Hey guys,
I hope you like this chapter. It's extremely different from the first version. I hope you like the section with Daryl's thoughts because I warred with myself about including it. It seemed long winded and uneccessary at times to me but I decided to keep it in.

Next chapter, Daryl will be in the past once more.

Daryl forced himself to leave Eugene be for a few days. It was difficult, though. He was getting antsy. He wanted to put his plans into action but he knew his presence was going to do nothing to help the man work. So he stayed away.

The only time he'd seen Eugene was when he'd stopped by, wanting details on where Daryl had been back at the start. Daryl hadn't bothered with telling him anything about where him and Merle were when it started. Instead, he told Eugene where the quarry was. That was where he needed to be.

In the meantime, he set to work crafting arrows and compiling supplies. He still had no confirmation that this was even possible but he was preparing just in case. He didn't bother with food. He would rely on hunting for that and they had been doing pretty well, overall, at the beginning.

So, he focused on other practicalities, like medical supplies. He took some bandages, ointment, a suture kit and an assortment of painkillers and antibiotics. Medical supplies always ran low so he wasn't taking chances with it.

Daryl grabbed some handguns and knives to add to his haul. Those were not for him. They were for Carol and Sophia. He'd thought about it and realized he needed to teach them how to defend themselves. It had taken Carol far too long in the beginning to learn how to protect herself. If it wasn't for her scream that night the farm fell, she would likely have not made it out. And Sophia? Sophia had never held a weapon in her hands. There could be no repeat of that this time. If he could get them comfortable around weapons early, it would be easier to keep them alive in the long run.

His thoughts returned to Carol as they usually did. She had been acting strange since their conversation on the stairs. It was like she was watching him, like she was trying to figure something out about him. He'd catch her staring at him as he walked through the streets or he'd see her just turning away from her window up above.

Daryl had considered the possibility that she'd worked out that he'd travelled in time. But how could she? His behavior had been weird but he'd given no evidence to suggest any association to time travel. It had to be something else, he'd reasoned with himself. Still, even with the suspicious air she seemed to regard him with, he enjoyed her presence when she graced him with it. Or even watching her from afar as she seemed to do to him lately. Because she was here. She was alive and more beautiful than he had ever realized.

Daryl had known for a long time that the way he felt about her went beyond simple friendship. It had taken a while for him accept it. He'd spent a long while fighting it, trying to convince himself that there was nothing there except respect and friendship. Eventually, he could deny no longer that he loved her.

When he had first encountered Carol at the quarry, he'd wanted to stop her husband. As soon as he saw the obvious signs of abuse, he had wanted to beat the fucker down. And he would have done it except Merle had seen what he'd intended to do. He'd told Daryl to leave it be. It weren't their business and stepping in would just make things worse for that mama and her baby. It wasn't hard for him to follow Merle's advice. Back then, that was what he did.

Growing up, he'd followed whatever his brother told him. Because Merle was the only one who'd ever been there for him. That's what Daryl always told himself, even if there had been so much evidence to the contrary. Daryl had blindly followed Merle at various points of his life and more often than not, ended up in unsavory situations. But Daryl hadn't seen it until his brother disappeared.

So, even though it hadn't sat right with him, he had done nothing. In fact, he'd avoided her and her girl like the plague. If he couldn't do anything about it, he didn't want to see it. Out of sight, out of mind, he'd told himself. So it was not until after her piece of shit husband was eaten by walkers, that he'd actually had a chance to interact with her and observe her properly.

Daryl remembers the shock and the strange sensation of pride that overtook him as he watched her smash Ed's brain in with a pickaxe. He hadn't expected her to have the strength and courage to do such a thing. He'd written her off as weak and mouse-like. But watching her lift that heavy pick axe and bring it down again and again into the lump that used to be her husband, he'd realized he'd been wrong. There was more to her than he'd thought.

Even he hadn't been able to put his own abuser, his father, down when he'd been bitten. As much as he'd hated his father and had wished him dead so many times, it was overwhelming to be faced with the reality. Some part of him had always secretly hoped that maybe, one day, his daddy would change. That he'd become the kind of father he should always have been. So, he'd been useless, kneeling there and sobbing as he watched his dad bleed out. In the end it was his Uncle Jesse who'd had to end him.

Ed had tormented Carol as much as Daryl's father had tormented him. Maybe more. Yet, even while she cried openly, she'd been able to do it. In that moment, he was struck thinking this woman was stronger than him. He'd watched her pour all of her pain and anger into each swing of the pick axe in awe. Awe that someone so beaten down by the world, much like his mama, had been able to find strength to rise above it and follow through.

