Daryl was loading some new crossbow bolts into the crossbow while Carol watched and Daryl placed the crossbow against the pew. He checked to see if anyone was looking when he looked at Carol and Daryl held his arms out. Carol sat on his lap as he wrapped his arms around her and she looked deeply into his eyes.
"You gonna be here when I get back?" Daryl asked.
"Yep," Carol said, sliding her arms over his shoulders then locking her fingers behind his head.
"You ain't bullshittin' me?"
"Nope."
He was good at reading her now and he knew she was telling the truth. He looked around to see if anyone was watching them and Carol noticed he wanted to kiss her.
"Not in front of everyone, Dummy," Merle's voice said in his head.
She moved closer as she quickly kissed his lips and Daryl cleared his throat.
"For luck," she whispered.
Daryl looked over at Rick when Rick nodded and Daryl started to stand up. Carol got up first as Daryl picked up the crossbow then he walked to Rick. They headed for the door as Sasha, Abe. Maggie, Rosita, Michonne and Glenn joined them and they headed outside.
Daryl led the way while they headed for the woods and he held onto the crossbow strap. He wanted to glance behind him to looked at the church again, but he kept walking and he sighed.
"You could go back if you want," Rick said, walking next to him.
"No," Daryl said, shaking his head.
"I talked with Beth, Mika and Tyreese."
"About Carol?"
"Yep. They told me what happened with Lizzie."
"You believe 'em?"
"Yeah, but I still don't understand why Carol lied to me."
"She had her reasons."
"I get it. Also, I need you to clear up a few things."
"You want me to tell you about Lizzie? You heard what I had to say back at the cabin."
"You knew I was there?"
"Heard you walkin' up to the door."
They walked in silence when Rick snorted a laugh and Daryl glanced at him.
"What's so funny?" Daryl asked.
"Back at the prison, Lori told me she wanted to lock you and Carol in a cell until you admitted you liked each other," Rick said.
Daryl had noticed Rick didn't talk about Lori anymore.
"That's the first time you mentioned her since…. Since she died," Daryl said.
"Maybe, like Carol, I just don't like talking about her," Rick said with a sigh.
Nodding, Daryl adjusted the crossbow strap and they walked down the path.
"She was ok with me bein' with Carol?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah."
"I….," he said with a shake of his head.
"You what?"
"Back at the quarry? I was out huntin' an' saw her an' Shane havin' sex."
"She told me about that."
They walked in silence as Daryl frowned and his mind started drifting.
The quarry.
"Daryl!? Hey, Daryl!" made him stop then turn and Lori ran toward him. He had a string of dead squirrels over his left shoulder and he held onto the strap of the crossbow.
"What do you want?" he grumbled.
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"About what you were doing out in the woods."
"I was huntin'," he said, removing the string from his left shoulder and he shoved the dead squirrels in her face then he lowered his arm.
"Did you see me and Shane?'
"Yeah, I did. And you wanna know somethin', Olive Oil? I don't give a shit about what you two were doin'."
"So, you're not going to say anything."
"Ain't none of my business if you two wanna fuck like rabbits."
"It's not like that. Shane and I…"
"I said I don't give a shit. Now, leave me be."
He stormed off when he saw Carol and Sophia sitting at the table and Ed was yelling at them. Taking hold of the string, Daryl spun the dead squirrels in circles over his head and a low growl filled his throat. He let go of the string with a small grunt and the dead squirrels spun through the air before hitting Ed in the back of his head.
"Shit!" Ed screamed as he swatted at the dead squirrels and Daryl walked closer. He noticed the anger and fear in Ed's eyes after standing in front of him and Ed growled.
"Sorry," Daryl said, leaning down to pick the dead squirrels off the ground and he saw Carol and Sophia barely smiling at him. Placing his right index finger to his lips to hush them, Daryl stood up, placed the string over his left shoulder and he locked eyes with Ed.
"What the hell is all that nose?" Merle asked, coming out of the tent. Daryl watched Merle walking closer when Merle looked from him to Ed then back and Merle folded his arms over his chest.
"Had to deal with somethin'," Daryl said, glancing at Ed.
"He causin' you trouble again?" he asked, glaring at Ed.
"Please. Don't hurt him," Carol pleaded.
"Stay out of this," Ed growled.
"Watch yer mouth, Sunshine," Daryl said.
"You want a piece of me, Asshole?"
"You want yer pieces all over the ground?" Merle asked when Shane and Dale walked to them and Shane had his rifle pointed at Merle and Daryl.
"What's going on?" Dale asked.
"He's threatenin' my little brother. That's what's goin' on."
"He tossed his shit at me," Ed said.
"He what?" Dale asked, looking confused.
