Hey guys! Yes I know it has been a really long time but I did warn you about slow updates XD. Thank you for all the reviews, I love you guys! And you get … A Shane and Governor punching bag! (An extra review gets you unlimited ammo for a M-16 to shoot at it XD)

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I know the last chapter was crazy rushed so I am going to go back and flesh it out a bit, add some details. Nothing to really change the plot, so if you want to go back and read it go ahead, and I'll let you know if I change anything major

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how to actually end this story? And if you don't want it to end, give me a guideline to follow on how to continue the series with Daryl being immune and Sophia being alive

K back to the story! :D

"Is Dale okay?" Lori asked immediately.

"He's going to be okay. It could have turned out badly if Daryl hadn't been there though," Rick replied grimly.

"Yeah speaking of Daryl, why the hell is he here?" Shane demanded.

"Well we told you about the meat we have been finding – " Glenn started.

"I know about the meat, Glenn," Shane sneered slightly, "But why is he here?"

"I don't think we understand your question Shane," Rick said slowly.

"Well isn't it obvious?"

"What's obvious?" Carol asked quietly, holding Sophia tightly.

"Well he bailed on us. Once he found Sophia he left with some bullshit story, thinking he paid us all back. But then he felt all guilty so he stayed to give us some food," Shane said, "So I am wondering why he's still here."

"You think he lied? After he saved Sophia?" Carol gasped.

"Why would he do that?" Rick asked.

"I don't know what goes on in that red-neck's head, but – "

"Y'all need to shut up and let a guy rest," Shane was cut off by none other than Daryl himself, who was leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, looking tired but pissed.

"Daryl – " Rick began, but again Daryl interrupted him.

"I heard y'all. You guys are like freaking sirens, especially you, spouting all that shit," Daryl snapped, glaring at Shane.

"Well, tell us all then. Tell us how you survived that so-called walker bite," Shane challenged. Daryl rolled his eyes and took off his over shirt, revealing a scab in the shape of a bite on his shoulder.

"I got the bite. I got the fever. Felt like I was dying. Next thing I know is I woke up feeling like shit but alive," Daryl explained.

"But how is that possible? Everyone else, everyone in the whole world is dead because of that, and you just, what, fought it off?" Glenn asked disbelievingly.

"I guess. But I didn't want your scrutiny or pity, so I stayed away," Daryl finished, leaving out the part that he thought it might endanger the group. He didn't want them to think he was going soft or anything.

There was quiet, and then suddenly Sophia broke free of her mother's grip and ran towards Daryl, hugging him tightly around the middle.

Daryl tensed up immediately, shocked and nervous at the physical contact.

"Thank you for saving me. And for coming back, I missed you," Sophia mumbled into his shirt. Awkwardly Daryl patted her back.

"No problem kid. Just don't go wondering off again," He grumbled, ushering her back to Carol.

"How do we know you are actually immune?" Shane asked, "What if it's just delayed and we wake up and find you gnawing on one of us?"

"Well how am I supposed to tell? I ain't no psychic," Daryl pointed out.

"Hey lay off him, he just got back from living in the woods for a few weeks and giving somebody about two pints of blood," Rick warned Shane.

"I'm just worrying about our safety, that's all. I didn't mean to…offend Daryl," Shane said with a hint of sarcasm.

"I'm right here," Daryl grumbled, "And I agree with Shane. I'm a danger. Y'all are better off without me," With that he turned to leave but was surprised when T-Dog grabbed his shoulder.

"You have a right to be here Daryl. You have saved my life twice, saved Sophia, fed and protected this group, and I'll be damned before I let someone as good as you go off on his own just because he might be a bit of a danger," T-Dog said seriously, staring Daryl in the eyes.

Daryl was, for lack of better words, touched. No one, not ever in his entire life, had done what T-Dog just did. Sure, perhaps once or twice he had been thanked, like when he picked something up for someone and they were kind and not in a hurry. Maybe he had been complimented for his blue eyes at one point (but that was some slut Merle had brought home one night, so he didn't really count her).

But T-Dog had just thanked him, had made him feel important, like he had a reason to live, a reason to go on besides the fact he was too damn stubborn to die. Sure he had kind of liked this group, they weren't terrible people most of the time, but he had never felt a connection.

And now he did. T-Dog probably didn't even know it, but he had probably just done the nicest thing anyone had done for him since Merle had given him a bite of chocolate when he was seven (then later smacked him upside the head for actually eating it and being "selfish).

"You actually want me to stay?" Daryl asked, unsure. "Though you'd be glad to be rid of me – more food, more space; I'm a danger."

"Of course we want you to stay! What kind of question is that?" Glenn stared at him in surprise. Daryl glanced over the group and each one gave him some form of acknowledgment that yes, they wanted him to stay. He looked at Rick last, and when he gave a small nod, Daryl relaxed.

"Alright. I'll stay," Daryl decided. The rest of the group relaxed, seeming actually happy he was staying. Carol even smiled at him, and he felt himself give a little half smile in return.

But as Daryl slipped back inside his tent, he had something on his mind. Or more like someone.

Shane had been trying to push him out of the group, apparently for their own safety. But he had said that last, like he was giving one last try to convince the survivors to kick him out. If he had really been worried he would have said that first thing, instead of trying to sell Daryl out and make him look bad.

Daryl rolled over in his sleeping bag with a frustrated sigh. When Daryl had decided to stay Shane's expression had changed from anger, to murderous, to upset, and finally settled on slightly annoyed but tolerant, but Daryl was highly observant. He could see behind Shane's mask and see the wheels turning in his brain, and what Daryl was sure was a flicker of fear.

What was Shane afraid of? It definitely wasn't him eating anybody, otherwise he would have protested more. No, he was planning something, and for some reason he thought Daryl was in the way. But what – oh. Daryl had guessed that Shane killed Otis. He had observed Shane become slightly psychotic, slowly watching his trained mind unravel into someone with only one goal – survive.

He was afraid that Daryl would tell Rick what Shane had done. Now, Daryl never would, it wasn't his business. But Shane didn't know that, and telling him that would probably only increase his suspicions. Shane was driven by fear and some kind of deranged love for Carl and Lori. He was dangerous.

Daryl sighed again, closing his eyes. Just another thing on his list of troubles, one of them being he was in a zombie apocalypse. One thing was for sure – he wasn't going to rest easy tonight.

What did you guys think? I know it was kind of short but I have been really tired lately, homework, etc. XD

Please review and have an awesome Valentine's Day! :D :D :D (Or S.A.D)