Carol turned. "Morgan, no," she said gently. "This is Daryl. Remember, we told you about him? He was with Beth when you saved her." The man kept the gun trained on Daryl, but he was looking at Carol, listening to her.
"He's our friend," Carol said. "Beth and I... and Rick too."
Morgan nodded. "And who is that?" he asked, flicking the barrel towards Abraham. Carol searched at Daryl for explanation.
"He's a friend too," Daryl said. "Sargent Abraham Ford."
Abraham slowly stepped closer, hands raised. "We've been looking for these 3 ladies for weeks," he said with an easy smile. Abe had a way of relaxing people and Morgan slowly lowered his weapon.
Carol touched his shoulder and gave Morgan a smile. Then she turned her attention back to Daryl. Now that it was safe to move she ran to him before he could even budge. Daryl opened his arms and she flew into them, hugging him tightly. It was their first hug and it felt amazing. He was so happy just to be touching her, holding her and looking at her beautiful face. She leaned in and hugged him again, whispering in his ear, "I missed you so much."
"Me too," Daryl replied, holding her body against his, not wanting to let her go just yet. He knew the others were watching them and for once in his life he didn't care. Daryl needed to kiss her, but that was a step he wanted to take in private. He hoped he wouldn't hurt her feelings by not doing it there, but Daryl knew she didn't have any expectations of him and she understood his shy, reserved nature better than anyone. He realized that she might have even been shocked that the hug was lasting as long as it was.
When he finally let her go Carol was beaming at him and Daryl knew he had a ridiculous smile on his face too. He hadn't smiled a true genuine smile like that in months. He looked at Beth and gave her a grin. It was just a little extra icing on the cake to have found them both together. Now he could truly move on from the guilt he felt every time he looked at Maggie and thought about losing her sister.
Beth had a strange look on her face and Daryl wasn't sure what to make of it. He made a note to ask Carol later. Daryl walked over to Beth and lifted Judith out of her arms. "Hey Lil Asskicker," he cooed. "Your daddy and brother are going to be so happy to see you."
They made necessary introductions and Daryl watched the interaction between Carol and Abraham with a curiosity that was slightly tainted with jealousy. "I've heard a lot about you," Abe said to her and they hugged in a natural, easy way as if they were old friends. Daryl felt a prickle on his skin that he quickly shooed away. But it annoyed him that it took him years to hug Carol and Abe just waltzed in like it was nothing.
"You have, have you?" Carol replied with a smile, looking at Daryl. "All good I hope?"
"Definitely good," Abe said, also eyeing Daryl. "You're every bit as beuatiful as I was told." Daryl felt his face flush.
Carol giggled. Daryl knew she wasn't used to being told she was beautiful. Abe turned his attention to Beth. "And I heard you were very lovely as well, young lady." Beth's eyes lit up at the compliment. Why is he so fucking charming? Daryl thought, glaring a bit.
Carol formally introduced the men to Morgan and explained he was the first person Rick met after the start of the infection. Daryl knew there was more to the story, but figured Carol would explain it later. He was actually getting pretty antsy to get her alone. It had been so long since they had just talked. Daryl didn't open up to anyone like he did her and he missed it so badly.
"So Morgan, are you going to come back with us?" Daryl asked.
"Oh, I don't think so. I've been by myself a long time..." he replied whistfully.
"Please come," Beth begged him. Daryl noticed she seemed pretty attached to the man. "I want you to meet my sister and the rest of our friends. You already know Rick and Carl... Michonne a bit too."
Abraham caught Daryl's eye and he realized they should give Morgan all the information before he made his decision. "Listen, we are leaving soon for Washington D.C.," Daryl said, causing all three sets of eyes to snap to him for explanation. "Abraham's friend is a scientist, Dr. Eugene Porter, and he knows how to cure this thing." Carol and Beth stared at him in shock and Morgan seemed very intrigued.
Daryl continued to explain, "We all vowed to help Abe and his girlfriend Rosita get Eugene to Washington. If someone can cure this outbreak we need to do what we can to help."
"I'm in," Morgan said, surprising everyone.
Abe reached out his hand to shake Morgan's, "Thank you man, your support means a lot."
"I have a lot of weapons," Morgan said and Abe's eyes lit up. "A couple vehicles too. A truck and a car, both run great."
This was working out well for Daryl's plan. He had hedged his bets on Carol having a vehicle when they found her. Tyreese told him they had vehicles but had run out of gas. So Daryl had packed a can of gas to take on their search. Abe was in on the plan and he looked at Daryl, giving him a nod of understanding.
"Beth, can you keep Judith and head back to Terminus with Abe and Morgan?" Daryl asked her. "Rick and Carl are out searching but it would be great if Judith was there when they retuned." Beth nodded.
He turned to Carol. "Is there anything here you need to get before we leave?" She looked at him curiously. "Oh, uh, there's a place I need to stop to pick up a few supplies, we uh, found the other day. Didn't have room at the time," he lied. Daryl knew he was a terrible liar and Carol saw right through him, but she didn't question it. Beth was naive enough to buy even his bumbling lies, so she didn't suspect anything.
"I just have a back pack, nothing much, but I'll go grab it now," Carol replied, heading back into the building.
"Do you need help packing up before I go?" Daryl asked Abraham and Morgan.
"Nope, get outta here," Abe said with a smirk. "We got this."
Daryl got in the truck he and Abe had arrived in, took a deep breath and waited for Carol to return. He was suddenly incredibly nervous, knowing in a few seconds it would be just the two of them. Finally. He tried not to make it obvious he was staring at her as Carol walked towards him with her stuff. She said bye to Beth and kissed Judith, then climbed into the vehicle.
Daryl put the truck in gear and took off. After a moment of silence he could feel Carol's eyes on him. "So are you going to tell me where we're really going?" she asked, with a knowing smile.
He eyed her and felt a grin spreading across his face. "Nope," he replied, pressing harder on the gas pedal.
