A/N Just a short chapter to finish off. Thank you so much to everyone who has made it this far. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it. I really appreciate all those who have taken the time to review, follow or make it one of their favourites. Thanks to Shin Maxwell for including it in a community listing.

Chapter 48

Daryl had been gone for four days and Rick was trying not to worry. The hunter had said he would be gone a few days. He paced around the compound finding jobs to do, anything to keep his mind busy. He was talking to Glenn at the gate, checking everything was secure when the man on watch called his name.

"Looks like some ones coming. They're on foot but I can't make out how many"

Rick squinted down the road; he could make out what looked like at least two people approaching. As they got closer he realised it was a man pushing a motorbike, a small woman walking alongside him.

"It's Daryl" he realised, calling for the gate to be opened. When they got closer he could see two small children sitting on the bike. All four of them looked dirty and exhausted. Rick and Glenn hurried through the gates to meet them. Glenn slipped past Daryl and took the handlebars of the heavy bike from him. The fact that he allowed him to showed how exhausted he was.

"You okay?" Rick asked quietly. Daryl met his eyes and gave a small nod.

"Yeah, I'm okay" he replied "think I've got my head sorted now"

Rick clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Glad to have you back man" he smiled.

Once they were safely inside Sam and the children were introduced and left in Carol's capable hands.

Daryl found Rick outside.

"You gotta minute?" he asked "I need a hand with something"

"Course I have, what'd you need?" Rick was surprised, Daryl had never asked for anything before. He followed him to the room he had shared with Ellie.

"Sam and the kids'll need a place to stay. I don't need all this space. Just need a hand clearing it out so they can use it"

Rick nodded "Okay, what'd want me to do?"

Daryl swallowed hard before asking Rick to pack up Ellie's belongings and give them to Carol to share amongst the other women.

Silently the two men emptied the room. As Rick took the box with Ellie's things to Carol Daryl stayed and took a last look around. He took a deep breath and closed the door one last time. That part of his life was over.

It was time to move on.

He knew it's what she would've wanted.

End

A/N

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xxxxxx