AN: I feel like I have written myself into a corner. I legitimately don't know how to end this story, but I want a happy ending... So if I go on hiatus, please don't hate me. I'll write other stuff in the meantime.

Day 13

They were already packed and ready to go. It seemed that Lori and Andrea had taken it upon themselves to force the others to start packing their things. They were so convinced that Rick would come through for them that they'd convinced the rest of the group that they'd be leaving well before Rick and Daryl had even returned.

The news had brought tears of joy to Carol's eyes and high praise from the others, but Daryl had wanted to tell them all where to go. They didn't care about him, they just wanted to be assured that they'd be safe. So he'd left Rick to deal with them.

Daryl said nothing as he packed his own things. No one dared to touch his stuff. He was angry and bitter. He was mad at Rick for being a stubborn jackass. He was mad at the group for existing. He was mad at Carol for caring. Worst of all, he was mad at himself for allowing his feelings for Rick to bloom.

Daryl packed his tent carefully. Despite his anger he didn't want to have to repair the tent. It was, after all the only thing keeping him away from the elements. And he'd need it come spring time. He was still determined to leave after the snows if Rick didn't change his mind.

Daryl was pretty sure that Rick would continue to live in his own little world of denial as long as Lori was around and still talking like they were married.

Daryl sighed. He was admittedly still living in denial. He pondered the benefits of actually pursuing Carol instead of Rick. Life might be simpler that way. In fact, he realized, life would be simpler if he didn't care for anyone at all and just went about his own business. Life sucked when you let people in, and no one would have your back forever. Merle had taught him that and it was only now that he was starting to feel the truth in those words.

It didn't take him long to pack his things, though he did draw out the process for as long as he physically could. He knew that the group was relying on him to lead them to their new paradise and the last thing he wanted to do was to take them there. He wanted to steal Rick away in the night. The group had been working fine without him, in fact, it seemed that the problems all stemmed from Rick coming back from the dead.

Daryl frowned to himself. He owed Rick everything and he felt like Rick knew it and was ignoring it.

"You shouldn't sneak up on a person." Daryl drawled slowly. "You're liable to get yerself shot."

"Sorry." Rick said quietly.

Daryl stood up to face the deputy. "What d'you want?"

"I wanted to apologize." Rick said. "I think you're right." He explained slowly. "I mean, about the group."

Daryl arched an eyebrow. "You get into another fight with Shane?"

Rick grinned sheepishly.

Daryl rolled his eyes. "You fight worse'n a married couple."

Rick nodded. "It's too late though, they're ready to move on."

"Well that's damn perfect." Daryl said sarcastically. "Such a shame we came back in the first place." He sighed and shook his head. "So what's the plan then?"

Rick frowned. "We're gonna go, we have to." He said slowly. "Fix up the place as best we can, maybe convert one of the sheds into an apartment or something so that there's more space for us..." He shook his head. "And then make preparations for the winter."

Daryl stared at the deputy. He was still keeping his loyalty to the group and ignoring Daryl's threat to leave. "Fine." He said. "I'll be ready to go in five minutes."

Rick grabbed Daryl's wrist, not allowing the other man to leave. "Tell me now, while we have the chance to be here, alone, what I can do to make you stay." He stared at Daryl, his eyes pleading. "I don't want to lose you."

Daryl stared at the hand against his wrist and narrowed his eyes. He felt his temper flare, he didn't like being halted or held back, but this was Rick. Daryl was pretty sure that Rick could punch him in the face and he'd just let it happen.

When the hell did Daryl Dixon become such a pussy?

"You don't want to lose me?" Daryl asked, finally pulling himself away from Rick. He snorted derisively. "Why?"

Rick blinked, where had all this anger come from?

"You're the only one who has had my back this whole time, Daryl." Rick said slowly, not rising to the bait of yelling at the other man. "You've been by my side through everything. You..." He stopped, casting a glance around.

"Can't say it?" Daryl spat. "Figures."

"Goddammit, Daryl!" Rick exclaimed, exhausted. He met the green eyes staring at him, searching for information, searching for answers.

Rick sighed.

"Daryl, I think-"

"Think?" Daryl asked with a smirk.

Rick frowned. "Daryl, goddammit, I love you."