thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my story, i'm very gratefully to you all. we near the end of this story only a few chapters left, i hope you have been enjoying it so far, let me know what you think. i'm not really sure about this chapter, but here it goes. please let know in reviews what you think.

hope you enjoy.

i own nothing from the walking dead or the characters.

Chapter 9.

Carol and Daryl had been back in Alexandria now for a few hours and to say things were still tense would be an understatement, everyone was gathered around in ricks front room, apart from Daryl who was in the back yard trying to calm down, he was so pissed at rick, when he and carol first got back he couldn't believe that rick had brought Dwight back to Alexandria with him, the man who had killed Denise and shot him. Rick had tried to explain to him that it was because of Dwight that they had manged to get him out alive, Daryl wasn't sure how he should feel about. Deep down he knew that Dwight had probably saved his life, but that didn't do anything for Daryl's anger after all he was shot. Rick had explained that Dwight was really on their side and that he had only shot Daryl and killed Denise because he was trying to save his wife. Could Daryl really blame the guy; he knew that if anything happened to carol he would do anything to get her back safe. Daryl could hear footsteps behind him, he didn't need to turn around to know who they belonged to, he kept quiet and waited for her to say something. But carol hadn't said a word, she just walked around until she was in front of Daryl and kneeled down and wrapped her arms around him. Daryl wrapped his arms around her and buried his head into her neck holding her tight and close to him. As Daryl felt his anger and tension leave his body, he was amazed at this woman and the power she had over him and the fact that she could clam him with just a touch no words needed. After a few minutes Daryl remember something rick said to him earlier about how carol had threated Dwight, he pulled back just enough so he could look into her eyes, they held the connection for a few seconds before Daryl spoke. "rick told me that you threated to kill Dwight"

"I did" carol softly answered him "I would have killed him if it wasn't for rick, Dwight told me how sorry he was and that he was only trying to save his wife and he promised me that he would help us get you back, I didn't believe him at first and I told him so, I also told him that if he steps out of line I would kill him and no one would be able to stop me."

Daryl was awe of this woman, who was not only beautiful but strong and fearless, who had left because she was finding it hard to keep carry on killing, yet when the people she loved were in danger she didn't hesitate to protect them just like she had always done, Daryl didn't understand how someone like her could possible love a redneck like him.

"what did I do to deserve someone as amazing as you, I'm sure you could do better than me"

Carol looked at Daryl in shock "Daryl I have told you enough times that you are a good person and I'm lucky to have you in my life. I love you Daryl"

"I love you too carol"

Carol pulled herself gently out of his arms and stood up holding out her hand to him. "you ready to go inside and get this meeting wrapped up"

Daryl took her hand and stood up "lets hurry this up, so I can take you home and get you into bed"

Carol laughed "can't wait"

A few hours later and the meeting was wrapped up, it was decided that in a few days they would make their move on Negan, rick had manged to get help from the hilltop as well. With their help and kingdoms, they had more an enough people to take Negan and his men out.

Carol and Daryl were lying in bed wrapped up in each other arms, both in their own thoughts about what would happened in a few days. Daryl and carol both turned their heads a bit so they could look into each other eyes. Holding the connection for a few minutes. It was Daryl who spoke first. "I promise I will do my best to stay by your side, but if anything does happen to separate us, please stay safe and know that I love you"

"I love you too Daryl, and if we do end up getting separated don't worry because I will find you, I will always find you. And stay safe yourself"

"I will." Daryl whispers giving carol a quick kiss. "get some rest."

"ok night Daryl I love you"

"I love you carol, night"