These Awkward Moments

Chapter 7 The Last Stand

Daryl's POV
Maggie stepped out of one of the rooms to the right as Roe and Delilah walked away. "Daryl? She said softly.

I shook myself away from thoughts of Delilah and looked at Maggie. "Yeah?"

She moved towards me and put her hand softly on my shoulder. "I just wanna make sure that you're ok. I know it ain't none a my business, but I couldn't help but notice that you and Delilah seem to be... close. I just don't wanna see ya get hurt."

I lowered my chin. "Guess I didn't think it was that obvious. There's been an attraction between us since the first time we met. But ya know me Maggie. I ain't the type a person that would break up someone else's relationship. Besides, I don't think I'ma be ready for any woman until shit's settled, ya know? It just doesn't feel like the right time for that kinda thing."

She nodded. "As long as I've known ya I've seen the way ya keep women at a safe distance. Ya guard your heart. But I've also seen ya change a lot over the years. At some point between the time ya lost Merle, we lost Beth, and then came to Alexandria, things changed for ya. I think you're startin' ta see how things could be for you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe... ok, fine. I been thinkin' about findin' somebody ta try ta build somethin' with. But this just can't be her, right?"

She smiled and hugged me. "Yeah. But it's a pity. A woman like that would be perfect for you."

Delilah's POV
I dozed off for about four hours and awoke with a start. I needed to check on my patients! I felt a flood of guilt overwhelm me for sleeping when they could need me. I remembered that Dr. Carson had returned, but these patients were still my responsibility.

I took Mercy down the hall and found Roe. I asked if he could find her some oatmeal and applesauce while I saw to patients.

He nodded. "Sure I can take my lil princess, but Lila... there's something you should know. Rick seems to be doing ok, but all the others? They didn't make it." He said sadly.

I rushed out of the room and ran down the hall to the room I had left Rick in. He was sitting up in bed, addressing the room full of his concerned extended family. "It's been twelve hours and not so much as a fever. I'm not sick! That coupled with the fact that Dwight helped Eugene escape has me convinced that he really is on our side. He must have shot me with a clean arrow. That means we have a big opportunity here. Negan thinks I'm dying... or dead."

Daryl nodded. "Yeah, that's why he and whatever's left of his men are camped out in the woods across the fields."

Rick agreed. "We need to send a group out one of the side entrances and have them meet up with Dwight. If the Saviors attack again, this group can outflank them. That would split their group, forcing them to fight on two fronts."

I noticed heads nodding across the room. Aaron stepped forward. "I'd like to go."

Rick nodded. "Yeah, and we'll send Ezekiel and Roe, and gather up about about ten others. Whoever is best at hand-to-hand fighting. They won't have the wall to protect them. Put the group together.  Maggie? Can you show them a way out where the Saviors won't see them?"

Maggie nodded and motioned for Aaron to follow her.

I approached Rick. "I need to check your bandage and make sure everything is secure." He leaned back in the bed while I made sure his wound wasn't opened. It looked secure and the bandage was dry.

He looked up at me. "Delilah, you're gonna have to go against all your training and let me up out of this bed. I can't handle Negan from here, and no one else is going to be able to do this." I nodded reluctantly and helped him up to his feet.