After that, he found himself watching her more and more. Trying to figure out the puzzle of who this woman really was. All the while, he'd tried to reason with himself about it. Told himself it was just curiosity. Nothing more to it. The weird fluttering in his heart and stomach whenever he looked at her meant nothing. Then Sophia had gone missing and everything changed.

Daryl hadn't shown it, but he'd even been a little panicked when he learned the little girl had run off. As confident as he'd been in finding her, he'd known there was a chance he wouldn't. That forest could have been teeming with walkers and Sophia was tiny. Had no weapons or nothing. So when Rick had emerged empty-handed, he'd stepped up immediately to help track her.

He had not expected the reaction it would bring forth from Carol. He had returned with Rick to the highway and explained the situation, nothing special about it at all. However, Carol had turned those soulful eyes on him and thanked him so sincerely. It was the first form of gratitude he could remember receiving in his adult life. So taken aback by it, the only thing he had been able to do was nod awkwardly at her.

The gratitude awakened something in him though. He became more determined than ever to return that little girl to her mother. He'd found himself wanting to be better, wanting to be a hero even as stupid as it had sounded to him at the time. So, each time he was unsuccessful, it reminded him over and over that this wasn't who he was. He was no hero and never would be.

The Cherokee rose had been a last ditch effort. He had been searching everyday and had been so frustrated at the lack of any progress. Carol was losing hope. He had seen it and that had made his throat feel tight. As much as he'd tried to think of the right words, he had had nothing to offer to comfort her or give her hope.

But then, when he walked out that abandoned farm house and saw the little white flowers, he thought he'd found the answer. As he crouched near them, he remembered the tale his grandfather had told him about the legend of the flower. A legend so fitting and hopefully powerful enough to lift her spirits a bit. He remembers shoving one in his pocket, feeling like a damn fool. But it was all he could do. He'd tried to find something nice to put it in. A vase or even a glass. All he could find were empty beer bottles. So with no other option, he'd stuck the flower in the bottle and approached the RV.

Daryl had felt like apologizing as soon as he'd put the thing on the table. Carol had frowned, looking so taken aback. He had started to inwardly berate himself. Calling himself a dumbass for thinking a stupid flower was going to make her feel better. But then she said 'A flower?' looking merely curious, not judging him like he had thought. So he had explained and once he'd finished speaking, she'd smiled. It was the first time he'd ever seen her smile. While teary, it had been a surprisingly beautiful thing to witness. It lit up her whole face. It had left his stomach all in knots and he'd left the RV feeling confused about his reaction.

Daryl's confusion only grew as they camped out on that farm. He'd go out and look for the girl, trying not to think about her mother. Wondering why the woman was consuming his thoughts so much. He hadn't known back then that it was love blossoming inside of him. Love towards the kind, quiet woman who looked to him with so much hope. That was why he'd tried so hard to push her away. He hadn't known how to deal with that feeling.

Carol wouldn't leave him alone though. She kept coming back, even after he called her a bitch, after he said other awful things to her. The last straw for him had been the night she'd come to his camp. The flinch as he got up in her face haunted him for a long time. She'd thought he was going to hit her and she would have let him. He'd never raised his voice at her again. Never approached her with such anger. He'd never wanted to see that acceptance on her face again. He wasn't like his daddy. He would never lay a hand on her like that.

In a way, that night had made things easier going forward. Their interactions became less strained and he started to accept that he cared for her. Platonically, he'd assured himself. There was nothing wrong with him being her friend. But even with this assurance to himself, he'd felt other things about her. Things that he had never felt in all of his life. But he'd pushed them down. Refused to give them airtime in his head.

It was not until he'd thought he'd lost her in the tombs that he realized he loved her. Finding that scarf near T-Dog's mangled corpse was painful. He had been smiling and laughing with her the day earlier while she wore it. He had twisted it around his hands, mind warring with the knowledge that she must be gone. He had controlled himself though. Would not let anyone see how hard it was hitting him.

When he'd had a moment of time to himself, he'd slipped away for a cigarette. But he never even managed to light it because he'd found himself crying unexpectedly. Big, fat tears had coursed down his face and he'd choked and gasped through the sobs that wracked his body. He didn't know how long he'd stayed that way but when he finally calmed some, he had wiped his face, wondering why her death was the one that hit him so hard. He'd placed the Cherokee rose on her grave as a last gesture, still unable to accept that she was gone but knowing he had no choice.

