Chapter 3

Many days passed since Daryl had brought Kassie back to the camp. She helped wherever she could with the laundry, cooking, or helping the kids learn. During her fifth night at the camp, she sat around the fire helping Andrea cook. Kassie flipped the skewered squirrels over. Andrea stirred and potful of water and fish. Andrea looked at her, smiling largely.

"So, how are you adjusting to life at camp?" she asked scooting towards her. Kassie smiled, having become close to Andrea with helping cooking and fishing. They had shared many stories about themselves before the outbreak and about their pasts.

"I really like it here. Everyone is so friendly and I love how we all have our jobs and work together. It's crazy to think about the fact that just over a week ago I was stressing about midterm tests. Now, we are worrying about sleeping through the night," she said back, not as depressed as she would have her first night with the group. Andrea looked at her and giggled.

"Well, you don't have to worry as much as they rest of us. You have Mr. Dixon protecting you," she said with a silly tone to her voice. Kassie blushed slightly looking Andrea.

"What are you talking about? Daryl was just kind enough to convince Shane to let me stay. I would have been dead had he not fought so hard and shared his tent with me. He was just being kind," she said back, hiding her smile. Andrea giggled some more, scooting close enough to her and whispering.

"Oh come on girl! Me, Amy, Carol, and Lori all see the way he looks at you. He tries not to make it obvious, but he is always keeping his eye on you. When we are out fishing, he is always hunting where he can watch us. Does he ever say anything at night when you guys are sleeping?" she asked curiously. Kassie shook her head no. She didn't feel the need to tell Andrea about waking up with Daryl's armed wrapped around her, cuddling close to her. She didn't feel like sharing Andrea how every time he walked into the tent she checked him out. Lastly, she didn't want to share that every time he brushed up against her while they were sleeping that she felt sparks throughout her entire body. Thinking about this caused a red tint to flash across her cheeks.

"He has asked me about wanting to go hunting with him. He knows I know how to use a gun and I can defend myself. He has also clearly told me that I am his responsibility. Nothing like you are thinking! Get your head out of the gutter!" she said back to Andrea, keeping her mind level headed about Daryl. Just as they finished talking, the food was finishing up. They called everyone around the fire to start eating dinner. They served each of them. When Daryl placed some squirrel meat on his plate, he thanked her and grinned. Andrea looked at her slyly and Kassie blew her off. When everyone was served, Kassie took her own food and her seat next to Daryl where she sat for every meal. Everyone was silent when Glenn spoke up.

"So Kassie, what were you studying in college before everything happened?" he asked, catching everyone's attention. They all looked at her, eager to her answer. She smiled; proud of what she was doing.

"I was an accounting major, Spanish major, and a minor in care for students with disabilities. I was hoping to get into corporate accounting and help some foundations dealing with students with disabilities and helping them with their academics," she said, waiting for their responses.

"Wow, that's amazing! You would have been great working with children," said Carol in response. Lori smiled and agreed with her.

"You would make a great mother too Kassie," she said in return. She was brought back to the many conversations her and her college friends had about baby names. She went silent, remembering how much she longed to be married, raise a family, and eventually adopt children will special needs.

"Thank you Lori. I am hoping one day everything gets better so I can be a mom and raise a family. I had dreamed of that since I was a little girl," she said in a somber tone. The conversation of the group died down as people went to bed. Kassie and Daryl ended up being the last ones around the fire. It had died down to just the coals in hopes of not attracting walkers. Kassie wrapped her arms around her, shivering from the chilly breeze coming through the trees. Daryl scooted closer to her and put his arm around her. She didn't move an inch, fearing he would leave her side. She relaxed into his body, taking in the warmth he radiated.

"I've seen ya with Carl and Sophia around camp. You'd make a good mom like Lori said. You can tell you're really smart too. The way you get along with everyone around here is amazing," he said, tightening his grip around her. She placed her hand on his thigh, smiling up at him.

"Thank you Daryl, that means a lot. It was hard hearing Lori and Carol talking like that. Getting to be around Carl and Sophia just reminds me that I will never get the opportunity to have children. I keep hoping that this will all just disappear after a month," she said to him.

"I am doubting that will happen, not to be a downer. I'd love to see a sweet girl like you fulfill all her dreams and goals, but I reckon that walkers don't need accountants," he said back to her. They sat snuggled by the fire until they noticed the sun coming up over the trees.

"You need your sleep," Daryl said to her. They stood up and put the rest of the fire out with dirt and water. She brushed the dirt from her jeans and went to walk back to the tent.

"Aren't you coming to sleep too Daryl?" she asked, going back to him. He didn't say anything but grabbed her hand instead. Kassie laced her fingers with his out of an unknown instinct. Before she could comprehend what was happening, she felt a set of soft lips on hers. Without another thought, she kissed him back softly. After a few seconds, he pulled away from her, looking into her eyes.

"You're beautiful," was all he said back to her. She blushed red enough she was sure he saw with the light appearing over the horizon. He brushed aside a stray hair from her face. Kassie continued looking at his face, memorizing every portion of it.

"You're gorgeous," she said back to him. She kissed his cheek again and whispered in his ear," Let's get some sleep." He nodded and they walked back to the tent. He never released Kassie's hand the whole way. They lay down in the tent without even changing into their pajamas. Daryl wrapped his arms around Kassie before kissing her cheek and falling asleep within minutes. She traced her fingers along the noticeable veins on his forearm, falling asleep with a smile on her face for the first time since the apocalypse began.