5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD
To my fellow Carylers that were left heartbroken by the ending of the show, I dedicate this little fix-it fic to you.
The rumble of his bike, sun shining down as the wind whipped around him should have brought him comfort, but it didn't.
He knew leaving them, leaving her would be hard, he hadn't expected the sheer weight centered in his heart.
Her eyes belied the almost casual tone when they said good bye. He knew her eyes better than anyone and knew when she was trying to hide her pain.
Uncle Daryl, You deserve to be happy too…
Another mile down the road, another mile between the them
MMMMMMMMMM
He had been gone seconds and she already regretted not going. After everything they had been through, all the times they had parted this one felt different. Her arms felt empty without him, her heart felt hollow. She had tried to make this easy for him, knowing he would struggle with this if she didn't.
She tensed briefly when a hand fell on her shoulder, and that was warm and familiar to her.
"You should have gone with him." He said with a slight squeeze.
She reached up and wiped another tear and sighed "I'm…I'm needed here"
His arm slipped around her shoulder as he pulled her close.
MMMMMMMMMMMM
He eased up on the throttle slowing the bike. His eyes scanned the area, always alert for danger.
"What do you want from me?"
"A man of honor"
Did he really need to do this mission? Sure, finding others and seeing what's out there was something they needed to do, but did it need to be him?
He missed the weight of her in his arms, her smile, and her unwavering faith in him.
The world was still a dangerous place, anything could happen. To him, to her.
The bike slowed to a crawl and his head dipped. Shaking his head, trying to dislodge the visions of all he could lose while gone.
MMMMMMMMMM
She stood a few more seconds accepting the comfort he tried to offer her before stepping away.
"I'm needed here." She stated again, her voice still not sounding convince.
"You are, but believe it or not I do know how to run a community" he laughed at the look she gave him. No one did sass like this woman.
"I need to take care of the kids" she responded
"I know how to do that too. How about you stop trying to bull shit a bull shitter and tell me what's really going on."
She sighed again and wiped a few more tears.
"You love him"
A shocked gasp slipped from her lips and she nodded.
"I know you and you've always loved him. So tell me, why not go? "
"I just feel like I've got to stay, take care of the people here." She shrugged
"You know you don't owe us shit, right? Whatever self-sacrificing penance you're dealing with, let it go."
"It's too late, he's gone" her voice broke along with her heart.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
I can't lose you
How many times had he thought he had lost her over the years? To damn many. She wasn't running anymore so why was he?
He finally told her he loved her. Did she know just how much? Why would she, he should have told her years ago. Wanted to but…
The bike rolled to a stop and shut it down. He'd made it 5 miles down the road, 5 miles away from her.
If he went back now could he get her to change her mind? Could he stay there with her? Would she forgive him for leaving in the first place?
He had been so fucking close to having everything he wanted and he walked away for what? Why did it always have to be him? Hadn't he given enough to the group? Done enough for the group? Didn't he other things to offer besides this?
No one will ever care for you little brother, no one but me
She cared, he knew she did.
"Fuck this" he growled out at he started the bike and spun it around. She was his home and he was going back to her.
MMMMMMMMMMMM
She watched as Zeke waved his hand, Jerry and the kids coming forward pushing another bike loaded with supplies. Her bow, a bed roll, a packaged she just knew carried the things that she'd need or that were precious to her.
Judith walked up to her and hugged her.
"Aunt Carol, you deserve to be happy too you know."
She let out a little laugh and marveled at how much this girl had grown.
Jerry stepped up wrapped his arms around her as he whispered," We'll take care of everyone till you get back. "
She walked to the bike then turned to her family. They were watching her, smiles on their faces.
I love you
She had waited a life time to hear those words from him.
"Go on now, he's only got about 20 minutes on you. You'll find him."
A quick hug for each of them, lingering just a bit more with the kids before she climbed on the bike and kicked it on.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
The rumble of his bike, sun shining down as the wind whipped around him brought him comfort as he raced home.
The miles passed, one, two, three…
Each bringing him closer.
She had only made it two miles before she pulled to a stop. She hopped off and waited. He was coming
A smile broke out on his face as he pulled to a stop.
Their bodies slammed into each other as their lips met.
"Thought you were going"
"Thought you were staying"
His fingers brushed her cheek as she giggled.
Another kiss as they mounted their bikes.
"New Mexico?"
"Yeah, let's see what's out there"
.