Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead.

"Do you see her?"

"Not yet, but she should be coming in soon." Maggie was studying the list of names in her program.

"Too many damn blondes." Carol laughed as Andrea shot Daryl a withering look for his comment.

"That's her right there, isn't it?"

"Where?" Maggie was straining to see, and Glenn's staggered pointing wasn't helpful.

"You'd think one of us would be able to see her." Zach quipped from behind his somewhat overzealous bouquet of flowers. He was right, Carol thought. They were a large party, with the entire Greene family plus their family friends Patricia and Otis, Glenn, Andrea, Milton, Zach, Daryl, and herself. But everyone wanted to be there to see Beth walk the stage at her college graduation. She'd been working tirelessly for four years between her classes and her job at the diner, and it was finally paying off.

"There!" Andrea stood up and began waving like a maniac, attracting the attention of one of the graduates.

"Andrea, I think that's a guy." Milton tugged on his fiancé's shirtsleeve as the student, who was in fact male, turned around to stare at her in confusion.

"Oops?" Andrea sheepishly sat back down, burying her face into Milton's shoulder until the graduate had passed.

"Did you really just mistake my girlfriend for a guy?" Zach asked disdainfully before turning back to his flowers. Daryl looked like he was about to say something before their focus was turned to Beth who had just walked into the gymnasium. She waved excitedly as she filed into her seat among her classmates, her smile only growing brighter as her friends and family waved back just as enthusiastically. Maggie reached back to the row behind her for her father's hand, who was smiling despite his tears.

"She did it, Daddy."

"Yes she did." The pride in his voice made Carol's heart swell.

The ceremony was achingly long and when it was over they all took a minute to stretch their sore muscles. Beth was making her way up the bleachers, her cap in hand. Zach met her halfway, kissing her soundly before offering her the flowers. It was such a sweet moment that Carol couldn't help herself as she reached for Daryl's hand, smiling softly at him. He stiffened momentarily before smiling in return, but there was an anxious look in his eye that made her worry.

"Daryl?" He shook his head before nodding towards Beth who was now hugging her sister tightly as her mother snapped a picture.

"Congratulations!" Carol and Andrea grabbed her for a hug, beaming proudly at their friend.

"So, how does it feel to be educated?" Andrea winked playfully.

"It feels great! You should try it some time." Carol watched as her friends continued their friendly banter before their group made their way towards the exits. Irma and Dale were throwing Beth a celebratory party at the diner and they were already running late. Daryl, for his part, seemed more aloof than usual.

"What's wrong?" Carol grabbed onto his arm, stopping them at the edge of the parking lot.

"Nothin'."

"Doesn't sound like nothing. Daryl, talk to me."

"Ain't nothin' to talk about." He gently tugged his arm free as he began walking again, the others not far ahead.

"Did you not want to come today? Is that why you're upset?" She hadn't thought much about extending Beth's invitation to come to her graduation, but maybe it had rubbed him the wrong way. She knew that she'd been pushing him outside of his comfort zone since day one. While she was always quick to remind him that he could say no whenever he wanted, it was often her making the decision. Even when he didn't want to go out with her friends, he wouldn't actually say so. She hadn't seen any of his usual reluctance this time, but maybe she'd missed something.

"Didn't mind comin' today, why would you think that?"

"You've been quiet today."

"M'always quiet."

"Yes, but more so than usual."

"S'not about comin' to Beth's thing. This is a big day for her, and she's a friend. I wouldn't say no to that. Figured you'da known that." He looked almost offended that she would suggest otherwise. Carol sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way."

"I know ya didn't. M'sorry." He took hold of her hand tenderly, ducking his head to meet her gaze.

"I know how you are, Daryl. I know when something's not right, and I feel like you're not telling me something."

"M'fine, Carol," she stiffened as she looked desperately to their friends to make sure they hadn't heard as Daryl grimaced, "Sorry. I just- everything's fine, okay?" He desperately wanted her to drop the subject. She frowned softly before nodding.

"Okay." He squeezed her hand but still looked tense as he led her back to his truck. She agreed to let the subject drop for now, but she'd get him to talk eventually. She just had to be patient.

"Well, looks like you're finally gettin' on outta here, Darlin'. Dale and I are gonna miss you sorely, but you've made us so proud. You've made all of us proud." Irma was standing at the front of the diner, trying to hide her teary eyes as she gave a speech in Beth's honor. Her speech ended with immense cheering and several boisterous rounds of 'For She's A Jolly Good Fellow' to which Beth blushed beet red while she smiled appreciatively. By the time the poor girl crossed the room to sit down with Andrea and Carol, she looked frazzled.

"I told them I just wanted something small!" Small in Irma's mind was a full-on catered dinner with a multi-tier cake and a diner full of people.

"Small and Irma don't go together, Beth. You should have known this was bound to happen."

"Yeah, well, I didn't think she'd invite people I haven't spoken to since preschool." Even so, Beth appeared to be very good-natured about the entire ordeal.

