A/N: This is the sequel to my story As It Consumes Us. If you have yet to read it, please go back and read that one first. :) On another note, so sorry it took so long to get the sequel started. Once I finished AICU I got another story up and have been super busy at home. Loads and loads of work. haha. Plus I wasn't a huge fan of the second part of the prison so I really was dreading writing that part. BUT the finale of season 6 got me back in the mood to write some more for this story. I won't post any spoilers in case you have yet to see it. Hope you enjoy it!

Weeks had passed since the fight with the Governor — since those remaining at Woodbury had joined them and moved into the prison. New blocks were cleared out and now housed new residents, some from Woodbury and some that had been picked up as time passed by. Everyone seemed to be getting along nicely. Amazing what people can do when they team up and aren't led by a maniac hell bent on dominating everyone. There wasn't a single person that didn't find a way to pitch in to earn their place. People worked the fence to keep walkers along the under control while some worked as cleanup crews, medical care, watched over the children, cooked for the group and more. Hershel pretty much oversaw the farming, but it was Rick that was seen out there nearly from sun up to sun down. At times Carl can be seen helping his father, but let's face it, there's a lot of other things he would rather be doing. Carol spent most of her time doing more 'home making' tasks — cooking, keeping the children busy with story time, etc. Glenn and Maggie helped out with pretty much anything that needed to be helped with. Maggie, however, still found herself helping her father out with the medical care when she could. Her sister, Beth, tried her best to help out with Judith whenever Rick needed her, which nowadays was pretty much all the time. Everyone stayed pretty close. Well, everyone except Michonne. She had taken what had happened to Andrea pretty hard. Not knowing what happened to the Governor — where he went, what he was doing — wasn't sitting well with her. She was determined to find him and put an end to him once and for all. While everyone understood her thoughts behind it, not everyone was on board with her putting herself in danger like that.

They preferred to only leave the prison for supply runs. Runs that usually were groups going out in search of food, medical supplies, fresh clothing, anything that could be useful. However, some runs they end up bringing back way more than they expect. Their numbers have grown quite a bit from runs that resulted in finding survivors. Of course they were careful with who they brought in. To gain entry, hopefuls must first answer three questions that Rick had Hershel put forth to the council. It was agreed upon unanimously. Seeing as how Rick was now more focused on the agriculture of the prison in order to avoid conflict at all cost, Hershel had stepped up and offered to lead a prison council. Carol was on the council, of course, as well as Glenn. Sasha from Woodbury joined as well to help the Woodbury people feel they were represented. It didn't seem as if anyone ever questioned that, but it helped keep things balanced. Daryl was also on the council, but he usually sat back quietly, arms crossed and only speaking up when he really felt the need to. The reason he joined in the first place was always sitting at his side. Skye had been asked by Hershel to join and therefore she felt the need to drag him along. Her reasoning being that he brought new people in just as much as she did and whether he acknowledged it or not, he was Rick's right hand man. With Rick off worrying about the crops, in her eyes that meant it fell to Daryl to step up and make some of the hard decisions. He wasn't thrilled, but he accepted anyway much to his displeasure.

"So, where to now?" Skye walked in sync with Daryl as they headed back to his motorcycle. They had come out to search roadside diner, but unfortunately it had already been cleaned out.

"We could head up the road we passed back a ways. May be something worth searchin' up there," Daryl said, swinging his leg over his bike and grasping the handles. There was a roar of life from the engine as Skye jumped on behind him, wrapping her arms around his torso for security.

Things had been wonderful between them since that night up in the watchtower. They still weren't open about their relationship with the rest of the group and to be honest Skye wasn't even sure the two of them knew what they really were. There had definitely been nights that she had lied in bed wondering. Was she his girlfriend? She really didn't know. It felt like she was, but they had never really said it out loud. The way they kind of hid it around the group also made her wonder. Despite all that, she was very happy. Between Daryl and how things were going with the prison, everything seemed to have just fallen in place.

"You see that?" Daryl yelled back to her.

