Ain't Over Yet

The moment Alexandria came into view, my stomach clenched.

The place was a warzone.

Fires raged, smoke curled into the sky, and gunfire echoed through the streets. Walkers were swarming fallen sections of the fence, pouring in like floodwater.

Inside the walls, it was worse - corpses littered the ground, some torn apart beyond recognition. People were screaming, running, fighting. The whole town looked like it was eating itself alive.

“Fuck.” Daryl and I breathed at the same time as we stared in horror.

Abraham hadn’t even slowed the vehicle to a full stop before Daryl, Sasha and I were jumping out and running toward the half-destroyed gates. Sasha tossed a knife to Daryl then handed another to me, knowing we were unarmed after D and Sherry had taken our weapons.

Daryl crashed into a walker, driving the knife through its eye.

My eyes paused for just a split-second as I noticed a ‘W’ grotesquely carved into its forehead, before I was slashing at ny own walker.

Sasha popped bullet after bullet while I hacked alongside Daryl. We fought our way toward the entrance. Abraham cut the engine out behind us and clambered out to join the fight.

“The day from hell continues!” he yelled as he blew a walker to smithereens.

The moment he said it, I spotted someone trapped between the fence and a gaggle of walkers.

Glenn.

He was fighting like hell, swinging his knife, but the dead were closing in fast.

My pulse spiked. “Glenn!” I yelled, alerting the others to the situation. Daryl began running toward Glenn’s attackers.

“I got this.” Abraham announced, climbing onto the roof of the fuel truck, taking the high ground. Sasha followed. They both opened fire, bullets zipping through the air. Glenn ducked low, shielding his face from the splatter of brain matter as their shots found their marks.

A walker lunged at Glenn from the side - too close for a clean shot, but Daryl was on it, fighting his way toward him. I followed behind, stabbing with my knife, until he  tackled the walker to the ground, forcing the blade through its temple.

Glenn spun toward me as the last of his foes dropped, panting. His eyes were wide, frantic. “You guys picked a hell of a time to show up.”

I let out a breathless chuckle, scanning the streets. “Yeah, well… we missed you too.”

Walkers began to close in on us again, and I saw Daryl’s brain whirring. “Back to the truck!” he yelled, grabbing my arm.

Once we were safely in the cab, Glenn wiped sweat and blood from his forehead. “We need to get them out of here,” he panted. “If we use the truck, we can lead them away.”

Daryl shook his head. “Nah. Won't work...” His sharp blue eyes flicked toward the pond in the center of Alexandria. “Gotta give ‘em somethin’ else to follow.”

I tracked his gaze, my stomach flipping as I realized what he was thinking – and it was insane.

Daryl was already moving. I leapt,  out of the door, and ran after him.

“Cover us!” I shouted to Sasha and Abraham, who were still atop the truck.

They didn’t hesitate.

Gunfire ripped through the air, the sharp cracking of their rifles cutting down walkers as we sprinted toward the pond. Every step was a battle. Walkers lunged at us from every angle, arms grabbing, teeth snapping. I swung the machete hard, slicing through rotting flesh.

Daryl yanked open a fuel canister from the truck and started pouring gasoline straight into the water.

More walkers closed in.

I raised my knife and drove it through one’s skull, then kicked it off the blade just as another lunged at me. I dodged, bringing the blade down in a brutal arc, splitting its head open like an overripe melon.

Daryl dumped the last of the fuel and reached for the RPG launcher.

This was going to be magnificent. Ridiculous – but magnificent.

“Fire in the hole,” he muttered as he aimed and fired, spinning quickly and shielding my body with his.

The RPG soared through the air and hit the pond with a boom that rattled my bones.

Flames erupted, a massive fireball shooting into the sky, turning the water into a blazing inferno.

The heat was instant, washing over my skin like an open oven. The explosion knocked a few walkers backwards, sending a charred one stumbling right into us. I barely had time to react before it fell forward, pushing me down and grasping at my arms.

