Alright guys, so I really hope that the next few chapters aren't as slow as I feel that they are. A lot of these next two chapters are going to be informative, but I'm trying to give you guys something to hold on to! This chapter is pretty lengthy so bear with me; it'll get more interesting once they reach the farm! Hope you like!

Thank you to all of my wonderful followers and those who have favored, I'll try to keep updating as soon as I can and not disappoint you!

katie93319, sarabear91, and LionHeartSid – Your feedback means the world to me. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I only own Rylie.

Even though they had already been through most of these cars, Daryl figured it didn't hurt to double check. He also figured it didn't hurt to get away from the hot and irritating new girl. The hell does she think she is? Gettin' all high and mighty with me... Stupid bitch 's got another thing comin', he thought rummaging through the trunk of an abandoned Grand Prix. His thoughts, however, started to drift to how tight her tank was and how her jeans hung low on her hips, revealing a small gap of pale skin. Knock it off, Dixon! He shook his head, angry with himself.

He didn't find anything useful so he shut the trunk door, resisting the urge to slam it shut. He didn't know why he was so worked up over her. She was just a stupid girl. He knew he was just pissed that they hadn't found Sophia, and he realized he was taking it out on her. Wouldn't've taken it out on her if she hadn't gotten in ma face.

"Havin' fun?" a sultry voice asked from behind him.

He looked over his shoulder to see Rylie leaning up against the hood of a car, hands in her pockets. He turned back around and heads for another car, not wanting to be near her. Why she followin' me?

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Look, I just came to tell you that your people need you. They want to talk about what's happening with the farm and stuff," she said, watching as he turned to face her, a hand on his crossbow shoulder strap. Good Lord, he looks good. Still an ass, but a good lookin' one.

He grunted at her in response and started to head back, but she stepped in his path. Their bodies were only inches apart and she realized he was a couple inches taller than her. She looked up at him, resolved to try to make this bearable. "Just so you know, I'll be sticking with you guys for a while. At least until we get to the farm." She saw him tense slightly. "So why don't we try to play nice, alright?"

He chuckled bitterly. She was making him… nervous and he didn't know why, but he sure as hell wasn't going to show her that. Maybe it was her steel grey eyes, the way they seemed to see right through him made him feel unnerved. Pissed that she had this affect on him, he decided to push back. Leaning closer to her face, he tried to gauge her reaction and was satisfied when those eyes widened slightly. "Whatever you say, girl," he growled in his southern drawl. He stepped around her and headed back to the convoy, leaving her slightly stunned.

What the fuck was that? She thought, pissed at her body's reaction to him - pissed at his reaction to her. She didn't like the way he had invaded her bubble like that, and liked it even less that it had made her heart race violently. Get yourself under control, woman. She shook her head trying to clear it, before she headed back to the group. Not wanting to be nosy or seem invasive, she decided to sit on the step in the doorway to the RV to give them some space – still within earshot, but not assuming she was a part of the discussion. She noticed that they were all discussing their options, other than T-Dog, who hadn't moved from his spot in the shade.

"Rick, Shane, Lori, and Carl are all at this farm, but how do we know we can trust 'em?" Daryl asked.

"If Carl's been shot and these people are taking care of him, I'd say that's enough to trust them," Glenn defended. I really like this kid. Sees the silver lining in things.

"That must mean they have medical supplies, right?" Andrea asked. Everyone was quiet as they thought about what that could mean for them.

"I won't do it, I won't leave my little girl out there," Carol said softly. "We can't just leave."

Rylie's heart broke for this woman who had lost the most precious thing in her life. She could only imagine how hard this was for her. She wasn't stupid; she knew that if the girl had been alone out there for this long by herself, she was most likely turned – or would be soon enough. But Ry decided, then and there as she looked at Carol's grief stricken face, that she would help find Sophia in any way she could. The woman deserved closure – deserved to know what happened to her little girl, even if she had been bit.

"Carol, the group is split. We're scattered and weak," Dale informed her.

"What if she comes back? And we're not here?" They all looked at Carol, none of them speaking what they thought of that option. "It could happen," Carol finished.

Rylie watched as Daryl thought. She couldn't explain it, but she found herself enjoying watching him. Way to be a creep, Ry, she scolded herself. He nodded, looking at everyone as an idea set in his mind. "Okay, I'd say tomorrow morning gives us enough time to pull up stakes. Gives us time to rig a big sign and leave her some supplies," he said thoughtfully. Rylie found herself smiling slightly at how serious he seemed to be taking this. I knew he had a heart in there somewhere. "I'll stay here tonight, with the RV."

"If the RV is staying, so am I," Dale announced.

Carol smiled. "Thank you. Both of you." Andrea smiled and told Carol she would stay too.

