.

Behind the Ashes

The Walking Dead

Rick x OC x Daryl

1

Ease

The last feather fit perfectly.

They looked up at each other and smiled. Carl leaned back against the gazebo and wrapped the bundle together with a shoe lace. He watched her measure the last arrow. They've been working on the project since they got to Alexandria. On their last few runs in the woods, Carl had the idea as he collected firewood. "Charlotte," he called out to her quietly. She was up ahead, distracted by something. Carl watched her turn, fists clenched, one covered her mouth. He thought he saw blood caking down the ends of her dark hair. But as she moved towards him, she hid whatever happened and they started to plan.

"And now, our masterpiece is complete," she handed it over and nudged his shoulder.

He gave a chuckle before tying it all together. "You really think he'll like this?"

"Why wouldn't he? Are you sure you don't want to give it to him together? He's probably in the garage today."

"No, it's okay. Dad's coming," he waved to Rick who had been leaning against a tree watching them. She waved as well. How long had he'd been there?

"Hey you two. Carol's watching Judith for awhile but she needs to head to the kitchen soon. She needs relieving Carl."

"Alright," he bounced off the bench, his dad ruffling his hair. "Oh, Charly, tell Daryl I helped though okay?"

She laughed lightly. "Will do."

Rick pushed Carl playfully towards the houses. He waved him off before running away. Charlotte shook her head and counted the arrows again. Rick wanted to talk to her, clearly. But they haven't been alone like this for awhile now.

"That's for Daryl then?"

"Yeah, I never understood how there's still some left after everything."

"Does he know you're making arrows for him?"

"Probably," Rick ran a hand through his hair. She tilted her head and stood, placing the bundle on the bench. He watched her carefully as she picked one and held it out for him. "Carl did this one," he took it and examined the work. Its weight was even balanced. He smiled as it twirled in his hand. Carl, no doubt, with heavy instruction from Charlotte, did an impressive job. She looked away and moved back to the bundle. She said it before stopping herself. "He called me mom, by accident."

Rick felt his stomach tighten. "It isn't the first time," he handed the arrow back to look over her face. There it was.

She glanced up and looked for concern in his own expression. "He wasn't embarrassed this time Rick," she still didn't see anything. He actually seemed amused and light.

"You've always been there for him, you look after him, I even saw you tuck him in a few times."

"But to actually call me by it?"

"If it bothers you, I'll talk to him."

"Shouldn't it concern you?"

They hadn't spoken of it. He hadn't expected that but the truth came out. He couldn't help himself, "It would have earlier, not now." They stared, knowing what he meant and waiting for a reaction.

But she looked away, took back the arrow, grabbed the bundle and moved to the side. "I should find Daryl before he decides to take off again. He'll need these," she gripped tighter to it and stepped down from the gazebo. Rick followed and grabbed her hand. "It's okay Rick."

She slipped out of reach and walked towards the street. He called out to her. She let him finish. "It hasn't been easy, I know that. Things have changed-"

That was enough.

He let her leave.

She knew exactly what he meant. It had always been about survival, it still is, less so. He wants her to know he's ready. If she was being honest, she didn't know what to do. She's fought against it for so long. It was never the right time. The fight was so strong that she didn't know how to react to him. Across the street, the sounds of tools revving up filled her thoughts. Grateful for it, Charlotte moved closer until she could lean against the open garage door.

Daryl hadn't noticed her yet. He wore his angel winged vest, she caught him just in time. He was leaving soon. The tools quieted, he glanced over his shoulder without reacting. Probably knew before she even crossed the street. She held out the bundle and walked towards him. He looked over it, tilting his head with a grunt. "What, no quiver?"

"You have one."

"On the crossbow yeah but it ain't big enough to hold all em."

"You'll make do," she pushed them against his chest. The smallest hint of appreciation showed in his hidden face. His hair really has gotten long. "At least thank Carl when you see him," she teased, walking over to the bike. It's progressed. Daryl set the arrows on the workbench, his way of thanking her. "Where are the guys at?" He shrugged. "You heading out?" He nodded. "I'll leave you to it then."

She moved but he stopped her. "I ain't goin alone," it was the way he stared.

"Not today Daryl."

"Today," he grabbed his bow and moved them towards the gate. She argued lightly the whole walk but his few words were just as effective. They came up to the gate, Michonne, who guarded this shift, looked them over. "Let Rick know," she simply nodded before letting them through. Charlotte accepted a knife Michonne handed her as the gate closed.

Then they were a half mile out.

She kept quiet. It wouldn't take long. "We should have waited until you finished the bike."

"Quit complaining," he raised the crossbow. She caught herself, again. Lingering on his arm, the way he held it, it always seemed to amplify its definition. She looked away once he turned to her. Knots were back in her stomach. "Anything?"

"You'd know before me."

"Don't start-"

Then she felt it. To the right, close to some high bushes. Not one but four. More than they've encountered in some time. Daryl watched her but didn't see or hear them. She waited. They emerged, growling as they spotted them. There was a reason she didn't want to be out here. But now they've found some. The head of the group growled viciously as it neared.

This one.

