Hello fellow fanfiction writers and readers, here is another chapter of this story that I hope you guys will enjoy. As usual I own nothing except new characters and ideas, I make no money from writing, and all rights go to the rightful owners. Thanks for reading, please leave a review!

I was in bed a little later in the evening with my body just too sore to get actual sleep, but Daryl just laid next to me. His body was tense, and the silence was for the first time thick with anxiety. He suggested a tank top with the issue of Carol and Morgan coming in and checking in on me every so often, Morgan alerted us Duane was in the attic hiding in the small bedroom. It was very well hidden even I walked by it many times after our arrival and never even noticed it, that brought a safe feeling since he was also in high danger.

Morgan left over two hours ago to give the Kingdom an update when Carol went to lay down knowing we're awake and able to keep watch, unsaid words between Daryl and herself told me he knew her past and why she was so caring to me right now, not that she was not like that normally. His voice broke though the tense darkness. "I need to know what happened." this was not what I wanted to talk about. But with him it was just best to tell him and deal with him after, he wasn't about to run off.

I was on my side his arm just draped over me. "I will tell you, but this doesn't give you leeway to run off to stomp his ass. Look Daryl, you can guess what happened but because you asked here it goes, this might help me recover mentally to tell someone." taking another steading breath. "Arat came and offered you for me seeing as how Rick was not there. Knowing he would have just punched her for even trying. But it was logic, you're a warrior and I am not as needed like you are." his hand covered my mouth stopping me from speaking.

"It was you who hid goods, you who grew enough food for three towns. You and a few others who held Alexandria at bay from the Wolves and a horde of walkers, you don't get to think like that. Not you, you're a solider." he just made me feel better, his word's not entirely book smart but still smart at the same time.

"I left with them, I watched as two-face killed you, all in show but still it killed me because who could be trusted was not known. I killed Arat before we reached the Sanctuary. He was a monster no easy way to put this, I figured out about his wife, his real wife, Lucille. The reason he has an un-healthy obsession with his bat. Before the outbreak she got cancer and passed as the outbreak happened. He tried when she got sick to fix their marriage, he cheated on her and a bunch of other issues. Well, he couldn't kill her when she came back to life, he went back after a few months and did it. But now he is an evil shell, he beat the hell out of me for bringing that information to light, he used Enid and Duane as leverage to get what he wanted, they don't rape but will kill and use what you care or love to get your consent, which is called consent under duress. It was like hell those long weeks that I was gone, knowing Duane was sneaking wives out making a small light shimmering at the end of the tunnel was my only life line at those dark times. Bad things happened and you knowing will not change it, will not change the outcome but it will make you angry, sad, hurt so many emotions that Negan would like for you to feel." his face was already filled those emotions, his understanding of that place, that man and adding in the way I looked was enough for him to get the gist of my pain. He was silent for what seems like an eternity as I lay beside him just resting, he looked to have aged three years with puffy bags under his eyes.

"He needs to die, I know how that place is run, even met one of his wives, Sherri. She gave me a warning about Dwight, he agreed to fake my death because he used to be like me before all this shit with that bitch, Negan. Rosita, I knew by her face when I arrived covered in dyed corn syrup it had been a setup she sobbed and told me it was you they took in my place as I drove to Hilltop, then I was taken to the Kingdom. I found Carol a few days later, she took you being gone hard and vowed to help but Morgan and the rest never told her the fucking extent of the issues we are facing." I listened to his voice it had a rough edge to it, but I just relax a little at a time.

Now it is silent as it gets darker, I fall into a fitful sleep his arms like iron around me, we have so much left unsaid but with the steady beating of his heart I was gone.

I woke to a smell, light shined down on us, my face was buried into his arm pit, very gross. Shifting in bed trying to move from the bed feeling stiff and sore. "Morning." his arms moving to help me up as he came around the bed, his long hair messed up as I yawned.

"You need a shower, baby."

A real smile replaced the pain he wore. "I missed you saying that, Carol left some clothes for you. I can help get you dressed."

I waved this off, "You shower pigpen, I can dress myself." he just chuckled leaving me to dress while he showered. I was still so tired, but I try and dress, each movement brings pain to the surface, it will get better there is no doubt about that but for now I could handle that. Naked when I sit back down on the bed, needing a few minutes before dressing personally I think I am doing better today having removed all my clothes and made the bed before needing to sit.

I was a mess, why try and kid myself, I was mentally a mess my hands shaking, my brain having flash backs that set me on edge around Daryl. I should go back to Bama and be with my brothers and heal mentally and physically, but knowing he would follow me was the single thing stopping me.

His deep voice broken into my thoughts, "You're in pain, we ain't keeping secret's, woman." angry, he was angry as I stood pulling on the jeans that I loved, my bra and a warm gray sweater before resuming my seat to pull on my boots. Someone brought me clothes, these were in my bag, Jesus was the last I saw with it. Daryl was a good man, he was cut up, but he was clean as I moved towards him when the door flew open, Carol was pale white.

