Chapter Three

Dani awoke to the sound of her battery powered alarm clock ringing in the darkness. The dull ringing also woke her husband as she heard him snorting and shifting to his back. Dani then hit the snooze button and sighed as she looked at the glowing digits on the small screen showing 4:30 in the morning. She groaned as she lifted herself up on her elbows and rubbed her eye.

She then felt Daryl's hand on her back as he rubbed her skin and turned on his side to see her. "Gotta get up," he told her yawning.

Dani sleepily rested her chin on her right hand. "I know. I just hate getting up this early in the morning. Right before dawn." She stretched herself against the mattress and groaned. "My joints are all knotted up."

"Still sore from last night," her husband smirked at her, making her give him an amused look.

"You are too cute, dear," she responded as she sat up in their bed and stretched her arms to the ceiling, yawning. "Gotta get up, right?"

"Yeah. Gotta get movin'," he growled as he got up from the bed and put on his boxers.

Dani grinned at watching him put his clothes on, making her remember last night. After all these years, he still turned her on and the sex was even better than ever.

He saw her looking at him that way and winked at her. "Later, darlin'," he told her in a soft voice. "All right?"

She nodded. "Of course."

~0~

An hour later, the whole Dixon family was dressed and ate their breakfast consisting of corn flakes Dani had made the week before. After they were finished, they grabbed their duffel bags and headed outside to Rick's house, the rays of dawn started to filter in through the clouds as they walked to the street. Derrick and Darren started to race to their Uncle Rick's house excitedly, knowing that later today they would be playing with their best friend Hershel, whom they don't get to see much of since he lived far away at Hilltop. As they neared his house, they saw the carriage with two horses already in the front of the house, with bags and supplies piled up in the back of the bed.

Dani frowned a little. "Should we get Buttons Two and Cookie," she asked, referring to their own horses in the stable.

Daryl shook his head. "Nah. Don't need to. They can stay where they are. We're only gonna be gone for two days. "

Dani shrugged. "All right, I suppose. I was thinking just in case we need to head back."

Daryl wrapped his arm around his wife and kissed her forehead. "We'll leave with Rick after he gets done with Maggie. And there'll be more room when we get back."

Daryl was referring to Carl being left back at Hilltop for good, learning the trade of making swords and knives under Earl the blacksmith. It made Dani a little sad that they wouldn't see a lot of him anytime soon after Hilltop. She had grown fond of the boy over the years.

Dani smiled as she saw Rick walk out of his house with a duffel bag over his shoulder and waved at him. Rick saw them and waved back smiling.

"I see you're all ready," he told them as he threw his bag on the wagon. Dani and Daryl placed their luggage along with their sons on the bed of the wagon as well.

"We're good to go," Daryl told him, slinging his crossbow over his shoulder. "Let's hope nothin' goes wrong out there today."

Darren and Derrick walked up to Rick and smiled widely at him. "We're going to see Hershel today, right Uncle Rick," Derrick asked, his eyes lighting up.

Rick smiled at them and bent over to talk to them. "Of course. And if you're really good on this trip, I may let you hold the horse's strap. You'd like that?"

Darren's beamed at him as he nodded and clapped his hands. "Yeah. That would be so cool!"

Dani rubbed the top of Darren's face as he looked up at her, grinning enthusiastically. "You both will get to hold the strap, but first you have to do everything we say when we're out there. All right?"

Derrick nodded. "Yeah. We have to stay in the wagon and never put our arms out of the wagon ever."

Daryl crouched down to meet his son's gaze. "And why's that, Derrick?"

Derrick took a deep breath and sighed loudly. "Because a walker can tear my arm off and I can bleed to death if I put my arm out of the wagon."

Daryl nodded confidently. "That's right. Even though we have people out there making sure the roads are clear, you can never tell. Somethin' could go wrong."

Darren tensed up a little, looking a little worried. "But nothing will go wrong, right," he asked in a timid tone.

Daryl put his hand on the boy's tiny shoulder and looked at him in his large blue eyes. "Nothing will go wrong, Darren. Me and Mom and Uncle Rick and Carl, we know how to handle walkers. Nothin' will happen at all."

Darren gave his father a suspicious look. "You mean it, Daddy?"

Daryl chuckled. "Of course I do, sweetheart."

He pulled his son close him and gave him a huge hug. "I swear you'll be safe," he assured him.

"Good, Daddy," Darren answered, feeling a little better. "Because if I die, Mommy would kill you."

That response made Daryl shake a little, but he took fun with it, looking at his son with a wide-eyed expression. "What? Momma's gonna kill me?"

