Chapter 2

Notes: Remember, this is Daryl and the group's POV, so as far as they know, both Beth AND Charlotte were killed. Of course, we as the audience know that is not the case ^_~

Four months had passed since the events at the White House, things had returned to a state of normalcy … for the most part. They had found an abandoned rock quarry just on the other side of the West Virginia state line, nestled in a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

They had since finished off the remainder of the jarred goods they had brought with them, but the area was rugged and remote, and not many walkers could make their way down this way, and the wildlife figured that out, so the hunting was plentiful.

Every hunting trip, Daryl would bring back a nice, fat turkey, deer, or elk. But he would be in only long enough to drop off his kill, clean it, and he would venture back out again without a word to anyone.

Daryl loved hunting, when it was just him and the wilderness, he could lose himself and almost forget his pain. It had been like that since Charlotte and Beth were killed. Rick couldn't remember the last time he and Daryl had spoken, and he hadn't turned up for any of the committee meetings.

Maggie had recovered as well as anyone could after losing their only sister, and Glenn's loving support was instrumental in that. Rick also had a feeling that they were the reason Daryl couldn't stand to be around the group anymore, he just couldn't stand seeing the sight of a loving couple right now; the wounds were still just too fresh.

Rick didn't know how right he was.

The sight of them made Daryl angry, and at the same time, filled him with so much grief that it made him physically sick. He hurriedly skinned and cleaned the carcass; he couldn't get out of there fast enough. He was so tired of people asking how he was doing that he seriously considered shanking the next person who uttered the offending phrase, and he went off on so many people that most were afraid to approach him anymore.

Except a few core members of the group, Rick being one of them, and speak of the devil. Daryl heard the law man's familiar voice calling his name and he groaned out loud, composed himself, and turned around.

"I'm not going to ask you how you are doing, I know you're going through hell, I've been there, remember?" Daryl didn't say anything, but he wouldn't meet his gaze.

"No one is going to tell you how long you should take to grieve Daryl, only you can answer that. But just know people ask, because they care about you." Rick said as he turned and walked away.

Daryl said nothing in response, but he mulled their conversation over in his head as he finished cleaning the deer carcass. He certainly wasn't over her death, and he wasn't sure if he ever would be. It was like a piece of his soul had been ripped out that day, and he knew that nothing would be able to fill it; she was his first and only true love. Daryl chuckled humorlessly to himself, at how cheesy and cliché that sounded, if Merle were here he would kick him in the ass and call him a pussy.

"How is he?" Maggie asked as Rick joined her and Glenn at the supper table that evening.

Rick blew out a haggard sigh. "Same as before, he's not healing, Maggie. It's like a piece of him died that day." I worry about him, he might not ever be the same again.

Maggie looked over at Daryl, who was off by himself fashioning arrows with his back to the group, a sad look crossed her face.

Michonne suddenly slammed her silverware down with a loud clatter, causing everyone at the quiet table to jump. "Enough of this shit!" She said as she grabbed a plate of food and strode over to him.

If Daryl heard her coming, which she was sure he did, he didn't show it, he continued whittling away at the branch in his hand.

"Look, I know what you are going through, everyone in this whole fucking group knows, we've all lost people, you're not the only one! I know you're mad as hell at everyone and everything, because that's your MO, that's how you operate. You get hurt, you push people away. People try to get close, you push them away. You tried that with Charlotte, but it didn't work, because as far as stubbornness goes, you met your match in her." Michonne said as a sad, nostalgic smile crossed her face as she thought of her friend.

Daryl suddenly rounded on her, his once bright blue eyes glistening with tears.

"You think you know?! You don't know SHIT!" He spat in response, brandishing the knife in his hand as he gestured angrily.

"And do you think this is what Charlotte would want for you? Going along on autopilot, pushing away everyone who cares about you?"

"DON'T YOU … DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT WHAT SHE'D WANT!" He choked out through the lump forming in his throat as he advanced on her, Michonne drew her sword, just in case she needed to defend herself.

"You think you're the only one who is grieving over her death? She was one of my best friends! Michonne bit back, gesturing to herself with her sword for emphasis.

Daryl let out an animalistic roar as he charged at her and took a swipe at her with his knife, she easily dodged his attack and hit him (albeit as lightly as she could) square in the back with the hilt of her sword, causing him to do a face plant in the fresh snow.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Rick, Glenn and a few others rise from their places at the table to lend assistance, she waved them off.

"You go right on ahead and attack me if it makes you feel better, get it all out, all that anger, all that grief that you've been holding in all these months." Michonne said as Daryl staggered to his feet, breathing hard from the emotions threatening to spill out of him.

