I am so so sorry for taking forever to get the next chapter up for you guys! I give ye all permission to send me a virtual slap to the back of the head! hahaha! This chapter is a bit longer I think. Thank you for fave-ing and following this! Please take a moment to review and give some helpful feedback so I can keep improving this story. Thanks guys and again, sorry for taking forever! I promise more is on the way! xoxoxo

** i also think i made a couple of mistakes in my first chapter. She had a backpack with her but dropped her bow/arrows. i know there's a couple more but i can't remember them off the top of my head. So sorry if it confused yall.

Enoy! ;)

After figuring out where my group was. Rick pulled me aside and asked me some questions. After answering them honestly, he escorted me back inside the prison to where the rest of his group waited.

As I clumsily walked into the cell block behind Rick. I looked up into the nervous, waiting faces of his people. I pause to get a better look at everyone when a hand reaches out and touches mine. I look down into the small face of a little girl who smiles at me. Awkwardly I smile back and gently squeeze her tiny hand before she runs to where the others kids are sitting at a round table in the corner of the room.

"Joe?" Rick says trying to get my attention.. I face him nodding in reply. "Joe, I want you to meet my group. You know Carol, Carl, this is Hershel, Maggie, and Beth, they own the Greene farm."

I smile and nod, "Hello, your home has kept my people safe." I pause unsure of what to say exactly, "Thank you." They all say hello back and Hershel hugs Beth as he chuckles while Maggie clings to Asian guy.

"That's Glenn, on the other side of him is Michonne. And Daryl's the one that found you out in the woods. He's holding-"

"Little Ass Kicker." Carl interrupts Rick, making everyone laugh, "my little sister."

I stare at Daryl remembering those blue eyes behind the crossbow, causing a shivers to run down my spine. He nibbles on his lower lip as our eyes lock before he goes back to looking at the baby.

"There are others here but they're all busy or in other cell blocks." Rick smiles at me breaking my focus from Daryl. I smile back as he looks back to the group before us. "Guys, this is Joe. She has a group that's made their camp at the Green farm." He pauses to look around at his friends. "We'll be sending a few of us back to her people to check on them. Make sure they're okay." He pauses again to look at Hershel, whose only reply is a smiling face, "But there's something else I wanted to ask off of you. Would you be okay with bringing them back here?"

The group before me has various reactions. Some say no, they don't know what the rest of my people are like, which causes me to smirk knowing most couldn't harm a fly; while others are fine with it. It's basically a 50/50 vote. I sigh, and lean against the table behind me. Unsure of my own answer to this I remain silent.

Rick looks back to me, "What do you say Joe? We can send some people back there to check it out and be the judge after meeting them."

"Sure, but I got with them back to my people. They may not answer or follow your people back here."

"You are not strong enough to go out there again just yet sweetie." interjects Hershel quickly his voice heavy with concern.

Shaking my head, "Don't matter. I'm good 'nuff fer now."

"It's settled then. Joe will go back with a few of us to her people." He says as he looks to Glenn, then Carol. "Carol, you have some medical experience, would you go to check on them?"

She nods as Glenn speaks up "I'll go too." Rick smiles and I watch as he looks down at the floor and walks over to the blue eyed devil and whispers in his ear. Daryl nods as he hands the baby over to Rick, stealing a quick glance at me. Nothing goes unnoticed by him.

"Let's get the bus ready. I'll drive the truck." He says to Glenn as they both stand and leave the room.

I watch as some ask Rick questions. Other members talk among themselves. I was as Carl walks over to Rick with determination in his every move.

"Dad, I'm going with them."

Ricks back is to me but his posture stiffens and he shakes his head. "Not this time Carl."

"You always say that." He says as he storms off in the direction of the cells.

I stand and slowly make my way to the room I woke up in to grab my pack in case the group decides not to come here or Rick's people refuse to let us return with them. My thoughts turn inward as I think about my group. Their safety and how I can better protect them. The kids, my sister, my promise to the group to keep them safe after they kind of forced me to take over as the leader. I never wanted to be that person. I hear a knock on the cell door that shakes me from my thoughts. Turning I see Carl standing at the door. I smile and return to my packing.

"What were you thinking about?" he asks

"The other and my group." I watch out of the corner of my eye as he sits in the chair at the end of the bed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothin'." I reply hiding my feelings, sighing I turn to him, "What's on your mind Carl?"

He grins, "When you were at the farm, did you see any pictures?"

"Yes,we moved them to the attic we found. Why?"

"Could you bring them back for me? Please Joe?" He pleads.

"Sure. I'll send them back if I stay."

"Thanks Joe!" he replies excited.

I giggle softly as he leaves. I finish packing up my bag.

The ride over is silent. Daryl doesn't speak much and I'm just fine with that. As we pull up to the farm I can clearly see the bullet holes on the house. Frowning I jump out of the truck and walk around the porch hoping he left my bow and arrows, but no such luck. Dammit! I walk back to the front and look out and see a few blood stains out in the grass, and Daryl along with the others waiting. Hesitantly, I open the front door and nod to Ricks group

I look around and find no one on the main floor. "Hey guys! It's Joe! Come on out!" I yell out hoping they're here. Hearing footsteps I reach for my knife, praying it isn't a walker. Rounding the corner I see the familiar faces of my group. "Outside guys come on." I turn on my heels and head out the door. I watch as everyone exits the house and comes outside in relief. I glance around looking for Avery, the girl I left in charge of the kids when I hear the door open again and I turn to see her and the kids walking out of the house. Avery and Dixie are holding the hands of Parker and the twins. A few of the adults pat me on the shoulder and tell me they're glad to have me back.

I pull away and walk up to Avery and hug her close to whisper in her ear, "Thanks, for watching them."

