We stopped about 20 minutes later and pulled to the edge of the road. Rick didn't want to stay around the CDC for fear of walkers hearing the explosion and showing up. Lori came into the back of the RV and told me everyone was waiting outside so we could talk about our next move.

I already knew my next move. I don't know about theirs but I needed to help Daryl and we definitely didn't have the supplies to do it. I sighed and followed Lori out looking at Daryl one last time. I stood in the doorway of the RV so I could still keep an eye on Daryl.

I crossed my arms and looked to Rick who was standing at the front of the group with his hands on hips. "How is he?" Rick asked me. I scoffed and ran a hand through my hair. "Right stupid question," that caused me to roll my eyes. I looked back to see Daryl's chest rising and falling but it was faint.

"We need to get him help," I stated. Rick nodded but Shane rolled his eyes. "Look around. Do you see a hospital open?" I growled and lunged towards him but T-Dog caught me around my waist and held me back. "You son of a bitch!" I screamed. Rick blocked Shane from me.

He placed a hand on my shoulder. "What do you suggest?" he asked me. I slowly calmed down and took in a deep breath. "Guillermo," I said softly. Rick's eyes lit up at his name. "Good call. I'm sure they could help Daryl out," I nodded my head. "You mean the people who held you hostage?"

I looked up to see Dale with a worried look on his face. "You weren't there. We left things on a good note," Glenn said. I nodded in agreement. "Hell, we gave them guns and ammo they'd probably throw us a party," Dale still seemed unsure but he nodded.

"Alright everyone let's load up," Rick said. I shook my head. "No," I said. Rick looked at me. "Look we need to get him there in and out. With a group of us we move slower. I'll take a car and go myself," now Rick shook his head. "I can't allow that. You have no way of protecting yourself."

I tried not to show it on my face but I knew he was right. "I'll go with her," I looked over to see T-Dog standing a few feet away. I nodded at him gratefully. "Look I don't know how long we'll be. We need to find a place to set up camp for the night then T-Dog and I will take Daryl. As soon as they say he's free to go we'll meet you guys back here."

"I'll go too," I turned to see Glenn standing sheepishly on the outer edge of the group. "Hell no," I said while crossing my arms. Rick cocked an eyebrow. "I think that's a good idea. Why can't he go?" Rick questioned me but looked over at Glenn who looked away.

I scoffed. "Fine he can go," I looked over at Glenn, "don't talk to me," I stalked back into the RV. I let out a slow shaky breath before going to the back of the RV. Daryl was still lying on his stomach, eyes closed. I felt the RV lurch forward as I took my spot next to Daryl. I took a cloth and ran it over his forehead. He twitched a little which gave me hope.

The RV suddenly stopped and I was greeted by T-Dog. "Ready to move him?" he asked. I nodded and stood up. I let the men deal with Daryl as I ran over to Daryl's truck. I packed a quick bag of a few bottles of water, a couple canned items, and granola bars. I also grabbed Daryl another shirt knowing he would need it. I sighed and headed towards the group.

Rick handed me an ax and a baseball bat. I nodded at him and jumped in the back of Carol's Cherokee. Daryl was across the back seat spread out. I hopped in and put his head in my lap. Glenn and T-Dog jumped in the front with Glenn in the driver's seat.

The ride between all of us was silent. I heard Glenn give a sigh and I knew what was coming. "Emery I-," I glared at him through the rearview mirror. "I thought I told you not to talk to me." I stated more than questioned. "Just hear me out," I scoffed and looked out the window.

"I was drunk. I have never had alcohol in my life. I know I can't hold my own. I know what I said was out of line and I am truly sorry," I slowly looked back to the rearview mirror. Glenn's eyes were soft and he looked sincere. I sighed. "It's fine, but I'd be careful. Daryl's still pretty pissed at you," I watched as Glenn gulped and slowly shook his head.

We finally arrived to the home and we slowly got out of the car. T-Dog helped me carry Daryl while Glenn walked in front of us. T-Dog kept looking behind us. "Something's not right. Where are the guards?" I whispered. We continued up the stairs and Glenn slowly opened the door.

There was no one there. It was quiet. Glenn closed the door behind us and blocked it with a desk. We slowly walked down the hallway. We reached a room with a bed and T-Dog decided that was good enough. We slowly lowered Daryl on the bed and I sat in a chair and pulled it close to the bed.

