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Georgia didn't have as true an Autumn as DC. The east coast seemed to have each season at its heaviest. The summer had been too long. It was much cooler than the south. The town let them borrow warmer clothes. Over a clearing, near the gazebo, Carl and Charlotte stood with flannel shirts, surrounded by fallen leaves.

"Should we?"

"We should but I don't know if they have rakes."

"I'll go see," Carl sprinted down the street before she agreed.

She laughed. This is how it should be. The world changed him. But he was coming back. Since they got into Alexandria, he's let himself.

"What's this about?" Rick stepped beside her. He's kept his distance. Carl woke her, against his wishes no doubt. But with fourteen hours of sleep, she felt like herself again. Happier even.

"We've decided to do some yardwork," she smiled at him, much happier. He looked at her, taken aback almost. It wasn't that drastic of a change. "And yes Rick, you can join us. But Carl and I get the first jump," maybe it was a big change. She'd been distant. The exhaustion was entirely gone now though, she couldn't help it. For once, she woke without scanning the woods or sneaking away. Her head hadn't throbbed, her back wasn't sore, it all felt right.

He hadn't expected this. "What jump?"

"Leaf jumping. Carl went to find rakes. But like I said, you have to wait your turn."

The playful glint he once knew was back in her bright eyes. It happened before he could hesitate. The palm of his hand moved and held the side of her face. She flinched slightly but he wasn't discouraged. He didn't pull away.

Despite the chill air, his hand was warm. His gaze softened as she let herself lean into it. "I haven't seen you two like this in awhile," even his voice felt warm in its low drawl.

"I know," it might have all felt right but she'd been fighting this for too long. Before she couldn't, her left hand moved over his and removed it. He didn't stop her. She meant to apologize. Like so many times before when she found herself leaning away as he sat next to her by the fire, Lori on his other side, or when she walked ahead as he clung to Judith with Carl close behind. It all kept her away from him. They couldn't deny what they were becoming. The group caught on faster than they did. They were never far apart. When danger came, he always had her. He kept her away from as much as he could. She let him for the chance to be close. But it wouldn't happen. In the world they were surviving in, it wouldn't let them. And she fought it. There were times when she felt herself losing. But there was always that welcomed distraction. And as she stepped further back, she heard it. Along the street, an engine roared to life, there it was.

Rick almost reached out for her. Her face lit up, it wasn't for him. "I'll be right back, tell Carl to get started," she was gone.

It must have hurt him, to leave like that. But as she rounded the corner, nearly slipping on a few leaves, and found the distraction, she let it go. He'd been fixed on the bike. The motorcycle purred just as loud and strong as a new one would. Daryl must have mounted it not long before she ran into the garage. He barely acknowledged her. The metal even shone slightly, had he polished it? Charlotte looked it over more but soon noticed he'd been watching her and was waiting. There hadn't even been a nod for her to do it but she was already climbing on behind him, wrapping her arms around his leather vest and tightening that hold. Before she secured her footing, he sped them off to the right, denying her any settle. The rush of it kept her blurred to notice.

He turned sharply, causing her to shout out in slight fear. Her front slid even more into his back as he suddenly slowed then picked it back up, testing his work. Charlotte felt her arms tighten then loosen. But as he felt them do so, he'd warn her to hold on by squeezing her hands together. He'd let go just as fast to steer but it was enough. Her body reacted like it had more than she's let herself notice.

They reared a short side street, Daryl tricked the brake. She kept her grip firm. He doesn't mind even if she held too tight. He never says anything. A few winters ago, the first time she rode with him, they sped over a bridge. They were trying to get back to the group before dark. The ice nearly had them if he hadn't done the same thing with the brakes and steered differently. That fear kept her under for the rest of the ride. She even hid her face into his back, refusing to look up until they stopped. When they did stop, her arms ached to the point of contracting. She held him too tight but he merely helped her release and said nothing.

They slowed just before the east wall. He moved the kickstand out, indicating their stop. Charlotte let him inspect it as she got off first and waited. He squat down behind the bike to look over the engine. She knew why she was here, why he let her come with. He usually did this stuff on his own. But they were going to talk about yesterday. She was about to start herself but something caught her to the right. There Carl dropped near the bottom of the wall, from the top, while Eden climbed over after him. She met the ground and was the first to notice them. Daryl had stood up behind Charlotte, wiping his hand of grease. Eden motioned her head towards them for Carl to look. He visibly stiffened and was about to tell Eden something but she had moved away and disappeared behind a house. Daryl called out to him. Charlotte jumped slightly, not expecting him to say or do anything.

Carl moved towards them, his hands dipping into his pockets. The thick black strands of his hair swept low over his eyes. But as he reached them, he looked up and held Daryl's gaze, avoiding hers. She wasn't planning on having him come over. As long as he came back over the wall safe. He would have known to wait for her in the house. She'd warn him not to go out there without any of them. But that would be it. In every one of these situations, she'd hold herself back from doing anything more. She wasn't his mom. She wasn't in that position. She never was nor would be.

