Lydia sat on the hospital bed with her arms wrapped around her knees and she placed her head down.
"Hey," made her look up as Caroline walked closer and she stood next to the bed.
"Hey," Lydia said.
Caroline sat on the chair near the bed as Lydia sighed and Caroline saw the sad look in her eyes.
"Daryl told me what happened," Caroline said, flexing the fingers of her right hand.
"I see you do that sometimes. Is there something wrong with your hand?" Lydia asked.
"It gets a little stiff.:
"What happened?"
"Someone smashed my hand with a meat hammer."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to get a tattoo."
"Who did it?"
"My mom."
Lydia's eyes widened as Caroline sighed and Lydia lowered her head.
"You know who my mom is, right?" Lydia asked.
"Yeah. Wanna know somethin'?"
"Sure."
"When I first heard about Alpha, I thought Alpha was a man."
"Seriously?!"
"Seriously. You know that really big Whisperer…?"
"Beta?"
"Yeah, I thought he was Alpha."
Lydia lifted her head then she laughed and Caroline shrugged her shoulders.
"Carol told me you somehow got him to let you take down…. You got back Henry's…"
Caroline saw the tears in Lydia's eyes as she reached her hand out and Lydia took her hand.
"I only talked to Henry a couple of times. He was a really cool kid," Caroline said and Lydia nodded.
"I liked him a lot."
Daryl walked closer while they looked at him and he stood at the foot of the bed.
"Hey," he said with a nod.
"You need somethin'?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah, I did to talk to you."
"Go ahead," Lydia said. She watched them leave when she went to rest on her left side and she curled her legs up.
Caroline walked beside Daryl when he sat down on the stairs in front of their house and she sat down next to him. He looked straight ahead when he sighed and she leaned her head to look at him.
"What's up?" Caroline asked.
"There's gonna be a meetin' about what to do with Negan," Daryl said.
"What to do with him? He saved Lydia's life."
"He also killed one of her attackers. It was an accident, but they still need to decide if he should live or die."
"What do you want to do?"
"Not sure."
"Well, someone needs to stand up for him."
"I know. But there are a lot of us who remember what he did when he led the Saviors."
"Includin' you."
"Yeah," he said with a nod.
"Tell me somethin'. What would Rick do?"
"He'd let them kill him."
"Oh."
They sat in silence for a few minutes when he got up and she looked at him.
"Where are you goin'?" she asked.
"I'm gonna go talk to Negan," he said.
"Want me to go with you?"
"Yeah."
They headed for the stairs when they went downstairs and Daryl opened the door. They walked toward the cell while Negan rested on the bed then he sat up.
"Well, look who it is," Negan said. Daryl and Caroline stood near the bars as Negan pulled his legs up and he leaned back against the wall. "Have they decided what's gonna happen to me?"
"Not yet," Daryl said.
"I'm surprised they haven't just formed a fucking mob and hang me over the top of the wall with a fucking rope around my neck."
"There are some of us who know what you did was an accident," Caroline said.
"That's nice t'hear, Wild Thing, but it doesn't mean the rest of them are gonna suddenly become my friends."
"Why did you save her?" Daryl asked.
"You really wanted those assholes to kill her?"
"No."
"Neither did I."
Caroline looked at Daryl then she looked at Negan and she felt like Daryl wanted to talk with Negan in private. She nodded her head as she left the room and she went back upstairs.
"Where is she going?" Negan asked.
"She knows what I need to say is just between you and me," Daryl said and Negan waited for him to continue. A short time later, Daryl walked up the stairs and he saw Caroline sitting on the steps. He walked to her when he looked toward their motorcycles and she nodded. She got up as they walked toward the motorcycles and she lightly nudged him.
A few days later, Negan escaped Alexandria.
The sunlight shimmered off the leaves while Caroline and Daryl walked silently through the leaflitter as their eyes scanned the landscape and they held their crossbows in their hands. She felt the anger and frustration coming from her twin while Daryl walked slightly ahead of her and Dog followed close behind him. The dog sniffed the ground as they walked by the trees when Caroline felt as though they were being watched and she lightly tapped Daryl's back. She pointed toward a small hill as he nodded and they walked up the hill. They sat down on a fallen log when they placed the crossbows against the log and she removed the canteen from her belt. She opened the top of the canteen when she took a drink of water and she held the canteen out to him. He shook his head as she nodded and she placed the top back on the canteen.
