AN: Hi there, i have not written in forever, i'm trying to get back into it. i can't gurantee i'm back on track yet, but i'm trying. This story is a crossover from the television show Manifest.i'm not listing as a cross over as i won't be using ant characters from Manifest, only the premise of the show. It's AU, no zombies.

Chapter 1

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2013 Mexico

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"I can't do this."

Merle looked over at Daryl in confusion, from his side of the cab speeding it's way through the streets of this tourist resort town in Mexico.

"Can't do what?" Merle asked suspiciously.

Daryl knew he'd been acting crazy all morning, Merle was becoming increasingly annoyed at him as they made their way towards the beach front area that the resort had promised would be the setting of a dream wedding.

Dream wedding, he thought ironically more like a nightmare.

Daryl loved Carol, he truly did. He loved everything about her, her smile, her kindness, her understanding. She somehow got him. She understood that a big wedding would be a nightmare to him, so they were basically eloping. Just Merle and Anddre had come with them to witness the event, and they were to be married in an hour, on the beach with the sun setting behind him.

But he couldn't do this. Every vile memory of his parents were flooding through his mind like a windstorm of anxiety.

He was only 25 years old, Daryl knew that Daddy had not always been the violent wife beating asshole that he and Merle had grown up watching. Daddy had become that man. Daryl could never imagine hurting Carol. He'd rather die a thousand deaths, but a small voice in his mind started whispering, what if? What if those tendencies came with age, and time. What if he hurt her?

Carol was sunshine, she was his sunshine. His best friend who had become so much more. The one person in his life that he could not live without. But he couldn't do this.

"I can't get married."

Merle's eyes widened in surprise. "Aww fuck little brother, that's just your nerves talking. You love Red. She's it for you. Don't do this."

Daryl put his palms over his eyes trying to stop himself from Hyperventilating. "I can't do this Merle. I can't turn into him. I can't ..." he knew his voice was getting louder the more agitated he got. The driver looked back in the mirror, eying them suspiciously.

"Daryl calm down...fuck...I ain't good at this shit...You can't leave Red just standing there. You'll regret this...think about it." Merle said a hint of panic edging into his voice.

" She deserves better... she'll get over it. Turn the cab around."

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Two weeks later.

Alexandria

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He'd made a mistake. He'd made a huge gigantic cataclysmic mistake.

Daryl paced back and forth. God what had he done? Sending her a message via text? That he wasn't showing up, heading back home with his tail between his legs like a slime ball. Not making sure she was okay, not talking to her.

He paused banging his head against the wall. Pulling his hair in panic.

Through Andrea the details had filtered through. Merle's wife was keeping him updated even though he didn't ask for it.

She's stayed in Mexico with Carol. The two girls had decided to turn their would be honeymoon into a girls trip. God knows Carol had probably needed to unwind after what he had put her through.

He got daily texts from Andrea that Carol was okay, resigned to him running like she had expected it. Andrea signed each text of woth the same message.

—Fix this you dumbass—

God, he wanted too. He wanted to fix this but he had no idea how.

He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep. He wasn't working. Merle wouldn't let him work. He worked for Merle at his garage, and had taken two weeks off for the honeymoon and Merle was insistent he take it. Get his head straightened out of his ass Merle said.

He sat down on the couch grabbing his head in his hands. How could he think that this would be better? To never hold her again, never touch her? Never feel her skin.

His breath started coming in rapid puffs. The pressure in his chest seemed to be unbearable. His was lightheaded.

The door to his apartment opened, he could hear footsteps in the distance, running. He lived on top of the shop, Merle had built a house next door.

Merle had gone to the airport to pick up Carol and Andrea today. Daryl had wanted to go but he'd been terrified of Carol's reaction. he pussied out.

Cease Martinez, Merle's best friend and business partner came running into the room.

"Daryl! " he said grabbing the remote for his tv. "Merle called, turned the tv on."

It was flashing on the screen, Carol and Andrea's plane was missing.

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Mexico

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"Andrea stop looking at me like that I'm ok."

Carol sat up with a huff in the uncomfortable plastic chair. Groaning she muttered "I swear airports make their chairs uncomfortable on purpose." Standing up she stretched "How much longer do you think our flight will be delayed?"

