Carol woke early the next morning staring at the small ceiling in her room. Her eyes traced the little patterns in the old plaster and she smiled. She was excited. Excited and terrified all at once. The sun was a thin strip on the horizon as she sat up in her bed. I am going home today, she thought. The realization made her heart skip a beat. She knew what she was returning home to, but somehow, it wasn't the waiting dangers that frightened her so much. She was afraid of how much everything had changed, how her family had changed, and how nothing would ever be the same again. Negan, his Saviors... they had turned their lives upside down. This was a whole new game they were playing now. The old rules didn't apply anymore. What happened to Glenn... Carol vowed then and there that she would stop at nothing to keep her loved ones safe. She never wanted them to face a similar fate again. She thought of Daryl, and her breath shuddered. Things were different between them now. Things had changed for them, too. When he had kissed her... last night, on that balcony... Carol realized something she should have known long ago. She loved him. Not just as a friend, or a member of her family... but as a man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, however long that may be. With Daryl, she had something to fight for. With Daryl, she had a reason to live. And nothing— not Negan, not even death itself— could ever take that away from her. She would like to see them try.

Carol got up, changing into fresh clothes when movement from the window caught her attention. She looked outside staring down at the back school yard and saw a man with a long stick sparring with an invisible opponent. The sun had not completely risen but the sky was a bright pink now, and mist laid around the yard like lingering spirits. Carol sighed. There were a few things she would have to do before they left today. And she would have to swallow her pride to do it.

A few early risers were having breakfast in the cafeteria as Carol grabbed two mugs of coffee. She exited through the back, passed down the hallway, and opened the door to the yard. The grass was wet with dew as Carol approached the man, watching him practice. He paid her no attention.

"You don't ever stop, do you?" she said, after some time had passed.

"Nope," Morgan responded, still moving, still focused.

Carol waited a moment before letting out a sigh. "Here," she muttered, handing him the steaming cup. Morgan stopped and stared at her, reaching for his mug. "You brought me coffee?" he asked. Carol shrugged.

"Thank you." Morgan blew on the rim, taking a long, careful sip.

"Listen, Morgan," Carol began, tapping her thumb nervously on her cup. "Things between us... I know it's been rocky. I haven't been very friendly to you. In fact, I've been down right awful. I wanted to apologize for that."

Morgan lowered his mug, staring remorsefully at the ground. "After what I did to you? You shouldn't be the one apologizing."

"Someone once forgave me for doing something unforgivable," Carol said. "What you did doesn't even compare."

"Doesn't matter," Morgan said, looking at her. "We might have both been in the wrong that night, with the walkers and the Wolf, but I took it too far. And for that, I am truly sorry."

The confrontation between Morgan and Carol at Alexandria may have ended in a physical fight, but it was more than him knocking her out that caused this animosity between them. He had made her question her beliefs, her very morals, and that is what ultimately triggered her final decision to leave her home behind. Morgan was right when he said he got to her. But she couldn't put all the blame on him. No one made her leave. In the end, it was her choice. Just as it was her choice to return to the place where she belonged.

"Well," said Carol. "For what it's worth, I forgive you."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Morgan asked her, seriously. "You had plenty of time to do it. Daryl, Rick... why didn't you say anything?"

Carol knew without a doubt if she had told Daryl, he would have tried to kill him. And Rick... well, Rick didn't have to know every little thing that went on all the time. He had enough on his plate as it was.

"I didn't tell anyone because it was nobody's business but ours," she told him. "I just want to move on from this."

"I told Rick," Morgan admitted, surprising her even. "When we went out looking for you, I told him what had happened. I'm not proud of what I did. But I'm not gonna hide from it, either. I'll tell Daryl myself, if that's what you want. I'm ready to face the consequences."

"Morgan," Carol said, warningly. "I'm going to advise that you don't do that."

Morgan and Carol stared at each other for a moment, before Morgan chuckled softly to himself. "Yeah," he said, finally. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

Carol sighed with relief, chuckling as well. A silence fell between them then as the sky began to brighten. Birds were singing somewhere in the trees and Carol smiled at him. "I'm trying this new thing about starting over," she said, holding out her hand. "What do you say? Think we can be friends?"

Morgan smiled back, taking her hand in his. "I think I'd like that," he said, and their hands shook. Carol looked towards the school building, knowing in a few hours, they would be heading home. "I need to ask you something," Carol said. "After what happened between us, after all the awful things I said... you still stuck with me. Why? Why did you care so much?"

Morgan looked to the ground, nodding gently. "Because someone once did the same for me," he said. "I suppose this was my way of paying him back."

