Happy New Year everyone! Mine was as lame as usual. One of these years I'm gonna party down. Maybe write a one shot about my misadventures or some crap. It's doubtful. Anyhow, this was suppose to be a smutty chapter inspired by my depraved pervert of a little brother, halohunter89 but it didn't work out that way. Instead it is a boring but necessary filler to progress on to some fun smut for the next chapter. Either way, it's something for you to read if you aren't busy vomiting and swearing off alcohol. By the way, you are all lying to yourselves ;) Anyway, much love to all of you! Don't drink and drive and make sure you wear protection. None of you need the clap! Just ask Englishpoet18. She caught it from me once. That is totally an inside joke. I myself have never had the clap and I'm sure she hasn't either. Okay, damn it! This AN has gone on long enough! Go read and try to enjoy!
The final Countdown
Daryl could tell she was afraid. From the stiff way she carried herself down to the way her eyes darted around, wider than usual. She put on a good show but that was all it was. Tomorrow was the day. They were almost sure of it. There was a dinner planned that the women had been preparing for. They had been unable to locate a few people. Jim and his family were still out there somewhere. Jacqui was missing also. Tyreese and his group. So many that they couldn't find and Carol felt like she was responsible for anything that may happen to them. She didn't have to say it. Daryl could see it in her face.
Sophia couldn't pinpoint the exact time that everything actually went to shit but it was close enough. They had all paid close attention to the news and the odd stories were pouring in. Everything was kept pretty quiet but those in power couldn't keep from things leaking out to the media.
It had been two weeks since Andrea had shown up at the farm and her and Amy spent more and more time there. Amy, of course, found it very odd but Andrea had convinced her that her and Rick had actually went to school together and she was already familiar with the whole motley crew. Amy didn't seem to mind all of the time spent at the farm and Andrea had convinced her, since all the weird things going on in the world, that tonight would be a good night for both of them to spend with friends. So now they were both in two of the bedrooms on the first floor.
Hershel had came clean, explaining to his wife everything he could. The dreams. The walkers. And, by God, the woman simply nodded. She hugged her husband, smiled at all of them and accepted this strange news with a kind of unwavering strength that had shocked them all. Beth and her brother were slower to accept but after sitting in front of the television in their own home, they now believed just as the ones that had seen it all unfold in their own minds already.
Rick had spent the last week and a half befriending Morgan Jones after he had finally located the man. There was an invitation for his family to join them all for dinner and Morgan accepted. His wife and boy would be spared, as long as they made it to the farm.
Now the house was quiet, everyone retiring early but Daryl doubted any of them could sleep. Him and Merle, with some help from Hershel and Rick, had managed to get the attic in order so now they were getting their new room ready on the very top floor. Sophia wanted to spend one more night in the room that she shared with Penny instead of staying in the new room.
He watched Carol for a while as she sat in the reading chair, her legs pulled up and her arms wrapped around them. Her head rested on her knees.
"You did everything you could," he said quietly, causing her to flinch at the sudden sound. He had been sitting on the side of the bed, watching her, but now he felt like he needed to move. He was filled with a nervous energy.
She lifted her head, her eyes now following his movements. "What if it isn't enough?"
He knew what she needed. She needed him to reassure her that everything was going to be alright. He still wasn't the greatest at things like that. He still found himself unsure that he could provide her with the comfort that she seemed to desperately need. No one had ever depended on him like she did, and he had never depended on anyone else like he did her.
He finally stopped pacing, his hand running over the smooth wood of the chest of drawers he had paused in front of. Without turning to look at her he let his shoulders rise and then fall in a half hearted shrug. "What else could you have done?" He asked. "How many lives have you saved already?"
"We," she said firmly. He could tell by the sound of her voice that she had moved from her spot. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."
He scoffed and glanced over his shoulder. "You coulda done all this. What the hell have I done?" He kept his voice low but didn't try to hide his disbelief. She was the one that had made all of this possible for all of them. Sophia's strange insight and Carol's will to save as many as she could was what got them all here. He had just been lucky enough to be invited along for the ride.