"Do you believe Lydia's tellin' the truth and she let him out?" Caroline asked.
"No," Daryl said with a shake of his head.
"I was wonderin' if Gabriel thought it was me."
"Why would he think it was you?"
"You remember how he was when we found those heads on those pikes, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, now he's got another reason to suspect me of workin' with Alpha."
"I thought you two make peace about that."
"Peace is a delicate thing. It can go away just like that," she said, snapping her fingers.
"Michonne told me she'd kill him if he tries anythin'. And he knows I will."
Caroline gave him a slightly stunned look. He looked straight ahead as he reached out with his left hand and she took his hand, wrapping their fingers together. They sat in silence for a while then they got up and they walked down the small hill.
Daryl walked by the trees while Dog followed him then he stopped. He turned to see Caroline wasn't behind him and frowned. He had developed an inner alarm when it came to his sister, but he didn't feel like she was in danger and he looked around with his eyes.
"Well, look who it is," made him turn as he pointed his crossbow at Alpha and she tiled her head from one side to the other. "Now, there's no need for that."
"What are you doin' here?" Daryl asked while Dog growled and Alpha looked at the dog.
"Where's the other one?" she asked, ignoring his question and Daryl frowned.
"Who are you talkin' about?"
"I'm talking about the woman who walks as silent as a mouse. I've seen her walking with you. Where did she go?"
"Dunno."
"You didn't send her over the border, did you? That would be bad. For you."
Daryl stayed silent as she moved her head from one side to the other then she blinked her eyes a few times.
"Beta told me about her."
"What did he say?"
"She stood up to him. Not that many people do. They're afraid of him."
"I'm not."
"No… You're not."
Daryl stared down the crossbow at her as she sighed and she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Now, I'm gonna ask one last time. Where is she?" Alpha asked.
"I'm right here," Caroline said as she stepped out from behind a group of trees behind Daryl and she had her crossbow pointed at her. Alpha gave her a blank look and Daryl slowly backed up toward Caroline. He pointed as Caroline nodded and they headed into the trees. Alpha watched them walking away when she frowned then she realized something.
"You were right," she said and Negan walked out from behind the trees.
"Then you're going to take my advice and leave them the hell alone? I know first-hand what she's like when she's pissed off," Negan said.
"For now," she said as Alpha walked away and Negan sighed, following her.
Daryl watched Caroline walking ahead of him as she flexed the fingers of her right hand and she was kicking at the leaflitter. Dog walked beside her when she growled and she started to run. Daryl ran after her when she stopped near a tree and she placed the palms of her hands against the trunk. She had her head down and he saw her shoulders were shaking. He slowly walked closer when he leaned the crossbow against the trunk of the tree and he titled his head to one side. He could feel the anger and guilt coming off of her when he waited for her to calm down then she slowly turned her head to look at him. He removed the clean cloth out of his jeans pocket and he held the clean cloth out to her.
"Thanks," she said, taking the clean cloth and she wiped her eyes before blowing her nose.
"Why'd you take off?" he asked while he picked up the crossbow and she saw the concern in his eyes.
"I'm pissed off," she said.
"I mean earlier."
"I'm an idiot."
"No, you're not."
"Yeah, I am. I shouldn't have done that."
"Then why?" he asked. She placed the top of her head against the trunk when she sighed and she shook her head. "Talk to me."
"I had to… I… I had to take a piss," she said. She waited for him to say something, but the silence around her was deafening. She saw Dog near her right leg then she glanced over at Daryl and he was just staring at her. She stood straighter as she flexed her fingers on her right hand and she started walking away. She hadn't expected him to follow her as she heard his footsteps behind her and she held onto the strap of the crossbow.
Daryl knew she was angry at herself, but he didn't want her to keep it all inside. He knew Rick would have just backed off and give her space. He also knew Rick would have broken out laughing at her telling him she had gone off to take a piss. But he wasn't Rick and he hated seeing her like this.
