Phoenix

Author's Notes:

Please do not yell at, criticize or generally make me feel bad about the following:

1. This is slash. Yes, this includes sex.

2. This story includes some not-so-nice Carol, but probably not going as far as to call it "bashing."

3. Anything to do with religion or lack thereof.

4. This is slash, just in case you missed it above.

5. Liberties have been taken with plot. In this story Maggie and Glenn were not a couple.

6. "Daryl-ese" has been kept to a minimum (I think) just to keep you with the feel of his accent. Just sound it out.

Please just take a breath and go with the flow. In the famous words of Daryl Dixon: "Am I the only one zen around here? Good Lord!"

Sections in italics are memories or flashbacks.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Blah, blah, blah. Don't own any of them, though I'd love to. Didn't get paid for this, though I'd love to.

Chapter 1

BIT

Neither could take his eyes off the blood running down from the open wound on Glenn's arm.

It had been close. Too close. But they had gotten away. Right? They got away.

"I didn't even feel it. I didn't know," Glenn said with an astonished look on his face. "It can't be a bite, right? I'd have known."

Daryl tore open the sleeve on Glenn's shirt near where the wound was. It was definitely a bite.

COMING TO TERMS

This is a nightmare. It has to be. This couldn't be happening. Not after everything they've been through. Not when he had finally found the love of his life. It's taken them too damn long to get where they are. Not even this world could be that cruel.

"Jesus. This ain't happening…this ain't happening…it ain't," Daryl said agitatedly as he paced back and forth. Maybe if says it enough, it would be true.

"How could I not know?" Glenn asks.

"I dunno. Adrenaline, maybe," Daryl sighed grasping his head in his hands.

"We both know what happens next," Glenn said quietly, fear lacing his voice. "You need to take care of me. I don't think I can do it myself."

Daryl looks at Glenn with complete devastation on his face. He places a hand on Glenn's cheek.

"I know what'll need to be done," Daryl whispers. "You'd do the same for me. I'll take care of ya, but not yet. I can't say goodbye yet. I ain't ready. I ain't never gonna be ready."

"Me either. I'm sorry."

"Nothin' to be sorry for. Ya didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm sorry I'm going to leave you. It's always harder on those left behind. Once I come to terms with it and I'm ready, my suffering is over."

"…and mine's just beginning," Daryl whispered. "I want to wait as long as we can." Daryl kissed him softly.

"Me, too. I'll let you know when it's time. I know you won't let me down."

Daryl sat with his back against the wall. Glenn sat next to him facing him. They had their arms wrapped around each other, Daryl almost cradling Glenn. Glenn leaned in close laying his cheek on Daryl's shoulder and pressing his face into Daryl's neck.

Daryl leaned down and took a deep breath, taking in Glenn's scent, trying to imprint it in his memory. He pressed a kiss to Glenn's hair.

And they waited.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Both were sitting quietly. They had such a strong connection that no words were necessary.

Holding his boy securely in his arms, he lets himself think back on when it all began.

Daryl had returned to camp from looking for Sophia with wounds to his side, front and back, from an arrow running through him, and a nasty laceration on his head. He also was beat to hell, covered in bruises and abrasions.

Surprisingly, he was fairly cooperative while Herschel closed his wounds. Glenn figured it was because he was exhausted and had lost a lot of blood more than anything else.

For some reason Glenn decided he would take on the responsibility of seeing that Daryl got what he needed. He made sure he ate and took his medications. He even had to go so far as to help him sit up because the wound on his side made it too painful for him to get up by himself.

To Daryl's horror, Glenn had to help him to and from the bathroom (as he emphatically refused to relieve himself in any other way). During one of these trips, Daryl was being more of a dick than usual.

Glenn was not cowering as Daryl had expected. He managed to be unpleasant enough that the rest of the group was avoiding any contact with him. They weren't sure why Glenn was helping him and taking the abuse, but they were grateful.

Glenn knows it's the pain or the needing help or a combination of the two.

"Quit being an ass."

Daryl actually has the good grace to look sorry.

"Please, just shut up and let me help you. You're hurting and you need some help. That doesn't make you weak."

"Ain't never had someone take care of me. Ain't never had someone care enough about me to do it. Just not used to it is all. Not sure how to do this."

"It's ok. Really. I know you have really tried not to be a part of the group, but you are. You need to be ok with that."

"S'just cause I can hunt and I feed em."

"I'll be honest. That was true in the beginning. But things change. You might have missed it, but you're one of us whether you want to be or not. Oh, by the way, we're friends now, so get over it." Glenn said with a grin.

"How the hell did that happen?" Daryl asked in an over-exaggerated tone of shock.

THE WAITING AND THE PROMISE

Glenn looked up at Daryl and held his eyes.

"You need to promise me that you won't do anything stupid."

"Like what?" Daryl asked innocently.

"You know what. Like get yourself killed."

"I ain't sure if I can live without ya," Daryl whispered.

"You have to promise me that you will," Glenn said looking into Daryl's eyes.

"How'r ya feeling, Chinaman?"

"I'm going to let that go considering the circumstances. A little warm, I guess. And don't change the subject, Redneck," Glenn said with a smirk.

"Noticed that, huh?"

"Yeah, like I noticed you didn't actually promise. Please, Daryl…" Daryl leaned in close to Glenn's ear.

"I promise, but it will only be my body that goes on. You will always have my heart."

A/N: Please review. Reviews are like chocolate - no such thing as too much! :)