Two more treatments to go and then they were pulling the PICC; then it would be over.

Daryl woke up that Friday thinking of that and the fact that they had gotten through the worst of the time apart. Five weeks wasn't a lifetime, that was true, but it was after all he had been through that year.

It was almost over, and he repeated that to himself like a mantra as he got dressed that morning.

Daryl was almost at the finish line of treatment after such a horrible year, and he had so much to look forward to now.

It almost blew his mind when he stopped and thought about it.

He and Allie already had reservations to go away in three weeks after the PICC got pulled the Tuesday after his last treatment. They were going to Savannah, even though it was February, for a long weekend.

It was not a long time to Allie theoretically as well, but she missed him like air to breathe, like water and the incredible thirst for him would not be sated no matter what she did.

She had started lifting free weights at night, to work off the excess loneliness, and running to release some endorphins so she wouldn't be so sad without him.

Allie never knew how lonely it could be to miss someone who still walked the earth.

It was entirely new to her, she'd mourned Zack, who was never coming back, but this was different knowing her love drew breath on this earth and they couldn't be together. That he was just on the other side of town missing her as much as she missed him.

Tara spent a lot of time with her, and that helped a lot; it wouldn't be long now.

The only damper on things for her was the flu she had been feeling coming on for the past week or so. Allie tried not to let it get her down but she threw up at work the day before, and Maggie insisted she go home.

Allie didn't want to tell Daryl about being sick because she knew he would be upset and would want to take care of her. He had two more weeks to complete and then they were home free. That was worth keeping her mouth shut now, for his sake and hers.

If he got sick now or got an infection, he would be set back so far, and she would know it was her fault, even though she knew he would never think that.

It would be the truth.

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Daryl didn't see her jeep in the parking lot, and that was his first clue. He immediately reached for his phone but thought better of it. If she was inside, she would be busy with her patients, and he didn't want to bother her just because he was being paranoid.

But she wasn't there when they got to the chemo clinic, there was another nurse there, on the other side of the room where Allie was supposed to be, and his heart started pounding. Allie never missed work, she had told him as much, and he was sure this was something ominous, just when he was getting his life back from the throes of disease.

She had become his world, and suddenly he felt it crashing down around him.

"Where's Allie today Maggie?" Merle asked when they walked in and she wasn't at her usual spot behind the nurse's station. Merle was trying to be casual because he could feel the tension radiating off of his brother as he stood next to him.

"Got the flu, went home sick around three yesterday. She said to tell you she's fine and she'll see you next week." Maggie said, "Come on let's get you set up; then you can call her if you want."

"She don't call out; you know that," Daryl said to Maggie as he followed her to his usual spot. Merle trailed behind them, and it was evident to him that Daryl was distressed.

"She said not to worry," Maggie explained, "But I suppose you will anyway."

"Can't help it," He said to her, "She's the best thing that ever happened to me."

Maggie's face grew soft, "You're a good man Daryl."

"She's my life Maggie," He replied, "You sure she's ok?"

"I'm sure she is," Maggie touched his hand, "Call her if it eases your mind, I know you have her number." She said with a wink of her eye.

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Daryl was texting her before his ass hit the recliner, he had talked to her last night, and she hadn't said she was sick. He was half mad and half scared, that there was something wrong, that something was going to come and snatch her away from him, now that he'd practically beat cancer.

He knew that was unrealistic, but it was something he thought about, and he couldn't stop it. It was just the flu, but he was freaking out.

-You ok? Why didn't you tell me last night?

- Because I don't want you worrying about me.

- That's my job, Allie.

-Just a little bug. I'm feeling better.

-You want some soup. I could bring it.

-I'm fine. Really.

-I wanna see for myself; I can come through the window like a thief, what do ya say?

~I'm just going to go to bed and sleep, I feel so tired.

~You'll call me if you need me right?

~I promise.