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Forever Rising Phoenix	By : ImagineLayla131 Category: S through Z > The Walking Dead Views: 7147 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NOR HAVE ANY AFFILIATIONS WITH THE WALKING DEAD FRANCHISE. ALL PROPERTIES OWNED BY FRANK DARABONT, AMC, ROBERT KIRKMAN AND TONY MOORE. NO MONEY/PROFIT IS BEING MADE OFF OF THIS FANFICTION!

Chapter List
- 16
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- 18
Hello world and my wonderful readers! How is everybody doing?
AGAIN, What would be the point of FanFiction if some of the characters always resembled how they were on the shows? If you don't like my story or have a problem with my writing style, then don't bother reading it.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NOR HAVE ANY AFFILIATIONS WITH THE WALKING DEAD FRANCHISE, JELLY BELLY, SHE'S LEAVING HOME, DON'T LET ME BE THE LAST TO KNOW, OR TAKE MY BREATH AWAY. ALL PROPERTIES OWNED BY FRANK DARABONT AND AMC (TELEVISION SERIES), ROBERT KIRKMAN AND TONY MOORE (COMIC BOOK SERIES), DAVID KLEIN AND THE JELLY BELLY COMPANY, THE BEATLES, BRITNEY SPEARS, AND BERLIN, RESPECTIVELY. I ONLY OWN MY OWN ORIGINAL IDEAS AND CHARACTERS.
Chapter Seventeen: She's Leaving Home
"Carl, what if you guys were still able to have something of your mother?" He looked up at her, confused, as did Rick.
"Huh? What do you mean, how?"
Delilah's next statement was something that made both Rick and Carl's eyes go wide in fear.
"I'll go to the prison and get the picture for you."
"What?" Both the boys said at the same time, they thought they were hearing things.
"Michonne told me how you got the family picture from that barbeque joint, so that Judith would know what her mother looked like. You left it at the prison, I'll get it for you guys, it's only an hour away."
"Yeah, right. Don't tell me that, it's impossible and probably a fib." Even though Carl wanted the picture, he knew that it wasn't going to happen.
"Delilah, no. It's too dangerous and out of the question. Did you forget that it's now overrun with walkers?" The thought of how the prison looked now gave him chills, he wouldn't allow Delilah to risk her life over a picture. She looked over at Rick, sensing his worry.
"No, I didn't forget it, but I'm going anyway." Delilah resumed eye contact with Carl, her gaze serious. "Before this, have you known me to ever lie about anything?" He shook his head. "Then you have to trust my word when I say I will go back to the prison and get the picture for you. I promise, Carl."
The look on Delilah's face lifted his spirits a little that she was telling the truth, he had to just believe in her that it would happen. "Ok, fine. I believe you."
"I don't know how you're going to find it, neither one of us will go with you."
Delilah glanced at Rick, knowing he doubted her. "Then I know exactly who will." Without another word, she dashed out of Carl's room and to the stairs. She was on the third level when Rick finally caught up to her.
"Delilah, wait." Except she wasn't stopping, so he had no choice but to follow. "This is insane, Carl doesn't need the picture." Delilah stopped in her tracks and turned around.
"How could you say that? He absolutely does, and Judith! Don't you think they should have something?"
When they had first met, Delilah had told Rick that she was a well known segway artist, meaning that she could deflect any conversation, and it seems like she was trying to do that now. "Of course I do, but that doesn't mean it's worth you risking your life over."
"I'll be fine. They need a memento of their mother. I have so many of mine, including a small glimmer of hope that she's still alive somewhere. Carl and Judith have nothing right now, not even a picture. There's one an hour away, why not just get it?" Delilah had all the optimism in the world of retrieving the picture, but she also knew it was dangerous and was fearing for her life. Due to the fact that Rick wouldn't help her, she knew of one other person that would. He grabbed onto her shoulders, trying to get her to listen.
"I need you to listen to me, you can not go there or you'll get yourself killed." Rick was getting frustrated because she wasn't grasping the severity of the situation. He couldn't lose her, she needed to realize what she was wanting to do. Delilah put her hands on his face.
