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Daryl

It was dusk when we arrived in the city.

"Shit." I muttered as I eased my truck to a stop behind T-Dogs church van. The others were already piling out of their cars.

The CDC was locked down. Heavy metal shutters covered all the doors and windows. It was obvious the military had tried to make some kind of stand here. There were sand bag barricades all around it. Dozens of bodies littered the street, both military and civilian.

Jo leaned forward in her seat, her small hand lightly touching the dash. She turned to me. "Shit is right." She whispered, almost too quietly for me to hear. Her eyes were wide but there was no fear there, just like before with the Walkers in the woods and the one by the creek. I kept expecting her to break down like all the other women I had been around since this all happened, but so far she held it together. She looked wary and I wondered if she was regretting coming with us now. She obviously knew how to take care of herself but she took the safety of her people very seriously. She reached down, pulled up her golf club and gave me a grim nod.

We climbed out of the truck, leaving our bags behind. I had my crossbow in my right hand and Merle's shot gun in my left. The dead were everywhere. This was looking more and more like a mistake. I kept my eyes on the road. From here all the bodies looked like they were dead for good, but I could hear the groans of Walkers close by. I slung the shotgun over one shoulder. If any walkers came, they would need to be taken out quietly, or we would bring the whole damn city down on us.

I swung around to check the right and saw Jo looking for her family. I shook my head. If that woman didn't get her head on straight she was going to get herself killed trying to protect everyone else. I followed her gaze and saw where Rick and his family already had the sick teenager out of the car and were running towards the building. T-Dog was helping the man with the broken leg out of the RV.

The Walker's were louder now, closer. I swung in a circle as we kept moving towards the building trying to pinpoint their location. They were coming. The Walker's appeared around the back of the RV, a small group of five. I was lifting the crossbow to line up the shot when Jo bolted for the RV.

"Nick!" she yelled as she ran full speed towards the Walkers.

"Jo!" I called after her. She was going to get herself killed.

Two more Walker's appeared behind her and I ran towards them, firing a bolt into the skull of the first. I whipped the crossbow around, slamming the second Walker in the temple, knocking it to the ground. I pulled out my knife and plunged it into the base of the Walker's brain. I ripped my arrow out and reloaded it on the move. When I looked up there were already two Walkers on the ground at Jo's feet and she was turning for the third.

I could hear yelling from the group where they had reached the building. T-Dog was still trying to get Jo's man clear but another couple walkers came around the front of the RV.

"Nick!" Jo screamed, slamming her club through another walker and another one. There was blood everywhere.

I wasn't close enough to help her and couldn't get a clear shot on the Walker she fought. I lifted the crossbow and fired a bolt at the walker closest to T-Dog and Jo's man. I was reloading when I heard the teenager scream.

"JO!!!!" she screeched.

I snapped my head up, afraid I had made the wrong choice helping T-Dog instead of covering the bull headed woman. But Jo was still fine and on her feet. She was fighting but there was only one walker left. I looked to the teenager and wanted to swear. Her yelling like that was going to distract her sister and get her killed.

I kept running towards Jo when I heard T-Dog yell. Then T-Dog and Nick were on the ground, a walker on top of them as another group swarmed. Jo glanced once at her sister before she launched herself into the new group of walkers. She hit the one pinning T-Dog and the man, splattering brain matter all up the side of the RV, then she froze.

"God dammit!" I swore, shoving the last Walker away from me. More were coming and we needed to move. Now.

I reached them just as T-Dog was trying to pull her away from the body on the ground. "We gotta go!" T-Dog said, pulling her forward a few steps, but she stared down at what remained of the man she knew, stunned. There was blood everywhere, the walker had bit his throat out.

Jo sagged forward, gagging, but nothing came out.

"Nothing ya can do. Come on," I said and I took off running for the doors, leaving them to follow. We sprinted to the rest of the group just as they were turning to return to their vehicles.

"There's nobody here." Someone shrieked.

