I'm still not exactly satisfied with this chapter but I can't keep looking at it so here it is. I hope you like it. It's not that much different from the original one but there are a few more caryl interations that I've added.

Daryl arrived at Eugene's attic early the next day. He had brought with him his bow, his knives, some rope and a handgun. The gun was probably unnecessary but he wanted to be prepared. The rope, he didn't want to think about.

The acorns sat discreetly in his shirt pocket, over his heart and Carol's bracelet sat on his wrist snugly. Both served to bolster his courage.

Eugene smiled at him in greeting as he entered the attic. Daryl wasn't able to return it. He was too full of nerves and worrying over all the 'What ifs?'.

"So, I take it you're ready?" Eugene asked.

"Ready as ever," he replied. He eyed the device on the workbench warily.

Eugene picked it up and held it out to him. Daryl took it and slipped it onto his shoulders. It felt a little strange, putting on a backpack that was empty. The metal panels attached to it didn't add much weight at all.

Daryl adjusted the straps to be snug on his shoulders and forced himself not to flinch when Eugene moved into his space, pressing buttons on the number pad.

"Okay," he said, stepping back. "All set. This will take you back a few weeks ago before everything happened."

Daryl nodded.

"Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly what day or even the time that you'll arrive. You'll have to play it by ear," Eugene added with a sheepish shrug.

"Right."

"When you're ready, push this button here," Eugene instructed, pointing out a small white button. "The return coordinates are already programmed in. You just need to press the button again when you want to come back."

Daryl nodded again.

"Well, that's it. I guess the only thing left to say is, good luck," Eugene said with a smile.

Well, here goes nothin', he thought to himself in trepidation.

Daryl pushed the white button and his stomach jolted as the world around him disappeared. Everything was black. No matter what direction he looked, there was nothing to be seen. And It seemed like the darkness went on forever.

What seemed like hours later but could have been minutes, he started to make out blurry shapes. He blinked, trying to clear his vision. The colors and scenery faded in slowly but soon he recognised the buildings and gardens. He was in Alexandria. He looked around, checking if anyone had seen him arrive. Thankfully, he seemed to have landed behind the houses, where no one typically was.

After another look around, he hurried along the streets, glancing this way and that. He needed to stay out of sight. As he moved he tried to ignore the sick feeling in his stomach. It was like the nausea that you'd get if you rode on a bus too long. He snorted to himself. Travel sickness. Or he guessed it was 'Time' travel sickness.

Daryl kept behind the houses, moving from one to another. He spotted a few people here and there but they didn't seem to notice him. They just passed by, on their way to whatever their day entailed. As he rounded another house, he pulled up short.

There she was.

Carol. Standing in front of their house, chatting to Aaron.

The sight of her had his eyes stinging. All he wanted was to run over and pull her into his arms. Breath her familiar scent in. Things he never thought he'd get to do again.

The sight of himself walking over helped to sober him. He'd nearly screwed up this whole mission. He needed to keep his mind set on the goal. He focused back on the scene before him. His past self approached Carol and Aaron and started speaking to them.

Daryl frowned as he watched himself talk. This was weird. He'd expected it would be, but it was a whole other thing to see it for real. It was like something out of the Twilight Zone. He pushed the strangeness away and focused on the conversation again. He couldn't hear much of what they were saying but he caught enough. They were going over the plan to look for the horde.

This was it.

Daryl's heart pounded at the realisation.

Daryl waited until his past self, Carol, and Aaron headed off. He followed them, taking the path behind the houses for cover.

He narrowly avoided running across Gabriel as he walked by. He had to quickly press himself back against the side of a house. When the coast was clear, he hurried to catch up with his targets.

As they left the gates, Daryl waited behind the last house that could offer him cover. He stayed where he was for a long while. He needed to let them get a head start or he'd be found out.

When he was sure enough time had passed, he looked around. He made sure no one was around to see before running and leaving out the gate. He could see their trail clearly as he walked. He wasn't worried about losing them anyway. He knew where they were going. What he was worried about, was what he was going to do about his past self. He had to figure out a plan. Something to get his past self out of the way.

He would rather not have to have a conversation with himself. That could slow things down too much and jeapardise the success of this mission. Knocking himself unconcious seemed to be the most reliable and least problematic plan. He could take over his place in the group and no one would know any different.

Daryl watched as they met up with the other group. They greeted each other and talked. After a while, Jerry, Magna, Connie and Kelly, joined the original trio, forming a new group. They set off together and he followed along once more. He knew at some point the group stopped to rest and have water. He remembers going off alone to check the perimetre. That would be his chance to take himself out.