Then he'd found her knife. He'd stared at the blade in his hand in confusion. The confusion morphed quickly into hope as he wiped the walker guts off it. He'd gone searching, knowing it was likely a lost cause but needing to know for sure. He'd found himself sitting across from that door that tried to open on its own. He'd stabbed the knife in the floor and the walls, trying to work up the courage to open it. Worrying what he'd find within. He'd not wanted to see her as one of those things. To not see the bright sparkle in her eyes.

Upon tearing the door open, he'd stared in shock as she turned her tired face toward him. He'd examined her disbelievingly. He'd had to convince himself further so he'd reached out a hand and tilted her face up. But her skin had been warm under his hand and he'd seen no signs of bites on her. He'd picked her up, feeling her head slump into his chest, and carried her out of the tombs.

Later, as she reunited with Rick and the others, he'd watched, feeling his face ache from the smile that wouldn't leave him. As he watched her coo over Judith, he'd found himself thinking a crazy thing. He remembers quite clearly the words 'I love her' passing through his brain. He also remembers the tiny war he'd had against the thought but as he continued to watch her smile and fawn over the baby, he'd given up pretty quickly. With his heart beating out of his chest, he'd nodded subtly to himself. 'I love her.'

Daryl had hidden those feelings for years, knowing there was no way Carol could ever return them. But that was okay to him. All he needed was for her to be safe and alive. If she remained that way, nothing else mattered. He couldn't deny that sometimes he wished things were different. Wished he were different. Less broken, more confident, attractive. Things that might have helped her to reciprocate his feelings. But he wasn't different. He was still the same as he ever had been deep down. Underneath the growth he'd achieved in this new world, he was still the same twitchy, fucked up Daryl Dixon through and through. There's no way Carol could ever see him as anything besides a friend.

Dragging himself from his melancholy thoughts, he considered once more the possibility of returning to the start. Daryl's stomach twisted. Going back a month ago had been strange enough. Like an out of body experience. Going back that many years? Daryl shook his head. It wasn't going to be a picnic that was for sure. He wasn't stupid. He knew he'd be faced with ghosts. People who had long lost their lives. And the concept honestly unnerved him. Still, he prayed Eugene could get this to work.

The woman he loved had become a shell of herself. Didn't even trust herself anymore. If he could go back, he could fix things for Carol. Make it so that none of that bad shit ever happened to her. He could save Sophia this time. Turn the empty promises he'd made to her on that farm into reality. He could save Henry. Kill that bitch, Alpha so she'd never have a chance to get her hands on Carol's boy. Neither of them would have to die.

Daryl was sitting on his couch, sharpening one of his knives. Dog was chewing on a deer bone in the corner. Daryl smirked at the soft noises that were escaping him. But then he jumped as a knock started on his door. There weren't many who sought him out in his room. Daryl stood and moved over to the door. He opened it and his lips lifted. Judith stood there with her hat firmly in place on her head, a sweet smile on her face.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked her.

She thrust her hand out. In it was a slip of paper. He took it from her.

"What's this?"

"Eugene bumped into me on my way back from Gracie's. Asked if I could give it to you," Judith explained simply.

Daryl didn't move to open the note, he just nodded.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. You going to come up for dinner later? Mom said she'd let me help!" she gushed, looking excited by the prospect.

Daryl chuckled.

"Sure. Wouldn't miss it."

Judith grinned.

"Great. I'll see you later, then. I promised RJ that we could read a book after lunch."

Daryl nodded and watched her run off out of his room. He brought the note out and opened it. It read:

'Mission is a go. Meet me in my workshop.'

Daryl snorted a bit. Workshop might be a stretch. The attic kind of bordered on a hoarder's den. He stuck the note in his pocket and paused to pet Dog on the head. 'Mission is a go.' That's what the note said. That meant this was really happening.

"You be good," he told Dog, who panted happily.

Daryl left his room, leaving the door ajar so Dog could let someone know if he had to go to the bathroom. He forced himself to walk at a steady pace as he moved through the house. He didn't want to call attention to himself. He nodded to Judith and RJ before heading out the front door.. Then he made his way to the lair of that strange, strange man.

