She watched him ride off on the bay mare. He was so different from what she remembered, and yet so the same. He still couldn't tolerate displays of affection. Even when they were kids, he'd get so uncomfortable if he thought she was trying to comfort him in some way. Funny thing was, if he was comforting her, he was the exact opposite.

The night her mother died, he had stroked her hair, rubbed her back, pressed kisses to her forehead and hadn't thought twice about it. For months she had laid in bed and thought about that night. Wondering what would have happened if she had just touched her lips to his as she had wanted to.

When her father told her he had sold the house and had already moved, she cried for a week. Over Christmas break she actually drove down, just to see him one more time. But what good would it do? He had never thought about her as more than a friend. She had turned around just before she got there and headed back to her father's new house.

She had gone back to school in January and joined the archery competition team because it reminded her of him. When she was shooting, she could almost hear him whispering in her ear, feel his cheek press to hers as he corrected her stance or aim.

Finding him again was a miracle. She hadn't even been living in the state at the time. She had gone to New Orleans for a friend's wedding and decided to stay a couple of extra days to visit with some other friends. Then there were these stories on the news of some weird virus and the riots that were starting to break out all over. She hurried to make plans to get home and luckily managed to get on the very last flight back to Charleston. When things went from bad to worse a few days later, she decided to head down to Atlanta to be with her brother. She had almost gotten there when the planes flew over and bombed the city. She watched as the night sky had become bright from the flames and the percussion of the bombs swept through her body.

She ended up joining a small group of people that had been at the same service station she was. They set up camp a few miles away from Atlanta, but those things had been everywhere. The group kept moving further and further out into the country, until that last night when the camp had gotten overrun.

When she heard Daryl's voice the other day, she thought she was imagining it. But no, it was him, she knew it the moment she saw those eyes. Only Daryl could have eyes that were so warm, and that could go to steel in a second. Anything could cause it, if she pressed to close to a subject that he didn't want to talk about, if he thought someone was making fun of him in some way, if he ever thought that she was giving him pity.

That first day that they met, those eyes had been steel, he had looked at her so defiantly. Of course she had known what had happened to him. It wasn't the first time she had seen him around sporting a cut lip or a bruised cheek. Daryl was in a cast more often than even the most clumsy kid, but instinctively she knew he'd hate it if she said that. And she had so wanted to meet him after all those years.

The day her father had pointed Daryl and his father out to her, (actually he had pointed them out to her mother, but she had been in the back seat), he had looked so cute with his hair falling in his eyes as he helped his father load up the back of the pickup truck. She was probably only seven or eight then, but anytime she thought of the prince that she would spend the rest of her life with, he had come to mind. As she got older, the daydreams changed, but the man in them was always Daryl. It seems she had spent half her life being in love with Daryl Dixon in one way or another.

She had dated in high school and college, but they never really measured up. She found that she always compared them to Daryl. It wasn't until she turned twenty five that she realized that even if she had stayed in that tiny little town, if her father had never moved, they still would never had been able to be together, her father would never have allowed it. If she and Daryl had gotten together, if she had crossed her father, he would have made sure Daryl wouldn't have been able to find work in the area. She had been holding out for a fantasy that could never happen.

So she let go of that dream and married someone the exact opposite, someone her father had approved of. She had to laugh, look how well that turned out. "But" she thought to herself as she looked down at Penny, "I got something great out of it." Setting aside the thoughts of Daryl, she headed over to get started on the laundry.

She asked Carol to watch the baby while she got to work. Daryl's clothes must've had about an inch of dirt on them. She soaked them in three different hot water baths to get the majority of the grime off of them. Each time she dumped the water, it was black from all the dirt. It was hard work pulling the water from the well and hauling it over to the fire pit to heat up. Finally she figured she had loosened up all the dirt she was going to and got to scrubbing.

Carol's voice calling her name surprised her and she let out a squeak as she whipped around. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you. It's just that I think Penny's looking for some food." She shifted her attention to the little bundle in her arms. "Yes. You're hungry aren't you?" she cooed to the baby.

