Ch. 19
"We've done this three times. They're not on the outskirts, that's for sure," Eric said.
He, Martinez and Jake - one of the teenage soldier-trainees from Woodbury - were carefully making their way around the town of Gray. For the past week they'd slowly circled around the city, checking every building thoroughly.
They had hoped that their search would be easy - that they'd find Daryl and his gang holed up somewhere on the edge of town, but that hadn't been the case.
"We'll have to start going in then. Take it street by street. Check larger buildings - schools, hospitals, anywhere that might hold a decent amount of people. If nothing, then we'll move on to private residences," Martinez replied.
"Alright," Jake agreed. "Got a question though."
"What's that?"
"You think the Governor'll kill him when we find him?"
Martinez chuckled.
"Kill Daryl? No. No, he wants that baby. But by the time the Governor's through with him, that hick will wish he was dead."
00
Daryl was tired today. More so than usual. Which was kind of sad, he figured, since he hadn't actually been doing much more than lying in bed, resting, eating and talking to Carol.
"It's okay, go to sleep," Carol urged, noting that Daryl kept slowly closing his eyes, only to force them open again.
"I shouldn't be tired. I don't do nothin'."
"It's because of the baby. I was tired too, when I was carrying Sophia. It's probably worse for you because you're male. At least us females are used to the hormones and all."
Daryl sighed.
The hormones had really been fucking with him lately.
Thankfully, the urge to cry hadn't happened as much, but he had felt extremely depressed.
He knew he was lucky. Damn lucky. Had it not been for David and Merle, he'd still be chained up in Woodbury. Not only was he safe, but now he was back with Carol, too. And they were together. In a relationship. Daryl had never had that before.
Mainly, Daryl felt guilty. Guilty about Merle, and for causing everyone in the group so much trouble. They'd had to leave the prison because of him, and he knew damn well that they were all cutting their rations to make sure that he had a little more to eat. Everyone did everything for him yet he couldn't repay them.
Frowning, Daryl decided to take Carol's advice. He closed his eyes yet again.
"Will you be here?" He asked, before allowing himself to nod off.
"When you wake up?"
"Mhm."
Carol kissed Daryl's hand.
"Always am. Always will be."
00
Daryl and Carol had not yet consummated their relationship. Which to Carol was kind of fair, considering the circumstances. She would have loved to get sexual with him but it was clear that he wasn't ready yet.
David and Beth had a different story.
Down the hall, the two had just finished making love, Beth having done so for the very first time. The two lay next to each other, both panting.
"How was it?" David asked, nervously. It had been so long since he'd pleased a woman, he hoped that he'd at least given Beth a decent first experience.
"It was… painful, at first, but then when you touched my button…" she blushed, "Well, that was great."
David grinned.
"Glad you enjoyed it. It'll get less painful as time goes on, just takes a little while…"
"Yeah, you're uh… Pretty impressive down there."
"Hehe," David smiled again, "Thanks. I like to think so."
There was a silence, both staring up at the ceiling. The sun was shining through the blinds, casting light all around the room.
"I like you," Beth said, looking at David.
"I like you too."
Suddenly there was a sound outside in the hallway. Footsteps.
"Daddy?" A voice called out.
It was Elena. She'd been entrusted to Maggie's care, David saying that he wanted some time to clean up.
"Beth? David?" Maggie asked.
"Oh, shit," David mumbled. "Yeah, one second!" He jumped up and quickly found his clothes, pulling the on as fast as possible. Beth, meanwhile, hid in the bathroom.
"What's up?" David asked, opening the door. "Sorry, was in the bathroom."
"Oh. No problem. Elena was asking for you."
David smiled at his daughter.
"Hi, little girl, how's it going?"
"Daddy!" Elena hugged him.
Maggie smiled. She wondered if she and Glenn had a child, if they would be as happy and sweet as Elena was.
"Have you seen Beth at all?" Maggie asked next.
"Beth?"
"Yeah… you know, my sister?" The response was sarcastic.
"Oh, no." No one knew about their sexual relationship yet, and David didn't want to let the secret out just now. "I thought she mentioned going to the cafeteria before."
"Oh, okay," Maggie replied. She seemed to believe him. David mentally sighed in relief.
"Well if you see her tell her I'm looking for her."
"Will do! Thanks for watching Elena!"
"Anytime."
David forced another smile, brought Elena into the room, then closed the door.
00
In Woodbury, the Governor sat in his home, carefully working on his newest project.
It hadn't been easy. He'd had to get his hands on a lot of salt, and some other ingredients. Thankfully he'd had more than enough material to practice on.
"Here we go," he said to himself, as he finished off the last of his work.
He held it up to the light and looked it over. It would make a fine present for Daryl. He was sure of it.