LIGHT A FIRE

Author's Note: I want to thank everyone for still reading, adding to your favourites, alerts and reviewing-it helps with me posting faster ;) This part has a lot of Daryl and involves a tender scene...

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the characters you don't recognise.
Lyrics: Lie by David Cook.

So lie to me and tell me that it's gonna be alright,
So lie to me and that me that we'll make it through the night,
I don't mind if you wait before you tear me apart,
Look me in the eye, and lie…

I knew that I was experiencing the first stage symptoms of the flu-like virus that had already claimed Patrick's life.
Fear had taken a hold of me momentarily, as I knew that my body would have a hard time in fighting it off.
As to make matters worse, before all of this, I was a vegetarian.
So I was used to taking extra vitamins and supplements to make up for the protein I was lacking from not eating meat.

So far I've managed to get away with eating very little meat, but I'm now lacking the supplements that are like gold dust in this time.

I ran a hand over my face, looking nervous as I took a few steps backwards in a vain attempt to put some space between us all; although it was obvious that the damage had already been done and the invisible spores were probably already wreaking havoc inside the bodies of everyone in this cell block.

"Tessa?"

I jumped slightly from the shock of hearing Dr. Subramanian address me, "Is everything okay?"

Sighing, I shook my head, "I'm so sorry everyone but I need to know if any of you have been experiencing symptoms such as coughing, high fever, sore throat, aching limbs-"

"Is this because of what happened to Patrick?!"
I heard the question but couldn't determine who had asked it.

"Yes…look, I'm going to be honest with you: I'm terrified too! But we need to be honest with ourselves as we can't infect anyone else. Those who are unlucky and contract it need to be safe until they are better. None of us want to infect the vulnerable."
I could see the fear on everyone's faces as I tried to smile comfortingly, "I promise you that we can overcome this!"

As soon as I had spoken the words, I wished that I hadn't.
Making promises that I couldn't keep went against everything I stood for, but right now all I wanted was for them to stop looking at me in fear; I wanted to give them hope.

Dr. S nodded as he turned towards the group who were now deadly quiet, "Tessa is right! If we isolate cases early on then we have a much higher chance of surviving this!"

I smiled in relief at being backed up, as I told Dr. S the instructions that Herschel had given me before I left to tell everyone.

He then turned towards me to smile reassuringly, "I'll make sure that everyone is checked. Why don't you go and get some rest? You look tired…"

I nodded, "Aren't we all though? I just need to grab a few things from my cell and then I'll go and follow people to isolation."

Realisation suddenly dawned on him as he sighed, "Any symptoms?"

"A tickling sensation in the back of my throat and my muscles are killing me if I'm honest, but I know that it will develop. I'll never forgive myself if I don't take action immediately."

"Tessa, we can't put you in with others who could accelerate your symptoms-"

"Doctor, there is no other way to keep everyone else safe at this moment in time. I just need to quickly grab my belongings, and I'll meet you all back here."

He looked troubled but nodded, knowing that I was stubborn and rarely let anyone change my mind.
"Okay, I'll need to inform Herschel though."

I smiled faintly, "He has this uncanny way of reading people-he probably already has an inkling, but thank you Doctor."

Nodding, he sighed one last time before turning around to do what he felt was his duty to the group.

I made my way back to my cell with this heavy feeling weighing on my mind.
I'm no heroine, but there are moments in everyone's life when we have to make sacrifices for the good of others; this was my moment.

Rushing into my cell in a desperate bid to avoid any awkward resistance with the group trying to change my mind, I grabbed my journal, a feeling of needing to keep a part of Patrick's legacy safe, making it a top priority.

It was as I reached over to grab it that my eyes zoned in on the packets of cigarettes that were messily hanging half out of my backpack.
A smile touched my lips at knowing that there is a certain someone who would need these.