She looked past him up ahead. A large chain-link fence surrounded what looked to be a rescue site that had been long abandoned. As with most places they came across nowadays, trash was scattered all around the area along with numerous rotting bodies. Using his foot, Daryl kicked out the kickstand, letting Skye get off first before he joined her. They shared a look of caution as growls of the dead grew louder as they approached the fence. Looking in they saw tents, ripped and splattered with blood, lined up in front of what seemed to be a grocery store. Big red letters above the door read 'Big Sp!t' with the dot of the exclamation point being the 'o'. Big Spot could be the jackpot they're looking for. Kneeling down, Daryl grabbed a rock from the ground. Rolling it around in his hand he looked to Skye who gave a reassuring nod. Cocking his arm back, he hurled the rock over the gate to a stack of large wooden boxes in front of a tent in the center. It hit with a loud hollow knock. Feet shuffled and scratched across the pavement as walkers stumbled toward the sound from all corners of the enclosed area. There had to be about fifty of them. Skye bit her lip, disappointed as they stared out at the hoard currently ruling their desired conquest.

"What're we gonna do now?" Skye whispered. "That place must have loads of supplies. It looks like it fell while people were still here. Probably pretty early on."

She could practically see the wheels in his head turning. His eyes darted around in search of a solution to their problem. "There," he said, pointing over to what looked like a hole in the fence down about 20 feet from them. "Maybe we can draw them out somehow. If we can find a car that runs, then maybe—"

"What about a radio?" she offered. "We could bring one back from the prison. I'm sure there's one lying around."

"Worth a shot," Daryl nodded. Placing a hand on her back, he gestured back toward his bike. "Let's get back. Don't need Rick worrying over us being out too long."

"Yeah, he does seem to worry even easier than normal, doesn't he? Is it just me or does he seem like he's not himself?"

They climbed back onto the motorcycle. "Everything with the Governor was rough. Besides, I don't think he ever fully dealt with what happened to Lori. He nearly lost his mind."

"I think for a moment there he did." Skye bit at her cheek and the two rode off back towards the prison, their home.

"Hi, Skye!" "Hey, Skye!" "How's it goin', Skye?"

Skye smiled brightly at those greeting her on her way down to search for a radio for them to use back at Big Spot. Everyone had been so nice to her and she knew it was because she had helped bring most of them in.

"Is that how it's going to be?"

Skye spun around, caught off guard, but a smile soon returned to her lips as she saw the voice belonged to her brother, Brady. He approached her with widespread arms, but instead of a hug he was met with a playful punch to his arm. "What do you mean 'is that how it's going to be?'."

"Getting' all this love from the newcomers that you forget all about your big brother. Walked right by me."

Skye smirked as they continued down the hallway. "I didn't even see you, Brady."

"My point exactly," he teased.

"Well, my bad. I'm kind of on a mission here."

"Anything I can be of assistance with?"

"I need to find a radio," she replied. "Daryl and I found a potential hot spot."

"So what's the radio for?" Brady looked confused.

"There's about fifty walkers in the enclosed area in front of the store."

"Ah," he nodded, "Well, I may just know where to find one."

Skye stopped and faced him. "Really?! Where?"

Brady scratched the back of his head. "I may or may not have hoarded one when everyone started moving in. I found it when I was clearing out one of the offices."

"So you kept it to yourself?" Skye narrowed accusing eyes on him.

"You know how much I like music while I work out, Sadie," he joked.

"Alright well then I'm going to use it."

"Great. So what exactly are you going to do with it?"

"We had talked about using it to draw the walkers out. If we can hook it up to some power then it should clear the area pretty quickly."

"Alright well what do you need Daryl for? I would love to go out and help you rig it up."

Skye shook her head. "No can do, Brady."

"What? Why?" He looked offended.

Skye rolled her eyes and continued walking. "You know why."

"Still, huh?"

Skye merely nodded.

"When is he going to trust me? You are my sister, after all."

"Daryl just needs some time. I mean, you were with the Governor and almost let him kill me."