Darren nodded. "She will!"

"That's enough, Darren," Dani said as she leaned against the wagon. "Nobody's going to kill nobody." She then looked over her shoulder and saw Carol walking out with Carl and Judith. Judith looked up at her brother sadly, holding a little sculpture of a bird in her little hands.

"Do you have to go, Carl," Judith asked, her voice choking. "I don't want you to go."

Carl patted the top of her head and sighed. "Judith, I have to go. But I promise I'll be back for the festival. And I'll bring you lots of presents, all right?"

Judith shrugged. "I guess. But I don't know why you have to go away. Can't you just stay here with Mom and Dad?"

Carl shook his head. "I want to learn how to make spears and arrowheads and knives. In order to do that, I have to go to Hilltop to learn. When you grow up, you'll understand."

Judith frowned at him. And then she sniffled just a little. "But you're my big brother. I don't want you to go."

Dani felt her heart ache for the little girl. She was so sad to see her big brother leave home. Carl was so protective of her when she was a baby and now he's leaving home, leaving her behind with their father and mother.

Carl crouched down to meet her gaze and took hold her little hand. "Judith, you'll see me soon. I promise. This isn't good bye. Just see you later. Understand?"

The little girl's lips curled up, but she tried to look understanding. She nodded her head, still looking as sad as can be. "I understand." She then hugged her big brother tightly around his neck, with him returning the hug.

Carol then lightly tapped Carl's shoulder and smiled at him. He stood up and he embraced her. Dani could see Carol's eyes tear up a little but she remained strong. "You'll always come back for visits," she told him. "And soon, you'll bring your wife and your kids over to see their grandparents all the time."

"Of course," Carl replied. "As a master blacksmith."

She smiled sweetly at him and kissed his cheek. "I still remember you as a little boy trying so hard to grow up. And here you are now; all grown up and ready to leave."

Carl chuckled at that statement. "Actually, I always felt like I wasn't a kid. Not for a very long time."

Rick then walked up to his family and put his hand on his son's back. "Time to go," he said in a gruff voice. He then picked up Judith and kissed her cheek, making her giggle a little.

"Now you be good, sweet thing," he told her.

"I promise, Daddy," she replied with a mischievous smile.

Rick then hugged Carol and kissed her gently. "I'll be back in a few days," he told her. "Keep an eye on things while we're gone."

Carol nodded. "Heath, Aaron, Jesus and David will be here with me. I'm sure nothing will go wrong."

Rick nodded. "And you have those people to interview today. Just make sure Tara still keeps watch over the armory."

"Will do, Rick," Carol assured him.

At that moment, David walked up to them, rubbing his head and yawning. "There you guys are," he said, looking over at his sister and Daryl. "You going already?"

Dani walked over and gave David a hug. "We should be back in a couple of days. You remember we're going to Hilltop."

"Yeah. And I'll help Carol keep things safe around here." He then turned to Daryl and shook his hand. "You look after my sister and my crazy nephews, would ya?"
Daryl grunted. "Sure. You look after this place too."

David nodded. "Sure thing."

Dani and Daryl put their sons on the wooden benches along the sides of the wagon and climbed aboard. Dani sat in between her sons on the bench while Carl took the bench opposite of her. Daryl sat next to Rick on the driver's seats and winked at Carol one last time. She winked back and smiled.

"Don't you all get into trouble," she warned them with a smile.

Us? Trouble," Daryl asked pointing to himself. "Nah!"

Rick pulled the straps to the horses and steered them to the front gate, lurching the wagon forward, making Darren and Derrick jovial. They loved being pulled around on the wagon. They started to cheer and clap and smile as they neared the gate where Heath was, waving them over.

"Patrols were out all night and so far no sign of walkers," Heath told them as they got to the gate. "Just be careful out there."

Rick nodded. "Thanks, Heath. And remember, the Saviors will be by in three to four days for their trades. If I'm not here, you and Aaron can handle it."

Heath's face turned into a scowl. "What? Those psychos? They're a bunch of weirdos, Rick. They're the redheaded stepchild of this group and they know it!"

Rick shook his head. "Well, they're part of the network and they've helped us keeping us safe and providing fuel and clothing. And we haven't had a problem with them since the war."

Heath scoffed and kicked the dirt at his feet. "Yeah, whatever. I still say they should change their name into the bunch of weirdoes."

Dani and Carl looked at each other and laughed a little. True, they were allies with the Saviors. But Heath was right when he said that they were never really part of their group. There was still animosity against them for what they had done under Negan's leadership and most of the communities still felt uncomfortable when they were around. It would take a long time for them to be fully accepted without feeling awkward.