"I'll go see where everyone is," T-Dog said while grabbing the ax. Glenn stayed by the door. "Something's not right,' I said again. Glenn just looked at me. "So you and Dixon, huh," I sighed listening to the teasing tone in his voice. I looked down at Daryl who still had no changes.

"Yeah," I whispered. He didn't say anything so I figured he was going to leave it at that. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up at Glenn. He squeezed my shoulder and gave me a smile. "I'm sure he'll be fine," I patted Glenn's hand and looked back down at Daryl.

I heard the door creak open and in walked T-Dog. He threw down multiple things on the bed. I looked up at him. "Where's Felipe and Guillermo?" I asked him. He swallowed and shook his head. "They're gone, but everyone else is," his voice trailed off. I got what he meant.

"Alright," I said and started digging through the stuff T-Dog had thrown on the bed. Hook needles, stitches, a couple IV bags and needles along with tubing. Glenn pulled the curtain on the door and locked it while sliding a bookcase in front of it. "I'm gonna need both of your guys help."

I looked up at T-Dog who nodded and then over to Glenn. "Do you know what you're doing?" he asked. I ran a hand through my hair and nodded. "I went to med school," Glenn just nodded. I started pulling Daryl's backpack off being easy of the metal.

Once the backpack was off I knew we had to take his shirt off. I stopped and looked up at Glenn and T-Dog. "What you see doesn't leave this room and do not let Daryl know what you saw," they both had shocked looks as I pulled out my pocketknife.

His shirt was dirty and covered in blood. I slid the knife through the fabric and it tore easily. I slid the fabric off his back and shoulders revealing his scars. I heard both T-Dog and Glenn gasp. "Not a word," I muttered while starting on the metal. "T, get ready just in case he wakes up. This is gonna hurt," I slowly started pulling the metal out.

"Glenn, this piece is the biggest and it's in the deepest. Right when I pull this out I need you to press that towel firmly to it so I can control the bleeding," Glenn nodded while grabbing the towel. "Here goes nothing," I mumbled. Right when I pulled the metal out blood was oozing out but Glenn was quick and pressed the towel on the wound.

I grabbed some stitches and the hook needle. My hands shook a little as I threaded the needle. I couldn't believe I was about to do this. Sure I had done it multiple times before shit hit the fan but this was different. This was Daryl. "Okay Glenn, remove the towel."

He slowly removed the towel and I took his place. I slowed my breathing as I got close to the cut. I shook my head and pierced Daryl's skin with the needle making the first stitch. I let a little sigh of relief when he didn't move but it also made me sad. I wanted him to jump up and started screaming asking me what the hell I was doing.

It stayed silent as I continued my work. Luckily it wasn't that long but it was deep. I stepped back and sighed looking at my work. It wasn't my best but I think it made me nervous. "You should've stitched your name on his back," T-Dog said while breaking the silence.

I chuckled while I taped a bandage around the stitches. "This is the easy part. The IV," Glenn arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure he needs it?" he asked. I nodded. "Unless he wakes up in the next five minutes then yes. He hasn't eaten and he definitely hasn't drunk anything. It will keep him hydrated."

I easily started the IV, like I said easiest part. I sighed and wiped the sweat from my brow. I grabbed a bottle of water from my back and wet another towel. I slowly ran it over Daryl's back and washed away the dirt, and blood as best as possible. I slowly traced one of the devils on his back.

I watched as goose bumps rose on his back. "Did anyone else see that?" Glenn asked. I nodded. "That's a good sign. It means he's coming too and he can feel, but that doesn't mean he's waking up anytime soon," I looked out the window and noticed the sun was going down.

"Looks like we're camping out here tonight boys," they both nodded. "Glenn try to get some sleep. I'll take first watch. Emery just keep track of Daryl. I want you to sleep. We need you fully rested just in case he wakes up and he flips," T-Dog said. I was grateful that both of them wanted me to focus on nothing but Daryl and that's exactly what I was going to do.

"Hey T, there's food and water in my bag. It's not that much, but it will hold us for a day," he nodded and sat in a chair facing the door. I curled up in the chair and my head on the arm rest. It definitely wasn't the most comfortable but I wasn't planning on moving.

I felt warmth being laid over me and I looked over to see Glenn laying a blanket over me. "Found some in the closet," he said while also holding a pillow out to me. I smiled and laid back down. I wasn't mad at him anymore. He risked his life to save someone who treated him like dirt. Hell, two of them did. I grabbed Daryl's hand in mine as I fell into a deep sleep.

