Several weeks ago, I had a brainchild for a sequel to "The Doe and the Corn." This is my semi-sadistic one-shot that took on a life of its own and turned itself into a multi-chapter fluff fic. I know a few folks wanted more to my one shot, so I hope this meets their expectations!

Someday, when I win the lottery, I will buy the rights to The Walking Dead. Until then, I don't own them.

Recommended Song: "This I Promise You" by N'Sync

"DARYL!"

Carol's screams echoed off the mountainsides as the last walker fell to the earth, destroying the picturesque winter scene of the farm they once called Haven. It had been years since they had seen a herd this size, not since they left the prison in what felt like another lifetime. Glenn saw them first on a trip into town for more diapers. Dozens of them came from every direction with more pouring in from the road that led to the outskirts of town. He returned to the farm in record time, well ahead of the horrors that followed.

Rick was not as concerned as his Korean counterpart. "The wall is fortified," he assured them. "We built it to last and it will. We've maintained it so that it'll hold when the day came we'd need it. We have the hills on either side of us. There hasn't been a walker yet that could climb them. We'll be safe here. We've got more than enough food and water to wait this out. Everything will be okay if we stay calm."

Carol had looked away from him as an all too familiar voice of doubt whispered in her ear. That's what you said at the prison… at the farm… about Sophia.

Her eyes ventured towards her husband, who sat on the hearth of the fireplace, sharpening his hunting knife slowly. His eyes never left Rick, watching as their leader paced the length or the room. "Ain't no fence gonna keep back all of 'em," he said.

Rick nodded. "I'm sure we can handle the few that do get through."

"What what about our women and children?" Hershel inquired.

"Our women are more than capable of taking care of themselves. We've seen to that."

Daryl jerked his head in the direction of the staircase. "''Bout that one that jus' popped one out?"

"Yeah," Glenn spoke up. "Maggie nearly bled to death. You can't expect her to fight, too."

"'Course not," Rick spat. "We'll do everything we can to keep her and Samuel safe. In the meantime, we need to fortify the house. Board the windows, block the doors, and figure out the best vantage points in case we need to start shooting. Hopefully, they won't even realize we're here."

Carol couldn't bite back her questions. "And what if they do? What do we do if they attack us directly? If they don't pass us by?"

Rick's mouth was set in a grim line. "We'll fight best we can. Escape up the hillside and head north towards the lake. We won't be able to take the vehicles, not with the number Glenn saw out there. We'd be overrun in minutes."

Carol moved from her spot near the dining room door to sit beside Daryl. "We still have our emergency bags packed and ready," she reminded them. "I don't know if they'll last us until the lake, though."

"But what about Maggie and Sam?" Glenn interrupted. "They can't travel that far, especially not on foot. Not in this weather."

A strained silence fell over the group as all eyes looked everywhere but in Glenn's direction. Waiting was a gamble no one wanted to take, but leaving was becoming an even less desirable option. After a pregnant pause, Hershel broke the silence. "I won't leave my family behind to perish," he said, placing a hand on Glenn's shoulder. "They're all I have left in this world."

Carol turned to face Daryl. His brows creased. We should go while we still can.

She glanced at Glenn before turning her pleading eyes back to her husband. We can't leave them here to die.

He looked back down at the knife in his hands. I'm trying to keep you safe.

Carol's hand rested lightly on his elbow, bringing the hunter's eyes back towards her own. I know you are... but the others need your help more than I do.

Daryl sighed as he rose to his feet. "I ain't lettin' a buncha squatters run me outta what's mine," he declared as he sheathed his knife. He turned to face Glenn. "Shoveled too much shit outta that attic t'let some Asian punk move his whole family in there... turn the whole damn place into Chinatown or somethin'."

Glenn gave him a crooked smile of thanks. "Yeah... you let one in and they start multiplyin'."

One side of Daryl's lip lifted slightly as he walked into the kitchen. Carol followed close behind. "Thank you," she said softly.

