Fiona Cahill hid in the abandoned car, waiting for the herd of Walkers to go by, staying as still as possible to avoid attracting attention. She would never have believed that leaving Los Angeles and coming back to her home town in Georgia that she would be in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Once the sounds had stopped, she peered out one of the windows, and upon making sure all was clear, she ran for the woods. As soon as she heard a crackling noise behind her, she realized her mistake and she took to her heels, cursing her lack of a gun. The heavy breathing and rank smell of the walker behind her made her aware that it was closing in on her. Suddenly a gunshot sounded from behind her and Fiona turned to see the Walker fall to the ground. A man dressed in a baseball cap and fatigues walked toward her with rifle raised. As he drew closer, she was shocked as recognition hit her.

"Shane? Shane Walsh?" He approached her, shading his eyes so that he could see her better. He lowered his rifle, and touched her cheek. "Fi, is that you?"

She nodded, her shoulders sagged with relief and Shane drew her into his arms. "What are you doing here? The last I had heard, you had moved to California."

"So I did. I tired of city life and wanted to come home."

Shane Walsh released her and gave a harsh laugh. "I remember that you wanted to get away, that life here was too simple for you. " He lowered his head. "I was too simple for you."

Surprised by the hurt he still obviously felt after all the time that had gone by, Fiona took his hand. "Shane, that's not true. I was the problem not you. I needed to get away and make a life for myself. I was tired of being known as the Hangman's daughter, Judge Cahill's offspring. Rick understood that but you never did."

"Rick, it was always Rick. The champion, the do-gooder."

"Shane, Rick was your best friend. He was my friend. "

"He's still my best friend. You'll see him when I take you back to camp. He has a wife and son now."

"And you, Shane? You never married?"

Taking her chin in his hand, he shook his head. "No, Fi, I never married. You would have known that had you ever written or called."

"Shane, I'm sorry. I didn't think you wanted to hear from me."

"Well, now you know." He brought his mouth down on hers in a punishing kiss, and she found herself clinging to his shoulders, as long dormant emotions swept through her. Shane's arms drew her closer to him, and the kiss deepened. When he finally released her, she felt so lightheaded that she had to hold onto his arm for support. He chuckled: "How does an ole country boy compare to one of those pansy city boys in the West."

She glared at him. "I wouldn't know as I didn't have time for anything but work. I was a social worker and worked with victims of abuse, mostly women and children. Being around that every day, didn't exactly make me want to get involved with one of those pansy city boys as you so eloquently call them."

Shane smiled crookedly. "I'm not exactly disappointed to hear that."

"I'm sure you aren't. Just as I am also sure that you haven't neglected the fairer sex. Not someone with your libido. You were never one to say no to a pretty face."

His expression grew serious and he took her hand. "We better get back to camp before we run into any more Walkers. That shot I fired is sure to attract some. "

"Ok, and Shane..." Fiona squeezed his hand. "Thanks for saving my life by the way."

"No problem." His grip on her hand tightened as he pulled her along with him. "And just so you know I never looked at another pretty face when you were around."

As Shane and Fiona walked into camp, she saw a small band of survivors in little better shape than her. Shane started to introduce her to the others. Dale Horvath was an older man with a fatherly way about him. Carol Peletier was a sad looking middle aged woman, with a daughter Sophia. Andrea and Jaqui were two attractive women about her own age and among the others were three men named T-Dog, Daryl and Glenn. The group had once been bigger but they had just lost a few to a Walker attack that had happened a few days before.

"Hey, Shane, what's this I hear about you firing a gun..."

Deirdre turned to see a man she had at one time considered her best friend, Rick Grimes. Like Shane, he had matured and grown handsomer over the years. A slim brunette and young boy who must be his wife and son stood at his side. Rick's face, worn from tiredness and stress, lit up when he recognized her and he enfolded her in a tight hug. "Fi, I never thought I would see you again and now you are here." Tears ran down her face as she melted into the security of his embrace. He had always made her feel safe while it was Shane who had fueled her passion. Looking over his shoulder she saw a brief uncomfortable look pass between Rick's wife and Shane. Before she could think any more about it, Rick let her go and called his wife and son over. "Fi, this is my wife Lori, and son Carl."

Lori walked up to Fiona and gave her a hug. "Rick has spoken of you. I'm so happy to meet you."

"Same here. It's good to meet the woman who captured the heart of my old friend." She bent down to shake Carl's hand. "You look a lot like your dad when he was your age." Carl smiled and gave her a quick peck on the cheek."

"Well, I think Fiona is probably hungry, so we women are going to get her something to eat and something clean to wear while you men figure out where we are going next." Rick and Shane stood aside and watched the two women walk off together.

"Shane, I guess I know now what the gunshot was about. Were there any other Walkers about?"

"Didn't see any, but figured that Fi and I would get back to camp before we found out."

Rick put his hand on Shane's arm. "Are you alright? I mean with Fi being here and all. "

"I'm fine. I'm glad she's safe."

"As am I." He looked around the camp. "Now we just have to figure out who she will stay with. I guess she could share a tent with Carol and Sophia."

"No, Rick. She is my problem. I'm responsible for her. I saved her life, so I think I have a say in this. She'll stay with me." Rick was surprised by the firm set of Shane's jaw, knowing he would not back down.

"If it is ok with Fi, then it is ok with me." Rick patted his friend's shoulder. "I haven't forgotten how it was with you two. Just be easy on her and give her time. I won't have her hurt."

"It's not her that you need to worry about. I have no intention of hurting her. I'll risk my life to protect what is mine just like I did for your family."

"I understand," Rick forced his friend to look at him. "The problem is she is not yours, not yet. As we both well know our Fi has a mind of her own."

After eating and changing into some fresh clothes provided by Lori, Fiona felt much better and just wanted to find a place to rest. Rick came over to where she was and sat down beside her. Taking her hands in his, he gave her a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, Rick. You have a wonderful family."

"Thank you. I like to think so. How about you? Shane tells me you never married."

"Nope. I'm sure he also told you that I devoted myself to my work as a social worker. I had no time for a personal life."

"Yeah, you always did have a passion for the under dog."

"Like you, my friend."

"I'm not sure if you know how hurt Shane was when you left."

She looked down. "I didn't until today."

"He cared deeply for you and it has always been a sore point with him that you said good bye to me and not him."

Shifting in her seat, Fiona met Rick's gaze.

"I cared for him too, but I just couldn't face him. I knew he would try to stop me."

"Well, that was then and this is now. Shane wants you to stay with him as we have a shortage on sleeping quarters. He considers you as his responsibility since he saved your life. I told him that I would only agree to it if you did."

Fiona looked away, her independent spirit wanting to refuse, but even she could see the sense in it. "Alright, Rick. It's fine with me. I'll do as Shane thinks best."

"Good. I'm glad we agree on something." said Shane from behind them. "Now, Rick, I think I should take our guest to where she will be sleeping. I think she could use some rest."

Fiona hugged Rick tightly and then followed Shane to his tent. He showed her where he had placed a sleeping bag and a couple of pillows and blankets on the other side across from where he slept. He noticed her discomfort, and he put a hand under her chin. "Fi, I am only doing this for your own good. I want to protect you and take care of you. I don't expect anything in return."

She nodded to him, and Shane kissed her on the forehead telling her to get some rest while he went to talk over some things with Rick. She crawled into her sleeping bag and fell asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow.