Disclaimer: I do not own the walking dead, after successfully completing my twelve step program I can admit that! Phew! What a relief! I wouldn't want you guys to get confused or anything! ; )

Okay, I will be traveling cross-country Sunday evening into Monday so I will not be around to update, so here ya go!

Enjoy! :)

Chapter Twenty-Four

(Fin's POV)

My stomach twists with nerves when the truck comes into view.

Daryl stands up becoming visible above the tall grass lining the otherwise deserted highway, he steps closer to the road making sure they can't miss him with their speed since they'll be searching both sides of the highway not certain exactly where we ended up when we exited the woods.

The truck slows moving towards the left lane to stop parked against the yellow line. I've already climbed to my feet, find myself chewing on my lip trying to make out the faces through the sun-reflecting windscreen in the bright light. I don't have to squint a moment later when the driver and passenger side doors open and Rick and Michonne join us on the blacktop.

"Well you're still alive," Michonne tells Daryl. She grins at us with a flash of white teeth, making me suspect it might have been her laughter we heard earlier. She circles the front of the cab mirroring Rick's approach from the driver side. There's no sword behind her back; it's probably still in the truck cab.

"Hey Girly," She turns to me, checking me over quickly. "Nice dress. Long time no see."

"Yeah…" I stare back at her not sure what else to say. Michonne and I don't speak much; not because we don't like each other. I've been hunting with her several times and I enjoy her generally silent company; it makes the times she opens up and gets chatty all the more amusing. "I'm sorry I threw a knife at your head…" I add conversationally, almost the same way I'd throw in an apology for not having the right kind of soda for a social gathering. Daryl is shaking his head next to me like he still can't believe it.

But Michonne's grin spreads wider still watching me, looking amused by that memory. "Thanks for missing." She shrugs one shoulder the dismissing movement sending a few thick locks sliding back off her shoulder. "I'll forgive you; as long as you teach me how to do that."

"Deal."

"Never know when I might need to throw a knife at someone's head; handy skill to have." One of Michonne's brows quirks north her eyes darting to Rick while her lips twist up. Rick misses her thinly veiled threat even standing next to her, which is alright since I don't think she was serious.

He hasn't said anything since he got out of the truck, his eyes locked on my face while I exchanged words with Michonne. When he steps toward me a moment later I have to physically stop myself from stepping backwards. He doesn't say anything at first just wraps his arms around my shoulders hugging me so tight it's hard to breathe.

I feel like I should pat him on the back and say 'there, there' or something…

I wait but still nothing comes. "Rick…you're kinda freaking me out." I tell him after what feels like a lifetime without words just standing here with the hot sun cooking the top of my head and Rick's tight embrace trapping me against his chest.

"My son…you saved his life; Thank you." Rick finally speaks the words pressed to the top of my head with his greater height and the way I've turned my face to rest my cheek against his shirt so I can breathe. "I don't even know how to tell you how grateful I am. If there's anything you ever need; anything, you just ask. I don't know how else to repay you."

"You don't have to, he's family." I tell him my voice too thick, trying to get stuck in the back of my throat on the lump sitting there. Rick hugs me again so tight it's hard to breathe; which is why my breath hitches a moment later. That's my story at least.

"So are you."

Crap. I hide my face against Rick's shirt for a moment but the sting of tears only gets worse pressed this close to him. I push back firmly averting my blurry vision to the surrounding trees. "Stop it before you make me cry." I warn, voice wobbling more then I'd like.

Stupid boys.

Rick lets me go completely his hands dropping to his sides and I quickly swipe at my cheeks dragging in a shaky breath.

"We should head back," Michonne breaks the silence twists her head towards the truck ignoring my tears. "Everyone's waiting to see you."

Right. I'm already crying after just Rick. Maybe we can just sneak in the back so I don't have to see everyone at once…

"Need to head through town first," Daryl tells them slinging both our bags into the truck. He must have grabbed them while I was trapped in the Rick-hug; he likes emotional outbursts as much as I do. I look to him for explanation since I wasn't aware we needed to make a pit stop. He gives nothing away with his eyes when he catches my gaze. Color me intrigued, I feel my brow moving north, shrug when Michonne shoots me a curious look.