"Glenn, you should go. Take Carol's Cherokee and reconnect with our people, tell them what's going on," Dale started. He glanced over to T-Dog, who looked to be resting. "You need to get T-Dog to that farm and to the medicine. He has a very serious blood infection and it doesn't look good." Daryl turned at this and walked over to his bike.

Rylie could see that Glenn didn't like to be the odd man out and not stay and help here, but he realized how bad T-Dog was and nodded. Finally, they all turned their attention to Rylie.

"Rylie, would you mind staying with us? I think you would be received better if you showed up with the larger group, once things have hopefully calmed down a bit for everyone," Dale explained.

"Absolutely. Whatever you guys need or think is best, consider it done," she agreed, standing. Daryl walked back over with a large zip lock bag filled with prescription bottles.

"Why'd you guys say anythin' earlier? It's Merle's stash," he said. He started rummaging through the bag, listing off all types of drugs and had Rylie wondering just who this Merle character was. After tossing some pain killers to Glenn he found what he was looking for and tossed it to Dale. "Doxycycline. Not the generic stuff neither – that shit's first class," he said, with a hint of pride in his voice. He hesitated for a moment as everyone looked at his in disbelief. "Merle got the Clap on occasion."

Rylie realized she was grinning and watched as Daryl walked back to his bike. Everyone else started getting stuff ready, and though she wanted to bug Daryl about who he knew that had Clap, she figured she had all night for that. She watched as Carol returned to the RV and decided to follow.

"Knock, knock," she started, walking in slowly. Carol looked up from the bench she was sitting on and smiled politely at Rylie. Clearing her throat, she continued. "Hey, I just wanted to say that I am so sorry about your little girl. If you'd like, I would very much like to help in any way that I can in looking for her," she offered, smiling brightly.

Carol looked at her for a moment, and then cast her gaze down. "Why? You don't even know us."

Rylie's smile softened, knowing that Carol meant well. "I know that we're all survivors - together. And I know that there is a little girl out there just waiting to see her Mom again." Carol looked back up at her and a small smile spread over her features. "The more eyes looking, the better, right?" Nodding, Carol sighed.

"Thank you, it means a lot," the mother said.

"'Course. If you need anything, you just say the word, alright?" Carol nodded, thankful to have someone else searching for her daughter.

As she exited the RV, she saw Glenn and Dale helping T-Dog into the car. She made eye contact with him and gave him a smile and a small salute, making him smile and nod in turn. "You guys be careful, ok?" she said to Glenn.

He smiled, heading over to the driver's side. "You guys, too."

"Let them know we'll be there in the morning, alright?" Dale asked.

Rylie headed over to her pack and set it on the hood of an abandoned car to sort through her things as Glenn pulled out and away. They were losing daylight now, so she tried to make it quick.

"Nice gun," Andrea said stepping up next to her and nodding towards her piece.

Rylie smiled. "Thanks, it was a gift from my dad." She pulled out the light box of ammo and stared at it hopelessly. "Not that it'll be of any use soon. Nearly out."

"We've got some weapons too, but trying to save on ammo ourselves." Andrea sighed and looked over at Dale – who was now on top of the RV - with what looked like resentment. "I had my own gun, given to me by my dad, too. But we've kind of been put on lockdown. They don't want us using them while we're out looking for Sophia."

Rylie shrugged, clearly picking up on the annoyance from her new friend. "I mean, I understand that. Save on ammo, reduce the chance of drawing more walkers with the sound. But I can tell you I'd be about as pissed as you look right now if someone tried to take my baby away from me, so I understand that, too," she said, smiling.

Andrea looked at her and grinned. "Glad someone understands." She looked at the water bottles Rylie had taken out from her bag and noticed the brown murky water in them. "What the hell is that?"

She shrugged again. "Girl's gotta drink, right? Filled 'em up at the creek." She looked at the bottles with distaste. "It was the only source of water. Yeah it's a bit gritty at first, but it's not like I have the option of picking between Dasani or Aquafina," she finished laughing.

Andrea chuckled. "Well, I can give you another option, and its way better that that. Come on." She led Rylie around the back side of the RV and to a box truck that had been parked to one side of the road. When they reached the open side of it, Rylie chirped out a laugh of pure joy.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" she looked at Andrea for permission and received a nod before she ran to one of the unopened jugs of beautiful clear water. She let the water run all down her face, chugging as much of it as she could. Rylie could feel her body responding to the hydration and she couldn't wipe the blissfully silly grin off her face. Stepping back, she ran her hands over her face and looked at Andrea, a sparkle in her eye. "I could kiss you. This is heaven," she sighed.

Andrea laughed. "It's pretty damn close. I'll leave you to it. Feel free to wash up, it's gonna be dark soon."

As Rylie watched Andrea walk away, she scrubbed off the dirt, grime, and blood from the past few days. And felt a sense of security for the first time since everything had happened.

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