She stopped next to him, glancing wistfully towards the window and the blackness behind the glass. "Remember how hard you searched for Sophia?"
He felt that familiar coil of regret tighten his stomach, even though the girl was one floor below, alive and well. He would never shake the feeling that had consumed him when he had failed her back then. He nodded, meeting her eyes and holding them. It didn't make any sense that this would still be a sore topic for him.
"I had given up hope of finding her after that first night. I was useless. I was a coward..."
"Stop," he interrupted her, anger lacing that one word. He knew how she had seen herself then. He knew the feeling all too well and he had loathed the fact that her own self worth then mirrored his own.
She gave him a small smile. "It's the truth, Daryl. Whether you like it or not."
He bit the inside of his lip, knowing that if he opened his mouth he was bound to throw some sort of fit.
"I didn't fight for her then just like I never fought Ed. I sat there, thinking that my daughter was dead, knowing deep down she was gone, and I didn't do anything. And then you came into the camper with a flower and a story. I don't think you understand what happened to me when you did that."
He cursed the blush that he knew she could see on his face, causing his ears to burn, but he didn't look away.
"I was on the verge of quitting. Quitting everything. I wanted to give up, crawl in a hole and die. But that day," the smile on her face brightened, "That day I changed. I saw it in your face that you were just as beaten down as me, and yet, you didn't let that stop you from fighting. I knew I could be like that too. I wanted to be like you."
He scoffed again, finally looking away. "You did start givin' me shit after that."
"As stupid as it sounds now, I fell in love with you after that," she grinned then. That playful spark in her eye that usually meant he was going to be left red faced and stuttering when she was through with him. His face grew redder and he silently cursed himself some more.
"I was an asshole," he groused.
"But a very beautiful one," she winked.
He snorted loudly, shaking his head as he looked down at the top of the chest of drawers. The woman had lost her damn mind. He would take her teasing him for the rest of the night if it meant she wasn't worrying though. Even if he did feel like his face would catch fire.
"Anyway, you're the reason that I didn't give up. All the times I wanted to I would just think about what you would do. If it wasn't for who you were then, I wouldn't be who I am now."
She didn't look at him expectantly like other women may have. She didn't expect him to say anything back. She knew him too well for that. He wasn't a man of many words and usually when things got heavy like this he tended to clam up and run like hell. He didn't clam up. He certainly didn't feel the urge to run like hell. Instead he shook his head.
"Didn't take ya for a fool, Carol," he said, his voice smooth and sure.
She frowned and cocked her head to the side.
"The only reason I was worth a shit back then is cause of what you said." He knew that she understood what he was talking about. She had been the first person to ever look at him like he was better than he thought he was. Like under all of that scar tissue and untamed bravado there was a good man lurking. It had stuck with him from that day on and even though he had done some things that he hadn't been proud of, he had still hoped that the goodness she saw in him didn't dim. When it never did he tried harder. Eventually he had become a person he was proud to be.
I swift knock at the door caused them both to jump. Before either of them could say anything T-dog came in. Ironically enough him and Merle were the ones that had volunteered first watch even though Daryl told them both that they didn't need to do that just yet.
"We got Ed down by the gate. Says he needs to talk to you, Carol," T-dog said quickly. He was clearly uneasy about this new development and Daryl felt his own temper flare.
"Y'all let him in?" He asked.
T-dog shook his head and then looked at Daryl like he was stupid. "You think I'm an idiot? I remember how he was. No way I'd let him in here. Merle has him down there though so y'all might wanna hurry." Without another word he left, his feet silent on the stairs leading down to the second floor.
"Damn it!" Daryl growled. He should have known that Ed was going to make it rougher on them. Until he killed the man himself he doubted they would ever be rid of him. He shouldered the crossbow Carol had bought him and scowled. "I'll handle it. Keep your ass in the house."