“Shit-”

I fought to shove it off, its burning hands clawing at me, but Daryl was on it instantly, yanking it away. He shoved the walker back, then drove his knife into its skull. The body dropped, still smouldering.

I gasped for breath as he pulled me to my feet. “Thanks.”

“Ya okay?” he asked, eyeing the red patches on my skin from where the walkers alight hands had been.

“Fine.” I replied as I readied myself to take down more. “It’s working.”

Walkers were turning toward the flames, hypnotized by the inferno. They stumbled forward, one by one, wading into the water. The second their rotting flesh hit the fire, they ignited, going up like torches.

I laid eyes on Michonne and some of the others now – pushing hard, cutting down the remaining dead while the fire took care of the rest. Alexandria was still chaos - yells, gunfire, the scent of burning flesh thick in the air - but we were turning the tide.

I turned to Daryl, breathless. His face was streaked with dirt and blood as he watched his plan work.

I managed a grin. “Hell of a homecoming.”

He snorted, rolling his shoulders before grabbing my hand and squeezing it just for a moment. “Yeah. Let’s finish this.”

~

As the last walker hit the ground, I staggered back, my breath ragged, blood and soot smeared across my skin. Around me, the others were still catching their breath. Daryl wiped his knife on his jeans, his eyes scanning what was left of Alexandria.

The town was wrecked.

Smoke curled from the fires still smouldering in the pond. The streets were littered with bodies - both walkers and Alexandrians. The fences, once strong, had gaping holes where the dead had poured through. The place had been torn apart.

Daryl found his way back to my side, enveloping me in a tight hug. I didn’t say anything, just squeezed him back, before a familiar voice called our names.

“Daryl! Athena!”

Within seconds, Carol was in front of me, arms wrapping around me so forcefully I nearly lost my balance. For a second, I just stood there, stunned. Then I hugged her back, gripping onto her like a lifeline, relieved she was safe.

Daryl barely had time to grunt before Carol yanked him into the embrace, too. “Damn it,” she murmured, squeezing us both. “I thought you were dead. You didn’t come back.”

“Glad yur okay,” Daryl rasped, exhaustion evident in his voice.

Carol pulled back, her sharp eyes flicking between us, checking for wounds. “What the hell happened to you two?”

“Long story,” I said, rubbing a hand over my face. “What the hell happened here?”

Carol stepped back. “A group attacked first. No guns, just knives, machetes, hatchets. Killed a lot of people before we even knew what was happening.” Her face darkened. “Then the herd came.”

I swallowed hard. “The wall didn’t work?”

She shook her head. “They just kept coming. We tried to hold them back, but it wasn’t enough.”

Daryl’s eyes scanned the area, searching. “Where’s Rick?”

Carol hesitated, and it made my stomach drop.

“Carol,” I said carefully. “Where is he?”

Her expression tightened. “The infirmary. It’s Carl.”

A chill ran through me.

“He okay?” Daryl asked hesitantly.

Her fingers curled tight around my wrist. “He was shot,” she said quietly. “In the head.”

Daryl’s eyes squeezed shut. My mind went blank.

“He’s alive,” she added quickly. “But it’s bad.”

The weight of her words sank into my chest like a stone. Carl had been shot. In the head. But he was alive. For now.

Daryl, Carol and I had barely made it five steps before we heard footsteps rushing toward us. I turned just as Maggie slammed into me, nearly knocking me over. Her arms coiled around me so tightly I could feel the tremble in her shoulders. “You’re okay,” she choked out.

I hugged her back just as fiercely. “Yeah,” I murmured. “Yeah, we're fine.” I couldn’t stop thinking about Carl.

She pulled back, her green eyes scanning my face before flicking over to Daryl. Her gaze softened. “Thank God you came when you did – Glenn just told me what happened. Thank you.”

Daryl gave a half-nod, but before he could say anything, another voice cut through the night.

“Well, look who finally decided to show their sorry asses.”

I barely had time to think before Merle crashed into Daryl, wrapping him in a rough, desperate hug. Daryl stiffened for half a second, but then I saw him exhale, his shoulders relaxing just enough to let his brother’s grip tighten.

