Daryl Dixon x Reader

Against All Odds

"The phone, it rang, I'm telling you the truth." His eyes looked panicked and blood shot as he pointed to the old rotary telephone.

"Ok, Rick. I believe you; the phone rang." You glance at Hershel then back at Rick.

"Rick," Hershel started with a sigh "You're in - "

"They say they're in a safe place?" You ask cutting Hershel off, seeing how frustrated Rick is becoming. Rick nods frantically. "Did they say where?"

"No, they wouldn't say.They just said it was out of the way" You nod and glance back at Hershel. He just shakes his head and begins to exit the boiler room. You place your hand on Rick's shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze before following behind Hershel.

"This happens to lots of people" Hershel states when Rick is out of ear shot. "The mind is a dreadful thing when it comes to dealing with events like this." You nod silently, kicking the dirt as you walk.

"You think he'll be ok, y'know snap out of it? " Hershel just shrugs slightly before picking up the speed with his crutches.

"Maggie and Glen are going on a run, we're low on essentials." Beth said holding the baby. "Could you maybe?" She mutters forcing Little Ass Kicker into your arms. "I just want to go speak to my dad for a second."

You nod slightly mesmerized by the tiny life now cradled in your arms. The small girl's eyes were closed while her fingers searched for anything to grasp onto. Beth leaves the room and you sit down on the bed in Beth cell.

"Hey there," Your whispers echo in the silence as a small smile creeps onto your lips. "Never held a baby since my brother was born, so I apologise in advance if I hurt you."

"Y' won't hurt 'er " His gruff voice fills the cell and your smile grows bigger. You tilt your head to look at him as he makes his way towards you. He wraps his right arm around your waist while his other hand plays with Little Ass Kicker. The small girl grabs his big fingers bringing the most adorable smile to his face. The baby begins babbling and smiling as the opens her eyes to look at Daryl.

"Hey sweetheart." he whispers leaning down to kiss her small hand. "How y' liking yer aunt (f/n)? Course y' like 'er, don't y' darlin' ? "

Lying your head on his shoulder you allow your eyes to slip shut while you cherish this moment.

"I have t' go now," Daryl says breaking the bliss "cleaning out the remainin' walkers from the tombs with Carl and Oscar." You nod still focused more on the baby than Daryl's words. "I'll see you in a few hours." He strokes Ass Kicker's head and places a chaste kiss on your lips.

"Stay alive for me, okay?" He smirked and walks towards the cell door.

"Yes Ma'am"

Soon Hershel and Beth both come and take the baby from you.

"You should get some rest" Hershel mutters placing a hand on your cheek. "Your gonna end up hurting yourself if you go any longer without sleep." You nod with a small smile and march up the stairs to your cell. As soon as your head hits the pillow you are out like a light.

By the time you awake it is dark. 'Christ' you think to yourself 'how long was I asleep'.  You slowly lift your head to find Axle sitting there on a chair across from you.

"Hello," he says with a smile. "we've got something to show you."

He pulls you up and guides you to the kitchen. You glance around and he shuts the door behind you. You take a seat opposite from the woman with a big smile.

"Hey there, (f/n). Long time no see."

"Hey Carol" You look down at the table then register what you just said. "Carol?!" Your head shoots up to find her sitting there with the smile still stretched across her lips. "Carol?"

"Hello" You waste no time and leap out of your chair. You practically run around the table at the speed of light, just to be able to feel her there, in front of you. You reach her and pull her into a colossal hug.

"B-but you. We. How?"

"Daryl found me. When the attack happened I managed to get myself lost."

You don't reply, only pull her tighter into the embrace.

"I thought you were gone Carol."

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be."

Beth walks in on you two with the baby and hands her to you. "I can't get her to drink this" She says also handing you a bottle filled with formula. "She won't stop crying ever since you left her with my dad and I."

You look down at the infant and start whispering words of encouragement.

"Come on sweetie, uncle Daryl will want to see you soon. We can't have you cryin' like this. Come on honey." With a little more encouragement she begins drinking the formula.

"We, me and my dad, were thinkin' maybe She should move into your cell." Beth said with a small smile. "You're the only one she seems to corporate with."

You glance at the baby and sigh with a smile. "Sure she can. Its getting a little lonely in there."

Before you know it you're helping Axle drag Ass Kicker's makeshift cot up the stairs and into your cell. Carl is waiting for you there with a determine expression on his features. You place the cot down and Carol walks in with the baby, placing her in her cot. With a smile she leaves you, Carl and the little girl alone.

"There's something you need to know" he says. With a nod you sit looking up at him with a confused expression. "While you were asleep Maggie and Glen were captured."

"captured?"

"Yeah, some people left before you woke up."

"Daryl?"

He nods silently and the baby starts to cry.

"Shh Judith, your fine."

"Judith?"

"Yeah she has a name now. Baby Judith."

You smile at Judith and Carl  leaves the room.

You pick her up and rock her to sleep. You place her back in her cot and sit up the rest of the night.

It seems like decades before the sun light finally shines thought the prison. You hear the car pull up out side, scooping up a babbling Judith, you begin to run.

Reaching the car you see a badly beat up Glen along with Maggie, Rick and a mysterious woman with dreadlocks. You look inside the car and see the empty back seats.

"Where's Daryl!?"