Cowboy

14) Pull Through

"Hershel said you need to eat." Rick said, walking into the room where Daryl and Alicia sat.

"Alicia's gonna be alright." Daryl said, still staring down at the girl.

"Yeah, and you need to keep your strength up so when she does wake up you can be there for her." Rick handed him a plate with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on it.

A whole passed and Daryl finished eating, walking into the living room to see Glenn, Lori, and T-Dog.

Glenn looked nervously at Daryl. "Um, we're here, ok... for her." He said quickly.

"Thanks." Daryl grunted.

"Whatever she needs." T-Dog added.

"They don't get back soon, we're gonna have a decision to make." Hershel said, referring to Otis and Shane who had went off to get her some supplies.

"And that is?" Rick asked.

"Whether to operate on Alicia without the respirator." He sighed.

Daryl shook his head. "You said that wouldn't work." He scoffed.

"I know. It's extremely unlikely. But we can't wait much longer." He looked to Daryl. "Pretty soon we won't have a choice. It's either operation... or she dies."

"Daryl?" Alicia's voice flowed into the living room. He turned away, rushing to her side. Carl, Hershel, and Glenn followed him.

"I'm right here, you ain't got rid of me yet." He assured her, taking her hand in his.

"Alicia?" Carl stepped up to the bed, looking at her.

"Hey buddy." She coughed. She looked up, seeing Glenn. "Hi Glenn. I'm glad my two favorite guys came to check in on me." She laughed looking over to Daryl. "And Daryl's here too." She smiled weakly.

"Oh yeah, I only busted my ass on the back of a horse to make sure you were alive." He scoffed.

She smiled, looking up at Glenn. "He's colorful." She looked around the room, smiling at Carl. "Glenn can you hand me..."

She stopped, her body freezing for a moment before starting to violently shake. Carl stepped back, running into the living room. Glenn tried to grab her hand before Hershel slapped him away.

"Don't. It's a seizure. If you hold her down you could hurt her." He said to Glenn.

"You can't stop it?" Daryl asked, eyes wide as he watched her. Glenn noticed the fear that was evident there.

"She has to just go through it. Her brain isn't getting enough blood. Her pressure is bottoming. She needs another transfusion." Hershel sighed.

Daryl nodded. "Okay I'm ready."

"If I take any more out of you your body could shut down. You could go into a coma. Or cardiac arrest." He looked at Daryl, shaking his head.

Daryl thrusted his arm towards Hershel. "You're wasting time. I'd rather it be me than her."

Glenn and Daryl watched as slowly her seizure stopped. "Is she ok?" Glenn asked, immediately taking her hand.

"For now." Hershel sighed. She's still losing blood faster than we can replace it. And with the swelling in her abdomen we can't wait any longer or she's just going to slip away. Now I need to know right now if you want me to do this, because I think your friend is out of time. You have to make a choice." He looked to Daryl.

"A choice?" Glenn asked. He looked over to Daryl. "We gotta do it." He pleaded.

Daryl looked between Glenn and Alicia for a moment before sighing. "Do it."

"Okay, get the corner of that bed. Let's get the sheets down. Get the I.V. bag on the sheet. Okay, on three. One, two, three. Daryl, Glenn, you may want to step out." Hershel commanded the room, sending tasks flying.

"They're here!" Rick yelled, running into the room. "They're back."

"Oh God." Glenn breathed.

"Glenn you stay here with her. Daryl come help me get this stuff." Hershel orders.

Daryl nodded, leaving Glenn alone with Alicia.

Glen walked over to her bed, holding her hand. "I know I don't know you that well," he started. "But you are the only one who hasn't treated me like a kid." He squeezed her hand tighter. "Your ass better pull through."