Hail Mary

Chapter 10

It's been two days since the group of saviors came, took their stuff and killed Gregory, everyone was on edge. Me and my brother, with the help of Rick, were trying to keep everyone calm, in just a few hours we were going to be leaving to head out to the Kingdom and meet with King Ezikial. The others were loading up an RV that we managed to find and I was in my trailer getting some clothes packed for me and Daryl, I had to admit it felt weird packing up clothes for him, I mean I was his girlfriend not his mother. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." I said not turning away from what I was doing.

"I'm sorry to walk in like this, I was told you were in here." I turned to see who it was, Rick, I put the last bit of clothes I would need into my bag.

"Its okay I was just finishing getting stuff packed up. What can I do for you Rick?" I asked putting my bag on the table and the one for Daryl on the floor.

"I was wondering if there was anything you can tell about this King Ezikial. How do you know him?" He asked me.

"Well that is a long story but to make it short I met him before Negan came to here to make the deal with Gregory and took me. He came here because his men had found and saved a couple of our people who got overrun on one of their runs, they trusted him enough to tell him where we lived. So him and a few of his men came here safely returning our people and wanted to talk to Gregory about possibly helping each other, like what my brother wanted you guys to do. Me and my brother were in the room when Gregory turned them down saying we didnt need their help, which wasa lie because we did, but Gregory was to stubborn to accept the gratitude they offered, I'm sure you know what I mean," I saw Rick nod his head, "Anyways that was the day I lost all respect for Gregory, we could've helped them and vise versa but when it was all said and done me and Jesus walked them to the gate we were all talking and Ezikial seemed interested in the fact that my brother's friends called him Jesus because of his forgiving nature and how his friends called me Hail Mary because I always broke up my brothers fights. I never liked that nickname at first but after awhile it grew on me because it was true." I finished talking and Rick ran a hand through his hair.

"You really think he will help us?" He asked, second time I got asked that

"We all want the same thing, we want to survive and protect our family. I know that with his help we can come together to take down Negan and his group, who knows maybe once its over our three groups can come together to help each other out in other ways, trading food, wepons, and any other supplies. I would like to bring us all together to make a better life for all of us, I know you do too especially for your kids," I said and he looked at me with a confused look, "Daryl told me you have another child, a little girl, Judith right?"

Rick nodded and looked at the ground for a brief second then looked back at me, "So you and Daryl have gotten close huh?" He asked and I could see a small smirk form on his lips.

I tried to hide a blush,"Yeah, after he brought me back here from the Sanctuary we seemed to just bond. We both shared in the fact that we were both held captive by that evil man."

"Daryl's a good man, more then he would like to admit, we may not be blood but he's my brother." Rick said putting his hands in his pockets.

"You don't need to be blood to be family, protecting the people you care about and willing to lay your life down for them is what makes you family." I said putting my hands on my hips.

"I couldnt agree with you more. Well anyways I better check to see if we are all set out there. Thank you again for everything you are doing to help us." He said walking to the door and I just nodded my head at him.

He reached for the door knob before turning back to look at me, "Another thing, Daryl's been through so much pain, we all have, don't hurt him or I'll hurt you." He said and at first I thought he was dead serious but I saw a smile go across his lips.

"I would never dream of hurting Daryl, you have my word." I said to him and he left my trailer. I turned back to give my place one more look over to make sure I got everything I was going to need. After I saw that I did I grabbed the two bags and headed out of my trailer towards the trailer. I saw Daryl standing by the RV putting stuff in and I walked up and handed him the bags, he took them and loaded them up.

"What did Rick want?" He said coming up to me.

"He asked me how I knew Ezikial, I told him, then he threatened that if I hurt you he would hurt me." I said with a smile, he gave a small snort.

"Sounds like Rick, but he doesnt need to worry the only you could hurt me is if I lost ya." He said, his words stung a little, I didnt want to lose him either, it would kill me. I couldnt do that to Daryl, not after everything he's been through.

"You're not going to lose me," I said putting my hand on his cheek, "I'm to stubborn to die." He put his hand on mine and moved it down to his side while still holding it. He moved closer and put his other hand on my face this time and pulled me into a deep kiss. It felt like it would last forever but we broke apart when Rick hollered for everyone who was going to get in the RV so we could head out. Drayl was still holding my hand as he led us into the RV and I sat at the table in there next to the window and he sat down next to me. Next my brother got in and sat down across from us and Carl sat down next to him. Michonne and Rick came in, Rick at the wheel and Michonne next to him in the passenger seat. Rosita, Maggie, Sasha and Enid were staying at the Hilltop in case anything happened and plus I refused to let Maggie join because she was suppose to take it easy, Rosita and Sasha were the strongest people I could have there to defend the place, along with all of my other people who were training. Rick started up the RV and we drove out of the gate, it was about a days drive between the Hilltop and The Kingdom.

After an hour had passed Daryl put his arm around my shoulder and I layed my head on his chest, I didnt intend on falling asleep but I did and I felt Daryl kiss the top of my head.

Daryl's POV

I sat in the RV with Mary's head resting on my chest, not long after she layed her head down she started to fall asleep, I placed a kiss on her head. Her brother looked at us and smiled.

"I think this is the first time I have seen her this happy," He told me shifting in his seat.

I looked back at Mary and smiled then looked at her brother, "I'm just doing what I can." i told him.

"Well it seems to be working, otherwise she wouldnt have given you the time of day. She's taken on so much responibility lately, it make me happy to see she has someone like you looking after her, caring for her. I never would have thought that about you when we met." He told me.

I remember that day clearly, me and Rick went out to look for food or anything else we could find. We ran into a man who called himself Jesus, he tried to steal the truck we found, shot a walker that was coming up behind me as I was trying to get him out of the truck, he ended up getting knocked out and the truck ended up in the lake. After he broke out of the little jail cell we had him set up in he told us about the Hilltop. That was also when I met that prick Gregory, I know she still blames herself for what happened to him even though he betrayed her and everyone else there. Still it wasnt her fault, if the Saviors would have found us I dont know what I would do if anything would have happened to her, Gregory's death is not on her, or me, its on him and him alone,

"She's strong, always has been, even when we were kids," Jesus said looking at his sister, she told me the reason her brother's friends called her Hail Mary, and I could see it, "Just take care of her, she's been through a lot. Did she ever tell you what happened to our parents?"

I shook my head at him, she never brought it up but I didnt want to push, she can tell me when she's ready.

"When she tells you just know that its the main reason why she's so brokn inside, even though she hides it." Jesus said looking at his sister again, I knew why he was concerned but he didnt have to worry, I would protect her with my life. I loved her, even though I havent told her yet, I loved her and no matter what I will never leave her side, I'll die before I let anything happen to her. I looked out the RV's window, I never loved any girls I had been with, they were the kind of girls who just wanted sex then leave the next day, I didnt mind because thats who I used to be, not anymore, not after meeting her. This time I had someone who I loved and who I hoped loved me back. I had my future right here laying her head on me and I was going to make sure we could continue to have that future. No matter what.