AN: so Easter Bunny's come and gone. Got a surprise call from work, saying it was quiet, have the day off yay! Note to self remind the Easter Bunny next year not to bring overtired an toddler and six year old hyped up on sugar new paint sets- yikes what a mess! Hope you all had a great Easter. This chapter has a little filler, when thinking about a storyline for a sequel I had a idea to add to this story. I'm just setting that up.

I do not own of profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 13

The service for Perez, and Bob was quick but meaningful affair. The mid morning sun had hit the trees casting glowing rays of light. Lieutenant's men had been relatively quiet, dotting on Beth which seemed to perplex Maggie a little.

The Lieutenant had spoke briefly of Perez, speaking surprisingly eloquently about Perez's devotion to a life of serving others, and long career with the marines before the turn. After the turn Perez had lost his his family, he had not given up, instead devoted himself to helping those who could not help themselves. Carol had choked up when he had finished with an emotional "Semper Fi Brother", echoed throughout his group.

Carol hadn't really known Bob that well, but Maggie and Sasha had apparently bonded with Bob when the trio had been together. Sasha had been unable to speak,Maggie had spoke of Bob's unending optimism and hope all the while clutching Sasha's hand.

After the service the lieutenant had approached Carol asking if they could all meet to discuss plans.

Some time later, all the farmhouse occupants were gathered in the living room, minus Wong who was on watch. The lieutenant didn't mince words. His group were behind schedule and they needed to check on the status of The Alexandria Safe Zone. All joking aside the Lieutenant explained Alexandria were peaceful people and wouldn't be able to hold their own against an armed tyrant.

He wanted to know if they had made their decision about The Hilltop, as his group was leaving in the morning.

Abraham had been the first to speak up

"I don't know about the rest of you guys but Rosita and I (Rosita coughed and nudged him in the ribs, he rolled his eyes and continued) and Eugene would like to go to The Hilltop."

Glenn looked at Abraham perplexed

"What about your mission?" He said.

"Well, funny thing about that Glenn, as it turns out, Eugene here is full of shit." The former train car occupants looked a little surprised. Carol glanced at Daryl sitting next to her perplexed. "What's that all about ?" She questioned him. Daryl promised to explain all about Eugene's mystery mission a little later as The lieutenant continued delving more into explaining life at The Hilltop. He explained their were three sister safe zones in the immediate area ;The Hilltop, The kingdom, and Alexandria. While Alexandria were Pacifist , The Kingdom and The Hilltop attempted to be more proactive in ensuring safety in the region. "We don't want psychopaths with delusions of grandeur flourishing." The lieutenant had stated. The memory of the Governor an Gareth so fresh in all their minds made it difficult to refute that logic.

The Hilltop was a walled in community pre turn and had contained high priced homes and mansions perched on a hill. The population was two hundred strong and the Lieutenant spoke of the place with such pride, Carol couldn't help but grin.

Rick spoke up next "I can't speak for my group without discussing it first, we haven't had a chance to really talk since we've reunited" Carol was happy Rick was being so reasonable.

The Lieutenant had readily agreed and a plan had been made that The lieutenant's group would leave in the morning to return in five days, to escort them to The Hilltop if they choose to go. He would also would leave a map to The Hilltop and a letter to Gregory vouching for the group in case The Lieutenant's group was delayed in returning.

"Do you need help at Alexandria?" Rick asked suddenly . Oh god Carol thought, Rick was such a tool! He just got his kids back and he wanted to take off? She just got Daryl back and now he wanted to drag him off again? She felt Daryl's arm wrap around her shoulder and give a reassuring squeeze as thought he had read her mind. The lieutenant gave her a little smirk and turned to Rick responding

"Not this time Sheriff, I think you all need a break on this one".

The group's little "come to Jesus meeting" as Glenn had taken to calling it ended up having to be delayed to the next day. Preparations had to be started to help the lieutenant's group to leave the next morning. The lieutenant had exclaimed that his men always brought more supplies then needed and had left those remaining at the farmhouse well stocked. Even so runs would have to be made in the coming few days to outfit the group with needed supplies. Both trucks commandeered from Terminus had full tanks which should help with that.

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Carol was already in bed and had been watching the shadows and patterns thrown on the wall from the moonlight filtering in through the window when she heard Daryl making his way up to the attic after watch. When he latched the door with a quiet click she rolled over with a soft "Hey" propping her head on her hand, letting him know she was awake. He looked up at her and smiled as he began undressing and removing his multitude of knives and his crossbow which he had retrieved from Terminus. Anderson was about Daryl's size and had given him a change of clothes and some old sweats to sleep in, which he was slipping on as she watched.

"Ya ain't sleeping?" He said softly as he crawled toward her on the mattress, like a predator stalking it's prey. She rolled on her back when he reached her and he slipped one arm behind her neck supporting his weight on that elbow. His other hand was brushing her lengthening curls away from her face.

"I don't think I'll ever sleep again when you're not with me"she said

He stared at her for a long moment before he replied " fuck Carol, you're so god damn sweet", brushing his lips over hers softly in a lingering kiss, that quickly grew to more. Daryl's touch was almost frantic as they helped one another shed their clothing. He rolled over and propped himself up against the wall so he was sitting , then pulled her down onto his lap straddling him so they were sitting face to face when connected. Daryl's hands were relentless in his quest to touch her everywhere at once, his eyes fiercely intent on hers. It was the most earth shattering experience of her life.

"What do you think? about The Hilltop?" He asked a little later.

"Honestly, I'm not sure, I trust the Lieutenant and his guys but I think Woodbury proved their can be good people at bad places. I don't want to get tangled up in a bad situation again, and truthfully from what the Lieutenant's told me, they don't seem to have problem making enemies. Whatever we do, we need to be careful."

"Yeah" he said thoughtfully "You know, that I'm not going anywhere right? I wouldn't take off the day after I found you again for nothing. Rick's my brother, but i'm not following him blindly anymore. You come first. I wouldn't have taken off on some hunt for a madman again, even if the lieutenant had agreed..." He grinned and continued on "he's your number one fan you know"

"Huh?"

"The lieutenant, he has a thing for you" Daryl.

"What? No he does not, you're crazy"

" ain't nobody's else's ass he's staring at non stop, fuck, as long as he keeps his fucking hands to himself I can't fault his taste." He said as he began to nuzzle her ear lobe. "Besides, he's too late, I liked you first."