We're The Ones Who Live | The Walking Dead (2)

Part 21 - Bedtime Story

"Thanks for watching the kids," Michonne quietly said to CJ as they pulled away from a hug.

"It's okay," CJ smiled softly. "It's been a while since they come for a sleepover."

"We'll try to be back as early as we can," Michonne told her. "No later than tomorrow morning."

She walked away to the gate, and Daryl walked up to CJ with a frown. "We don't plan on bein' there any longer than we gotta."

"I can still come with-"CJ began before she was cut off by her husband.

"No," he mumbled. "We'll be fine, okay? I promise."

She closed her eyes and nodded her head. "Sorry. Just... be safe. Please."

"We will be," Daryl whispered. "We'll be back before you know it, alright?"

"Yeah," she sighed.

She leant up and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Daryl pulled her closer, and she buried her face int the crook of his neck, embracing the warmth she felt from being in his arms.

"I love you." CJ sounded like she was scared as she whispered.

Daryl pulled back from the hug and rested his forehead against hers. "I love ya too."

The couple shared one final kiss before Daryl started walking backwards, his hand locked with hers right until he couldn't reach anymore and had to let go.

As he reluctantly turned away, walking down the road away from home, Daryl thought about his own memories of that day at the border. Leaving his wife behind at the Kingdom for her own safety, as strange as it sounds, ended up being one of the worst decisions he had made.

He knew that she was better off at home, and not because she wasn't strong enough; she was the strongest woman he'd ever known. But he would rather be away from her and know she was safe, that keep her close and risk her being hurt again.

CJ watched Daryl and the others walk away with a heavy heart. The gates were closed as the group disappeared over the ridge in the road, and she forced herself to snap out of her daze and get back to work. She wouldn't be able to relax until they got back, and even then, it would be a struggle.

She started to help out with the clean-up crew, moving the walker bodies into piles with plans to take them out and burn them. Aaron and a couple of others were down by the gate preparing to head out to deal with the herd approaching from the southern border when Gabriel came over with his hands on his hips.

"Aaron," he called. "Take Negan when you leave. He'll help with the walkers."

In the months since the storm, Negan had been trusted a bit more with helping out around the community. He was still locked into his cell every night, had time limits for how long he could be out during the day, and he was never allowed outside the walls. But this situation called for as much help as possible, so there was no choice.

"We're good," Aaron muttered.

"You're low on soldiers already," Gabriel countered. "The ones you have are fighting fatigue. Negan has only been on clean-up duty."

"I said, we're good," Aaron snapped.

"Aaron," CJ cut in. "We're too low on fighters to start turning help away."

"He's not help," Aaron argued. "I don't need him."

"Hey, uh, guys? Can I..." Negan called over, gesturing for CJ and Gabriel to come over to him. It was pretty pointless considering Aaron was only stood ten feet away.