Chapter 30

Mary put a restraining hand on Gareth's arm as he went to strike again.

"What's going on? She asked softly. He shrugged her hand off as he paced around the room.

"Remember I told you my brother and his family had a farm. They were like us, would take people in or go find them if they wandered onto their land. They captured a man and woman and the bastard killed Rob, my nephew. The bitch stabbed one of their friends. They were punished, the woman whipped and the man cut with a knife, one time for every year of Robs' life. The woman escaped and killed most of the group by driving a truck into them, then gunning the survivors down. She then murdered Tess, my brothers' wife. Then she shoved my brother, Edward into a fire pit and watched him burn. The man had a crossbow when he was taken. These two have got the scars to prove who they are. They didn't realise there was a survivor. John managed to get back here and tell me what had happened." He stopped pacing and faced Mary. "I never thought I'd get the chance to avenge their murders. I'm going to enjoy this, make it last" She gripped his hand.

"Let me help you" she requested "We've all lost people we care for because of these two and their friends." He gave her a tight smile

"Thank you, you're a good friend" He squeezed her hand once before turning to the other men.

"Get that table in the middle of the room and find me some rope" He ordered. The men hurried to obey, sick grins on their faces at the thought of the entertainment to come.

Eleanor was still curled on the floor, where she had fallen. She glanced at Daryl, he was still on his side, fighting to free himself from the chair. Slowly she pulled herself to her hands and knees and started to drag herself over to him. She reached out to touch his face, but before she could make contact a foot stamped down on her wrist, crushing it to the floor.

"Oh how sweet" Mary looked down at her "lovers trying to reunite" she put more weight onto her foot, crushing Eleanor's wrist even more. Eleanor whimpered when she felt the delicate bone snap. Mary laughed again "Whoops!" she said cruelly.

On Gareth's orders Eleanor was pulled to her feet and dragged to a table that had been pulled into the middle of the room. She was thrown onto it and two of the men pinned her arms above her head as the third used a rope he had gone to find to tie her wrists to the table leg. Soon both of her arms were secured. She fought to keep free as they used some of the rope to bind her ankles together before securing the rope to the remaining table legs. She swore and cursed as she thrashed around trying to free herself.

Gareth righted the chair Daryl was tied to and along with one of the other men dragged it closer to the table. He positioned it so they could see each other's faces.

"Would want either of you to miss anything" he said pleasantly. Daryl met his eyes,

"You're gonna die for touchin' her," he said quietly.

Gareth laughed "Not sure how you're going to arrange that" He took off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves, picking up a knife.

"Good thing about these maintenance areas, apart from them being hard to find, is that they're all underground. That means we can make a whole lot of noise and no one will hear" he leaned over Eleanor " and by we, I mean her"

He looked at Mary "Where shall we start, pretty face or lovely body?" he asked casually.

Mary studied the bound woman "Carve the bitches' face." She said "no one should be that good looking"

Gareth lay the blade flat on her cheek. Eleanor stared at Daryl for a long second then deliberately turned her head away. She couldn't bear to see his look of helplessness as the torture began. Gareth lifted the knife and flicked his wrist, a thin line of blood appeared on her cheek. He moved the blade planning to repeat it a few centimetres away. She flinched but didn't make a sound.

"Thought I'd start gently, build up to it" Gareth explained as he made a second slash. He was about to make a third when the door flew open and a shot ran out. One of the men fell to the ground. Daryl's head snapped round and he saw Tara in the doorway, a rifle in her hand, a scared look on her face. She fired again and a second man fell. Gareth swore and raised the knife, preparing to plunge it into Eleanor's throat. Daryl lunged to his feet and lurched forward and, still attached to the chair, ploughed into Gareth. The two of them crashed to the floor, the knife knocked from Gareth's hands. Tara fired again, the bullet hitting the floor, close to Gareth. He rolled over and took cover under the table.