Daryl entered the attic. The giddy feeling wouldn't seem to leave him. He couldn't tell if he was more nervous or excited. Probably nervous. The excitement was because of how much he wanted to make things better for Carol. And that would only happen if he succeeded in changing things. So, yeah, nervous was probably the bigger one. Eugene smiled at him as he walked in. He was standing in front of the workbench with a screwdriver in hand. The backpack was on the table.

"Hey," Daryl said after a moment of staring.

"Hey," Eugene replied casually. "Glad you got my note. I know you've probably been anxiously waiting for answers."

"Your note seemed to imply that you got some."

"Indeed. I've been going over things all night. My calculations have proved to be almost one hundred percent," the excitement was clear in his voice as he spoke.

"Right. So this will work?" Daryl asked

"Indeed it will," Eugene said before pausing. "I mean, there are always probabilities of wires getting crossed in the science of it all, but if my calculations are correct, and I don't mind saying, they usually are, this should all go down smoother than a baby's caboose."

Daryl shook his head at the man's ridiculous way of speaking.

"Alright, so when can we do it?"

"Well, whenever it tickles your fancy really," Eugene shrugged, "I didn't have to do much more than I did for your first trip, just tweak the input calculations a little."

Daryl nodded in time with Eugene's words.

"I'll come back tonight. After dark," Daryl decided. He wanted to go now but he'd promise Judith he'd come to dinner. Maybe he could even convince Carol to join them.

"Not a problem. I'll go over everything again. Make sure there won't be any nasty surprises," Eugene said, already turning back to the workbench.

Carol frowned from behind a house as Daryl walked away from Eugene's place. She hadn't bothered to sneak in, knowing she wouldn't hear anything.

What the hell was he doing? It was strange enough for Daryl to visit Eugene in the first place but for it to happen more than once?

Carol shook her head. She needed to ask him about it. She couldn't keep following him around. There was probably a good explanation for all of this. But why did it look so secretive? She'd seen Daryl look around before entering the house, as if checking to see if he'd been followed. She'd never seen him act so suspicious.

Carol moved from her hiding spot and regarded Eugene's home. She could go up there and demand answers from him. She knew she'd probably be able to intimidate the man enough that he would cave.

But she wanted Daryl to tell her. She didn't know what this was and she didn't want to make him angry but going behind his back with this. She'd done that too much lately. So she started back to the house, keeping her pace slow so she wouldn't catch up to Daryl.

Tonight she was going to get some answers, she thought with determination.

She waited until he slipped inside the house before doing the same. She followed the sounds of voices to the kitchen. Michonne and the kids were grinning and laughing about something. Daryl was there too. He had a small smile on his face. It stayed in place as he turned to her.

"Hey," Daryl greeted her warmly.

"Hey," Carol replied, trying to appear casual.

Michonne, RJ and Judith smiled at her in greeting. She returned it mutedly. Things had been a bit strained between her and Michonne. The kids were fine with her but Michonne had made it clear that she'd become tired of Carol's reckless tendencies.

"Where were you? Was about to come get you for dinner," Daryl said from his seat at the table.

"Just went for a walk," she lied.

Daryl nodded, seemingly believing it.

"Come sit down. Asskicker made us dinner."

Carol grinned at the nickname.

"Did she now?" Carol replied with a look to the girl.

"No, she did not," Michonne chimed in with a laugh. "She 'helped' make dinner."

Judith smiled sheepishly.

"It's not like I'd burn down the house or anything," she protested.

"That's what you say until you do. So, until I know you're responsible enough near an open flame, you leave the cooking to the grownups," Michonne said with a teasing quality to her words.

Judith pouted.

"Fine."

Carol controlled her laughter that wanted to break free. She was so like Carl when he was younger sometimes. Always wanted to act more grown than she was. Rick would be so proud of her. Carol swallowed down the emotions that accompanied the thoughts about their lost family. She took the empty seat beside Daryl.

The dinner was nice and simple. The conversation was lively and Carol felt a little lighter than she had in a while. Even Michonne had been warmer towards her, making Carol think
that maybe this rift between them had passed.

Carol caught Daryl sneaking glances at her throughout the meal. Whenever she'd turn to look at him, he'd blush and look away. But the strange smile on his face seemed permanent. She didn't know what to make of it. He'd been smiling more and more lately. More than he ever had before, if she was honest.

