"It's good, what you have here."

92. the next world

QUINN

     THE MORNING FOG CLUNG TO HER CLOTHES like hands reaching out for a lifeline. Most of the community was still asleep but she had woken up early. Still rubbing the sleep from her eyes she walked through the streets towards the front gate. Today Rick and Daryl would go out to scavenge for food, medicine, anything they might come across. And it was necessary because their food situation was less than ideal. They had to start growing their own food soon, preferably before winter would arrive. Every store nearby had been raided and those that hadn't probably only had rotting food left on the shelves. Feeding a whole community definitely wasn't easy and so a scavenge trip was necessary.

While they would be out Quinn would work with Aaron to map out some routes in the area they could go to find more people. She didn't have to talk with Daryl to know he didn't like going out to find more people. The roles had all of a sudden become reversed. While her hope had been ignited when they found Morgan, his hope had been stomped out by both the Wolves attacking Alexandria and the crew he came across on the way back to Alexandria. Abraham had told the story, enjoying the details way too much, of how they were stopped by some pricks on bikes who demanded they gave up their stuff. Daryl had blown them to pieces and Quinn felt slightly disappointed she hadn't been there to witness it.

The last few weeks had been quiet. After rebuilding the community most time was spend trying to heal and find some sort of normal again. Only when they were back at full strength did Rick trust the situation enough to leave for a scavenge hunt. It may sound lurid but maybe the herd had been a blessing in disguise. The community was one now. The fight made people come together in a way that no speech or meeting could ever have done. And even though the idea of living a peaceful life still seemed so foreign to her, she was starting to see it. Like her hope was the sun, hidden behind clouds that only let small rays of light through at the time. She knew the sun was there, waiting to shine fully once the clouds had disappeared.

Though it wasn't just the feeling of unity that made her feel at peace. It was also a handsome redneck currently waiting for her at the gate. She could almost feel her step getting lighter when he came into her sights. He was studying a piece of paper, which she suspected was the list of things he needed to look for today. After her drunk confession and their talk the following morning things had slowly started to move into the right direction. He no longer left the room in a hurry when seeing her, instead she could always find him hovering somewhere nearby. Almost as if he was afraid she would disappear if he were to take his eyes of her. Being near him didn't feel the same as before anymore. Before it felt safe, but with a lot of nerves constantly tugging at her heart. Now it felt like coming home, like a breath of fresh air filling her lungs whenever her eyes met his. Now it felt like the most real feeling in a world that was hell bent on destroying all things good and true. 

And though they hadn't kissed again - not because she didn't want to, oh how she wanted to, but because she was afraid to freak him out again - he was slowly becoming more comfortable with having her closer than was probably socially accepted. Quinn didn't much care if it made other people uncomfortable. It took all her strength not to touch him whenever she could. Whether is was simply taking his hand or a nudge against the shoulder. Any excuse to touch him she took with both hands. It may sound stupid but she felt like she would explode were she to keep away from him longer than absolutely necessary.

Their growing comfort with each other hadn't gone unnoticed either. Quinn could see the small smile on her brother's face whenever she lingered around Daryl for too long. She had spotted Michonne's, although slightly jealous, grin when she dared taking Daryl's hand once. Beth's twinkling eyes hadn't escaped her notice either. Or that time Rosita had whispered a soft "nice" to her. Though the most fun came from Rick's shocked face when Daryl had slung his arm around her shoulder when they were seated out on the porch. Honestly, it was like nobody had anything better to do than watch her relationship. The word still made her warm inside, like liquid fire was being poured into her veins.

Her soft footsteps against the pavement made Daryl look up from the paper he'd been holding. She loved watching his face change whenever his eyes landed on her. The usual rough edges seemed to soften. His eyes came alive like the stars coming out at night. He was gorgeous and she still couldn't quite believe he was hers.

'You're up early,' he said once she reached him, though the teasing smirk lingering in the corner of his mouth let her know he was perfectly well aware of why.

