A/N – Sorry this one took so long, work really tired me out lately but no worries I was off today and ill with the flu so that left a tonne of time to catch up. I'll be honest Terminus isn't my favourite story line so I hope this is ok but I do have big plans for Alexandria and I hope this story makes it that far. Anywho I leave this in your hands and as usual enjoy.

The tracks to Terminus were covered in crisp Autumn leaves and the air had a slight chill to it but it was barely noticeable to the group as they headed down the tracks. Rick and Michonne led, you and Carl were in the middle and Daryl kept an eye out at the back of the group.

Carl looked over to you "Hey um- you probably want this back" he held out your hunting knife from earlier "Thanks… for letting me use it".

You glanced at the younger boy and reached out before deciding against it and withdrawing your hand "You know what, keep it, you'll probably get good use out of it".

"Whoa, really?" he asked, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.

"Yeah. You know I got that knife when this whole thing started from an old guy, he'd been bit and he told me to take it and to make sure that when the time came do something good for something else. I suppose it's the whole rule of one good turn deserves another, so yeah it's yours, just make sure to do a good deed along the way noble sir".

He let out a small laugh "Thanks, and I will."

"Besides I meant it when I said I don't need it any-more, 'cos I have this Bad Boy" you swung up your axe giving it a fancy twirl.

Daryl walked on listening to the conversation from behind, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips "And (s)he chose me, either (s)he's stupid or I'm lucky, probably both" he thought contently.

The sun remained high overhead when the group reached an old worn down sign for Terminus in the middle of the tracks.

"We'll be getting close; we'll be there before sundown" Daryl stated.

"Now we head through the woods, we don't know who they are" Rick added.

"Alright" Daryl agreed, leading on into the surrounding woodland.

Terminus loomed over the group like a forbidden promise as they hung back behind the fence. "It's like a final challenge" you thought "We pass through this and we have a home again… if all goes well that is. If they have any sense then they'll be like Rick, Mr. Answer me these riddles three."

Rick turned and addressed the group "We all spread out, watch for a while, see what we see and get ready. We all stay close." He looked over to Carl with a hopeful half smile "Do you wanna stick with me?"

Carl turned away dejectedly "Sorry."

There was an audible sadness in Rick's voice "Alright… then everyone pair off and meet back here when your done."

Michonne and Carl left in one direction while you went with Daryl in the opposite; Rick stayed behind to bury the weapons.

While walking along the chain-link fence you couldn't stop thinking about the scene between Rick and Carl with an undeniable sadness weighing upon you.

"Hey… do you think that they're going to be ok?" you asked Daryl

"They'll be fine" was the curt response.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Just am."

"I hope you're right, Rick loves him so much, I just hope Carl sees that and understands why Rick did what he did. What about you?"

"Hmm?"

"Sorry, I mean what were you like with Merle? I only met him briefly in the prison and we didn't really talk, what were you two like together?"

"Doesn't matter anymore."

"Of course it does."

"Why?" the question was loud.

"Well because… because… we need to hold those we lost in our memories, so we can learn from them and mirror their best traits" you answered after thinking about it.

Daryl sighed loudly 'So many damn questions, just has to know everything' he thought, pondering the question at hand.

"He was ok, fought me when I needed it, helped me when I needed it; that's all" Daryl stopped to check the ground for any clues about the surrounding area.

You nodded content with the answer and examined the perimeter for any guards or vulnerable spots; the silence was a comfortable one rich with understanding.

"They don't come out much, any tracks here are old" he commented, breaking the silence.

"There aren't any weak spots that I can see, they have a few guard posts up there" you pointed high up "but they won't see us in this cover, I imagine they have patrols on the lower levels to check the lower areas; if not they really should" you reported back.

"So we should go back to Rick now?" you looked back at the taller man, your man.

"In a minute, there's something I wanted to say".

You turned to face Daryl, when you didn't say anything he continued "Just earlier, on the tracks, it was…" he stopped to search for the appropriate term "nice of you… the thing you said to Carl; he needed it".

A bright smile reached your face "Thanks Daryl, I… I needed that".

"Yeah well, you know" he cupped your face gently, the rough of his hand warming your face.

Daryl bent down slightly, placing a light kiss on your lips as if you might break or disappear completely. You leaned into the kiss deepening it, the sensation felt perfect and much needed and the two of you stayed like that in the peace and quiet until you pulled away for breath.

"Can I look forward to more moments like that soon?" you grinned cheekily.

"Only when I'm sure you're safer, 'sides we can't keep Rick waiting" he smiled, apparently back to normal.

'Maybe this world isn't so bad after all' you thought happily as the pair of you walked back to Rick 'Now we've just got to pull this off, one way or another'.