"I shouldn't have done it," she suddenly said. "I should've stayed near you and pissed in my fuckin' jeans. You could've been overwhelmed by Walkers and I couldn't've done a fuckin' thing. Not with my jeans around my ankles."
"You could've taken them off."
She suddenly stopped as she turned to look at him and he had his arms crossed over his chest. She walked back to him when she locked eyes with him then she titled her head to one side.
"Was that supposed to be a joke?" she asked.
"Yeah."
"It wasn't funny."
"Yeah, it was."
"Why aren't you angry at me?!"
"You're doin' a good enough job."
"Daryl…"
"I'm not angry because I knew you were alright."
"But you could have been…"
"I can take care of myself."
"Yeah, I know. But…"
He placed his hands on her shoulders as she sighed and she gave him a sad look.
"You want me to be angry with you? Fine. I am. Alpha and those Whispers of hers can sneak up on someone and kill them without makin' a sound. And the idea of someone killin' you… It scares the fuck out of me. I may not say it. Hell, I've never said it to you. But I do love my little sister and I would be lost without her," he said and she heard the truth in his words.
"But…"
"No. You gotta stop feelin' like yer life doesn't matter because it matters to me," he said, pressing the palm of his right hand against his chest over his heart.
"I know that. I was just gonna say the real reason I'm angry is because I froze."
"You froze?"
"Alpha had no idea I was there. I had a clear shot. But I didn't pull the trigger! All because… All because of who she reminds me of."
"You mean Jessie?" he asked and she nodded.
"Why was it so easy when I had to kill her, but I couldn't kill Alpha?"
"I dunno. Maybe it has to do with you knowin' what you found in yer bedroom wasn't her. Not anymore."
"Maybe."
He let go of her shoulders as they started walking and she slid her arm around his waist.
"Daryl…?" she asked and he glanced at her.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"I love my big brother, too."
He arched his eyebrows up then he nodded his head and they walked down the trail.
Alexandria
The gate opened while Daryl. Dog and Caroline walked by the guard and they headed for the house. She headed up the stairs then she went into the house as he went to sit on the steps and Dog sat next to his left leg. He scratched the top of Dog's head as he thought about what happened and he placed his chin in his hands.
"Hey," Carol said while she walked down the stairs and she sat down next to him.
"Hey," Daryl said and he placed his forearms on his knees.
"Any luck finding Negan?"
"No. But we did find Alpha."
He noticed the anger on Carol's face and she snorted breath of air.
"What did she want?" Carol asked.
"Dunno. She was just there."
"I noticed Caroline was upset about something. What's wrong?"
"She froze when she could've taken Alpha out."
"She froze?"
"It was because Alpha reminded her of Jessie."
"I don't think Jessie was anything like Alpha."
"No, she was worse."
"How do you know?"
Daryl had never told her about the strange dream he and Caroline had as he sighed then he told her. Carol arched her eyebrows up at one point then she lowered her head. She did remember how Ed was with Sophia and Daryl gave her a concerned look.
"Ed was like that with Sophia," Carol said. Daryl didn't expect the anger he had felt for Ed to resurface. His mind replayed a conversation they had while he was recovering from the injuries he received during his search for Sophia and she had reminded him he had done more than Ed would have.
"Tell me somethin'," Daryl said after a few minutes and he turned to face her. "Do you think she let Negan out of his cell?"
"No."
"Does anyone else?"
"If you're talking about Gabriel, no, he doesn't think she let Negan out."
"She thinks he does."
"I thought they had made peace over his thinking she worked for Alpha."
Daryl saw Gabriel walking by when he got off the step and he walked to Gabriel.
"Hey! Wait up!" Daryl said and Gabriel stopped, turned and he saw the concern in Daryl eyes.
"Is there something wrong?" Gabriel asked.
"Yeah. I need you to talk with Caroline."
"Why?"
"Just go talk to her."
"Where is she?"
"She's at home."
Gabriel followed Daryl as they walked to the house then they went up the stairs. Daryl opened the door when they walked inside and he closed the door behind them.
