Damaged Hearts (Daryl Dixon fanfic)

Chapter 44

*Lauren's P.O.V*

We stand around the crowded courtyard talking about our next plan of action. "We need to head back. Before they start looking for Daryl" Rick explains to King Ezekiel who looks to him and nods. Everyone heads to the gates including Daryl. "Daryl you need to stay" I say causing the group to stop and turn to me. Daryl slowly turns to me. "No I don't. Now let's go" he snaps storming off. "If Daryl comes back with us and Negan finds him gone, he will go straight to Alexandria looking for him" I explain.

"He won't take him. He will kill him" I mutter as Daryl paces a few feet away. "What about Hilltop? With Maggie?" Jodie suggests. "The saviours don't step foot inside the Kingdom. They do at Hilltop. This is Daryl's best chance" Merle sighs but nods agreeing with me. Our eyes dart to Daryl who punches a wall in anger. "We will talk to Morgan" Rick mumbles before leading the group away, leaving Daryl and I alone.

"I just got my family back and now you want to leave me here!" Daryl growls. "That's not fair. You know I don't want this either" I tell him. "I just got you back and now I have to go. But I'd prefer to have you here and alive then home and dead" I yell now pacing. "Look Daryl as cheesy as it is, you mean the world to me and I can't loose you!" I shout at him tears in my eyes. "You have a funny way of showing it" Daryl scoffs storing off. I run my hand through my hair and sigh wiping the tears away before joining the group.

Rick gives a bro hug to Daryl as we say our goodbyes. Walking over to kiss him goodbye, he avoids all eye contact and walks off to talk to Merle, who pats him on the back and motions to me but still he doesn't look over. Michonne hands Tobias to Daryl who smile down at his baby boy and a stay tear leaves his eye as his son reaches up to pull his hair giggling. He hands Tobias to Tia who he then kisses on the forehead and holds her close for a hug. The tall gates open causing members of the group to walk out.

I sigh and shake my head refusing to let a tear fall, walking towards the gate and walking out. They begin to close the gate and I turn to back to see the bright blue eyes staring back at me. "I love you" I say loud enough for him to hear me. He nods to me. "I love you too" he mumbles to me. I smile as we both walk towards the closing door eyes locked together between the gap. The gap growing smaller until it finally closes when I near the gate. I lean my head on the door and place my right hand up. I smile as a gut feeling tells me he's doing the same.

- -
"For anyone out there who loved the obese bastard as much as I did, I just want to say a few words" his voice rang through the walkie talkie making my blood boil. Eyes wonder to Jesus who holds the device in his belt sitting next to myself. "Fat Joey was not the most badass son of a bitch, but he was loyal. He had a great sense of humour. In fact, we were just joking about oral sex with Lucille the other day." I roll my eyes at his vile behaviour, looking out the car window as we drive down the highway. "Without Fat Joey, Skinny Joey is just...Joey. So let's have a moment of silence" his voice mutters as we slow to a stop.

"Someone's trying to block the way. Gotta be the saviours" Jesus sighs. "That's their base" Carl motions his head out his window and in the distance was a large grey building. "Looks like it kid" I mutter. Tobias and Tia are in the other truck with Merle, they are not happy that I told Daryl to stay. I sigh as we begin a task I alway hate doing. Moving cars. I push a car forward and Tara steers it. "Rick" Michonne calls. He walks over taking the binoculars and looking down the highway.

"We need to disarm it first" he sighs as he looks down towards the explosives. "Tia honey go back in the car with Tobias please" I tell my daughter and she nods leaving. Rosita kneels beside a metal container, lifting the lid exposing the mechanisms. "We got ourselves a red situation. I need a search party" my heart drops as I grab the device from Jesus, listening to every word closely. "See if Daryl ran home like the dumb animal that he is. Turn that sleepy little burg upside down" he voice yells though.

"We gotta get there before them" I exclaim. "First part is done, collect the others make sure it is not messed up and do not mess them up. Let's go" Rosita tells us. I lean down and unwrap the explosive, remembering my training done with Merle. Placing it carefully in the back of the truck before heading back into the car with Rosita.

My eyes widen at the sight of walkers heading down the highway. "Rick walkers" I yell causing everyone to rush to the cars. Jesus and Sasha start running to Hilltop. I close my window as walkers reach us. Through the gap of walkers I see Rick and Michonne taking down walkers like dominos before sprinting to the truck. I smirk at them start our car journey home.

As we walk inspire we are here just in time before the Saviours arrive. I walk up beside Rick. "Rick. Hello" Simon greets climbing out, Shane following after him. "Thought you were gonna be longer" I say to him. "Do you think we're here for a tribute? Do you?" He asks meeting us in the middle. "Is there another reason?" Rick questions. "There is. We're here for Daryl" he grins. "Negan took Daryl" I explain to him. Shane looks to me. "But then his son showed up, Daryl went missing. Might those two things be connected?" Shane asked. "No I think I'd know if he was here Shane" I snap.

"Woah easy tiger. Excuse him, he's a rookie and little patience" Simone chuckles glaring at Shane. "Wait so he's not with you" I fake worry. "No but just in case he's sunk inside you don't mind us checking the place out huh" Simone taunts. "Now everyone find a buddy. Your gonna have to follow us around" Shane looks to me. "Shows is your house" he spits. Rick glares at his old friend before looking to me wondering if I'm gonna be alright. I nod to him and he pays my shoulder. Tia is carrying Judith and Merle passes Tobias to me.

"Come on" I mutter to him. Tobias plays with my hair making me smile lightly. I place a hand on Tias shoulder leading her to our house. I place Judith and Tobias in a small cot that's placed in the living room. "Tia hun go find Carl and Rosita please" she nods hugging me, glancing to Shane walking out.

"They both yours" he motions to Judy and Tobias. "Tobias is but Judith is Carl's sister" Shane looks to me heart beating fast. "She's mine?" He asks with wide eyes. "No, we found a hospital a while back and they offered to check her up and did a DNA test. She's Rick's" I lied. He sighs. "Is Lori here" he questions. "No she died in childbirth a long time ago" he brushed his hand though his hair looking to me. "I'm sorry" he mumbles. I stay silent and he gives me a look. "I don't know what you want me to say Shane. Your my brother. We were together at the beginning. Glenn was with you. And Cieran? I grew up with him. How could you?" I snap. "I had no choice" he yells. "Bullshit" I glare at him. The door opens cutting him off from replying. "Simon sent me here to hurry your ass up" a man grins looking to me. "Okay come on Jack" he says walking upstairs.

I walk up after them and I head to my room while they check The baby's room. I go through Daryl's draw lifting up his favourite denim jacket I pull it on sitting on my bed sighing. I place my hands into the pockets, my eye brow furrows as I feel a small box. I pull it out and open it. A smile spreads across my face.  Walking out to see Shane and Jack talking. "Hey where you hiding him then sugar" Jack spits. "He's not here, I think I'd know if my husband was here" I say. Shane's eyes widen before looking down his eyes catching sight of object on my fourth finger on my left hand.

____________________________
Sorry for the long wait I do apologise. Coursework is is a nightmare and my first exam of this year is Tuesday and it's Numeracy Non-Calculator
Please vote and comment
Love you all!
Bye Fellow Archers
~Boylie~