I shook my head in disgust. It was all a waste. I scoffed and turned back towards Jo. She was pale, there were tears swimming in her eyes and her hands were trembling on her golf club. "Come on let's go!" My voice came out harsh, but I didn't care. We had already lost one person, and who knew how many more walkers we would have to face to get out of this damn city.

When Jo didn't immediately follow I grabbed her arm and hauled her back towards the truck. She wasn't my responsibility but I would be damned if I was going to sit around and wait for her ass. We were getting out of here while we still could.

"You don't understand! You're killing us!" Rick was bellowing at the top of his lungs now. "You're killing us!!!" Shane dragged him away from the door.

Once I was satisfied Jo was moving I put the strap for my crossbow across my body and let it fall behind me and I lifted the shotgun. I was taking no chances this time. The rest of the group started moving in a group back towards the vehicles. I took point, staring down the length of the barrel. My crossbow slapped against the back of my thighs with every step in an even rhythm.

There was a metallic groan, and we all froze, whirling back towards the building. The large metal door in front of us suddenly slid open with a metallic hiss, spilling white light onto the sidewalk. I blinked rapidly as my eyes fought to adjust to the artificial lighting.

"Daryl, Jo cover the back." Shane barked out orders as we filed into the doorway. It opened into a large lobby with shining granite floors. I trailed behind the group with Jo on my left. This didn't feel right. I glanced over at her but she still looked shocky from what happened.

The cock of a gun bounced off the walls as a middle aged man came out of the elevators with a large automatic rifle in his hands. I swung the shotgun to face him, but he was too far away and there were too many people between us.

"Anybody infected?" he called, training his gun on our group.

"One of our group was, he didn't make it." Rick said sadly. Rick was close enough to take the shot if necessary but he didn't even have his gun out. I ground my teeth in frustration. His bleeding heart was going to get us all killed one day...maybe today.

"Why are you here? What do you want?" the man asked in a guarded voice.

"A chance." Rick's voice broke.

The man's eyes became suddenly sad and he lowered the gun. "That's asking an awful lot these days."

"I know."

The man's eyes flitted across our group. I watched him take in how ragged we were, resting on the children before returning to Rick. "You all submit to a blood test, that's the price of admission."

"We can do that," Rick agreed eagerly.

"If you all have stuff to bring in you do it now, once this door closes it stays closed. Go now."

Rick nodded and turned to the group, nodding towards the vehicles.

I turned to Jo and held out my shotgun. She seemed confused for a moment, but took it. "Ya watch the door." I said, palming my knife. She had proven herself to be more than capable of handling herself against Walkers but I didn't trust that she could right now. "I'll bring your pack."

Her hands were shaking slightly, but she held the shotgun like she knew what she was doing. She gave me a small nod, and I turned to go.

"Daryl!" she called.

I turned to face her, trying not to look as impatient as I felt. My truck was the farthest and the Walkers would be coming in droves with all the noise we made. It was my stupid ass trying to help her out.

"N-nick," she stammered, her eyes shinning with unshed tears. "I didn't...he was bit."

I exhaled, I had forgotten too. "I got it." I said and trotted back out into the night.

I was the last to return, both our packs were slung over my shoulder. I gave Jo a grim nod as I passed her, hoping she wouldn't notice the new blood on my pants. I did what she asked, but other Walkers had found the body and there wasn't much left.

Once we were all inside the man accessed a control panel. "Vi," he said, "seal the main entrance."

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Jo

The elevator was filled to the max and I found myself wedged between Kate, who was leaning against the back wall and Daryl. I was still shaking from adrenaline and grief as I tried not to think about what had just happened to Nick. He wasn't my first loss or even the fifth. He was just the latest. I felt hollow and shaky and I tried hard not to press against either Daryl or Kate. I didn't want them to know how strongly this was affecting me and how little control I had on my emotions right now. My eyes were burning with tears, but I held my breath on and off trying desperately to keep them in.

When the doors dinged open we eagerly piled out. I reached out to help Kate, resting my hand lightly against her lower back as I tried hard not to think about Nick's body laying out in the street above our heads.

