A note to my lovely readers:

In writing Complications and Grave I've become really attached to Rose. In my heart of hearts she belongs to Daryl, but...I've decided to just make her a permanent fixture in the Walking Dead world like the rest of the characters. Just couldn't let her go and it didn't feel right when I tried to do this with another OC.

I really hope you enjoy. Please review, it really helps me and I appreciate it so much. :)

They knew each other before the world went to shit.

Their relationship, or perhaps their lack of one, was complicated.

Rose was Rick's little sister, Shane his best friend, and he knew both of them like the back of his hand.

He knew that Shane broke hearts. Was somewhat of a wild card. A good guy but selfish and flighty-people just had a way of getting hurt when they got involved with him.

At twenty two, Rose was sweet, naïve, and loyal to a fault. She had dark features, pale skin, and a genuine smile.

Rose wasn't Shane's type, so when she expressed interest in him Rick wasn't concerned-but he did want to spare her feelings.

"He's way too old for you", he said simply. "Hell, he's my age."

She looked at her brother with a bashful expression. "So…! You're my brother, not my Dad. It's not that much of a difference."

Rick shook his head. "He's got more than a decade on you, Rose. Besides, you don't know him well enough to know that you like him-you just think he's good looking."

"That's not accurate…" She looked defeated.

"Oh, but it is, little one."

And that was the end of that.

Rick didn't know that she had talked to Lori about him more than a few times. She had quite the crush.

"He's not that interesting", Lori laughed. "It'll pass. He's really just like every other guy that you're not crushing on."

Frustrated and too shy to ever approach him, she eventually let it go.

Months later, the four of them were having dinner together. Rose was happy to help Lori cook, and the two of them bantered in the kitchen while Rick and Shane hung out in the living room.

She was sautéing some squash when Shane walked in.

"You girls need any help?" he said with a grin that made Rose melt.

"We've got things under control. Thanks, though." Lori smiled.

Rose turned to face him with a shy smile. "Actually…if you really wanted to, you could cut some more squash for me. Think we're gonna need some more. It cooks down so much…"

"Right?" He walked over to the fridge and grabbed a few more, picking up a cutting board and setting them down on the counter next to her. She felt her skin flush at his closeness and bit her lip. Her usual indifference to men went right out the window when it came to him.

"Thanks", she said quietly.

"No problem, kiddo."

Ugh. Kiddo. She tried not to look disappointed every time he called her that. After all, it was an endearment, right?

Shane had begun slicing. Rose watched from the corner of her eye, fighting the urge to reach out and touch his arm. Lori glanced over at the two, watching subtly before pulling some spices from the cupboard.

After dinner that night, Rose went outside on the porch swing with her laptop to do some writing. It was a much cozier spot than any space she had in her apartment in the city. She found herself going to her brother's more and more for the quiet solace it provided.

The door opened and she looked up, seeing Shane and smiling. She expected him to say goodnight and pass her on the porch so she was more than a little shocked when he took a seat next to her on the swing.

"Writing?" he asked casually.

She nodded. "Yeah…always something. Too many things. Not enough time to get it all out."

"What're you workin' on now?"

"A story. A short piece…" she looked at him with kind eyes.

He looked at her curiously. "I've wondered how many stories you have bouncing around in your head at any given time." His smile was devastating.

"…you think about me?" she blurted out.

He chuckled, his features still warm, but he didn't respond.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'd better get going. See you soon, kiddo."

With that he stood up and walked to his car. She watched him the whole time, quietly managing "bye…" once he was too far away to hear it.