Part 8 - Reunions

                                    

                                          
"CJ?" Tara gasped with a smile. "Oh my god!"
"Hey!" CJ smiled as she jogged up to Tara. The two women caught up to each other and hugged.
Tara had lived at Alexandria right up until Michonne insisted that they had to cut themselves off from the other communities for security. Tara completely disagreed with that rule and snuck away to live at the Hilltop, only confiding in CJ with where she was going. 
"How've you been?" CJ asked.
"I've been good," Tara grinned as they broke the hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Jesus left a letter at the drop point a couple weeks back," CJ explained. "Finally managed to get away long enough to come over. Is he around?"
"Probably hiding inside. Again," Tara replied with a playful eyeroll. "Come on, follow me."
Alexandria was, of course, not the only place to have excelled in growing their community. The Hilltop had managed to branch out beyond their walls, extending their crops and farm to cover most of the ground between their front gate and the main road. A smaller fence made of wooden spikes surrounded the most important crops, and there was a large cornfield beyond that fence. 
As CJ walked with Tara through the gates, she took the time to marvel at the developments Hilltop had made since the last time she had visited, which was well over a year ago. The medical trailer had been extended, the trailers that some of the people lived in looked a little brighter and more homely, and there were shelters and fenced-off corners where people were either working or caring for animals.
Tara said a quick goodbye and rushed off toward the infirmary, leaving CJ in the yard for a moment. When she saw a figure approaching her after leaving the house, she immediately broke into a grin and ran over. 
"Hey!" Jesus laughed as he jogged over and brought CJ into a tight hug, lifting her off the ground for a second. "This is a surprise."
"Well, that's because I wanted to surprise you," CJ giggled as she pulled away from the hug. "You good?"
"Yeah, I'm good, thanks," Jesus replied, nodding his head. "What about you? How's everyone back at Alexandria?"
"Yeah, everyone's good," CJ smiled softly. "I was able to get away for a while. Which brings me onto why I'm here..." She fished through her bag and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. "I got your letter begging me for help."
Jesus playfully glared and folded his arms. "I wouldn't say I was begging for help."
CJ cleared her throat and made a dramatic show of unfolding the letter, making Jesus roll his eyes as she started to read. "Dear, CJ. I'm begging you to please come here and help me."
"It doesn't say that."
"I have been made King of the Hilltop-"
"Nope."
"And I need your help right now. You are my only hope."
"Okay, give me that damn letter," Jesus snatched it from her.
"It goes on to say that you love me and miss me and what to be best friends again," CJ teased.
Jesus narrowed his eyes at her and read the first part of the letter out loud. "Hey, CJ. It's Jesus. It's been a while since we've seen you or any of the others over here at the Hilltop. Maggie left with Georgie, so I've been elected the leader by default. If you get the chance, it would be cool to see you sometime."
CJ frowned and furrowed her eyebrows. "Well, that's not how I read it."
"Sure it isn't," Jesus laughed. "So, you gonna be staying for a few days then?"