AN:

New chapter- shorter sorry about that.

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 9

December 23rd seemed to creep up much like the way it always did. Where in the past years Daryl had dreaded the holiday this year he was looking forward to Christmas much like he assumed a child would. He wanted to spend the day with Carol, to wake up with her in his arms. To see her excitement over the gift he'd gotten her. He was excited to give something to someone else for the first time in his life.

He'd already spoke to Carol this morning they where meeting up after lunch to go to a Christmas Pegeant, Megan was performing in at the church. He hoped he didn't spontaneously combust just by stepping inside. She'd laughing my told him she had a secret mission this morning, while humming the song from Mission impossible. He'd grinned and let her keep her secret.

He'd spent the morning, with a new business manager he'd hired. His plans were starting to shape up. He wanted to start a wholesale Internet website for outdoor and hunting products. Base the wharehouse out of town. He already had plans on how he could expand in the future. His dreams of living in the country spurring him on, a lifestyle company the manager had called it and they'd spoke of plans for expansions of everything from solar panels to log cabin kits.

Feeling enthusiastic he decided to go visit Merle. Whistling Jingle Bells he made his way into the hospital, smiling and greeting others as he made his way up to the cardiac unit.

The atmosphere was tense, when he got off the elevator. The dreadful feeling bubbled up in the pit of his stomach, as he watched nurses frantically dashing around, a doctor sitting at a desk and activity in Merle's room. His stomach sank even worse as the doctor looked up at him.

"Mr. Dixon, we've been trying to get In contact with you."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Hello?" Her voice was like a calming balm on his fraying nerves as he sat on the floor of Merle's room, his back against the wall as the life support filled Merle's lungs repeatedly with an oddly sickeningly sound.

He couldn't speak, he just needed her voice. He needed to know she was out there, she was his sunshine, his fucking angel. He let out a queit sob.

"Daryl? Is that you?" She whispered.

He felt like he could not breath, gasping for breath.

"Breath Baby, Breath." She whispered "Where are you?" She said.

"Hospital" he grunted "I need you." He said not recognizing his own voice.

"I'm on my way."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Suddenly she was there, it could have been minutes or hours he wasn't sure. Her arms wrapping around him as he clung to her, his grip he was sure bruising her delicate skin.

"What happened?" She whispered to his temple.

"Seizure, think maybe it was cause of withdrawal and the heart attack, and shit. He's in a comma. They don't know if he'll wake up." He croaked hiding his face in her neck.

"We'll be positive, until we know otherwise. That's the one thing I've learned from medicine." She whispered into his hair as he basically pulled her onto his lap. He knew he was holding her like he had when he was little holding his stuffed bear Buddy at night when he would hear his parents fight. He didn't give a shit. He needed her as close as possible.

"I'll be alone." He said his voice full of gravel.

"Never," she said threading her fingers with his. She put her hand on his cheek "Never." She said again.

He lost it then, silent tears rolling down his cheeks as he hid his face on her shoulder. "I can't loose you." He said.

"You won't"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

They'd dozed. Slumping over to their sides, they ended up falling asleep on the cold floor of Merle's hospital room. Carol had woken once to a nurse covering them with a blanket.

The sunlight of Christmas Eve streamed into the room as Carol opened her eyes and glanced at Merle's bed. She bit her lip to hold back a laugh.

"Daryl wake up, I think Merle will be ok." She whispered.

Daryl awoke with a start, sitting up glancing at an obviously weak Merle, off life support and making a lewd gesture at them.