Surviving Terminus (BOOK TWO IN THE SURVIVING THE WALKING DEAD SERIES)

Going Home

     "It aint'your fault, Daryl." Daryl's eyes widened as I spoke. "None of this is your fault. Ya did the right thing, tellin' Beth to run, I would've done the same thing. It was them who killed 'er, not you" I let out a gentle sigh. "I don't hate ya. I was mad at ya, but I didn't hate ya. If anythin', I hated myself because I couldn't stop lovin' ya no matter how hard I tried." Daryl wiped his eyes off on the palm of his hands as I continued. "Before I met you, I was so used to people leavin' me, I was used to not havin' people care about me. Ya ruined me, Daryl." I slightly smirked. "When ya told me to go, I was heartbroken, somethin' I told myself when I was a teenager that I'd never let a man make me feel ever again. So, I forced myself to stop lovin' ya, but it didn't work, it never worked. Every insult, every glare, every curse under my breath, nothin' took away the feelin' I get when I look at ya. I hated to admit it, but I still loved ya, but I didn't want to. Now, I know that I can't fight these feelin's anymore. I love you, Daryl, and I can't stop."

     "I was just tryin' to protect ya, but-" Daryl began.

     "Protect me from what? The stares of other men that I'm likely to receive? I'm a woman at what is ultimately the end of the world, it's inevitable."

     "I know, I just- I've never felt the way I feel about you before. I wanna protect ya, but I got too protective. I'm sorry."

     "They used to say that ya can't pick and choose your family, but nowadays, that's exactly what ya get to do. Everyone around us is dyin', everyone in the world is dyin'. It's slim pickin's out there, Daryl, and I chose you. I don't want anyone else. If a man makes an advance at me I don't wanna have to fight about it. You should trust me enough to know that I'd never cheat on ya or leave ya for someone else. I ain't like that."

     "I know ya ain't, and I do trust ya, it's the guys I don't trust."

     "Women are perfectly capable of rapin' someone just as men are, don't think this is just a gender thing. Just because someone has a dick doesn't make 'em a threat."

     "So, I should watch ya around women, too?" Daryl smirked.

     "Funny, Dixon." I scoffed.

     "You're the one who said it, not me."

     "Jerk."

     "Bitch." Daryl and I smiled.

     "So, am I a Dixon again?"

     "Ya always were."

     "Hey." Daryl and I looked at the door as Shepherd walked in. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Dr. Edwards has your medicine ready, you're free to go."

     "Sweet, I can't wait to get home." I smiled.

     "I'm sorry about holding a gun to you all, after what happened, everyone was just scared."

     "You were tryin' to protect your own." Daryl nodded. "It's cool."

     "Good." Shepherd sighed with relief. "I'll tell the others so they can bring you your wheelchair." Shepherd smiled and exited the room.

     "Wheelchair?" I groaned.

     "It's only until ya get back to walkin'." Daryl reassured.

     "I ain't gonna be any use to anyone sittin' on my ass."

     "All the more motivation for ya to do your physical therapy." Daryl smiled. After a few minutes of waiting, Michonne and Abraham entered the room with my wheelchair.

     "I thought ya could use some help movin' 'er to her chair." Abraham explained somewhat nervously.

     "Thank you, Abraham." I gently smiled. Abraham looked between me and Daryl curiously. I subtly nodded which seemed to ease the tension. Abraham walked over to my right side of the bed, standing across from Daryl.