Heath opened the gate door for them and Rick proceeded to lead the wagon through the gates. Dani then saw Carl looking over his shoulder at something. Dani looked over Carl and saw he was staring at Enid who stood in the middle of the dirt road, appearing very miserable watching him go. Carl merely turned away and hunched forward, emotionless.

"She looks a little sad watching you go," Dani told him as she continued to look at the young woman with longing in her eyes.

Carl shrugged. "She'll get over it," he muttered, rubbing his knuckles and looking down at the wooden floor of the wagon bed.

Dani decided not to pursue the conversation and remained quiet as her sons played with their superhero action figures she had brought along to keep them entertained. They passed by the patrolmen who greeted them with nods and smiles who told them the roads were clear.

About a mile into their journey, Sasha and Scott rode by on their own horses and waved at them.

"Hey Rick, Daryl, Dani, Carl," she called out. "The roads are clear on our end."

"Good. We're going to Hilltop for a few days," Rick called out as she approached closer to him. "It's important that this road remains clear in the time being."

"I heard you," Sasha told him. She looked over at the twins and smiled. "I see you're bringing the Dixon boys with you. They better not get into any trouble out here."

Darren frowned at Sasha. "I don't get it. Why does everybody think we'll get into trouble?"

Daryl snorted. "Cause you are trouble," he laughed at him, leaning back in his seat and rubbing the top of his head, making Darren laugh.

Sasha smiled at the happy family and preceded to rider her horse down the road. "Be safe," she told them, knowing they would be.

Derrick then looked up to his mother and frowned just a little. "Mommy, when are we gonna get to Hilltop?"

Dani put her hand on his back and sighed. "Oh, not for a while. This is why we leave so early now. We probably won't get there until before sunset."

Derrick's eyes widened. "Wow, that's far," he said.

"Ah, not really," Daryl responded as he looked over his shoulder at him. "We are gonna make some stops along the way."

Derrick nodded and sat back against the wall of the wagon, sighing deeply. "Still it's a long time," he responded.

Rick chuckled a little. "Oh, we'll get there soon. And remember, I said if you both are good, you get to hold the strap to the horses."

Both boys' faces lit up. "Well be good," they both said in unison, making the adults laugh.

~0~

Back at the Safe Zone, David walked over to the mill where Olivia and Eugene were making the bread. The smell of it made David happy inside for it was a luxury they thought was lost in apocalypse. The electricity, however, was a problem and that was what he wanted to talk to Eugene about. The construction crew is building a large motel and the head of the crew, Siddiq, had some bad news to share with them this morning.

He walked inside the mill where he found Eugene and Olivia taking out the bread from the brick oven he and Eugene had constructed years before. Olivia greeted him with a big smile.

"We've made at least 10 loaves so far," she told him. "Production in wheat has gone through the roof!"

"Everything's running smoothly," Eugene informed him. "We'll have enough breads and pastries for the fair soon."

David smiled. "That's great. Eugene, I need to talk to you about the construction of the motel."

Eugene sighed. "I already know," he told David. "We won't be able to building electrical fixtures for the motel."

David shook his head sadly. "Yeah. So you spoke to him."

Eugene shrugged. "In my opinion, it's not a big deal. Most of us are basically using fuel lanterns and candles anyways. The electrical grid is nothing without transformers anyways. And we're running low on them."

David rubbed his chin. "Still, I was thinking we could make them ourselves. Using old fixtures. It could be possible." He then leaned in to Eugene and spoke in a low tone. "And remember how we wanted to set up the telegram system? That still could work."

Eugene shook his head. "But no one knows Morse code except you and your sister."

"They could learn, Eugene. I think it's important to have some kind of telecommunication system without wasting batteries on walkie talkies or just riding to and from communities."

Eugene nodded. "Or maybe a standard radio system, relying on radio waves." Eugene then turned to Olivia. "I'll be heading out with David to check more on the motel."

Olivia smiled. "Of course. We're done here anyway. Thanks for your help, Eugene."

Eugene smiled. "Your very welcome, Olivia."

Both men walked out of the mill and walked together down the dirt road past rows of houses and animal pens. Despite all the progress they've made, David could tell there was something wrong with his friend. Eugene seemed moody and sad about something.

"Everything okay, Eugene," David asked him.

Eugene sadly sighed out loud. "I don't know. I've got a lot on my mind."

"What? Everything going okay with Rosita," David asked him. The look Eugene gave him spoke the truth. Things were not okay in paradise.