"You need to trust me. Carl does, and now he's counting on me. I won't let him down more than I may already have." She took off down the stairs, knowing Rick was still following her. If he was annoyed now, he would be pissed when he found out her plan.
INVENTORY RANGE
"This is stupid, man! You guys know Carol should be here, I mean-"
"Hey, Helter Skelter!"
Daryl, Maggie, Glenn, and Beth all turned around to see Delilah walking from the other side of the factory, with Rick trailing behind her. Daryl looked around and pointed at himself.
"Me?"
She nodded as she walked faster. "Yes, you. You wanna get your girl Carol? Take me to the prison first and you can go look for her as soon as we get back. It's my only offer." Delilah stopped in front of him and watched the others widen their eyes in shock, she could also hear Rick right behind her.
"What?!" He spun Delilah around to face him. "Delilah, have you lost your mind?!" She could tell he was angry, as well as the others questioning her proposal.
"Delilah, you said so yourself, Carol can't come here after what she did." Glenn said.
"What made you change your mind?" Maggie asked.
Delilah took a deep breath and turned to face the group, their reactions were beginning to creep up on her, even if they were expected. This whole situation also made her think of Carol. Maybe Rick and the others had dismissed her too quickly and should get to the bottom of this.
"Her circumstances, I want to talk to her and find out why she killed them. Maybe she's going through some kind of trauma due to her losses. Carol is a mother without her daughter, like my mom is now. Except for all I know, my mother might still be alive, and I'm sure she thinks the same of me, but Carol will never get that feeling with Sophia, just like Carl will never get it about Lori, either. If I think she's lying, I'll make her leave." Their faces relaxed a little bit, but they were still concerned.
"What about Tyreese? Did you think about what he'd do?" Glenn asked.
She nodded. "Yes, I have. I figured we'd cross that bridge when we get to it. I know this is hard to swallow, but I need you all to just believe in me that I know what I'm doing."
"Delilah, stop it, now. Not only do you want to risk your life, but now you want to put everybody else in danger by bringing Carol in?" This was the first time Rick had ever really gotten angry with her. While she hated the feeling, she felt like she had to go through with the plan.
"You all know I would never do anything to gamble the group's safety, I want to get to the bottom of this with her. Maybe they were already dead when she killed them. I promise if it doesn't add up, I will banish her."
"Why do you want to do this?" Daryl spoke up.
"I screwed up big time and I have to get something from there. Also, because you're all family, and now I feel like you're a part of mine as well."
Rick shook his head. "She didn't screw up. Let it go, Delilah." It was urgent that she comprehend his frantic warnings, but she refused to budge.
"No! Us being together amplified Carl's grief. We don't want to break up, I need to make this right to ease the tension on him. You're going to have to have a little faith in me also, Rick, because there won't be a single thing or person to make me change my mind. I mean it." The look in her eyes was all he needed to see and know that he couldn't stop her, and it crushed him.
"You just got back, Daryl, now you want to leave again? We can't lose you two to the prison. If you go there, it's a death sentence." Maggie stated. They had finally gotten their family reunited again, why would the two of them want to leave, especially when there was a strong possibility that they might not come back?
Beth nodded. "I agree with Maggie. Before Daryl and I left the prison, walkers swarmed through the gate. We killed as many as we could, then made a run for it. Who knows what it's like now?"
"It's a chance that has to be taken, a quid-pro-quo one at that, we both get something we want. We won't be going unarmed, I have a secret weapon I've been saving for a special occasion, and I think now is the time to bust it out. Daryl and I can take it on, we're both strong warriors." Delilah didn't want to be going with Daryl, but they both knew she needed him to go to the prison. Maybe he'd actually apologize and she could learn more about him as well.
"I'm in."
Delilah nodded. "Good, I'm glad. Get whatever you need and meet me out front in twenty minutes, you're driving." She turned and walked out, leaving Rick, Glenn, Maggie, and Beth looking forlorn while Daryl was smirking. What they didn't know was that Lizzie had been listening in one of the viewing rooms the whole time, and was shocked at what she heard. She ran to the playroom to find her sister and the other kids. "Delilah and Daryl are going back to the prison!"