Olivia laughed as she covered her racing heart with her hand. "Well apparently I'm still a little jumpy from being on my own." Olivia wiped her hands against her jeans and reached out for the baby. "Guess I lost track of time there. I appreciate you watching her."

"It's no problem. I love babies. I always wanted more, but it just didn't happen." Carol said sadly.

Olivia settled down on an old tree stump to nurse. "What's your little girl like?" she paused for a moment. "Or do you not want to talk about it?"

Carol sat down on the grass across from her. "No. It'll be nice to talk about her in a way that doesn't have to do with her missing. She's a quiet little girl. Sometimes too quiet. She's never had it easy. My husband was... well I'll just say he had a temper. She shouldn't have had to go through that," Carol was quiet for a moment then she said something so quiet Olivia almost missed it. "And now I've failed her again." Carol started weeping quietly.

Olivia reached out with her free hand. "You haven't failed her. You're still looking for her. Just have faith. You'll find her, and she'll be back with you before you know it." She gave Carol's hand a squeeze.

Carol wiped the tears away from her eyes. She gazed out over the vast land surrounding them. "I hope so. She'd love this place, all the animals. She had just started taking horseback riding lessons when all this started. I hadn't told Ed because I knew he'd complain about it, that it was too expensive. But it was what she wanted, the only thing she asked for as a birthday gift. I couldn't tell her no."

"Sounds like you're a really good mom Carol. I think Sophia is lucky to have you." Olivia said warmly. "You never know, maybe when she gets back, Hershel will let her ride one of his horses."

Carol's lips twitched. "She'd like that a lot. Think he would?" Her eyes darted over towards the house, and expression of hope on her face.

Olivia shrugged. "Maybe, I only meet him the once. Seems like a good guy. She'll certainly deserve a treat when she gets back." Carol smiled back at her gratefully.

Olivia sighed with relief as she was hanging the last of the laundry out. Placing her hands on the small of her back she closed her eyes and leaned back, stretching her muscles. When shouts of alarm rang out the noise startled her, causing her to jump for the second time today, the farm was always so quiet. As she looked around, she saw Rick and Shane running across the field, T-Dog right behind them. Stepping out from behind the sheet so she could see better, she gasped as she realized that there was a figure stumbling out of the woods and it was coming towards the house. "It must be one of the dead," She thought to herself. It seemed wrong that there was one of those things so close to here. Daryl had said that Hershel hadn't had any problems with walkers because of the swamps that surrounded the farm.

Then something strange happened, Rick and Shane stopped in their tracks, and Olivia watched as Rick lower his gun. She stood there confused, why would he do that? Unless it wasn't a walker, but everyone was here except for Daryl. Just as the realization that it must be him coming back, (but where was his horse?), the crack of a rifle filled the air. She felt her eyes go wide with horror as Daryl's head jerked back.

The sound of panic shouts floated on the air and drifted back to her. She stood as if rooted to the ground. It wasn't until she saw them hoist Daryl up between them and start back to the house that she was able to move. Olivia took off running, the scenery a blur in the corner of her eye. Just as she was about to reach them, she heard Andrea.

"Oh my God, I shot Daryl?" her voice was filled with disbelief. She was staring at Daryl's limp form hanging between Rick and Shane.

"What fool let you have a gun?" Olivia shouted at her, as she gently lifted Daryl's head off his chest. She couldn't believe the state he was in. He was filthy and there were smears of blood everywhere. The side of his shirt though, well, it had more than just a smear. It was soaked through with blood.

"It's just a graze," Rick assured her as he brushed her out of the way. "He's got other injuries though, we got to get him to Hershel."

Olivia felt as though she couldn't breathe. This couldn't be happening. Daryl had always seemed so indestructible to her. "What other injuries?" She questioned as she followed them up to the house. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and she could feel the impact that the sprint down to the fields had on her body.