Daryl tucked his rag into his back pocket. "You find any rakes over there?"

Charlotte looked at him, how did he know? He watches her, she knows, but he always has the details.

"Sorry," Carl brushed his bangs along his brow. "I was going to ask Eden but she was heading over the wall when I found her."

"You had to follow?" He simply nodded. Daryl moved around the bike, now standing next to Charlotte. Carl glanced at her. She kept still. Daryl brushed against her arm as he crossed his. "Don't do it again," Carl's eyes widened slightly. "Go on."

He looked to Charlotte again but quickly left them without waiting.

She watched him disappear between the houses. They were quiet. She didn't know what else to say. "Are we riding back or should I run off like that too?"

He uncrossed his arms. "You didn't say nothin."

"Rick would have handled it."

"After you would have then act like you didn't once Rick took over."

"Looks like I'm walking then," they hadn't even talked about yesterday. It wasn't over. She knew that but this wasn't something she wanted to get into, with him. She was a few steps ahead until she heard shouting and screeching near the gate. Daryl reached out for her to get on the bike but she took off. Through the small backyards, she ran. The shouts became more distinct and panicked the closer she got. An attack on a supply run. Deanna's son and Noah were gone. Charlotte felt a stab in her chest. She came to a halt before crashing into Michonne who stood furthest the huddle. She wasn't fazed.

Under her breath, the words came out slowly. "They wanted to let you rest."

Charlotte froze. They let her sleep. They left this morning. If she had gone, it might not have even happened. Glenn was covered in blood, exhausted from what he's seen. Dry stains marked his face where he cried. Maggie clung to him despite the blood. Deanna collapsed into her husband's arms. Charlotte looked to Michonne who stood just as still. They couldn't move. Each suspended by their own grief and guilt. The bike engine motored down behind them. Michonne turned to look just as Charlotte's head suddenly snapped to the side. Tara had come to her, slapped her across the face, bringing everyone's attention on them. Michonne acted first and separated them. Tara fought against her, screaming accusations and blame for her friend's death. Charlotte hadn't moved or fallen, she rubbed the side her face and came to realize what just happened.

She didn't bother to hide her reaction. Her eyes watered and throat burned. This was okay. She understood. Charlotte would take the blame, it's okay. But it still hurt. Those who stood close were confused. Glenn and Maggie helped Michonne. They managed to calm Tara and Maggie began to lead her away. Glenn and Michonne moved back to Charlotte but found her being guided away by Daryl. He urged her unto the bike after he revved the engine. They knew where he would take her and would soon need to follow.

As soon as they pulled into the driveway, Rick had moved out onto the front porch. His house wasn't close to the gate. He wouldn't have known yet. Charlotte still felt the hot sting present on her cheek. It must be red. Carol walked onto the porch from the side door. Her expression gave an answer. Judith was in her arms feeding on a bottle.

Daryl glanced over his shoulder, nudging her to dismount. She couldn't move. It took Rick longer to see. Once he did, he stopped and had to grip the railing. Charlotte swung her leg over then and dismounted. If she didn't go to him now, he'd force her off the bike. At the top of the steps, he looked to Daryl who stayed on the bike then to Charlotte who was on the first step.

"I'll go get them," Daryl sped away before Charlotte turned back to him. The group, they needed to gather and talk. They needed to plan. She'll have to be a part of it. To the side, she'll lean against the wall and try to keep it together. Rick would lead the discussion, ending in her quiet leave with Daryl following.

Charlotte reached the top step with Carol moving next to them. Rick stopped her and asked that she put Judith down to sleep. She hesitated but left to do so. Charlotte watched her until she went inside.

"Tell me," Rick brought her focus back to him. She told him but knew little. When she eventually explained her appearance, her voice lowered and quickly ceased. His hand had softly covered over the swelling. She barely felt it until she looked up. Her gaze avoided his throughout. His hadn't strayed. This time, she didn't want to pull away. It relieved her almost to have him touch it. "I'll talk to Tara," his voice even calmed her down.

"Don't, it'll make it worst. Maggie's taking care of her," still, she let him keep his hand there. The faintest tint of his light eyes seemed to darken though. "She's hurting. Noah's gone now. They were close. She needed to let me know. It's okay."

He shook his head and moved his thumb in soft circles along her chin. They didn't break. She knew what he was doing. His face leaned closer. She felt his other hand reach for her neck.

Heavy footing thudded inside the house towards the front door. Carl barged through the door and stopped halfway to them. Charlotte lowered his grip, he wouldn't have. "It's okay," she reassured Carl, leaving Rick's side. Carl stumbled into her arms. "We'll make it okay," she rest her chin on top his head. Against her shoulder, she heard him apologize over and over.

Rick stood behind them, pulling Carl back. "Easy," he smoothed over his son's hair, unsure of what caused this. The bike could be heard again. The group trailed behind Daryl as he slowed down the street. "Let's head inside."

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a/n

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