She shrugged, pretending she didn't realise he was teasing her. 'Couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye.' She put on a stern face. 'And to tell you to be careful.'

He slightly tilted his head. 'Ain't I always?'

She scoffed. 'You really want me to answer that honestly?'

'Best you don't,' he mumbled, though his smile was growing wider.

'That's what I thought,' she replied, feeling herself smiling back at him, because how could she not when he was looking at her like that?

His eyes shifted to someone behind her and she turned around to see Denise walking down the street. 'Hey,' Daryl called out to her.

'Yes?' She replied, crossing the street the meet them.

Daryl pointed to the piece of paper he'd been holding. 'This thing at the bottom right here, you're talking about the drink, right?'

Quinn stood on her toes to look at the list and frowned at the line that was drawn between the medicine and the drink at the bottom.

'I am,' Denise said, 'but, eh.' She shrugged.

'It's not medical,' Quinn noted, frowning.

'No, I drew a line between that and the important stuff,' she explained, pointing to the paper. 'I just figured, if you saw it.'

'All right,' Daryl nodded.

'Anything remotely medical is a priority. And food. Maybe even food before medicine,' Denise started rambling, waving her hands around like she was pointing to invisible things. 'And gas, or batteries or books for the kids or clothes. It's just if you see it. If it happens to, you know, be right there.' She took a small breath when she finished.

'You like, right?' Daryl questioned. She could almost feel him grow more uncomfortable with the rambling doctor with each passing second.

Denise shook her head. 'No, I don't drink pop.'

'What the hell's pop?' He frowned.

'Oh, I'm, I'm originally from Ohio,' Denise explained, pointing over her shoulder as if her home was just a few steps away.

Daryl looked at Quinn, as if silently asking for strength to deal with someone just as socially awkward as him but all she did was give him a teasing smile. So, he turned his eyes back to Denise. 'Why you want it?' He asked.

The girl seemed to grow, if possible, even more uncomfortable and took a deep breath before finally saying: 'Tara was talking about it in her sleep, I think. Um, so, either she likes it or she doesn't but if she likes it, it'd be a really nice surprise.' Her cheeks grew pink. 'I'm not good with that kind of stuff. And she and Heath are going on that two week run. I just thought it'd be a nice going away-present. Just-' she waved her hands around nervously again. 'Don't go out of your way. And, uh, if it gives you any trouble.'

Daryl shook his head, already starting to back up. 'I won't,' he promised.

'Okay, good, 'cause it's not important. I should've just said so instead of drawing a line.'

He started walking away from the rambling doctor. 'Got it,' he called over his shoulder.

Quinn gave Denise an apologetic smile before heading after Daryl. She caught up with him before he could reach the car Rick was waiting in. 'That was,' she doubted, searching for the right word, 'cute,' she finally decided to settle on.

Daryl scoffed. 'That's one word for it.'

She glared at him. 'Be nice.'

He stopped before the car, turning back to give her one last look. 'You want a present too?'

A grin appeared on her face. 'Oh no, I would never force you into something like that.' She reached out and took his hand, giving it a small squeeze. 'See you tonight.'

His eyes roamed her face, as if trying to capture every single detail in his mind. He took a small breath, as if having to control himself from doing something drastic. She could almost feel him restraining himself. Something was holding him back and whether it was Rick in the car behind him or something else, she wanted to slap it across the face, hard. However, afraid to push him, she took a small step back, taking the choice out of his hands.

'See ya,' he muttered, finally, although reluctantly, letting go of her hand.

She offered him one last smile before turning around and making her way towards Aaron's house. She couldn't wipe the stupid smile from her face. It always seemed to appear whenever she was with him. She just couldn't stop herself from smiling a damn idiot. She almost felt like a teenager in their first relationship. Sometimes clumsy, sometimes awkward, but so real that it hurt. She had never felt something more real in her life than this and it was enough to slightly hate herself for not just kissing him earlier.

