First I would like to say that I don't own any of the walking dead characters or certain scenarios, I know I forgot to mention that in the past chapter but I wont mention it anymore because I have said it a few times now and I will never imply that I do own them. Now that that's over I cant wait to hear from my readers and reviewers! I also cant wait to watch tonight's new episode! Does anyone think that Beth and Carol are gonna be reunited with the group? If that happens how do you think Daryl and Beth are gonna act or what is gonna happen jeez just writing about it gets me all psyched out. Haha sorry for my weirdness and excitement, I love you all and have some replies to my 2 dedicated reviewers.

The Dreamer: Sorry Hazel's actions upset you but given her background (which you will learn a little of in this chapter) her acceptance makes sense.. well I sure as hell hope it makes sense! I wouldn't wanna loose my first dedicated reader by chapter 4! Anyway I hope you aren't too mad and I also hope you enjoy this chapter!

Guest: Deep breaths man, in out in out.. haha I loved your comment it made me laugh out loud, which I was in the middle of dinner when I read it and when I laughed my family gave me this 'dear god what is it now' look so thanks for making me seem psycho! I will warn you I love the occasional cliffie here and there so I'm sorry but be prepared for 'em every once in a while! I hope you love Chapter 4!

Chapter 4

Hazel.

As we walk out onto the roof I see the sunsetting in front of me and its beautiful, I havent had any time lately to stop and enjoy the glorious views I overlooked before all of this but seeing it in front of me now – its breathtaking. I walk along the edge a little before stopping and facing the sun, feet on the very edge, the dead groaning below me, but I block out all the bad, spread my arms, tilt my head back, and just enjoy the sun on my skin and the slight chill of a breeze. I needed this moment. I stand on my tiptoes, trying to reach further into the scene, into the natural warmth of the sun, sighing as I feel the glorious rays tickle my pale skin.

"Hazel, no!" Daryl shouts before two hands are yanking me back and I'm tumbling down until I roll and land flat on my back with Daryl on top of me. His eyes wide with anger and his heart beating a million miles per minute but mine is beating faster.

"What the fuck Daryl!?" I screech, still startled from the 'attack' but starting to shift to anger .

"What the fuck me? You were gonna jump! I just saved yer life!" he shouts. I search his eyes, waiting to see if he cracks – but he is completely serious – and just like that my anger turns into amusement. I can no longer contain myself and laughter erupts from my throat. He shoots me this look that says 'oh my god, yer a complete psycho' which only makes me laugh harder. "Just what the hell is so god damn funny?"

"Cant.. breathe.. need.. air" I manage between hysterics, once I finally calm down I breath in gallons of oxygen, loving the burning sensation it gives me – proof I laughed. "Sorry, I just think its funny you thought I was going to randomly commit suicide. I was enjoying the view, this was the first time in a long time that I've been outside and had the time to stop and soak up nature's beauty" I admit trying to get rid of the pissed off glare in his eyes. He drops his head and seems to take a deep breath, then suddenly stops, I follow his gaze and see what he's looking at, our bodies, still pressed together from the tumble. His right arm still hooked around my waist while his left is supporting his upper body so he isnt crushing me, our lower bodies mixed in a jumble of legs and I can feel his muscles ripple when he tries to untangle himself from me. When we get free he stands first and offers me his hand which I gladly take, when he pulls me up I smile and go back to the edge but this time I sit and dangle my legs over. After a few moments I notice Daryl hasn't moved and say "What are you waiting for? A formal invitation?" Which prompts him to join me, and he copies my position on the ledge.

The sun is now gone and in the wake of night I feel the chill start to creep in, I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt and jeans but still feel cold, glancing at Daryl and taking in his sleeveless button up and leather vest I imagine he must be damn near freezing. So I tap his shoulder and nod my head in the direction of the door, "Maybe we can find some warmer clothes in one of the apartments, possibly a nice bed or couch to relax on while we wait this out" I add with my voice. He nods and we both set to opening the door Daryl had previously jammed closed. Once inside we count how many apartments total make up the building, there are 8 on the bottom floor and 2 on the top – my guess is one of them is the manager's room and the other a form of penthouse, both would be roughly equal in size so I start heading down the hallway when Daryl suddenly grabs my arm.

"Whaddya think yer doin'?" He whispers, trying to remain as quiet as possible so not to alert the dead in the building.

"There are two doors up here – I'll scout out the one down there while you can scout the one here" I say pointing to each door in turn.

"We shouldn't split up" He states as if it's a rule and by breaking it I'll get life in prison, which is ironic seeing as I want life in prison.

"Okay fine, lets check this one first" I mumble as I get to opening the door with a few nails I found and my barette.