The man who introduced himself as Dr Jenner led us to a large meeting room where he began the process of collecting our blood. I sat in one of the chairs, and reminded myself how to breathe. I was not going to break down in front of this group of relative strangers. I would not cry. By the time it was my turn I had myself back under control.

When it came to Kate he paused, taking in her pallid complexion. He frowned at her and lightly touched the back of his hand to her face. She jerked away from him so violently she stumbled and nearly went down. I caught her before she hit the ground, half collapsing under her weight. She didn't weight much, especially not these days, but she was taller than me and my muscles were so so tired.

"She's bit!" Jenner exclaimed taking a large step back, his eyes flew to his gun which he had leaned against the wall just out of his reach.

"No!" I said quickly, my eyes angry. "She is just sick."

At that moment Kate started coughing and couldn't seem to stop. I tried to hold her but she pulled away, dropping onto all fours. It was the worst I had heard her. The others looked away as though it were just as unbearable for them as it was for me.

Daryl suddenly appeared at her side, holding out my water bottle to her. I remembered then that he was still holding my pack. I gave him a nod of thanks but he wasn't looking at me. Kate's shaking hand took the bottle and she took small sips.

"How long ago did the cough start?" Jenner asked, regaining his composure.

I rubbed my temples. "Weeks...I don't know how long. It started as a simple cold, but...she just couldn't shake it."

Jenner nodded in understanding. "I will have to run some tests in the lab," he said cautiously. "It sounds like pneumonia..." He said thoughtfully. "I want to get the rest of the blood drawn and the samples going. Pneumonia can be contagious and I want to get her on antibiotics as soon as possible. I'm afraid I will have to quarantine her until she has had a massive dose."

I didn't pay attention to all his words, there were too many and I was too tired. But I heard him say he was going to give her antibiotics and that was all that mattered. I blinked back tears of relief.

"I need to run these samples and the girl to the lab and then I will give the rest of you a tour." Jenner said, addressing the group.

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Jo

The others waited in the meeting room, while I helped Kate down to the lab. Jenner smiled encouraging at me and Kate as he set her down on a narrow cot and started an IV. Kate lay back and closed her eyes while the fluids began working themselves into her system. I sat on a rolling stool beside her bed and held her hand.

Jenner worked quietly at work station on the other side of Kate's bed. He tapped away on the computer and prepared all the samples of our blood for testing. He ran Kate's first however and within half an hour the computer beeped. I lifted my tired, dry eyes to meet his. He gave me an encouraging smile and nodded. He walked over to a small fridge and opened it, moving bottles of clear liquid around before settling on a couple different ones. He took out a needle and syringe and withdrew some from each bottle, then walked over to the IV stand and deposited it.

"We are going to eat dinner, would you care to join us?"

I shook my head. Jenner smiled kindly at me, a sad, faraway look in his eyes. "I figured." Then he left me alone.

I sat and stared at Kate's IV drip until the last of the meds had entered her system, only then did I allow myself to rest my head on the bed. The wheeled stool was far from comfortable but at this point I could not have cared less. The sheets on the cot felt so soft beneath my cheek I couldn't resist letting my eyes drift closed for only a moment.

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Jo

"You missed a good dinner," Jenner's voice startled me awake. He checked on Kate's IV and her vitals. "You know, I gave her a sedative. You really should head up to the dorms and try to get some rest." I must have looked ready to argue because he held up his hands. "She will not wake until morning at least and I have Vi monitoring her vitals should anything change."

I stifled a yawn and nodded. I stumbled up the stairs in the direction Jenner had advised. Once in the hall I realized there were not enough doors for everyone to have their own room. The door to my right opened and Dale popped his head out.

"Jo," he said with a warm smile. "How is Kate?" He asked sincerely, I could smell the faint smell of wine on his breath and found myself wishing I hadn't missed dinner. I couldn't remember the last time I had a glass of wine.

I gave him a tired smile. "She's sleeping, but Jenner gave her a massive dose of antibiotics and said she will be well on the road to recovery by morning. He gave her some fluids and her color is already looking better."

"That's wonderful," and I genuinely believed he thought so. "Can I help you with something?"

