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I do not own TWD or any of the characters, other than my own.

RECAP: Daryl and Finley had a kiss and she got drunk. She decided she didn't need or want a relationship and avoided Daryl. Brandon went a little cray cray and Finley put him in his place. Then yelled at Daryl, who yelled back.


Glenn and Maggie headed down the aisle of the small store. Maggie pushed the buggy as she scanned the shelves while Glenn's eyes bounced back and forth. Maggie reached for some supplies and dropped it unceremoniously into the buggy with a clang. Glenn jumped a little at the sound, resulting in a giggle from Maggie.

Glenn rolled his eyes, "This run is unnecessary. We're doing good on supplies."

"It's been weeks since our last one and it's getting more into winter. Plus, this is easy." Maggie shrugged, crestfallen before pushing the buggy further.

Glenn's hand shot out, gripping her by the crook of the arm. He pulled her to him; snaking his hands around her waist.

"You're pouting. What's wrong?"

"I'm not poutin'." She stared at his chest.

"Mags." He said, leaning over to nibble her neck affectionately. "I'm your husband. If you can't tell me, who can you tell?"

Maggie blushed slightly, "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Use my weakness against me?"

"Why do you make me?" He brushed his lips across hers, admiring the way her eyes sparkled even in the dim light. "Now what's wrong?" He stood straighter, tightening his grip around her waist.

"Nothing. It's silly."

"No matter what, your thoughts and feelings matter to me."

"I just… I just… miss Christmas." She muttered before gushing, "We don't even know what day it is. We're trying to stay alive and I'm thinking about Christmas."

She paused, unsure of herself, "It's just, my mom loved Christmas."

Glenn swooped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"This ain't no damned college party." Daryl's gruff voice called from the end of the aisle.

Maggie smiled weakly as she rolled her eyes while Glenn blushed, refusing to drop his arms from Maggie.

"Come 'ere. Got somethin' ta show ya."

Maggie and Glenn followed Daryl down the aisle and through the store. They stepped over decomposing walkers and trash. Daryl stopped outside a door labeled MANAGEMENT ONLY. He pulled his crossbow onto his shoulder and pushed the door open. A walker lay on the floor, a bolt protruding from his eye. Daryl gingerly stepped over the corpse, yanking the bolt from his eye in the process.

"Looks like dumbass tried ta drink 'imself ta death. Guess he ain't kno ya turn anyway."

"What?"

Daryl motioned to the corner of the room that was hidden by a large wood desk. Glenn and Maggie stepped around peering at the corner.

"Who could drink that much?"

"Merle woulda tried."

The back corner was lined with black, green, and clear bottles. Some were wine and bourbon while others were vodka and tequila. Glenn gave Maggie a toothy smile.

"Thought ya was neva drinkin' again afta' the CDC, chinaman."

"Well… it is Christmas."


"I'll see if they can send someone else I'm really sorry, I just don't feel very well."

"Patrick, you're on watch because they had no one else. I can handle watch alone."

Finley watched as Patrick made his way across the yard. She sat down on the edge of the tower, letting her legs dangle over. The chilly air nipped at the exposed skin on her face and neck. The night was silent aside from the groans of the walkers at the edge of the fence. Finley watched as a figure moved across the yard towards the tower. She heard the soft thud of the down stairs door as it opened and closed, followed by the upper door. Finley turned from the edge to find Ben standing on the platform. She turned back towards the fence without a word. Ben moved closer to Finley, taking a seat by her side.

"I heard you were alone up here."

"I told Patrick I'd be fine, they didn't have to send anyone."

"They didn't, I came on my own."

Finley's head turned to stare at Ben. Her eyebrows arched high on her forehead in disbelief. She let out a disgruntled sigh and again, turned her eyes back on the fence.

"It's been almost a month." Finley whispered.

"I know. I was mad and for once, I didn't need you to protect me. I just needed space and I could finally have it."

Finley remained quiet.

"I still need you Fin, I always will." He reached out pulling her into a hug.

Finley fell over sideways from her seated position. "Ben, let me go." She pushed away, righting herself.