"That only works in the movies, its really a waste of-" Daryl starts but gets interupted by the loud CLICK of the door unlocking, I shoot him my cockiest smirk.

"As you were saying" I manage before quietly chuckling. I enter first with my new green knife in hand. I turn to tell Daryl to come on in but hes gone. Probably went to check the other room – stick together my ass I think as I turn around and nearly have a heart attack. Standing in front on me, wearing the biggest 'you should see your face right now' grin, is Daryl. "What the hell was that?" I whisper-yell.

"That was payback, aint it a bitch" he whisper-laughs turning back around and continuing through the maze of an apartment. Looking around and noting the once sleek and sexy décor and furniture I know we've stumbled into the 'penthouse' of the apartment building. I walk into a room and, after signalling Daryl, close the door behind me. In a dresser drawer I find a clean deep forest green long sleeve shirt and note that the material is thicker than my thin black one. I quickly remove my top and before I can even touch the beautifully clean, green fabric I hear a thumping noise from inside the closet. Shirt forgotten I approach the closet door in nothing but my bra. Finally some action I think as I grasp my knife in one hand and open the door with the other. I'm expecting a Corpse – sorry Walker, half expecting a survivor, but I never thought a fucking bird would pop out of no where and fly right into my face then zoom out the open window in the corner of the bedroom. So I do what any normal person would do – I scream, then after I realize its only a bird I laugh, but my scream brought Daryl running, crossbow ablazing into the room. He opens the door and before I can even think of covering myself, gasps and drops his crossbow. I am facing the window, meaning my back is to the door, my back is to Daryl. I turn to face him but its too late – he's already seen.

"Hazel" he brokenly sighs, walking over.

"Daryl, stop, don't come any closer" I try to command but the way he's looking at me isnt with pity – its with understanding. "please." I add brokenly but he doesn't stop.

Turning to my front is better but there are a couple marks on this side of me as well, he notes the long since faded scar above my hip and it's matching mark on my shoulder. I cringe, out of habit, and rush past him, throwing on the green long sleeve I previously found and shoving myself back into a black leather jacket before hightailing it out of the apartment, and down the stairs. I stop just shy of the main door. I can hear Daryl rushing to catch up, with a quick glance outside I see that all but 4 Walkers are left outside, kicking the door open I send two throwing knives into 2 of the dead's forheads and stab the third in the skull. I pull my knife out and wait for the fourth to lunge, but before it can even move theres an arrow sticking out of its eye. Down the road, I see Michonne and Tyreese slowly stepping out of the furniture store. I collect my two throwing knives and start in their direction before Daryl's hand is on my shoulder pulling me back to face him.

"We are going to talk about that" he states.

"All I did was clear 4 walkers Daryl theres nothing to-"

"No, you know exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout. If you're gonna stay with this group then no more of this guarded shit"

"Says you"

"Says me?!"

"How many people Daryl? How many people know about your scars and how you got them?" I challenge, if he can look me in the eye and tell me his group knows then I'll come clean but I doubt he's willingly told anybody.

"The fuck you say ta me?" he rises to the challenge – good.

"The look in your eyes when you saw my back – that was a look of shared pain so don't even try to deny it"

"3, 3 people know. One who gave 'em ta me, Merle, an' now you" He admits, and I guess one truth deserves another.

"Same with me – The person who caused them, Dustin, and now – regretably – you. I'm not telling anyone anything – you havent so why should I? Hell you've been with this group since close to the beginning based on what I've heard, you call them your family and they still don't know – so why should they know about me?"

"Because no one knows you Hazel, no one trusts you"

"Daryl I cant share that yet, maybe never, please don't make me"

"I dunno-"

"No, you need to know – I would never force you to tell so please don't force me"

"Hazel I-" just as he's about to decide my fate Michonne and Tyreese pull up in the Hyundai, Tyreese is at the wheel with Michonne in the passenger seat, Daryl and I shove our bags full of scavenged supplies in the trunk and hop into the back seat. Just as we pull away Daryl leans real close and whispers in my ear "Look, for now yer secret is safe with me" he pulls back and I flash him my most sincere 'thank you' smile and for a milisecond his eyes seem to smile back but the moment is gone the minute he glances forward – his face almost immediately drops back into the façade of no emotion.

Daryl.

Hazel is smiling at me but its no cheesy grin – I can see it in the spark of her green eyes that she's grateful for my silence and for a moment I am about to smile back when I catch Michonne's smirk in the rear view mirror, its not even directed at me but at Hazel. Maybe I really do like this girl. I decide then and there that the moment we get back I'm going to have a chat with Carol. After what seems like forever the car halts in front of our gates and we are finally home. Home. Is that really how I saw the prison now? Home seems like a big leap – I've never really had a home, never really belonged anywhere but the more I think about it the more I like the sound of having a home. After the car is parked and we all get out Hazel walks toward me with one of our bags in hand.

