Reviews:

DarylDixon'sLover: I know right I cried writing this, for now I think Beth is quite safe :) Maybe they will! Thank you for reviewing! XXX

Galwidanatitud: Thank you! It sounds horrible but that's what I was going for! Haha things will happen soon I promise! Thank you for reviewing! XXX

TheFaceOfAlison: I'm really playing on his inability to properly communicate and interpret people's behavior even though he gets much better at his social skills as the seasons pass, I really wanted to show how much Joelle being gone changes him back to how he was emotionally closed off in the beginning. I wanted to make Beth the obstacle because I think her innocence yet newly found strengths would be a great way to change things up and I think her behavior showcases how she could have behaved had she lived. Thank you so much for the Review! XXX

ThaliaJoelle: Thank you I love it when people enjoy my work and this is mind-blowing! I know I know Joelle and Daryl.. it will happen soon I think! Thank you so much for your Review! XXX

SPARKELS77: Thank you so much! Thank you for taking the time to review! XXX

Mikeysrevenge: So sorry that this took so long! Thank you so much for the Review! XXX

ThaliaJoelle: Thanks I really wanted people to fall in love with Lucas and the relationship he had with Joelle. Thank you and good luck it's harder than people make it out to be! Thank you so much for reviewing! XXX

A/N: Hello Lovelies! *Dodges flying objects thrown at face* I had every intention of reviewing regularaly but classes got harder than Exams were heading my way and I had to actually study harder, finally I am done with this first semester so everyone should be expecting the next few chapters to be heading up in a decent time frame! I am so sorry guys for making you wait like three months for this but here it is! Anyway I hope you enjoy! Don't forget to R&R! XXX

Chapter 27

Joelle POV

The man introduced himself to Joelle as Aaron, he then proceeded to give her water. It must have taken him only moments to understand what had happened and the moment he did, he began to dig. He dug one grave and Joelle was thankful, he helped her place Lucas' body in the pit before covering it steadily with the fresh dirt. Once that was done he proceeded to wash his hands.

Joelle had been cautious of him at first but there was something in those kind blue eyes of his that screamed trustworthy, not that it mattered anyway, she was done, she didn't want to leave, didn't want to move.

Aaron walked until he was in front of her before crouching down, he dampened a clean cloth and began to wipe the dirt and blood from her face, "I can't imagine what you have been through but I know one thing, he wouldn't want you to waste away. There is this place, a community, there are people. There's a doctor there that could stitch you up. Please?" His voice was still soft as if he was afraid he'd startle her if he spoke too loud. He stood up and held out his hand.

Joelle knew that this was her choice between life and death, whether or not she wanted to keep going. It hurt so bad, the thought of living without her loved ones, without her brother, without her husband, without her daughter. Lucas's words flashed through her mind like wildfire, "…Find them…" alone she didn't have a chance of finding Roxie and Daniel, of finding Daryl and Artemis but with the help of this place.

She took his hand and stood, "Kate, my names Kate," Joelle whispered, her voice hoarse and broken. Joelle Dixon was dead. She wasn't coming back, not unless a miracle happened.

"Nice to meet you Kate," Aaron smiled. Together they collected the supplies that the monsters had gathered and took them back to Aaron's car. The drive was long but comfortable, she drifted off to sleep.

Joelle woke to Aaron calling out "Kate" softly, the got out of the car, "Welcome to Alexandria."

The walls were the first thing she saw, they were tall, and looked strong. Then the houses caught her attention; they were big and beautiful, it was something of a dream, something she hadn't seen since the world went to shit.

A lady in her late fifties introduced herself as Deanna, the woman in charge at Alexandria. She was then guided to meet Pete, the local surgeon who proceeded to sew up Joelle's cheek and eye. Joelle didn't need to be told the eye was now useless, she had known the moment James had struck her with that blasted knife.

After she was stitched up Aaron led her into a nice looking house, Deanna was waiting for her there and she was led into a sitting room. Things were awkward and slow in the beginning of the conversation but they got slightly better, Joelle or Kate as she was going by refused to speak of her family, the family that was no longer by her side.