Tara took out the last man but before she could fire again, Mary pounced, knocking the gun from her. The two woman grappled together, both trying to reach the fallen rifle. Gareth crawled out from under the table and towered above Eleanor. He drew his gun from his holster and shoved it against her head. She stared up at him as his finger started to tighten on the trigger. Suddenly his eyes widened and his mouth opened in a gasp as the gun dropped from his grip. He fell forward, slumping motionless over her body. She saw Daryl standing behind him, a bloody knife in his hand. He grabbed the body and dragged it from her, dropping it to the floor. He drove the blade into the man's skull, destroying the brain. She couldn't speak as he wiped the blade on the dead man's shirt then used it to cut her wrists free. As soon as she could sit he pulled her up and held her tight against his chest. She clung to him shaking as he stroked her hair and reassured her she was safe.

Another gunshot startled them both and they looked round in time to see Mary slowly topple to the floor, blood seeping from a wound in her chest. Tara stumbled back, holding the rifle. She sank down to sit on the floor against the wall, a stunned look on her face.

Daryl released Eleanor long enough to cut the rope binding her ankles, then tried to lift her into his arms. The pain from his injured ribs flared again and he set her down, not wanting to risk dropping her.

She reached up and touched his face.

"It's okay, I can walk" she told him "just give me a minute" He wiped the blood from her cheek with his thumb, filled with guilt that once again he hadn't protected her. He couldn't even carry her to get the medical help she needed. He was filled with doubt and knew he was no good for her. He was so lost in his own dark thoughts that he didn't realise she was talking to him until she pulled his face round to look at her.

" How'd you get free?" She asked

"Knocked him over and he dropped the knife. Managed to get hold of it and cut the ties, Then used it on him" he wrapped his arms round her again. He decided he had to let her go. She needed someone she could rely on, someone who wouldn't keep letting her down. He would let her go, but would savour holding her this last time.

He stiffened as they heard people shouting and running feet coming down the stairs. Seconds later Abraham, Rick and Glenn rushed into the room. They took in the bodies and the injured Eleanor.

"What happened?" We heard shots but it took a while to find where they were coming from" Rick hurried to their sides, looking in concern at Eleanor, before spotting Gareth's body on the ground.

"You found him. He did this to her?" Rick asked. Daryl nodded. He looked across the room to Abraham, who was checking the bodies and making sure they all had wounds to the brain.

"I need you to take her to Bob" he told Abraham , who raised an eyebrow at him in surprise.

"You want me to carry yer girl?" He checked

Daryl nodded "Tried, but can't do it. Ribs won't let me"

Abraham advanced on her and scooped her up into his arms,

"Come on then, little girl" he said, knowing it would irritate her, "Let's get you to the doc"

"Daryl?" she twisted to look at him as she was carried away, not understanding why he wasn't coming.

"Be there in a minute. Gotta talk to Rick" he didn't look at her as he replied.

As Abraham carried her out of the room, she couldn't work out what had changed with Daryl. He seemed to be pulling away from her, withdrawing into himself. She wanted to see him but Abraham wouldn't put her down. He only stopped long enough for her to grasp Tara's hand with her undamaged one, to thank her for saving them. She found out that her and Daryl had been missed and people were looking for them. Tara had seen a strange man with a coil of rope slip through a concealed door and had decided to follow at a safe distance. When she had seen what was happening she knew there wasn't time to go for help so had charged in by herself, and saved their lives. Eleanor knew they would have to talk again but now Abraham was anxious to get her to Bob.

"Don't want yer man all over me for not getting you there quick enough" he told her.

Rick knew Daryl wanted to talk but knew to let him do it in his own time. He guessed it was something to do with Eleanor but wasn't prepared at all for what he was hearing.

"You can't go off on your own. Where will you go?" he asked in shock.

Daryl shrugged "Don't know, find somewhere I guess" he was looking at the floor as he spoke, refusing to look at his friend as he dropped his bombshell.

"You can't go 'cos we need you here" Rick tried to guilt him into staying. "Eleanor needs you here" he added.