'Good morning,' Morgan's voice greeted her, startling her out of her thoughts. 

She turned her eyes to her left and noticed the knowing smile he was wearing. Which told her that he had seen her grin like an absolute idiot only seconds before. 'Morning,' she replied, pretending like nothing happened.

'It's good, what you have here,' Morgan said.

She felt her heart glow at the thought, because it was true what he said. It was good. She was happier than she had ever been in her life. In a world that was completely dead, she had come alive. She found her purpose, was on her way to find peace. But walking next to a man who lost so much, she didn't feel comfortable talking about it.

'It is,' she managed to say. She doubted for a second and then added: 'How are you fitting in?' She knew like none other how hard it was to adjust to a life of peace after having fought for so long. And there were few people she knew who fought as hard as Morgan had. It felt like a life time ago when she first met him and she was happy for him that he managed to move past insane state. She just wondered if it had come at a cost.

'It's been hard,' Morgan confessed. 'But I'm glad to be here.'

Quinn nodded. 'Yeah, I know what you mean.' She offered him a careful smile. 'We're happy to have you. Rick too, even if he doesn't say it.'

Morgan laughed softly. 'He has changed, hasn't he?'

'We all have,' she said, though she knew that wasn't the answer he'd been looking for. 'And yes Rick isn't the man he used to be. But it's thanks to him that we're alive to be here. He's trying.'

'I know,' Morgan nodded, though his face looked pained, like there was so much more he wanted to say but didn't know how to say it without hurting her. 'But now that we're safe, should we not try to safe other people? Like what you, Aaron and Daryl are doing.'

'We save the ones worth saving,' Quinn said, not understanding the point he was trying to make.

Morgan stopped walking, forcing her to stop as well and look at him with a frown. 'All life is precious,' he said. 'That idea is what kept me going.'

She tried her hardest to ignore the anger that was starting to boil in the pit of her stomach. What was he trying to say? That the Wolves who attacked them and killed so many innocent people didn't deserve to be killed? That the people Abraham, Daryl and Sasha ran into on the road should've been let alive to hurt them? 'So, if we're out there and someone points a gun at us, you're saying we should let them live?' She questioned, hoping her annoyance wasn't evident in her voice.

'I'm saying there's another way,' Morgan said, almost pleading now. 'There can be another way.'

She took a deep breath to try and calm herself down. 'I'm not sure-' 'Just think about it,' he interrupted. 'You've said it yourself, we have all changed. We can change again.'

The desperation was written all over his face and in that moment she realised he was still trying to piece himself back together. He wasn't out of the woods yet. He was still trying his hardest to find peace within himself but how could he when everyone around him was committing the very things he was trying to run away from.

'I'll think about it,' she promised, her voice soft. 'I gotta go, Aaron is waiting for me.'

'Of course,' Morgan nodded, trying to give her a smile but his eyes remained filled with sadness.

She turned around and continued her way to Eric and Aaron's house. Morgan's words kept repeating themselves in her head and the desperation in his eyes was burned into her mind. This was important to him, the hope of knowing there was a way they could built a life without having to kill. She just wasn't sure if she agreed. She wanted to try and understand but every time she thought of those men on the road and what they could have done to Abraham and Sasha and Daryl, her veins glowed with fury. Some people didn't deserve to live, it was as simple as that. When she came to Alexandria she had sworn she wasn't going to let any more of her loved ones die, that she would do everything within her power to keep them all safe. And if that meant killing others, she had no problem doing so. Yes, she wanted peace but she would fight tooth and nail to protect that peace.

Her mind was still twisting and turning by the time she reached Aaron's house. Absentmindedly she knocked on the door and when Aaron opened the door he had to call her name three times before she finally managed to pull herself out of it.

'Are you alright?' He questioned.

'Fine, just,' she sighed, 'a lot to think about it.'

He nodded and opened the door fully so she could enter. She greeted Eric and followed Aaron to the garage. A table stood in the place of where the bike had been standing the very first time she came in here and Aaron offered her and Daryl a job. She still believed it had been one of her best decisions ever to accept.