"What did you do before all this Kate?" Deanna asked as they neared the end of their conversation.

"I was a specialist in the Army before becoming a nurse about three years before all this started. I know you assign jobs for everybody here and I'm asking you to put me in with those who go on the supply runs. It'd be good for them to have someone with medical experience on their side." Joelle all but pleaded with Deanna.

Deanna had been nodding her head before Joelle had even finished speaking, "I agree but we need you to rest up before we send you out there, we don't want you dead before you have a chance to blink. Now come I have the prefect house for you, it's big, really big but it's yours for now."

Deanna led her to a great, big, grey house with startling yellow French doors, a house that looked like it could hold a large family comfortably.

"This will be your home and maybe one day you'll have to share it but for now it's just yours."

After she left Aaron came to see her, a box of supplies in his hands, he offered it to her with a shy grin. She took the box, hesitating only a moment before taking the box and smiling back, even though it turned out more like a grimace. The small action seemed to please Aaron greatly, "there's running water, hot water, I don't know if you've had much of that, take your time. I'm four houses down if you need anything, don't hesitate Kate," with those parting words he left her alone.

Hot water, running water, two concepts she'd all but forgotten. She didn't know how long she was in the shower for, it must have been a while, she shaved everything and scrubbed her body until it was raw. She brushed her teeth and hair before finally making her way to the bedroom where a double bed was waiting, she dressed and slipped under the warm covers, falling into a restless sleep.

APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS LATER

Rick POV

The muggy heat pounded down on them as they walked down the deserted road. Judith in Rick's arms, Artemis in Daryl's. Rick had been watching Daryl, how he was closed off and silent, he wasn't grieving, he wasn't in denial, he had just ignored all traces of Joelle in the group, excluding his daughter.

Slowly walkers began to hoard behind them, slowly drifting in and grouping together, Daryl stopped to look, "We're not at our strongest, we'll get them when it's best." Rick said quietly, Beth who had been walking beside Daryl, as per usual, had heard. She instantly turned to Daryl and plucked Artemis out of his arms. Artemis whimpered lowly before being hushed by the young blonde. Daryl said nothing and Rick couldn't help it when his grip tightened on Judith and a hiss passed his lips.

So they walked.

Daryl looked at Judith when she whimpered, "She's hungry."

"She's okay, she's going to be okay," Rick said trying to reassure himself and Daryl.

"We need to find water, food..."

"We'll hit some in the road, it's got to rain sooner or later," Rick replied.

"I'm gonna head ou'... See wha' I can find," Daryl said after a moment and handed Rick his rifle.

"Don't be too long."

"Wait for me baby brother," Merle called after Daryl who was already heading for the trees.

"Hey I got it," Daryl called back.

Merle chuckled, "you gonna stop me?"

Merle POV

"There's nothing here Daryl, it's dryer then a sandbox, we should head back," Merle called to Daryl.

"You go," Daryl grunted.

"She saved my life little brother, and she saved yours too. She broke down those walls and made you trust, made you love. She gave you a daughter for fucks sake." Merle ranted for a moment before pulling something out of his pocket. A small wooden sculpture. An Angel. It fit neatly into Merle's lone palm.

"It's hers, she carved it one night, and when I asked her why she said it was for you. That the angel reminded her of you. That you were her angel. We're not dead. That's what you said. You're not dead."

Daryl was looking at him now, taking in his words, "I know you, we're different, I can't let myself... But you, I know you, you have to let yourself feel it." Merle's hand gripped Daryl's shoulder in comfort before he walked off, back the way they'd come. Daryl followed behind slowly.

They had finally come to a place where they could get rid of the small herd behind them, a bridge, the plan was great and was working until, Sasha being the angry bitch she had become in light of Tyreese's death on a run a few days ago, ditched the plan. And shit went down. They killed them all and were done with it while a few stay back to protect the babies. Once they were finished they nodded to each other sheathed their blades and moved on.