Daryl shook his head "She's the reason I gotta go. She needs better than me, not some asshole that can't even keep her safe. It seems whenever she's with me she gets hurt."

Rick suddenly got angry "You're right you are an asshole" he yelled "If you leave you might as well just go stick one of your damn bolts in her head on the way out. You didn't see her when you were injured before. She didn't eat, didn't sleep. She had no regard for herself, she kept going outside the fences on her own, taking crazy risks. You leave her now you'll destroy her." He glared at Daryl. "You need to man up and accept that shit happens sometimes. Just be grateful you've got a damn fine woman that wants to be with you."

Rick had never spoken to him like that before and he wasn't sure how to take it. His first instinct was to lash out, but he resisted it. Finally he looked up at Rick, meeting his eyes.

"If I'm gone she'll get over me soon enough. There's a lot more folks here now, girl like that'll soon find someone else" Daryl rose and started to leave the room. "Gonna get my shit together, then I'm gone. Say bye to the others for me." Rick watched helplessly as he left.

Daryl couldn't face seeing anyone else before he left so he scouted around until he found a backpack in a storeroom. He wouldn't take any supplies with him, they were short enough as it was. The only thing he took was a bottle of water and his crossbow, as well as every bolt he could find. There were several now, taken from Joe's group. He headed out of the gates as quietly as possible, heading into the forest a soon as he could. He was careful not to leave a trail, Eleanor was terrible at tracking, but she was better than when he first met her. He circled round the fences and travelled in the opposite direction to the one they had arrived from. He'd gone a couple of miles when he heard movement behind him. He ducked behind a tree, hidden in the undergrowth, and aimed his crossbow towards the noise. He could hear voices, whoever it was they weren't trying to be subtle.

One of the men they had rescued from the containers came through the trees,

"He came through here, looks like he's trying not to leave a trail" he called to whoever was behind him. Daryl cursed as Rick and a pale Eleanor came into view. She had a gauze pad taped to her cheek, covering the gashes Gareth had made. Her wrist was strapped up and splinted, her arm held against her chest in a sling. He could see bruises on her face and her eyes were tired and red rimmed. Rick was close by her side, supporting her with his hand on her uninjured arm.

He should of known she would come after him, he had no choice but to step out and make his presence known. She was clearly in no state to be wandering around the forest. He would deal with Rick later, for allowing her to come out. He was about to reveal his whereabouts when a shot rang out and the tracker fell, a bullet hole through his forehead.

Instantly Rick grabbed Eleanor, pulling her to him and shielding her with his body. Before they could retreat into the trees they were surrounded by five armed men.

"Throw down your weapons, hands were we can see them" one shouted. They did as they were told.

"Getting fed up with jerks sticking guns in my face" Eleanor muttered

"Keep your mouth shut!" One of them snapped.

Rick recognised a blonde haired man as Gareth's right hand man. He'd been alongside him during their capture.

"It's the ringleader, " He stated. He peered at Eleanor a puzzled look on his face "Don't know who the girl is. Haven't seen her before." He faced the other men. "Take them to the cars. We'll take them back to the farm. We'll be able to deal with them better there"

Eleanor glanced at Rick "They get us to the farm, we're dead" she whispered. She saw him assessing the situation, weighing up their chances.

"Thought I told you to keep your mouth shut" The man reached for her, snatching her away from Rick. She thrust her injured hand out, freeing it from the sling. The man staggered back, clutching his side. Blood was seeping between his fingers from a wound just above his hip. Eleanor held the small knife that had been concealed in the sling out in front of her. At once all of the guns were aimed at her. The blonde man smiled at her.

"Feisty little thing aren't you?" He had taken a few steps towards her when he dropped to the ground, an arrow protruding from his eye. Daryl appeared from the undergrowth, crossbow already loaded and aimed.