Brady understood perfectly well, but it still bothered him he couldn't be trusted alone with anyone out on a run. "You know I wasn't in my right mind. I told you what the Governor did to—"

"I know, Brady. Just be patient." Then an idea struck. "I know. How about you come with us when we go back to search the place? I think I can talk them into letting you come along. May help prove yourself to them."

Hesitantly, Brady nodded. "Yeah, alright. I'm in. Now let's go find that radio. I am going to get it back, right?"

Skye laughed. It was more than nice having her brother back. Hopefully, her plan will work and the others will see how he would be a great addition to the group.

Brady's radio had worked like a dream. Skye and Daryl had gone back out to Big Spot. All the walkers were still stumbling around, bumping into anything and everything within the fence. Daryl found a couple car batteries with some juice still in them and they had trekked a little ways away before hooking the radio up to the batteries. Flipping the switch, they had walked out and around to get back to his motorcycle and from the distance watched as walkers began to push through the opening in the fence, leaving some of their skin behind on the chain-link. By the time they came back out to search the place, it should be cleared.

And today was the day. They would be heading back with a search group to get any and all supplies that they could. Daryl headed towards the grill for something to eat before heading out and he was met with numerous greetings. He looked around, surprised by how many people felt the need to say hello. Turning his attention to the grill where Carol stood readying servings for anyone who wanted some of the deer that he had brought back the day before.

"Smells good," he said, grabbing a bowl of meat to feast on.

"Just so you know, I liked you first," she smirked. While she hadn't made any more attempts at removing Skye from the group, she still wasn't giving up. Daryl had a talk with her after the Woodbury group had moved in. He had avoided being too direct, but tried to give the impression she needed to back off a bit and that they were just friends. Apparently, she had received the message, but wasn't happy with his decision.

"Stop," he said, popping some deer meat into his mouth. "You know, Rick brought in a lot of them, too."

"Not recently," she eyed him. "Give the strangers sanctuary, keeping people fed, you're gonna have to learn to live with the love."

"Skye helped. It wasn't all me."

"I know, but do you think that she would've been able to do that if you weren't there with her?"

Daryl narrowed his eyes, thinking. "Yeah, I do. Besides," he threw in more meat, "Two is better than one."

"Yeah, I guess it is," she paused, "I need you to see something. Patrick, can you take over?"

"Yes, ma'am," a young boy that came in a couple weeks before hurried over to help. Carol handed him the tongs and began to lead Daryl off. "Uh, Mr. Dixon?"

Daryl stopped abruptly, staring back at the boy.

"I just wanted to thank you for bringing that deer back yesterday. It was a real treat, sir. And I would be honored to shake your hand."

Daryl looked to Carol, who stood smiling at the boy. Looking down to the boy's outstretched hand, Daryl sucked the juice from the deer meat from his fingers before slapping his hand down into Patrick's. Carol tried to hide her smile and headed off with Daryl close behind her. Before long they were in the courtyard, looking out over the prison yard.

"It's about today," she stated, "I don't know if we're going to be able to spare a lot of people for the run."

"The place is good to go. We're gonna move on it." There was no way they could risk not searching this place. It had way too much potential.

"Yeah," she said with sarcasm. "Thing is, we had a pretty big buildup overnight."

Staring out at the fence surrounding the perimeter, they saw large groups of walkers pushing against the fence. The fence duty was working on thinning them out, but it was going to take awhile.

"Dozens more towards tower three. It's getting as bad as last month. They don't spread out anymore." Carol crossed her arms over her chest, watching as those below shoved their weapons into the heads of the walkers, dropping a few at a time.

"With more of us sitting here, we're drawing more of them out. You get enough of those damn fence-clingers they start to herd up."

"Pushing against the fences again. It's manageable, but unless we get head of it, not for long." Avoiding his gaze and staring straight ahead, she added, "I think you should stay here."

"What? Not a chance," he responded, not believing he heard her correctly.

"We may need some help here. They have enough people going. It's a simple run, right? They don't need you for that," she sighed, "If the fence falls, we're going to need some muscle. If you go and also Glenn, Sasha, Tyreese, Skye, Brady —"

"Wait, hold up. Brady's going?"

