happened she would be close enough to the gate to get back inside to safety.

Froggy looked up from his work as Niesha came back in and gave her a solemn smile as he rose from his place. "Looks like you have everything in order. Let us go down now and say our goodbyes," he said as he stepped over to the door of the infirmary and pushed it open, holding it there for her to step through. "After he has left we can get to work and stay busy for a bit. You know, with you learning how to deliver a baby will be a good thing," he started as he waited for Niesha and then started to head out of the main building towards the gates.

"If everything with the delivery goes smoothly it won't be an problem but I am thinking. Maybe we should take it a step further. Maybe it time for you to learn surgery. A C-Section might be needed. We should talk to Ash about starting body donation in the town. Like organ donation but you know, a way for you to practice, learning the human body hands on instead of just from a book. I know when I die, if my body could be used to teach the next generation of doctors how to save lives I would want people to use it," he said. It was obvious he was trying to keep the conversation off anything that pointed to James leaving or Dicks murder. Sure, it was still about death but it was on a medical level.

"You have talent Niesha, you should learn."

Tatiana looked up at the main outer gate as Jack pushed her up to it and patted him on the hand to signal to stop. "Ve can vait here," she said as she laced her fingers with his and pulled him around. Pulling more she rested his hand over her belly and smiled to him. "You vill be best daddy ever," she added as she smiled at him. She was sad about James leaving, about the fact Sana was gone, as well as Bryn. She wanted to make sure nothing like this happened again but she couldn't help but be happy over the fact that she was going to be a mother and she was married to Jack now. No matter how bad things got, she had that and she was going to cling to it no matter what.

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Ryan cocked a brow as he watched Jim make the radio through to Ash about Beatrice. Leaning out the truck window he eyed her for a minute. "Well ain't this a turn of events? You and me travelings together. Least I'll have one friend out there," he said with an Irish smile.

Jim nodded as he climbed back out of the truck and made his way over to the armory. "Sure thing Bea, let's get your stuff," he said. This one didn't surprise him. He knew Beatrice and James were friends. Beatrice hadn't seemed to have many in Newnan, James and Ryan being two of the few. Looking around the armory he found the bin with Beatrice's name on it and pulled out her 9mm and handed it over to her. Walking over to another shelf he pulled some ammo for it down and added it to her stock.

"There we go, go ahead and drop your gear in the back of the truck and climb in," he said before waiting for Beatrice to head over to the truck. Ryan jumped out and held the passenger side of the truck open for her.

"Let's get a move on, less than 15 until James has to be outside of the gate. If people are going to say goodbye it is going to have to be fast," Ryan quipped as he waited for Bea to climb in Jim nodding as he made his way into the drier side and started up the truck. He wished people had more time to say goodbye but perhaps quick was best. If it drug out it could be hours until he was gone and he knew it would have only made things worse. The clock was ticking, t-minus fifteen minutes until James had to be out of Newnan.

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What was the normal and most sensible thing to do when hearing a loud sound in the apocalypse? Depending on what it was, various courses of action were justifiable, though Alexander took one which certainly was a cold one. Before realizing what the sound was, he had thrown himself sides, landing on his stomach down behind a pile of snow. His previous thoughts of an ambush echoed from his war-experiences, and thus taking cover from the sure to be gunfire was his first priority. The second would be to identify the sourch of gunfire and fire back. Good for him, or bad, depending on whether you thought he was smart or just making a fool of himself, it wasn't bullets that hit him.

They were words, coming from somewhere down the street. Alexander's eyes caught the sight of someone, a woman, popping up from behind a large snow drift, calling out to him. "What the...." He whispered to himself, slowly realizing what was actually going on. She called out to him, telling him to come forward and warm up. Slowly Alexander got back up on his feet, having slung the fireaxe on his shoulder and walking slowly forward. She might not have been shooting at him now, but any sudden moves might give off the wrong impression.

"That's awfully nice of you, Miss. I feared you were going to shoot me." Alexander replied to the woman, her accent one he hadn't heard for many years. He kept walking forward slowly, listening to what the New Zeelander told him, still not entirely sure how to take it all. It might well have been a finely set-up trap, or she was just as lonely as Alexander was. He hoped for the latter. "Nice to meet you, Sergeant Holler, and thanks for not shooting me. I was afraid I wasn't going to see anyone el..." Alexander continued to say as he made his way through the path beside the snow drift, when all of sudden he stopped dead in his tracks, his words ceasing to spew forth as he lay eyes on It. A tank.

"...now that's something I wasn't expecting...Explains how you're faring so well out here in the cold." Alexander let his eyes wander back and forth across the tank. He had seen tanks before in his life, both standing still and used in combat to great effect, but to see one still in use? He was surprised, but it slowly dripped away from his face as he looked back at the self-proclaimed Sergeant Holler. "Alexander, nice to meet you...and of you not to shoot me. Thanks. So, is she yours?"

The thought of having to say goodbye, to anyone, was rather… disheartening. Niesha supposed that these days, it was a blessing to be able to say goodbye, rather than have them torn away without any goodbye. She nodded, and followed Froggy to the door, slipping out. She listened as he spoke, still a little uneasy about learning how to deliver a baby. She knew that, logically, it made sense. Which didn’t mean that it didn’t freak her out. She quickly matched her pace to his, glancing about them, for the moment staying silent.

As Froggy continued to speak, Niesha realised that she hadn’t considered there’d be a problem… and now she was, which was enough to freak her out, and make her more than a little paranoid over it all. Surgery? Niesha had had rather crude experiences with surgery before coming to Newman. It was more butchery, desperate attempts to stop the infection from a bite from spreading- attempts she was sure everyone had tried, if they’d been out there long enough. More… exquisite surgery, formal, wasn’t something she’d had much experience with.

A C-section though? It wasn’t just that she’d be risking one life, but a baby’s as well? And it wasn’t as if they were strangers… Niesha knew it was something she’d have to come to terms with, and hoped that it wouldn’t come to a C-section, even as she recognised that it was something she needed to know. She understood the concept of body donation- Medical studies, student doctors, research groups had long used Cadavers to hone their skills, and find out about the human body. With the way things were, doctors were few and far between, and the need to train new medical staff was something that couldn’t be denied. Would people donate their bodies, once they died? She suspected yes, but it would have to be the person's choice. ”There’s plenty of walking cadavers around, while not the freshest, they still have organs.” She said, thinking that hopefully no one would die soon.

And then he said that she had talent. Had anyone ever said that to her, in quite that way before? She couldn’t ever recall it if they had. Most people meant it that she had a good mind, and steady hands… not that she had potential. She was silent for a few moments, as she tried to figure out how that made her feel. Finally she said softly, ”I will” She promised, knowing she would try her best, ”thank you”