"Any place in particular?" Rick asks mirroring my thoughts as we all move towards the truck. He's circling around to the driver's side of Daryl's truck while Michonne opens the back door and slides into the rear seat this time, obviously planning to let the boy's drive and navigate.

"I'll drive," Daryl tells Rick grabbing the truck's ajar door. Rick shrugs and announces 'Shotgun' even though I'm already sliding into the back seat of the tall vehicle assisted by Michonne's outstretched hand.

Damn truck is ridiculously tall, always has been.

"Tell you when we get there," Daryl answers catching my eye in the rearview mirror mysteriously before turning us around on the highway and driving back towards town.

:: Walking Dead ::

Rick called ahead using the Walkie sitting in the cup holder between the front seats minutes before we arrived so it looks like I won't be escaping the full welcome wagon after all.

I think I see two outlines against the top of the warehouse roof for a brief moment the second we turn into the lot; they're gone a moment later. Probably telling everyone we're back so they can ambush us. I draw in a shaky breath and Michonne grins sitting next to me for split second; probably the only one to hear my nervous reaction at returning home. She opens her door the second the truck is stopped and waits for me to climb out with a wave of her hand, which is just as well since I was thinking about hiding in the backseat and maybe just telling Daryl to keep driving.

He's already out of the truck though, Rick too.

I slide off the seat and let myself fall the last eight inches or so to the hard pavement glad I'm wearing the ridiculous jean shorts under my dress when the skirt rides up my thighs and has to be shaken back down.

"Should tell your husband to add step up bars to this thing," She winks at me shutting the door. I find myself fingering the tiny silver ring on my left hand, twirling the delicate smooth band before catching myself. "It's pretty, he's got good taste." She adds catching my new nervous habit.

I nod my head still speechless at the side trip we just took, my eyes glancing at the matching silver band on Daryl's hand feeling my stomach flip and my breath catch in my chest when he catches my eye. I'm still floored that he wanted to look for them right in front of Rick and Michonne; not that they seemed bothered in the slightest by our thirty minute wedding band expedition. Michonne especially seemed to have a grand time checking out what was left of the bracelet and necklace section judging by the bright smoky amber colored pendent now adorning her throat the trip wasn't a waste in her book either. Still, we could have snuck out in a few days and went ourselves…not that I think it would take Carol longer than ten seconds in the same room with us to notice the second we got back…She's far more observant then most people realize.

Daryl catches my eye pulling our bags from the back of the truck. His lips twist up as he sets the bags against the lot pausing to close the tailgate. There's a flurry of activity coming across the pavement moments later as he's picking both bags up with his crossbow and my bow moving closer.

"Fin!" Mika just came around the corner of the warehouse yards ahead of Carol and even Carl; who's apparently too cool to run and greet me. I move off to the side so that the little blonde that's almost my height now can tackle me with a hug without threatening to knock over anyone else.

"I told you, you could come back! I was right!"

"Yes," I hug her tighter. "You were right,"

"Welcome back!" Carol hugs me right over top of Mika the little blonde trapped between us not that she seems to care; she's almost vibrating with joy. When Carol lets me go she starts to drag Mika off of my waist. Her quiet "Let her say hello to everyone else," finally pulling Mika away with a pout.

I'm immediately wrapped in another tight hug without so much as a second to catch my breath. "I'm so glad your back! I was so worried!" Maggie's voice is thick with tears threatening to make me cry when I barely managed to keep it together with Carol's brief embrace.

"You feeling okay?" I ask pulling away from her enough to take in her still tiny frame despite all the weeks passing in my absence. She's got to be nearing the halfway point now. She nods Glenn standing just behind her grins at me. "Welcome back."

Sasha hugs me with Molly hanging just behind her hip peeking at me with her shy smile and then Tyreese hugs me; which is a little like being strangled by a bear. Dude is huge. Carl just winks at me his neck no longer covered in gauze, just the faint silvery white outline of a thick scar marking his skin from jawline to collar.