"Jenner mentioned showers and beds..."

Dale laughed. "Yes. I'm afraid our room is full. Glenn and I," he clarified. He looked thoughtfully at the doors, naming off the occupants as he pointed to the doors. "Andrea and T-Dog. Rick and his family. Jacqui, Carol and Sophia. I believe both Shane and Daryl are alone in their rooms..." He must have seen my recoil and spoke quickly to reassure me. "There are two double beds in each room...like a hotel." He added with a smile.

I nodded thoughtfully. "I'll probably just return to the lab and stay with Kate. I need my bag though, which room is Daryl's?"

Dale pointed me in the right direction. I knocked on the door but there was no reply so I turned the handle and was surprised to find it unlocked. Sure enough on the small side table near the door rested Daryl's crossbow, next to it was a half empty bottle of SoCo. I looked at it thoughtfully and quickly scooped it up and took a few swallows. It burned going down, spreading warmth through my body. It felt so so good to feel something other than grief and pain.

I still held the bottle when the bathroom door opened in a cloud of steam. I froze and so did Daryl. He wore only a navy towel slung low on lean hips, and had a grip of dirty clothes in one hand. His hair was pushed back away from his face, droplets of water still running down his skin. His hand dropped to where the towel was knotted as though to make sure it stayed up.

"I'm so sorry!" I said quickly. I set the bottle down screwing on the cap and turned around. "I knocked but there was no answer and I needed my pack and I didn't mean to bug you, Dale just sent me here and I didn't think-." The words were pouring out of me in a nervous rush and I could not for the life of me stop talking.

"S'okay" Daryl interrupted in a raspy voice. He moved quickly into the room and towards the couch where our gear rested.

I glanced at him once. He positioned himself oddly, so he was facing me at all times. Did he not trust me at his back? Was he afraid I was going to jump him?  I could be wrong but I was pretty sure his ears were a little pink. I don't know why he would be embarrassed, he certainly didn't need to be. His chest matched the definition his arms promised. I could see a few small tattoos, and scars but it wasn't surprising given the world we all lived in now. I looked away, not wanting to be caught staring.

I cleared my throat trying desperately to set him at ease and regain my composure. "I didn't mean to interrupt your privacy, I just need my pack." I said motioning to the pack as I started to slowly approach him.

He hadn't looked up from his bag yet as he pulled out clothes. I kept my head down not wanting to embarrass him further. He glanced up at me as I reached for my pack.

"How's your sister?" He asked, his voice husky. My mind flitted to the bottle of whiskey and I wondered how much he had had. He didn't seem drunk, though there was a looseness to his limbs I hadn't seen before. The hard glint in his eyes and the aggressive set to his shoulders were gone as well. I wasn't sure if it was the whiskey, or if it was because he was no longer surrounded by the group.

"She's good. I'll ah, just grab my stuff and stay with her tonight." I swung the backpack onto my shoulders and headed towards the door.

Daryl frowned. "Down in the lab?"

I nodded. "I'm really sorry again for disturbing you." I reached for the doorknob.

"Why don't you take a shower first." Daryl said.

I looked to him and he motioned towards the bathroom with a jerk of his chin. "You missed the tour, but there's hot water."

I felt my eyes widen and a slow smile tugged across my lips. "Really?"

He let out a raspy chuckle that sounded a little rusty. "See for yourself."

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Jo

Half an hour later I stepped out of the bathroom. I had wiggled my still damp body into a pair of capri yoga pants and a tank top. A puff of steam followed me into the room.

Daryl was laying on one of the beds, sitting propped up by a stack of pillows. He wore a t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off and a pair of boxers. The bottle of whiskey was in his hand and he tipped it up to his lips as he watched me. "Better?" he asked with a smirk.

I nodded with a smile and ran a hand through my long, wet hair, shaking a few droplets onto the floor grinning.

"Ya can sleep here if ya want," he said motioning towards the empty bed. "Those labs didn't look too comfy...I won't bother ya," he assured me a little awkwardly before taking another swig.

