Note: Glenn and Abraham live; Father Gabriel and Eugene were killed instead. Daryl wasn't taken by the saviours
Daryl opened his eyes slowly. Where was he? He glanced around and realized he had no clue where he was. As this sunk in, his instinct to run and fight started to build. However, as soon as he tried to move, his shoulder screamed in protest.
"Whoa, easy."
Aaron appeared in his line of sight.
"You lost a lot of blood," Aaron said, "You're probably pretty tired right now."
'Where are we?" Daryl asked.
"Hilltop," Aaron replied, "We've been here for two days."
"Two days?"
"Yeah, you've been pretty out of it," Aaron told him.
"Where's everyone else?"
"Maggie and Glenn are here. The others went back to Alexandria, try to get things ready," Aaron told him. "They didn't want to leave without you, but we were running out of time."
"Running out of time?" Daryl was confused for a moment before he remembered the clearing. "Negan."
Aaron nodded sadly.
"Maggie alright?" Daryl asked and Aaron seemed to perk up a bit.
"She's doing a lot better," he nodded, "Dr. Carson ran some tests and determined it was stress and she needs to be resting."
Daryl scoffed.
"Yeah I know, easier said than done," Aaron said with a small smile, "I reckon her and Glenn will probably stay here until the baby arrives."
"When're you heading back?"
"Once you're cleared by Dr. Carson, we'll head back together," Aaron replied.
"Ya don't gotta wait for me," Daryl said softly, "'m sure Eric's waiting. Worried 'bout ya."
"I told the others to let him know I'd be home soon," Aaron said, "I don't mind staying here until you're alright. I didn't like the idea of you trying to head back on your own. With these Saviours out there, anything could happen."
"Nothin' I don't deserve," Daryl muttered quietly. Unfortunately, it wasn't quiet enough and Aaron heard him.
"Hey, stop that," he sat on the edge of Daryl's bed. "What happened out there wasn't your fault."
Daryl wouldn't look at Aaron, blinking hard against the tears that gathered as he replayed the scene over and over again in his head. Eugene… Gabriel… He was so stupid.
"Daryl," Aaron gently slid his hand into Daryl's, noticing how the other man tensed up, but didn't pull away.
"Daryl, what happened was not your fault," Aaron said firmly as Daryl finally looked at him. "You were hurt and you were trying to protect Rosita. What happened is on Negan, not you. He did what he did because he knew it would hurt worse than if he had just killed you. He knew killing someone else as "punishment" for something you did… He knew that would drive you crazy."
Daryl closed his eyes. He knew Aaron was right on some level, but…
"'m tired," he said, not opening his eyes. He heard Aaron sigh.
"Sleep," Aaron said, "You need rest. But don't think for a second that this conversation is over Dixon."
