"What do we do now?" The blonde girl, who I learned was Beth, asked as she held the newborn baby girl close, who was wrapped in a blanket. We all stood inside the cell block now, most of us covered in blood and Walker guts. I watched as Beth bounced up and down to sooth the baby who was beginning to fuss.

Words had been said yet it still seemed silent, like everyone was lacking something. I could feel their shattered hearts at the loss of their loved ones - their family. It made me feel like the odd one out, and yet I could relate to this feeling. My thoughts briefly trailed back to my brother and sister. Then to my father. They had already lost one family member, and I selfishly let them feel this pain again. They didn't know if I was alive or dead.

"She needs to eat. She'll need formula, clothes, a bassinet, bottles, diapers... and more." Hershel said, eyeing Daryl who was standing with one leg crossed over the other, leaning against the far wall. I stared at him with interest as he seemed to be contemplating what to do.

Rick had retreated back inside after he had his mental break down, hate and anger clean on his face. None of us had followed him, assuming he was needing a few moments to himself. Since then, I noticed that everyone was beginning to turn to Daryl on what to do. I could tell he had earned his place here and judging by the looks on their faces they had respected him. Maybe I had been wrong of him before. Maybe he only came off as a tough guy bad boy on the outside but was a real softy underneath.

But I couldn't be too sure.

Usually I could read people very well - something Jesse and I were outstanding at - but for some reason I couldn't make heads or tails of Daryl. It was beginning to frustrate me.

"Well I don' know much o' baby things." Daryl admitted, glancing towards Hershel, then the baby for a brief moment. It made sense to me - he definitely didn't seem like he was fatherly, or even educated in children. He didn't even seem to like children, but maybe I was quick to judge him, again.

"I'm sure Maggie could help you out there." Hershel replied, glancing over to the girl who was standing next to the Asian - Glenn, I had heard her saying his name when we all walked inside. "But if you're going to ever find anywhere, you'd better get going now. That baby girl will be hungry and very soon."

Daryl pushed himself off the wall and walked towards the exit, his crossbow slung over his shoulder. "Let's get a goin' then." He said, turning to look at Maggie. She quickly threw herself into Glenn's arms, and they kissed each other goodbye. I hadn't seen that one coming. I looked away from the pair, embarrassed. I was never a fan of PDA, and definitely hadn't expected to see it now.

Maggie pulled back from Glenn, and he handed her a pistol, which she shoved into the waistband of her jeans. I noticed she had cleaned her arms of the blood as she began to head after Daryl, who pushed open the door.

"Wait." I said, taking a few steps forward. "I'm coming with you." I wasn't about to stand awkwardly with a group of people I didn't know. At least with Daryl I had spoken to him briefly. So far out of everyone I felt more at ease around him considering he had been the one to decide to let me out of my cell block instead of leaving me and risking my death to Walkers, who might've somehow found a way in to devour me.

Daryl seemed to hesitate for a moment, but when nobody said anything he held the door open for me as I followed Maggie outside. I liked that he didn't ask questions.

Once outside, Daryl told Maggie and I to wait where we stood while he went through the back gate, returning a moment later driving a green Hyundai. We both jumped in the car, and a few seconds later Glenn came outside holding a key ring. He walked over to the gate, Daryl crept the car forwards behind him, and he unlocked the chains, pulling the gate open. We drove through and down to the main gate where we waited for Glenn to catch up and open that one as well.

Daryl drove forward once the gate was open, bursting through a group of oncoming Walkers. They ricocheted of the vehicle, flying in all directions. I smirked, looking at Daryl from the backseat. He glanced at me in the rear view mirror. Although I couldn't see his mouth, I saw the grin in his eyes.

Jesse

I watched as Michonne and Andrea stood at the main gate from a distance. They looked like they were in a heated discussion, and the way Andrea stood with her back arched she looked like she was in defence mode. Michonne looked uncomfortable and adamant about something. After a few moments, they headed closer to the main gate, and I noticed that Michonne had a samarai sword hung over her shoulder.

Merle was standing at the gate, eyeing the pair with interest, and opened the gate for them. Confusion swept over me. Wasn't Andrea staying here? I thought Michonne had decided to leave, after all that is what Phillip had explained to me. Just as they were about to make their exit, Andrea hesitated.

Words were exchanged between the two women, and a moment later Michonne left, leaving Andrea behind. Merle shut the gate.

I pushed myself off of the wall I was leaning on as Milton came walking around the corner. We nearly collided, but I was light on my toes, saving myself from falling ontop of him.

"Jesse, my lord, you gave me quite a fright." He said, placing a hand over his heart as if he were saving it from thumping out of his chest.