Carol shook her head like it was common knowledge. "Skye asked Rick if he could go. Something about proving he could benefit the group —"

Daryl took a deep breath. "He better not screw anything up."

She gave him a sideways glance. "Sorry, Pookie."

Daryl scoffed and left to gather the group, calling over his shoulder, "I'm still going."

When he reached the truck to be loaded, he found Skye talking with her brother as they loaded up some weapons. She spotted him coming and said something to her brother before he headed off in the other direction.

"Did I scare him off or what?" Daryl asked her.

"No, I asked him to go fetch some more hand held weapons. You know, just in case we need a quieter approach," she answered, pulling her hair up into a ponytail.

"Uh huh." He leaned on the truck, eyeing her.

She tried to avoid his eyes, but she couldn't take it. "What is it, Daryl?"

"Brady, Skye? You know I don't trust him. So you go on and invite him on a run?"

"He's my brother, Daryl. I trust him. That should mean something. Plus, how do you expect him to gain your trust if you don't give him the chance to earn it?"

Daryl heaved a sigh, shaking his head. "You stay by my side at all times."

"I can handle myself, Daryl. I feel like you should know that by now. I'm a survivor," she smirked, leaning up to plant a kiss on his lips.

"Well then how about you stay here? They need some help on the fence," he suggested, grabbing a couple gas cans and throwing them into the bed of the truck.

"Give it up, Daryl. I'm going. I helped find the place, remember? I want to see what's inside."

Stepping up to her, he looked down into her eyes. "Fine. Just know I don't like this."

"Noted," she smiled.

They stepped away from one another as Beth walked by as her boyfriend, Zach, hollered after her, "Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

"Nope," Beth grinned, continuing on her way.

Daryl grabbed up the last box and walked to the back of the truck saying, "It's like a damn romance novel." As he walked back to Skye he noticed something past her. Nodding up ahead, he said, "Look who wants to join."

Skye turned to see the army medic, Bob, talking with Sasha, trying to convince her to let him come along. They had just brought him in nearly a week ago. Looking back to Daryl, she said, "I don't know, Daryl. We found him alone. Sure, he answered the questions fine, but there was no one there to confirm his answers. It may not be such a good idea that he comes along until we know more about him."

Daryl bit his lip, nodding. The two headed for his bike and as they passed Bob and Sasha, Daryl said to them, "We ain't gonna do it unless it's easy."

They got settled and ready to go, starting his bike. Skye looked back to see Bob getting into the SUV with Sasha, Glenn, Tyreese and Brady. A bad feeling crept up in the pit of her stomach. None of them liked going on runs with someone they didn't know and trust. Now she knew how Daryl felt about Brady. The feeling soon got replaced by one of excitement as they pulled through the first gate into the yard, spotting Rick and Carl talking with Michonne. She had been gone for what seemed like ages this time.

Daryl stopped the bike just beside her as he and Skye smiled up at her. "Well," he said, "Look who's back."

"Didn't find him," Michonne greeted.

There was a pause before Daryl said, "Glad to see you're in one piece."

Skye knew Daryl wanted revenge on the Governor for what he did to Merle, but she also knew he didn't want Michonne to die out there on her pursuit.

"I'm thinking of looking over near Macon," she announced and was met with concerned and disapproving stares. "It's worth a shot."

"But that's so far away," Skye said, worried that this may be the trip Michonne didn't return from.

"70 miles of walkers," Daryl pointed out. "You might run into a few unneighborly types. Is it?" Michonne grew quiet, considering their argument. Turning his attention to Rick, Daryl said, "We're gonna go check out the Big Spot. The one we told you about."

"Yeah, I got to go check out the snares. I don't want to lose whatever we catch to the walkers," Rick looked to his feet, avoiding the trip at all costs.

"I'll go," Michonne offered, starting back towards the SUV.

"But you just got here," Carl fought.

"And I'll be back," she smiled, joining the others.

Revving the engine, Daryl gestured toward the gate to Rick, ready to head out. Rick hustled ahead of them and cleared the way for them to get on their way.