Of course she followed, not even bothering to argue with him but not listening to him either. That figured. He expected that of her. They wordlessly made their way down both flights of stairs and out the door. Andrea's truck was the one that was parked the closest to the house so he jumped right in, starting it up with the keys he found still in the ignition. Carol climbed into the passenger seat, her expression grim.
"Shoulda stayed in the house," he grumbled.
"I told you a thousand times already, I don't need you fighting my battles."
He huffed and hit the gas, the headlights cutting through the trees as they rounded a corner. "I know," he mumbled, more to himself than to her.
Sure enough, when they got to the end of the driveway they saw Ed standing there, Merle not far away. Daryl kept the headlights turned on and the engine running as he hopped down from the cab. "You got a lot of nerve, asshole," he called out as he strode towards the gate that Merle was opening.
"I asked to talk to my wife," Ed snapped.
"I'm not your wife, Ed. What do you want?" Carol said as she stepped up to her ex husband and crossed her arms over her chest. Daryl hung back but the crossbow was now in his hands. He would let her fight her own fights if that was what she really wanted to do but if Ed even looked like he was going to lay a hand on her he would put a bolt in his head.
"Have you been paying any attention to what's happening?" Ed asked, not sounding nearly as angry as when he had been addressing Daryl.
She nodded. "I have. Is that why you're here? To fill us in on current events?"
He shook his head but kept his eyes on her. "That's what all of this is, isn't it? You knew that something bad was coming and that's why you did all of this."
"Pretty much. What do you want, Ed?" She managed to sound bored.
Ed ran a hand over his face. "Don't think I don't know what's going on Carol. Something dangerous is going to happen and I know that you know. All I'm asking is for a chance..."
Daryl couldn't hold back anymore. "Are you outta your goddamn mind!" he yelled, taking a few steps forward before Carol suddenly turned around and put a hand to his chest. She kept moving him back, her face determined.
"Wait," she whispered. "What if he survives this? I never thought of it before but what if he forms a group just like Philip did? He knows where we are. It could be another war, Daryl."
He stared at her face for a few silent moments. She couldn't be suggesting... but it made sense. The picture she was painting in his mind was an ugly one. But there had to be another way. They could think of a better solution than him actually staying with...
"I could kill him," Merle's voice rang loud and clear, causing Carol to flinch.
They both looked at him as he leaned against the post casually. The sad thing was, they were both actually considering it, and then Ed realized that this was actually a serious discussion.
"Look, I already know how things are. You wanna be a Dixon then have at it. I couldn't care less. I just want to make sure my own ass is in the clear. You can't just kill me."
Merle kept his eyes locked on Carol's as he cocked one eyebrow. "All the bullshit he's done. I can end it now."
"I'm not going to turn you into my henchman, Merle," Carol said, giving him a warm smile. "We'll figure something out. I love you for offering all the same."
He looked over at Daryl quickly but then nodded to her.
She turned to face Ed and Daryl couldn't help but to place a possessive hand on her hip. "Get your crap and follow us in. You need to know right now that that house is full of a group of people that don't like or respect you. We'll give you a room tonight and then talk about it tomorrow. One wrong move Ed and you will find yourself at the wrong end of a gun."
Ed's eyes narrowed just a fraction but it was enough for Daryl to tell that he wasn't happy about what Carol had to say. There was something else that Ed needed to know. And now was as a good a time to remind him as any.
"Don't be forgettin' what I said to you about Sophia, Ed. Don't even try to talk to that girl. She ain't shit to you no more. Best you get used to that now."
Ed looked as though he was having a very hard time keeping his temper in check and Daryl prayed that he would make a move against him. He wanted Ed to do something. He wanted to be able to send the bastard to his grave. He suddenly remembered a time back at the quarry that Carol had been busy with Sophia and Carl and hadn't gotten Ed's plate to him, causing the man to have to fend for himself. Later on that evening Daryl had passed her as he was heading out to hunt. She hadn't adjusted her shirt in time to hide the huge bruise on her shoulder and collar bone.
