AN: thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews. I hope you liked the last chapter! This one too. Please let me know what you think. :) I do no own or profit from The Walking Dead in any form

Chapter 8

I don't know how many lions and leopards I've shot. I've shot two elephants which was enough-never again. It's a melancholy and moving thing to hunt an elephant.~ Wilbur Smith

Carol watched the heated exchange at the end of the yard, between three of the groups new members. Abraham and Rosita were arguing fiercely with the man with a mullet,Eugene.

Another day, another time, she probably would have gone over there and tried to fix things, sooth all the ruffled feathers before they brought down every walker in the woods on top of them. But not today, she was bone weary, soul tired. She just didn't give a fuck. She wanted Daryl.

She wanted him to pull her onto his lap so she could put her head on his shoulder and feel safe in his arms to finally release all this grief, anguish and heartache that was bubbling up inside her. So much grief and loss were accumulating inside her wearing down her internal steel will reserves.

So much loss, so many gone, and now...oh god Perez.

She and Thomas had worked for hours together. Getting him back to the farmhouse by the truck, but in the end nothing they had done had been enough. Thomas had been like a machine, working non stop in a desperate attempt to save his friend and Carol's new found respect for the man was unparalleled. She hoped she had the chance to work with him, she could learn a lot from the man.

He had been performing CPR for the second time, Perez's heart already having stopped once before. Ten minutes into the second round of CPR Carol knew that Perez's heart would not be starting again. Thomas was not in doctor mode anymore, he was thinking as a friend and couldn't see that. Using her most motherly tone, she placed a hand on his arm and stopped him saying

"I'm so sorry sweetie, he's gone, you have to stop". The 30 year old doctor looked up at her with the expression of a lost five year old. She glanced over at a Beth who had started crying and turned back to Thomas "he would want someone to look after Beth, can you take her downstairs?"

"But I gotta..." He motioned to Perez's body.

"I'll do it" Thomas had gotten up leading Beth downstairs. With a heavy heart Carol had taken out her knife and once again done what she needed to do.

She'd been kept busy throughout the day. Her first order of business had been to comfort a near hysterical Beth. Carol had held her while she cried. She'd been through so much and many tended to forget she was still a child herself. Thomas had given her a sedative and they had settled her into bed.

The rest of the day had been spent seeing to Judith's needs and preparing the large farmhouse for the return of the others. The farmhouse was large, bigger than Hershel's. Terminus was larger but she knew no one would want to stay at that horrible place once everything was over. Between the bedrooms, den and living room she calculated she had enough beds or sleeping pallets for everyone.

She'd claimed the attic for herself and Daryl she hoped too. She'd found a double mattress and drug it below an octagonal dormer window, and piled it with blankets and pillows from the farmhouse's seemingly never ending linen closet.

The kitchen's gas stove miraculously still worked, she had a large stew simmering and had found the ingredients in the pantry to make baking powder biscuits. Having run out of chores she sat once again on the staircase of the veranda, a peacefully sleeping Jude on her shoulder.

Small groups began to trickle in from Terminus. The first had been Abraham, Rosita, Eugene and a woman named Tara accompanied by Miller who had immediately sought out Carol to learn of Perez's fate.

When she's gently told him his eye's had filled with tears. Her heart broke as his young face seem to age 10 years in one moment. She's offered him food but he's stoically refused thanking her but stating he should relieve Thomas from watch.

Anderson and the lieutenant had return next. She saw them briefly talk to Miller and hang their heads at the news he was delivering. Anderson walked off on his own, the lieutenant had stopped to briefly talk to Abraham. Abraham had appeared enraged over what was said and stomped off to talk to Eugene and Rosita.

The lieutenant had stopped and turned towards the trio. He sighed as though preparing to step in when the small woman Tara had walked over to the group and talked quietly to them. She gestured to Carol on the stairs. The three had stopped arguing, looking up at Carol with guilty expressions on their faces.

Abraham had stalked off. Eugene, Rosita and Tara walked up to Carol. Expressing their thanks for her part in their rescue, and then grief at Perez's passing. They went into the house to get something to eat when the lieutenant sat next to her.