She snapped, "Get her to the attic, you too. Saviors." I balked in fear, tears starting to leak out as Daryl just dragged me into the tight entrance. Carol, sealed it behind us, we could hear her and Morgan talking, as we couldn't move, Duane was next to me, also shaking.

"Clam down, nothing is going to happen. I will die before they take you." his voice so low as his words are whispered into my ear as he just holds me close, Duane was now in my arms as a pounding was heard on the front door.

Breath held, heart pounding.

"Good Morning Carol, I am sorry to intrude so early but seems the Saviors think we are hiding a girl at this outpost. I am sorry they will need to come in and give your home a check." it was King Ezekiel, his voice cheery, polite, but lanced with worry and hate.

Her voice was firm and annoyed. "I suggest they get on with it, we don't have all day for them to be bastards. I run this Kingdom out post and having the likes of them here."

"Oh Carol, always so welcoming." it was Jerry by the tone he cut her off mid-sentence.

"Now, look. I am looking for my wife, long silkily brown hair, wide green eyes, thick girl probably looking messed up. I am going to find her she might not be here, but I love her and don't want her hurt. Now move your old ass out of my fuckin way." he was here, he came looking himself every nerve was on fire, my body reacted shaking and trying to move far from the voice. Daryl just held me tighter placing a kiss to my forehead as I nearly tried to hit him, fear was powerful.

When I was a kid, I went to a special school for gifted people, some kids my age and some in their teens. I was scared there, men in Army uniform, white coats walking all over the place, one day I was taken home hearing my oldest brother yelling at ma and pa. He was in the Army at the time, I remember him saying I was being used by the government, that was the first time I felt fear. Now it is the only emotion that I can feel, hearing them, hearing him walking around. Daryl, just held me, his hands moving trying to keep me calm but that was not about to happen.

"Oh look, no girl hiding from you. Now get the fuck out." Carol had had enough.

"Carol, please. Negan, you have torn our post up and have not found this girl. We want no issues with you nor have we hidden her." King Ezekiel had a jovial tone as he spoke to Negan trying to keep the peace. Daryl was listening to every word, I was being selfish, he also went through hell there, Duane too. I just put my head under his chin with my arms around Duane, he just held tighter his hair covering my nose, a hint of honeysuckle and cream.

"You keep a look out, I want her back. She needs a lesson just like her Daddy, Rick." god he would kill me.

"We of course will work with you to find your beloved wife, we need to stick together in this new age."

Daryl moved over the larger beams to the very small window, watching them leave. I just curled up sobbing hearing the door being opened five minutes later, they gave them enough time to leave before they let us out.

Duane was the first out, next was Daryl helping me move, this was good move through the pain, it would help strengthen my body. "I am sorry, Carol. I think it best we leave, he will return." I felt horrible they knocked her things down, tore her art leaving it on the floor, beds unmade, but my dress that was torn was dropped on top of my now unmade bed.

Carol was about to tear me a new one when my voice cracked. "Who looked in this room?"

"The one with a burned face, Dwight, if I am correct." that was my saving grace, Daryl closed his eyes.

"Burn the dress." the King walked in snatching it up and leaving the place, I watched as he placed a kiss on Carol, she swatted his chest. I smiled, watching her walk back in. "Say nothing young lady." but she was smiling as we cleaned her place, everything was fine after. Daryl was watching from the window, Duane was reading, same with Carol, Morgan was with Daryl.

I helped cook dinner, trying in vain to clear my thoughts when arms wrapped around me. I knew his smell. "I love you very much Daryl, you are the man I want to spend the rest of this life with. I am just messed up right now, it will take time to heal mentally." the rabbit was frying with a handful of chopped veggies and instant rice. Not the best but it was filling and good, I added the dried seasoning as he just nuzzled my neck.

He answered. "I have to go once it is dark enough, Morgan and I are going to Rick via Hilltop. I will be gone a day at most, I am here for you, might not be helpful. I am going to kill them all, I will not lose a night's sleep over this either. You're mine, my girl, my world you are at the very center of everything now. I never thought I would want to settle down but here I am wanting that life with you. Yet, hell, I can't do that fuckin shit with Negan." I turn.

"You comin' back right." I in no way wanted him to go, Carol just started plating dinner giving me a nod.

"Nothing will stop me."

"Eat and go, the sooner you leave the sooner you'll be back."

It was dark at 7:30, stars littered the nights sky, Carol said she was going to bed at five, she was going on night watch. Duane and I kept watch as his father and my man walked out the back into the dense woods of the Kingdom. Jerry waved walking with them, I gave a slight wave until they vanished into the darkness, Duane and I just sit on the sofa, looking out the curtains every so often, no matter what he was happy, happy to have his father back.

"Daryl said he is going to stomp Negan's ass." I smiled when Duane alerted me of this, his tone low but lighthearted.

"He will too, that's why I have to keep an eye on him."