"I was just spinnin' these squirrels around and they got away from me," Daryl explained and Dale and Shane looked at the squirrels.
"You did it on purpose!" Ed shouted.
"Is that true," Carol?" Dale asked, looking at her.
"Keep her outta this!"
"Look. From now on. Keep away from each other."
Daryl watched Dale and Shane walking away when he and Merle headed for their tent then he felt Merle shove his right shoulder and Daryl looked at him.
"Is she the reason why you were actin' like a jackass? I told you she ain't worth it," Merle said.
He watched Merle walk in the tent then Daryl looked at Carol and he blinked his eyes a few times.
"She's worth it," Daryl whispered, going inside the tent.
"Are you ok?" Rick asked and Daryl saw the concern on his face.
"Just thinkin'," Daryl said when he stopped and he held his right hand. He pointed toward the schoolhouse as they knelt down and Daryl carefully headed for the bushes.
The schoolhouse
Gareth paced near the fire circle as he tried to figure out what to do about eating Bob's leg and he sighed.
Theresa, Martin, Greg, Albert and Mike were sitting near the fire circle as Mike frowned and he shook his head.
"Anyone feel different?" Albert asked.
"I do feel a little sick," Martin said.
"I wonder what it's going to be like. Being like them," Greg said, looking toward the building where the Walkers smacked their hands against the glass.
"No one is going to end up like them!" Gareth said as he stopped pacing.
"But we ate tainted meat!" Theresa said, holding onto her stomach.
"He had to be lying."
"You saw the wound on his shoulder. He was bit!" Mike said.
"Doesn't mean we're infected!"
"We're all infected," Rick said as he, Daryl, Sasha, Abe. Maggie, Rosita, Michonne and Glenn appeared out of the darkness and they had their weapons pointed at them.
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
"We learned a long time ago that whatever happened… What turned people into Walkers… It infected all of us."
"Is he telling the truth?" Rosita asked and Glenn nodded.
"Damn," Abe grumbled.
"You're lying!" Gareth said then he stopped when he saw the red machete in the holder on Rick's belt and Rick glanced down at the machete.
"Remember what I told you at the slaughterhouse?" Rick asked, slowly removing the machete from the holder.
"Run!" Greg shouted.
Daryl, Sasha and Abe ran after Greg and Albert as Sasha fired the gun and Greg grunted, falling to the ground. He tried to get up when Daryl fired the crossbow and the crossbow bolt slammed into Greg's back.
"Shit."
Greg staggered to his feet when Abe fired the gun and the back of Greg's head exploded. The body fell to the ground as Albert ran faster and he stopped when Sasha appeared from behind a tree. She glared at him when she fired the gun and the back of Albert's head exploded. The body fell to the ground as Abe kicked Albert's and Daryl removed the crossbow bolt from Greg's back.
Maggie and Michonne chased after Mike and Martin as Maggie fired the gun and Mike fell to the ground. His eyes bugged out when Michonne appeared and she swung the katana.
"Shit," Martin said as he ran then he stopped when Daryl appeared. "Do it."
"Do what?' Daryl asked, pointing the crossbow at him.
"I ate that guy's leg. He's tainted meat. Kill me."
Daryl lowered the crossbow when Martin knelt down on the ground and he looked at Daryl.
"Please," Martin pleaded.
"Daryl. Move," Maggie said. Daryl moved to his right as Maggie pulled the trigger and the back of Martin's head exploded. The body fell to the ground as she walked to Daryl and they headed for Sasha, Michonne and Abe.
Glenn and Rosita chased after Theresa while she ran to the building where the Walkers slammed against the glass and she tried to get the door open.
"Dammit," Theresa said when she realized the door was clocked and she turned to see Glenn and Rosita behind her. Rosita fired the gun as blood smeared over the door and Theresa's body slid down the door.
Rick stood in front of Gareth while Gareth looked at the bodies when he turned and Rick held the handle of the machete in both hands.
"Why?! Why couldn't you just do what my mother wanted!?" Gareth asked.
"She wanted us to eat people!" Rick said.
"We had to do what we had to survive. Don't you understand? Do you have any idea what it is like to have your home invaded and lose everything?"
"Yes. Yes, I do."
"Then you would do anything to protect your people? Even kill?"
Rick thought about everything he had done since waking up as he sighed and he slightly lowered his head.
"I have done worse," Rick said.
"Then we're alike," Gareth said with a grin.
Rick locked eyes with Gareth when Rick growled and he swung the machete. The others watched the body fall to the ground as he blinked his eyes a few times then he sighed.
"Let's get this cleaned up," Rick said, dropping the machete to the ground.