"How you gonna take out all of us?" another sneered. "These two'll be dead before you got the next bolt ready" Daryl fired and the man fell and before the others could react he'd dropped the crossbow and thrown his knife, killing another. Rick snatched the knife from Eleanor and went for the last man standing, quickly bringing him down. The injured man tried to crawl away into the trees but she scooped up one of the fallen rifles and bought the butt down on the back of his head.

"Need one alive to question" she pointed out to Rick. They checked all the bodies, making sure they were properly dead. Rick yanked the wounded man to his feet and shoved a gun to his head.

"I'll take this one back" he looked meaningfully at Daryl "You make sure she gets back safely" He pushed the man in front of him and left the two of them alone.

Neither of them looked at the other or even spoke for a few seconds then Daryl risked a glance at her.

"You okay?" He asked quietly.

She raised her head and suddenly rushed at him. When she was in range she slapped him hard, yelling at him.

"You were just gonna go, leave without a word? What the hell's your problem?" She tried to slap him again but he caught her wrist.

"Thought it was the best thing to do for you." He tried to explain, wanting her to understand. It wasn't what he wanted, it was what he thought he had to do. She struggled to free herself, only stopping when she heard him mumble.

"I screwed up. It wasn't the best thing" He let go of her wrist and put some space between them.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want you to get hurt any more. Then you nearly die again coming to find me. So I screwed up again. Should of known you'd come out" He was studying the ground, unable to look at her. He heard her move closer. She pulled his face up, making him look at her.

"You're a dick" she told him with a small smile "I think you're running away 'cos you're scared. Scared you like me more than you want to" she leant in closer.

He stared at her, a hint of anger in his look "I aint scared of nothin'" His hand rested on her shoulder.

"Prove it" She challenged.

The hand resting on her shoulder moved to the back of her neck and his other arm went around her waist. He pulled her in close and kissed her. Her hands wrapped around his neck and she pushed herself against him, returning the kiss. They were so involved in each other they didn't hear the sound of the approaching man. It wasn't until he spoke that they knew he was there.

"Alright!" he laughed "It's about damn time" They jumped apart, weapons raised as they faced the newcomer.

Eleanor was the first to speak.

"Tyreese!" she cried as she leapt into his arms, "you made it" She released him from the hug and looked around him "I saw you leaving with Lizzie and Mikka, are they okay?"

His face fell and he shook his head "They didn't make it" There was clearly more to it than that but they didn't push it. There would be time later.

"Sasha's safe, she's at Terminus with the other's" Eleanor started to lead the way through the forest but Tyreese stopped her.

"Wait, someone to come yet" he told her with a smile as he called over his shoulder "It's okay, it's safe to come out"

They watched as a slight figure came into view from the trees. Both looked in disbelief as she approached.

"Carol!" Eleanor breathed "We thought you died in the watch tower" She raced to her friend and wrapped her arms around her, tears in her eyes. Carol hugged her back, a huge smile on her face. Daryl awkwardly put an arm around her shoulder, giving her a quick squeeze.

"Glad to see you're okay" was all he said.

"Eleanor" Carol exchanged a look with Tyreese "could you please take the pack from my back. It's pretty fragile so take care"

Eleanor started to unwrap the bundle strapped to Carols back. She jumped when it moved and made a soft whimper.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed when she realised what it was "Daryl, look" He came to see, wondering why she was crying until he saw for himself.

"Lil' Asskicker!" He reached out and gently lifted the baby from Carol's back, cradling her against his chest.

"We have to get you back, you've a lot to tell us" Eleanor couldn't wait to see Rick and Carl's faces when they saw Judith.

"What were you two doing out here anyway?" Carol asked "Hunting?"

She jumped at Tyreese's huge laugh.

"There was no hunting going on" he chuckled "They were kissin'"

Carol was delighted. "Well it's about damn time" she said, causing Daryl to roll his eyes at her.

"Why's everybody keep sayin' that?" he grumbled, as they headed back to Terminus.

A/N Sorry this ended up a very long chapter, hope it kept your interest.