~~

I woke up the next morning to no change. Glenn was sitting in the chair by the door and T was asleep in a recliner chair behind me. I sighed and looked down at Daryl. His color seemed to be coming back and he looked a little better but he still wasn't awake.

I sighed and went to look out the window. The sun was coming up over one of the building. It couldn't have been any later than eight. I sighed and flopped back down in the chair. I watched Daryl like a hawk. I never took my eyes off him. When Glenn offered me food I blindly grabbed for it and ate it slowly while watching Daryl.

I laid my head back down and grabbed his hand. I started feeling my eyelids get heavy. I didn't want to sleep and I tried to fight it. "It's okay Emery. If he wakes up we'll let you know," I smiled. I was so tired that I couldn't recognize who's voice it was but it brought me comfort.

~~

I was in and out of sleep the second time I fell asleep. Something was telling me not to fall asleep but my body was telling me otherwise. I could hear voices talking but it sounded like they were far off as sleep pulled me in deeper. I smiled as I felt fingers intertwine with mine.

A hand squeezed mine lightly and I felt a thumb rubbing small circles on my wrist. The hand squeezed mine again but this time a little harder. My eyes automatically shot open. I blinked a few times to adjust my vision to the sudden light and then they were met by bright blue eyes.

"Daryl," I choked out my voice barely a whisper. His blue eyes sparkled and I thought I was dreaming. I rubbed my eyes just to make sure and when I stopped my eyes were met by his again. He was smirking as he watched me. "Dare," I breathed as I got up from my chair.

I dropped to my knees by the bed and laid my head on his chest. He brought his other hand and ran it through my hair. I looked up at him and he was looking down at me. "I thought I lost you," I whispered. Daryl's chuckles vibrated his chest. "Ya can't get rid of me that easily."

I smiled a little as I felt a tear escape. "Hey," Daryl whispered while pulling my heads towards his. I was automatically met by his lips as he kept one hand in my hair and the other on my cheek. He rubbed his thumb across my cheek as the deepened.

Even though I had kissed him a day ago it felt like an eternity. I sighed as I relaxed into his touch. Him being unconscious just made me miss him even more. All my feelings that had died for him when we broke up suddenly came flooding back. We broke apart when someone cleared their throat.

I looked over to see T-Dog and Glenn standing in the doorway. I felt my face become hot as I buried it in Daryl's chest. "Never thought I would be happy to see you," T-Dog said. Daryl grunted in response. "How are you feeling?" Glenn asked him. I felt Daryl shift under me. "Hungry."

This caused all of us to laugh as I got up. I dug through my bag before tossing a couple granola bars to Daryl before taking one for myself. He sat up slowly with my help and sat on the edge of the bed. "What happened?" he asked. It was silent between all of us before I spoke up.

"We got out of the CDC right before it blew. You covered my body with your own and when it blew metal got lodged in your bag but it also pierced your skin. We came here thinking Felipe could help but when we got here everyone w-was uh dead and Felipe and Guillermo were gone. So I stitched you up myself," I watched as Daryl chewed slowly taking all of it.

"The group?" he questioned. "Back at a camp site," I said. Daryl shrugged before throwing the wrappers to the bars on the ground. "You think you can move?" Glenn asked Daryl. I stood up and offered a hand to Daryl. He took it and slowly stood up wincing the whole way.

"We gotta get out of here soon," T-Dog said. I nodded. "You guys check to see if it's clear. I'll pack everything up and help Daryl," they both left the room. I watched as Daryl tried to reach around and touch the stitches. I grabbed his hand and put it at his side. "Don't touch them. I don't need you popping a stitch. Unless you want to be awake for the next set I give you."

I watched Daryl grimace. "It itches," he grunted. I giggled as I slowly ran a hand around the area where it was stitched before dropping my hand. "Thanks," he grunted. I grabbed his shirt out of my bag and handed it to him. I helped him slip into it. I buttoned it slowly while kissing his chest on the way up.

I quickly stepped back and packed all the stuff in the bags and slung one of them over my shoulder. I grabbed Daryl's backpack and threw it over my shoulder too. I felt him grab my hand and pull me into him. It wasn't like him to be affectionate so I took every chance I could get.

"Thank you," he whispered before connecting his lips to mine. I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He pulled me closer and tried to deepen the kiss just as the door flung open causing us to jump apart. I looked over at Glenn and T-Dog who both had paranoid looks. "We have a problem. Walkers are surrounding the car."

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