All Out War

Chapter 31

We went as far out as Maggie had asked us to. Two miles. There was a small open area, surrounded by trees. Daryl parked there then cut the engine. I got off first and then him. I looked around and quickly noticed that there were numerous places something or someone could be hiding.

"Wanna check to make sure it's clear?" he asked.

"I was about to suggest that. We go together?" I asked looking over at him.

He nodded.

"We'll circle back. No need in stretching this out," he said.

"Agreed," I said bringing the rifle from behind my back and holding it firmly.

"Stay close to me," he whispered.

He grabbed his crossbow from behind the bike and led the way. We'd stop a couple of times to listen in for any sort of movement. It was all clear. We got back to the bike and waited.

"You know, about what you said back at the grave site...about how you think about the people we've lost. You're right. It ain't fair. And I think about them too. I think about how it'd be if they all were still here," I said breaking the steady silence we had going.

He took my hand and intertwined our fingers.

"You think about what they'd be doing if they all were still here?" he asked.

"Yeah. Maybe Lori and Rick would have rekindled what they had lost. Or maybe they would have separated but stayed a family for Carl and Judith's sake. T-Dog would have been happy doing something hands-on like farming or welding. Hershel, Beth and Glenn would be one big family, awaiting anxiously for the baby to come. Sasha and Tyreese would be busting each other's chops, like all siblings do. Maybe Merle would have found his place with us. Bob and Abe would still be around, keeping us going. My parents and brother would have adapted to this life. And they would have loved you. Even if my dad would have been hesitate at the beginning. He would have eventually warmed up to you because of the fact that you make me extremely happy. Tara would have Denise and Noah...Well Noah would have finally gotten the new beginning he deserved. It'd be different, I'm sure and it wouldn't be perfect. But at least we'd be together. We'd be somewhat happy, you know?" I said staring off into the trees.

I chuckled softly while wiping away the few tears that had been shed.

"That's how it was supposed to be," I whispered.

Daryl turned me toward him.

"That's why we gotta keep going. Keep fighting. So that every single person we lost, wouldn't have been for nothing," he said wiping away some more tears.

I kissed the palm of his hand as he was still wiping more of my tears.

"I'm so glad I met you in all of this, Daryl Dixon. You make me happier than I could ever put into words. I hope you know that," I said wrapping my arms around his neck.

He held me close.

"I can't imagine my life without ya. And I never thought somethin' like that could ever happen to a guy like me," he said.

I smiled then kissed him.

"You deserve to love and be loved more than anybody. This isn't the first time I've said that. I'm grateful that you've allowed me to be a part of your life," I said when we parted.

He placed both hands on my cheeks and kissed me again but more deeply. As many times as we did it, I never and could never get tired of his soft lips against mine.

"I love you," he whispered when we parted again.

"I love you more," I whispered back.

He kissed my cheek. My mind suddenly went to something.

"I've got an idea," I said with a devious smile.

"Which is?" he asked suspiciously.

"What do you say we screw around?" I replied.

"You serious?" he asked.

"Oh come on. Ain't like we haven't done it in the woods before," I said taking his hand and leading him into the trees.

"Amelia..." he started.

"Don't think. Just do," I whispered in his ear.

"You're crazy," he said clearly shaken and turned on by my words.

"Like you don't love it," I retorted.

Before we could take it any further, the signal was given.

"Go," I said.

We both hurried back to the bike. He grabbed the air horn and gave the signal. The next car horn sounded.

"We gotta get back," I said.

"Sorry we didn't get the chance to..." he started but I cut him off by kissing him.

"No worries. Next time. Right now, we gotta move," I said.

We got on the bike and he started the engine. I held him tightly and we took off. We stayed off the dirt road that led to Hilltop. It wasn't a good idea to give away what we were doing before the Saviors even reached the gate. Once we'd gotten half a mile, we parked behind some bushes and got off. We knelt down and looked toward the gates. They hadn't gotten here yet. We decided to wait for them to show up. The sun had started to set as we made our way back. Pretty soon, it would be dark.

"When they get closer, we'll head out," Daryl said.

I nodded. We watched as some of our people came out with wooden planks and started placing them a few feet from the gate. I grabbed the binoculars Daryl had in his bag and looked through them and noticed the planks had various nails on them. I put the binoculars down and smiled.

"What is it?" he asked.

"See for yourself," I retorted handing him the binoculars.

He looked through them and was very pleased afterward.

"The first truck that shows up..." he started.

"Will have their tires blown to shit," I finished.

"Maggie knows what she's doing," he said.

"Yeah. She does," I said with another smile.

We went back to watching the gate. Minutes passed before night finally fell. They still hadn't showed up yet. I was getting anxious because I wanted this done. I wanted them done. I wanted our people to not have to worry about making it through the night. As I got lost in my thoughts, there was suddenly some headlights that were shone. I looked for the source and saw multiple trucks making their way toward the gate.

"We should go," Daryl said.

"Not yet. Let them find that surprise our people left them," I said.

We both waited for the wheels of the first truck to make contact with the nails. Once that was done, the rest of the trucks moved off to the side.

"Now?" Daryl asked.

I looked once more at the Saviors that were now exiting their vehicles. I made sure my mag was full and slung the rifle over my shoulder.

"Now," I said.

We got back on the bike and headed toward the gate.