"Okay, no more hugging!" I announce waving my hands in front of me. The movement obviously catching Maggie and Carol's eyes at the same exact second. The both speak in unison, voices excited and loud enough to draw everyone else's attention making me blush furiously.

"Hold on!"

"What is this?!"

Crap.

Maggie's grin is fierce as she grabs my left hand. "You take a weekend trip to Vegas?" She jokes inspecting the inlayed silver band around my second finger. Carol is already turning on Daryl slapping his shoulder. "You get married and you don't even tell me?"

"We just got back!" He tells her while she slaps him again a few more times, "That's no excuse!"

Maggie's grin turns mischievous when she looks up at me. Uh oh. "Was it a shotgun wedding?" she asks winking at me.

I can almost hear Daryl's heart attack a few feet from me he damn near trips over his own feet still trying to avoid Carol's half-serious assault at our oversight. He goes very still at that comment even after Carol pops him with her hand again; he doesn't even flinch. He's too busy shooting Maggie a narrowed look before shaking his head at Carol who's staring him down on brow raised.

"No!" I tell her feeling my cheeks heat because suddenly everyone is listening a little to intently... and just ugh.

"Not for lack of trying," I swear Daryl just mumbled, but I must be losing my mind because that can't be right.

"Why would you bring shotguns to a wedding?" Mika asks face pinched in confusion staring up at me while I try to think of an appropriate response to that. Rick is laughing beside me about to hack up a lung at my expression, My eyes dart to Maggie who's absolutely no help at all a little red faced as well while Carol smacks Daryl again shaking her head.

"Uh, because you should take guns with you everywhere." I tell her Maggie is nodding right along with me neither of us eager to explain that concept.

"Don't worry about it Mika," Carol grabs me again hugging me tight enough to squeeze the air out of my lungs. "I'm so happy for you!" She pulls back enough to watch my face adds quieter so only I can hear. "You sure it's not a shotgun wedding?"

I roll my eyes. "Carol! No!"

"Oh well, I'm still winning the bet," she announces winking at me and letting me go.

Bet? What bet?

I scowl at her but she just smiles sweetly hugging Daryl despite his long-suffering expression. He gets away much faster than I've managed to backing away from Carol to stand next to me again. "We gonna go inside or stand around all day?" He barks clearly over the emotional display and ready to do something else; anything else.

Mika hugs me again slipping past Daryl's blocking arm to wrap her hands around my waist. She leans away from me face lighting up a moment later. "I have something to show you!" She grabs my hand and starts leading me away from Daryl and the others towards the front of the warehouse fences. I glance back at Rick wondering if they've re-fortified them in some way but he only shrugs at me before following us Daryl right on my heels since we started walking.

"Mika, where are you going?" Carol's voice carries over the lot everyone is following us now.

"It's a surprise! I couldn't tell anyone until you came back." We're stopped about five feet in front of the fences ringing the warehouse's front. The Walker's on the other side snarling and digging their fingers through the chain link openings at our presence…or everyone else's presence I guess; though I doubt they can smell me right now to tell the difference with the wind moving like it is.

"Mika wha—"

"Shhh, give me a second, it takes a minute." I glance down at her when she lets go of my hand staring eyes narrowed at the fence, a sinking feeling starts in the pit of my stomach warring with the anxiety twisting through my gut threatening to make me sick all over again.

"Mika, Honey…" Carol steps closer than pauses when three of the closest Walkers behind the fence go silent. They stop pawing at the barrier between us dropping their hands to rest docile against their sides.

Mika spins back to face me grin triumphant, "HA!"

The second she turns away they start clawing at the fence again. She frowns glancing at them lips pursed. "Well, it doesn't last for very long but I'm getting better." She beams at me again while I try to remember how to breathe.

"How…?" Carol is kneeling down beside us staring at Mika. "How did you do that Mika?"

"You got stabbed…" It suddenly hits me. Little pin pricks of panic sliding down my spine.

Mika is watching me looking pleased, she nods adding "…after Lizzie stabbed you."

My blood was already on the knife. Shit, is that really all it takes? A wave of dizziness sweeps through me, I'm suddenly light headed.