They stared at each other, and for the very first time, they seemed to have come to an understanding. Carol gave him one last nod before she turned back, heading for the school, and smiling at the coming of the new day.

"Can't believe you let that asshole go."

Daryl and Rick were loading crates of food and medical supplies together up into the wagon parked by the front gate. It was nearing noon, and they were eager to head out before the sun reached too high in the sky. Ezekiel had offered them more rations, but as they only had so much room to fit in their car, they would take what was essential for their first trip back.

"It was Ezekiel's call to make," said Rick. "He's the one in charge here, not me. Besides, we had to let Dwight go. If we hadn't, those Saviors would've come looking for him."

"He has my crossbow, man," Daryl rumbled, dangerously.

Rick had the decency to look contrite. "It would've looked suspicious if he returned without it," he explained.

Daryl scoffed. "Yeah. If he had your gun, you'd be singing a different tune." He sighed then, kicking up the dust a bit. "Think trusting him was a mistake?"

"I can't say I trust him a hundred percent," said Rick. "But having someone working for us on the inside... we could use all the help we can get."

Daryl didn't look convinced. Rick sighed. "Look, when you first met him in those woods, you asked him the three questions, right? You wouldn't have done that if you hadn't seen something there. Maybe this is genuine. Maybe whatever good that was in him once is still in there somewhere."

"You sound just like Carol. She said something similar last night."

"Oh, yeah?" Rick smiled. "Last night, huh?"

Daryl gave him a warning look, reaching down to grab a box of vegetables.

"So," said Rick, picking up another crate. "We got Carol back."

"Mm-hmm."

"You two make up, then?"

"She's coming home with us, ain't she?"

"I'm happy for you."

Daryl dropped his crate in the wagon, staring at him.

"I am," said Rick. "Finding her, bringing her home, I know how much that means to you."

Daryl nodded, chewing on his lip. "Yeah."

"She seemed different to me this morning," Rick added. "Happier. Maybe not happier, but... more at peace. And sometimes, I've noticed, when she looks at you... she even smiles again."

Daryl's face turned beet red. "Don't," he muttered.

"Don't what?"

"Just don't."

"There's nothing wrong with that."

"Rick."

"Everybody needs somebody."

"You need to shut your mouth, is what you nee—"

"Can I help at all here?"

Daryl blushed harder than ever as Carol strolled up to greet them. She was smiling at him, and Daryl thought maybe Rick had a point. She did seem happier. More like old herself, even. He wanted to believe he had something to do with that. He wanted to feel that sense of pride in knowing that she had opened up to him and only him, and an overwhelming desire to hold her suddenly took him. He wanted to gather her up in his arms and protect her from the dangers of the world. He wanted to shield her from the pain and grief that waited for them both, but he knew she would never let him take that on alone. They were a team, the two of them. They would fight this battle together. As long as she was safe, as long as she was alive, he would fight and keep on fighting. With her by his side, he had something to fight for. With her in his life, he had a new reason to live.

Carol shielded her eyes from the sun as she gazed up at the wagon. "Five people in a car, plus all this? Will we fit?" Rick gave the standing horse a pat on the neck. "We'll fit," he said. "It'll be tight, but we'll make it work. The Hilltop is not too far from here. Once we drop off Jesus, and he starts gathering his people, we'll head home and tell the others of the plan. We'll hear what they have to say and take it from there." Daryl wondered if the others would be angry for being kept in the dark for so long, but he knew why Rick had to do it. The less that people knew, the less chance they had of being ratted out. He trusted his people with his life, but with Negan's spies running around... no, this was the right call. He would stick up for Rick if anyone gave him grief. He just hoped Michonne was ok while holding down the fort.

"We'll be coming back here soon," Daryl said softly to Carol. "With our guys and whoever Jesus brings."

"That's right," said Rick. "We still got to be quiet about this, so we'll make sure the rest of Alexandria thinks we're going on a supply run. Truth is, we'll be training some of the Hilltop people how to fight, test their marksmanship. We'll include the Kingdom people too, but Ezekiel tells me they know how to fight."

"Someone will have to stay behind to keep Alexandria safe," said Carol.

"Negan's next tribute is in five days," said Rick. "While the others are here, I'll take the rest of Ezekiel's rations back with me. I won't leave Alexandria unprotected."

"I'll stay, if need be," said Daryl.

"Me, too," Carol added, quickly. Daryl didn't miss the way she stepped closer to him.

"We don't have to decide that right now," said Rick. "We'll talk to the others about it first." Rick stared at the pair. "Either way," he grinned, "they're all going to be glad to see you two again."