"Rosita's been avoiding me lately," Eugene spoke. "I don't know. She's been moody and kind of withdrawn. And I think I know why."

David looked at him concerned. "Why's that?"

Eugene looked up at him with sorrow in his eyes. "Look at me, David. Just look at me. How could a woman like Rosita even want a guy like me? Sure, I lost some weight and I grew out the mullet, but I'm nowhere in her league." True, Eugene looked better. But he was still a bit portly and his hair was now long and braided into a pony tail, making him look like a biker guy.

David shook his head and scoffed at him. "Buddy, if you recall, I dated her for a while. She ended up dumping me for you, remember? She wanted you, not me. And I bet she still wants you. Just go and talk to her and you'll see."

Eugene shrugged. "What if it's something I don't wanna hear, that she wants to leave me?"
David patted his friend's shoulder and gave him a faint smile. "Then you'll know, Eugene. Trust me. And whatever happens, we're all there for you, okay?"

Eugene smiled weakly at him. "Okay. You're right, Dave. I'll talk to her when she gets back."

David smiled and patted his shoulder. "Good. Now let's go see Siddiq and see what we can do."

Both walked together towards the motel, keeping their minds on the tasks at hand.

But David felt bad for Eugene. And he couldn't bring himself to tell him what he knows about Rosita.

~0~

A few hours later on the road, Rick decided to come to a stop at the halfway mid-point between Alexandria and Hilltop near the ruins of an abandoned town. Dani pulled out her brown bag of sandwiches she had made the night before and started handing them out to her family. "I've got chicken and roast beef," she announced proudly. "Not the deli kind, but they'll do."

Rick smiled at her as he took a roast beef sandwich. "Thanks, Dani," he told her.

Carl leaned back and grabbed a chicken sandwich while Daryl started to scoff down a roast beef. The twins wanted chicken, so Dani gave them half a sandwich each along with chopped carrots. And Dani proceeded to consume her roast beef sandwich with relish. She looked around the area they were in and felt at peace.

"Aren't we supposed to build some kind of building here, Dad," Carl asked his father. "Like a real rest area."

Rick nodded. "That's one of the things next on our list. After we reinforce the road to Oceanside."

"Good," Daryl responded. "There should be some kind of place here for the patrols." He then looked around cautiously as he gulped down the last bit of roast beef. "In fact, I haven't seen any of them in a couple of hours."

Dani shrugged. "Maybe they're taking care of a walker or two. So far, it's been quiet." She smiled. "I like that."

Darren stood up in the wagon and looked over the edge at the crumbling buildings before him. He faced his mother and pointed at the wrecked stores. "Did people live here before," he asked.

Dani nodded. "Yes. A long time ago."

"And they don't live here anymore because of those things, right," Derrick asked with a frown.

Dani rubbed his back with her hand. "That's right. When the walkers came, everyone fled their homes and towns to escape. And they never came back."

"But our place is safe," Darren said, sounding cheerful. "Because there's no walkers."

"That's right, Darren," Daryl answered him as he took a swig of water. "We make sure no walkers are there. Or on this road."

"That's good," Derrick responded. "Those walkers stink!"

The adults chuckled at the little boys statement. Derrick then started to laugh, knowing he pleased his parents, Rick and Carl.

Carl looked over his father's shoulder and his face grew serious. He then touched Rick's shoulder and pointed out into the road. "Dad, look," he warned him.

Everyone looked at where Carl was pointing and saw six walkers stagger towards them, arms outstretched and snarling. Derrick and Darren gasped as they themselves pointed to the oncoming walkers.

"That's them! That's them," Darren shouted, almost starting to cry.

"It's okay," Rick assured them. "Your daddy and I will take care of this. Carl, get your gun out but don't fire. There could be more nearby."

"Dani, you stay with the kids. I got this," Daryl told her as he got up and climbed out of the wagon with Rick. Daryl then aimed his crossbow and shot an arrow right through the head of one of them, making Darren gasp a little.

"It's all right," Dani assured her sons as she stood up with her sons holding up her handgun. "Daddy and Uncle Rick are killing them."

"But Mommy! The road's supposed to be safe," Derrick cried.

Darren's eyes grew wide and he began to panic. "Mommy," he screamed, pointing to the front of the wagon.

Dani turned to the front and saw three walkers lumbering towards the horses. Dani grew furious and she shot the walkers in the head, alarming Rick and Daryl.