I snorted. "I wasn't worried about that I just..." I dragged off. "...my sister."

He nodded as though he understood. And for some reason I really believed he did. I remembered someone making a comment, I think it might have been Carol, about Daryl recently losing his brother.

But what could I really do for Kate sleeping on that damn stool? I wouldn't be much use to her exhausted and too stiff to move in the morning.

I tossed my pack onto the floor and flopped down onto the bed. I moaned aloud. "Oh yeah," I moaned again, not caring how bad it sounded.

When I looked over at Daryl he was smirking at me with an eyebrow quirked. "Been a while?" he asked raising the bottle to his lips.

I groaned. "You have no idea," I sighed in pleasure. "I can't remember the last time I wasn't sleeping on the ground or in that damn car."

He chuckled and handed me the bottle. I took a long drink, reveling in the way the whiskey burned going down. When I lowered the bottle he was staring at me and I let out an uncharacteristic giggle. Whiskey had been my drink of choice when I was in college, but it had been a lot of years since I had drunk anything harder than the occasional glass of wine or beer with dinner.

Daryl smiled a full real smile for the first time and I found myself admiring the way it changed his face. The warmth from the whiskey filled my stomach and made my head fuzzy. I vaguely remembered that I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten, but didn't care. It just helped the whiskey do it's job faster.

I didn't want to think tonight. Kate would sleep all night tucked away safely in the labs. This was the first time in as long as I could remember that I didn't have anyone else to worry about. I felt almost giddy at the weightlessness of that feeling. I pulled the blankets up snuggling myself into them in a way that used to drive my husband crazy.

I briefly closed my eyes. Stop, I thought reset.

I couldn't let myself go there. That part of my life was done, gone. He was gone. When I opened them again Daryl was staring at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. His brow was knit now, and he looked concerned.

"I was sorry to hear about your brother," my voice came out softer than I had anticipated.

His eyes flashed over to me and I immediately regretted my words. The whiskey must be affecting me already. That was super rude. "Carol told me." I said gently. I rolled away from him so I was also staring at the ceiling. There was a long uncomfortable silence.

"Sorry about Nick..." his voice was muffled and when I turned towards him I saw he had also wrapped himself up the the blankets.

I nodded, the grief pushing it's way through the haze once more. "Thank you," I breathed. Realizing I owed him for what he did for me. "For taking care of him."

"Was he your...?" he started to asked.

I sputtered out a denial before he even finished asking. "No, no, no. Nick was my brother-in-law. My husband died a few months after the outbreak."

Daryl's brows knit again, and he bit at his lower lip as he rolled so he was facing me. He seemed to debate saying his next words. "I'm guess'in he wasn't married to the teenager in the lab."

I rolled onto my side to face him as well. I pulled the blankets tighter, as though they would help keep me together. "My older sister died, right away."

He let out a puff of breath, but I continued before he said anything more. I needed to say it out loud. I had for a while and the booze gave me the courage I needed. I needed someone to hear it, and Daryl was as good as anyone.

"My parents...My husband, my older sister, her husband, their two kids...and my...son." My voice cracked over the last word but no tears came. I wasn't sure there were any tears left for my family.

Daryl didn't say anything. He seemed to understand there was nothing he could say to make it better. Instead he stared into my eyes from the cocoon of blankets. His hand emerged from beneath the pile of blankets and he passed me the bottle without a word.

I didn't look away from his intense gaze as I took another long drink. I was beyond the point where it burned. I held it back towards him, spanning the distance between the two beds. When he reached to take the bottle his fingers brushed against mine, sending a jolt up my arm. There was no tension in Daryl's face and instead of their usual wariness, his eyes were soft and liquid blue, reminding me of the ocean.

I blinked and shook my head, forcing myself to focus on something else. This was hardly the time for thoughts like this and a huge wave of guilt washed over me.

But he was gone.

I closed my eyes briefly and when I opened them, Daryl's eyes had softened to something less intense as though he understood.

He almost smiled at me. "Sleep tight Jo."

I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling once more, letting out a loud sigh. "Goodnight Daryl."

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