After placing the bodies in a pile and covering the pile with wood and brush, Daryl handed Rick his lighter as Rick set the wood and brush on fire. They watched the fire for a few minutes then they walked away and the Walkers slammed their hands against the glass. The glass started breaking while the light from the fire flickered on the glass and the Walkers moaned.
Saint Sarah's Church Episcopal
The church doors opened while Rick, Daryl, Abe. Maggie, Sasha, Rosita, Michonne and Glenn walked inside and the others looked at him.
"You're back!" Mika said, smiling at Daryl.
"Yeah," Daryl said with a nod.
"Did you kill them?" Beth asked.
"Yeah," Rick said, walking to Carl, who was holding Judith. Rick knew he and the others needed a shower as he frowned and he looked at Gabe. "Do you have somewhere we could wash up?"
"Yes. There is a bathroom in my room. There are some towels in the linen closet," Gabe said.
"Thank you."
Tyreese walked to Sasha when she noticed the look in his eyes and her own eyes widened.
"Bob?" Sasha asked, softly.
"I'm sorry," Tyreese said and he hugged her.
"Did you…? Did you put him down?"
"Yeah."
Rick noticed the sad look on Sasha's face when he looked at Gabe and Gabe shook his head.
"Let's go get washed up," Rick said, looking at Daryl, Abe. Maggie, Rosita, Michonne and Glenn then he headed for the bedroom.
"Go on," Carol said as she walked to Daryl and he shook his head.
"I'm good," Daryl said.
"Well, I'm not hugging you unless you clean up."
Mika softly giggled as he saw the seriousness in Carol's eyes then he went to clean up.
A short time later, Rick walked down the hallway when he saw Gabe in the office and Gabe was sitting at the desk. He was looking at a photograph when he noticed Rick standing in the doorway and Gabe placed the photograph in the drawer, closing the drawer.
"What were you looking at?" Rick asked, walking to the desk.
"It was….," Gabe said when he sighed, opened the drawer and he removed the photograph. He placed the photograph on the desk as he turned to so Rick could see and Rick saw Gabe with a young woman. She was smiling and Rick noticed the blue ribbon pinned to her shirt. He also noticed the glasses she was wearing and his mind showed him the female Walker who was going to attack Gabe.
"This is the Walker who was going to attack you at the food bank," Rick said, turning the photograph around.
"Yes," Gabe said with a sigh. "Her name is/was Elinor. Her mother was my organist. She used to come to the church to listen to her mother practice. She also did a lot of volunteer work. She had just won a junior achievement ribbon for bringing in the most food to the food bank when that photo was taken."
"Did you lock her and the others in the basement?"
"Yes," Gsbe said with a sigh then Gabe lowered his head. "I later found some explosives. But, seeing how I didn't know how to use them properly, I only succeeded in blowing a hole in the floor and the roof."
Rick started pacing as he tried to figure out what to do next and he shook his head.
"I hope you can forgive me," Gabe said with a sad look on his face.
Rick kept pacing when he sighed and he left the room. Sighing, Gabe picked up the photograph and tears rolled down his cheeks.
In the chapel, Daryl watched Rick entering the room, but the anger in Rick's eyes made him look down at his hands.
"Hey," Carol said as she sat next to him on the pew, but he didn't look up. "Daryl?"
She knew him long enough to know when he was shutting down and she slid his left hand into her hands. He wrapped their fingers together as he sighed and she moved closer.
"I was talking with Abe," she said and he looked over at Abe talking with Rosita and Eugene. "He wants to know if you and I would like to go with them to DC."
"What did you tell him?" Daryl grumbled.
"I said I had to talk it over with you first."
"What about Mika?" Daryl asked, looking at Mika and Carl and Carl was holding Judith on his lap.
"I'm sure Tyreese will keep an eye on her."
Daryl looked over at Rick talking with Michonne and Daryl noticed her looking toward the office.
"Rick needs us to stay," Daryl reminded her.
"That's one of the reasons why I think we should. He's… He's not the same man we met back at the quarry."
"None of us are the same," Daryl said with a shake of his head.
"Some of us have gotten better," Carol said, squeezing his fingers.
"Stop," Daryl said. She noticed a slight blush on his cheeks when she compliments him and she smiled.
"You look really tired."
"I am."
She let go of his right hand when she lightly patted her lap and he looked at her lap. He slid his feet up while placing his head on her lap and she started to lightly card his hair. He closed his eyes while enjoying the feeling of her fingers moving through his hair and he yawned. She watched him drift off to sleep then she looked at Abe and Abe gave her questioning look. She shook her head and he nodded his head. Carol leaned back against the pew when she looked over at the cross and she sent out a prayer for the strength to not change her mind about leaving.
The next morning, Carol woke to find Daryl was gone. She got up, but her legs were slightly numb from his head resting on her lap. She thought back to how cute he looked while sleeping. He did reach out for her hand at one point and she had wrapped their fingers together.
