Hey everyone, sorry it took me so long to update, been super busy. Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed and read, we're nearing the end of this story as far as the show goes, not sure how much further I'll take it. I'm thinking of writing another one after finishing this with more of my own story line rather then following the show so closely. Gotta have my zombie time one way or another until October when season four comes out!

Hope everyone enjoys, and please review.

Chapter Twenty Four

Ali…

From the moment he returned she didn't know what to do, or say… or think. She was so practiced at picking people apart. Putting them back together? Picking up the pieces? None of it made sense to her. Ali didn't even know how to put herself back together, let alone someone else.

The fucked up thing was they didn't have time for this. And Daryl knew it. He came roaring back with a purpose, didn't give Emma or Ali the time of day. He was off with Rick, Herschel or Glenn. Setting up some sort of wall or barricade… like it could keep out what was coming. Ali didn't trust for a second that any of them would make it out alive. They didn't have a plan, they were stuck and afraid. Every hour that passed was painstaking. It made her ill to even think of what was on their doorstep.

"Daryl, I have to talk to you." It was the day after Merle was murdered... She let him have his time the night before, let him sleep alone at the top of the stairs without a word. Didn't complain when he shied away from her touch. She was trying to help him, and he didn't want help. She knew the feeling… but was still frustrated by it. Maybe because she knew where it came from, because she knew that he needed nothing more than to let it out and have someone there when he did. He was just like her, why wouldn't he let her help?

"Okay, what is it?" His voice was stiff, though his hand on her hip leading her away from the men working was warm and comforting. She couldn't believe she missed his touch that much.

"What is going on?" Ali's voice was quiet and managed. She wouldn't let him think she was falling apart right now. He didn't need that and she knew it. She'd be strong when he needed her to be.

"We're gettin' ready, buildin' walls, makin' it harder for them to get in." Daryl looked at her as though she was missing a brain.

She shook her head, quickly losing patience. "Michonne told us he has an entire armory. We have a few bullets and arrows to get us through an attack like this? It's ridiculous." She realized then how angry she was. No one was even asking her opinion, her thoughts on how to carry this out. All the men just took over without any discussion at all and decided what was best for all of them, and it made her pissed as hell.

"Yeah? Ridiculous?" Daryl was speaking to her through gritted teeth. When he was angry he seemed to stand taller, his presence threatening to swallow her whole. She began to shrink slightly when a voice in her head grabbed a hold.

Doesn't matter what he thinks, tell them Ali, tell them your plan. It'll save them… it'll save them all…

When Ali looked up her eyes were filled with tears, her father's reassuring voice echoing in her brain. So what if it wasn't reality… it was the only thing that would give her the guts to stand up to them. Her father was the only one ever to give her that type of courage, the courage it took to lead. Rick was born this way she guessed. Like he was supposed to show people the way from day one.

Her? Not so much.

"Will you just listen to me? I have an idea… and I think it's going to work."

Daryl…

He stood behind her every step of the way, encouraged her to bring this to the group. What she was saying made sense, and it was the first solid plan he had heard from anyone so far. They really had no idea when these men were going to show up, but after what the Governor did the day before, he was guessing it would be anytime now.

"So don't you see? They'll think the whole time their unleashing hell on us, but we won't be in sight. We won't be on the outskirts, we'll be inside. They don't know the layout of this place; they don't know where to go. It's dark and frightening, they'll lose their bearings… and that's when we'll hit them with everything we got." For the first time in days Daryl heard strength in her voice. The girl with the pistol in her hands, face wrapped in a scarf, concentration in her eyes: she was back. And she was back with a vengeance.

Rick slowly began to nod. "We'll have the barriers up as well, they'll tire themselves out before they even get inside, they'll use up a lot of ammunition shooting at nothing."

Ali nodded, smiling at him. She quickly tied her hair up, getting it out of her face, and stepped closer to the men. Further away from Daryl. He stood back and watched her with curiosity. Ali was in her element, she was comfortable with this talk. Laying out plans, tracing a map of the prison in the dirt with her fingers… it was like she was meant to do this sort of thing. Like she knew exactly what she was doing when it came to waging war.

"How do you know about all this stuff?" Daryl asked her, suspicion in his voice. "Your father?"

Ali nodded, now she was the one looking at him like he didn't have a brain. "He was an officer in the navy. Never told me too much about his job, but he taught me how to do certain things… fighting off an enemy is one of them." She shrugged. "How to protect myself too."

"Huh…" Daryl frowned in her direction as she turned away quickly and continued to address Rick, Glenn and Herschel. They were all talking now, throwing out ideas, setting up plans. Ali stood and gave Glenn and Rick the task of letting the others know what the plan is and getting them into position. She told Herschel to separate out the guns, making sure that those who were closest to where the fire would be coming from had the automatics and certain armor.

"We still have those smoke bombs right? The ones you guys used when you were getting Daryl out of Woodbury?" She spoke quickly. Watching and listening to her right then felt odd. It was as though she was a different person.

