"Sorry about your head." Daryl, hesitantly stroked her cheek. "Didn't mean for you to fall. Does hurt bad?"

"It's the second concussion you've given me." She turned her face into his touch, encouraging his fingers.

"Don't forget a thing do you?"

"No. You carried me back and-"

"Compared you to a dead deer." He shook his head.

"Now I know what a compliment that was." Danni remembered that night in her van after Glenn's rescue in Atlanta when Daryl had brought her the pills. How he'd made her uneasy, put butterflies in her stomach but she hadn't wanted him to leave and the dreams started. They'd spent that first month circling each other hesitantly, unsure but somehow knowing there was something between them. Just kids. She felt it again. They'd grown, grown up. They'd done it together.

"Don't ever think I fell for you, or fell over you. I didn't fall in love, I rose in it. I saw you and made up my mind. My mind."

"One of your quotes?" He asked, shifting onto his hip. Danni nodded. "Toni Morrison" she answered as she surveyed the dark circles beneath his penetrating blue eyes. So many of her quotes finally made sense because of him.

His overgrown brown hair was sticking out behind his ears and plastered to his forehead with sweat. Dirt smudged the skin above the scruff on his cheeks. He was always such a mess. In that sense, he was still like a little boy. Not even Danni could tell him to wash his hair or change his clothes. He had on his usual attire, dark gray sleeveless work shirt, those pants with holes in the knees he never let her patch. The shirt's roughly cut sleeves drew her attention to his strong, broad shoulders and biceps also streaked with dirt. He looked up reading her mind. "Fine, I'll take a goddamn shower tomorrow." He grumbled.

"Thank you." She laughed but swore his eyes had changed. The blue iris darkened with something primal. She felt the heat between them and she couldn't remove her eyes from his. He suddenly shifted his gaze down and she could tell he was upset with himself.

"It's alright, Daryl. It was a stupid accident."

'No, it's not alright, dammit. " He abruptly hauled Danni up into his arms. "None of it. I should have told you about him."

She ran her fingers through his hair. She pulled him close and nibbled his jaw. "I love you, baby. I forgive you." Danni knew it was his lie that tormented him more than her injury.

His lips softly brushed her mouth. He ran his tongue over her lips seeking her permission to enter. She yielded under pressure and his tongue entered her mouth mating with hers, stroking and claiming what he considered his. The kiss seemed as endless as their need for the each other and when he finally pulled away, they were both breathless.

"You're such a good kisser," Danni murmured snuggling into Daryl tracing his lower lip with her finger before nibbling at it.

'Thanks to you." He held Danni's face and smoldered another hot kiss on her lips making her clutch his shoulders.

'My turn," she pushed Daryl on his back. She stretched on top of him and ran her fingers over his whiskers. She shoved his arms up and traced his jaw with her fingertip. She nibbled, making her way down. She leaned forward and nipped at his neck, lightly at first, then she sank her teeth into the corded muscle behind his ear. He groaned and shifted underneath her. He started to lower his arms, but she sat up and put both hands on his chest in protest.

"Don't move," Danni ordered sharply as she shot him a sultry glance.

He half smiled and slowly let his hands fall back to the pillow. "Think I like you this way."

"Maybe I should I have done it sooner, then," she whispered. "Maybe then you would have already been under my spell."

His eyes darkened and he looked at her with a new passion. 'Who says I ain't?" He'd been under her spell since day one. That's what it was; a damn spell. She kissed him again lightly, the after some silence she asked. "What's he like?"

Daryl shook his head. Her question sucked the lightness of their mood from the moment.

"My dad. You saw him. What did he look like?"

When Daryl didn't answer she added. "He had his reasons you know."

"Whatever." He pushed Danni gently off him.

"Nan told me. I know why…"

He stood.

"Hey, don't be angry with me. I-"

"I ain't mad at you. I'm just ... I need time. Just need time."

"But let me explain, I can tell you why he left."

"Don't wanna talk about this." He walked toward the stairs. "Gonna go. I'll let Merle off babysitting duty now."

"Wait. Stay with me, please? Just us. Just for a little? There's something I need to do."

He tilted his head sideways.

"Lay down. "She patted the mattress beside her.

"I ain't feeling it right now, no offense-"

"Not sex, Jesus, just lay down."

He stretched out beside her. She turned her body toward his and lay her head on his chest, her ear against his heart. He circled her shoulder with his arm and wrapped her hair around his fingers.