Daryl turned to face her. "If shit gets bad, you run," he instructed her. "Keep your shit with you. Don't try an' be no hero. Jus' run."

Carol smiled sadly at him. "I'll try to resist the urge," she promised, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Daryl pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. Carol nuzzled the soft flannel of his shirt. It was an ideal moment any other day, but impending chaos had drained her spirits. Any other day...

A gurgle from her stomach announced that it received no favors from the stress, either. Daryl stepped back and looked at her critically. "The hell was that?"

"My stomach's upset is all... just worried."

He frowned. "Y'look green," he bluntly observed.

"I'm fine. Really, I'll feel better once I've got somethin' to do."

Daryl studied her for a long moment before relenting. "Get those bags ready t'go. Check the food, clothes, whatever."

"And make one for Samuel."

Carol watched as Daryl's lips twitched, clearly struggling to bite back a response she could already hear. She knew as well as he did that if they were overrun, the odds of Maggie and the baby surviving were slim to none. Still, if there was a chance, she wanted to give them every edge she could.

Finally, Daryl kissed the top of her head. "M'gonna see how many boards we can get over them windows. Ain't got much time."

Half an hour later, the farmhouse was buzzing with activity. Rick, Daryl, and Glenn began hammering boards to the windows and doors while Hershel and Andrea kept watch from the attic window. Carol brought the emergency bags into Maggie's room so they could sort them without violating the new mother's strict orders of bed rest."

"Which one you workin' on?"

Carol didn't look up. "Glenn's... Trade me that can of corned beef. Rick doesn't eat it, but Glenn does."

Maggie passed the can, taking a jar of soup in exchange. "I don't see why it matters. If we're all runnin' for our lives, who cares what they like to eat?"

Carol looked up as a dark expression crossed Maggie's face. "In the end, it doesn't matter... but it's the little things that can make the bad times a bit better." She paused, then added, "Imagine runnin' for your life with nothin' but cans of tuna in your pack."

As expected, Maggie made a face at the thought. "Ugh, that's true... How do you remember all this stuff? I've known Glenn almost as long as you have, but I can never remember everything he likes."

Carol shrugged as a smile twitched at the corners of her lips. "You'll learn," she said, gesturing towards the Moses basket beside her. "Before you know it, you'll know more about Sam than you know about yourself."

"If I live that long," Maggie sighed as she leaned over to stroke Samuel's cheek.

Carol turned and watched as Maggie gazed lovingly at her son. He was nearly a week old now, already looking around at the world with his dark, somber eyes that reminded her greatly of Glenn. He was a quiet baby who rarely cried, a blessing to his recovering mother and nervous father. Carol smiled as she reached to pat his stomach. "You're gonna be his mama for a long time, Maggie. You're gonna watch him grow up and meet your own grandkids someday."

Maggie tore her gaze from Samuel. "Carol... if somethin' happens to us..."

"Oh, honey!" Carol jumped up from her spot on the floor and pulled her friend into a motherly hug. "You can't think like that!"

Tears rolled down Maggie's cheeks. "I have to," she said as her voice began to crack. "I can't keep him safe if anything was to happen. And Glenn... he'd get his stupid self killed trying to save us. But you..."

Carol hugged her even tighter. "Maggie..."

The younger girl began to sob. "But you have Daryl lookin' out for you. You'll both make it out of this, make it to the lake... you'll both be okay."

"Hush now... Glenn said he only saw fifty or so. Plus the snow has slowed them down, so we've got plenty of time to get ready. We're better prepared now. It won't be like the farm again."

Maggie pulled away. "Promise me, Carol," she pleaded. "If anything happens to me and Glenn... Promise me you'll take Sam with you."

For several moments, Carol was unable to respond. Finally, she pulled Maggie back into her arms, tears forming in her own eyes. "I promise."

Yay, it's a baby! ^_^ New chapter coming soon!