"Wanna sort through what we found with me?" She casually asks, adding "Considering that I have no idea where any of this goes"

I wish I could, I really do but I have to find and talk to Carol "Catch up to Michonne, she'll help ya out. I gotta take care of some things" She shrugs and heads off after collecting the second bag, Tyreese has a few bags himself and rushes to catch up with her seeing shes going the wrong way.

"Ugh, I thought she'd never leave" Carol mutters under her breath, seemingly coming out of nowhere as if shes been waiting all day for me to show, but I heard her, "Hey Daryl I haven't seen much of you today, wanna sit by me at dinner?" She tries so hard to come across as though she could care less what my answer is but I see right through it, her eyes, face, and body language all scream "SAY YES!" so I do something I know will piss her off – once her anger is on she will be more giving with information.

"Nah, sorry Carol but Hazel is new and I wanna make sure she gets settled in 'lright" I say while grabbing the last of the bags and pretending to start walking away.

"Hey!" She shouts, I turn and she points to the spot next to her so I play along. Once I'm next to her again she starts. "Why are you wasting so much time on the nobody whose gonna be leaving soon?"

"What makes you think she'll be leaving soon?"

"Do you really think Rick and Hershel are just gonna let her stay after she attacked me?"

"If I 'member correctly it was you who attacked her and she showed a lot of strength today. We need her, shes on her way to becoming a valued member of the group."

Carol's eyes turn to fire and I know I'm about to get the rant of a lifetime, the rant that will expose whatever Carol sees between us. "Valued member of the group? Valued. Member. Of. The. Group!? The only thing she's valued in is whoreing and bitchery, that skank waltzes in here, hurts people, and has the guts to throw herself at you when everyone here knows full and well that its ME who LOVED YOU FIRST! Daryl I cannot believe you would choose such a weak, single-minded stranger over me. Just shows what you know! I-" At this point I've gotten all the information I need so I cut her off.

"You need to stop right there. Carol you're right – ya loved me first and I love ya too but as the close friend ya've become to me. Nothin' more and certainly nothin' less but you're also wrong. Hazel isn't a whore or a bitch and she didn't throw herself at me, Carol ya need to take sometime away from me and clear yer head – we are nothin' more than good friends." And with that I leave her to go find Hazel.

"Something always brings me back to you. It never takes too long. No matter what I say or do. You keep me here 'til the moment I'm gone." I hear the melody bouncing off the walls as I continue down this hall in search of Hazel, maybe Beth has seen her. Michonne told me she sent Hazel away because she didn't trust Hazel with the location of our weapons. "You hold me without touch. You keep me without chains. I never wanted anything so much. Than to drown in your love and not feel your rain." The lyrics sound a little dark for Beth's taste but I'm getting closer to her, yet I'm still too far to pinpoint how close I actually am. "Set me free. Leave me be. I don't wanna fall another moment into your gravity. Here I am and I stand so tall. Just the way I'm supposed to be. But you're onto me and all over me" Okay the lyrics are really dark for Beth and I'm almost concerned, picking up my pace to a slight jog, but maybe Beth has just accepted the fact that the world's a dark place now. "Oh, you loved me cuz I'm fragile. And I thought that I was strong. But you touch me for a little while. And all my fragile strength is gone. Set me free. Leave me be. I don't wanna fall another moment into your gravity. Here I am. And I stand so tall. Just the way I'm supposed to be. But your onto me and all over.." Beth's voice seems too emotionally attached to these lyrics, the way her voice sounds like it doesn't belong to her freaks me out – this isnt the Beth I know. I Finally turn a final corner and catch my breath before announceing my presence. "I live here on my knees as I try to make you see. That you're everything I think I need here on the ground. But you're neither friend nor foe though I cant seem to let you go. The one thing that I still know is that your keeping me… Dooooowwwwwwwwnnnnn" I can't help but admire the beauty of Beth's voice with this song and I wonder why she hasn't sung this for the group. "Keeping me dow-" I clear my throat effectively stopping her in mid melody.

"Wow Beth that song sounds real good" I say glancing up. My features freeze and I am utterly shocked.

"Thanks, I think?" Hazel says.

"Wait you were the one singing this whole time?" I ask needing the clarification.

"No the walls decided to sing me a tune" Leave it to Hazel to add sarcasm to the moment. "Yes I sang the song"

"Ya've gotta nice voice – just don't let Beth know theres another singer" I smirk.

