Summary: She was there when they trapped them - and she was there when they decided to kill them. However, Lindsay doesn't believe in the same morals the rest of her group members do. No - she wants to free the prisoners and help them to safety, all the while running away from the people who have helped her stay alive. Her only question is, will Lindsay be willing to sacrifice everything she's built behind the cages and leave her safe haven, or allow the outsiders to die and become her group's next meal?

Disclaimer: I do not own the show the walking dead, nor do I own the canon characters. However, I do take ownership of my original character, Lindsay Vargas.

As everyone began to settle into the home, picking spots to lie down and sleep in peace, Lindsay continued keeping her spot outside the building. The sun was beginning to set – the sky becoming a beautiful shade of dark blues and purples. Sitting on the front porch, Lindsay's trusted rifle leaned against her slightly spread legs, her eyes to the darkening sky. Birds flew overhead, their song echoing melodically through the air. With a small smile forming among her lips, Lindsay was unaware of the pair of light blue eyes closely watching her.

Daryl had walked out from the back of the home, scaling the perimeter; making sure he knew all entry and exit points in case of an unfortunate and inevitable situation. It wasn't until he rounded to the front of the house when he noticed the group's savior sitting by the door, her attention fully onto the sky. Following her gaze toward the horizon, the redneck noticed the winged animals soaring overhead. Averting his gaze back to the woman, Daryl then realized she wasn't the type of person he thought she was. At their first meeting, Lindsay seemed to have been the type of woman that believed in 'every man for himself'. But instead, as he slowly began to inch his way toward her, Daryl's mind quickly changed as Lindsay's expression seemed innocent and gentle.

"You could freak a girl out by staring like that." Her acknowledgement caused Daryl to slightly jump, his eyes rolling at himself. His legs carried him toward Lindsay as his crossbow swung over his shoulder. At the ground was where he stared as he made his way closer to the woman; Lindsay moving just enough for Daryl to have a seat. Choosing to stay standing, Daryl leaned against the post. "What exactly are you doing anyway?"

"Jus' checkin' 'round the area…makin' sure ah know where to escape if walkers come." It was his choice to look out to the horizon again, and not to the woman. It had been years – felt like decades – since Daryl was ever intimidated by a female. However, the weird power the new face had over him was astounding. And unfortunately for him, Lindsay could easily read his emotions. With a puzzled stare, the woman glanced up at the redneck, quickly looking over his feature; what she could see. His body was slouched, like he was a child in trouble. His head hung low with his hair covering his face – making Daryl seem unapproachable. And his hand – his hand was stuffed deep inside his jean pocket; hiding his clutched fist.

"And?" Lindsay inquired, her eyes meeting up with his. Daryl raised a brow, questioning what her question entitled. "What are the escape routes if we were to be overcome with walkers?" she finished. As Daryl spoke, pointing out exactly all where he had investigated, Lindsay watched his facial expressions. It had been a very long time since the woman was able to use her true power – the power to analyze humans, reading their body language and create a profile for each. Lindsay had been trapped with her last group for so long every day started to become a chore – a routine of sorts that simply did not fulfill Lindsay's desire to continue living. And now, it seemed Lindsay was starting to gain hope again. Gain some kind of knowledge that were really were good people out in the dead infested world.

"Do yah wanna check 'em out?" Giving the man a nod, Lindsay took his hand as she lifted herself to her feet. A gentleman – chivalry. Something that was completely destroyed by a few men in her own life before the world decided to take a dump. Releasing an appreciative smile, Lindsay pulled a piece of her hair behind her ear as she began following close behind him. "The first one is right over there, a window in the basement in case we get caught down there."

"What if there are walkers outside around this area that block us from escaping?" the woman inquired, her efforts not to demean his plans. "Not trying to shit on your idea, but you always have to think of every possible outcome in this day and age." Daryl, however, immediately became defensive – something he made quite obvious when he took a few steps away from the woman, letting out an irritated sigh. This Lindsay was still used to; the irritation from men whenever she'd prove to them she was smarter.

"Guess it was somethin' ah hadn't thought about." Daryl ran his hand down his face, another sigh hidden beneath the wind.

"It's a good idea though," Lindsay spoke, her words reassuring. "Just need to come up with a way to protect ourselves if that happens and we're going to be okay. Besides, that's if worse comes to worse." Continuing the trek around the house, Rick came into view – his expression unfathomably worried. But once his eyes brushed by them, he's tension released.

"I was hoping nothing bad happened to the both of you." Giving him a light smile, Lindsay shrugged and shook her head. "What are you two doing out here?"

"Showin' Lindsay some ideas ah have on protectin' us in here." Lindsay guessed it had taken a while for Daryl to even be friends with Rick, let alone answer the question first. In her mind, Lindsay already knew from profiling Daryl he had a terrible upbringing; answering any question as quickly as he did is a big improvement for the two men. "Whaddya need?"

"I wanted to talk to Lindsay – alone – if that's okay." Daryl moved his blue eyes between Rick and the woman before giving an obligatory nod. Watching the redneck walk out of view, Lindsay asked Rick what he needed from her. "It's not what I need from you, it's what the group needs from you."

"And what is that exactly?" she asked, her arms folding across her chest.

"To help us kill your last group."

-X- -X- -X-

It took quite a lot of convincing from Rick, but finally as the sun had long set beneath the Earth's horizon, Lindsay agreed to sleep on the thought. It was then when Lindsay finally entered the house. The smell of moth balls and dirt were evident in the cool air. A soft sigh escaped her lips as her eyes fell upon the sleeping group members huddled in the living area. Glenn had his arms wrapped around Maggie's small body while Maggie lightly hummed to whom Lindsay assumed was Beth. The others slept side by side, keeping each other warm with the leftover pillows and blankets the home provided.

And while Lindsay slowly walked through the one story home, she made her way to the back of the home. In the bathroom is where the woman found herself – alone. Closing the door behind her, and pulling the blinds up, the moon provided Lindsay enough lamination for her to sit on the ledge of the tub. Her head fell forward landing in her hands. If there was only one thing Lindsay wanted the most was her safety; there was no use in wishing and wanting her old life back. However, her safety meant having to do things she wasn't eager to do. Returning to Terminus wasn't big on her to-do list; however Rick did have a point – they wouldn't be safe with it out there. No matter how far they ran, more than likely they'll find them.

But how? Was Lindsay going to help Rick and the others win over the talented gunman at Terminus? Gunman that she, herself, had taught how to shoot a rifle. If there was any way they were going to win over Terminus' power – they were going to have to use a weapon, one that they ran from every day. Walkers.

Author's Note:
Thanks for taking the time to read Stand by Me. Please review if you're able to and give your comments/thoughts. Thanks again.

Julie Jay xo