Arriving at their destination, they parked the vehicles and gathered at the opening in the fence. Daryl said, "Army put these fences up. Made it a place for the people to go," turning to the group he added, "Last week when we spotted this place, there was a bunch of walkers behind this chain-link, keeping people out like a bunch of guard dogs."

"So they all just left?" Bob asked.

"Give a listen," Sasha directed.

In the distance, the radio could still be heard blaring, attracting walkers from all around. Skye smiled at them in triumph. "Hooked a radio up to a couple car batteries three days ago. Did the trick, I'd say."

"You drew them out," Michonne concluded, impressed.

Brady shot her a playful glare. There was no way in hell he was getting his radio back.

"Alright," Daryl addressed the group, "Let's make a sweep. Make sure it's safe. Grab what you can. We'll come back tomorrow with more people."

Bob followed closely behind Daryl as they all entered the enclosed rescue zone. As Skye slipped in she grimaced at the sight of torn flesh and blood on the fence where the walkers had pushed their way through. Disgusting. Jerking her head, she signaled for Brady to stay close to her as they slowly inspected the area. Her guns were in their holsters on her thighs while she walked with her fingers wrapped around the handle of a machete, ready to strike if needed. Everyone else walked around the outside so Skye decided to check the tent at the center of the camp. Instantly regretting that decision, she nearly had to cover her mouth. The awful aroma of rotting flesh hit her hard as they entered, finding numerous bodies lying around the tent. Some in military apparel and some that seemed to be civilians. They had been here so long that there was barely any flesh left. So far the coast was clear. Coming out the other side she found Daryl sitting on the window sill at the front of the store with Zach leaning against the wall. She and Brady joined them, arriving just in time to hear Zach say, "Okay, I think I got it."

"Got what?" Michonne asked, stepping up behind him.

"Oh, I've been trying to guess what Daryl did before the turn," he took a seat next to Daryl.

Skye chuckled, "This is something I have to hear."

"He's been trying to guess for, like, six weeks." Daryl shook his head.

Skye couldn't believe this was the first she had heard of it. Daryl hadn't said anything to her. Come to think of it, he never really talked much about his life before the outbreak to her besides some small stories about life with Merle.

"Yeah, I'm pacing myself. One shot a day," Zach's gaze fell to the pavement, working through it in his head, considering all possibilities.

"Alright, shoot," Daryl humored him.

Zach grinned. Taking a breath he said, "Well, the way you are at the prison, you being on the council, you're able to track, you're helping people, but you're still being kind of uh…" he paused, "Surly."

Daryl shot him a look and Skye did everything she could to keep from busting out in laughter.

"Big swing here," Zach said, looking to Daryl as he guessed, "Homicide cop."

That did it. Skye let out a laugh accompanied by Michonne. Daryl's eyes went from Michonne to Skye. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Michonne attempted to sound serious as she leaned against the wall, "It makes perfect sense."

"Actually the man's right," Daryl made Zach's face grow serious, not being able to believe he got it right. However, Skye knew Daryl too well to fall for it though. "Undercover."

"Come on, really?" Zach asked incredulously.

"Yep," Daryl nodded. "I mean, I don't like to talk about it 'cause it's a lot of heavy shit, ya know?"

Skye and Daryl shared an amused look, but Zach still didn't know what to believe. "Dude, come on, really?" The look on Daryl's face said it all. "Hmm. I'll just keep guessing, I guess."

Daryl cleared his throat. "Yeah, you keep doing that."

"Mmhmm."

Movement on the other side of the window got Skye and Brady's attention. "Incoming," Brady said, pulling out his knife.

The others approached and Daryl pushed up from the window sill, reaching for a crowbar from Glenn.

"Gonna do this, detective," Michonne asked.

"Let's do it," Daryl responded, thrusting the crowbar into the automatic doors, prying them open.

While they cleared out the few walkers that came to the door, Skye took a moment to talk with Brady. "Going in there please try to stick with me. I don't want to give Daryl any reason to be mad at you, okay?"

"Not a problem, lil sis. Just load up the bag and leave, right? Easy peesy."

A half smile spread on her lips as the two headed to the doors with the others.