Things were still fraught between the pair since shed-gate, so the embrace was a welcome sight. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched them.

“Damn, brother,” Merle muttered, his voice hoarse. “Thought ya were dead.”

Daryl huffed, patting Merle’s back awkwardly. “Not yet.”

Merle pulled back and then turned to me. “You, too, huh?”

Before I could answer, he grabbed me and crushed me against his chest. The hug was unexpected, rough, but real.

“Jesus, Stumpy,” I mumbled against him. “You turning soft on us?”

He let out a short laugh and pulled back, gripping my shoulders. “Ain’t nothin’ soft about survivin’, Xena.” His gaze flicked to my side, where my bandages were hidden under my shirt. “Ya good?”

I nodded. “Good enough.”

The next thing I knew, Michonne was there, stepping past Merle and gripping my arm firmly. Her face was tight, her dark eyes flickering over me before shifting to Daryl. She didn’t say anything - she didn’t need to. She just pulled me into a quick, firm embrace, then stepped back - turning to Daryl and nodding. He nodded back.

I turned just in time to see Eugene, wide-eyed and looking utterly wrecked, approaching us cautiously. His mullet was even more dishevelled than usual, and he looked like he’d just crawled out of a hedge.

“I must admit,” Eugene said as he approached. “I had minimal faith in your return given the extensive duration of your absence and the precarious state of affairs in which we currently reside. But I am most pleased to be proven incorrect.”

I let out a breathless laugh. “Thanks, Eugene.”

Why couldn’t the man just speak normally?

Daryl scoffed, shaking his head. “Yur a damn mess.”

Eugene straightened his shoulders. “Indeed, I am.”

After Daryl and I broke apart from the others, we made our way toward the infirmary. We needed to know how Carl was – needed to check in on Rick.

I felt Daryl’s hand brush against mine as we reached the door. Just a small touch, but enough.

“Fuck.” he breathed quietly as he reached for the handle.

“Fuck, indeed.” I replied as we entered.

Rick sat on a chair, his hands shaking against his thighs. He was hunched forward, his head low.

Hershel was hunched over Carl’s unconscious form on a cot nearby, working with steady hands despite his age. Denise hovered beside him, her forehead slick with sweat, fingers trembling as she handed Hershel what he needed. They were both silent, focused.

I hesitated just inside the doorway, my heart hammering. Daryl was still beside me, his own posture stiff, tense. Neither of us knew what to say.

The only sound in the room was Rick’s breathing – fast and uneven. I took a step closer, then another, until I was right in front of him. “Rick.”

He didn’t lift his head. Didn’t move.

I glanced at Daryl, who stepped forward. “Rick,” he tried again. His voice was rough, but gentle.

Rick’s fingers twitched against his legs. His head turned just slightly, eyes still fixed downward. “He’s just a kid,” he rasped. His voice was raw, wrecked.

I swallowed hard, glancing toward Carl’s motionless body. His face was pale, lips tinged blue. The bandages wrapped around his face were already soaked through with blood.

Rick’s breath hitched. He scrubbed a hand down his face, then pressed his palms against each other like he was trying to hold himself together. “I told him-” His voice cracked. “I told him it was safe.” His hands clenched. “I promised him.”

“Whatever happened - it wasn’t your fault, Rick.” I offered, trying to steady my emotions. I wasn’t used to seeing him like this. He looked so... small.

His eyes finally lifted to mine, bloodshot and glassy. “It is.”

“It isn’t.” I shook my head. “You'd do anything to protect that kid.”

His throat bobbed. He didn’t believe me - I could see it in his eyes.

Daryl shifted behind me, rubbing a hand over his mouth. He wasn’t good at this - comforting people, except when it came to me - but he stayed close, letting Rick know he wasn’t alone.

Rick shut his eyes for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Carl again. “He can’t die,” he whispered. “He can’t.”

My heart twisted. “He’s strong, Rick.”

