Dead or alive, I love you

4.5 internment

Daryl walks into his cell expecting Genny already in bed. He frowns seeing her bow is missing with her backpack. He goes to Rick and knocks on the wall before walking in.

"You seen Gen today?" He asks a little worried.

"Now I think about it. I haven't seen her since yesterday," Rick frowns while rocking Judith to sleep.

"Thanks," Daryl sighs walking off.

He keeps looking around until he decides to go out and look for her as she's probably in the woods.

"You sure she's out there?" Rick asks.

"She's stubborn as a horse. You tell her to stay somewhere and don't go do something. She's already thinking of a thousand ways to do the thing you told her not to do," Daryl sighs throwing his crossbow over his shoulder.

Daryl walks around the woods with his flashlight out and his crossbow ready. "You see her tracks?" Carl asks.

Daryl points at a boot track in the mud. "That's her boot print. I memorized it in case she ever ran off," Daryl explains as they keep walking.

"Smart," Carl notes his gun out too.

Daryl chuckles looking at Carl. "I need to ask you a favor," he says before pausing, "if we find her but she ain't her anymore..."

"I'll do it," Carl says nodding.

Daryl looks at him, "thanks." He says softly.

He stops and looks at the tracks that get sloppy. "She's got it," he says speeding up his pace.

They stop as a twig snaps behind them and both point their weapons in the face of Genny. Daryl immediately throws his crossbow around his shoulder.

"Hey," he says picking her up as she almost falls over.

She puts her arms around his neck as he starts walking fast with Carl in front of them. "What were you thinking?" He asks her anger with worry.

"We need food?" She coughs.

He looks at her with a sigh as she has her eyes closed. "You need to stop getting yourself killed," he says softly.

In the prison Hershel takes care of Genny after Daryl and Carl got back safely. Hershel looks at Daryl as he bites his nails worried. "You asked Glenn for his blessing yet?" He asks.

Daryl nods, "looking for a ring. But I can't find the right one." He sighs looking at Genny.

"There never is a right one. But," Hershel looks at Genny, "I think she's a simple woman. She would be happy just to be a Dixon." He smiles before getting up.

Daryl smiles as Hershel walks out, "she'll be okay." He says.

Daryl sits in the chair and looks at her pale body. He grabs his knife with a shaking hand as Rick walks in. "You worried?" He asks looking at the knife.

"No, just prepared," Daryl says not looking up.

"Mentally or physically?" Rick asks looking at Genny.

"Both," Daryl whispers as Rick leans against the wall, also holding his knife out.