She let it happen. It starts in her center then consumes the entire. The walker stopped. The others slowed. In its core, where the infection began. It tilted its head, opened its grueling mouth and turned to the other walkers. She stared into its back. Then it happened. The walker lunged at the closest and tore into its skull, clawing at the brain until it dropped. Then the next and the next. It stopped once it finished. Before it moved around, Daryl shot an arrow. It dropped. Charlotte felt herself struggle as he brought out a rag, poured water onto it and started to clean her face. She pulled away but he held her still. She gripped his arm for more balance. Her nose bled more heavily.

"Breathe through the mouth," he put on pressure. "Quit moving." She kept her eyes on the ground. Her head started to throb. She cringed. He removed the rag and studied her over. She wiped her nose of the remaining blood. "How's your head?" He got an answer as she keeled over and vomited. This usually doesn't follow. She should have eased into it. Daryl warmed her neck with one hand and held her hair with the other. "No reason for that."

She glanced up at him. There wasn't pity or concern in his manner. This is what they were out here for. This is who she was.

When the dead first walked, she'd been bitten. The fever had her, she expected to die. But it went away, after a week of severe vomiting and hallucinating, it ended just as the flu would. Only she changed. The first walker, crushed its own head against a boulder. She thought it tripped. But the second one, she felt it and watched it attack another. She knew they were near long before their shuffling and growling could be heard.

Rick was the first to find out. He saw. Her nose bled and body shook on the warm cement as he knelt next to her. After she left the group by the fire, he followed close. The two of them stared for the longest time. But he helped her up and led her back to the group without a word. The people in Alexandria don't know. They might not be as accepting, they weren't family.

"Come on, sun's gone down," Daryl gave her time, swinging the bow over his shoulder. She swallowed, her throat was raw. It took her longer. He waited until she was ready. The walk back was quiet again. They neared the gate. "We're going back out in a few days. You can't be in here for that long again." It's been like this for over a year, no more than they've all been together. It took far more time for Daryl to speak more than a few words to her, more than usual. She never understood why.

"I know, but you could have given me more of a heads up."

"Stop, you're fine."

Michonne let them in. But she wasn't alone, Rick stood next to her with his hand on his holster, looking over Charlotte's face. "With me, now," he moved away, they soon followed.

The neighborhood seemed empty as they walked through. Rick led them to his house. Carl was on the porch rocking Judith. Daryl waited on top of the steps, leaning into the railing. He set down his crossbow. "Charly," he motioned for her to stop. She meant to follow Rick who moved ahead. Daryl ushered her towards him. "There's still blood," he brought out his water pouch again and moved to wipe it off again. But she stopped him and did it herself. He watched her, she didn't see his reaction.

"Better?" then she looked up. They stared. He didn't answer her.

"Charlotte," Rick walked back out on the porch. He hesitated though in seeing them. "What's wrong?"

She wiped her nose again and stepped back. "Nothing," then started walking towards the door. Carl rounded the corner with his sister bouncing in his arms. He stepped into her gait and caused her to stop again. Judith was reaching out to her. Rick stood between the doorway and held onto the frame. His knuckles tightened. His baby was reaching for her. It's happened before. But they had all been too exhausted from outrunning a small herd. He didn't pay much mind to it. He never did. They were here though. Safe, enough, in this place, and he could finally pay attention. Charlotte merely smiled and asked Carl to stay on the porch. Rick stayed where he was as she passed. He breathed in, noticing the thick smell of the woods on her.

They reached the kitchen. Daryl had followed them and closed the door. Rick just noticed. He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "Sasha almost took you both down, did you know that? If you hadn't turned, and she didn't see your faces, from the tower- You don't think when you're together, have I ever told you that? When you wander off, in the woods, you put yourselves in danger and never think what might happen if something doesn't-"

"That's not true Rick. You're upset we didn't tell you, I understand. But it's been over a week since we were out there. We're okay, Sasha would have had our backs if something went wrong," Charlotte opened the fridge and gathered two water bottles. She handed Daryl one, who declined, but she held it into his chest. He took it but didn't drink. She nearly downed hers entirely.

Rick watched them. "It's not just that. What if these people went out and saw you? We're trying to fit in here, it's not going as well as it should. I know my head's not exactly in this. I admit I'm having more trouble adjusting than any of you. But come on, we've been through-"

"Rick," Carol knocked on the door. He snapped to her. She apologized but told them Deanna was looking for him.

Daryl took a sip of his water and put it back in the fridge. "I'll be in the garage. We'll talk when your head's together Rick," he moved towards the back door. "Charly," she knew he wanted her to follow him. They needed to go over what happened out there. But Rick gave her the same look. That seemed to do it. Without a word, she left them for the hallway. Up the stairs with a slight limp. On the left of the railing, there was a decent room she claimed as hers when they got here. Daryl stayed in the house next to them, he was never there though. He choose a room that was across hers. Their windows adjacent. He didn't notice.

Charlotte let herself drop. The soft mattress squeaked slightly but molded into her. She wouldn't be surprised if Rick followed her. Daryl would have just left. But the door hadn't opened, she was alone. For however long, she was done with the day. Her mind drifted. By the time she felt herself meet a pillow, that was it.

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Thoughts?