He let out a shuddering breath. He was breaking, barely holding on.

Daryl finally spoke, voice low but firm. “Ain’t over yet.”

Rick stared at Carl like he was trying to will his survival. “If he doesn’t wake up…” His voice trailed off.

I took his hand. “He will.”

Rick let out a breath, nodding just slightly, but the pain in his eyes didn’t ease.

Across the room, Hershel let out a quiet exhale. Denise wiped her hands on her apron, the blood smearing red.

Rick sucked in a breath, his hands curling into fists. “Is he- ?”

Hershel turned to him, his face grim but steady. “We’ve stopped the bleeding,” he said carefully. “But that’s all we can do for now. The eye’s-”

Rick surged forward, gripping Hershel’s arms. “Is he gonna wake up?”

Hershel hesitated, glancing toward Carl before meeting Rick’s desperate gaze. “We have to wait and see.”

Rick’s sobs filled the room, unable to be held back any longer.

~

We stayed there for a while. Keeping an eye on Rick as he sat by Carl’s cot, clutching his son's hand, until he sent us away – ordering us to rest. We were too drained to argue.

We didn’t speak as we made our way into the house, down the stairs. The weight of exhaustion pressed down on both of us, sinking into our bones. Every part of me ached - my muscles, my side, my heart.

Daryl pushed the bedroom door open, then turned to me. And that was it.

Neither of us thought about it - we just crashed into each other, arms tight, hands gripping, holding on like we’d disappear if we let go. My fingers curled into the fabric of his vest, pulling him closer. His arms crushed around me, his face burying into the curve of my neck.

We stood there, swaying slightly, breathing each other in. Blood and dirt and sweat clung to our skin, but none of it mattered.

“Jesus,” I muttered against his shoulder. “How the hell are we still alive?”

He exhaled, warm breath against my skin. “Dumb luck.”

A shaky laugh left me as I pulled back just enough to look at him. His face was streaked with dried blood, grime smeared across his cheeks. His hair was tangled, sticking to his forehead. He looked just as wrecked as I felt.

Without another word, we flopped onto the bed, landing in a tangled heap. Neither of us cared about the dirt, the blood staining the sheets. We were both too exhausted.

Sleep pulled at my body, but I wasn’t ready to give in just yet. I rolled onto my side, facing Daryl. His eyes were half-lidded, but I could tell he hadn’t crashed out yet either. My fingers found his, lacing together. “I love you.”

He turned his head to me. “I love ya, Ath.”

“Too many close calls today.”

“Yeah.” His grip on my fingers tightened. “Fuckin’ ridiculous.”

I studied his face, the way his brow furrowed.

“We’re still here though. Still together.”

He pulled me closer into him, pressing his lips to mine and letting them linger. “We are.”

We laid there for a while, just feeling each other.

“Daryl.” I exhaled slowly. “We need a damn break.”

A saw a smile creep onto his face in the low light. “Hell yeah, we do.”

I squeezed him tighter, pressing my forehead against his shoulder. “Once the fences are rebuilt, once things settle. Let’s escape. Even for a day.”

“Where ya wanna go?” he asked, starting to stroke my matted hair.

“I don’t know. Anywhere...” I smirked against his skin. “We never had a honeymoon,”

That got a short, rough chuckle out of him. “Ain’t exactly had time.”

I hummed, squeezing his fingers. “That’s true. But let’s make time.”

“Yeah.”

He pulled me further into his arms and I closed my eyes, pressing my face against his chest, listening to the steady thumping of his heartbeat.

Today had been nothing short of fucking ridiculous.

The truck falling, the herd, the ambush, the crash, being knocked unconscious and tied to trees, Daryl’s crossbow being taken, the bikers, coming back and fighting for Alexandria...

Just trying to remember it all made my head spin. But as I drifted into sleep, still covered in dirt and gore, my husband holding me tight, I felt relief.

There were so many times today that we could have been taken from each other, but we hadn’t.

We were here.

Together.

Still.

A/N: These guys really couldn’t catch a break today, huh?

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