"Look at our little baby, all grown up and graduated," Andrea fawned playfully, "It's like it was only yesterday I was training her to work here."

"I'm really happy for you, Beth. You deserve this." Carol hugged her friend, ignoring the gagging noises Andrea was making across the table.

"Enough sappiness. I think it's time we get the graduate so drunk she can't remember she even went to college."

"I like that plan!" Beth applauded as Zach slid next to her in the booth.

"I like that plan too, so long as I don't have to carry her up the stairs tonight. She's heavier than she looks." He smirked as Beth hit him on the shoulder.

"See what I have to put up with?"

"Speaking of putting up with people, where's your loveable companion, Sarah?" Andrea asked. Carol wasn't even sure, she'd lost track of him the moment they'd hit the door.

"He's over by the counter. I tried to get him to come over, but he seems particularly surly tonight, which is saying something. Is he okay?" Zach looked a little downtrodden by Daryl's attitude. He'd grown fond of Daryl and the two were usually inseparable at these get-togethers.

"He's okay, just woke up on the wrong side of the bed I think," Honestly, she knew he wasn't okay, but she also knew Daryl wouldn't want her spreading his business around, even to their friends, "Actually, I think it's probably best for us to get on out of here. You know how he likes crowds." Beth and Zach smiled understandingly and they all chose to ignore Andrea's snort of derision.

"Well, when he's free, I'd like to ask his advice about my car." Zach said.

"Oh, we should have another dinner then!" Beth offered.

"That sounds good. I'll let you know when we're free. I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer. Congratulations, Beth, again." It was another round of hugs before Carol was able to pick her way to the counter. Zach hadn't been lying when he'd said Daryl was surly. Judging by the beer bottles in front of him, he'd been pretty busy over here by himself.

"Hey, sunshine," She wasn't surprised when Daryl simply grunted as he continued nursing his beer, "Ready to head out?"

"Been ready." He hopped off his barstool without another word and pushed his way through the crowd so quickly that Carol struggled to follow in his wake. The warm summer night air did little to ease her growing irritation.

"Daryl, what the hell?" He was already at his truck, not bothering to wait for her. His attitude was so comparable to when she'd first met him that it took her aback.

"M'ready to get outta here."

"What is wrong with you? Why are you so aggravated today?" He'd been quiet and on edge all week, but this was the last straw. He never acted this way with her, or their friends.

"Why do you keep thinkin' somethin's wrong? I told ya, everythin's fine!"

"I know you better than that, Daryl, and I'm not gonna pretend otherwise." He was fumbling with his car keys, causing Carol to roll her eyes.

"You're drunk Daryl, you're not driving tonight." She made a grab for his keys, but he jerked away from her. She made another grab, only to have him move just out of reach again. He turned to unlock his door, the keys jangling furiously as he struggled, until they fell to his feet. Irritated, Daryl kicked the keys away from him with a curse, before bracing himself against the truck. His shoulders were bunched tightly, his muscles taught under his t-shirt.

"Daryl. Talk to me." She lightly rested her palm between his shoulder blades. It was a few minutes before he calmed down enough to stand straight. He stepped away from her again and she let her hand fall through open air, knowing not to push his limits. His anger had dissipated quickly, but he still looked as tense as he'd been all week, and morose. He turned to face her, but didn't dare look at her.

"I got a letter from Merle the other day." He crossed his arms in front of him, hunching over. He raised his thumb to this mouth, looking ready to chew it straight off. He'd taken his usual trip out of town a week ago. The warmer weather had given him a great haul for pelt trading and he had taken advantage of it. She remembered him offering to take her to Savannah with him, but she'd had a shift at the diner she couldn't trade. A letter from Merle wasn't necessarily unusual, but Daryl had explained that his letters came sporadically. Since she'd found out about the letters, Daryl had only received one other. He'd been fine after that, had even shared a blurb of it with her. Something was different with this one, though. It was written all over his face.

"Is he okay?"

"He is." While she was relieved for Daryl's sake, it didn't explain his mood. She stared at him, waiting for him to continue. He didn't.

"What did Merle say?" She was worried for his thumb now. She could hear his teeth gnashing against the nail. It seemed like a decade before he spit his thumb away, grunting as he turned himself more away from her.

"He told me where he is, kind of." Shock was an understatement for how she felt. There were so many questions she had. Why now? Where was he? She couldn't give voice to any of them.

"Daryl, that's great!" She knew it was a sore spot for Daryl, not knowing where Merle was. It was great news. After ten years of carrying around the pain of losing his brother, Daryl could finally get some answers. He could go see his brother, if he wanted. But when Daryl just shrugged halfheartedly, she got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"He wants me to go see him."

"Okay, did he say when?"

"Soon." There was more, but he wasn't giving it up easily.

"So then why do you look like it's bad news?"

"'Cause he doesn't just want me to see him," Carol cocked her head to the side, encouraging him to continue, "He wants me to leave Ashwicke. To go, so we can be together." She oddly felt like she'd been punched in the gut. The fact that he still wouldn't look her in the eyes just rubbed salt in the wound.