JELLBANY PARKING LOT, THIRTY MINUTES LATER
The sky had become even foggier and darker since Beth and Daryl arrived almost three hours before, it set the unfortunate mood that everybody was in: Fear and worry. After Lizzie spilled the beans to the kids, she had gone and told Tyreese and Sasha, who then told Madison, which followed a screaming match with Delilah. In less than ten minutes, all of the adults and the children knew what was going on. Delilah made it clear that she would not be stopped from going, even if it meant she was going to die. When she was determined to see something through to the end, she didn't stop until getting the desired results. Persistence had always been one of her greatest attributes.
Everybody stood in a horizontal line next to the truck to say good bye. This trip was proving to be an unpopular one, and they had all pleaded with her not to go, but nothing was going to change it. Delilah held Judith in her arms, looking down on her after saying good bye to the others of her group.
"Good bye, baby angel. When I come back, I'll have something for you of your real mommy. I promise." She kissed the baby on the head and handed her to Beth. Judith started wailing in Beth's arms and kept reaching out for Delilah to pick her up again. "No, sweetheart, don't cry." She felt herself getting a little wobbly.
"DELILAH! Don't go!"
She looked down to find Taylee, Dominick, and Lucas hugging her ankles and legs with tears in their eyes. Their cute little faces only made it harder to leave. "I have to go, monkeys. I promise, I'll be back as soon as I can. If you're good while I'm gone, I'll perform The Nutcracker Suite for you when I return, ok?"
Taylee sniffled. "We don't want you to leave!" They continued crying, as did Judith. Delilah never dealt well with crying children, it always made her depressed. She looked over at Caitlin, Caroline, and Beth. "Take them inside, please. I don't want them to see me leaving." The girls nodded, picking up the kids and leaving, their cries being heard until they were inside. Delilah took a deep breath and walked down the line, standing in front of Michonne, they smiled wanly at each other.
"I wish you were coming with me, Michonne. We're a lethal duo."
"Yeah, I know. That's why you have to come back in one piece, so we can keep it up."
Delilah smirked. "Good point." It had taken a while, but Michonne and Delilah had formed a strong bond and alliance, and had gotten to know each other on a deeper level.
"This trip is dangerous, but I don't discourage it, you're doing something really brave, even if everybody else thinks it's stupid." She surprised Delilah by giving her a hug. Delilah was a good person, and her practically sacrificing her life so two children would have a reminder of their mother only made her that much better.
"Thank you, I'm glad you're on my side about it."
After saying good bye to everybody, Daryl watched as Delilah said good bye to Tyreese, Sasha, Bob, and Matt. He observed how his group had such an emotional reaction over her. They had all become family to each other and considered Delilah one of their own, they genuinely cared for and loved her. Maybe I should give her a chance after all, she could be deeper than a spoiled princess bitch.
Delilah walked up to Javier. The further down the line she got, the harder the good byes became. Carl and Rick were at the end, it would be the toughest of all. Javier had decided to get all dolled up in a long mint green dress with a long tawny colored wig and brightly colored makeup. Delilah couldn't help but smirk. "Back in your drag persona, I see?"
He rolled his eyes and waved his hand out at her. "Only for you, honey. You best be coming back because you're the only one that knows how to make me look like Jennifer Lopez instead of George Lopez." Delilah laughed, but she could see there were tears in his eyes.
"I promise. Don't cry, or your makeup will smudge. I'll be back before you know it, we'll celebrate by doing a musical mash-up, surprise me and pick out the songs while I'm gone." She knew that would make him smile. Even though Javier had a tendency to be overdramatic, he was one of the most kind hearted and compassionate people she had ever met in her life, she was glad to have a friend like him.
"You got it." They exchanged air kisses, Javier holding onto Matt as Delilah approached Madison. Madison couldn't even look at her, she was still angry and upset, but Delilah spoke anyway.