They kept walking until they spotted the cars. There was nothing to be found in them, nothing at all. The walking was getting on everybody's skin, the heat and silence wasn't helping before long Daryl couldn't take it and left to go hunt, or scavenge, whatever it was he needed to get away.

The minute Daryl was out of earshot Merle walked straight over to Beth and pulled Artemis from her arms. Beth began to protest but was immediately cut off, "No, she's not yours so stop bloody well acting like it. If anything she should be with Roxie, you keep treating her like it's you who gets to decide what's best, it ain't," Merle told her sharply.

"Daryl–" Beth tried to cut in.

"Daryl saved your ass we damn well get it and I know you think this is how to repay him but you're making things worse. He's trying to grieve the loss of his Wife, alone, but he can't with you breathing down his neck, that is his daughter, the one Joelle gave him. All he needs right now is his family, this group is a family but he needs his blood. And his blood is me, Rick and Artemis, so back the fuck off before I make you," with his rant over Merle faced the front again and began to walk, clutching Arty to his chest.

Beth looked to Rick for support only to find him grinning, obviously in agreeance with everything Merle had said, Beth huffed before speaking, "you just wait until Daryl comes back, he's sure to be on my side and you make not like it but Daryl and I–"

"Enough Beth, let it go, he's too old for you anyway," Maggie said finally cutting in, those words stopped Beth in her tracks, her own sister was against her. She huffed and slowed down until she was at the back of the group but no one seemed to care for her pettiness, which only frustrated her further.

They kept walking, Daryl reappeared after a time. Surprisingly Beth said nothing, thankfully, she had seemingly put the clues together that Daryl needed time and until Merle and Rick could find a way to stop her stupid infatuation.

They stopped for a rest which resulted in dinner, it was the first time Merle had eaten dog and he had to say he was pleasantly surprised, that didn't change the fact they needed water and soon, it did however make things better, moods lifted and strength gained.

It was the same the next day, they kept walking, despite exhaustion, despite dehydration. Daryl repeated his little disappearing act, not that anyone minded. The group came across a pile of bottled water, with a piece of paper labelled FROM A FRIEND, which didn't inspire all that much confidence. There was no way in hell they were going to trust that, everyone immediately became on guard

Daryl came back moments later, his eyes red and puffy, he had been crying, grieving for which both Merle and Rick were relieved at. Daryl needed it and they needed Daryl, Artemis needed Daryl. Rick handed him the note. There was a dispute about whether or not it was clean, but it was cut short when it began to rain, hard too, soon Artemis and Judith were screaming their protest.

Daryl led them to a barn where they could hold up for the night until they worked something out. The storm battered on, it was dark and Merle was nodding off when he noticed Daryl struggling to hold the doors close against a horde of Walkers. It wasn't long before everyone was struggling and pushing to keep the doors closed and everyone alive.

5 DAYS LATER

Joelle POV

She was out on a run with two others, Brooke and Heidi, and she had to say they worked well together. They tried unsuccessfully to get her to open up, not for their lack of trying of course, they tried, constantly, she would just ignore them until they moved on. Maybe she did need to talk, to paint out her agony in words, words that would mean nothing to stranger but everything to her, words that would mean something to her family.

They were on the final leg of the journey back home, there were some great finds in the boot of the car if she did say so herself. She was extremely unsure of how Brooke and Heidi would work outside the walls, considering Alexandria was seemingly untouched by the devastating havoc the apocalypse had spread throughout the world. Hardly anyone at Alexandria truly understood namely Aaron and Eric; the recruiters of Alexandria who'd been on the road but even they were debatable. Perhaps the ones with the most understanding were Enid; a girl who'd lost both her parents and spent time struggling alone to survive, and the other group on a run, their leader being Heath. To put it bluntly Joelle was stunningly surprised Alexandria had survived this long.

