Cowboy

55) Peachy

That night, Alicia managed to convince Daryl to sleep in the cell with her. He agreed but only for she agreed that he slept on a little pallet on the floor.

Alicia was feeding Jordan as Daryl made his bed, sitting down with a huff. "Some bastards been feeding the walkers."

"I heard." Alicia sighed. "Carol said that Rick got rid of the pigs. You know pigs carry a lot of diseases... maybe that's what got everyone sick."

He nodded. "Maybe. I just don't want you getting sick. You just had a baby, you shouldn't even be walking around." He looked at his daughter, his face softening. "She can't get sick either."

His wife sighed. "I know. This was a really bad time to have her."

Daryl chuckled. "Yep." He paused, smiling slightly as he stared at his daughter. "How did we get so lucky?"

"The real question is how did I get so lucky? I've got a great husband and a beautiful little girl."

He shook his head, laying down. "I am pretty great ain't I?"

"Whatever."
—————
"You found them like this?" Rick asked. Him, Alicia, Daryl, Carol, and Tyrese were standing outside in the court yard. Beth was taking care of Jordan for the time being.

"I came to see Karen and I saw the blood on the floor. Then I smelled them." He shook his head. "Somebody dragged them out here and set them on fire. They killed them and set them on fire!" He yelled.

Tyrese stepped towards Rick. "You're a cop." He said. "You find out who did this and bring em to me. You find em and bring em to me!"

Daryl stepped behind him, trying to keep him from hurting Rick. Alicia grimaced as Tyrese pushed him away. "Do I need to say it again?"

"No. No. We'll find them." Rick assured him. "I know what you're feeling. I've been there. You saw me there, it's dangerous."

"Karen didn't deserve this. David didn't deserve this. Nobody did."

Daryl grabbed his arm. "Alright man let's-"

There's snapped, taking Daryl and shoving him against the wall. "I ain't going nowhere till I find out who did this!" He yelled.

"Daryl." Alicia said, reaching out to her husband. He held his hands in front of him, telling Alicia and Rick to stay back.

Tyrese had Daryl by the collar of his vest. "We're on the same side man." Daryl said gently.

"Hey look." Rick started. "I know what you're going through. We've all lost someone, but you've got to calm down." He touched his back, causing Tyrese to let Daryl go, advancing on Rick. "Karen wouldn't want you being like this."

Tyrese swung, punching Rick in the jaw. "Daryl don't." Alicia said sternly, grabbing his arm so he wouldn't interfere.

He continued to throw punches at Rick who was now on the ground. Daryl pulled away, grabbing Tyrese by his shoulders. "That's enough."

Rick stood up, walking towards Tyrese. Suddenly Rick was swinging, Tyrese now the one on the ground. Daryl jumped back, pushing Alicia behind him.

Rick continued beating Tyrese. Eventually Daryl sighed, grabbing Rick. "Rick!" He pushed him away, sending him back towards Alicia. He walked towards them again, grabbing Rick and pulling him away.

"Let me go!" Rick yelled.

"No." Daryl shook his head. "No."

Alicia grabbed Carols arm, watching her husband intently. Tyrese was still on the floor, crying. Rick was standing now looking at his bloody fist.

Daryl walked over to Alicia. "You alright?" He asked.

She nodded. "I'm fine. Are you ok?"

"Peachy." He nodded.