My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Four

I ran barefoot down the street, not entirely sure leaned I was going. It was still early in the morning and I knew I couldn't disturb Maggie, my mind went to Skye, wondering where she was and I had no idea where I stood with the rest. I stood in the middle of the road and the involuntary shaking began, feeling disgusted at my selfish behaviour. How could I not know where Skye was? How could I use Daryl like that?

Daryl caught up with me, but paused not wanting to crowd me. I arched my head towards him but unable to look at him
"I'm sorry Daryl"
He groaned as he slowly approached me
"Why?"
"I shouldn't of done that! My husband just died, then I have sex with you knowing how you feel about me. I'm an absolute joke" my tremors shaking my whole
body as he snaked his arms slowly around my waist, then rested his head on my shoulder.
" 's OK" I couldn't believe that after what I'd done he was there like always, putting me first to comfort me, which made me feel even worse.

"I loved him Daryl!" I breathed, causing him to tense up. I had to be honest with him though
"I know he'd done terrible things, especially to you. I know I should've hated him, but he was changing"
Daryl groaned and buried his chin in the crook of my neck
"I know"
He then grumbled into my ear "You always had a soft spo' fer charity cases"
I usually would've laughed but I just couldn't do it, the whole situation was surreal. I tilted my head to make eye contact
"How could you possibly love me after all this? I was supposed to wait for you, but instead I fall in love with, him" I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued
"Then I do this to you" I ghosted my fingertips over the bite mark I'd given him, still bright purple and yellow.

He remained silent throughout my barrage of questions, knowing I had a tendency to perform word salad. We'd always been polar opposites when it came to communication, but had always meshed perfectly. I placed my hands over his
"I'm damaged goods Daryl, I've ruined everything. How could you possibly forgive me?"
He took a deep breath and kissed me on the cheek before finally responding
"Ye can forgive nearly anything for the people ye love" I tried to pull away but he held my waist tighter
"I know it's gonna take time Rackel. I shouldn' a let it get outta hand like tha'"

His selflessness and profession just fed my guilt, making me feel irritated. I grabbed his hands and pulled them apart, releasing me.
"I need to be alone"
I calmly headed back to the house, leaving bare chested Daryl in the middle of the street. I looked back at him and he just appeared more determined , his eyes unwavering while he stayed stationary, giving me the space I needed.

I showered then decided to go find Skye, I'm sure Maggie would've made sure she was being taken care of. It would do Skye good to spend some time with young people her age, uninhibited by the barrier that Negan had put around her. In order to protect her he had unwittingly isolated her from her peers. She was such an amazing girl, on the precipice of adulthood.

I didn't see Daryl for the rest of the morning, selfishly thankful for the space. I chucked on my worn jeans and my old Fleetwood Mac t-shirt. It was tattered, holes where the fabric had become paper thin but not having the heart to throw it out. As I laced up my brown steel cap boots I felt odd. It had been such a long time I had worn my utilitarian clothes and it brought the fact how spoilt I'd been to the forefront of my mind. I felt the need to redeem myself for that.

I wondered if I'd be allowed to help Olivia like I used to. I ended up helping her with stock take and going on supply runs with Daryl for specific goods we were running low on. I had decided the best way for me to cope with my loss would be to keep distracted, contributing towards Alexandria.

I tied my hair back in a pony tail and made a beeline towards Olivia's infirmary, grabbing an apple from the countertop on the way. It'd be good to see her again as it felt like a lifetime since Negan and I visited her. The memory of his made me feel like I'd swallowed razor blades. I pushed him out of my head as I knocked on Olivia's door, no answer. I knocked again and waited for a few minutes to no avail.

I gave up and headed towards Maggie and Glenn's as it was now mid morning. I knocked on the door and heard hushed whispers on the other side, my curiosity piqued.
"Coming" I heard Maggie as she jogged for the door. She opened it as I saw a good chunk of the heads of Alexandria sitting at Maggie's table staring at me in complete silence. Rick glared up at me from his position at the head of the table, I noticed that he had a slight black eye from where Daryl had hit him and I couldn't help but smirk. I then looked over to Glenn who smiled at me awkwardly, it was apparent that I was the topic of discussion.

Daryl pulled out the chair beside him, much to Rick's displeasure. I tried to ignore him as I sat down as Rick cleared his throat
"...as I was saying, it's hard to say what we should do about Rackel" Daryl, Glenn and Maggie immediately came to my defence, I smiled at my defenders. Maggie held her hands up to the boys, prompting them to settle.
"She is one of our own Rick. Through all moments of adversity she's always been at the forefront, doing what she can for us. She even sacrificed herself for the sake of Daryl without a moments hesitation. Remember when you lost Lori Rick? You were lost, but slowly made your way back. Why isn't Rackel afforded the same luxury?"

It was unnerving being a spectator to the decision of your own fate. Rick and Michonne standing strong as a team while my little group stood just as strong. I looked over to Aaron who gave me a sympathetic smile but remained quiet. It was sad to see Michonne on the other side of the fence, we'd been very close but I guess getting Rick punched in the face changed that slightly. I wished that I could've been sorry for that but I just couldn't be angry at Daryl for that; I was sure that he didn't I would've done it myself. No-one talks about my brother like that!

I finally decided to speak up, throwing my hat into the ring.
"I know you're upset at me right now Rick because I've caused trouble, but you need to wear part of the blame for poking the bear." Rick squared his jaw defensively but let me continue
"We go way back, year and years before this; so you know that I can and will be an asset to this group. Skye will become an integral part of this group to if you give her a chance, she's an amazing seamstress."
Glenn smiled at me as he interjected
"I know, she made me this jacket!" I looked over at the garment and identified it as Skye's straight away. It was a classic baseball jacket done in camo with a medium sized capital G embroidered on his left breast. That's my girl.

I looked over to Rick, waiting for the snap back that never came. I looked over to Maggie
"She's been taken care of while I've been off with the fairies right?"
Maggie smiled at me as my shoulders noticeably loosened, feeling an incremental amount of stress leave me. Rick eyed me off, probably wondering why I was so protective of her
"Who is she anyway?"
"Just a girl I got really close to. She's an amazing young lady!" I answered too quickly but I could tell that Rick had already developed a soft spot for her, her talents at work again.

I stood from the table, gearing up to leave
"Well the chat's been lovely, but I've got to go check up on Skye, then see what Olivia has me to do"

A unanimous intake of breath from all the leaders put me on edge, there was something I was missing. I looked over to Rick his face set in a look of strong disdain, but I pressed
"Where's Olivia Rick?" He tilted his head at me and violently stabbed the air in front of me
"Your husband killed her!"