Rick stood on the front porch with Carl. They watched as Maggie and Daryl came riding in.
Daryl immediately jumped off the horse, running up to Rick. "Where is she?"
"In here." Rick took Daryl into the bedroom where Alicia laid. "Shes been coming in and out of concussions. All she's said is your name."
Rick stood awkwardly in the door for a minute, looking at Daryl. "I'll leave you two alone then."
Daryl walked over to her side, kneeling down onto the floor. "You're gonna be alright." He mumbled. "I don't know why you're asking for me." He laughed dryly. "I can't help you, darling'."
"Actually you might can." Daryl looked up to see an older man in the doorway. "What type of blood do you have?"
"O... why?" Daryl asked.
"She's one lucky girl." The old man chuckled. "People with type O blood can donate to anyone." He looked to Alicia. "She needs a blood transfusion right now."
Daryl sat down in a chair, pulling it up beside her bed. "Well c'mon doc, let's go!"
—————
"Ok so I understand when Shane get back with this other man-"
"Otis." Hershel corrected.
"The idiot who shot Ali." Daryl said, using the nickname Rick had called her earlier.
"Sir, it was an accident."
"Yeah whatever. For now he's the idiot who shot Ali." Daryl snapped.
"Daryl, they're doing everything they can to make it right." Rick sighed.
"Alright." He sighed. "As soon as they get back you can do this surgery?"
"I'll certainly do my best." Hershel nodded.
"Ok... you've done this before, right?" Daryl raised an eyebrow.
"Well yes, in a sense."
"In a sense?" Daryl began to stand up.
"Honey, we don't have the luxury of shopping for a surgeon." A woman said to him.
"Naw, I got that. But, I mean, you're a doctor, right?" Daryl looked at Hershel.
"Yes, a vet." He nodded.
"Aw hell, you're a veteran. A combat medic, she'll be fine." Daryl breathed.
"A veterinarian."
Daryl looked at Rick, his eyes wide. "You've done this shit on what... cows and pigs?" He sat down in his chair. "This is too damn much."
—————
Daryl sat in the chair beside Alicia, giving her another blood transfusion. "Your wife is very lucky." Hershel smiled.
Daryl looked up. "My wife... no. Naw we're ain't married. Jus' friends is all." He mumbled.
"Ah." Hershel nodded. "You're an idiot."
Daryl furrowed his brows. "What the hell you mean by that?"
Hershel laughed, taking the needle from his arm. "I mean it's quite obvious. The way she called out for you only when I was taking part of the bullet from her side. How you rushed in here to be with her... there's much more than platonic feelings there."
"Maybe it's only one sided." Daryl mumbled.
"Are you saying she doesn't feel the same way towards you?" Hershel raised an eyebrow.
"Why would she?"
Hershel stepped back, watching as Alicia's eyes fluttered open. "Why don't you ask her." He said, stepping out of the room.
"Daryl?" She mumbled, opening her eyes.
"I'm right here." He said quietly, gently moving some hair out of her face. "Got here as quick as I could."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." He chuckled.
She looked around the room, furrowing her brows. "Where is everyone?"
"They're on their way. You wanted them all h-"
"No I didn't." She shook her head, looking at Daryl. "I only asked for you."
"And you got me." He hesitated, thinking hard about it before slowly taking her hand. "And I ain't leaving."
"I don't want you to." She mumbled, her eyes closing once again.
"Good."