"What are we supposed to be doing right now then?" Daryl asked her as Herschel walked away. He was surprised at how willingly the men took to the orders she was dishing out. Suddenly she was in charge, she was the one with the ideas, and everyone listened. It was bizarre.

She brushed the sweat away from her forehead and pressed her lips together. "Well, I get the unpleasant task of letting the kids know that they will not be participating in this."

"Yeah, I don't see Carl listening to you on that one."

"Well he's gonna have to, he doesn't have a choice." Ali said matter of factly.

"He doesn't have a choice?" Daryl didn't know how to take any of this. He was grateful and relieved to finally have a plan in the works, and he was impressed with her knowledge… but she was freaking him out. It was like he flipped a switch inside of her when he told her to tell the group her idea. Like suddenly she had balls of steel and was 100% comfortable giving orders and taking the lead. She had always been strong, but he'd never seen her this intense before. "So if he tells you no, what the hell are you gonna do? Chain him to a bunk?"

Ali's head snapped around to Daryl, a mean look on her face. "No, of course not. I'll get Rick and have Rick explain it to him. He has to listen to his Dad." She turned her whole body now. Daryl couldn't get over it, even her posture was different. "Is there a problem? Why are you acting so weird?"

"I'm acting weird?" Daryl shrugged his crossbow on to his shoulder, shaking his head. "Sorry to break it to you there girly, but you're the one actin' outta sorts. You got a plan and all of a sudden you in charge of everythin'? Tellin' people what to do, tellin' Carl he can't protect what's his along with the rest of us?"

Ali's face bared no emotion as she spoke. "Yes, I have a plan and I know the best way to execute it. I know what's going to keep us alive, I'm trying to help." She turned away from him, loading her pistol. "And newsflash Daryl, Carl is twelve years old. He shouldn't even be killing walkers, but it's necessary right? Well, have you thought that maybe him standing down is necessary? He's going to be completely desensitized, he'll have no regard for human life, and I don't think any of us wants that for him." She stuck her gun in her holster and turned back to him. "So, do you think you could quit giving me shit, and start giving me a hand instead?"

Daryl watched with amusement as Ali delivered the news to Emma and Carl. Just as he had predicted Carl lost his mind, yelling at her, stalking off vowing to find his dad. His dad would let him go, he said, his dad would let him help.

Emma just sat there staring at the ground. When Ali turned back to her she asked "Well, are you mad at me too?" She was becoming exasperated, Daryl could tell. He felt bad for a moment, but he wasn't going to rescue her from this. He had a feeling she didn't need rescuing anyway.

Emma wouldn't look up so Ali kneeled in front of her. "Emma?"

"No I ain't mad." She said her voice small and weak. "I'm scared, and I don't wanna die. I don't want anyone to die."

For a moment Ali let her guard down and wrapped the young girl up in a hug. "Well sweetheart, that's what we're doing here. We're gonna make sure that none of us die, and the best way you can help with that is to stay back. You understand?"

She nodded and stood up. Left the cell without saying a word.

"Well," Ali frowned at Daryl. "I guess we should get started."

Ali…

Daryl had been avoiding her all day. He did what she asked without argument, but he wasn't interested in speaking to her. She thought she was doing what he wanted, letting them know of her plan and trying to get things done, but he seemed really angry with her. Ali didn't know why.

"Hey, you want some company?" She asked timidly, coming up behind Daryl as he stood watch. The sun was beginning to set and most of the others were inside eating what little food they could spare from the rations. Daryl shrugged and Ali stepped up next to him. She placed her arms up and rested them on the two by four in front of them. "It's pretty huh?" Daryl didn't respond. "Seems strange that we're about to be attacked."

Again, no response.

"Did I do something to piss you off?" Ali's voiced was slightly raised. Daryl promptly shushed her, annoyance spread across his face.

"Shut up will ya?" He practically spit at her. "You wanna rile up all those walkers? We'd be listening to them clear into the night… shit."

"Okay, I'm sorry." Ali was taken aback by his sudden rudeness. She didn't want to get mad at him, he was going through a lot right then, but he was just being mean now. "You don't have to snap at me like that."

He turned back to the courtyard, forehead creased with anger. A long silence followed, Ali couldn't remember the last time she'd felt that uncomfortable.

"Well, stay out here by yourself then. See ya." She said curtly and she began to walk away. She half expected him to stop her, but he didn't. She felt a lump rising to her throat and couldn't help it. Her emotions got the better of her. Like they usually did. "You know, I didn't do anything to you, I'm just trying to make sure we don't all get killed here. I'm trying to help and you're getting mad at me… and you know what? I don't deserve it and I certainly don't fucking appreciate it. This is bullshit."

With that she stalked off. She didn't hear him following and was relieved by that. She'd probably just end up saying more hurtful things if he tried to calm her down. Ali was beyond her breaking point, and he'd made it impossible for her to talk to him. The whole thing was just so stupid… and right before they were about to go through this ordeal… where they both might die… he wanted to fight right now?

