A/N- Once again thank you for the reviews! On ow different note I have decided to update hopefully every 3 days or so instead of every day-it's getting to hard to keep up with RL and write a chapter a day! I promise I will finish it though! I'm wondering if maybe I should just write everything completely overlord posting it? Anyway sorry for rambling! Enjoy the chapter all!

CeepyDaisy- Ha ha not at all! It made me giggle anyway ;) Thank you!

1starbright37- Thank you!

Leyshla Gisel- I just hope it doesn't get too crazy ;) Thanks!

~hateofme

Alex was clean for the first time since everything went to shit and so was Danny. An amazing shower, new clean clothes, the promise of a good full meal, and a general friendly atmosphere had worked wonders for the two. Sure her hair was frizzy just like it had always been and she dearly missed eyeliner, but Danny was safe for now and so was she, and with everything going on in the world what more could she ask for? She smiled down at Danny nestled in her arms and sighed happily sitting on one of the chairs on the front porch. She was startled from her thoughts by a quiet "Ahem."

"Sorry!" Said an Asian man about her age. "I didn't mean to disturb you but dinners ready." He spoke very rushed and his face was colored.

'Might as well tackle this like the adult you're supposed to be' she thought to herself. "Thank you...?" She waited for him to supply his name.

"Oh sorry! Glenn!" He spoke looking at the floor still quite red.

"Ok Glenn lets get this out of the way." Said Alex in what she hoped was a friendly voice. "You saw me butt naked." She grinned as he turned even redder 'nail on the head' she thought. "I realize I'm not that great to look at but I highly doubt I'm the worst thing you've ever seen, what with the dead walking around, so I'm willing to pretend it never happened if you are." She smiled sticking out her hand.

He grabbed it hesitantly before relaxing and cracking a grin. "Sounds good. And you weren't bad to look at or anything-not that I was looking-but I-" The man shaking her hand stuttered and tensed realizing he was making things worse.

"Nice to know." She winked " Now in the spirit of starting over-hi my name is Alex Marx and this-" she nodded down to Danny who was intently watching them "is Danny."

"Hi Danny." Said Glenn brightly kneeling to look her in the eyes. "Wow kiddo you sure clean up good!" He faltered as she just stared at him.

"Sorry, Glenn. Danny's...well she's had a rough time. She doesn't talk to strangers much." Apologized Alex with a sad smile.

He smiled lamentably at Danny "No worries kiddo." He stood up "C'mon you two dinners on the table."

Alex smiled at Danny before lifting her off of her lap "C'mon squirt, dinner at a table sounds fantastic." She winked at her before following Glenn inside.

A whole mess of people were sitting in a dining room with two chairs in between the other man that had thrown up and the ass she had hit on the head. Danny happily skipped to the table and nimbly jumped into the chair next to the ass. For a moment Alex wondered if she should switch her daughter chairs to keep her away from him, before noticing the smile on Danny's face as she looked up at the grumpy man. 'Oh well, at least I don't have to sit by him.'

A man with white hair sat at the head of the table and Alex promptly decided that he was the man in charge of the house at least. The man bowed his head as she sat and said a prayer before the group dug into the veritable feast.

"So," said the man at her side. "We're all happy to see the two of you up and about." He smiled as he talked "My name is Rick, Rick Grimes and this," he nodded to his left "is my son Carl, and my wife Lori." He motioned to the other side of a small boy in an over large sheriffs hat, to a wispy pretty woman with dark hair who smiled at her.

She looked, concerned at the boy who was quite pale, as he gave her a small strained smile. Rick picked up on the look instantly. "He was shot a few weeks ago by accident. Luckily, Hershel here," at this he nodded to the man at the head of the table "was able to save him."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but happy that you," she nodded toward Hershel who smiled humbly and nodded back, "were able to help. You're very lucky-and apparently tough as nails." She said smiling and addressing the young boy.

He grinned at her "Thanks."

Rick cleared his throat. "Would you mind telling us about yourself ma'm?"

She snorted unladylike "Alex, Alex Marx-no ma'm stuff for me please. And this," she smiled at Danny "Is Danny Michelle Marx."

"Nice to meet you." Said Rick politely. "How did you happen to get in those woods?"

Alex looked at Danny uneasily "Would you mind if we waited till after dinner?"

An older woman spoke up hesitantly correctly interpreting the look on Alex's face. "Maybe after we eat Carl could help me show Danny the RV?" She asked looking at both Alex and Lori questioningly.

Alex waited till Lori nodded before smiling gratefully "That would be wonderful, thank you."

Rick smiled, seemingly appeased. "Well, how about we introduce you to everyone. We mentioned Hershel here, this is his farm and he's graciously allowed us to stay here." A tense 'for now' hung in the air before Hershel smiled at her.

The rest of the room slowly spoke up and introduced themselves. Maggie and Beth, Hershel's daughters, an older sad looking woman named Patricia, a boy named Jimmy, a surly man with a buzz cut named Shane, a beautiful blonde named Andrea, an older nice looking man named Dale, a black muscled man named T-dogg apparently, the older frail woman who had offered to take Danny and Carl out later was named Carol.

