Set in 5x06 from the tipping van scene. Written before episode was aired.
For the first time ever Daryl didn't know what to do.
He was scared to even move, not even risking to take a breath, which right now he felt like he needed. Not being to hold it in any more he very slowly exhaled and glanced over at Carol, the fear in her eyes matching his.
The van swayed slowly back and forth over the edge of the bridge as the walkers scratched at the back window, causing it to tip more and more forward by the second.
Time was short, they both knew that, yet neither of them moved. Daryl had previously attempted to get Carol to move to the back seat but she had only managed to stand before the van began to lurch forward and she had jump back down.
Walkers had broken the back seat windows now and were trying to claw at them but luckily were still out of reach.
They sat there in silence, hearing gun shots from outside as Rick and the others desperately tried to reach them through the herd of walkers.
"Daryl what do we do?" Carol eventually whispered, knowing that there was no way the others would get to them on time.
Daryl slowly shook his head, gently putting his head in his hands, "I don't know," he choked out, feeling helpless.
Carol turned her head to look at him and pressed her fist against her mouth. She glanced down at the drop below them, trying to work out if there was anyway they could survive that fall. She felt a lump in her throat and her eyes glossed over knowing their chances weren't good. She blinked furiously determined not to cry, she was stronger than that.
The walkers pushed the van again and it slid forward about half a foot making them both jump and lean back as far as possible.
"I'm so sorry Carol," Daryl breathed, his breathing hitched and inconsistent.
"None of this is your fault Daryl," Carol reassured him, "and when you survive this, you can't blame yourself."
"What d'ya mean when I survive this? If there's a chance I'm surviving so are you."
Carol shook her head, feeling the tears brim up again, "no Daryl, the group needs you far more then they'll ever need me. That window will break soon," she said gesturing to the back window where cracks from the walkers were rapidly beginning to form. When it does I want you to take your crossbow and my knife, and I want you to climb through the back as quickly as you can, Rick will have your back."
"Well you're gonna need your knife Carol, you should go first and I'll follow," Daryl said not understanding what she meant.
"No Daryl, not both of us will make it out on time, I'll stay in the van, you have to go without me."
Daryl frowned angrily, "no. No way, not happening, you are coming with me no matter what, you'll go first, I'm not leaving you."
"Daryl please," Carol said a tear spilling over.
Daryl's eyes filled up with tears also and his throat went tight, his voice sounding strained, "Carol I can't leave you, I'm sorry but if you're staying so I am."
Carol couldn't stop the tears now, "y-you have t-to leave Dar-Daryl, I you can't d-do this to m-me," she sobbed.
"Hey hey, don't be like that," Daryl said using one hand to wipe away her tears, keeping his hand gently pressed to her face.
Carol stared at the back window, willing it to break, however she realized it was too late now. The van tipped forwards once again and this time Carol and Daryl heard the sound of the metal as it scraped down the gravel of the bridge, the van going on it's last final tips.
Daryl moved his hand away from her face and locked his fingers through hers, squeezing tightly. She squeezed back as she looked down at their fate.
"Daryl I have to tell you now because even in death I'll regret not telling you…" she said softly pausing.
"I love you," Daryl finished off.
Carol opened her mouth a little and turned to face him and nodded, more tears streaming down her face, "I do, I love you Daryl."
"And I love you, only woman I've ever loved, only woman I ever w-will," Daryl responded stuttering at the end.
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently, his lips lingering there as he felt the van drop forward, both of them squeezed their eyes shut and the van tipped one last time, sending them over the edge.