"I shoulda killed him when I had the chance! If I had, he wouldn't …" Daryl trailed off as his legs buckled under him and he fell to his knees, the knife falling from his hand onto the snow next to him with a soft plop.

"… But Rick… he … he just wanted to kick him out! If I had just killed him …" He trailed off as all the pain and anguish he had been holding in since the incident happened came flooding out and he wept, he didn't give a fuck anymore if anyone saw him.

Michonne knelt down next to him and put her hand on his shoulder, tears stinging her own eyes.

"I know how deeply you loved her, Daryl. That was obvious to everyone, regardless how much you tried to hide it." She said, smiling through her tears as she nudged him playfully.

"But, you have to move on eventually, because staying stuck like this, it's gonna kill you, believe me, I know, I've been there. Now, that doesn't mean you forget her, because let's face it, that little Pirate, she was one in a million, she was the kind of person that resonates in your soul. There ain't no forgetting her." She said as she smiled reassuringly at him.

"Now, what do you say we pick ourselves up and get some grub?" She said as she stood and offered her hand.

Daryl stared at her hand for what seemed like a fortnight, his eyes narrowed into a guarded expression for a split second before he nodded and allowed her to help him to his feet.

The wounds still stung, as they probably always would; but he felt better than he had in a long time as he walked with Michonne to the table.

"Charlotte, I know I'm no doctor, but I have to say, your ability to heal so rapidly is … amazing!" Eastman said as she removed the last set of bandages she would need.

"I still really wish you would stay, I'm not as young as I used to be and I could really use the help."

Charlotte smiled sadly at him. "I wish I could stay, I really do. I love this place, but there is someone out there that I have to find."

"Ahhh yes, your man." Eastman replied with an understanding smile.

"I hope you understand." Charlotte said as she held out her hand.

"Of course I do, that kind of love is a special thing, especially in this hellish world." He said as they shook.

"Thanks, Eastman, for everything. I know there is nothing I can do to repay you for saving me, and nursing me back to health."

"No need to thank me, all life is precious, remember? I couldn't just leave you lying there to die, besides, your dog wasn't going to take no for an answer." Eastman said with a chuckle. "Besides, I have thoroughly enjoyed your company, both of you." He said as he smiled down at Gavin.

"Here, I have something for you." Eastman said as he handed her a back pack that had some weight to it.

Charlotte opened it to find supplies, food, first aid kit, and loads of survival supplies.

"Consider it a parting gift." Eastman said with a warm smile.

Charlotte's eye grew misty and she suddenly dashed at Eastman and threw her arms around his neck.

"Thank you, Eastman, for everything." She said as she released him.

"You better get going, now, you don't have much daylight this time of year." Eastman said as he sniffled and did his best to swallow the lump in his throat.

Charlotte gave him a final smile and a wave as she left, Eastman watched her through the window, sadness enveloped him as he watched her as she gave a final goodbye pat to Tabitha, and disappeared into the tree line of the forest that surrounded his home.

Eastman was suddenly aware of the heavy veil of sadness that hung over him as he stared at the spot where she had disappeared, her footprints slowly being erased by the newly falling snow. The tough little one eyed woman had grown on him, and they had grown into close friends in the short months she had been here.

"Good luck, little girl." I hope you find your family." He said.

Charlotte wasn't sure how long she had walked; she didn't imagine it was far in the ever deepening snow. She needed to find a vehicle, and soon. But first, she needed to fine somewhere to stay for the night, luckily, the cold weather she loathed served really well to slow down the walkers, most she was able to skirt right past with even being noticed.

It was almost dark by the time she reached town, she decided on what used to be a general store, all the windows were boarded up and it had a sturdy iron cage in front of the door that, by the grace of god, was open. The door was locked, but the rusty aging lock gave way with a quick jimmy from her crow bar.

She crept in, pausing at the door entrance to allow her eyes time to adjust to the darkness, she didn't hear anything, but that didn't mean she was alone, either. She fished an LED flashlight out of the pack Eastman had given her and scanned the store, her hunch was right, she was alone, no walkers, and more importantly, no living humans.

Charlotte closed the iron cage behind her and used a chain she always kept in her pack to secure it, she rolled out her sleeping bag in the middle of the floor, shivering against the cold that seeped in from outside. She wriggled into it with all her winter clothes still on, wishing Daryl was here to keep her warm with his body heat. A tear slid down her cheek as she thought of him.

'Don't worry, you will find him.' A voice inside her head told her, she prayed it was right, because in this world, the odds of finding anyone once you were separated were small, this wasn't the age of cell phones and GPS tracking anymore.

She blew out a sigh, her breath hanging silvery in the air above her as she wiped her tears away. She would find him, but for now, she was once again on her own.