"Don't go," Daryl whispered then made a little moan. She felt her heart hurting and she wondered who he was talking to.
Her? Rick? Merle?
"I'm not going anywhere," Carol whispered. She carded his hair until he had rolled over so he was facing her and she saw him smile. She was surprised when Rick walked to them and she saw the blanket in his hands. He shook his head then he covered Daryl with the blanket. Daryl moved slightly from being touched and Carol nodded her head at Rick.
"Where did you go?" Carol thought, looking around for any sign of Daryl. She saw him walking out of the bedroom when he walked to her and she saw he was drying his hands with a towel.
"Sorry. Had to take a piss," Daryl said, looking around with his eyes then he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
"At least you washed your hands," Carol teased, taking the towel from him.
"Had to. Beth was buggin' me about germs and shit."
Carol placed the towel on the pew when they headed outside and Daryl slid her left hand into his right hand. They headed down the stairs when Daryl noticed Rick was holding Judith as he talked with Gabe next to the grave they had made for Bob and Gabe didn't look happy.
"Wonder what that's about," Carol said, looking at Rick, Judith and Gabe.
"Dunno," Daryl said.
"Well, looks like we're ready to go," made them look at the church bus and Abe was leaning against the side of the church bus.
"Where's Beth?" Glenn asked.
"Here," Beth said while she and Maggie came out of the church. Gabe had found a pair of crutches for her and she and Maggie headed for Glenn.
Everyone gathered to say goodbye to Tara, Beth, Maggie and Glenn and Daryl made a small grunt after Beth hugged him.
"Remember what I told you," Beth whispered.
"About what?" Daryl whispered.
"About you being a good man."
Nodding, he held her for a few seconds then he reluctantly let her go.
"Are you sure you don't wanna go with us?" Abe asked, looking at Carol.
"Tempting as that sounds, I think we're better off staying with them," Carol said, glancing at Rick.
"Still think he's gonna get you all killed."
Carol didn't answer.
"Right! Everyone who's goin' better get on the damn bus! And we ain't stopping for piss breaks!"
"He's kidding, right?" Beth asked Maggie. Maggie shrugged then helped her onto the church bus and Glenn followed them.
Rick and the others watched as Abe closed the door, started the engine then he steered the church bus down the road. Rick looked at the others when he sighed and he walked to Michonne.
"Let's go," Rick said.
"What about him?" Michonne asked as she looked at Gabe.
"He decided to go with us."
"How did you get him to do that?"
"Just reminded him of his sins."
Michonne nodded as she walked to Carl and Rick looked at Carol and Daryl. He wasn't sure if they were really going with them as he adjusted his hold on Judith and Carol saw the question in his eyes.
"Are we going to follow the road or are we following the railroad tracks?" Carol asked.
"We're going to follow the road," Rick said.
"Then let's get goin'," Daryl said, adjusting the strap to the crossbow. He walked to Sasha, Mika and Tyreese while Carol headed for Rick and Judith and she tilted her head to one side.
"Before you ask, no, I am not going to abandon you the first chance I get," Rick assured her.
"That's good to know," Carol said.
"I also talked with Beth, Daryl, Mika and Tyreese about Lillie."
"And…?"
"And they told me what she did."
"Are you talking about Karen and David?"
"Yeah. I just don't get why you covered up for her."
"Let me ask you this. If we were still living at the prison and you found out what she was doing… What she did to Karen and David… What would you have done?"
"I don't know. I guess I would have placed her in solitaire."
"She would have needed constant supervision. Who would you have assigned to look after her? No matter who it was, they would be at risk of her attacking them."
"You're right."
"Would you have taken her out and abandoned her somewhere like you did with me?"
Rick felt like she slapped him.
"No, I couldn't risk her harming anyone else."
"The only other recourse was to kill her. Could you do that?"
"No, I couldn't. Not after…"
"Not after Sophia," Carol said with a nod.
"Can't say I can forget what you did, but I hope you can forgive me," Rick said with sad eyes and she frowned.
"You promise to never banish me again?"
"If I did, Daryl would go with you."
"Damn right," Carol said while watching Daryl helping Mika with the small backpack Gabe had found. "Are you going to let me take care of Judith?"
Rick looked at Judith while Judith sucked on her fingers then he looked at Carol. He handed Judith to Carol when he walked to Michonne and Carl and he looked at the others.
"Move out," Rick said. Carol watched them walking down the road when she went to walk with Daryl and Mika and Daryl saw the pleased look on her face. He slid his left arm around her waist while they headed down the road and Carol leaned her head against his left shoulder.
A/N: Think this is a good place to stop. Thank you for reading, reviewing and liking this story.