Aaron sat down and gestured for Quinn to follow. On the table in front of her was a map of the surrounding area. The places overrun or too dangerous were marked red. It was difficult to truly rule some place out though. People still out there kept moving, never staying in one place for too long, that was simply impossible to do anymore. Still, they could rule out a few spots. Towns that had burned down, places where no water was in sight. There were some things every human being needed and so they took a look at the spots that provided easy acces to those things first.

'You think people would try their luck in the city?' She questioned, her eyes focused on the lines that formed Washington. The city wasn't too far from here. If they prepared for a few days trip they could easily make it. 'Most walkers will probably have wandered out of the city, and the it does still provide most resources,' she voiced her thoughts. 'And offers the most shelter. Though, Daryl probably won't be happy going there,' she said, thinking about the worried frown that would appear on his face when telling him she wanted to go to a place filled with such risk.

When Aaron remained quiet she lifted her head to look at him. She frowned when she noticed he wasn't even looking at map. Instead he had his arms crossed over his chest, staring at her with a guilty look on his features.

'What's going on?' She questioned.

He opened his mouth, only to close it again when no words seemed to come to him.

'What?' She pressed.

He turned his eyes away from her when he finally answered. 'I'm not sure we should go out there again,' he mumbled.

She blinked in surprise. Then leaned back in her chair. 'Explain,' she said.

Aaron took a deep breath, seeming to grow more uncomfortable with each passing second. 'It was because of me those Wolves found this place. We can't risk something like that happening again.'

A sigh left her lips before she could stop herself. She knew Aaron blamed himself for losing his backpack when they were attacked by walkers but not going out there again because of it was ridiculous. The chance of there being another group like the Wolves out there was very small and even if there was, they now knew they had to be even more careful. She knew Daryl was against going out there again but she had hoped to convince him otherwise with Aaron's help. If he was against the idea too the situation became a lot more difficult. Maybe she should ask Morgan since he wanted to save people so badly.

'You were the one who taught me there are still people worth saving,' she said, her voice sharp. 'And now you're just giving up on that?'

Aaron looked pained. 'Maybe you were right when you said it doesn't matter any more. All that matters is protecting what we have here.'

She scoffed, shook her head, then gathered the map and stood up from her chair. 'Guess I'll just have to do it myself.' Then she turned and walked towards the door.

'Quinn!' Aaron called after her, stopping her at the very last moment. 'I'm sorry.'

She left the room without looking back at him. She crossed the streets and made her way back to the house where she and Milo were staying. Now that Rick trusted the Alexandria Community the group had split apart into their own houses. Some stayed together but she and Milo had settled on a house for the two of them. Daryl had stayed with Rick, Carl, Judith, Carol and Michonne. She knew that when he was ready he might move in with her, but she had decided not to bring that up just yet.

The house was empty when she entered it. Milo was probably busy with helping Maggie in running the community. She envied him for knowing exactly where he belonged and what he was good at. She thought she knew her purpose but now the universe seemed determined to rob her of it again. Now that she was away from Aaron, she hated herself for acting so harshly. Still, she couldn't help but feel slightly betrayed. He offered her a job, a chance to become something else, to do some good in the world. And now he was backing out.

She spread the map out on the table, ready to do the work herself. She wouldn't let them stop her from going out there again. Now that she finally knew her place in the community she wasn't just going to give that up. She wasn't a leader like Milo, Rick and Maggie. She wasn't a warrior like Michonne, Rosita and Sasha. But she knew her worth. She knew people, knew how to read them, knew how to handle them if things went south or how to help them if they needed it. She was good out there and so out there was where she would go.

'Hey, are you okay?' A voice spoke up behind her.

She turned to see Beth standing in the door opening, a worried frown painted on her features. 'Beth, what are you doing here?'

The teenager gestured towards the door. 'I saw you marching through the streets all angry. I figured something happened.'