Daryl didn't realize it until it was too late, but he was actually smiling. Rick chuckled at him, patting his shoulder as he walked towards Jesus and Morgan, who were heading their way. Daryl looked down at Carol, and was surprised to see her look suddenly tearful.

"Hey," he said gently. "You alright?"

"It's just..." Carol paused, staring at the ground. "Going back home now, without Maggie, without Glenn... I never got to say goodbye..."

"Hey..."

"I still can't believe he's gone," she said. "Glenn was always so... he was so..."

Carol didn't have to say it. Daryl understood. "Yeah," he muttered. "I know."

"That could've been you," she whispered. The tears were shinning brightly now.

"It could've been any of us," Daryl said.

"But it could've been you." Carol was staring at him now, fierce yet doleful. "I should've been there..."

"No," said Daryl, horrified. "That's the last place I wanted you to be."

Carol held his gaze for a moment, nodding as she wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to bring that up. I've just been thinking about how much everything has changed. Nothing will ever be the same again, will it?"

"Not all change is bad," said Daryl, and he reached out to touch her hand. Carol stared at him, blinking, then slowly smiled as he shyly smiled back. They both ducked their heads then, nervous as two teenagers with bright red faces. Daryl quickly pulled his hand away, scratching the back of his neck. "Haven't seen the others in a long time," he said, clearing his throat. "It'll be nice to get back."

"They all must really hate me," Carol said. She looked at him, and Daryl could see the fear and guilt in her eyes.

"If anyone gives you shit," he said, "I'll handle it."

Carol smiled, but shook her head. "No," she told him. "If the others want to talk to me about it, then we'll talk. We need to trust each other again, now more than ever. We're a family. And that's what families do."

It eased Daryl's mind to see her smile again, and he nodded at her. She turned her head, and he followed her gaze as Rick returned with Jesus and Morgan. "We all ready then?" said Jesus, and as if on queue, the young patrol guard who had escorted them into the Kingdom suddenly appeared before them. "Hey, guys!" he beamed, as he climbed up the wagon. "I'm going to take you back to your car today." He looked down at Carol and lowered his hand. "Afternoon, ma'am, I'm Scott," he said. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you, too," Carol chuckled, shaking his hand. There was a low rumbling sound, like a roar, and everyone looked up to see Ezekiel approach them all with Shiva by his side. Daryl instinctively stepped in front of Carol. Ezekiel may have had good control over that thing, but still... a tiger's a tiger.

"Safe travels to you, Rick Grimes and company!" said Ezekiel. "May the roads be clear and your hearts high on your journey home. Tell your people what we have discussed, then make a swift trip back. We will all be looking for your return."

"I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for us, your majesty," said Rick, rather formally. Daryl snorted.

"Do not thank me just yet," said Ezekiel. "We have a long and perilous road before us, but I know with our combined efforts, we will see victory in the coming days ahead." Ezekiel smiled at them all as he gave the command to open the gates. Slowly the gates moved outward, and Scott took up the reins. "Alright," he said. "I've got plenty of room up here for one more. Ma'am, would you like a ride with me?"

"No thank you," Carol said, smiling at Daryl. "I think I'd rather walk today."

Scott look slightly crestfallen. "Well," he mumbled, "doesn't anyone want to ride with me?"

"Ah, hell," said Jesus. "Why not? I'll ride with you, Scott."

"Thanks, Paul!"

As the gates parted at last, and Jesus climbed aboard, Rick, Morgan, Carol and Daryl stood behind the wagon while Scott clicked for the horse to move. Daryl looked to Carol, nodding at her. "You ready?" he asked. Carol took his hand. "I am," she said. The wagon jerked forward, and Carol and Daryl stared at each other before following after the others. The road would be long and perilous. The dangers in front of them were real and waiting, but in that moment, with Carol's hand holding his, Daryl felt as though nothing in the world could stop them. Whatever perils that came their way, whatever challenges that threatened them, Daryl knew they would overcome them all. They marched out from the gate, hand in hand, ready to face the world together.

A/N: I really want to thank you guys for reading and for all the lovely comments left for this story. I'm new to writing stuff like this, so to hear such positive feedback really means a lot to me. This took me much longer to finish than I had anticipated (real life and all, you know how that goes) so thank you guys for your patience.

As soon as season 7 rolls around, this story will be null and void, but hopefully this was something fun to read during the long hiatus. As far as what will happen on the show... I don't know. I'm really excited now to see where this next season will take us. I don't expect Daryl or Carol to reunite like this, or even see them together again until at least the second half of the season. I do expect a lot of pain and sorrow, though, let me tell you. Let's just hope whenever they DO reunite... it will be worth the wait. Can't we just have nice things for once?

Thanks again to all you lovely readers! You rock my socks off :)