"Sorry man." I said with a grin, taking a step back. He let his hand drop to his side. "So Michonne is gone now. How does the Governor feel about that?" Although I already knew the answer I asked anyway. Milton was always awkward with me, unsure if he wanted to actually tell me the truth or keep things secretive. It made sense, my uncle had grown cold and controlling. I knew nobody else saw it but I did. A part of me respected Michonne. I knew she saw through his fake smiles, and noticed that crazy look in his eyes. I was just surprised Milton of all people hadn't noticed it as well. Despite the fact he knew Phillip before the apocalypse, maybe he just couldn't accept the fact that his friend had changed.

"Not sure, I was just doing research. If you'll excuse me, I have to get going." He said and hurridly pushed past me. I watched him go with an eyebrow raised.

I walked over to where Merle and Andrea stood and they fell silent from the conversation they had been having as I approached. "I see you haven't left to help find Tessa yet?" I noted out loud.

"Ahh... hold them horses kid." Merle said with a grin. "A group s'out there as we speak. The Governor was wantin' us to return and," He turned to look at Andrea. "check on things." He gave her a wink.

Andrea rolled her eyes at him, appalled. "Are you going back out there?" I asked, ignoring their gestures towards each other.

"Simmer down chachi, we gonna find her. Livin' or dead."

It took everything in me not to punch him. How he got on my nerves. Did this man ever think before he spoke? I turned to Andrea. "Why did your friend leave?"

She looked at me, her eyes well guarded. "She'd rather be out there risking her life than in here safe and sound." I didn't say anything to that, knowing that couldn't be the real reason why. But maybe she didn't fully understand, or perhaps she thought it best not to tell someone she didn't know.

"Well if you'll excuse me," Andrea said as she backed away from us at the sight of the Governor who was walking in the opposite direction. "I'm going to go catch up with Phillip." She hurried off. It sounded weird to me hearing someone calling him by his name and not his title.

I didn't look at Merle as I turned and left. I did not enjoy that man's company, and I was probably the last person who would ever be kind to him. He disgusted me almost more than Walkers.

On my way back towards my home, Martinez caught up with me. "No luck in finding your sister." He said, twirling his baseball bat. "We found a trail, but decided to follow it tomorrow. It's getting late and we need people here in case there's any trouble at the walls."

I knew Martinez of all people would be honest with me. I knew he had feelings for my sister, it was clean on his face when he looked at her. I felt like I could trust him with her, and I was thankful that if I couldn't be out there looking, at least someone like him was. "Thank you, I really appreciate it Caesar."

"No problem Jesse." He said with a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Before I could turn away he spoke again. "Are you coming to see the fight tonight? It's Merle against myself."

I looked at him, smirking. "I might, I'd like to see someone beat him up. But I'm not sure." The gladiator style fights were Tessa's favourite events during the week. It would feel wrong without her.

"Think about it man." He said, and nodding, I turned and headed inside.

Tessa

We were silent as we crept up to a daycare. Daryl took the lead, Maggie behind him and myself at the rear. I held my hunting knife up as I walked backwards, keeping eyes open for Walkers. Daryl had his crossbow ready at the aim, and Maggie held her pistol tight. Although we had to keep silent, I'm sure she would've figured out an alternative to kill if she had no other option.

Daryl paused at the back door, glancing back at us, holding a fist up telling us to halt. He peered around the door frame, the door was wide open. I held my breath as he turned the corner, crossbow up, and stepped inside. We followed silently.

Inside there was a bunch of childrens toys thrown around the room as if there had been a scuffle. A toddler sized table was lying on it's side, crayons and blank sheets of paper scattered not much further from it. Chairs were flipped over throughout the disaster as well. There was sink on the far side of the room, the cupboards painted yellow, and a cabinet was standing tall beside it.

I was prepared for the worst - Walker children, toddlers, babies even. But luckily there were only adults. I didn't feel as bad when Daryl shot one directly in the centre of her forehead. "Bullseye." I heard him whisper.

I thrust my hunting knife through the neck of a male Walker, flinching at the blood spray, and pulled the knife out, bringing it down on the top of his head as he staggered to his knees. Down he went.

None of us said anything as Maggie and I started to rummage through the cupboards and cabinets, pulling out bottles, cans of formula, baby clothes, blankets, towels, baby care -shampoo and lotion - diapers, a few toys. We even found a pacifier and lucked out on a first aid kit. Daryl returned from the kitchen area, carrying a twelve pack of bottled water. "Look what we have here." He said, and dropped it down beside me.

"Nice. We'll need those to make the bottles." Maggie said as she zipped up the duffle bag she had, which was now full of everything we found. I got to my feet from my kneeling position, and walked over to a bassinet that had been knocked over. I pulled it upright, and checked if it was sturdy. "Seems fine to me." I said. Maggie nodded, and tossed the duffle bag inside the bassinet and we both lifted it up. My healing muscles ached at the new weight, but I ignored them.

"Lets get out of here before we have unwelcome company." She said. Daryl nodded and picked up the bottled water, throwing it into the bassinet. The extra weight caught us off guard and we staggered, struggling to keep upright. Once we were balanced properly, we scurried to the back door, Daryl leading the way with his crossbow at the ready.