"You're going." She didn't have to ask. He nodded, almost imperceptibly.

"He's my brother. And if I don't go, I might not get the chance again. Might not even hear from him ever again. I can't just- He's my brother." He finished lamely.

"When?"

"Don't know, soon. He said he wouldn't be where he's at now for more than a couple months or so." A couple of months? That was all she had left with him?

"What about Ashwicke?" That wasn't the real question she wanted to ask. Daryl gave a shrug, looking across the parking lot, anywhere but at her.

"S'just a place." She wanted to scream.

"So you can just pick up and leave then, just like that?" Leave her, more like it.

"There's only one thing here I care about, and that's you."

"That's not true. What about your friends? Zach, Glenn, Beth? The others?"

"Ain't gonna be the end of the world if I never see them again. They're more your friends than mine." He was lying through his goddamn teeth and she knew it.

"Look at me," He refused, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he kept his eyes trained steadily on the horizon, "Daryl, just look at me."

She reached out, but he took a step back, distancing himself in more ways than she could count. She felt an ungodly rage boil up within her.

"Fucking look at me, Daryl!" Her outburst shocked both of them, and for the first time since they'd left the diner, he turned to face her. They locked eyes for a few quiet moments. His gaze was radiating an agonized conflict and she swallowed thickly when faced with the intensity.

"Don't do this, Daryl. Don't distance yourself from us, don't act like those people back there don't matter to you. You care about them, and they care for you too. So don't diminish that just because you think it'll make this whole thing easier. It's not fair to them and it isn't fair to you." He hadn't broken eye contact with her once since she yelled at him, and she almost wished he would now.

"I have to go."

"I know you feel that way." She could argue against him, but it wouldn't do any good. Defeated, she walked past him to lean against the side of his truck. He joined her, both of them sighing as his hand sought hers for solace.

"Do you want to go?"

"I have to."

"That's not what I asked." He looked sullen and agonized, but so beautiful to her.

"Not without you," His eyes shot to hers again, apprehensive, "but that's not hard to solve."

"What?" She swallowed thickly, not sure if it was nausea or excitement brewing in her chest.

"Come with me."

"Daryl, I-"

"I love you, Carol, and you love me. So come with me. We don't have to end this just 'cause I'm leavin' town." The words were so sweet to her ears. She felt a twinge of relief, and she realized that maybe a part of her had wanted him to extend the offer to join him. But her relief was gravely overshadowed by her doubt.

"Daryl, I can't just leave. I've made a home for myself here. I have friends, and a job, and you-"

"I ain't gonna be here."

"I still have a life here, Daryl." He furrowed his brow, watching her desperately as he warred with himself.

"Then you don't have to decide now. Just promise me you'll think about it."

"You don't have much time."

"He said he'd wait where he is 'til August. That's almost two months."

"Two months to make a major life decision?"

"Just think 'bout it, please. Please, Carol, promise me that." His chest was heaving as he pleaded with her.

"Okay. I'll think about it." And she would. A part of her wanted to be with him, to follow him to the ends of the earth if that's where he led her. But Ashwicke had burrowed itself in her heart, had helped her in so many ways. She almost felt indebted to the town, to the people she'd forged bonds with here. Letting that go felt wrong, but the idea of letting Daryl go felt like torture.

Daryl calmed considerably with her agreement, the edge softening in his eyes as he tenderly rubbed his thumb over the palm of her hand.

"Thank you." He reached for her as he leaned his head into the crook of her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, the fingers at the back of his head threading through his hair. She could feel his exhaustion and frustration with the decision he'd had to make and it broke her heart. He was being forced to choose between his happiness here and the sense of loyalty and obligation to his only remaining family. She was an in-between, the only thing or person he could have from both sides of the fence. Soothingly she rubbed his back in circles, murmuring to him that it would be okay. She felt responsible for his distress, in a way. A year ago, before she'd come along, he would have left without a second thought. But she'd come in to town and shown him how to find happiness in the place he'd never had it before. She'd shown him what he'd been missing his entire life, and now he had to choose between his new and old ties. As if it was easy.

"Come on, we both got work in the mornin'. We should call it a night." Daryl said, breaking the hug. She scooped the keys up from the ground without a word as he crawled into the passenger's seat. The roar of the engine matched the roaring of her thoughts. It was hard to focus on the road, she figured she wasn't much better off driving than Daryl was at this point. Neither spoke, but her hand never left his as she drove them back to her apartment. What she really needed was a good night's rest, to help clear her mind. A clear head always made for an easier decision. Yet she couldn't quite bring herself to believe that this time. No matter what she chose, the decision would be heartbreaking and seemingly impossible. Either way, she felt like she was losing a piece of herself, and she didn't quite know how to reconcile with that. And while Daryl seemed convinced that two months was enough time for her to make that call, she wasn't so sure. Two months. As if it was easy. She wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.