"Just this, just need you to hold me and let me listen to your heart. For a little while, okay?"

"Yeah. Whatever you want Danni. Whatever you want."

Danni ran her fingers across his jaw, feeling his stubble graze her hand. She felt Daryl take a sharp intake of breath as he calmed down.

He could never say no to the little things or the larger things. He knew he'd have to start trying.

Danni recalled her conversation with Brigid when she'd been unconscious and on the other side.

"Why didn't he come back? Things must have calmed down after a few years. You said it yourself the mob ended up falling apart. Didn't he want to come back to us? Did he know? Know about Tara, know about what happened to us...He didn't, did he? You never told him."

"People don't always act the way you'd like them too under pressure, human nature is not black and white; especially for a mother. You are a mother now Danni. I am not proud of it, no. I was afraid for my son. Those bastards wouldn't have rested until they put him in the ground. If he knew what was happening to you, he'd have been back here in a flash. They'd have killed him and you as well. You mother your sister and 's how they operated. Yes. I thought I could protect you and your father if I kept it to myself."

"Daryl, he didn't know about the abuse. My Nana never told him. He doesn't know about Tara."

"Are you gonna tell him? About why she's dead, about what that son of a bitch did to you-" He started to become agitated again. "What kind of a grandma was she? I thought she took care of you? I think I'm losing respect for her too, your whole family. Jesus Danni, why aren't you pissed? Why can't you see what they are?"

"Shhh." She put her finger to his lips. "It doesn't do any good now. Maybe I am angry, but being pissed at Nan? Where does it get me? Distracts me from you and the kids."

"Just wish I was there, wish I'd been able to protect you. No one else lifted a fucking finger for you."

"I know. But I have you now." Danni realized Daryl was the only person in her life who had never let her down. Never.

The rhythm of his heart beating and the rise and fall of his chest led her into sleep and began dreaming immediately.

Danni found herself in a state of self-destruction. She was drinking too much and trying to do far too many drugs. What frightened her most was that she didn't care. Finally in a fit of desperation on a Friday the thirteenth of November she quit her very promising job at the bookstore and she quit her very promising band. She was happy with the statement and looked for more things to quit. Fucking throw it all away. But it didn't solve her problems. She was still lost. She didn't know what to do with her life. She didn't know who or what she was. All she knew was she was running and losing a race she didn't know she'd entered.

Later that night she was at the Uptown bar sitting and drinking. She was twenty years old and questioning who she was. When she went into the ladies room, she saw it on the bathroom wall. Her answer. It read "Danni Doherty is an easy whore" in icky brown lipstick. She wanted to laugh she wanted to cry and part of her just didn't give a shit. Then his voice came from behind her.

"See. I told you you're a whore and that's all you'd ever be."

The look slid into place with a metallic click and her stomach dropped. Fear paralyzed her and she felt light-headed in the small, suffocating bathroom. Jay ? what the fuck was he doing here? She hadn't seen her stepfather since she left home.

All breath left her body and then he was on her, pushing her against the sink so hard her pelvic bones slammed bruising against the cold hard porcelain. The belt was already wrapped around his fist that damn Budweiser Buckle glinting in the dim light. He was clawing her pants down breathing hot, sour whiskey against her ear. "Thought you could get away from me? Never. My whore that's what you are. I made you my whore you'll never be anything else."

She tried to scream, but no sound left her mouth.

"It's all you're good for. It's all you want..." He wouldn't shut up and she felt hot shame rising from her chest. Looking up into the mirror she saw her terrified eyes, and his monstrous face but in the shadows was her Stephen. He surged forward to grab Jay and pull him off, but he suddenly doubled over blood blooming like a flower on his stomach. He fell, he dying in front of her all over again. More movement in the grainy shadows revealed her dad. Relief flooded her. He'd help.

"Daddy! Please, daddy help me he's hurting me! Daddy, daddy!" She cried, but all he did was stand there in the half-light watching paralyzed, not moving not helping.

She stared at him in the mirror feeling complete despair as Jay raised the belt and yanked his zipper down. Suddenly someone's strong arms pulled her out from under the monster. It wasn't Stephen or her father saving her. When the strong arms had freed her and turned her toward him, she saw Daryl.

Her eyes were open and he was holding her. "I got you, hey its okay, it's a dream, just a dream."