As we started to head back to the Hyundai, a group of Walkers poured out of the woods close by. There were at least six or seven. Maggie's eyes widened, and I felt my adrenaline burst as my heart picked up speed. "Go! Go!" I found myself shouting, and Daryl spun around to see what I was yelling for. His eyebrows rose, and he ran to the back of the Hyundai to open the trunk. Maggie and I rushed towards the car, I was running backwards, and as we were nearing the vehicle my ankle twisted as it collided with a fair sized rock. The next thing I knew I was falling towards the dirt and the bassinet had toppled over, the duffle bag and bottled water poured out.

"Shit!" Maggie said, and I realized she too had fallen over.

"C'mon! Can' ya girls do anythin'?" Daryl yelled from the car, and I heard his footsteps thundering towards us. I rolled to my back and pulled myself up, my ankle protesting in pain as I stood on it catching me off guard. I cursed as I fell sideways, expecting to hit the dirt again, but suddenly arms were around me catching me from my fall. I tilted my head up, my eyes landing on Daryl's frustrated ones. "We don' have time ta dance." He said, helping me stand upright.

Maggie had already pulled the bassinet back up, and loaded it with our loot. Daryl released his grip on me, and helped her carry it towards the Hyundai. I pulled out my guns, and putting my weight on my good foot, I aimed and shot down two Walkers who were closing in on us.

"Hey!" I heard Daryl calling, and I whirled around and as I did I felt something slam into me and I was knocked off my feet again. My guns flew from my hands as I collided with the dirt once more, the breath being kicked out of my lungs. Someone was on top of me, and I knew it wasn't Daryl or Maggie. I instantly squirmed, twisting my body around and kicked the body with both my feet, trying my best to ignore my sore ankle. I elbowed it, kneed it, tried everything before I noticed the Walker had an arrow in its head. I felt a flush of embarrassment creep onto my cheeks as I realized I was wrestling with a dead Walker.

"Quit wastin' time!" Daryl's voice was above me, I heard a few pistol shots coming from nearby - Maggie. He heaved the body off me and I got to my feet, ignoring my ankle I ran after him to the car, Maggie behind us. We were throwing ourselves hastily in the car, and seconds later driving away in the direction we'd come from.

By the time we got back to the prison night time had fallen. Beth and Maggie took time to set up a spot for the bassinet and the baby items, while Daryl held the baby and fed her. I sat watching him cradle her and watch her with gentle eyes. It was... cute. He glanced up at Carl, who was also watching him feed his little sister. "What s'her name?" Daryl asked before looking back at the baby.

"I can't decide." Carl said. "I was thinking Sophia... but I'm unsure."

"For now she'll be lil Asskicker." Daryl said, smiling at the baby girl.

I found myself smiling as I slowly stood. My ankle didn't hurt anymore and I was relieved that it hadn't been sprained. It must've just been how I twisted it, hard enough to hurt for a few minutes but not hard enough to hurt for a few days. I was already dealing with enough bodily dysfunctions, I couldn't handle another. I headed for the door and stepped outside. The fresh air was cool, but nice against my skin.

I paced the courtyard for awhile before going to stand at the gate, looking out into the dark trees.

Footsteps crept up behind me and I turned, seeing Daryl standing tall. "So," He said, gazing at me with penitrating eyes. "tha's been three times now. When ther's a forth I'd like ta have a nicer way ta say head s'up." He came to a halt beside me, and I had to tilt my head back to look up into his eyes. I felt like a bug compared to him.

"Tessa." I hesitated after a moment. After all, he had saved my life a few times now. I guess he did prove himself to be somewhat trustworthy. "And.. thanks. For everything."

"Y'know, yer not so bad. Jus' clumsy. But always keep them eye's peeled, and watch yer back. Tha' Walker woulda got ya had I not got it in time." He said, and turned to look out into the distance. "Tessa. Never met a Tess before."

"And I never met anyone who makes zombie slaying look so easy." I said.

"Jus' got lots o' practise is all. Became like a second nature." He replied and glanced in my direction. I nodded in agreement.

"You must play hero a lot."

He shrugged. "Can I ask ya somethin'?" I slowly nodded. "What's yer story?"

This I wasn't comfortable with. I hesitated, but didn't answer. "Why are you so interested? You seem to be everywhere I go."

He shrugged again. "Tha's what I been wonderin'. Jus' curious is all. Not every day ya save a pretty-" He stopped himself short when the word came out as if it had slipped out by mistake. "-stranger."

I didn't look at him. Had he just called me pretty? My stomach flipped. "Uhh... I um... I'm going to go." I said and backed away before turning and heading back inside. Now that threw me off guard. It clearly just slipped out... I'd been told multiple times in my life that I was pretty. I had to keep my distance. I didn't know Daryl, and I already trusted him with my name... I had trusted Martinez as well and look where that landed me. Men were just something I wasn't going to allow myself to be interested in. I had to focus on surviving, and getting back to my family.