"Alright, we go in, stay in formation for the sweep," Sasha commanded. "After that, you all know what you're supposed to look for. Any questions?"

Once inside and the sweep was done, proving the all clear, Skye and Brady grabbed a cart and began searching the aisles for any useable goods.

"Hey, Sadie," Brady called from behind her.

"Hmm?" Skye's eyes were busy scanning the shelves.

"Do you remember when you were little and we would go to the grocery store, how much fun we had with the carts?"

A small smile appeared as Skye reminisced. Brady used to let her stand on the back of the cart while he pushed it as fast as he could. She always felt like she was flying. Only her big brother could make shopping for groceries fun. "I remember. Mom used to always ask what took us so long to find simple things like toilet paper."

"'As if you guys don't know where it is. I've sent you to get toilet paper every time we come to the store'," Brady imitated their mother.

They both laughed and Skye through the whole stock of toothbrushes and toothpaste into the cart, slipping a couple into her jacket pocket for her and Daryl. As they continued down the aisle, Brady pushed the cart a little harder and jumped onto the back, flying by Skye a few feet before jumping back off.

"Gotta miss the good 'ole days," he said, leaning back onto the cart handle, pushing at a normal speed.

There was a loud crash as bottles smashed to the floor somewhere behind them. Both spun around searching for sign of where it had come from. "What happened?" they heard Glenn yell and Zach yelled back in response.

"Everyone's all right. We're over in wine and beer."

Just as Brady and Skye rounded the corner to wine and beer, Skye let out a startled yelp as the ceiling gave and a walker fell through, hanging above them by his innards that had caught on some beams.

"It sounds like there's more up there!" Skye stated, looking up through the hole in the ceiling.

"Yeah, uh, we should probably be going now," Glenn suggested.

"Bob's still stuck," Daryl growled over to Tyreese and Zach, "Get him outta there."

With her hand back on the handle of her katana, Michonne said, "We'll get the others."

Skye nodded in agreement and she turned to Brady, who was stuffing as much of their loot into his bag. There was another crash and Skye spun back around, seeing another walker lying on the floor in front of her. Yet another fell, knocking the hanging one free and everyone jumped into action as more and more rained down with sickening thuds.

"Brady! Go!" Skye drew her guns from her holsters and pushed Brady ahead of her and the two took off in search of Sasha. Looking back over her shoulder Skye fired a shot into the head of a walker chasing right behind them. Facing front, she slid to a halt as a walker fell from the ceiling right in front of her, separating her from Brady. Looking to her right, she dashed down a side aisle. Firing at a walker up ahead at the end of the aisle, she jumped over its dead body and was out in the open again. To her right, she saw Daryl firing at walkers from atop a mountain of boxes of wine and beer. "Daryl!" she yelled, but before she could run to help him, she was grabbed from her left. Jaws chomped after her arm as she used all her strength to keep the walker's mouth out of reach.

Daryl's eyes looked to where he had heard Skye call his name only to find her struggling against a walker as it knocked her to the ground. His heart sank. "Skye!" There was no way he could get down through the walkers surrounding him. He fired at them as fast as he could, desperately trying to clear a path, but once he killed one another appeared.

Skye felt her arms getting ready to give out. Looking around for something to use against her attacker she began to lose all hope. Rotting teeth bit furiously at her, trying harder and harder to get a taste of her. "No!" she whimpered as the teeth were three inches away. Two… one… then they stopped. Blood dripped from the end of a machete now protruding from the walker's forehead. The machete disappeared and she let the walker fall to the floor at her side.

"Brady," she breathed as he helped her to her feet.

"Let's go," he said, pulling her behind him towards where Daryl was still fighting off walkers. The two fired on Daryl's attackers, clearing the way for him to get down. Bits of ceiling fell down accompanied by a loud crunch. The three looked to the hole above to where an army plane was threatening to fall through

"We have to move!" Brady yelled, pulling on Skye. She reached a hand out, grabbing onto Daryl and pulling him down.

"We have to get Bob! Cover me!" Daryl yelled.