Hastily, I ripped out a blank page from the journal and took out my pen that I kept in my pocket now, scribbling down a note; 'Found these on a run and thought you might want them. Tess x.'
I folded it up and put it on top of the packets of cigarettes, getting ready to give them to Herschel, who in turn will give them to Daryl.

"You leavin'?"

I closed my eyes briefly, sadness threatened to overpower me as I took a deep breath before opening my eyes and turning around to face him.
"I'm feeling the start of the symptoms, I need to isolate-"

He looked angry, "You ain't coughin'!"

"Daryl, I'm a vegetarian who spoke to Patrick daily, spent a lot of time at the fence with Karen and others from that cell block. I know that Karen is going into quarantine too-"

"They are worse! Ain't no reason to do this!"

I had never seen him so agitated before, truthfully it scared me to realise that it's because he was worried over losing more people.

He made a move towards me but stopped when I raised a hand, "Don't, I can't infect you."

"Herschel said that we were all exposed to it…" He watched me intensely.

I sighed, knowing that I was fighting a battle with him that I didn't actually want to win.
"I'm still going into isolation Daryl, but seeing as you're here…"
I made an effort to smile as I handed him the cigarettes and note, "I quit a while back."

Unfolding the note carefully, he stared down at the words scribbled there with an odd expression on his face before nodding and gratefully taking the packets off me.
"Thanks…"

I smiled, "Don't worry about me, I'm just dreading being cooped up."

He answered me back with a faint half-smile.

"Be careful, okay?" I smiled at him, despite the words feeling like a dreaded goodbye.
I was about to leave when he suddenly called out to me.

"Tessa?"

Turning in response, I was shocked when he pulled out a black bandana with an intricate white design on.
"Might help…" He looked slightly bashful as he gently fitted it around my nose and mouth before tying it at the back into a firm knot.
"Nothin' is gonna happen to you."

The words sounded firm as I smiled behind the fabric whilst turning back around to face him, "You always tell me that, but I'm not scared of dying or sacrificing-"

"It ain't comin' to that!"

I sighed softly before choosing to just nod instead of coming to terms with what I meant.
Part of the reason why I admire Daryl is because he never once gives up.

Turning to leave, I touched his hand fleetingly, needing to give myself some physical contact before going away.
As I started to pull my hand away, he kept a firm grip on it, his eyes blazing with emotion.

I bit into my bottom lip hard in a bid to hide the strong feelings that were taking over.
I wasn't scared of intimacy or falling in love anymore, but I needed the perfect moment to show him; unfortunately this wasn't it.

"Don't worry about me…" I whispered the same words I had spoken earlier, as I squeezed his hand before choosing that exact moment to turn and leave, thankful for the bandana hiding my lips that were trembling.

Daryl cursed under his breath, his mouth twitching due to pent up emotions.
Rage, frustration and helplessness were at the forefront.
Yet, underneath all of that were the flames of desire that came from something as simple as feeling her soft, smooth skin caress his.
Shaking slightly, he reached into one of the packets and pulled out a cigarette, going to light it when he then saw the note.
His hands pausing mid-action, he kept the cigarette balanced between his lips as he used his free hand to grab the note and crumble it up in his hand before throwing it angrily to the ground.

-+-
HAYLEY'S P.O.V.

"She's infected with it?!"
I scoffed in disbelief, "Great! And we've all been in close quarters with these damn people!"

Daryl narrowed his eyes, getting defensive, "Ain't no way of knowin'!"

"Think about it Daryl! We went on more runs, so we have the least chance of getting it. I can bet you that most of that cell block have it!"

He looked disturbed as I reached out to caress his arm, "I'm here if you need me…"
I wanted him to lean towards me, want me the way I wanted him.

It was tense for a minute before I felt him pull away, looking awkward at the physical contact.
"Ima' go see if Rick needs some help…"

I pushed the hurt I was feeling to the back of my mind as anger was starting to resurface.
It didn't take a genius to know that he was hurting over her; over Tessa.