I do not own The Walking Dead. I'm not associated with the creator, owners, writers, actors or franchise. This is just for fun.

Okay...last chapter everyone! Thank you so much for commenting and reviewing and staying with me during this story!

Chapter 17

The next morning Daryl quietly checked for walkers around the cabin, then he expanded his search, and realized that the herd had moved on. Going back into the cabin, he found Carol already packed and ready to go.

"I'm sure they're fine. You know Rick." Daryl told Carol.

Looking back at him she smiled at him. This man was more than she could have ever asked for in life. Maybe god had somehow rewarded Carol and him for the shitty lives they'd had before the walkers took over.

"I'm hoping." Carol told him.

Daryl could see the worry in her eyes. He walked over and embraced her.

"It's all clear. We can go when you're ready." Daryl told her. He also knew she was nervous about seeing Rick again. Daryl knew one thing for certain... He wasn't going to let Rick hurt her...not physically, mentally or emotionally. No more. Rick was his brother, but Carol...Carol was his world.

They headed out cautiously. Though the herd had seemed to move on...they still traveled quietly and constantly listened for the moans and shuffles of the walkers. They ran across a few stragglers that they quickly took out, but not much more than that.

Finally, they made it to where Rick had been camped. There were scattering of wrappers, a few formula bottles, and other items that indicated a hurry to leave. Daryl looked around, but saw no sign of walker tracks...as he explored further around the camp, he did notice that at some point a small herd have traveled by the left side area.

"My guess...is that whoever had watch saw them early. Must have told everyone and took off." Daryl told Carol. He continued checking the area. "Looks like they headed this way to avoid the herd. Couldn't have went very far."

They traveled for a few hours. The tracks were getting fresher and fresher. Eventually, they hit a clearing, and saw an old red barn in the distance.

"That must be where they are..." Daryl told her. He could see someone standing at the opening of the hayloft. From a distance they could almost make out the brim of the sheriff's hat that Carl always wore now.

Carol sighed. Fear was rushing over her. Fear that the girls or Judith were hurt. There was still a chance Tyreese and Michonne made it back to Rick and Carl...but what if they didn't...what about Rick? So many questions that still needed answers. A few answers were just ahead.

"You don't have to worry about Rick Carol. I'll take care of him." Daryl added. His eyes were set and she knew he meant what he'd said.

"Kinda got that feeling Pookie." Carol laughed lightly to him. Grabbing her hand, he held it tight as they walked towards the barn.

They were half way there when they saw Carl come bounding out of the barn...Then suddenly...so did the girls...following behind him...

Carol gasped in relief. Her hand going to her mouth. Lizzie and Mika were smiling and laughing as they ran towards her. Carl looked just as happy as they did. Carol took that as a good sign. At least, that meant that Rick hadn't spoken too badly of her...that...or Carl was just really glad to see Daryl.

"Carol!" Mika yelled as she threw herself into Carol's arms. Lizzie followed right behind her. Carol almost fell to the ground from the force of their excited embrace.

Carl stood there waiting till the girls were done.

"Oh girls...I'm so happy to see you!" Carol told them. Tears glistened her eyes, and Daryl just smiled down at her. Her happiness would always be his happiness.

Standing up Carl looked at Carol.

"Carol...you saved Judith." Carl told her. His eyes tearing up. Then he had his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Carol held him for a second.

"Carl, where's your dad?" Daryl asked.

"His inside with Judith and Tyreese. Michonne is out looking for you guys." Carl told them.

Carol had the strangest feeling of being pulled forward in her excitement to see Tyreese and Judith...yet hesitated because of Rick.

"Come on...let's go see them." Daryl told her, pulling her forward.

Carl led the way, and when they entered the barn...her eyes met with Ricks.

Daryl stood close by her side. Offering her support not just emotionally but in physical representation to Rick.

They were seated at what had once been a partial kitchen. Glancing around quickly...Carol saw Tyreese with his arm in a sling...he stood to greet her. Rick was behind him holding Judith.

"Tyreese!" Carol cried out. Tyreese strode froward and embraced her in his one arm. "I didn't think you guys would make it."

"Takes a lot more than a few walkers to take me out." He smiled at her, and then nodded his head at Daryl.

Just then Judith let out a cry at seeing Carol.

Rick walked forward, and looked Carol over. Tyreese and Daryl stood by her side.

Looking at her for a few moments, then handing Judith over to Daryl...Rick wrapped his arms around Carol. He embraced her like he had when Daryl had brought her back from the tombs.

"I was wrong Carol. So, wrong. I'm sorry." Rick told her...still embracing her. "Tyreese told me the truth."

Carol was shocked that Tyreese had told him. Tyreese just looked over and raised his eyebrows at her. "Couldn't have him thinking the wrong thing forever."

Carol just nodded her head. Rick let go of Carol. As soon as her arms were free, Judith started wiggling for her. Carol took her from Daryl's arms.

Rick now stood in front of Daryl.

"I owe you an apology too Daryl. I shouldn't have done what I did without talking to you first. I'm hoping we can move past this..." Rick told him. Daryl just looked at him and gave a quick nod.

Rick new everything wouldn't be just fixed right then...that it would take time, but it was a start...

"Michonne should be back in a few hours..." Rick told them.

"What's the plan?" Rick asked. Carol just looked at him.

"Kinda thought we all could work together and make decisions...like a team...like the team I should have let us be..." Rick told them. Carol smiled at him. She wasn't a hard woman. She knew that Rick understood the mistake he'd made, it would take time, but she felt it would work out.

A few hours later, Michonne was greeted by the same people she had looked for that morning.

They all ate their lunches and sat around coming up with new ideas on what to do now.

They all decided that they would take a few days, gather supplies, and then find a base...then start looking for their other family members they had lost when the prison fell.

That night, as their family and friends slept peacefully. Carol and Daryl held each other looking up at the stars.

"I love you Carol." Daryl told her. Carol looked at him and smiled.

"You already know I love you. I have since you almost died trying to find Sophia." Carol said leaning back into his arms.

"Still wish I coulda' done more." Daryl added sadly.

"Daryl...stop." Carol told him, turning around and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

They'd talked about this before...he would always think he could have done more. That was something they would have to both continue to work on...it would take time, but they had the rest of their lives to do it. It didn't matter if it was a day, a week, a year or twenty...what mattered was that they were finally together. Now, they had said everything they'd always wanted to, and there were no longer any fears or obstacles to keep them from each other. Their love was tried and true...and it always would be.

The End.

I really hope you enjoyed this last chapter. Caryl on!