They sat in a comfortable silence as the walkers groaned from the fence. Finley sharpened her two small axes as Ben picked at the bottom of his tennis shoe. A few hours had passed when Ben broke the silence.

"The Christmas party is tomorrow afternoon."

"I know."

"It won't really be like Christmas. They just found a lot of booze on the run earlier today." He paused momentarily, unsure as he toed into dangerous territory. "I know you hate Christmas."

"I don't hate Christmas." Finley deflected.

"Fine. I know Christmas has never been the same since dad died. I don't have as many memories from that time but I know he loved Christmas. Daddy's little girl and momma's little boy; that was us."

Finley stayed silent, focusing closely on her axes.

"I'm just saying, it won't be so bad. We deserve, you deserve to celebrate. Just be happy we made it this far."

The silence returned. Ben continued to pick at his shoes while Finley moved onto her smaller dagger. Time had ticked by comfortably until Ben yawned and rolled his shoulders.

"Go to sleep in the tower."

"I'm fine."

"Ben, it's my watch. Just go, you're exhausted. I had a nap earlier anyway."

"Liar." Ben replied but stood from his spot and went to lie down on the small pallet in the tower.


The night was dead silent, even the walkers had grown quiet since the activity at the prison ceased. Finley's mind began to wander…

"How was school, Fin?"

"It was great!" A young girl with shoulder length hair bound into the living room, jumping into her dad's lap. "Guess what I found out today!?" She exclaimed.

"What's that?"

"Today is December 1st!"

"I suppose it is."

"That means 24 days till Christmas!" Little Finley's eyes grew in size, "We need to decorate! We need lights on the porch, the tree, the chimney, and a great big snowman!"

The little girl stretched to show her farther the size of the snowman. Her arms rose over her head while balancing on the tips of her toes. The man let out a low deep chuckle.

"Can we?" She asked excitedly.

"Can we – what?" He teased.

"Daaaaaad." She whined, "Can we please decorate for Christmas? Please!" She begged as her bottom lip jutted out slightly.

"Okay, just for you Fin."


Fin jumped as the top tower door closed. Her head snapped up, jerking her back to reality. She turned from the yard, her legs still dangling over the edge of the platform. Fear silently spread through Finley's veins as Brandon's figure emerged from the shadows. Even in the dark night, Finley could see his carefree, frat boy demeanor was gone. His face was blank and void of emotion.

"What do you want?" Finley questioned, letting venom seep into her words.

"You reminded me of my sister, but she died at Woodbury. Then I finally realized, you're nothing like her. She was kind and sweet, you're hateful and ruthless, just like him. Just like the governor."

His tone remained the same through his speech; even and monotone, devoid of emotion. Finley shivered in response and moved to rise from the ledge but Brandon was on her before she could pull herself up. Finley gripped the rail as Brandon moved behind her. He bent over pushing her forward, causing her to slide off the edge she let out a scream; it pierced through the darkness. She struggled to maintain her grip on the rail as Brandon attempted to pry her hands loose.

Suddenly, Ben stumbled out of the small tower room, "What's going on?" He bellowed, distracting Brandon from Finley. Ben reached Brandon, gripping him by the shoulder in an attempt to pull him away from Finley. When one of Finley's hands dropped from the rail, Brandon turned to Ben. He pushed him away, placing several feet between them. Then he advanced on Ben, who responded with a defensive stance.

"Brandon! What's going on? Brandon!"

His chants were ignored as Brandon advanced until finally pinning Ben against the far rail. As the struggle ensued, Finley regripped the rail with her free hand and swung her leg onto the edge. She pulled with every ounce of strength until she was lying flat and breathless on the platform. Resisting the urge to catch her breath, she pushed up and bee lined for Brandon and Ben who were still struggling against the far railing. Brandon's form towered over Ben's slim build as he forced Ben's back to bend over the rail. Finley rushed forward yanking Brandon away. He tripped over Finley's boot and slammed into the adjacent rail at the exact moment Finley gave a hard shove which sent Brandon toppling over the rail. The crunch of his body seemed to echo in the night as he smacked the ground.


DUN. DUN. DUNNNN! She killed someone in the walls of the community. I wonder how that's going to go.

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