Daryl kept up with them easily. He ducked behind trees if they happened to look in his direction. So far, he'd been successful in keeping his presence secret. He thanked his experience with walking in the woods and knowing how to quieten his steps.

It wasn't long before the group slowed and stopped in the little clearing. They settled in and chatted quietly amongst themselves as they rested. He saw his past self watching Carol. She was oblivious to it as her eyes darted around the area, clearly looking for the horde.

Daryl watched the group from his spot behind a tree, waiting for the moment he needed. It came soon enough. His past self spoke to Aaron briefly before walking off into the trees alone.

Daryl didn't hesitate to follow. He gave the group in the clearing a wide berth and moved silently in the direction the other him had gone. He saw himself walking up ahead, turning this way and that. His bow was in his hands, at the ready.

Daryl needed to be careful. One wrong move and he'd get an arrow in the head. He stepped around a tree, creeping closer. He calculated his steps carefully, making sure not to step on any twigs that would give him away. He was only a few feet away from himself now.

It was now or never, he thought.

Daryl kept his steps light but quick and didn't waste time in grabbing himself. He heard his past self let out a grunt of surprise as he dropped his bow.

Daryl used the moment of confusion to get his forearm around his own throat. His past self growled and his hands dropped from where they had been grabbing at his arm.

Daryl knew what his other self was planning, therefore he beat him in time before he could reach for his knives. One handedly, he grabbed each knife, tossing them to the ground. His past self growled again as he renewed his efforts to break the choke hold.

The fight continued for a while. The moment of surprise had given Daryl enough of an advantage but that was not to say this was easy. His past self was fighting like hell against him. His hands struck out wildly, trying to land blows anywhere he could.

Ultimately, even his determination couldn't compete with exhaustion. His past self's power began to wane, and his breath began to come out thinner. His past self slumped in his arms and Daryl struggled under the weight as he lowered him to the ground.

He dragged him further behind some bushes and placed his crossbow beside him. He grabbed his past self's knives and returned them to their place on his belt. Then, he removed the time machine backpack and settled it next to his past self. He couldn't take it with him to the group. It would only raise questions. He looked over his passed-out form, once again being overtaken by the strangeness.

"Sorry, man," he muttered as he watched his own chest rise and fall, confirming he had not killed himself.

Daryl had no choice but to trust that leaving him there would be a good idea.

It wasn't the first time he'd been passed out in walker territory.

Daryl entered the clearing. The group tensed and raised their weapons. After a moment, they relaxed as they recognised him.

"All clear?" Aaron asked, approaching him.

"Nah," Daryl lied, shaking his head. He hoped Aaron wouldn't ask too many questions. Daryl knew he wasn't the best at lying.

"I found tracks and signs of 'em," Daryl continued, "Abort mission."

Aaron regarded him for a moment before he nodded in agreement. Daryl tried not to show his relief.

"Alright, let's head back," Aaron said, raising his voice a little so the rest of the group heard.

Daryl didn't miss the irritation that settled into Carol's face at the decision. He knew that she wanted to keep going, to find Alpha and her horde. He moved over to her. Everyone else had started to gather their stuff and follow Aaron. Carol stood there looking just pissed enough to try to keep going herself. He had to get through to her.

"Hey," he called, making her look at him.

Daryl gulped as the weight of her eyes fell on him. He had to physically plant his feet to stop himself from pulling her into a hug.

"This ain't over. Just need to be smarter about it, alright?" he continued.

Carol frowned at him and then looked in the direction they had been travelling in.

"Carol," he said, turning her attention to him once more."Please," he breathed, not caring that his voice broke.

Her eyes lost some of their edge and she nodded. She grabbed her bow and arrows.

Daryl felt his heart begin to calm down. This was already different than what had happened. That was a good sign, right?

Carol and he began to follow the rest of the group when he saw Carol freeze out of the corner of his eye. He turned to look at her and saw her gaze transfixed on something in the distance. He followed her gaze and felt his blood run cold.

Alpha.

Standing there with a smirk.

Fuck!

Daryl knew he couldn't waste time with this. Carol was going to run after her, just like last time. He couldn't let her get that far. As soon as they got in the caves, it would make saving her even harder.

Feeling sick with himself over it all the while, he grabbed her by the arms and dragged her backwards. She didn't fight him at first, probably out of shock. Then, she did fight. Like hell. He grunted as she kicked him in the calf.

"Daryl, what the hell are you doing? Let me go!" Carol cried out in outrage.

"Can't," he said against her ear.

She growled and managed to loop her foot behind his ankle. His balance failed and they both fell to the ground. He groaned. The landing had not been soft. It didn't take long before he remembered his goal. He turned his head to look for Carol. She was crawling, trying to get to her feet once more.

