He was leaving.

Had already packed up what meager belongings he had left and was about to disappear down the gravel drive along with everyone else she'd become so close to over the last few years.

But she had told him to go, hadn't she? He'd offered to stay, in his own roundabout way. Willing to shack up in the shed with her until who knows when, no questions asked and she'd still told him to go.

Wasn't surprised when he agreed. Daryl had never been one to push and if she pushed back just a little bit he would give. She'd known that going into the conversation and used it against him for his own good.

He couldn't stay here with her, hold up on this farm like the world wasn't ending. He was needed out there. His presence could mean the difference between life and death for any one of them and she'd not be that selfish to hoard him all to herself.

Carol was helping everyone load up the various cars and trucks they were taking with them, having already said her goodbyes to the others. There was nothing left to do than to watch them go.

Except she hadn't said goodbye to him. Not yet.

Daryl had spent the entire day away from the shed. Away from her. Taking a page from her own playbook and doing any random task that floated his way just to keep a reasonable distance and avoid conversation.

She tried not to let it hurt but it crawled up her chest and twisted around her lungs anytime she entertained the thought of him leaving without another word spoken between them.

She had hurt him too, after all. Even if it was for the best.

"Glad you're staying. Not just because you make a mean snickerdoodle either."

Xander had walked up next to her, smiling and putting a hand around her shoulders as they watched everyone putter around the cars. A small group of the girls, as well as Xander and Buffy had come to see them off.

Carol hadn't spent much time with him since they arrived but what she did see, she instantly liked.

He had an easy way about him, relaxed and kind and the right words fell from his lips more often than not.

"I'm glad too." She returned his smile the best she could though it didn't even threaten to reach her eyes.

"You know, we may be able to secure a little vacation house down there. Go visit on weekends and holidays. Pack up the fam with a couple of picnic baskets and see the sights."

She smirked at him, an eyebrow raised as she took in his ridiculous suggestion. "Vacation house, huh?"

"Seems legit to me."

She just shook her head. He always had some sort of joke to lighten the mood and while she normally let them float right past her, today she was grateful for it. Today was a day when she needed all the levity she could get.

He squeezed her shoulder a moment before letting his hand drop, his face going serious. "You'll see them again. This isn't goodbye, it's just…see you later."

A stray tear threatened to spill over from the corner of one eye and she looked away from him. Nodded her head in the affirmative instead of taking on the monumental task of responding with actual words.

It was then that she saw Daryl heading for the row of cars with his pack and few other things clutched in his hands. Loaded them up into a shiny new Ford next to Rick before leaning his head through the window.

Most of the other cars had already left, the dust kicking up as they slowly peeled away. Rick and Abe had stayed back for Daryl, waiting patiently in the car as he wandered up to where she stood at the front of the house.

Xander had disappeared just as quickly as he'd materialized next to her and suddenly it was just the two of them standing several feet away from each other, struggling for what to say.

Daryl scuffed the toe of his boot into the dirt, eyes downcast, his entire frame telling her he'd rather be anywhere else than attempting to find an acceptable way to say goodbye.

She decided to make it easy on him. It was the least she could do. "Stay safe, ok?"

All he had to do now was nod back and leave. It was a ritual they'd perfected a while ago.

Stay safe. You too. Going, going, gone.

Except he didn't respond just yet. Only lifted his eyes to hers and searched them, for what she wasn't sure but she held his stare. Waiting for him to make a move one way or the other.

"You sure about this?"

His voice was strained and he looked at her with just a smidgen of hope, like maybe this time she'd change her mind and follow him into the waiting car.

Maybe this time she'd tell him to stay.

But she only nodded back and his shoulders deflated, a look of resignation passing over him as he stepped forward quickly and wrapped her in a fierce hug that couldn't have lasted more than four seconds tops.

She barely had time to process what was happening or to hug him back before he was gone, sliding into the passenger seat of the car with Rick without a backwards glance. Taking no less than half of her heart with him.