She was shaking and panting, tears streaming down her flushed face. "Can't breathe Daryl, I can't ...he was… it-"

Her words were tumbling from trembling lips stumbling over her shallow breaths.

"Shhh…" was all he said. He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes until she began to calm down. She hadn't had a nightmare in months. It was this stuff with her father he knew it. The whole thing was wrong. He watched helplessly as she darted to the corner to dry heave. It was a bad one. He helped her up and led her back to bed. After covering her shaking form with the blanket. He got up.

"Don't go! Where are you-"

"Just gonna ask Merle to keep the kids for tonight. Carol can help. Be right back."

"No, bring them up, I need to see them. I need them."

"You sure?"

"Please, I need my babies." Concrete proof she was a million miles from that confused girl her dream reminded her that she'd been. She was a mother, a responsible, caring, good mother. She curled up on her side trying to block out the dream. It was her past trying to invade and take away all that she had now. She'd fought so hard to get here. Beat those demons. But in the end the dream's message was clear. She pushed herself up on her elbow.

"Daryl you saved me. You healed me. I know that. Nothing, no one changes that. No matter what." She said as he headed to get their children.

"I'm all in, remember?"

She nodded vigorously remembering that morning in the woods when he'd committed to her.

"Be right back with your...our troublemakers, okay?"

.. … … … .. .. .. … .. .. .. .. .. .. . .

Danni had been awake since the first golden light streamed. She fed the babies and was getting ready for their morning walk. Daryl awoke and nuzzled each twin a good morning. "You okay?" He nuzzled Danni next.

"Yeah, it was just a dream. These two are the reality."

Daryl started digging in their pile of clean laundry for a towel. Danni never managed to fold it.

"So really taking that shower?" She smirked and he gave her a scowl. "I can come if you want. Lori can take these guys for a bit."

He huffed. "Aint no privacy down there. Crazy?"

"No, you are."

Before he headed downstairs he added seriously. "That camp may not be there. Know that right?" He hoped it wasn't. "Coulda moved on. Or-

She nodded. "We are going though right?"

"This afternoon, got more work helping out in D."

... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

The water was cold, but at least it was flowing.

Daryl stood under the shower, feeling the spray on his back as he leaned his forehead against the stone wall. He closed his eyes and tightened every muscle to control the raging demand that pounded through his body and his mind.

Danni was meeting her father today and there wasn't a fucking thing that he could do about it. He thought that he would be stronger, be able to accept it for her sake. He loved her and wanted her to be happy. But here he was under a shower, trying to come to terms with his raging emotions. He just couldn't get rid of his gnawing hatred for a man who'd abandon his family, worse, his children to abuse. What if she wanted her dad to come back to the prison? Would he be able to live with that guy around? It would be a hell he could have never imagined before now. He knew a part of him wanted to kill her dad. It wasn't good. He'd say no. He'd have to.

... ... .. . .. .. .. .. . .

Danni noticed a busier, bustling pace in the prison since the newcomers had started to settle in. Having D block cleared and settled with people was like having a new neighborhood nearby. Bringing in new people hadn't been easy. Trusting and getting to know each other was still a process but Herschel had really taken the reigns. He'd helped integrate the newcomers and after a few days of helping clear out their block, Daryl and Rick had really started to embrace them as well. There was a couple of families with children and Carl and Sophia seemed happy to have kids their age around.

Danni started her daily morning walk with the babies. She made her way through the common room, then headed out to the courtyard The new additions who'd taken over Cell Block D had become quite helpful in a short time. They'd worked tirelessly since their arrival over a week ago. Herschel had many helping hands with his crops and the water pressure situation was a nice addition to things thanks to Tyreese. The place looked and started to feel like a community. Like a home.

Danni was a familiar sight, walking with two babies slung to her chest followed by a sleek black cat around the prison yard every morning. Black hair, red bandana, motorcycle boots and a smile for everyone. She waved back when a few women greeted her from across the yard. Danni wanted so much to trust and be satisfied with the life that was growing around her. But the nagging of her old dreams never truly stopped. How long could this last? Was there anything she could do to alter the future and make sure that the Governor never came back? Rick and Daryl had both told her that their growing numbers would help if Governor did roll in.

Maybe he'll never come back. For all, I know he could be dead.

She walked through the gate to sit on the grassy area leading to the crops. The sun was starting to weaken a bit as they moved toward autumn. It was early September, the twins were almost six months old, how long did they have here? Could this be their life?

