NOW

In a hidden, quiet spot against the side of one of the Kingdom's buildings, Daryl had ducked away to digest everything he'd just experienced. Beside him, Dog nestled into his side. "Hey, boy."

Dog whined and licked his jaw. Daryl wrapped his arms around the dog's neck and laid his face into his fur shielding his eyes from what was around him. Remnants of the fair were a startling reminder that he had been happy and hopeful only 24 hours ago. That fucking skin bitch had snuck into their safe haven and torn it upside down.

He drew in a deep breath. There was a lot on his plate and he had no idea how to sort it out. Since Henry's death, Lydia had been stuck to his side like glue. Carol was devastated. Katie was waiting for him. And Hilltop needed to know about Tara, Tammy Rose and Enid.

VIsiting Hilltop was the most pressing thing on his plate. Staying at the Kingdom wasn't necessary. He was shattered for his best friend, but she had Ezekiel. The couple didn't need him hanging around. They needed space to grieve.

Despite Hilltop being the most important next move, it was also the most terrifying. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't wrap his mind around Katie following the leadership of Alpha. Everything Alpha stood for was the opposite of what Katie believed. She had always been his sunshine and rainbows. The ying to his yang. But, this world had a way of changing people. Hell, it changed him. But not everyone had changed for the better. If he was honest with himself, he didn't want to see Katie. Not if she had changed. He liked the memory he had of her. Seeing her hardened would most definitely be devastating.

Dog's tail started to wag, and Daryl looked up to see Connie walking towards him. He raised his hand in a small wave.

You ok? She held out her notebook.

He answered with a shrug. "It's a lot."

Connie gave him a knowing, sad smile. She took a seat on the ground beside him and Dog hurried into her lap, happily nuzzling her face.

"He likes you."

He watched over her shoulder as she wrote. I like him.

She flipped the page and wrote again. What's next for you?

Chewing his bottom lip, he looked out into the Kingdom. Michone and Siddique were deep in conversation and he watched them for a moment before answering Connie.

"Head back to Hilltop, I think." He faced her. "There's someone I have to see there."

She smiled. Old girlfriend?

"Ya heard?"

There's rumors. She wrote and gave a little shrug.

Of course there was. He liked her soft, knowing smiles and how they made him feel at ease. She'd been a stranger just days ago and now he trusted her enough to say, "That was a long time ago. I don't know what I'm going to find when I see her."

She gave his arm a friendly bump with her elbow. We're heading back too. In the morning. Join us.

"Yeah. Yeah. I will."

Connie gave a thumbs and it was settled.

He palmed his jaw in thought. "What about Lydia?"

She comes too. She belongs with us now.

Daryl nodded. Yeah, she did. Connie was right.

It will be okay.

"Hope so."

When Connie got up, Dog did too and happily trotted along her side. Daryl couldn't help but roll his eyes and laugh quietly. Dog was more of a ladies man than Daryl would ever be.

The next morning came fast and dawn was bright and chilly. Judith leaned into Daryl's side, hugging him. He ran a hand through her brown hair, ruffling it. "Be good for your mom, kid."

"I always am."

"I know you are."

"We're heading back to Alexandria." Michonne informed him.

He nodded somberly, sad to see them leave. His family had only just come back together; it felt too soon for everyone to scatter again.

"You headed to Hilltop." It wasn't a question, Michonne knew what he had to do.

"Yeah, I'm gonna leave with the group. Heading back in a bit."

The Hilltop community was going to reel from the losses. He wasn't looking forward to the aftermath of Alpha's actions.

Michonne reached for him and he pulled her into a hug. She gripped him tightly and whispered so Judith couldn't hear, "Stay alert out there. They're probably watching."

"You too."

They released each other. "You always have a place in Alexandria. You know, once you get everything sorted out."

"Thanks, Michonne." He gave her elbow a firm squeeze.

Judith looked up at him with her big brown eyes and he hugged her again.

"See you soon, Uncle Daryl?"

"Sure thing, kid."

Dog barked and jumped onto Judith, making her laugh. She ruffled the fur on his face. "You too, Dog. See you soon?"

With one last fist bump, Daryl walked away from Judith and Michonne and joined the Hilltop group at the gates. Lydia was already seated in the wagon, hunched over with her arms wrapped around her knees. A very tired looking Diana gave him a small wave as she saddled up one of the horses and Connie smiled at him as she threw a pack into the back of the wagon.

"Ya ready, man?" Luke asked.

Daryl nodded. Ready as he'd ever be. He had said his goodbyes to everyone except Carol. Earlier that morning, he had hesitantly knocked on their door, but there hadn't been an answer.

He turned, looking up at her residence one last time and was shocked to see her watching from the window. Even from far away he could see her red rimmed eyes and tear streaked face. Raising a hand, he gave a tentative wave. After a pause, she waved back briefly before disappearing behind the curtain.

Knowing that was all he was going to get he turned with a sigh back to the Hilltop group. He smacked the side of the wagon. "Let's roll."