Daryl had such a nice smile. Such a genuine one. He only smiled when he really meant it. When she'd first known him, she'd thought it wasn't possible for him to smile. He'd always stomped around with a permanent scowl on his face. But then, as they became friends, she saw it more and more. His smile was usually hardly more than a slight lift of his lips. The kids seemed to bring out more from him. Even got him to show his teeth sometimes. This smile that she'd seen on him the last few days was something different. It seemed to light up his whole face. And she didn't know what brought it on.

After dinner, Michonne put RJ to bed and Judith insisted on playing a card game with Daryl. Carol had sat there and watched with a smirk as the little girl beat him in three games. He'd huffed and complained but she'd seen the joy in his eyes. He really loved that kid.

When Michonne returned downstairs, she told Judith it was time for bed. The girl groaned and begged for more time but a warning look from her mother told her she wasn't getting her way. Judith gave both Carol and Daryl a hug before leaving the room. Michonne bid them goodnight and slipped away to bed.

"Should probably get some sleep too," Daryl told her as he made to stand.

Carol's hand shot out and closed around his wrist. His head turned to her in confusion as he halted in his seat. She released him sheepishly. She hadn't meant to grab him. She'd just wanted to ensure he didn't leave.

"I need to talk to you about something," she said haltingly.

Daryl settled himself again, angling his body towards her.

"Alright. What's up?" he said, sounding ready to talk about whatever she wanted.

Carol stared at him, trying to uncover the secret on her own. But of course, she couldn't

"Why are you visiting Eugene?" the question blurts out of her with less finesse than she'd planned. She mentally face palms at her tactflessness.

Daryl blinked.

"How'd you know I've been visitin' Eugene?" he asked, his tone wary.

Carol swallowed nervously. She couldn't tell if he was upset by her prying. So far, he still just looked surprised by the fact that she'd brought up the subject.

"I was walking home one night and I saw you. And then…"

"And then?" he prompted.

"And then today I followed you," she confessed guiltily.

Daryl chewed his lip as he seemed to think.

"Why'd you follow me?" he asked with no anger in his voice.

Carol sighed, some of her tension leaving her in the wake of his calm demeanor.

"Because I was confused. You don't just go stopping in for chat with Eugene."

"Why didn't you just ask me?" Daryl asked, logically.

He was right. Why didn't she just ask him? Why did she sneak after him and hide in the bushes like a woman trying to catch her husband with a lover. She snorted at the thought before sobering. She knew the answer: She didn't know how to talk to him anymore.

"I don't know," she replied weakly. "I guess I didn't think you'd tell me."

Daryl nodded but didn't look happy with her words. In fact, his eyes had taken on a sad quality. Her words had hurt him. She didn't know why her confession had hurt him so but she still felt guilty for it. She hurried to explain her actions as a way of distracting herself.

"The only reason I want to know is because I'm worried. It's not like you to be this secretive."

Daryl sighed and drummed his fingers on the table in front of him lightly.

"Not tryin' to be secretive," he told her.

She let her eyes run over his face and she could tell he wasn't being completely honest with her.

"Just… I'm helpin' him with somethin'. Somethin' he don't want no one to know about," Daryl continued quietly, not meeting her eyes directly.

He was lying to her, she realized. This made her heart pound in her chest. The only time she could remember Daryl lying to her was back when she'd confined herself to the little house outside the Kingdom. When he'd neglected to tell about Glenn and Abraham.

What could he be hiding that was so awful that he thought he had to lie about it?

"You sure that's all it is?" she asked, giving him the chance to change his mind.

Daryl's eyes searched her face for a long moment before he nodded.

"That's it."

Carol could feel tears pricking at her eyes. There was no way he couldn't have seen the out she'd tried to give him. And he'd ignored it.

"Okay. I'm going to head to bed. Goodnight," she said in a rush.

Carol practically leapt from her seat and hurried from the room, not even looking at him. She couldn't because she knew it would make her tears come harder. She needed to lock herself in the safety of her room before she broke down.

"Carol!" she heard him call from behind her but she didn't stop.

As soon as her door closed, she sunk down against it, burying her face in her hands. The tears starting pouring down her face, making her hands wet. Daryl's refusal to tell her what was really going on just added more proof to what she'd feared.

She'd lost him.

Daryl entered Eugene's attic once more. After Carol had left, he'd been filled with guilt. He'd wanted to run after her and tell her everything. But he stopped himself. He couldn't tell her the truth. How could he? How could he explain that she'd died and he'd had to go back in time to save her?

So he'd let her be. He needed to go to Eugene. That was what was important right now and he'd delayed more than he'd meant to by indulging Judith. Saving Carol's daughter would be enough to make it up to her, he hoped.

