Author's Notes:

At first this was just a one-shot, but people seemed to enjoy it and so did I. So, I've decided to extend this into a story of its own.

Now, this follows a different path then the finale and because of that I have room to write. I don't really want to say what will happen after the season 7 premiere, so I'm just going to stick with an alternate course. It does focus a lot on Daryl, but I will also include a lot of characters in this, to emphasize on this group's relationship.

So, with that, I hope you enjoy this story :)

2

Until Dusk

Dark clouds gradually gather in the atmosphere. They'd done that for quite some time before rain drops, one by one hit the windshield. Over a long period of time, it just became white noise; the sound of the rain and the wipers. Rick's mind only broke for a second, coming across the CD that seemed to infuriate Daryl- Rick always got a kick out of that. Redirecting his eyes towards the road, Rick proceeded to loop his mind around them: Michonne, Daryl, Glenn, Maggie, Carol... the others. They were all just strangers when this whole thing started. It was something how all this death and tragedy had united them, after all they'd been through they were family; brothers, sisters, and lovers for some. Blood, they were each other's blood, just as much as the immediate families they had before the world fell to the dead... He didn't want to lose anymore, Rick didn't want anybody else to be killed by psychopaths or torn apart by walkers or give up on hope.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Rick sighed; he could feel the anxiety starting to jar at him. The Alexandrians were scattered, his family was scattered. Carol was on some sort of mental breakdown; Michonne, Glenn, and Rosita were out to get Daryl back from whatever mission he was on. They were wound up, they were angry... And maybe Michonne and the others found Daryl, maybe they were back. Maybe Morgan had found Carol, and he was bringing her home. They could help her get through this, it wouldn't be the first time they've had one of their own fall to mentality. Either way, they needed to clear their heads, they needed to breathe. It may have seemed they were all stumbling over their feet, but Rick knew they'd get through this, they always did. Together.

The inevitable thoughts simmered in the moments the car came to a stop on the asphalt, before the gates of Alexandria. Sasha and Abraham were on watch as usual, and when Rick was secured in the community, he pressed the break and rolled down the window. "They back yet?" He asked, as drops of water splashed through the window; onto the seats and dashboard.

Sasha was the one to approach the car as Abraham remained on the wall. "No, they haven't," she said with a worried look. "Did you find Carol?"

Releasing his eye contact for a moment, Rick returned, "No, but we found a trail. Morgan's still out there looking, but I wanted to come back in case we get problems with the Saviors."

"Alright, so what do we do about Daryl and the others?" She input, glancing off towards the gate as she wiped some rain from her forehead. "We can't spare many more people, but I don't know, should we go out there?"

Rick looked at her before nodding ahead. "Why don't you get Spencer out here on watch, and we can discuss it with Maggie," he answered, adding as he leered forward, "Is she in the house?"

"Yeah, we'll meet you there," Sasha murmured, to which Rick nodded and followed with parking the car back in the line. The sniper was already at the perch, informing Abraham when Rick got out of the car and started off towards their houses. Beams of light still occasionally dwelled from above, but the wind had picked up. Leaves of trees were turned over from the gail, loose materials rattled against the buildings or homes. It was getting darker and the rain fell more consistently. Nobody was out on the streets, and if they were, quickly fled to their homes for the brewing autumn storm.

Increasing his pace, Rick reached the porch. "Maggie?" His vocals flooded down the quiet hall as he opened the door with a mild creak.

"Dad?" Carl's voice suddenly projected, making Rick proceed towards the kitchen where silverware clattered. At the table, Maggie, Enid, and Carl with Judith on his lap, we're eating; although, some cards were laid out in the middle of the table.

"Hey," Rick greeted as he went up to Carl, placing an affectionate hand on his son's shoulder while kissing his daughter's forehead. Suddenly, he noticed Maggie's shortened hair under the dim lighting. "Well, look at you, " he kindly directed.

She gave a shallow smile. "Thought it was time for a change," the woman said, shifting the credit as Rick rested his hands on the back of Carl's chair, "Enid cut it."

"It looks good," he complimented, looking at Enid.

"Thanks," Enid replied a bit shyly. Recognizing her with a nod, Rick was hoping the girl was becoming more comfortable around them. She seemed to be hanging with Maggie, Glenn, and Carl more often now.

"Did you find any of them?" As Carl fished the question, the front door opened.

The sound had them gawking towards the hall, where Sasha and Abraham emerged. With a sigh, Rick gazed back towards the trio in slight disarray. "No. Morgan's still out there looking for Carol, and we didn't- I didn't run into the others." The group fell quiet and Maggie tried acting calm, but Rick could tell she was tensing up. In attempt to ease the mood, he gingerly gestured towards Sasha and Abraham. "It's why I've asked Sasha and Abraham to meet us here, so we can discuss what our plan is."

"Okay, then, what's is it?" Maggie directed her attention to Rick for answers, but the constable just hoped he'd be able to convince her to stay in Alexandria.