She sat down next to Emma and started to move her noodles around with her fork. She had no appetite. If anything, she felt as though she was going to be sick.

"Hey." Emma nodded over to her as she swallowed down her dinner. "What's the matter with ya'? You seem mad."

"I am mad." Ali was practically pouting into her soup. "He's being rotten to me and I didn't do anything to him. I don't get it and he won't talk to me and it's frustrating." Ali looked up just in time to see Emma roll her eyes and shake her head. "What?" She snapped

"Just… what do you expect Ali?" Emma stood up holding her empty bowl. She continued as she walked over to the sink and placed it down. "He comes back here after what happens to Merle and immediately has to start planning for the moment the Governor comes back." She turned to look at Ali then, and she felt as though she were being scolded. "And you come at him with a plan and suddenly you're giving orders and drawing maps and loading guns… so I ask you again, what do you expect?"

"Hey watch it girly, I'm not doing anything wrong here. I'm trying to help." Ali was annoyed now; she couldn't even count on Emma to back her up anymore? What the hell was happening?

"Yes you are doin' something wrong Ali," Emma's eyes began to soften. "You're showin' him a side of you he's never really seen, and it's scarin' him. The only other time I ever seen you like this was when were on the road with everyone else and tryin' to find a way to secure that old house so we could stay there, remember?"

Ali nodded. It had taken them hours, and they lost a friend, Adam, in the fight, but they had made it in. They succeeded. Ali and her father had made sure of that.

"You and your dad came in hot, with plans laid out as if they just sprung up from nowhere. You were directing everyone this way and that… you were in charge. I didn't understand it. But I do now, because it's just been you and me for so long. I know you; I know what you're really like." Emma nodded toward the door where Daryl was standing on just the other side. "He don't."

She didn't know what to say. Emma was making sense… maybe he was alarmed by her behavior… but that meant that he might not love her. Once he knew this side of her, would he be able to see her the same way again?

Ali stood up quickly and put a hand on Emma's shoulder. "Thanks kid, you're right." Emma smiled up at her as Ali ruffled her hair. "And you got some guts to say this kind of shit to me… I respect that." Ali shoved her back playfully. "Just don't get used to it."

With that Ali headed toward the door. She wouldn't let this go on any longer. If she didn't, she'd regret it for what might be her very short life.

Daryl…

He let out an exasperated sigh as he heard the door open up again behind him. He couldn't even stand watch in peace. "Whoever it is, go away, I got this."

"Sorry, no." It was Ali. Daryl didn't turn, determined to not allow her to see his face. This felt like a real fight, and usually he just ran from those when it came to women. He couldn't escape this one, not this time… and it pissed him off to no end. He knew he shouldn't be getting this angry with her, but he couldn't help it. All he wanted her to do was leave him alone until he felt better.

"Well too bad, Ali. Go back inside, watch the kids, feed the baby… or whatever it is you do now. Lord knows I got no clue what the hell that entails."

"I know that, and I'm sorry." Her voice was small, she sounded as though she might cry any second. "I know you don't understand what I'm doing. I shouldn't be surprised."

Daryl turned now to look at her. A long silence followed and he ended up nodding his head for her to stand beside him. "Come on, we'll both keep an eye out for a while."

She hurried up next to him. He felt her reach out and squeeze his palm with her fingers and quickly let go. The familiar touch made him feel okay for the first time since what had happened to Merle. As if Ali was reading his mind, she quietly said "I'm sorry about your brother Daryl. I really am."

He looked down to the cement underneath their feet. "Yeah… me too. Thanks."

She reached up and kissed his cheek. "You're welcome; I should have said that yesterday. I didn't know what to do, I'm not good with these sorts of things."

Daryl smirked down to her, "Well I suppose that makes two of us then." He touched the back of his hand to her face and bent down to kiss her. She tasted so good, her lips soft… he was taking comfort in this, in her.

She reached up, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissed him back. He had his hand on the back of her head, the other pulling at the buttons of her shirt. She let out a small laugh. "We can't do that out here Daryl."

He looked around hurriedly and nodded toward the small door a few yards away. "Come on, we might not get another chance."

That was all Ali needed to hear. Daryl didn't know if it was because it was make up sex, he wasn't sure if it was the looming threat on their lives, or what exactly was happening, but it was the best he'd ever had. When they were finished and Ali was catching her breath the look on her face told him she felt the same way. He reached over and kissed her lightly. "I love you… weather you're a warrior or a housewife or somewhere in between… okay?"

She nodded lightly. "Okay and I love you too." Smiling as she pulled her clothes on. "Come on, we gotta get back out there, if anyone finds out we bailed on our watch to do… this… well it wouldn't look good on either of us."

Daryl laughed and grabbed her hand. She tugged him up and held on to his hand for a moment longer. "Well, I guess it's time we get ready… let's go talk to the others. Get in position, we need to be on top of this." He sighed. "We can't get caught sleepin'… it'll get us killed."

She nodded in agreement. "I'm with Emma on this one. I don't want to die."