THEN

Daryl's truck rumbled into the parking lot of Morning Glory. As soon as his shift at the garage ended he had booked it over to the diner. He was starving and ready to see his girl. What he didn't expect was to be just in time to see Katie flying out the door. Her face was a kaleidoscope of emotions and he couldn't tell if she was ready to cry or punch something. Maybe, both? As she got closer to the truck, he reached over and popped the door open for her.

"Hey-"

"I got fired." She announced, climbing into the truck and slamming the door so hard it jarred Daryl.

"What?" He barely had time to ask before she screamed.

"Mother fuckers!" The window was open, and a few people nearby turned to look. Katie didn't care. She screamed again. "Fuck you!"

Daryl stifled a laugh watching an old man grab his wife's elbow and hurry her inside the diner.

Katie forcefully grabbed the seat belt and clicked into place. "Drive."

"No way." He shook his head, jerked the truck into park. "Whose ass do I need ta kick?"

She pinched her eyes shut. "No one, babe. Can we just go? I want to get outta here."

Daryl's eyes swung between his girl and the diner. He bore a hole into the door like he was expecting someone to come out after her.

"Daryl, please." She said through tight lips.

Reluctantly, he put the truck into drive and peeled out of the parking lot. He still wasn't convinced that there wasn't asses to be kicked. Katie unhooked her name tag and threw it out the window. In the rearview mirror, he watched it skitter along the pavement before landing in the ditch.

As he turned down the road towards her apartment, he asked. "Ya gonna tell me what happened?"

"Ugh. That asshole Red."

His heart pounded at the guy's name. "The prick who sits at the counter?"

"That's the one"

"He touch ya?" His grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Her lips pressed together.

"Tell me." He urged.

She blew out a breath. "Yeah. A few times."

That was all he needed to hear. Daryl braked hard and pulled a hard u-turn. It had been awhile and he was itching for a fight. Red's face would look much better with a black eye.

"Daryl!" Katie lurched, bracing herself against the dash with her right hand as the truck spun into the opposing lane.

He ignored her. Swear to God, he was going to bash the asshole's head in.

"It's over! It's not important anymore."

"Touched ya how?"

She took his tight forearm in her hand, hoping her touch would calm him. "He took it a little too far tonight. I was patient. I swear. Asked him repeatedly to knock it off."

"Katie." He warned. "Where'd he touch ya?"

"He grabbed my tit, okay?"

"What!?" Daryl roared and pushed the gas pedal harder.

"Slow down! I threw a coffee pot at his head. I handled it. He's not gonna touch me again."

Daryl paused to digest her words. Realizing she was serious, he barked out a laugh. "Damn, girl."

Katie started laughing then too. It was either that or cry. "Kevin didn't even give me a chance to explain. Just canned my ass while Red was screaming that he was going to kill me."

"Kill ya?"

"I mean, I did throw hot coffee at his face."

Daryl's shoulders shook with laughter and he smiled in disbelief. A small part of his heart felt guilty for not being there to protect her, but she was tough. This girl didn't take shit from no one and he loved it. Changing his mind about the fight, he took a road away from the diner and towards the QuickMart. He was still starving.

Katie sobered, her laughter dying. "He's probably going to press charges."

"Not if he knows what's good for him, he won't."

"You really want to fight him?"

"Fuck yes."

Watching Daryl fly into protector mode made her insides turn to mush. She scooted closer and grabbed his thigh, squeezing once. "Next time, baby."

"I'll stomp his ass if he even so much as thinks 'about ya again."

They fell into a comfortable silence, giving Katie time to process what had just happened. Oh God, how the fuck was she going to pay the bills now? Rent was due next week.

Daryl somehow knew what she was thinking. "Hey. It's all good. Ain't the only job out there."

"No one is going to hire me when they hear about this."

"So don't tell 'em."

He made it sound so simple. "Maybe there's a spot for me at the garage?"

He smirked. "Ya can fix bikes now?"

Katie shrugged. "How hard can it be?"

Daryl laughed. "Maybe you should use that fancy college degree instead."

This made Katie moan. "There's nothing around here for a communications and advertising degree. I've looked. I'd have to move to Atlanta for anything worthwhile."

Daryl shot her a look and she shrugged. "I don't want to move to Atlanta."

"Why not?"

She pouted as he pulled into the QuickMart. Because he was here? And Atlanta was at least an hour away. "Just don't."

He maneuvered into a parking spot and cut the engine, then gave her thigh a soft punch. She needed cheering up. "I've got an idea."

"Does it involve my bed and sex all night?"

The tips of Daryl's ears turned pink and he shook his head. "Naw."

"Then I'm not interested." She teased.

"Stop."

She crawled over the bench seat and placed a soft kiss on his jaw, the stubble tickling her lips. Ever so slowly her lips moved upwards and caught his earlobe between her teeth. "Ya sure?"

The breath against his skin made him shiver. He broke free from her lips, and turned to face her.

"Let's get out of here for a few days. I'm taking you camping."

"Camping?"

"That's what I said."

She studied him with twinkling eyes and considered his proposal.

"Ya ever fucked in the open air?"

That sold her. She gave him a smile that could warm the coldest of hearts. "Okay, Dixon. Take me camping."