Things had been going good for the group. Carl and Duane were turning into knowledgeable little trackers/hunters under Daryl's supervision and Carol was actually developing a backbone. Andrea and Michonne had settled into comfortable roles as protectors of the group and Hershel and his daughters had the agricultural skills to make sure that the group would have a good garden come Spring. Glenn had settled into the role of procurer. Life was as close to perfect as it could be considering.

Most of the group had developed a sense of contentment although still wary of walkers stumbling onto their little haven. It had been over a month since a walker had been anywhere in the vicinity; of course something had to shatter the peace, that something was Lori.

Lori watched as Duane and Carl dressed the deer under Daryl's direction. Daryl spent more time with Carl than Rick did lately. Rick seemed to spend all of his time either annoying her with his constant questions about how she was doing or sampling the wares from the brother's still.

That wouldn't be the case if Shane was here. Shane would put the Dixon brothers in their place she thought. The truth was she missed Shane. How could Rick have been so blind for so long. Lori had been in love with Shane for months before the dead started walking. It wasn't until Rick got shot that she and Shane acted on their feelings. She had made a decision then, the marriage was over one way or another.

When Shane had told her Rick was dead she had been relieved. They had packed up Carl and headed off to Atlanta with Lori looking forward to a new life. There was no reason that she and Shane couldn't be happy together and Carl had loved Shane too. Then Rick came back from the dead and she was stuck playing the dutiful wife again. Now here she was with Rick and Shane was dead. The only solace she had was the baby and the thought that there were even odds it was Shane's.

She absently rubbed her swollen stomach as she watched Daryl with Carl. Shane wouldn't have let the dirty redneck anywhere near Carl, and he certainly wouldn't be putting Merle in charge of anything. But the Dixon brothers could do no wrong, everyone in camp seemed to see them as some sort of tarnished saints. Even Michonne and Glenn saw them through rose colored glasses. There wasn't much she could do about it now, but soon she thought.

"Hey Merle, Maggie and I are going to make a run into town. Need anything while we're gone?" Glenn asked.

"Why don't you see if you can find me a fortune cookie?" Merle replied.

"Merle stop teasing him. You know fortune cookies come from Chinese restaurants. Ask him to bring back some kimchee." She said with a laugh, "At least that is Korean food."

"Haha. You two need to stop encouraging each other." Glenn snorted.

"Why don't you bring back some of that hippity hop music" Daryl said. "Then Mickie can teach us poor white boys how to dance. Everybody knows we ain't got no rhythm."

"Screw you Daryl Dixon." Michonne said.

"Anytime darlin." Daryl replied giving her an appropriately evil leer.

Carol shook her head at the teasing. It had taken a while for her to get used to this side of Merle and Daryl. They were rough and crude but they were also loyal to the people they liked even if they were politically incorrect. She held up the shirt she had been sewing.

"If you come across some thread I could use it." Carol said. "Duane outgrows everything over night it seems."

"Ah he's a growin boy." Merle said. "Got to stop feedin him so much Carol."

"No problem Carol. We figured we'd check out the WalMart. We have to start laying in a supply of diapers and formula. Lori's due pretty soon." Glenn noted.

"Can't be soon enough." Daryl muttered. "She has plum gone off the deep end lately."

"Yep, pregnancy ain't agreein with her that's for sure." Merle nodded.

"Have a little compassion." Carol said. "She's pretty uncomfortable at this stage. I know I was carrying Sophia. Not able to get up out of a chair. Not able to sleep, it can make any woman cranky."

"True" Michonne said. "But I get the feeling that Lori will be just as unpleasant after that baby comes."

"Here Lori Let me help you with that." Rick said as he took the armload of blankets from her. "You should call me when you need something. Hershel said you need to take it easy."

"How am I supposed to take it easy Rick? Look around you. Merle and Daryl run things around here. Whatever happened to 'This isn't a democracy anymore?' huh?" Lori griped.

"Merle and Daryl are picking up the slack so I can take care of you. I remember you complaining when Carl was born that I wasn't around to help you out. I was always working.

Well now you get your wish, I'm here and you can take it easy." Rick said soothingly.

"I don't need you hovering over me Rick. Why don't you go see your two best buddies. I'm sure they would love to have your company because I don't." Lori said as she entered the cottage they had taken over and slammed the door.

"A pregnant woman." Hershel commented. "She'll drive you crazy. Don't worry Rick, she'll calm down once the baby is here."

"I hope so Hershel, I hope so." Rick said quietly.