Saving Grace

The Church

The group continued to walk, although they were without a home they felt at peace. They were together, that's all that mattered.

"So, you missed me huh Dare?" Daryl rolled his eyes, looking down at the smug ginger woman. He wouldn't admit it but he thought of her every single day, hoping to god she was okay.

"Don't call me that." Was all he said, causing her to bump into his side, her hand grazing his.

"Missed you too, Daryl." Before the man could respond the group was halted by the sound of screaming, begging for help. Their eyes met what looked like a priest on top of a rock, pushing walkers hands away.

"Dad, we have to help him." Carl urged. When Rick disagreed Carl ran forward, killing the first walker.

"Damn, this kid outta be lucky I like him." Ivy muttered before running forward as well, slicing a walkers head. After it was clear they helped the priest off the rock. He held up a finger, causing them to furrow their eyebrows, but that was until he puked up the what was left in his stomach.

"Dang man, watch the shoes." Daryl snorted at Ivy's comment before pushing her behind him, crossbow raised.

"This dude obviously ain't got shit why aim at him?" Rick patted her shoulder before patting the priest for weapons.

"D-Do you have any food? What I had left is on the floor." The man asked, swallowing hard. Ivy would of gave the man something if she had anything, but all she had left was Judith's formula.

"I have some nuts." Carl offered, the man happily taking it.

"Here, this isn't much but I'm sure you're thirsty after puking your guts out." Ivy pulled out half a bottle of water, the man also taking it and thanking the two.

"You alone? Have a place?" Rick asked, looking him up and down. He didn't seem like much, so he knew if he were a threat, he could take care of it.

"I am never alone, for I have god. The church is my home." Ivy rolled her eyes, but was elbowed by Sophia for it, causing her to stick her tongue out at the young girl.

"Be nice." Sophia whispered, causing Ivy to take in a large breath of air, huffing but nodding.

"Damn kids, trying to make me nice." She muttered, causing Maggie to rub her arm.

"You're sweet Ivy, no need to hide it." Giving the woman a fake laugh the group followed the man to his church.

"I see you're getting better with that katana." Michonne mentioned, Ivy laughing. She looked at her katana, shaking her head.

"Still need those lessons 'Chonne, gotta know the ways of the ninja." Michonne gave a smile, knocking her shoulder into the woman. Michonne couldn't help but to like the woman, her sense of humor similar to her own.

When they arrived to the church Ivy looked at it skeptically, it looked awfully clean for it being the end of the world. How did he survive here by himself, with no weapons, for this long? Something wasn't adding up and it unsettled her.

"Ivy, Glenn, take a scan around the building. Daryl, come in with me and check it. Everyone else stay out here." Rick ordered, nods earned from the group. Ivy walked around the right side, Glenn around the left. Carl and Sophia followed Ivy, and she didn't argue, three sets of eyes is better than one.

"Hey Ivy, look at this." Carl called out, causing the woman to turn around. She was glad they followed, because she would of missed it; nail marks and carved into the paint was "you'll burn for this". Ivy ran her fingers over the markings, shaking her head.

"When everyone is inside ask your father to come out, show him this. We don't need the priest knowing we saw this." Carl nodded, walking away, holding onto Sophia's hand to have her follow. Ivy bit her inner cheek, thinking of who could of left this. Did someone do this before or after the dead rose? If it was after, what did the supposedly alone priest do? Walking back to the front of the building, she met back up with the group.

"Everything look okay?" Rick asked, causing the woman to rub her arm in contemplation. She nodded over to Carl, before pulling him closer.

"He has something to show you later, don't want to make a scene till we know what we are dealing with." She whispered, earning a nod. Everyone went inside, picking spots to lay down in for the night. Before she could find a spot her arm was grabbed by Daryl, him pulling her towards a corner.

"You're sleeping over here with me. Don't trust that guy." A smile came to her face, sitting down on the small pallet he made out of blankets the priest had.

"Think I can't defend myself from a little priest? He gonna slap me with a bible?" The man rolled his eyes and sat next to her, pulling his boots off.

"I know you can handle yourself, just want ya over here. Ain't losin' you again." After kicking her boots off she pecked his cheek, causing him to rub his cheek with his shoulder.

"I ain't got cooties Daryl, c'mon now." Daryl laid back, covering his eyes with his arm, grunting as his back popped.

"Don't kiss me in front of people." He grumbled, causing the woman to smirk.

"Sayin' I can kiss you in private Daryl?" She teased, laying on her side and facing him. The man sighed, moving his arm to stare at the ceiling.

"Gonna be the death of me, woman." Smiling she laid her head on his chest, but she was slightly surprised when he put his arm over her shoulders, holding her to him.

"Damn, lovebirds, just make out and shake your jimmies already." Abraham laughed out, Daryl flipping the red haired man off. After the interaction, the room fell silent, the group getting much needed sleep.

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I didn't wanna be like most books on here that instantly make Daryl open up and have a hayday but at the same time my brain so badly wants them to be together already lol. But heeeeey he opened up soooome