Joelle was torn from her thoughts when Brooke groaned causing both Joelle and Heidi to look at her, "keep your eyes on the road, before you kill us all," Joelle snapped at Heidi, who quickly did as she asked.

"Sorry Kate, I can't help it you know, Aiden will never let us go on a run with just girls again," Heidi moaned in defeat over their impending doom.

"Aiden doesn't know shit, besides if it had been him or anyone else, they'd probably be dead anyway, I'll talk to Deanna if it becomes an issue. God knows we've done well enough out here," Joelle replied lifting up the bandage to take a peek at Brookes sliced up arm, if anything she'd get tetanus but even then that seemed unlikely plus she'd bleed out before that anyway.

"How's she doing?" Heidi asked her voice filled with affection and worry for her lover.

"The quicker you get us home, the quicker she'll recover," was all Joelle said.

"That's… the first… time you've said… home" Brooke wheezed out, dizzy from blood loss. Thankfully her lover was also a match for blood.

They pulled into the gates which were opened by somebody Joelle couldn't name, but the mullet was off-putting. It seemed to take Heidi some convincing but she got whoever it was to open the gates and once she did they drove as close as they could to Pete's house which wasn't hard. When Joelle was sure Brooke and Heidi were comfortable she left to go shower and sleep, she'd fill Deanna in later.

She saw herself in a windows reflection and cringed. She was covered in blood, walker blood and Brooke's. Her hair was in a high ponytail out of the way but bloody none the less and her black lower face mask coupled with her black eye patch made her look incredibly menacing and typically badass.

When she finally made it back to her house, she noticed a lot of stuff lying around, stuff that wasn't hers, Deanna must have brought in more people, she sighed but did nothing but walk into her room it was time to take a long damn shower.

The water was already running, which was weird but Joelle figured she could kick whoever it was out of the shower, after all it was her home first.

There was no shower curtain which gave Elle a fine view of the man's back, he wasn't doing anything just standing there, like he'd been threatened to take the shower more than anything. Looking at his back Joelle noticed the map of scars that seemed to decorate his back, the two demon tattoos a stark contrast to his skin. She didn't know nor did she care if this was a dream. Joelle knew Daryl's back anywhere and this was no exception.

Silently she dropped the towel around her body and stepped in behind him, her hand brushing against his back, he tensed immediately, "shh my love, it's me," Elle whispered, "let me help you," she picked up the wash cloth and body wash before proceeding to clean him gently, she littered feathered kisses along his back as she cleaned.

Daryl's POV

He was only in the damn shower because Carol had gotten Rick on his arse, he didn't think he actually needed one. When the hand touched his back he nearly growled thinking it was Beth, they may have bonded after the prison but she was damn persistent, not leaving him alone, even though he obviously wanted to be. He was about to growl at her to get the fuck out when she spoke, only it wasn't Beth's timid southern drawl, "shh my love, it's me," it was the voice of an angel, the voice of the only woman he'd ever love, her voice was a soft whisper, "let me help you," her touch was as soft as her voice and the small kisses she left made him ache for her embrace.

Daryl turned around so that he could face her, when he did he couldn't help but smiled. Half of her face was covered by her brilliant chestnut waves, he gently stroked her cheek, before leaning in and brushings lips against hers.

It started slow and sensual but quickly became much more passionate, they came together in clash of flesh, a heated inferno enveloped them. They pulled away gasping, "Are you real?" they asked in breathless unison, they smiled and Daryl leant his forehead against hers, tears flowed from his eyes, "I though' ya were dead, Merle he told us wha' happened 'n' I though' I'd lost ya," he sobbed.

Unable to stand his pain she pulled him into her arms and held him close, her own tears mixing with the warm shower spray. "I love you Daryl, more than anything, walking in here and seeing you, I- I thought I was dreaming and I was happy with that, I thought I'd never see you again and yet here you are, I love you so much," Elle whispered to him, her voice breaking.

Daryl, who'd looked at her throughout her speech, moved to brush her hair away from her cheek when she flinched, "Angel? What is it?"

