Chapter 19

(My Love- Florence and the Machine)

The gates opened up, Daryl and I climbed off of his bike and he pushed it in. Maggie, Sasha, and Enid came out of the large house in the middle of the community, the three of them taking turns to wrap me in a warm hug. I hugged Sasha longer, missing her in the time we were apart.

"What happened?" Sasha asked as she pulled away.

"Negan." Jesus answered for us." I was there for Daryl, but Hazel was already there."

"Are you okay?" Maggie looked at both of us, we nodded in response. "Let's get you cleaned up we can talk about it later."

"I've never been here before." I admitted looking around the place.

"It was a historical sight, Barrington House, now our home." Jesus shrugged. "Gregory's in charge here, you'll meet him soon enough trust me." They led us into the house, Jesus taking us up the stairs, showing us a bedroom, with a bathroom. "I'll find some clothes for you two." He left, shutting the door behind us.

I glanced at Daryl unsure of what to say or do. I had missed him while we were apart, but now we felt like strangers. I felt I had betrayed my friend, which I did there was no denying it. I don't know what I would say if he asked what happened between Negan and I. Daryl allowed me to shower first, I accepted washing away the last several days. I didn't take too long knowing Daryl needed to shower, it had been a good couple weeks.

I wrapped in a towel leaving the bathroom. There was a stack of clothes sitting on the dresser, Daryl waiting patiently on the bed.

"Go ahead." I spoke softly.

Daryl made his way past me without a glance or a word, shutting the bathroom door a little harder than I'm sure was intended. I dried my wet skin, pulling on the clothes they left me, jeans, a short sleeve button-up shirt, the other essentials. I was still hot from my shower, so I left my shirt and pants unbuttoned. I noticed a pair of round glasses by the mirror on the vanity, I placed them on my nose for fun. I noticed a small CD player next to the bed. I flipped through a small book of CD's picking whatever had the best art on it. I kept the music low, spinning and twirling on the balls of my feet, missing the days of ballet. Whoa, I just remembered something, that kept happening lately. Maybe my subconscious decided it didn't need to protect me anymore, whatever it was protecting me from in the first place.

I did several big spins, sweeping my leg out at the beginning of every turn to keep my momentum, bringing it back in to keep from kicking anything. My foot slipped and I fell on my butt, laughing at myself.

"You okay?" Daryl's voice caused me to jump.

"Yeah." I let out a heavy breath. "It's been awhile." I pulled myself up, sitting on the bed.

"Where'd you learn to do that?" Daryl asked.

"A ballet class a long time ago." I started to mess with my hair, pulling strands of hair back into a clip.

"You danced?" Daryl asked finally coming into full view already dressed.

"I guess I did." I shrugged. I realized Daryl was looking at my exposed skin. Embarrassed I quickly closed my shirt remembering the marks Negan had left behind.

"Did Negan hurt ya?" Daryl seemed to become angry.

"N-no." I said timidly, as I quickly struggled to button my shirt.

"If he hurt ya just tell me, and that sum a bitch is as good as dead." Daryl growled.

"Daryl, he didn't hurt me!" I tried to explain without giving away too much.

"What's that then huh, did he-" Daryl almost couldn't bring himself to say the words. "Did he force himself on ya?" How could I make this okay? If I told him the truth he'd be mad at me. If I told him yes then he'd just be mad at Negan, and that would be the easy way out of this. What the hell was I supposed to do? There was a knock at the door and Jesus entered, saving me from this conversation.

"Your friends are here, Rick and them." Jesus said with a smile.

Daryl and I looked at each other, then he gave me a light nod, letting me know it was okay to put our conversation on hold. I knew he wouldn't drop it, he would get his answer whether I liked it or not.We followed Jesus down stairs, he led us out of a side door, checking to make sure it was just our friends and not anyone else. He gave us a nod that it was clear, and allowed us to step past him, into the view of our group. Rick immediately stepped toward Daryl, I knew the relationship these two had started way back, so I didn't take it personally. Rick embraced Daryl tightly, the two having their moment. When they pulled apart, Daryl handed Rick the gun he had retrieved from the man he killed. Once it was in Rick's hands I recognized it as Rick's Colt, I hadn't realized that it was his until now.

Quickly our friends came and embraced us one by one, Tara, Michonne, and Carl; Rosita standing back coolly, whatever, and Rick, who was grateful to see me okay. There were nods shared between everyone once we were reunited. Then Rick led us toward the Barrington House to have a "meeting" with Gregory.

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Super short chapter I know, but I still hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, I am sticking pretty close to the show, but that is about to change so keep reading. Thanks for reading!