"Caroline!?" Daryl called out as he went into the living room then the kitchen, but she wasn't there. He held up his right index finger as he ran upstairs and he went to see if she was in her room. Her room was empty, but her crossbow and quiver were on the bed and a cold ball of fear started building in his chest. He ran back down the stairs as he looked at Gabriel then Daryl ran to the stairs which led down to his room. He ran down the stairs when he stopped in the doorway and he swallowed the lump in his throat. Caroline was curled up on the couch and she had her eyes closed. He wasn't sure if she was asleep as he carefully walked to the couch and he knelt down. She made a soft sniffing sound as a tear rolled down her cheek and he wiped it away with the pad of her thumb. Her eyes snapped open as he brushed the hair out of her eyes then he turned to sit against the couch. "What are you doin' down here?"
"I wanted to be alone," she said.
"You could've gone to yer room."
"Yeah," she said and he turned his head to see a small smile on her face.
"Why are you cryin'?"
"You know why."
They went silent as she reached over and he felt her brushing her fingers through his hair.
"Remember when I told you about findin' Merle?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, I froze. I didn't wanna kill him."
"I know, but this was different. I should've killed her."
"Maybe you're not the one who's supposed to kill her."
"Maybe," she said and they became quiet again.
"I talked with Carol. She told me no one thinks you let Negan out," he said then he winced from her grabbing onto a handful of his hair. "Ow."
"Sorry," she said, smoothing down his hair.
"Will you do me a favor?"
"It depends on the favor."
"Talk with Gabriel," he said as he moved his head before she could grab onto his hair again.
"What's there to talk about? He's just gonna believe what he believes. That I'm workin' for Alpha and I'm gonna betray you."
"You think that little of me?" made her turn over onto her stomach as she held herself up on her elbows and Gabriel walked in the room. She turned her head to glare at Daryl, but Daryl looked straight ahead.
"No, I think that little of me," she said with a sigh and Gabriel walked to the couch. He sat on the floor as he faced her and he placed his wrists on his knees.
"Why do you feel that way?" Gabriel asked.
"Do you really wanna know?"
"Yes," he said with a nod. Daryl gave her a look as if to say it was alright to tell him and Caroline explained. Gabriel shocked by what he was hearing as he felt anger growing inside him and he nodded his head for her to continue. Once she was finished, Gabriel reached over and he placed his left hand on her right hand. She let him touch the scars on her hand as she saw the sadness as well as the anger on his face and in his eyes and he shook his head.
"I don't need yer pity."
"Would you rather have my trust and my anger? No one has the right to do something like this or to treat a child the way she treated you. But the one thing you need to remember is your father loved you and your brother…," Gabriel said as he looked at Daryl. "Loves you. Nothing can change that. And you shouldn't allow anyone, including me, make you feel otherwise."
"I know that, but it gets so hard sometimes."
"Then there is only one thing to do when you get like that."
"Lock myself in my room and cry?" she asked and he laughed.
"If that helps. But I also want you to know I'm here if you want to talk."
"So am I," Daryl said. She thought things over when she sighed and she flexed the fingers of her right hand. They watched her get off the couch as she went upstairs and Daryl shrugged.
Lydia sat on the bed as she looked at the bars when the door opened and she watched Caroline walking toward the bars. Caroline slid her arms through the bars as she looked at Lydia and Lydia wondered what she wanted.
"I finally met yer mother," Caroline said.
"Did she do anything?" Lydia asked.
"No."
"What do you think of her?"
"Honestly?"
"Yeah."
"She is a crazy, scary bitch," she said and Lydia smiled.
"Yeah, she is."
"Want me to tell you about mine?" she asked.
"Only if you want to."
Caroline told her as Lydia's eyes widened and Caroline placed her forehead against the bars. They were silent for a few minutes when Caroline looked up and they locked eyes.
"We can't change who they are, but we can't let them define us either," Caroline said.
"I think Carol or Daryl told me the same thing."
"Then you shouldn't let what those assholes out there say or think bother you either. I'm not. Not anymore. And, if they do say or do anything against you again, you tell me. And I'll tell Carol."
"Don't you mean Daryl?"
"Nope."
Lydia looked at her for a few seconds when she smiled and Lydia nodded her head.
A/N: I hope you liked my take on Alpha. She was a little tricky to write.