Okay, No Sanctuary was absolutely AMAZING. Caryl abounded and I'm just so freaking happy. Their scene in the premiere inspired me to write this for the 40th chapter of Bound to Burn, and I hope everyone enjoys it.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

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Chapter Forty: Now That I've Found You

Looking in your eyes, they tell me

I no longer have to feel alone

-Terri Clark, Now That I've Found You

He had been so sure she was dead.

From the moment he learned Rick had cast her out of the group for murder, he had not had a moment to truly process what might have been going through Carol's mind. She must have been acting in the best interest of the group. Why else would she have done anything like this?

Then the prison fell and they were running and he just knew she was dead. She had to be dead.

If she wasn't, she would have come back for him.

Then there was the terror and blur of Terminus and nearly being slaughtered and once again they were on the run.

And then…

He heard her before anyone else. Everything felt surreal as he turned his head and drank her in. Before he realized it, before he could breathe, he was running to her and throwing his arms around her slight frame, lifting her slightly from the ground.

The group stared on in amazement, but he didn't care.

You see me, the real me

You believe in me

He ran his hand over her short hair, unable to speak but soaking her in, just as she seemed to be doing with him.

Was this really happening?

Was he truly holding her?

Was she hugging him like she would never let him go?

He finally pulled back just enough to look into her light blue eyes that begged for mercy and understanding.

How could she believe she would get anything less from him?

Still so overwhelmed with gratitude and relief, he leaned forward and rested his head lightly against her neck, briefly feeling her pulse thrumming. More tears welled up and his eyes burned.

Rick approached them and Daryl reluctantly, very reluctantly, released Carol and stepped to the side, allowing Rick to come closer. But he remained close enough to reach out and touch her if he needed to, and God, he needed to.

Rick embraced Carol and when they broke apart, Daryl reached out and brushed his fingers over her arm.

"You found me," he whispered as they began to walk in the direction Carol insisted they go.

She looked up at him with a soft smile.

"I'll always find you, Daryl."

His cheeks flushed as his hand bumped against hers. Their index fingers joined briefly.

"Always."

I see the heavens open

A heart that once was broken

Is holding nothing back

Now that I found you

You hold me like a prayer

You touch me everywhere

A lifetime just ain't enough

To love you true

Now that I found you

Now that I found you

The End.