Andrea quirked her brow, eying Carol with skepticism. "You're taking all of this remarkably well Carol. I've been waiting for two weeks for you too...".

Carol grunted and rolled her eyes. "What? Have a breakdown and be a sad sobbing mess?" when Andrea modded she sat down beside Andrea. Grabbing her friends hand.

"Andrea, this is Daryl...i mean it's Daryl...I can't say I'm not pissed, I am livid. A text ...a motherfucking text?" Carol huffed out loudly, a giggle from a group of women sitting in the airport lounge made her flush and lower her voice. "But I understand, I should have expected it. He panicked." Carol shrugged her shoulders. "There is no one right now who hates him more than he hates himself right now. I can guarantee you that. He doesn't need me hating him too."

She sighed hanging her head back over the edge of the chair.

She was hurt, of course she was hurt. But somehow she understood, hell she'd been waiting for him to flinch. Just like he had when they had first met in high school.

She'd moved to Alexandria the summer she was turning 15. Her parents disastrous marriage had ended and she had been more than happy to move with her mom closer to family, namely her aunt; her mom's sister and Andrea's mom.

Carol had left behind nothing but bad memories. At her old school she'd been the target of bullies, lead by a ringleader by the name of Ed Pelletier. She had been happy for a fresh start.

Andrea has introduced her to the "popular "kids at school. Carol had been determined to fly under the radar. But she hadn't been able to hold her tongue when a group of kids had started snickering about Daryl. The seriously quiet kid in town. Daryl had been tiny until his junior year, and a target for bullies just like she'd been at her old 'd made a point of befriending Daryl, and taking Andrea along for the ride. Andrea who she'd found three years later making out with Daryl's older brother Merle.

It had taken Carol and Daryl three years to move their relationship to the next level. Carol's mom had been diagnosed with cancer, and suddenly every moment seemed to matter. Carol needed to let Daryl know how she felt and she had, one night when she couldn't hold herself back any longer. She'd been prepared for him to run, and he had. But only for a day, the next night he'd come to her door, im the midst of torrential rain. she would never forget his face, standing on her doorstep. his face had een a mixture of resignation and longing. She'd handed him her heart the day before but he' ddbeeen so scared to return the favor he'd run.

That was the thing with Daryl. Sometimes his feelings were just too much. They overwhelmed him, and he wasn't sure how to handle them.

He'd come back then, just like she was certain he would come back now. She was kicking herself for not expecting this. She knew she should have sent Andrea with Daryl and Merle that day to the wedding, or better yet traveled to the beach together. Merle was as emotionally constipated as Daryl. really the only reason Merle and Andrea had gotten married was Andrea's iron grip on the proverbial ball and chain that was wrapped around Merle. Carol snorted at the thought and Andrea glances at her in curiosity.

Their flight was finally called, for boarding. "Ugh finally." Carol said with a groan.

Grabbing her overhead bag Carol turned to Andrea "Don't worry Andrea. Daryl and I, we are far from over, but doesn't mean I won't make him squirm a little when we get home." She said with a smirk.

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The plane

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The turbulence jolted her awake. Carol grabbed Andrea's hand in fear as the sudden rocking of the airplane caused mass panic in the cabin. The plane took a steep dive for several seconds, alarms and lights flashing. Oxygen masks fell from the ceiling.

As quickly as it began, it was over. The plane levelled out and the pilot made an announcement that they would be landing soon.

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The airport

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The plane was surrounded by flashing lights.

"There are more ambulances and police vehicles then I have ever seen." Carol murmured nervously. "Have you gotten through to Merle?" She asked Andrea.

Andrea slammed her phone down in frustration. "No it says I have no service. I swear if Merle forgot to pay the bill again I'm gonna kill him."

Carol flipped out her own phone " Mine says that too."

The passengers in the cabin were becoming restless. There were grumbles starting, they had been held on the plane for two hours, not allowed to disembark. People were tired, and hungry and grumpy so when a man in an FBI agent boarded to address the passengers they were at first angry, barking out questions.

But the serious tone of the agent soon settled over the plane cabin eerily. As they listened in shock to the agent, describe how their flight had left Mexico, in April of 2013. But was never seen again. Until today, November 23, 2018. They'd lost five and a half years.