Skye and Brady fired on the oncoming walkers while Zach lifted the wine shelving that Bob was trapped under. Daryl pulled Bob free and pushed him ahead towards where the others were waiting. "Let's go now! Go!"

Brady wrapped Bob's arm around his shoulders, helping get weight off his foot to get him to safety quickly. Daryl rushed to Skye's side, ready to get the hell out of there, but every single one of them was stopped by the sound of screams coming from behind them. Every one of them watched in horror as Zach had a walker latched onto his leg, chewing on his ankle.

"Zach!" Glenn yelled as the boy fell to the floor, the walker moving on to rip out his throat. Skye's hand flew to her mouth as Zach continued to scream as blood flowing from the hole in his throat to his mouth.

With his one free hand, Brady drew his gun, firing one shot into Zach's head, putting him out of his misery. More of the ceiling began to fall around them, making them rush yet again towards the light shining through the storefront door. Skye and Daryl brought up the end of the group and just as they reached the exit, the ceiling finally gave and the plane crashed down, sending dust and debris flying through the air.

After getting back to their vehicles and packing up everything they were able to salvage, the ride home was a silent one. You always go out knowing there is the possibility for death, but it never something you get used to. Skye had only spoken with Zach a few times so she didn't know him too well, but she hated that they would have to break this news to Beth. It was Daryl who offered to take on this task, surprising Skye.

While he headed off to Beth's room Skye took the long way back to their own room. Arms crossed across her abdomen, she bit at her lip thinking back to all those they had lost — back in Atlanta, the farm, during the fight with the Governor — and to those she lost before she had even met them. What she wouldn't give to see her baby sister again. Passing by Michonne's room she saw her sitting on her bed, map in her lap. Skye stepped up to the door.

"So you're really going back out there?"

Michonne's eyes jerked up to meet Skye. "I have to."

"No," Skye shook her head, "You don't."

"Skye—"

"No, Michonne. I get why you want to go after him, but what about the people here? There are people here that care about you and it would kill us if you didn't come back."

Michonne sat in silence, staring down at the big letters on the map that read 'Macon'.

"Don't do that to us. This pursuit of the Governor isn't worth it, is it?"

Michonne met Skye's gaze, but still she said nothing.

"Alright, well, goodnight," Skye waved and left for her room.

Swinging her backpack from her shoulders, she tossed it into the corner of their room. She and Daryl had gone off in search of a room with a little more privacy and wound up in the basement. The room they ended up taking was perfect. It wasn't on a cellblock so they weren't going to have to worry about being in the middle of the bustle of the rest of the group. Both liked some peace and quiet in the morning. Reaching into her jacket she pulled out the toothbrushes she had grabbed for the two of them. Removing them from the package, she sat them with the rest of their bathroom necessities. Even though all the rooms had a sink and toilet, they all still had to share the community showers.

With both hands on the sink, Skye leaned forward and closed her eyes. What a rough day. She was still rattled from being pinned down by that walker. Deep breath.

"You alright?"

Skye turned to lean back on the sink as she stared back at Daryl where he leaned against the doorframe. "Fine. Just need to get some rest, I think."

"Mhmm," he nodded, unconvinced. "Best get to it then." He entered their room, sitting on their bed and kicking off his boots.

Moving to sit next to him, she asked, "How'd it go with Beth?"

He sighed. "Not sure really. She didn't shed a tear. Seems to me like she's hardened herself."

"Can you blame her?"

"No, the thing is, I get it, ya know?" He faced her and Skye studied his face. "This should've been an easy run. In and out. I thought I had it planned —"

"Daryl, stop. There was no way we could've known walkers would fall through the ceiling. That was a freak accident."

"Still," he paused, "Zach almost wasn't the only one we lost."

"But we didn't lose anyone else."

"I know, it's just — I felt so helpless when I saw that walker on top of you. I just want to let you know that Brady did what I couldn't. He's gained a little bit of my trust."

Her mouth twitched up into a smile and she grabbed his hand, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."

Daryl pressed his lips to her head in a kiss and the two turned in for the night, hoping to fight back nightmares of the day's events.

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