It was Abraham who spoke next as he rested the rifle strap over his shoulder. "We are up on that wall most of the day. So far we haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary, if the Saviors do happen to be out there watching us," the soldier apprised.

"I wouldn't rule it out though," Sasha said, continuing with, "But I don't think we should be going out there in a storm. I'm fine with any other night for coverage if the Saviors are out there, but a storm like this could be troubling." As the sniper spoke, she flicked her head towards the storm clouds outside.

Maggie vaguely nodded. She clearly didn't want to wait- nobody did. "Sasha's right," Rick sighed, turning his eyesight to Maggie. "I don't like it either, Maggie, but-"

"Yeah, I know..," Maggie huffed while burying her face in her hands. "So we wait till it passes," she suggested, after a moment of exchanging glances.

"If the storm passes in the middle of the night, we can leave at dusk, but," Rick placed a hand on his hip as he gazed towards Abraham, "Do you have any idea where they might have gone?"

"I got a thought for where we should start, I'll go with you when you're ready," Abraham acceded.

"Is that okay with you two?" Questioning, he looked from Sasha to Maggie as he released his hold on the chair. "Would you mind staying back while Abraham and I go out? I just don't want to have too many people leave Alexandria."

"We can hold the fort," Sasha bestowed, with an agreeable nod from Maggie.

"Okay," Rick confirmed, feeling the stress die a little.

The to-be mother pushed her chair back and stood. "I guess in the meantime, I'll go check on Eugene," she steadily said, asking, "Enid, want to come?"

"Sure," Enid mumbled, picking up her finished plate as Maggie did.

As his eyes followed the two, Rick then felt a prod against his arm. Abraham was to his right. "We're heading back out, but I'll start prepping in case it lifts soon," he said, to which Rick nodded in appreciation as the duo walked out.

Gazing back at Maggie, he asked, "How's he doing, by the way? Eugene, I mean. "

"He's getting better," Maggie gave, as she took the dishes to the sink and began cleaning them.

"That's good," Rick muttered as he took a few steps around the table and indicated towards the dinner. "Hey don't worry about this, Carl and I will take care of it."

Maggie inquired as she looked at Rick, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, no problem," Rick gently told, waving the chore off.

With a twitch at her mouth, Maggie landed a hand on his shoulder as she passed him with Enid beside her, "Thanks, Rick."

When they left, Rick found his way into the kitchen; running a hand over the smooth granite and eyeing the pans of food. There was some pasta, peas, and meat, which Rick guessed were the ducks Daryl had hunted the other day. Rick lightly sighed, while gleaming out where lightning flashed among the gloomy sky. They were lucky they found this place, Alexandria; the fortune of having houses, electricity, running water, being able to store food, especially meat. That wasn't a possibility on the road. This place was a miracle, it was their home, and they'd fight for it; whatever came their way.

"Do you think they'll be alright?" Rick glared at Carl as he pitched the dire question.

"I hope so," Rick murmured, glimpsing down at his hands before he reached for a clean plate and started scooping up some food.

A rumble lingered in the distance; the one thing that seemed to stand out to Daryl's fading consciousness. The archer couldn't even estimate how much time had passed; his damaged senses only reviving from time to time. In these moments he barely saw anything aside from fallen leaves, dirt, or caught whispers on unclear things. It was when he started to feel water merely clash against his cold hands, something jarred into his side.

Immediately, his eyes flashed open as he placed a hand on his side with an agonized groan. "Wakey, wakey, Daryl," the prick's words slurred into Daryl's head. He tried forcing his eyes open, but they continued rolling shut until Daryl suddenly gritted his teeth and released an excruciating shout. Dwight had clutched a hand over Daryl's wound, and sinisterly dung his nails into it. "Come on-" The Savior was cut off as the Alexandrian defensively struck a weakened fist into Dwight's neck, but it was enough to send him stumbling back. In the second of freedom he had, the hunter glanced down at his bloody clothes; laying a hand over the throbbing laceration. "The fuck?!" After a brief cough, Dwight recoiled by kneeing Daryl in the gut as he tried getting up; but once feeling the air leave his lungs, knuckles then collided against his cheek. The sensitivity only seemed to sharpen as he fell to the soft earth with a grunt, feeling weight settling on his back.

Vividly, he could hear the cries of his friends, smell the strong scent of blood, and feel the gun barrel that met his temple. Dwight and the archer's heavy breaths nearly mirrored each other; Dwight's of rage and Daryl's of pain and resentment. There was a long moment before Dwight let out a frustrated yell, and finally let Daryl go from the harsh pin. Sorely, the Alexandrian placed his palms on the ground, but before he could get himself upright Dwight yanked him by the vest; shoving him back against the tree. "Get yourself together, we're leaving this place," Dwight growled as he tossed a blanket beside Daryl and sauntered away.