"No need to thank me darlin. Just doin' what I can. You know that." she smiles at me fondly. She's a sweetie and great with the kids. I turn and hugs Dixie who continues to grip onto the belt loop of the too large jeans that were given to me to borrow along with a shirt since my clothes were filthy and ripped all to hell. I hug Park next and kiss his cheek gently as he tries to hide his face in my arm. I hold out my arms to the twins as they rush into them and I wrap my arms around them pulling them as close to me as possible. I place gentle kisses on their heads, as they snuggle in close to me.

I hear Glenn laughing as he talks to a few members. Looking around I notice Carol not far off checking over everyone for major injuries. I go to look back at the twins and see Daryl remains silent, but catching his eyes as he stares at me and the twins. "I love you guys and I'm so glad you're okay." I go to stand only to have Charlie take off running.

"Charlie! Be careful and watch where you're going!" I yell to him trying not to giggle. He just laughs harder and runs right into Daryls legs, causing him to fall over. He slowly looks up right not Daryls face as he bends down to help the little boy up. He smiles at Charlie then whispers something to him making Charlie laugh and run over to Carol. I sneak a glance back to Daryl and see a small smile play across his face. I look back to my group and behind a head count. Where are the others? Sighing and hoping for the best I walk over to Jacob.

"Jacob, where's the others?" I ask slightly under my breath so as not to alarm those around us.

"They ran out after those men r-ran after y-you. Only one man came back and-and he shot 'em dead Joe!" He fidgets nervously before continuing, "We can't find two of 'em though. We burned the rest by that barn." he points to the burnt remains of the barn. "There were four bodies lying out there then when that man left, there was only two. We looked everywhere Joe. There's no sign of 'em here."

I pat his arm gently, "It's okay. You did good Jacob. Nothing more we can do for now." I turn around and walk towards Carol who was finishing up checking over Dixie by now. I smile and hug all found kids to me tightly.

"You've have beautiful kids Joe." She says with a faraway look in her eyes as if to recall a happy memory but her features on her face show a deep sadness.

Dixie turns to her quickly and huffs angrily, "She's not our mama!" I watch as she walks over to the porch and sits in the chair in front. Parker walks away silently to Glenn. I hugs the twins close to me, silently fighting my own feelings.

"I'm sorry Joe, I didn't know."

"Don't be sorry-" I'm cut off as a deep voice finishes my sentence from behind me.

"They ain't hers." he says almost growling.

I instantly let go of the twins as William steps closer.

"Aint that right Joe? Ruby couldn't keep her damn hands off that disgusting redneck that came around only for a hot piece o' ass."

I give no reply and frown, wishing I could speak up about this. Instead I glance up at Carol whose face is filled with concern for the young woman stand before her.

"Mind your own damn business William." I hiss before going inside to find those pictures for Carl. I reach the attic as my temper reaches it's boiling point. Reaching out blindly I grab the first box I see and throw it across the room. Fucking dickhead! Why can't he just stay the fuck out of this! He's never cared anyways. I take a deep breath as I begin looking for the box of pictures we found and stashed up here. After about ten minutes of digging around I found it. I pick it up and carry it downstairs and into the truck. I lean against the truck for a moment and look around at everyone talking happily. I see Daryl, Glenn, and Carol all speaking privately to each other. I can't seem to pull my eyes away from the redneck. Wonder what the story is behind Mr. Silence. I push away from the truck to go back inside to pack the Greene family some more of their clothes when a hand reaches out and grabs my arm tight and yanks me towards him roughly. Another hand grabs my jaw and forces me to look up into Williams face.

"Next time you tell me to mind my own fucking business when it concerns the kids. I will slit your throat, you stupid cunt!" His anger radiating off him like a heat wave.

I step closer to him giving my knee some space and raise it backwards then forwards as hard as I can into his balls. I grab his shaggy hair pulling his face close to mine.

"If you ever grab me and talk to me like that again. I will rip your intestines out and strangle you with them! Then I'll cut off that small dick you find so fuckin' precious and ram it up your ass! Call me a cunt one more time and you'll see a whole new side to me, bitch." I shove him away from me as I head back to the house trying to ignore the stares from the group. I steal a glance to Daryl who is smiling at me. I feel my face flush so I hide my face and pick up my pace.

I enter the house and run to the room I was staying in and grab the box full of all of their clothes and slide towards the door. I grab the kids bags and mine and begin packing everything up. A small knock at the door breaks my concentration and I turn to see Carol and Daryl standing there. Carol look at me with pity. I wipe my face feeling hot tears run down my cheeks as Daryl clears his throat. I turn back to look at him.

"We told everyone else.. Yer all comin' back with us. Ain't safe here." He quickly walks away. I look up to Carol who begins helping me finish the packing in silence. A little later we carry the bags and box out to the bus and load it up.

Hearing laughter I look over to where it's coming from to see Glenn, Dixie, and Parker laughing at Daryl who has the twins, one of each leg sitting on his feet. He tries to shake them off and smiles. I cross my arms on my chest and giggle. He's good with them. I shake my head and mentally scold myself.

An hour or so later we had the bus loaded up with the remaining supplies, belongings and people. Dixie and Parker decided to ride with Avery while the twins went me me in the truck, with Glenn and Daryl. Charlie had thrown a fit and refused to let go of Daryl, so Glenn decided to drive back. I glance over at Daryl looking out the window, with Charlie asleep against his chest and his tiny hands balled into fits gripping his shirt.

"He likes you." I say smiling, noticing Glenn looking back at us.

Daryl grunts his reply.

"He wont do that for anyone else but me."

Daryl turns and looks at me then down to Charlie. "He's a good kid." He whispers and begins rubbing Charlies back gently as he smiles and looks back out the window.

I cuddle Ryleigh closer to me, kissing her temple and look out the window as well.