This chapter is really short and I will explain why. I got a review from Earthbound68 and when I read it I freaked out and decided to post sooner rather than later because a while back ago another reader by the name of Criminy Jickets gave me a great idea that I decided to work this entire story around. That was an awful run on sentence! But anyway, earthbound brought the same thing up so I felt I had to post so she wouldn't think that I was generic enough to snatch her suggestion and then not credit her. LOL When Jiminy was the one that actually gave me the idea. Thank you for the review earthbound and thank you for the amazing idea Jiminy! Thanks for reading guys! Sorry this is so short! LOL!

She Could Have Saved the World

The world ended on a Tuesday.

Carol felt like her stomach was full of gravel. Her heart was heavy and she couldn't sit still. So far no one had canceled their plans to come over but she kept her phone close just in case someone did.

"You're gonna make yourself sick with all that worryin'. We threw'em all a lifeline, Carol. We did what we could," Daryl said from behind her.

She hadn't even heard him come out. She was standing on the porch, arms supporting her weight on the railing. It was sunny and mild. A beautiful day, just like she remembered. The sky was blue, not a cloud to be seen. She felt safe behind their walls. She felt satisfied that they had prepared in every way they could. She felt miserable in general.

She wanted to save the world. She wanted to keep the horrors at bay for every mother out there that was going to lose their child. Could she have done more? She could have and she knew it. She could have warned more people. She tried blinking back the tears that threatened to overflow but they kept coming. There wasn't anymore time for tears. People would be showing up soon. It was still early but everyone was expected to show up by four. She wiped her eyes angrily, her chest feeling empty as panic tried to claw it's way to the surface. It seemed ridiculous. To feel so afraid now after all she had been through didn't make any sense. But at the same time, how did one not panic at the thought of the world that they knew, civilization itself, crumbling around them.

She heard him sigh and then felt a strong arm go around her waist. She leaned into him, the smell of him alone driving back some of those dark feelings warring within her. "You aren't afraid," she said firmly. It wasn't a question.

"No. Not no more."

She let out a breath, trying to calm her nerves as she tried to will herself to face what was coming with the same kind of calm as he was. "Have you thought about what to do about Ed?" She asked, hoping that him and Merle had come up with a solution on their own.

"Merle says kill him."

The fact that those words didn't even make her flinch was worrisome to her. Monster or not, Ed was still a person. Somewhat anyway. "And you say?"

She felt his breath on the back of her neck before his lips touched her skin. His arm tightened around her. "I say let him suffer first."

She felt her face flame at his words. He had told her what had happened last night and it made her sick to her stomach. It made her feel violated and disgusted. "I can't believe you, of all people..."

"Me?" He sounded incredulous. "I didn't do anything."

"You knew he was there and you just..." She turned around to face him. They had already been through this the night before. The look on his face almost made her laugh. His expression was innocent. Indifferent. "Daryl, you have to be one of the most private, guarded people that I have ever met. And you just... you just kept going!"

He shrugged, his eyes never wavering from hers. "Figured me talkin' wasn't getting' the point across. Ain't like I woulda kept goin' if Rick had been standin' there, or Glenn." His own face reddened at the thought.

She gave a half hearted smile and looked down. "You're ridiculous."

He shrugged. "Either way, now he knows."

She looked up, he still wore that look of indifference. "Knows what? I think he already knew that we were together, Daryl. It's not a secret."

His eyes darkened. "Now he knows for a fact your mine."

She swallowed hard, her heart picking up speed. "So you marked your territory huh?"

He scoffed, that intense look vanishing. "Ain't like I pissed on your head."

Someone cleared their throat behind them. Carol peered over Daryl's shoulder. Of course, Glenn stood there, his hands shoved into his pockets and a look that Carol knew well by now. "I think I need a cow bell so Daryl knows I'm coming. This is really getting out of hand. Please tell me that you didn't pee on her."

Daryl growled out a sigh and turned around. "What the hell do you want?"

Glenn glanced around and then the corner of his mouth turned up. "You mean, other than somehow not showing up at the tale end of you're disturbing conversations? I was wondering where you wanted the guns that Andrea picked up. We have every floor stocked and still have at least a dozen rifles and two dozen hand guns not counting more boxes of ammo than the kids can even count."

Carol groaned. "I can't believe that she cleared out her savings and bought nothing but guns and gasoline."

Daryl grinned. "What else was she gonna buy? I like her better now than before. Ain't gotta worry about this Andrea shootin' me in the head like an idiot."

"And don't forget. That isn't all she spent her money on. We've all seen the Hummer she's been working on." Glenn said, eyes widening. "Come on. Why didn't the rest of us think about that?"

Daryl laughed. "You mean the Hornet?" He drawled as he gazed out towards the old carriage house that housed most of their vehicles.

Carol and Glenn both joined in, the laughter seeming to ease most of the tension Carol was feeling.

"What's so funny?"

They all turned and tried to hide their smiles as Andrea glared at them, hands on her hips. "You're making fun of me again, aren't you?"

Glenn threw his arm over her shoulder. "Of course not." Carol had to give him credit. He did manage a straight face for all of ten seconds before he cracked up again.