Eugene was fiddling with the backpack when he arrived, and he looked up at Daryl momentarily before concentrating on the machine once more.

"Just finishing up some adjustments."

Daryl nodded.

"Was thinkin'," he started, making Eugene glance over at him. "You think I could take my bike?"

Eugene's brow furrowed. He didn't reply straight away.

"Just… I remember how hard it was to find working motors back then. Gonna need some way to get here and there," Daryl explained, feeling stupid. It probably wasn't even possible. But he'd thought about it a lot. If he made it back there, everyone had their own vehicles. He'd be left walking everywhere and that wasn't practical.

"You like keeping me on my toes, don't you?" Eugene said with smirk finally.

"If it ain't gonna work, forget it."

"I didn't say that," Eugene placated him. "Take a seat and I'll see if it's possible."

Daryl nodded and sat in the armchair he'd sat in on his other visits. Surprisingly, this time he wasn't showered in dust. Apparently Eugene had cleaned it off.

Daryl watched him quietly as he poured over his notebook, using a pen to scribble something now and then. Sometimes he'd pause, shake his head and cross something out. After some time, he sat back.

"You're in luck, my friend. Looks like, as long as you're in contact with the bike, it should go along with you," Eugene said with a smile.

Daryl blew out a breath. Well, that would solve a lot of issues.

"Good, it's downstairs. Parked it out back in case I could bring it."

"Always prepared," Eugene commented. He handed Daryl the backpack.

"Well, you know what to do. The rest'll be up to you to decide."

Daryl nodded and pulled the bag onto his back. He turned to the door but Eugene's voice called him to a stop.

"There's just one little problem…"

Daryl turned to regard the man.

"What problem?"

Eugene gave him a look of chagrin.

"Well, it's about the return co-ordinates," Eugene paused to take a breath, "I was able to enter them in but there's a glitch in the system. It's like it's rejecting those co-ordinates."

Daryl frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"Simply put, I don't know if you'll be able to come back," Eugene confessed, looking defeated.

Daryl allowed this information to absorb. He might not be able to come back. He didn't know how he felt about that. He'd potentially never see anyone he knew again. At least not
the way he knew them now. It was a big sacrifice. He'd never see Judith and RJ, or even Michonne again. He'd never see Carol again. He would see her as she once was, of course, but the woman she was now? She would be lost to him. It was a hard sell. But then he remembered the tears, the blank looks, the days locked in her room. He shook his head. That's why he was doing this. To make things better for her. He needed to make this sacrifice.

"Not turnin' back now," Daryl finally said. He walked out of the room with purpose.

"Good luck!" Eugene called after him.

Daryl went downstairs and out the backdoor. His bike sat on its kickstand, waiting. He'd already loaded his supplies into the saddle bags earlier when the thought of taking his bike had occurred to him. If it hadn't been possible, he'd reasoned that it was just as easy to take them back out. He swung his leg over the bike and settled onto it. He kept one hand firmly on one handlebar while the other came up to the strap of the backpack. He brushed his thumb over the white button gently, hesitating. He took a moment to silently say goodbye to all he was leaving behind. Hoping that he could make a better future for everybody, not just Carol.

Daryl pressed the button, waiting for the darkness to fall over him again. But nothing happened. He frowned. Eugene had said it would work. Daryl was about to press the button again but a sound distracted him. Footsteps. His head snapped up. Carol stood there, watching him with confusion. She must have snuck in the same way he'd snuck his bike in.

"What are you doing?" she asked him, her eyes darting to his bike momentarily.

Daryl didn't know what to say. He hadn't thought she'd follow him again. But he guessed she'd seen him walking his bike down the street from her window. Her face was red, letting know that she had been crying. He felt guilty all over again. He should have gone after her.

"I…" he said, trying to think of what he could say.

Anything he might have said died on his lips. Something was happening. He could feel a strange sensation. One he was familiar with.

Shit.

It was happening.

It must have been delayed or something. He'd been sure when he pushed the button and it didn't happen straight away that he'd need to head back up to see Eugene. However, he guessed it made sense that it took longer to work. This wasn't some quick hop back a month ago. This was near ten years. Sure picked a damn nice time to start working though.

"Carol," he started. He wanted to tell her something before he disappeared but it was too late.

All he saw was a glimpse of her wide eyes. All he heard was her panicked cry of his name. And then he was slipping back into that dark, inky place.