I can't breathe. Oh my god. I don't know when I started backing away, didn't even realize I was moving until I feel Daryl's hand press against my back stopping my retreat after a few feet. I have to bend forward; try to stop the spinning in my head, the buzzing noise pressing against my ears, filling my head like thick cotton.

"What's wrong?!" Mika looks stricken face falling farther as I fail to react in whatever way she imagined. "Did I do it wrong?"

I'm shaking my head. I can't speak. Can't explain why I'm shaking so hard. Too many thoughts spinning inside my head. God what have I done? The raging headache I had after what I did on the highway, the nose bleed the following day…the way I draw them when I'm upset endangering everyone who's normal around me…and now I've done the same thing to a child… Someone kneels down by my feet looking up at me. How can he look so calm? His fingers grip my arm, shaking me slightly; almost pulling my wobbly balance too far off center with my spinning head.

"You're not infecting people. Breathe Finny." He glances up turning slightly hand held up placating towards my first unintended victim. "Calm down Mika it's okay."

"Can…can you…?" I can't even get the words out they jam up in the back of my throat.

He shakes his head. "Nope, I've already tried."

Jesus. How can he sound disappointed? "How did you…" My voice strangles in my throat, caught on the swelling lump making it hard to breath. I swallow but it doesn't help.

"Mika told me when I got back. She's been trying to repeat what you did that night with Lizzie for months," The first night I revealed my secret trying to save her life. "But it doesn't work for me…although she's been like this longer," He shrugs like maybe it's something he'll develop. Like that's a good thing—I don't even know what it is or how I do it. It could be dangerous; and now Mika has it too…

"Why are you upset? I never have to be afraid again," Mika's voice is quiet, trembles. "I can't be like Lizzie, or Carol or Daryl; I tried…but now I don't have to be." She moves closer to me just stares at me with those big brown eyes so full of innocence. Even after the Prison, and the farm and Lizzie, she has no concept of just how wicked people can truly be. "It's okay Fin, you made me better: like you. I want to keep people safe, just like you do."

I've been ostracized and hunted down by everyone I've met since this all started; until now. I've been held captive and forced to keep others safe under threat of being tortured and raped… She's only eleven years old. If something happens to me; to Daryl and Rick and Carol and she's left alone… a shudder rolls through me burns like acid in the back of my throat. Mika thinks this ability is some kind of gift, but it still feels like a curse. I made her different completely on accident, just by exposing her to my blood…it doesn't make sense it took four transfusions to fix Carl but there was nowhere near that amount of blood on the knife Lizzie used on both of us.

Daryl's gotten my blood on him; and Carol too, does that mean they're infected as well?

"Maybe only girls get it," Carl continues narrowing his eyes at me drawing my attention forgetting for a moment he can't hear what I'm thinking; has no idea the line my thoughts have taken. "Like cooties." He adds.

Incredulous exasperation rolls through my chest. Only Carl could joke about something so damn serious. "Cooties aren't real dumdum"

"You would say that," Carl tells me sneering comically, "You're already infected."

"You're so stupid."

Carl grins shrugging. "Maybe; but you're breathing again." I start laughing, I can't help it, he's so like Tobin sometimes I almost forget…

"You're a sneaky ass Carl."

"Yup, and next time I want Jedi Mind powers too."

"Yeah, I'll focus on that next time I'm trying to save your life." The sarcasm rolls off my tongue doing nothing to remove the grin from his face.

"Damn Straight, Priorities." Carl tells me then he winks. "I've always wanted to be Batman." I straightening up shaking my head down at him until he stands up and I have to tilt my head back to see his face.

Everyone else is still standing with us; no one has started screaming or running. Carol is bending over to hug Mika telling her how special she is. They don't even look upset. Daryl's hand is still pressed firmly to the small of my back, helping my stomach settle, there's still knots twisted there, but I no longer feel like I might vomit.

It's going to be okay. We're going to be okay.

Carl is still staring at me waiting for something more. "Batman huh? That's too bad, I'm Batman." I remind him, "You're Robin."

Carl just grins.

:: Walking Dead ::