"What was all that about?" She asked.

"Don't know, don't care. Sargent Carrot Top asked me when I would be communicating with Washington again. I told him we lost contact with Washington 17 months ago and then he lost his shit." He sighed and patted Carol's hand. "I don't know about those three but you're group seems like good people. Mr. Twilight's a good guy. Reminds me a lot of Perez." He said softly.

"I'm so sorry we tried..."

The lieutenant interrupted her "you and Thomas did the best you could. Don't doubt that Blue Eyes. Perez went out the way he would have wanted. Protecting Blondie. He's with his family now. You did good today. That hand shot...shit. I know snipers that couldn't make that shot. They hadn't surrendered it could have been a whole lot worse."

She nodded

"I set the seven of you up in a large den. I thought you might want to be together, and I have some food in the kitchen" he raised his brow and she continued on" housewife mode is my coping mechanism"

The lieutenant snorted "Mr Twilight's a lucky man." He stood up squeezed her hand and entered the house.

Daryl was a lucky man she thought. The last two days had taught her one thing, she had an unlimited supply of love for him. She knew when they had reunited he was ready now. His eyes had transmitted that message to her crystal clear. She didn't need any grand declarations from him. That wasn't Daryl. She just needed to feel wanted, loved. He's off to a good start, thinking of how he'd called her angel with a smile. She intended to make him incredibly happy.

Two trucks pulled up then both unfamiliar. She assumed commandeered from Terminus as she could see familiar faces in the vehicles. She stood up swaying Judith softly, unconsciously stroking her soft head. She had considered putting Jude in with Beth when she'd fallen asleep but Rick and Carl had yet to reunited with her, so she kept her up. "They're home" she whispered to a sleeping Jude.

The group exited the vehicles and Anderson approached them she assumed to tell them the news. Daryl glanced at her worryingly. His eyes never leaving hers.

The lieutenant's men (and Sasha and Tyreese)entered the house all briefly smiling at Carol or patting her shoulder. All except Gallant who went down to stand watch with Miller patting the young man on the back.

The only people remaining in the yard with her and Jude, were Rick, Daryl, Maggie, Glenn, Michonne and Carl. She suddenly felt nervous.

She walked down the walkway cooing to Judith as she went. They stood in a semi circle facing her, Daryl moving to her side, hand on the small of her back,everyone seemingly at a loss for words. She shook her head

"Look at all the trouble you guys get into when I'm gone".

They seemed slightly shocked at her words but soon all were dissolved in a fit of giggles. Maggie looked like she was about to say something but Carol did first.

" I know there's a lot to say but are we okay?" Maggie nodded "then it can wait until tomorrow. There's food and beds, we're tired, and after Perez" her voice broke" I just don't have it in me" she brushed the hair off of Maggie's face "Beth needs you" Maggie stared at her intently then enclosed her and Judith both in an intense hug. Glen leaned over and kissed Carol's temple. Taking Maggie's hand he lead her into the house.

Michonne smiled at her rubbing her shoulder and followed them in.

Judith suddenly awoke lifting her head off Carol's shoulder she turned sensing the presence behind her and excitedly exclaimed " a-Da-Da" reaching her chubby arms out to Rick who quickly snatched her up.

When her arms were empty of Jude she immediately felt Daryl's strong arms reach out and haul her into his side. Her shoulder wedged below his arm she rested her head above his heart as his arms banded around her in a fierce embrace.

Public displays of affection like this she knew were not Daryl's norm but they had all been pushed beyond their personal boundaries today. She sighed softly when she felt him press a kiss in her hair, both watching with a smile The Grimes family happy reunion.

Rick looked up at Carol "I'm sorry.."

"No Rick, not tonight, we'll be okay right?" He nodded and said " yeah we will be"

"Then it can wait until tomorrow, go be with your kids. We will talk tomorrow okay?" He nodded and brought his children in the house.

Daryl and Carol stayed there for a long time, embracing one another tightly watching the sun set on the day, without speaking a word until Daryl's gravely voice interrupted the quiet

" where's our fucking room?" She laughed ,took his hand and lead him in the house.