A small smile appeared on her features. She couldn't help herself. 'Just a little set back, that's all,' Quinn said, hoping it was enough to convince the teenager but knowing that probably wouldn't the case.

'Aaron doesn't want to go out there anymore, does he?' Beth spoke.

Quinn gave a shake of her head, a smile playing at her lips. 'You're too smart for your own good, you know that?'

Beth smiled. 'I know.' Then she nodded at the map. 'Need some help with that?'

'Don't you have children to teach?' Quinn questioned, but gestured for her to join her at the table anyway.

Beth walked over to her and took a seat at the other side of the table. 'We start after lunch. Besides, you needed my help.'

Smiling at her Quinn leaned over the map. The two of them spend the next few hours working on possible routes they could take to scout as many places as possible. They talked about marking the safest routes to make sure everyone could travel as safely as possible. They marked the places they could possibly look for food, clothes and medicine and the places they could best avoid. Pretty soon the entire map was filled with markings and when they were done Quinn felt a lot lighter than when they started.

The two decided to take a small break and took a seat out on the porch, looking out over the community that was starting to feel a lot like home.

'I think it's great you're doing this,' Beth broke the comfortable silence. 'You found your purpose you know?'

Quinn nodded. 'I did.' She turned to look at the teenager, who suddenly had a sad gleam in her eyes. 'So did you, right?'

The teenager nodded. 'Oh, yes I did. It's just...' she fell silent, playing with her fingers to distract herself. 'I miss Noah, you know?' She muttered, her voice soft and pained. 'When we found this place I just didn't think we'd have to lose each other again. Not so soon.'

Her heart ached for the girl seated next to her. She reached out and put her arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. Beth leaned her head on Quinn's shoulder. She couldn't even begin to imagine how she was feeling. The thought alone of losing Daryl made her throat ache from unshed tears and so she knew the pain Beth felt was probably unbearable.

'You'll be okay,' Quinn whispered to her.

'How do you know?' The girl muttered, her voice thick.

Quinn didn't have to think about the answer. 'Because you're strong, like your father and your sister.' She pulled the girl even closer. 'That's how I know.'

Through the tears, Beth managed a small laugh and it made Quinn's heart jump with happiness. Beth lifted her head so she could look at Quinn, her eyes shining with sudden mischievousness. 'You've been strong too,' she said, a teasing tone in her voice. 'By finally telling Daryl how you feel.'

She grinned. 'Well, I didn't tell him, exactly.'

Beth giggled, forcing the sadness away with her jokes. 'It was about time,' she smiled.

'Hold on a second,' Quinn gasped, 'who do you think you are telling me about my love life?'

'I'm the girl who was stuck with you two and your sexual tension in a shed in the woods,' Beth said, her grin growing wider.

Quinn suddenly didn't know where to look anymore, her cheeks burning red and her heart beating way too fast. 'I'm betting Hershel didn't teach you to talk like that,' she finally muttered.

'No,' Beth said proudly, 'Maggie did.'

For a second the two just looked at each other before bursting out laughing, their grief all but forgotten. It was a laugh that lifted their spirits and took away the weights from their hearts. A laugh shared between friends who, if only just for a second, had forgotten all about their troubles.

After lunch Beth left Quinn to go teach the kids whatever they needed to survive in the world. Quinn went back to her map. She spend the rest of the afternoon lost in a world of roads and forests and wasn't pulled out of it until Milo came home for dinner. It had already turned dark outside by the time the siblings finished their food and the dishes.

'Can't believe Beth said that,' Milo grinned at her story after putting away the last plate.

'Girl is tough as nails,' Quinn said.

'That I can believe,' he replied. He stretched his arms, yawning. 'Bed time.'

Quinn nodded at him. 'I'm going up in a second.'

'Alright,' Milo responded, starting to make his way towards the stairs. 'Night!'