Danni spread a blanket on the grass and laid the babies down. She opened her journal and took her tarot cards from her olive drab canvas bag. Now the issue with her father. Was she stupid to seek him out now, after all, this time? But the circumstances led her to believe it was fate. Meeting her dad against Daryl's wishes was the hardest thing Danni had ever done in her life. They'd never been on opposite sides of anything like this before. She almost didn't think she would have the strength to do it. She breathed deeply and focused her energy, picturing it flowing like water into the deck. She shuffled and drew.

Judgement.

With Fire as its ruling element, Judgement is about rebirth and resurrection. The idea of Judgement Day is that the dead rise, their sins are forgiven, and they move onto heaven. The Judgement card is similar in that it asks us to resurrect the past, forgive it, and let it go. There are wounds from the past that we never let heal, sins we've committed that we refuse to forgive, bad habits we haven't the courage to lose. Judgment advises us to finally face these, recognize that the past is past and put them to rest.

The querent needs to forgive or be forgiven, to do something they've been putting off, or have the courage to finally end something that isn't good for them. It is time to move on It means facing something that most people don't want to face. This is not about Death, something ending whether you want it to or not, this is about deciding to make a change, to stop doing something that isn't working and do something that will work. Which means that it's really a card about courage, and about recognizing that you're holding onto something that needs to be let go.

"You can't hide any longer," this card says, "All the coffins have opened, and all that you thought was buried is out in the open. Face what you have to face and lay it to rest so that you can move on. Make that decision. Change involves leaving something old behind and stepping into something completely new. Like closing the door on an old job, and opening the door to a new and very different career. But it's also about making a final decision, to take that plunge into the new career, to forgive your family, to leave an abusive relationship, to make a new life. To heal and renew.

This card does not guarantee that you made the right decision. Your current foundation rests on having taken a particular path and the results of this decision may be the reason you are seeking answers. Regardless, you may be defining who you are by the decision you made in the past to follow a certain calling. Now you are taking stock of where you are in your life in relation to where you want to be because of that big move.

Her eyes moved to Nan's handwritten notes on the bottom of the page:

In the present position, Judgment is reflecting your internal conflict about making a big decision. The finality of this choice is quite clear to you, even if it seems small to others and perhaps places you at odds with those close to you. The presence of this card can give you little guidance over your choice. While many Tarot cards have a sense of inevitability about them, the Judgment card in the present position is powerful in that your free will is on the line here. All this card represents is that the decision you are about to make is, in fact, an epic one.

Time to face reality. Her dad left her, but she'd had fantasies about him for her whole life. She didn't know who he really was. It was time face the truth and move on. Resolve yet one more piece of her past. Daryl had to understand.

Dr. Londen still had pencils in her knotted red hair. Danni folded the cards into their black cloth and slipped them into her bag.

"Those babies are beautiful and healthy." She observed sitting beside the blanket. "Herschel told me about what happened to you after labor. It's a miracle you survived. Someone up there must be watching out for you."

"Someone is. Can I ask you about someone from Woodbury?"

She nodded.

"Kieran Doherty."

"Oh, you mean Sirius?"

"What?"

"Some of the kids started calling him Sirius Black because he looked so much like the actor who played him in the Harry Potter film." She laughed. "In Woodbury, we had a small library of DVD's and had a movie night once in a while. The Harry Potter films were the most popular with the kids. And most of us adults as well. So yes Kieran became known as Sirius. Even his accent helped."

Danni tried to picture it. She hadn't seen him is over twenty years. "What's he like? I mean as a person?"

"Well, I'll tell you when Woodbury went down he had a clear head. We wouldn't have made it out without him. He really pulled us together and I can see why some people chose to stay behind when your husband refused to let him come back here. I still wonder about that. I'm not one to complain, I am grateful to be here, but to pick and choose like that. I just wondered."

" Kieran is my father. He left me when I was five and Daryl knows that. He doesn't respect a man who'd walk out on his kids. It's complicated, but bottom line, he's protective of me of the kids. He doesn't want my dad around me."

"I see."

"That's why he left him. But I just have to know. Would you call him a good man?"

"I hadn't known him long enough to say that, but what I can say is I never saw him act in any way other than...good. The only thing, is he didn't talk much about his past and seemed ready to be on the move. I honestly feel like if Woodbury hadn't fallen he'd have left anyway. He seems haunted by something. Now hearing this I can see why. Maybe it's you?"

