Quinn, Alexandria

The next morning, after breakfast, I said goodbye to Judith, RJ, Rosita, Jesus, and Aaron as they were preparing to go to Hilltop. Eugene approached me lastly.

"Are you alright, Quinn?" asked Eugene.

"Yeah…" I nodded, then I continued in a suppressed voice. "I'm just worried about Carol and Daryl. Aaron got back yesterday, then where are they?"

"They might have gone to Hilltop straightaway."

"I hope you're right. And how are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you very much."

"So you're going to Hilltop?"

"Positive," he said.

"Are you still talking to that woman?"

"Her name is Stephanie."

"Oh, I see."

"We still don't talk about any specifics, before you ask, but yes, we talk pretty much."

"I trust you, Eugene."

"Thank you. I'll make room for your calls too, don't worry about that," he smiled at me.

"Well, you better. Thanks, anyway," I smiled slightly too.

"I have to go. I just wanted to make sure everything's alright with you."

"That's really nice of you," I smiled at him again, hugged him, then he left. We went back to Michonne's house with Henry. He headed to the living room and continued reading his book.

"Is it good?" I asked, pointing at the book.

"Not bad, but at least it keeps my thoughts distracted a little," said Henry.

"I see. Alright, I'll be in the kitchen, if you need anything," I said and started to prepare lunch.

…

We had lunch without barely saying anything, I was still on edge both mentally and physically, everything happened so fast. I got disappointed by Carol and Daryl and then I fought a giant yesterday… And I was worried about Negan… And on top of that, now I was worried about Carol and Daryl too, despite the fact what they did to me… I still loved them, they were my family… That's why their lies hurt even more.

As I was washing the dishes, I heard banging on the front door.

"It's Daryl!" said Henry, who already checked by the time I got there. I opened the door quickly and a very, very weary Daryl stumbled in.

"Daryl…" I breathed. "Are you okay?" I asked taken aback. He was covered in dust, had scratches all over him and his hair was sweaty. He nodded.

"Where's mom?" asked Henry.

"She's not back yet?" asked Daryl, his voice being even more hoarse than usual.

"No," said Henry, concerned.

"Probably she went to Hilltop. I'm surprised you are here," I said. Henry went back to the living room, disappointed. Daryl put his crossbow next to the armchair. He looked really bad, I felt like I should talk to him in private. Maybe something happened to Carol he just doesn't want to say it in front of Henry? I followed the boy.

"Henry, can you please go upstairs while I'm talking to Daryl?" I asked politely in a suppressed voice.

"You know, I'm not a kid anymore, I would like to hear what he says too," said Henry.

"I know. The reason I asked you to go upstairs is that I would like to talk to Daryl in private," I said quietly. Henry nodded understandingly, but he was still grumpy.

"Okay…" he said and headed upstairs.

"Don't escape on me, while we're talking, okay?" I asked him.

"I won't go anywhere," shouted Henry from upstairs.

I turned back to Daryl who was already sitting on the couch, half-dead.

"What the hell happened?" I asked him while I sat next to him. He turned to me his mouth winced, his eyes full of tears.

"Connie died…" he said, barely audible. My eyes widened, I was speechless for a moment. Jesus said she and Magna got stuck in the cave, but I thought they might be looking for another exit or something… I gasped.

"I am so sorry, Daryl."

Suddenly I forgot everything he did to me. I felt so much sorry for him. I don't see him cry every day, so it was even more devastating.

He couldn't even say another word, he just cried, buried his face in his hands. I grabbed him and pulled him into a hug, without thinking. He immediately hugged me back and cried into my shoulder. I was stroking his hair and the back of his neck, then his back.

"I'm so sorry," I repeated quietly.

He cried for a little while then his breathing started to go back to normal, but he stayed the same way, buried in my shoulder, hugging me.

"I can't stand you hating me. Please, forgive me… I need you now," he said in a voice I have never heard from him before. I was so surprised I couldn't say no.

"I don't hate you. I'm disappointed, but… I don't want to lose you," I said quietly, embarrassed. A couple of hours ago I felt like I could still punch him for telling Negan that I died and now… I completely forgave him, like nothing happened. I felt the same way about Carol too. What if she is really…? I couldn't even end the question in my head. "I don't want to lose Carol either," I said.

"Carol…" whispered Daryl, he backed away and wiped his face, then he looked me in the eye. His eyes were so red from crying. "Carol went completely crazy… I had to save her and stop her several times in the cave and then she caused the explosion which closed the exit… with Connie and Magna still inside…"

He said, his voice was still shaky. I took his hand. He continued.