"Don't know yet," Shane said curtly. "Ain't like we got x-ray glasses." She trailed behind them as they dragged his limp body back up towards the house. Andrea walked up behind them, sniffling. It took all of Olivia's will power not to turn around and pounce on the crying blonde.

Olivia watched as they laid him on the bed and Hershel began examining him. She sat down in the chair in the corner and tried not to get in anyone's way. She gasped in shock and horror when they removed his shirt and she saw the puncture wound that went straight through his side. As Hershel began cleaning the cut on Daryl's hairline his eyes flickered open. As Daryl's eyes met Olivia's, she knew that she had made a mistake in coming in the room. "This ain't no peep show! Get the fuck out!" he shouted. She sucked in her breath as she pushed her self up out of the chair. She kept her back straight and her head high as she marched from the room, shutting the door behind her.

She leaned back against the door and closed her eyes. Her emotions battled within her. She was humiliated that Daryl had yelled at her, but so relieved that he was alright at the same time. There was something else there though, anger at Andrea. Her eyes narrowed and she stalked through the house looking for her. Not finding her inside, she pushed open the screen door and there she was sitting on the front steps.

Olivia could tell Andrea was upset, but it didn't matter. "What the hell is wrong with you, shooting Daryl?" she demanded. "You could have killed him!"

Andrea swiveled around. "I didn't know it was him, I couldn't see with the glare of the sun." Her voice was defensive.

That in itself pissed Olivia off. She probably would have calmed down if Andrea had sounded apologetic, but she hadn't. Not in the least. "So you're not even going to find out who you're shooting at? You're just going to shoot anyone that comes out of the woods? Even when you know that one of your own is out there looking for Sophia?" she snarled. "You're just so God damn gun happy that you don't care who you hurt as long as you get to take them down? Is that it?" Without waiting for an answer Olivia stomped down the steps to go find Carol and Penny.

She saw them over by the main group of tents, but she paused before going over. She couldn't go there just yet, she was just still so angry. She veered off to the right, and headed to Daryl's tent. Pushing the flap back she threw herself down on the pallet of blankets. Her body ached from running through the field and her heart was pounding out of her chest. She gave herself five minutes to let the anger and sadness course through her.

Just as she was pulling herself back together, the tent flap was pushed aside. Turning over quickly she was surprised to see Shane ducking into the tent. Her eyes widened in surprised.

Shane chuckled at her obvious astonishment. "Thought I'd come see if you were planning on doing anything about that anger you got brewing," he said. "Not like I understand your feelings about the subject, but since you and Daryl are friends..." His eyes roamed over her, reading her reactions.

Olivia stared right back at him. He was tall, and solidly built, his frame filled the entire doorway of the tent. His hair was short, in a military buzz cut. Everything about his presence made her feel ill at ease, and his body language didn't reassure her in the least.

She pushed herself up into a sitting position. As she thought about what could have happened to Daryl, her teeth clenched together. Still, he wouldn't appreciate her getting involved in this, she had already done too much. "Figure everything that's done is done." Her voice was adamant. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go get Penny."

Brushing past Shane, she exited the tent. His voice called out behind her, "Look here. I gotta know if you're gonna hold a grudge about this." His footsteps hurried to catch up with her.

She spun around. "Why? To give you one more reason to get rid of me? My parents didn't raise an idiot. You've wanted me gone since the moment Daryl brought me back." She couldn't help the sneer that spread across her face.

Surprisingly Shane laughed. "Girl, if I really wanted you gone, you'd be gone." He stepped closer till she could feel the heat from his body. "Fact is, you're somewhat amusing and just might come in handy." As Olivia narrowed her eyes trying to decipher his meaning, he stepped around her and headed over to where Lori was organizing supplies.

Olivia stared after him, her body tense. There was something about Shane. She didn't know if he was trustworthy or not. It wasn't a crime to not want to take on the responsibility of having a newborn baby in the group, but Olivia didn't think that was the whole story. As Shane's figure got smaller and smaller she sighed and walked slowly back to where Penny was.