"To run into him now...well you could say it's impossible, but stranger things have happened and since the Walker shit started so nothing surprises me. I'm going to meet him. I have to. We are taking a chance that he hasn't moved camp."

"Give him my best when you see him."

Danni nodded then looked out over the crops. Rick and Herschel were walking through taking stock. Nearby Carl and Sophia were playing with two new girls, sisters Mika and Lizzie. Lizzie was about twelve and had asked to babysit Ryder and Kiera. Danni had said maybe sometime.

Kids playing, crops growing, water being filtered and pumped in. Daryl and Merle hunting every day. The prison was turning into a communal living place. It was feeling like home. A good place to raise these kids. Maybe even with their grandfather.

... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .

They'd been walking for about twenty minutes after leaving the truck on the highway. Danni suddenly stopped. Daryl noticed she was a couple of steps behind him looking lost.

"I don't know… maybe I shouldn't do this." She stated nervously, interrupting the cicada and crickets. She wiped her sweaty bangs to the side and started playing with the hem of her t-shirt.

"That a question?

"What if he's not what I remember."

Daryl shrugged. "Been a long time."

"I don't know, is this a bad idea?"

"You know what I think about it."

"You wanted to find Merle. You needed to."

"That's different."

"Is it?"

"He ain't my father…." Daryl's voice trailed off. "I wasn't supposed to be his responsibility."

"But he did leave you to abuse."

"Listen to me," Daryl growled fiercely. 'You don't have to do this. You don't have to do nothin'. Let's just go home."

He pulled her head back, his fingers tangled in her hair, destroying the perfection of the intricate braid she had painstakingly worked the strands into that morning. She didn't care. He was holding her, his lips were on hers, his tongue taking possession of her mouth, wiping away the destructive agony piercing her soul. He was making his opinion clear again. One hand gripped her hip, rocking her against his erection as his mouth ate at hers, his groan vibrating against her lips as the hunger that raged between them began to gnaw at her resolve. He walked her backward, mouth still covering hers to the nearest tree. She knew if she let him fuck her now she'd never go through with the meeting. He knew it too. She pulled back hating how much the situation was hurting him. There was a time when she wouldn't have been able to refuse him. Sex would have made them one mind as well as one body and this whole thing would be over. Not today. He threw his hands up and turned away.

After a period of silence, he asked, "We going or what?"

"Yeah." She said with conviction. You can't hide any longer. The Judgement card told her. All the coffins have opened, and all that you thought was buried is out in the open. Face what you have to face and lay it to rest so that you can move on. Make that decision. She followed him deeper into the trees.

Danni's breath caught in her throat when Daryl led her into the ruined campsite. He looked back at her, concerned. The remains of a campfire and several tents in states of disarray, torn and bloodstained greeted them.

She was fixated on a single bloody hiking boot when she managed to ask, "Is this where...you're sure?"

"Yeah, they were here. " Daryl moved forward crouching to examine the brush. "Things went bad." He squinted up at her. His voice was matter of fact but soft with a touch of sympathy.

The sudden cock of a gun was met with Daryl's lightening fast spin and aim of the crossbow. Danni didn't realize at first that her husband and father were aiming deadly weapons at each other and she was in the middle. It only became clear when the man holding the gun spoke. "Ah, we meet again, lad." The voice told Danni who he was. He lowered his gun. "Sorry about that but you just walking into camp, a man can't be too careful. Especially after what's happened. So what brings you back then?"

Danni stood, mesmerized. He was not as tall as she remembered. Five ten maybe Daryl's height. His hair was still dark, not much gray. Like everyone in the Walker time, he looked rough. His hair was overgrown, wavy to his chin and he had an unshaven scruffy goatee. But his eyes remained sparkling blue oceans. Daryl lowered the crossbow. He swallowed hard examining Danni's face.

"As you can see, I've lost my people and don't have time for a chat lad." His face was pained. "So if you have something ta say, say it now. I'm about to move on."

The Irishman then noticed Danni and cocked his head as if trying to remember where he'd seen her before. He curled his lip into a half-smile. "And who's this?"

"It's me." Danni whispered, truly seeing him now, older but with the same twinkle in his eye. That expression, like he knew something you didn't.

Neither spoke. Neither knew what to say. Daryl stood back angrily clenching his jaw. He didn't like this. He had a bad feeling and wouldn't change his mind.

"Dad?"