"Madison, I know you're mad at me and that you can't see it my way, but maybe you can understand what's going on in my head. This is more than lust with Rick. He's the first guy I've had feelings for since Billy. I need to make things right in Carl's eyes. Those kids have nothing left of their mother, this might ease the pain a little."
She finally looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "I know, Lila Loo. Stand by your man, you gotta do what you gotta do. Just be careful and stay strong." The girls exchanged a small smile with each other before doing their secret handshake that they did the day Rick and Carl were found.
Next was Glenn and Maggie, also with tears in their eyes. Delilah heavily sighed, trying everything not to cry. "Glenn." She wrapped one arm around his neck and the other around his back, only for him to give her an extra tight hug.
"I really wish you wouldn't leave, Delilah. I don't know if I ever told you this, but I see you as a little sister now. I feel protective over you, what if you guys don't come back?"
Delilah pulled away to see him crying. Seeing a man actually cry was something of a rarity, she vaguely remembered the few times her father cried, but they weren't over her, not like this. "If you believe in me, then you'll know I'll come back." She smiled, not wanting to reveal how freaked out she was, but she couldn't further worry the others, and walked up to Maggie, who pulled her in for a huge hug.
"Everything that Glenn said goes double for me. You made us whole again. Without you, we'll revert back to being broken."
All the loving words were making this so difficult, she almost didn't want to go, but Delilah knew she had to keep the promise to Carl. "We'll always be whole, even if one of us is gone. We've all lost somebody, but they're still in our hearts, just like your dad. I will return, but in case I don't," She put a hand on Glenn and Maggie's shoulder, looking them in the eye. "I want you to know that I adore you guys to pieces and that I value the friendship we've formed these past few months." That was all Glenn and Maggie needed to shed their tears, and Delilah pulled them in for a group hug.
Glenn looked over at Daryl, freely letting his tears fall. "Look out for Delilah, ok, bad ass?"
Daryl smirked and nodded. "Yeah, yeah. She'll be fine. Let's get this show on the road, Princess Bitch! This ain't Armageddon!"
She turned around and glared at him. "Ok, chill out! I'm almost done, don't get your dick in a knot!" Delilah groaned, this was going to be a long car ride. She gave Glenn a kiss on the cheek and hugged Maggie one last time.
"I'll do a prayer circle for you and Daryl as soon as you leave."
Delilah nodded. "That sounds great. You two, Madison, Michonne, and Rick are in charge until I get back." Even though Delilah was Jewish, she respected the other's beliefs in prayer. Only Rick and Carl were left, and she was slightly relieved to see Carl not crying at all, but wasn't sure if it was to keep up the strong front or because he didn't care. Delilah waited until he finally made eye contact with her.
"Carl, I know you're angry and that you feel betrayed, but I hope that one day you forgive me and that this makes up for it a bit. Everybody thinks I'm crazy for doing this, but I'm doing it for you because of how much you mean to me."
"Yeah, I get it. It's a lot to take in."
"I understand, it will all make sense soon enough. Whatever you do, don't be mad at your dad. Life is too short to be angry over something like this, and you're all you two have besides Judith, you have to love and help one another, ok?"
"Fine." He didn't feel like getting into too deep of a conversation with her, but Carl was taking in everything she was saying to him and knew Delilah meant well.
"Lock, pop, and shoot it? For old time's sakes?" She smiled hopefully. Carl hesitated, but soon found his fingers wrapped around hers. They pulled back and made their finger guns, nodding with the assertive smirk. "Thanks, kid." Delilah ruffled the hat, which he could never help but smile over.
Like Madison, Rick could not even look at Delilah, which made all the thoughts of what could happen at the prison become even louder in her head.
"I thought that by the time I got up here that I'd know exactly what to say to you, but I've got nothing."
He finally looked at her with pleading eyes of sorrow and disappointment. "Delilah, I am begging you, one final time. Please, DO NOT GO TO THE PRISON."
She knew he was going to beg again, and at this point, her once beating heart was now smashed into pieces from all the distress and woe. "I hope in the long run you'll be able to accept my reasons for doing this and-"
"YOU COULD DIE!"