The hell that she had endured at the hands of the very man that was suppose to protect her made him, not for the first time, want to shoot him. But he would listen to her for now. He didn't have much choice since he didn't want Merle to kill him and she had a point. He could ruin all of this if he survived out there and got enough people together.
He gripped Carol's hand and tugged her towards the truck, turning his back on Ed. Looking at him made Daryl sick to his stomach. They drove back to the house in silence. He was brooding but he kept her hand locked in his own.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" she asked, her quiet voice soothing his frayed nerves.
"No," he said honestly. "And we're stayin' on the second floor tonight. I want that bastard in the room right next door."
"You're the boss," she sighed.
He cut her a withering look but she just smiled at him like it didn't faze her at all.
"Daryl, we'll figure something out about Ed. Don't worry."
He nodded and hopped out of the truck. Before she could open her door he reached back in, snatching her hand and yanking her across the seat. He lifted her out of the truck and sat her down firmly on the ground. She looked up at him questioningly.
He lowered his head until his forehead was pressed against hers. "I'm givin' Sophia her gun early," he said quietly.
She swallowed and nodded.
"If I hear him leave that room tonight I'm gonna kill him."
She didn't say anything. She kissed him instead. With both hands on her hips he pulled her closer until she was flush against him. It didn't last half as long as he would have liked. She eventually pulled her face away from his, her hands flat on his chest. "Let's get this over with. It's been another long day and tomorrow is gonna be worse."
He nodded and led her around the truck by the hand. Ed was waiting by the porch steps, refusing to look at them as they approached the house hand in hand. He followed them inside and was greeted by a very angry Andrea.
"What in the hell is he doing here?" She hissed as soon as they closed the front door. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Ed.
Ed looked at her like she was garbage. "Do I know you?"
Andrea looked up, meeting Daryl's eyes. "He doesn't know either?"
Daryl just shook his head.
Andrea's pale gaze shifted back to Ed and a humorless smile graced her angry face. "You watch your ass Ed. If not this college educated cooze will put a bullet in it."
"Who the hell..." Ed began but Daryl didn't let him finish.
"Get to movin' lard ass. Ain't nobody here wantin' to look at you any more than they have too.
Ed stiffened when Daryl poked him hard in the back. He turned his head, glaring over his shoulder. He kept his mouth shut and moved though, unfortunately. Daryl couldn't wait until he messed up. He pulled Carol with him as he followed Ed up the stairs.
When they opened the door to the room that he was going to be staying in Daryl frowned. He didn't like the fact that the bed in that room was against the wall. Right on the other side of that wall was the bed that Daryl shared with Carol. He thought about moving it but then shook off that thought. He'd had a long day and all he wanted to do was get the hell away from everyone else.
After another warning they left Ed alone in the room. Carol headed on down to their room while he stopped, looking in on Sophia and Penny. He wordlessly handed Sophia the gun that he had tucked into the back of his pants earlier. She looked up at him questioningly. "Ed's here. I don't think he'd try anything but just in case you take this. If you can't shoot him then yell for me."
She made a disgusted face and sat the gun down on the nightstand. "Don't worry about me," she said with a small smile. She glanced over at the other bed where Penny seemed to be sound asleep.
Without thinking he pressed his lips to her forehead and before he could stand back up her arms were around his neck, hugging him fiercely. He was a bit taken aback but it only took him a second to hug her back. He wondered if Ed had ever shown her any sort of affection. He doubted it.
She finally let go of his neck and stepped away, looking embarrassed. "Sorry," she muttered, looking down.
He frowned and tilted her chin up so she was forced to look at him. She almost looked afraid. "For what?"
She gave him a sheepish look. "You don't seem like the hugging type."
He felt the corners of his mouth turn up. "So long as you ain't hangin' offa me all the time, I don't mind as much as you think I might."
She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Goodnight, Daryl."
"Night, kid."
See what I mean? Anyhow, one more thing before I finally take my slap happy ass to bed. If you haven't checked out a story called Your Own Worst Enemy then you might want too. ldyjaydin is the author and it is a super cool fic. She updates every day because the story is complete so you all won't have to wait for updates!