Daryl lunged for her, catching her ankle in his hand. She fell back to the ground with a grunt. He scrambled to his knees and moved over to where she lay. She tried to push herself up with her hands, but he quickly settled a hand to her back, effectively keeping her down. She gasped and tried to reach back to hit him. He grabbed her arm, gently as possible.

"Let me go!" she screamed, sounding more pissed off than he'd ever heard her.

Daryl continued pressing her into the dirt..

"This is for your own good, I promise," he murmured in her ear. "I'm sorry."

He grabbed her other arm and then reached into his back pocket for the length of rope. He bound her wrists behind her with guilt eating at him. He'd brought the rope for this exact purpose. He'd warred with himself but decided he'd do whatever it took to keep her safe. And if it made her hate him? He could deal with that. So long as she lived.

Carol had stopped fighting against him and just lay there, panting against the ground.

"You finished?" he asked her, his face close to her ear.

"Are you?" she retorted in a tired voice.

Daryl moved off her but didn't release the grip he had on her arms. She pulled herself up onto her knees, before she turned to look at him. There were tears streaking her face and there were lingering signs of fear about her.

Daryl felt his throat tighten. He'd known it was probably going to scare her and even possibly hurt her but seeing it in the flesh was soul crushing.

"Don't you ever do that to me again," she breathed, threat clear in her eyes and voice. She sucked in a deep breath. "What the hell was that?"

Daryl chewed his lip. He couldn't tell her the truth. She wouldn't believe him.

"I couldn't risk it. I know how you get when it comes to her. The last thing we need is you to go running off after her."

He caught the ashamed look in her eyes and frowned. It had sounded like he was calling her a liability.

"I just mean I can't lose you. Not now," he amended in a broken voice.

Carol watched him silently and he saw when her rage began to ebb.

"So, you tied me up?" she asked, and he could hear the small amount of humour in her voice.

He let out his breath in relief. If she was joking, that meant he hadn't traumatised her as much as he'd feared.

"You're a damn force of nature," he replied with a playful glare.

It was true. After the effort it had taken for him to subdue her, he was sure that, were it to come to a serious fight between them, she could take him out easy.

Carol snorted at his words. Then she fluttered her lashes at him. He swallowed heavily.

"Well, now you've got me all trussed up like you wanted, what are you gonna do?" she said, making her voice deep and pushing chest outwards slightly.

Daryl stared at her in shock, feeling his heartbeat pick up. He felt his pants tighten and he hoped to God she wouldn't look down.

What the fuck was this? he thought as he watched her, trying to figure out how this turn had happened.

Daryl looked her up and down with a lump still in his throat. And then he caught it. The mirth in her eyes hidden underneath it all.

She was fucking with him, like she always did.

Daryl scoffed and shoved her a little. He tried to force his 'problem' to go away. He shifted his legs, hoping to at least hide it the best he could.

"Stop."

Carol snickered like she always did at his reply. She sobered quickly.

"Help me up?" she asked.

He didn't waste time to get them both on their feet again. He moved his hands to hers, about to get started untying the rope. She moved out of his grip.

He gave her a questioning look but she didn't meet his eyes fully, looking mostly at the ground. When she looked up, there were unshed tears in her eyes.

"I think they should stay like that for now," Carol said in a shaky voice.

Daryl quickly understood. She didn't trust herself.

"Alright," he conceded, though the sight of her with her hands bound, made him sick. Especially knowing it was him that did it.

They caught up with the group and received some weird looks, but no one asked any questions or called attention to Carol's tied hands.

They made their way back to Alexandria in mostly silence.

When they had passed through the gates into Alexandria, Daryl untied Carol. She rubbed her wrists. The action caused her jacket sleeves to rise, revealing red, angry marks on her skin. He felt guilty all over again.

"You should head to the infirmary and get those seen to," he suggested quietly.

Carol turned to him. Her eyes were unreadable.

"I'll be fine. Got some stuff in my room," she replied.

He nodded, looking down at his boots as they scuffed the ground.

"Do you... Do you want to talk about what happened?" Carol asked, sounding nervous.

Daryl lifted his gaze to her again. She looked like she was waiting for the guillotine to drop. Like whatever conversation followed would determine her fate. It took him a moment to understand it but eventually, he did.

She thought he would be pissed at her for making him have to tie her up.

The realisation increased his guilt ten fold. Of course she would expect that. His frustration with not knowing how to help her had often times come out in ways that had made him seem angry. He was the first to admit that he didn't always express himself in the best ways.

Daryl shook his head at her.

"Not right now. You should head home and gets yourself fixed up."