"Danielle?" He asked not letting his full shock register on his face.

"Hate that, call me Danni…"

"Yes, then it is you."

"So...got any bubblegum?" Danni suddenly blurted out.

"Ah, you remember that do you?" He smiled. "But," he pointed his index finger at her. "The most important secret question. If you're really my daughter, you'll know this. After Cu Chulainn's final battle what did he do?" He asked testing her.

"He stumbled over to a large rock and tied himself to it so that even in death he could face his enemies standing."

"Yes, Peata Beag Dhaidí." He patted her on the head.

Daryl stood behind her silently, his expression worn and his gaze turbulent. He hadn't made any demands, hadn't asked for any promises, he was simply letting her do this. Reluctantly, Danni knew, but he was letting her meet her dad because he loved her.

Kieran hid his shock at seeing his daughter. He thought he was looking at his ex-wife. Danni was the spitting image of her mother, her beautiful mother. But this was Danielle, his little girl all grown up. He never thought he'd see her again and he was surprised that she wasn't angry. He had his guilt over leaving. Yes, he had reasons, but he never resolved the guilt. He ran from it and now he felt he was staring it in the face waiting for it to let him have it. But she didn't. She just looked….relieved? Glad to see him?

Her father. Danni was staring up at him, realizing that the pain in her chest was more than just regret. It was a hollow, gaping wound she feared would never ease. What if he was not what she thought. Her fantasies protected her. What if everything she'd imagined as a child were not true.

"I thought my luck had run out, losing my people, but I've found you, haven't I?"

Danni's smile faded when she heard Daryl's sarcastic huff. Son of a bitch probably doesn't even know what Danni went through.

"So I suppose it's a little late to tell you not to get any tattoos, aye love?" Kieran tried to lighten the mood. He wondered what this man was to his daughter. "These are strange times son. To find my long-lost daughter-" Kieran directed his statement at Daryl noticing his stone-faced expression.

"Lost? She wasn't lost. I know what you did."

"What I did? So then, how do you know my little girl?"

"She's my wife."

"You… and my Danni-"

"My Danni," Daryl said firmly. "Yeah. Me and her."

Maybe he had a formidable opponent here.

Danni patted Daryl's arm. "He's my husband and you…well, you're a grandfather."

"Well, what do you know about that?"

She smiled and took Daryl by the wrist, walking away to talk privately.

"He has to come back with us Daryl."

He shook his head. "That's not why I did this. You wanted to see him, show him you're here. You did. Don't mean he's going back with us."

"But-"

Daryl stared hard.

"The kids. He has to see his grandchildren."

"Aw hell, hell no Danni!"

"He 's my father. I can't leave him. He'll die out here you know that. Look around, he's alone."

"Seems to be doin' fine."

"You're not this cold. I know you."

"Why ain't you mad Danni? He left you. Why ain't you pissed at him?"

She didn't know. Was she overwhelmed? Was it because she'd directed all her anger toward her mother for all these years and there was none left for him? She wasn't sure about anger, but she did have questions, questions she was frightened to ask him because part of her dreaded the answers.

"Think you'd be telling him off, letting him have it? Where's that girl, huh?"

"I...I don't know. " She lowered her voice. "Maybe he's an asshole, maybe he's a terrible person. But maybe he's not. He owes me an explanation. What are you afraid of Daryl?"

He grunted and kicked at the dirt in frustration. "You know I don't want him around you and the kids. You know it Danni." He grabbed her wrists and squeezed tightly. He didn't want to lose any part of her to this man; this stranger. That's what he was afraid of.

Kieran stood back almost amused by the animated discussion about his fate, but he thought hard about the fact that this could be his redemption. He could make it right, right with his daughter finally. He knew from growing up in the clan and with the witchcraft that everything happens for a reason. The world ended and he found his daughter. He looked up at the sky and said "This is your doin' ma. Your doin'."

"Please." She almost whispered. "Daryl please, for me."

Her stare broke him, not her words. "He lives in D." Daryl relented and turned away.

Kieran was again struck by those wings on his back.

Fine, she needs this. Fine. Daryl thought. He'd still fight, though, hell he'd fought for everything always would. This guy might be coming back with them, might be nearby, but Daryl would make damn sure he never got IN.

"Thank you." Danni grabbed his shoulders and leaned her head against his back. Daryl turned and pulled her into a hug. He grasped the back of her neck and kissed the top of her head, glaring at her father all the while.