His tone and volume practically made Delilah jump, this had become a day of firsts for all of them. It made her wonder if and when she did return if their relationship would be the same or if this was the end of them being together. His concern only made her worry for her life, but there was no turning back, she had to leave. She looked at him, her gaze still the same.
"Then I'll go out in a blaze of glory, baby." Delilah reached around behind her neck and unfastened her Phoenix necklace, pulling it off. For as long as anybody in both groups had known Delilah, they had never seen her without her sacred Phoenix necklace. She grabbed Rick's hand and opened it. "In the event that I don't come back," She placed the necklace in his hand and closed it up. "You'll always have something to remember me by." He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off by wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Delilah thought she was fighting hard earlier to hold tears in, it had quickly become an uproarious battle at this moment, they were literally brimming her eyelids as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She felt so safe in his embrace, she never wanted to leave, and it scared her not knowing if this was the last time she would be in his arms again or not.
Lacking a second thought, Delilah put her hands on Rick's face and pressed her lips to his, kissing him with every single fiber of passion and love in her body. If the others didn't have a feeling about them earlier, they all certainly knew now. Carl rolled his eyes, still disgusted.
He didn't care if everybody was watching, this might be the last time he ever kissed Delilah again, he wanted to savor it, and brought her waist closer to his. They both tuned out the world and just kissed. Surprisingly, the inevitable whispers, gasps, and hollers never came, everybody just looked on. Delilah could feel her tears falling, but when she pulled back and opened her eyes, she saw that Rick was actually crying as well, his striking blue eyes watering. Her hands still on his face, there was no better time than right now to say the words she had been holding in for so long.
"I love you."
She had finally said it, it was like a huge weight was lifted. As Rick opened his mouth to speak and started stammering, she cut him off, putting her finger against his lips. "Don't. Don't say it because I'm leaving or out of obligation. Think about your feelings, you'll know the right answer when it hits you. Whatever it is, don't let me be the last to know."
All Rick wanted to do was say it back, the anguish he was feeling was slowly subsiding with the happiness that she loved him, too. The feelings that he had been toying with for weeks were finally validated and he needed to say it back. He grabbed her by the hand.
"Delilah, I-"
"Good bye, Rick. You take my breath away."
With that, she walked backwards, letting her hand slip through his hold and watched as he tried to step out to her, which finally made her turn the other way and walk towards the truck. Delilah knew that if she looked back that she'd either turn to stone or run in his arms crying. If he did love her, he'd let her go, knowing that she'd come back because he believed in her. Delilah had to be strong for both of them, this was the first time she had ever left anybody she loved, she had always been the one left behind, and being on the other side was quite eye opening.
She hopped into the truck, where Daryl was already fastened in the driver seat. "Finally ready?" He asked gruffly.
Delilah nodded, not even looking over at him. "Yeah, yeah, let's get out of here before I change my mind."
"You got it."
Daryl turned on the car while Delilah put a CD in, she saw him roll his eyes as "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin started playing. "My truck, my rules. Just think about what you get at the end." They pulled out of the parking lot, Delilah buried her head in her knees and cried, not even looking in the mirror to see the others waving until they were out of sight.
Carl watched his dad, the last time he had gotten this emotional was when Lori had died, and that's when he knew that his dad really cared for Delilah. Rick heard the song playing as the car drove off, knowing it was for him, and could feel tears falling down his face. He was terrified for her, but a part of him knew that she would come back. Delilah was a Phoenix, his Phoenix, and she loved him.
SHE FINALLY SAID IT! WHAT A HEARTBREAKING SEND-OFF! THEY REALLY DO CARE ABOUT HER! WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO DELILAH AND DARYL AT THE PRISON? WHAT IS THIS SECRET WEAPON SHE MENTIONED? WILL THEY MAKE IT BACK ALIVE AND IN ONE PIECE? WILL RICK TELL DELILAH HE LOVES HER, TOO? FIND OUT THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE IN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN, COMING SOON!
BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE STORY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW AND SPREAD THE WORD! NO FLAMES!
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Forever Rising Phoenix