Hey everyone!

Thank you all for your awesome reviews,you guys are so amazing,and here's my little Christmas gift to you all (or any other holiday you celebrate) that I know you will like.

All as ,my poll is closed and results are in so thanks everyone who voted!

Enjoy :)

Carl was eating his dinner when a loud crash echoed through the cafeteria. Everyone in proximity turned over to see Nick, a boy from Woodbury,run into Mika. The little girl appeared to have been getting her dinner,while Nick had been arguing with one of the other boys about something before spinning around and stomping off,running into the poor girl in the process.

Carl frowned as the other boy looked upon Mika with narrowed eyes. He hated Nick. The boy was loud,rude and just plain mean. To make it worse,he had tried nonstop to get Rileys attention. It pissed Carl off,though Riley never responded to his advances. She usually would just roll her eyes and walk away,but Nick was persistent.

Mika looked terrified,knowing of Nicks horrible temper. She started to mumble words of an apology,picking up her tray and ruined food to avoid his eyes. No one moved,all expecting the boy to help the little girl himself,for it wasn't her fault. But he did no such thing.

A sneer crept up on his face,his brown eyes murky with rage. He opened his mouth,ready to no doubt yell at the poor girl,when the cafeteria door burst open. Carl's father,Daryl and Riley walked in,no trace of the usual joy of after a run on their faces. That worried Carl,though he was happy to see they were okay.

Nick took one look at Riley before his face shifted from disgust to sugary happiness,turning the facade to Mika.

"Its fine," he says,his voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. It made Carl sick. "I didn't like this shirt anyway."

The boy even went as far as to help pick up Mikas dinner,something he would've usually laugh about and kick the food aside. Riley paid them no attention,her eyes set directly on Carl. Her face was like stone,unreadable and permanent. She gestured towards the door before walking through it,Carl standing up to follow. Daryl cast him a look he couldn't place,but he had a feeling it was bad.

He followed Riley through the prison,the girl never saying a word. He was about to ask her when she led him into his cell. He was incredibly confused and nervous,having no idea what was going through her head. Then she turned to him,her head hung.

He stepped forward. "Riley . . . ?"

She looked up at him then,and he saw her eyes. They were wide and full of tears,puffy and red around the edges from crying earlier. His own eyes widened,a second before she launched herself at him,latching her arms around his neck in a vice-like grip. Startled didn't even describe how felt at that moment.

She was crying into his shoulder,her voice muffled through his shirt. "I'm so sorry Carl," she murmured. "I'm so sorry."

He turned his head slightly to look at her. "About what?" He asks,incredibly confused.

"Everything," she says,still burrowed into his shoulder. "These pasts months,not talking to you. Me being a complete bitch. But you never were mean to me about it. You still tried to be my friend,and for that,I'm so sorry."

She looked up at him then,tears still streaming,but a determination in her eyes,one he hadn't seen since Michael died. It was something Carl thought he'd never see again,and in his eyes,it was beautiful.

"Today at Big Spot," she murmured,her eyes still locked with his. "Zack tried to get me to laugh,and he did. We had been joking around when walkers spilled from the roof. It was awful,and Bob was ever him,but I look over and . . ." Her expression tightened. "They were eating him.Just tearing Zack apart. He was screaming,Christ,he was screaming. Daryl had to literally drag me out as the store fell apart."

"Oh God," Carl whispered,imagining the scene. It was horrible. He had liked Zack. While a bit older,he had been funny and always willing to lend a hand,even with the kids. He had even made Daryl chuckle once or twice.

"And you know what I realized then,Carl?" Riley says,her eyes flashing with that determination. He simply turns his head,his curious expression enough of an answer.

"We all die. The happy,the sad,the good and the bad. No matter what,we're all gonna die. Zack had been laughing not a minute before he had been torn apart. He was bringing joy to those around him,even a moment before death. Even good people die. I realized that and I know that shutting you out had been foolish. What if you had gone with us? What if had died? I could've lost you forever. I can't live with that regret."

Carl's face heated up. Was she really saying all this? Despite such a horrible incident,he couldn't help but feel hopeful.

She kissed him then,surprising him yet again. It was sweet,simple,and everything he knew ever needed. They pulled away after a moment,reading each others expressions. She looked at him with such hope that it melted his insides. He nodded slowly,a smile creeping up on his lips.

"I get it," he says. "And I'm so sorry about Zack. He was an amazing guy. But are we good?"

Riley smiled,a real smile that touched her eyes. "Yeah,we're good."

Not ten minutes later they were both curled up on his cot,Riley fast asleep after talking for a few more minutes. He watched her face,so peaceful in sleep.

He had thought he had truly lost her to her own demons. He thought he would never see her,the true Riley,ever again. Carl knew she still had some demons to face,but now they were in this together. He let her step away before and he wasn't going to ever let that happen again. He smirked at the thought of Nick,the sleaze who thought he actually had a chance.

Carl looked down at the content Riley in front of him,her slim hand clutching his shirt even in sleep. His smile grew as he let sleep drift him away as well.

Ha,in your dreams Nick.

Okay,just a little sweet bit. A little too sweet for me I believe . . .

Follow/Favorite/Review

Also,this may be my last update for AWHILE,though I will try once more tonight,BUT NO PROMISES. I'm sorry :/

Abby 'Zombie Slayin' Dixon ,over and out.