The Walking Dead isn't mine.

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Maggie took second watch even though her father had wanted her to rest. Maybe she was wrong, but she couldn't stand by and let Daryl just leave without saying anything. She climbed the tower and found Carol leaning against the rails, looking out at nothing. Axel was slumped against the wall, asleep.

"Go get some rest." Maggie told him, nudging him awake with her boot. He didn't need to be told twice.

"Shouldn't you be getting some rest?" Carol asked, turning to face her. "You must be exhausted after everything you've been through."

Maggie smiled at Carol's constant concern for everyone else.

"I couldn't sleep." Maggie admitted.

"I don't doubt it." Carol agreed, suppressing a small shudder.

"Carol, I haven't had a chance to tell you how happy I am that you're alright." Maggie said then.

"And me you." Carol said right back at her. "I guess we're tougher than we look." She smiled easily.

Maggie smiled back at her and joined her at the rails, looking out. She wasn't sure how to start this conversation with the older woman.

"Is anyone taking watch with you?" Carol asked.

"Tyreese?" Maggie said, not a hundred percent sure of his name. "He'll be up in about half an hour. I wanted to talk to you first." Maggie confessed.

Carol just looked at her, waiting.

"He was really upset when you were gone." Maggie breathed.

Carol immediately changed her stance, looking ready to bolt. Maggie reached out for her hand to prevent her from leaving.

"He mourned you." Maggie continued. "Quietly. I'm not sure anyone else saw it, but I did. Judith was born that day and we had to make a run. We had nothing to feed her. So Daryl and I went. He's very strong, you know, and stubborn, like most men. But there was a moment on the highway," Maggie paused, unsure how to put into words what she and Daryl had shared. "I was upset because of what had happened to Lori. What I'd had to do. And then he was upset and determined to save that baby and we grieved together. He grieved for you."

"I didn't know that." Carol whispered. "I hadn't thought about it."

"You know, if there is one thing that this messed up world has given me, it's the knowledge that you have to live each moment as if it's your last. I tell Glenn I love him every day. I never hold back, because what would be the point? We may not have tomorrow, so we live today. No regrets."

"You're so young." Carol looked away, reclaiming her hand and wrapping her arms around herself.

"Young, old, what's the difference anymore?" Maggie responded. "What have you got to lose?"

"I don't want to leave the group." Carol said.

"So convince him to stay." Maggie insisted. "He'll stay for you."

"I think you're imagining things. He won't choose me over Merle. That much was decided earlier today. I'm not even sure what you think he and I are, other than friends. That's all we are, you know."

"Bullshit, Carol." Maggie declared, suddenly angry. "He didn't cry for Lori or T-Dog. It's you he cares about. He loves you. Don't waste it. He needs it too much and so do you!"

"Maggie," Carol shook her head. "It's too late. Can't you recognize when something's broken? When someone is just broken and it's too late for them to be fixed."

"I don't believe that for a second." Maggie insisted. "Daryl's not broken!"

"I wasn't talking about him." Carol smiled sadly.

"Carol!" Maggie breathed in anguished admonishment. "You can't let him go. You weren't there. You don't know. He was in so much pain he couldn't even hide it. I saw him. Everything is different now."

"And everything is just the same." Carol said. "You caught him in a rare moment, exposed. I get it. I've had glimpses too. He's a good man. He did ask me to go with them. That caught me off guard."

"And you said no?" Maggie couldn't hide her surprise.

"You've met Merle." Carol said, looking at Maggie. "I lived many years with a violent man. I'm not crazy enough to sign up for that again. I feel safer here, with Rick and the group."

"That's it?" Maggie asked in disbelief. "You're afraid so you're going to let him go?"

"Oh sweetie, he'd be the first one to tell you to be afraid. He's spent the last year pushing me away. I've settled for friends. He lets me get away with a lot more than I thought he ever would. But the three of us alone on the road? What would that be? What would be the point?"

"Don't you love him?"

"Of course I love him. It just doesn't matter."