Glenn smiled when it was his turn saying "We've met."' Leaving the angry looking redneck she had hit over the head. When he just glared at the group instead of introducing himself Alex found her eyes glued to the table in embarrassment.

Rick cleared his throat and pointedly looked at the man who glared at him before grunting. "Daryl."

As soon as the meal was over Alex kissed Danny on the cheek before telling her to go ahead with Carol. "So." She sighed looking at Rick.

"So." He sighed back. "How did you get here Alex?"

She looked at him despondently before beginning her story. "Well, Danny and I are from Colorado. Danny, Clark (her father), and I were at home when everything started. For the first few days we stayed in our house thinking that everything would get better on it's own." She chuckled self deprecatingly at her plate. "Obviously that didn't happen. Three days after the news stopped working Clark and I decided that we had to leave. The last time the news had been on they had mentioned a safe zone in Denver, so we packed up and headed there. It was..." She hesitated "horrifying. Danny was crying in her carseat and I climbed in the back to cover her eyes. There were bodies literally stacked on top of each other. All shot in the head. It smelled...like death. Those things...were wondering the streets...gnawing on carcasses. Clark's family lived in Denver."

She looked up at the ceiling before continuing "What are the odds that right outside the "safe zone" we would see his twelve year old sister munching on his seven year olds sisters arm? Clark stopped the car even though I begged him not to. He took his shotgun and ran over to Serena (the twelve year old) shouting at her. He had the keys and his shouting was attracting more. I grabbed Danny out of her seat and told her to keep her eyes shut and stay quiet. Serena turned, blood dripping down her chin and flesh dangling from her mouth. Elaine, the six year old, was making the worst gurgling noise. He had to shoot her and we ran. We had ducked into an alleyway when he grabbed my arm and looked at me...he looked...broken. He said-" Alex paused her voice hardening. "He said that there was no hope...that this was the only way...and then he aimed his shot gun at Danny and I. I screamed and pointed behind him and I remember thinking that I couldn't believe that that worked. I ran with Danny whimpering in my ear, until we reached a massive pile of bodies. I climbed under them and held Danny tight whispering for her to please be quiet. I could hear him stop and then he just started laughing. Laughing, in the middle of a body covered road with those things walking towards him."

Alex looked with haunted eyes into an empty fireplace before going on. "Then he said "I wonder where Danny is? Is she under this body? No? Maybe this one?" And then he changed tactics. Danny and I could hear him calling out "Duck...duck...goose! And then a bang. Every time he'd say goose he'd shoot at a body and he just kept getting closer. I kissed Danny and I could feel her tears on my cheek. I told her to stay hidden till she didn't hear anything anymore-just in case. One of the bodies under us had a gun and I grabbed it. I waited for him to say goose, just a few bodies away, and I crawled out and shot him right in the face. Those things were everywhere but aside from the attention we had grabbed they seemed to stay away from the bodies...so I ran around and doubled back. I jumped in with Danny and we stayed the night covered in the dead. When morning came...we got out and made it to a pharmacy. There was a man there, Gerald...he had been bitten. He told me that they were attracted to sound, and gave me the sleeping pills and told me how to use them. He told me all of the safe zones around had been compromised and the nearest one that he knew of was in Atlanta. Duck duck goose became a sort of code for danger in general for us. We managed to make our way here partly because of the sleeping pills and partly because we had figured out that they stayed away from walker flesh, blood, smell, or whatever. I kept Danny wrapped up in blankets that had been rolled around in their...body parts. I hadn't eaten in three days when Daryl here came across us. And the rest you all know." She finished trying to sound upbeat and failing miserably.

No one spoke for a full five minutes, all too shocked to comprehend. Daryl abruptly scooted out his chair knocking it over and walked out, the door slamming behind him. Rick cleared his throat for the thousandth time that night.

"I'm sorry." He croaked-there was nothing more anyone could say.

Daryl POV

Daryl had to work to keep his jaw from hanging open when Alex and Danny walked in the dining room at sat down. The rags and grime were gone and they looked human for once. As Danny came and sat next to him it was all he could do not to do a double take. The girl with matted hair, dirty skin, and rags was gone replaced by a virtual fuckin little angel. Curly golden brown hair fell down to her waist, tiny perfect features; a little button nose, cupids bow lips, framing tiny pearly whites with a shit eating grin if he ever saw one. The kid had a very slight tan and the oddest eyes he'd ever seen. They were blue, they were grey, green, and hazel all mixed together framed by a ring of black. He looked out of the corner of his eye at her mama. Same facial structure, same lips, even same body type-but that was where the similarities ended. Alex had chocolate brown curly fizzy hair down to the small of her back and light golden eyes, and damn she was pale-like a fuckin' ghost. As they ate he sat watching Danny look up him and grin periodically, the only other people who noticed was Rick and Alex who, thankfully didn't say anything.

As soon as the meal was finished and Carol had dutifully taken Danny and Carl away he turned toward Alex ready to hear her story. As Daryl listened to Alex speak he became increasingly angry. What kind of father didn't fight for his kid and his woman? And to try and take them out yourself? He was fuming by the time she was done, mad at everything, and grudgingly admiring of everything she had done for her kid. The anger was too much for him to handle and he needed to get some air. Before he could even think he had jumped out of his chair and practically ran outside.

