Alicia Smith

7) Cordon

Outside of the Abbey Daryl walked down the dirt path. He furiously wiped his eyes, refusing to cry over her anymore.

"She's made up her mind." He muttered to himself. "She's happy without me. I can be happy without her."

The entire statement was a lie. She was far from happy and he knew damn well that he would never be happy without her.  Especially now that they'd seen each other. It was only salt in the wound.

The sound of vehicles alerted him, and he quickly ducked down behind a tree. He watched as they paraded past, heading straight for the Abbey.

He debated continuing on his way, reasoning that Alicia could handle herself. She'd always been able to handle herself. But the thought of leaving her to fight alongside a bunch of nuns made his stomach twist.

He sighed, standing up. "Son of a bitch."

—————

Alicia had stopped crying, her eyes unfocused, staring at the ceiling. She could hear the bustle of the Abbey around her. She quite frankly didn't care what was happening outside.

She was more concerned with the war raging in her mind. Part of her wanted to pack and bag and run after him, beg for forgiveness and go home. The other part was stronger, and scolded her for even thinking like that.

A pounding at her door disturb her thoughts. She groaned, rolling over in her bed. "Fuck off." She mumbled into the sheets.

The pounding grew louder. "I'm busy!" She called to the door.

"Darlin' if you don't open this damn door!"

Her heart jumped into her throat, and her feet were moving towards the door before she could process why he might be here.

"You came back." She choked out upon seeing his face.

"Yeah, fucking French Hitlers here." When she didn't respond he walked into her room. She watched as he went through her dresser, grabbing clothes and shoving them into a bag.

"What are you doing?" She asked, joining him in packing. "Where's are we going?"

"There's some assholes here and I don't think they care for tea." He told her. "Get your shoes on and get your ass in gear, let's go!" He ordered.

She pulled on her boots and slipped on her leather jacket. The right one this time.

She followed him into the courtyard, her breath catching in her throat. Cordon's men were there, and Laurent was being threatened.

Isabell slapped one of the men and before he could kill her, Daryl got to him. The man fell onto the floor, blood seeping from his skull.

"Shit." Alicia gasped as Daryl grabbed her hand, pulling her with him.

He pulled her into the main hall, telling her to go into the armory room. "Why are we splitting up?" She whispered frantically.

"Trust me." He told her, hurrying her into the room. He ran, hiding in the hospital wing.

Alicia stood silently, waiting for one of the men to walk by. Soon one did, it was Cordon himself.

She jumped on him, her arms wrapped firmly around his neck. She managed to grab her knife and plunge it into his shoulder. He cried out, shooting at Daryl and hitting his own man.

Daryl ran at Cordon, tackling him and sending Alicia skidding across the ground. She groaned, her head hitting the wall.

She watched them fight for a moment, trying to regain enough strength to help. Daryl held his own for a moment before he was on the floor. The cordon kicked him, aiming right in his ribs.

She stood up, grabbing her gun and firing. She grazed his side, just barely. Cordon turned and ran.

She rushed to Daryl side, grabbing his hand and helping him up. He took her gun and fired at him again, this time hitting his shoulder.

"You ok?" Alicia asked as he handed the gun back to her.

He nodded breathlessly. "More or less." He grabbed Cordons gun, running out of the room.

Isabell and the Abbey mother met them, begging him not to do this. He ignored them, following Cordon outside.

Alicia looked down at the woman's stomach. "Mother, are you alright?" She asked.

Mother Véronique shook her head. Alicia and Isabell helped her to the stairs, their eyes widening at the amount of blood she was loosing.

Alicia took her hand, praying with her as Isabell tried to stop the bleeding. She felt a hand in her shoulder, looking behind her to see Daryl.

She scooted over so he could kneel down in front of the Mother, holding her other hand. "You don't believe." She spoke to him. "Maybe you never saw a reason to. But one thing I know, reasons are everywhere."

She turned to Alicia, offering her a small smile. He finger motioned for Alicia to come closer, so she leant down so she could hear what she said.

"You don't have to be brave all the time, my dear. Let your heart have what it needs."

Alicia pulled away, her eyes watery as she looked upon the dying woman. "I will." She said, knowing it was an empty promise.

She stepped back, allowing Laurent and Sylvie to have a moment with her. She turned, wrapping her arms around herself.

"You gonna be ok?" Daryl asked, standing beside her.

She nodded, wiping away tears. "Yeah. You know after three years you start to love these people."

Daryl chuckled, rubbing her back slightly. "They're lucky to have you loving them." He looked down at her. "Will you come with me?"

She sighed. "I've already told you, I can't go back."

He shook his head. "No, I mean come with me to take this kid."

She faltered, looking up at him. "You're gonna do it?"

"Why not?" He shrugged.

—————

They sat around the fire, Sylvie, Laurent, and Isabell on one bench, Daryl and Alicia on the other.

Sylvie sang as Laurent played his guitar. Alicia couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face. "Reminds me of that night at the prison." She sighed. "When Beth and Maggie sang for us."

Daryl nodded. "I remember." He sighed, turning to her. "You asked me why I was here. I was looking for Rick... and you. I ended up on a boat with some assholes and it got me here. I promised Judith and R.J I would get back to them. As soon as we get Laurent where he needs to go I'll leave."

"Why were you looking for me?" Alicia asked, staring into the fire.

"Why wouldn't I be?" He asked. "I met that woman because I was out looking for you and Rick. She asked me if I had a wife and I told her yes. I told her I had the most amazing woman in the world."

"When I showed up here, Isabell saw the ring on my finger. She asked about my husband. I told her he was a stubborn dick and a royal pain in the ass." She laughed. "But I also told her how caring he was and how much he loved me."

Daryl nodded, looking up at the sky. "He sounds like a great guy."

"He is."