AN: short chapter. Two updates... I'm on a roll! One chapter left in this.

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 14

One month later

The run had gone longer than expected. Much longer . It was the first time he'd led a group out on his own, Daryl had been shocked when his mother had given him his own team.

Every highway and road that they'd attempted had been blocked someway, endless back tracking had gotten his hackles raised, they'd gone off road tracking through the forest, into a small town his momma had marked off on the map. They were hitting up untouched places, for supplies and recruits.

The herd had struck next. They had been raiding a highschool, having just cleared it,his team had informed him of an approaching herd. One they could not outrun when their vehicles were on the other side of the woods.

They barricaded themselves in the school to wait it out. They had plenty of supplies, but he couldn't help but worry about Carol. She could take care of herself, but she would worry.

Eight days, for the lumbering herd to move on. Every night he dreamed of her face.

Then the cars were gone. Stolen by some group wandering through. They'd had to walk home, adding four more days.

He was worn down. Exhausted but at least that hadn't lost anyone he thought as he entered the gates.

He put his gear down with a huff. Sighing then pausing as he saw her coming out of the medical centre.

Carol.

She stopped, coming up short. His heart breaking at the looks crossing her face. Fear , joy, disbelief her shoulders seemed to be unburdened in relief, she put her head down for just a moment, the she was running her face filled with joy. He caught her as she threw herself through the air her legs wrapping around his waist. He had to take a step back to steady himself.

She was shaking he realized as he rubbed her back. His momma was at his side suddenly, Carol was still holding him tightly not moving. His momma pulled his face down, pressing her forehead to his tightly. Her hand brushing his cheek in relief, as Carol still held him tightly.

His momma stepped back wiping a tear on her cheek. "Carol hasn't slept in days, take her home Daryl."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She woke with a start beside him. It was evening now.

He could feel her moving, there was something eating at her soul.

"What is it?" He grunted.

She turned looking up at him. "I've done it." She whispered.

He sat up. "What?"

Carol sat up at the side of the bed, turning her back to him. She was still dressed, they'd been to tired to get undressed.

"A cure..." she whispered. "Your blood, I wasn't able to create a vaccine yet , but what I made is like an anti venom. It works." She said slowly.

Disbelief cursed through him. She was unbelievable. So incredibly smart it scares him sometimes.

Daryl smiled pulling her onto his lap. "That's amazing baby, I thought you would be happier than this." He murmured as he flicked his tongue out to her ear.

Her hands came up and hugged him tightly. "You need to know how I tested it... Violet said if I didn't tell you she would." She was shaking.

"What did you do.." he asked quietly his voice barely a whisper.

"I barely left my lab, when you were gone. It's the one thing, the one thing that could always distract me." She paused biting her lip, looking at the wouldn't make eye contact and it was pissing him off.

"I was immersed, but the longer you were gone, the more obsessed I became in what I waS doing. The run was supposed to be a few hours , you were gone twelve days." She whispered on a sob as he kissed her temple.

"The vaccine is more difficult than I thought, that will take years without the proper equipment, but it hit me. An antiviral injected like anti venom for the initial viral load. I knew it could work." She said and wiped her eyes. "Seven days after you were gone I synthesized it, and then I tested it four days ago, it works, I'm ok, it works" she whispered. Her voice sounded so small, and he felt his stomach fill with dread." What did you do?"he asked hoarsely

She lowered her arm from where it was wound around his neck, inching the sleeve of her Henley up to reveal a healing bite wound.