Daryl leaned against the railing, pulling Carol back until she was leaned against his chest. She could tell that he was hiding. The coward. She felt the vibrations from his laughter in her back as he buried his face between her shoulder blades. She bit the inside of her lip hard, focusing on the sting so she could control herself.

"Andrea, you know I think it's great." She bit her lip harder.

Andrea shoved Glenn away, ducking out from under his arm. "It isn't my fault that the only one they had was yellow. It was a last minute thing." She sounded so defensive that Carol almost lost it but she held on, despite the fact that Daryl was now laughing harder into her back.

The door opened again and Merle came out, looking as dark and imposing as ever. "Ya ready?" He asked Andrea.

She glanced up at him and then back at them. "If you don't mind these jerks making fun of you for helping me," she grumbled, waving her hand towards Carol, Glenn and Daryl.

Merle took Glenn's place, his arm swinging lazily over Andrea's shoulders. "Don't mind them, darlin'. They're all just jealous they didn't think of buildin' themselves a walker killin machine."

"I'll help too. We still have a few hours before everyone gets here," Glenn called as he bounded down the steps after Merle and Andrea.

Carol watched the three of them go, her heart feeling lighter than it had before. Merle was getting along with everyone better than she ever would have hoped. Glenn was still the boy she had met at the quarry and Andrea... Well. She wasn't really sure about Andrea. She was different. Not in a bad way either. Carol liked the change in her. The weight of Amy's death wouldn't crush her like it had in her dreams.

Daryl grabbed her by the hand and led her back inside. Lori and Annette were both in the kitchen, getting the last minute things ready. The house smelled incredible. It was like Christmas or Thanksgiving. Penny didn't really have to stay hidden anymore but she did steer clear of Amy, Dale and especially Shane. As far as Shane knew, on the few occasions he had came out to the house, she was Merle and Daryl's niece. He never paid close attention to the girl and she mostly stayed out of sight.

"Can you think of anything else that we ain't covered. We can make one more run into town," Daryl said as they stopped in the foyer. His hands lingered at her hips.

"No. I don't want anyone leaving. We have everything and it's too dangerous. If this really is the day then remember that it was about six thirty in the evening that they started evacuating people. We can't risk anything happening to any of us." She didn't bother to hide the panic in her voice at the thought of him going out there. His grip tightened.

"Okay. Just askin'."

She nodded, swallowing the fear down. He new she was struggling. She could see the compassion on his face right before he pulled her closer, his forehead resting against hers. She gripped his shoulders and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She wished so much that they could have found the others. She couldn't save the world but she...

Her head snapped up and she took a step away from him, eyes nearly bugging out of her head. How? How could she not have thought of this before? How could she have forgotten...

"Carol, what is it?" Daryl asked, his hands gripping her shoulders hard.

She was stunned for a few long seconds before she opened her mouth. "Phone book! I need..."

"Daryl!"

They both looked towards the stairs at the sound of Carl. He was screaming for Daryl, who responded with no hesitation. He took the stairs two at a time, following Carl's frightened voice. Carol was about to follow but some instinct had her turning towards the front door instead.

"Merle!" She yelled at the top of her lungs out the door, almost as loud as Carl had screamed for Daryl. Merle popped his head out of the carriage house and then was sprinting towards her, knowing by the sound of her voice that something was happening. It was strange because Carol wasn't sure what was happening either.

She didn't wait for Merle, she tore up the stairs as fast as Daryl had. Carl's bedroom door was open and Ed, of all people, was standing in the doorway. She barely glanced at him when she ran past him and into the room.

She stopped in her tracks.

Daryl was knelt on the floor in front of Sophia, who was standing there, eyes vacant, mouth slack. Her arms were hanging limp at her sides. Daryl had a hold of Sophia's shoulders just like he had gripped Carol's not a minute before.

"What happened to her?" Carol gasped as she joined Daryl in front of the girl.

Carl shook his head, his eyes huge. "We were just talking and then..." He glanced at Carol for a second before his eyes went back to Sophia, "She just stopped and stared like that."

"Sophia!" Daryl nearly yelled, shaking her shoulders. Her head moved back and forth but there was no life there.

Carol took one of her limp hands between her own, "Sophia, honey. Look at me."

Nothing. The girl was like a doll.

"What the fuck happened to her?" Merle's voice came from behind Carol.

At the sound of his voice Sophia blinked and then her mouth snapped closed. The light came back into her eyes and she glanced around frantically.

"Edwin Jenner!" She breathed and then she met Merle's eyes over Carol's head.

"Sophia, are you okay?" Carol asked, rubbing her daughter's arm.

When Sophia looked down she nodded quickly. "You remembered. What Dr. Jenner said."

A sob escaped Carol's throat as she nodded.

"We have to save them," Sophia whispered right before she threw herself into Daryl's arms. She didn't cry but her eyes were wide and frantic.

Carol stood up then, turning to Merle who looked at her questioningly. "We have to go to the CDC," she said quickly, her heart thudding hard against her ribs.

Merle glanced at Sophia quickly and then nodded.

I swear that I was in the very process of bringing up Jenner and his wife in this chapter when i read that review! LOL! See why I felt like I had to get it out. Earthbound's review said that the smart thing would have been to save Jenner and his wife and that was my plan for this chapter to begin with! Good timing, my friend ;)