Daryl sat on a log by the unlit fire chewing on his thumb and trying to control himself. He needed to find Sophia. The girl needed her mama much as Danny needed hers. He frowned 'but Alex hadn't lost Danny.' He shook his head to rid himself of he negative thoughts. 'Wasn't here or there. All that mattered was that girl was out there lost and he was gonna find her.

Danny plopped down next to him and he started. Really, he supposed he should be getting used to this. "What do ya want kid."

"I'm not a kid," she giggled at him. "I'm Danny."

"Couldn't have tol' me your name earlier?" He asked wryly.

She looked confused before she answered "You didn't ask."

Daryl looked at her for a moment, her golden brown hair had so many curls he was reminded of Shirley temple. Before he even think about what he was doing he reached down and pulled a curl gently before letting it spring back up. She giggled at him.

"My Mommy does that. She says my hair is bouncy. I really miss bounce houses." She continued randomly.

Daryl raised an eyebrow at her. "Bounce houses?"

She nodded enthusiastically "Mommy took me there once and there was a slide, and a tunnel, and it was bouncy! She told me it was full of air."

' Fuckin random' he smiled slightly and shook his head. "Your mama know you're out here?" He asked looking around.

"Yes." She answered avoiding his eyes.

"Kid, you're gonna get me in trouble. Ya can't be out here alone with me. Yer mama wouldn't like it." He muttered.

Alex POV

After Alex had walked outside she had headed for the RV only to find Carol frantically searching for Danny.

"I'm so sorry Alex! I was grabbing some of Sophia's things for Danny to play with and then she disappeared!" The woman was in hysterics.

'Sophia?' She wondered. "Carol right? Ok Carol can you stay here with Carl? Danny's pretty independent and she's pretty damn smart. I'll go look for her."

Truth be told a little part of Alex was terrified, but she knew Danny. She wouldn't go further than the glow of the camp-too many bad things. Plus she was pretty sure she had seen Daryl outside talking to someone- she hadn't thought much about it but it made sense now. Quickly she made her way to the empty fire pit but paused in the shadows when she knew for sure it was Danny. She wanted to see why Danny talked to this gruff asshole. She strained her ears listening to him say.

"Your mama know you're out here?" He looked down at Danny.

"Yes." Answered Danny slowly. 'Girl can't lie worth a damn' she thought grinning, waiting to see if Daryl would pick up on the lie. She was pleasantly surprised when he did.

"Kid, you're gonna get me in trouble. Ya can't be out here alone with me. Yer mama wouldn't like it." He muttered. Her eyebrows scrunched, she wouldn't like it? True, before the apocalypse had happened she would have never let Danny sit unsupervised with this man at least until she knew him better. She bit her lip, but the dead were walking and obviously this man was fit and rough. Unless the crossbow on his back was just for show he knew how to protect himself. Yeah he was an ass to her but he seemed decent to Danny, and honestly she was sure there were worse people Danny could have chosen to latch onto. She was pulled from her musings as Danny asked,

"Why?"

Daryl looked uncomfortable for a second before shifting his eyes to the floor. "Most people round here don' want me aroun' them. Or they're kids."

"Why?" Asked Danny again

He looked a little aggravated "Cause kid, I already told you I ain't nice. I swear to. It's just better if everyone stays away from me. I'm no good kid, so just stay the fuck away from me."

On one hand Alex was livid at the way that he was talking to Danny but on the other she felt sad for this man who apparently thought he was worthless.

Danny grabbed one of the mans large rough hands with one of her much smaller ones. Alex almost snorted; he looked downright terrified. "Aren't. And yes you are your heads just wrong." Said Danny simply. Alex wasn't sure if Daryl understood what Danny was trying to say but she guessed he might when his eyes softened and he gave her a lopsided half smile.

Alex really didn't want to interrupt such a cute moment but it really was time for Danny to get to bed.

"There you are Danny!" She said nonchalantly. She noticed Daryl stiffen and pull his hand from Danny's as if he expected to be yelled at. "Do you think it's a good idea for you to be wondering off on Miss Carol?" She asked her daughter crouching down to look her in the eyes.

"No." Said Danny lowly.

"Maybe you should go apologize to her then." Danny nodded and started to stand before Alex continued "Why don't you tell Mr. Daryl thank you for keeping an eye on you as well."

"Thank you Daryl." Danny said shyly.

"Hey there. Mr..." Alex hinted at the girl.

"Mr. Daryl." Copied Danny obediently.

Alex looked up to see Daryl's angry face. "Watch yer damn kid lady. I ain't a fuckin baby sitter." He snarled stomping off.

"Well you just chose yourself a right little ray of sunshine didn't you Danny?" Muttered Alex not quite lowly enough.

"What sun? It's night time mommy." Danny spoke authoritatively and Alex laughed.

"Right you are little miss! What do you say about finding out where we sleep?" With that she picked up Danny and whirled her around a few times, settling her on her hip, and running back to the house.