As soon as dinner was cooked, she walked into the room where Daryl was. Even as he opened up his mouth to speak she placed Penny on the bed next to him and walked back out. When she pushed open the door the next time, she was holding dinner plates. She pressed her lips together to smoother the smile as she caught Daryl tickling Penny's belly and grinning down at her.

As soon as he saw her, his smile vanished. "Can't just be leaving your rug rat with me any time you want." His tone was curt.

She set down one of the plates on the bedside table,"Couldn't carry her and dinner." she said matter of factly. She had learned a long time ago how to ignore Daryl's moods. Leaving Penny where she was, Olivia sat down in one of the chairs and started eating her meal.

Daryl couldn't quite suppress the groan that escaped his lips as he sat up. Olivia's lips turned white as she took in the line of stitches along his side. It would leave another scar on his already heavily marked body. Pulling her gaze away from the wound, she started cutting up the chicken on her plate. As she popped the first bite of food in her mouth she glanced up to find Daryl staring at her. "What?"

His eyes flicked away from hers for a moment. "Shouldn't have yelled at you like that," he said quietly, clearly uncomfortable.

Olivia knew that would be as close to an apology as she was going to get. "Hasn't been so long that I don't remember how you are. Never did like it when I found you cleaning yourself up." She scooped up some of the potatoes and continued eating.

Daryl looked as though he wanted to say something else, but Penny chose that moment to begin fussing. Even as Olivia moved to set aside her plate, Daryl gently picked the baby up and began bouncing her rhythmically. Daryl was such a complex man. He couldn't even apologize properly, but there he was, being so gentle with her daughter. It tore at Olivia's heart.

As Penny settled down, Daryl set her on the bed next to him and picked up his diner plate, Olivia smiled lightly at him, and they ate together in silence. When they were just about finished, a soft knock sounded on the door. They both looked over to see Carol peak in, "Just wanted to see how you're doing," she said quietly.

Olivia could tell Carol had something to say to Daryl so she stood up. "Was just about to bring these to the kitchen anyways." Grabbing Daryl's plate, she sneaked past Carol and went out to the kitchen.

Five minutes later she was drying dishes and heard the door to the bedroom close. Looking over she saw Carol wipe tears from her eyes as she headed outside. Olivia looked back down at the plate in her hand. Olivia knew there was something there. What, she couldn't quite figure out. Carol and Daryl were so similar in so many ways. Maybe that was all it was, a certain kind of understanding.

Just as the dishes were just about done, the sound of Penny fussing drifted out from the bedroom. As she looked over at the other women, Lori spoke up. "Go. We'll put all this away."

Smiling in gratitude, she hurried for the bedroom. "Thought I had a little more time before she got hungry again," Olivia said as she pushed open the door. At the expression on Daryl's face she asked softly, "Everything okay?"

Daryl looked ill at ease. His gaze was fixed on Penny as he whispered, "Do you think I'm a good man?"

"What?" Olivia asked shocked.

"Carol, she said I was a good man." He kept his eyes averted, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.

Olivia sat down gently on the edge of the bed and taking one of his hands in hers, she answered him. "Daryl, the other day, there was no one else I would've rather walk through that door. I trust you explicitly. You have your fair share of faults, but you have qualities that make you a very good man. Sometimes it's just harder to see with you. When you do good things, you do them quietly, so no one will see, and without asking for gratitude."

Penny's crying got louder and more insistent. Olivia bend down and kissed Daryl's cheek lightly. As she lifted Penny off the bed she said, "Besides, I wouldn't leave my little girl with someone that I didn't think was worthy."

As she stood to leave, his voice stopped her. "Where you going?"

"Figured I'd just head to bed. Feed her and get some sleep. You get some sleep too, I'll see you in the morning." She shut the door behind her. After saying goodnight to everyone, she headed across the field.

As soon as Penny was fed, she put on one of Daryl's button down shirts and climbed under the covers. The small tent seemed awfully lonely.