'Good night,' she called after him. She made her way over towards the bookcase. On one of the shelves stood the ballet shoes Beth had gifted her. She reached for them, a sudden overwhelming desire to put them on filled her. The last time she had felt this sure of her purpose in life was when she joined the Ballet Academy. That was the only time in her life she felt like she knew her place in the world, on a stage, dancing her worries away. It was almost poetic that the feeling of purpose she carried in her bones now reminded her of that.

With sudden determination she sat down on the couch and carefully put the shoes on. She hadn't danced in years and probably wasn't very good at it anymore, but she'd be damned if she didn't at leaste try. After putting the shoes on, she carefully stood back up, as if afraid to break herself. Slowly she lifted herself up on her toes, her muscles seeming to remember the movement and greet it like an old friend. A small gasp of pain left her lips when she finally managed but it was drowned out by the laugh that followed. She still had it.

'Lookin' good there swan princess,' a rough voice came from behind her.

A startled gasp left her lips and she turned around sharply, her heart already jumping up and down from recognition. 'You're back,' she smiled at Daryl leaning against the doorpost. 'Took you long enough.' She sat back down on the couch to take off her shoes.

He walked into the room and only when he stood in the light did she notice how tired he looked. 'Ran into trouble.'

She frowned. 'What happened?'

'Some guy came and stole the truck we found,' he explained.

'You found someone?' She asked.

'Prick injured himself, Rick took him back with us.' He didn't seem like he was very happy with that decision. She wondered if this was the right time to start about Aaron not wanting to go out there anymore but a small part of her was convinced he already knew about this.

'He had a camp?' She questioned, not able to help herself.

Daryl shrugged. 'Does it matter?'

She sighed. 'You know it does.' Did she really have to spell out for him how she felt? He knew her better than anyone here, surely he knew how important this was for her. She finally felt like she belonged. And it was partly because of him, but also because she finally knew her place. She was about to tell him when a shout and running footsteps came from outside.

They shared a quick glare before both jumping up and sprinting towards the door. She could hear Milo running down the stairs, joining them as they sprinted out on the streets. In the darkness she could make out Abraham, Maggie and Glenn as they ran towards Rick's house. The three of them didn't hesitate and ran after them.

Abraham kicked the door open, and Daryl sprinted past him, into the hallway and up the stairs. Quinn followed with the others close behind. She reached for her gun, which she had started carrying around ever since Rick allowed them to have weapons inside the walls, and pointed it to the stranger seated on the stairs. Though, her eyes were distracted by something behind him first. Rick and Michonne stood there, Rick only wearing pants and Michonne looking slightly flustered. She felt a smile growing on her face and she raised her eyebrows at Michonne, who simply rolled her eyes before turning her gaze back to the stranger in front of them.

He was wearing a long coat and had long brown hair and a beard. Even from this distance she could see his eyes were unsually blue.

'It's okay,' Michonne stuttered, gesturing towards Quinn and the others, still none of them lowered their guns.

'You said we should talk,' Rick said, turning his attention to the man. 'So, let's talk.'

A U T H O R 'S  N O T E

A little bit of a filler chapter but one I certainly enjoyed! Daryl and Quinn are ADORABLE together and I just love them to pieces. Oh and thanks to reginadelghiaccio they are now officially called Quaryl. :) I really love writing Quinn finally being happy with her place in the world. Though who knows how long that will take with everything that's coming up but let's not talk about that yet because I will only hurt myself.

Also, Jesus is introduced! Which makes me really happy because that means Milo is about to be swept off his feet. These two are going to be awesome and so cute together and I can't wait for you all to fall in love with them as much as I already love them!

I wanted to say thanks for all your support. This story is my most popular work and honestly I can't thank you guys enough for that because this story and the characters are so important and personal to me. SO thanks a million times!

OH ALSO, I published a Meet My OC's book. So if you're interested in learning more about Quinn and Milo please go check it out! It's called Style and I will try to update as much as I can because the Morales siblings deserve all the love. They have my whole ass heart.

xx Nelly