Buffy stood in the middle of a grassy paddock instructing a few of the girls on different hand to hand techniques. They didn't need much help, of course. It was in their genes. In their blood, even, to know what to do and when to do it but it had been a hard day and she wanted nothing more than to concentrate on anything other than what took place earlier.

She needed something that required no conscious thought and fighting was a good start.

A little extra practice never hurt anyone anyway.

A small crowd had gathered, presumably for the same reason. To focus on something mundane. She pondered how odd it was that combat was mundane to them, even before the turn.

She was in the middle of correcting someone's form when Faith wandered into her line of sight. Her expression was irritated, body tense and Buffy knew instantly why she'd come.

"Class dismissed. B and I need to work out a little stress. Stay and watch or get the fuck out."

The students dispersed quickly, a few wandering out of sight while most stayed and joined the crowd that had already formed at the paddock fence.

"I see what you're doing but I don't wanna fight."

Faith scoffed. "I do. I'm angry and irritated and a little sparring goes a long way toward getting my brain right again. Don't tell me you don't wanna beat the shit outta someone or something."

She did. That was the thing. She absolutely did want to beat someone or something senseless but while violence coursed through her veins on a regular basis, she had never been one to use it to push back her own feelings. That was clearly Faith's area of expertise.

Still, far as rage therapy went sparring with Faith was the safest bet she'd get offered today and the temptation was too great to ignore.

"Come on, B. I'll go easy on you."

Faith's wide smile was the breaking point and Buffy rolled her eyes. "Fine, but no broken bones on either side, we gotta be able to kill zombies after this."

The other woman nodded her agreement right before she let out a fast right hook that Buffy cleanly dodged. The game was on in a split second and they traded blows and kicks on instinct alone.

They didn't start out slow or easy, this wasn't a class between teacher and student, it was a match between masters and they went from zero to sixty in two seconds flat. Buffy would be lying if she didn't admit to finding it exhilarating and intoxicating and everything she didn't realize she needed.

The rush of being able to fight and not hold back was a welcome thing as she and Faith tumbled and fought their way across the paddock.

She landed a particularly solid kick to Faith's midsection, sending her flying back several feet and into the tall grass. Offered to help her up only to get her own legs kicked out from under her and her hands pinned above her head. Returned the gesture with a flip and pinned her opponent down in the same position.

"Feel better yet? I sure am. Nothing like giving you a beat down to make me smile for weeks."

Faith's taunt spurred her on. "Which one of us is pinned to the ground here…"

Buffy didn't get to finish her sentence before she was thrown off and to the side. They traded blows for several more minutes before finally reaching a stalemate, both women huffing out loud breathes, chests heaving with the struggle. The genuine smile on Faith's face was impossible to ignore and Buffy didn't fight the urge to return it.

"Fine. I feel better, ok."

Faith nodded. "Good. Thought you might." She paused a moment, her expression turning thoughtful as she wiped at a few stray cuts on her forearms. "They're idiots. Don't give it another thought. You do and I'll have to kick your ass again."

Buffy huffed. "Noted."

"Hey, where's Carol? I think this one on my leg needs fucking stitches. Jesus, B. Thanks for that."

"Oh, now you're complaining? Nice. Real nice, Faith. I lost enough blood from this forehead wound to donate to the Red Cross. Tone it down over there."

Buffy's attention was drawn away from the current conversation and to an unexpected voice that broke in from the crowd.

"Carol's right here and she would be happy to stitch up the many wounds you just inflicted on each other."

Well then.

She had quite possibly fucked things up even more with their little display of super powered fighting skills in full view of the uninitiated, but try as she might, Buffy couldn't bring herself to care. Just traded glances with Faith and sighed out a breath that was both resigned and filled with possibility.

There was no sense in hiding anymore. Didn't think she had it in her to even attempt it. Didn't think it would be fair to the woman who'd at most proven her loyalty and at the least her acceptance to them in the most obvious way she could only several hours prior.

"Lead the way."