Carol breathed out and her tense posture deflated a little. She nodded and turned to go.

"Hey," he called to her, making her turn her head. He couldn't let her go off thinking he was upset with her for something that wasn't her fault.

"I ain't mad at you, okay?" he told her, hoping she could hear the honesty behind it.

Her eyes bored into him, looking sceptical.

Daryl sighed and took the steps required to close the distance between them. He pulled her into his arms. Her hands settled over his shoulder blades and her head settled into his collarbone. He brought his hand up to bury into her curls, massaging gently. He buried his face into her neck, taking in the clean scent of her skin. This was what he had been wanting. Just to hold her again after so long thinking he never would.

"I mean it," he murmured in her ear once he'd stopped luxuriating in her proximity.

He felt her nod against him.

"Thank you," she breathed quietly but he heard her clearly.

When he released her, he could see that her face was wet. She had been crying. She lifted her hand to her face and wiped the tears away. She gave a breathy chuckle, before smiling at him. He returned the smile.

"Go on," he told her.

With a last look at him, she walked off in the direction of their house. Daryl watched her go, feeling true happiness for the first time in a month.

He'd done it. He'd saved her.

Daryl smiled but then he remembered that he still had work to do.

He needed to go check on his past self. He'd hidden him in the bushes pretty well but anything could have happened. Not to mention, his past self would likely be panicking when he awoke to find the group gone. He'd end up jumping to conclusions and assume they were attacked by Whisperers or something.
He picked up some paper and a pen before he left Alexandria again. If he was still knocked out, he could leave a note. If he encountered himself awake, well... He guessed he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

Daryl retraced his way back to where he had left himself. The coast seemed clear. He didn't see any tracks that indicated Whisperers or walkers at least. He approached the bushes and shoved the folliage aside. He breathed out in relief.

There he was. Still passed out and undisturbed.

He quickly jotted down a note on the paper. It read:

'Carol and the group are back in Alexandria. Sorry I knocked you out. There was a good reason.' He settled the slip of paper under the butt of his bow so the wind wouldn't carry it away. He rearranged the bushes, ensuring his past self was obscured well enough.

Daryl stepped away with the backpack in hand. He needed to get back to the future. He groaned out loud at the way his thoughts had worded it. Shaking his head once more at himself, he pulled the straps over his shoulders. His finger hovered over the white button. He already dreaded the sensation he was about to experience again.

Daryl took a deep breath before pushing it. Then he was back in the dark place once more. He could see nothing but black until his vision began to clear up. He squinted as he tried to make out the scene.

What if he ended up in the wrong place? he thought, starting to panic.

But he relaxed when he could make out the familiar nuances of Eugene's attic. He spotted the man himself soon, too. He was seated at his work bench, head down. His hands were occupied, writing furiously in a notebook. Possibly the same one he'd used to demonstrate that time travel was real. He clearly had not noticed Daryl's appearance.

Daryl was about to speak up to announce his presence but he was distracted by the familiar sick feeling in his stomach. He groaned.

Eugene jumped up out of his seat, knocking it backwards.

"Holy Mary, Joseph and Jesus!" he cried, clutching his chest.

Daryl shrugged off the backpack and moved to one of the armchairs to sit. He covered his face with his hands, trying to push the urge to vomit away.

"You did it," he heard Eugene say. "I mean, I know you did it, owing to the fact that Carol is alive and well."

"Yeah," Daryl confirmed, lifting his head finally. "I did it." He smiled a little at that. He really had done it.

Eugene watched him silently for a moment, smiling. He chuckled.

"Well, I gotta say it's definitely caused some weird goings on in my head," Eugene chuckled, "It's like I've got two sets of memories."

Daryl didn't know what to say to that. He conceded it must be weird. Would he experience that too? he wondered.

"How long was I gone?" Daryl asked in curiosity.

Eugene hummed with a thoughtful look.

"Not too sure. Strictly speaking, you technically didn't leave, owing to the fact that you didn't have a reason to leave. Paradox. Super confusing stuff," he explained, "Luckily, it doesn't seem to have caused any tidal waves on the whole of reality or anyting. I've been going over my calculations and it seems the paradoxes resolve themselves somehow."

Eugene's words, while he understood them mostly, were causing his head to hurt. His body ached and he felt like he hadn't slept for a week.

Eugene watched him before shaking his head. He seemed unable to wipe the grin off of his face though.

"I'm grateful for what you did. The data you've brought back will be invaluable," he said. "But I'm sure you must be tired out of your mind right now. Time travel messes with your body clock like nothing else. Get some rest."

Daryl didn't hesitate to lift himself to his feet once more. He dragged himself along as he headed for the door. All he wanted was to pass out.