"I was trying to search for another entrance to the cave, but I found nothing. They stuck down there. I'm so angry with Carol right now. I just left her there with Jerry and Kelly."

I nodded understandingly.

"Aaron came back yesterday and he said the others got separated," I said. "That's why I thought they went to Hilltop."

"Maybe. I don't want to see her right now…" he said and his voice started to tremble again. He wiped his eyes once more. "I'm gonna go back and look again for a way into the cave…"

He mumbled and stood up slowly, but I quickly got in front of him.

"You can barely stand. You have to eat and sleep before you go back there. And a shower wouldn't hurt either. Go take a shower and I'll get something for you to eat."

He didn't object, which was strange, but given his state, he could barely even walk. He nodded and headed to the shower. I quickly made sandwiches for him, then I went upstairs to check on Henry.

"Everything okay?" asked Henry, with the book in his hands.

"Connie and Magna seem to be dead," I said quietly.

Henry stood up and shook his head disapprovingly. I continued:

"They stuck down in a cave. Daryl is really weary. I give him something to eat, then I'll send him off to sleep, so don't bother him now."

"Alright," said Henry. "Did he say anything about mom?"

"No. He said he helped her and she was okay when they got separated. She is most likely at Hilltop."

Henry nodded understandingly. I tried to calm him, but I was worried about Carol too. I went back downstairs. I didn't hear the sound of the shower for a while now, so I went to check on Daryl. I knocked on the door.

"Daryl? Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said barely audible. He opened the door. His hair was still wet.

"Alright, then. Come on, I made you sandwiches."

He grabbed my wrist.

"I didn't want to cause you pain," he said seriously. "I'm so sorry about Negan. About the lie. Everything. I don't want to lose you too, over something stupid bullshit."

"Okay," I said, taking my hand away.

It's not fair, every time I get mad at him, something happens and I take pity on him and forgive him sooner than I intended.

"I won't forget what you did and that you lied to me, but I can't stay mad at you, because I'm afraid I'll lose you…" I said while avoiding his eyes. "Same goes for Carol. There's no time to be angry at each other."

He hugged me. He smelled better after the shower. I backed away faster than I used to. I was still offended because of his lie.

"Okay, now eat," I said and pushed him towards the kitchen. He sat down and I put the sandwiches in front of him. He started eating immediately.

"Did something happen here, while we were away?" he asked between two bites.

"Yeah. The whisperer who knows Aaron was here, but she is already on her way to Hilltop with Aaron and the others. Also, Beta visited us."

Daryl almost choked on the sandwich.

"What?"

"Yeah, he was here. Judith shot him, I stabbed his shoulder and he still kept going. Rosita, Henry, and I tried to take him down, but it was useless. He was so strong he threw me away with one hand. I can't even imagine you got into a fight with him.

"Dude's a fuckin' giant. I pushed him to an elevator shaft," he growled.

"I hope Negan hasn't met him… he would be no match for him," I said, worrying.

"Maybe he is working with them," said Daryl, grumpily.

"Why would you think that? He saved several Alexandrians, why would he work with them?"

Daryl shrugged his shoulder.

"Did you hear anything about him?" I asked.

"Nah. I was just guessin'," he said. As soon as he finished eating, he stumbled to the couch. "Thanks for the meal," he growled and as soon as he lay down, he immediately fell asleep. I continued washing the dishes when I heard him snoring.

I frowned my eyebrows. I never heard him snore before. Maybe he was really, really tired. Thank god he is not sleeping outside in the forest somewhere, he would attract all the walkers with that noise.

I went upstairs, brought dinner to Henry.

"Is he okay?" asked Henry quietly. "He is snoring like a bear."

"I think he's just tired, let him be. I don't want to wake him, because he would run off immediately to the cave. He should rest first."

Henry nodded, said good night, and went to sleep.

I was thinking about what Daryl said, that maybe Negan's working with the whisperers… why would he? He has no reason. Or maybe he joined them to save his own ass? Or maybe he really went undercover, like Carol wanted him to?

I had no idea, what was happening to him, but it was still a better scenario than his death.

And then… about death, I remembered Connie and Magna. Connie was such a kind woman and I remembered killing walkers with Magna not so long ago when both of us were really angry. I felt a connection with her back then, despite the fact we didn't say a word to each other. I didn't know them so well, but I was sad. I hope they didn't die down there… And I hope Carol was really at Hilltop.

Daryl was sleeping on the couch, and I sat in the armchair, where I fell asleep too.

…

Author's notes: Listen to "A friend like you" by Smash into Pieces. This time it goes for Daryl. ❤

Thank You for reading!❤