Carl then fired at two other walkers who had grabbed Rick by his arm. Daryl finished the last one with his buck knife. Both Rick and Daryl looked up at her as she nodded towards them, assuring them the boys were safe. "I'm sorry about the gunshots," she told them. "They were going after the horses. There was no time…"

Rick held up his hand to stop her talking and nodded in appreciation. "I understand. You did good." Then they were all silent now except for the small sobs of the frightened children.

"It's okay," Dani said to her sons, putting her gun back in her holster. "They're dead now. They won't get to you now."

She kneeled down and hugged them both hard, feeling herself almost starting to cry. She looked up at Rick and scowled, "This road was supposed to be safe! What the hell happened?"

Then a man riding a horse started to ride up to them. A patrolman dressed in riot gear. He got closer and became stunned at what he saw. "Oh God, I'm so sorry, everyone," he started, almost whimpering. Then his eyes grew wide when he saw Rick. "Mr. Grimes! I am so sorry about this! I….."
"Don't apologize," Rick growled angrily at him. "Tell me why the hell your zone wasn't clear."

The patrolman's voice started to stutter, rightfully so. "I…I….j..just came through here. But the road was clear. Then I heard the gunshots and…"

Rick took a step towards the man, breathing furiously through his nostrils. "Get…off..your…horse..NOW!"

"Um…..yessir….I'm…so sorry," the patrolman replied as he got off his stead.

And then Rick started to punch him hard in his face, his shoulders, torso and legs, making the man buckle to the ground.

Daryl stood by the wagon, watching Rick beating this man as Dani looked on with anger in her eyes. This man deserved this and they knew it. She sat back on the bench and gathered her sons to her, telling them it was okay. But she knew this was a scary situation.

"This road was not safe," Rick yelled at the man as he cowered from his blows. "You had five miles. FIVE MILES! Don't lie to me and tell me you were busy! This road is an artery! It is our only trading route between the communities! And your job is to keep it safe! And if you can't do your job, what the hell good are you? We have people back who would kill for these jobs! And you fuck it up! And what for? Huh? WHAT THE FUCK FOR?"

He then pointed to Carl, Daryl, Dani and the twins as he picked up the patrolman by his collar. "Look at them! This is my family! My son, my brother, his wife and their children! And because you fucked up, they could have been killed! Do you understand? This road is too important to lose!"

The man slowly stood up and panted with shame. "I am so sorry about this, Mr. Grimes. I was distracted. I should've been more diligent on my job and I wasn't. I promise it won't happen again."

"Eh, bullshit," Daryl growled at him. "Whatever you were doin', it had nothin' to do with your job."

The boy's whimpers started to fade as their mother consoled them, whispering to them that it was okay and there was nothing to worry. But she couldn't help but glare at this man for his incompetence. Her children were frightened enough.

"Tell me your name and where you're from," Rick demanded. "I need to report this."

"Um….it's Benjamin. And I'm from the Kingdom," the patrolman replied.

"Well, Benjamin, I am going to report this to Ezekiel. And if this happens again, you will be replaced. Is that clear?"

"Yessir. Loud and clear. I promise, this is the last time this ever happens again on my watch," Benjamin said as he walked to his horse.

Rick climbed onto the wagon as Daryl climbed on the other side. "Remember, Benjamin, we've worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make this work. This road is the foundation of what we've made. And if this road isn't safe, it all falls apart. These days, being a patrolman is one of the most important jobs we have. Remember that next time you patrol your zone."

After Benjamin rode down the road, Rick started up the wagon as Dani and Daryl spoke to their sons, trying to assure them that despite what happened, they were safe.

"I know what you saw was scary, but Uncle Rick is right," Dani told them. "This road has to be safe."

"But, the walkers still came," Darren spoke with fear in his voice. "They would have killed us."

"Yeah, but Daddy and Rick took care of it," Daryl told him. "And your momma killed some too."

"But the walkers came because of that man. He didn't look out for us," Derrick said, sounding hurt. "That's why Uncle Rick beat him, right?"

Dani nodded. "He didn't do his job and one bite is all it takes for you to become one of them."

Rick leaned back and rubbed the top of Derrick's head. "I'm sorry you both had to see that. I really am. But Benjamin didn't do his job. Remember, we will keep you safe no matter what."

Darren smiled. "Promise," he asked.

Rick smiled back at the little boy. "Promise."

I am so sorry I was late on this chapter. But more chapters are coming soon. Next chapter; a nice reunion with an old friend. But problems arise in the form of a stunning event. Also at the Safe Zone, Carol and David find trouble with Negan and the new group who just arrived.

Also, I am so excited about the Mid Season Premier! But I'm also scared about some characters that we all love too. I hope they make it through the rest of the season! Thanks and please review!