"Got it… so do you know where we are because I sure as hell don't"

"Well theres the other reason I thougt ya were Beth, if ya were to continue down this hallway for a few minutes ya'd run right into 'The Nursery' – Beth is Judith's sitter so I thought she was singin' on her way down here."

"Nope I am trying to find my way to my cot so I can get some shut eye"

"Then follow me, the group cleared out the guy's cell so its yers if ya want it – if not I can take ya to another cell block and show ya other options."

"If its alright with you I'd like to stay close to the people I at least somewhat know. I know Carl, Tyreese, Rick, I guess I kinda know Beth, Michonne seems really great, I think Carol and I are past the random attacks and then theres you"

"Then ya can start making the place yers, I'm sure Rick has yer weapons somewhere and he can give them back." I state trying to think if she had any other belongings she can unpack to make her cell a little more 'cozy'. Wait when the fuck did I start using the word 'cozy'?

"He better – that bow was my dad's and he would kill me if I lost it" She stops and gazes off into the distance, she looks like shes reliving a memory, as a single tear slowly drips its way down her face she snaps out of it. "Oh my god how long was I like that?"

"A few awkward seconds" I answer honestly, she looks generally shocked at my bluntness before smiling and giving me a playful shove on the shoulder. "What?'

"Wow Daryl Dixon you are an asshole" She says with a smile and all the awkward tension before seems to evaporate. Leaving me free to joke around with her.

"Oh don't you start none of that" I laugh – it feels foreign and oddly uncomfortable but at the same time; satisfying. I cant remember the last time I laughed. "Well here we are."

"Thanks for not leaving me to find my own way" She laughs. "Goodnight Daryl"

"G'night Hazel" I say before retreating back to my own cell. I really believe Hazel belongs here – its amazing the amount of friendship shes showed in one day – I really believe I could get close to this woman. With that lingering thought I slowly drift into the darkness of sleep

Theres no telling how long I was out but when I wake up I feel energized, a glance at the busted watch near me tells me its only been about 6 hours. I never really relied on sleep so heavily before the apocalypse, so it only makes sense to keep the habit while I can. I decide to take a shower and start my day. After I've showered and dressed I start my way back to my cell to grab my crossbow, passing Hazel's cell. I hear the squeaky cot and her mumbling long before I see her, she's twisted up in her sheets and has sweat covering every inch of her body. The squeaks are from her constant thrashing, her arms are up in a defensive manner, she's fighting off someone in her sleep. I rush inside to wake her, save her from her nightmare, but when I lay my hand on her shoulder she hits me, hard. She thinks I'm her attacker…gonna have to wake her using words.

"Hazel, wake up its me Daryl" I whisper softly trying to coax her out of her miserable state. But instead of the cocky, tough, and guarded Hazel I know I get her subconcious.

"Daryl? I don't know a Daryl" She mumbles.

"You found us, we're at the prison, no one can hurt you, you're safe-" I stop, I almost said with me.

Recognition flashes across her face "Daryl, please help me, he found me, I'll never be safe"

Hazel's subconcious is vulnerable and terrified, I don't know how to deal with it. "Hazel no one can hurt you, you're one of the toughest bitches I know but you need to wake up"

Suddenly she latches on to me, still laying down her arms have me in a vice grip and she's pressing her forhead into my side. "Daryl please, hes hurting me"

"No one here will ever hurt you Hazel, now wake up" I mumble, the moment she grabbed me I froze up – uncomfortable with the human contact.

Her eyes shoot open and she launches herself into a sitting position, she seems to be in a haze. She tries to stand but falls, and when I try to help her she jumps up and sprints down the hall and out the door. I rush to grab my crossbow and follow her. The sun is just beginning to rise and I find Hazel in the field, throwing up. I decide to let her heave it all up and we can talk when she's ready but after she's done she flops to the floor. I rush over and see she's passed out and more pale than normal. I pick her up and rush to Hershel's cell. When I get there he's awake but has his back to me.

"Hershel its Hazel, somethin's wrong" I mutter quickly.

He spins around quickly and upon seeing Hazel's unconcious form in my arms starts shooting out commands. "Get her back to her room, I'm right behind you I have to grab a few things"

So I do what I'm told, I rush back into her room, lay her down and grab a towel to wipe off some of the sweat around her face. "Listen I know ya're new and all but I think ya an' I are already friends – I'm not sayin' I trust ya or anythin' so don't let that go to yer head – but I need a good friend right now. Ya need to be okay" Just as I whisper the last words Hershel is standing there ready.

"Tell me everything that happened" He says before starting in on his check up.

Psh did I say cliffie every now and again, I'm sorry but I like suspense too much not to pass it on! Like/Fav/ and or Review and lemme know what'cha think. See ya next week for chapter 5!