"I'm afraid what you'll think of me… my eye…" Joelle trailed off and closed her eye, tears flowing endlessly.

He was gentle as he moved her hair away from her face and gasped, there where her eye used to be was a large wound only just starting to scar, the cut started just above her left eyebrow and followed down until it was halfway down her cheek. He could have stopped this; this shouldn't have happened. He kissed ever so gently down the newly forming scar "I'm so sorry Angel… I shoul' never have left ya, I could have done somethin' I…"

Elle fluttered her eye open, "It doesn't matter Daryl you're here now, we're together now," she whispered.

"I love ya, more than anythin' more than life, I love ya Angel," was his reply before caressing his lips against hers.

Daryl pulled away and picked up the wash cloth from where it had been forgotten and began to lovingly wash the dirt and grime from her body, kissing and caressing as he went, they washed each other's hair, Joelle giggling at the length of Daryl's causing him to grin before shaking his head like a wet dog.

Once they were both completely clean the kisses started anew, neither able to get enough of each other. Their lips came together in a frenzy of love and passion. They fought for dominance which he eventually one, no surprise there, hands began to wander, the hot water making their bodies slick and slippery which only added to their arousal. Her lips began to slowly make their way south, down his neck and chest making him moan in pleasure. Growing impatient he picked her up, instinctually she wrapped hr legs tightly around his waist. Their fevered kisses grew longer and sweeter as they progressed until they were practically just clinging to each other their lips clued to one another's.

Rick Grimes POV

He was sitting on the couch downstairs with Beth who was staring at Artemis, who was peacefully sleeping in her crib.

"He's been showering for ages, should he be out by now? I thought he was completely against it?" Beth's voice cut through the peaceful silence.

He had noticed that too, Rick had come back quite a while ago, to hear the shower running and it was still going.

"I don't know but at least he's getting clean," Rick replied stiffly, he didn't like having conversations with Beth that had the slightest hint of Daryl, he didn't feel it right to indulge in her obsession.

"Well I don't think it's right him wasting that water," and with that she got up and began making her way up the stairs towards the bathroom that Daryl was currently in.

Rick's eyes widened as he suddenly took in what the young girl had said, shocked that she had the audacity to essentially perve on a man over twice her age. He sprinted up the stair to stop her only to find he was too late and she had already opened the door.

Instead of finding Daryl alone however he was very busy with a woman around his waist and his lips occupying hers. He pulled away however at the sound of the door opening, Daryl looked at Beth before locking eyes with Rick. In that moment Rick saw the old Daryl, the one who was happy, happy because of Joelle. Rick looked at the woman and noticed the angel wings tattooed on her back he couldn't help but grin. Daryl broke their stare to look back at Beth, who was standing there in shock, not expecting there to be a woman, "ge' the fuck outta' here!" he snarled at her.

Rick quickly intervened and pulled the door shut. Grabbed Beth's wrist and dragged her down the forced her to sit on the couch before looking her in the eyes, he was happy about Joelle being alive but that could wait for now he was absolutely livid with Beth.

The reunion with Joelle would have to wait.

A/N: Okay so I know I've been completely useless with updating and I am so sorry for that, I can't believe how long this chapter took me to write, probably because I wanted it to be perfect and it took me forever to work out that perfection wasn't going to happen. I also understand that I have really abruptly cut the reunion off but I feel like I've given Joelle and Daryl a could piece here and I wanted to do Joelle's reunion with Artemis separately which will be happening next chapter. I would like to point out I personally have no problem with Beth, I never really liked her but I apologise to the slight Beth Bashing happening in the chapter and the next few. Thank you so much to those who followed, you're a great bunch same to those who favourited and as for those who reviewed. You are legendary. And I hope you know it. Thank you thank you thank you! It literally makes my day. It is now the Midyear break for Australian Universities so hopefully I'll be able to update rather quickly. I think I'm going to start wrapping up the story though as I have a few in mind for the near future, some of which are more Daryl/OC. XXX R&R