After, finally, managing to get everyone cleaned, clothed, and fed, I lead them outside into the warm, afternoon sun. I know they're exhausted, anyone can see it in their hollow faces, but with full stomachs and clean clothes they look as if they could go on fighting for days more.

"I have 4 other rooms that should be plenty big enough to share," I say, mentally putting together groups in my mind, "but there's also space in the loft above the barn for someone to stay as well." I continue, silently praying that no one would volunteer. It makes that person a lot more more difficult to watch after, and essentially they become an even larger liability to me.

"Dibs on the loft." I hear Daryl say.

-Should have seen that coming. Idiot. My mind scolds me, but it's not like I could just tell him no. Already starting out trying to kill eachother, I don't want to make it any worse. Like that's possible. Thankfully my rambling thoughts cease as I tune back into the conversation.

"So I can keep watch better," he pauses a moment before adding,

"and so I ain't gotta deal with the Glenn and Maggie love story 24/7."

That got a small laugh out of everyone, which made me happy to see.

"Well y'all go pick out rooms," I say to the more sane members of the group, "I'll help get all your things put away, and the vehicles moved."

Then turning to Daryl I add, "I'll get the cot out of the cellar and there should be plenty of extra blankets in the loft already."

With out missing a beat, he waves off my offer saying, "I'll find the cot and get everything I need, you get them situated."

I feel my temper starting to boil over again at his audacity until I feel a big hand rest on my shoulder. I turn to see those bright blue eyes of Ricks' staring back at me,

"I can't thank you enough, Rose." He says to me with an unbearable amount sincerity in his voice, he lets his hand fall back to his side before speaking again, "We've been on the road a long time," his eyes seem to take on a far away look, as if he were remembering a past life, "and even I wasn't sure how much longer we could last, especially with Herschel and Judith."

I remember the old man, with half his leg missing, hobbling around on crutches, I can't help but to wander what happen exactly. They way he moves, like it still pains him, makes me assume that the traumatic injury can't have occured too long ago. Maybe one day, if they are still here, I will ask the old man myself. My mind then wanders to the beautiful baby girl Carl always protectively held, and thoughts and questions begin to flood my mind again. There are only two women in the group that look like they are old enough to be her mother, but Maggie is with Glenn and Carol just doesn't fit the ticket.

-She's dead. My mind knows the only logical answer, but I just can't allow my heart to wrap around it.

I speak up before his endless blue eyes and pleading voice can have anymore effect on me,

"Rick, you don't have to thank me anymore," I said with a sincere smile, "I've been alone for a long time, and even if it's just been for a few hours, y'all have made me feel useful.."

I felt the rock settle in my throat again, but pushed past it as best I could, "normal, I guess you could say."

I barely am able choke out the last words before giving him a quiet smile and placing my hand on his arm.

"Everything will be okay now." I say, more to myself than to him, but it earns me a tired smile from his weary face.

"Well I better go make sure World War 3 isn't breaking out over rooms, thank you Rose." He says it one last time, following it with a short gaze into my eyes that makes me believe he is able to read all my thoughts and feelings with just that look. I feel my face flushing with heat from the thought but I simply give him a nod. With that, the conversation is over and I begin walking toward the barn to retrieve Chenoa and Raven from the paddock.

My thoughts are a jumbled up mess as I lead the two mares back to the barn.

-Well congratulations Rose. You've now let a bunch of strangers take over your farm, willingly. My mind taunts me, but don't worry, the fact that it's the right thing to do makes it all better and maybe now-

My thoughts are cut short, with a bit a gratefulness on my part, at the sound of a small thud behind us. With a start, I turns to see Daryl walking up beside Raven. Annoyance quickly burnt through me as I sent him a fierce glare.

"You know, I thought you looked pretty dumb, but I never figured it'd be this bad." I said shortly.

That riles a laugh in him, which only seems to make me even angrier.

"You could've gotten yourself hurt," I say with little caring, "or caused one of them to hurt themselves.", this time throwing anger into my voice.

"Trust me, I know how to handle myself around a horse." He spat back at me. "Looked like you were more scared than they were anyway.", he added with amusement.

Earning another fiery glare as I lock Raven's stall door, I add curtly, "Well like I said, you could've gotten yourself hurt."

Again he chuckles before speaking again, "I won't underestimate you again."

I remember how only a few hours ago I was ready to kill the same man standing in front of me now. I look away from him,

" I'm.. Sorry..", he cut me off before any further embarrassment could be inflicted,

"Don't be sorry for protecting yourself, I wouldn't trust me neither." He says with a serious face but a faint bit of amusement in his voice.

I say nothing more as I saddle Chenoa up and lead her to the door before stepping up into the saddle myself.

"I'm heading down to the gate, round up the others so we can move the vehicles in." I call behind me. I was answered with a passive grunt, which I took as an agreement.

I see Rick first, then Glenn and Maggie, followed by Carl, Beth, and Carol. I look around to see where Daryl could've been hiding but my question is answered as soon as I hear the screaming cylinders of a motorcycle fire up. I open the gate, give Chenoa a kick and rein her toward the direction of the roaring engine.

As soon as I see him, I jump off before coming to a complete stop and upon reaching the bike, grab Daryl's vest, "Have you lost your mind?!" I yell, while reaching over him, cutting the ignition off.

"Are you trying to attract every walker within five miles?" I say through gritted teeth.

"If you want to keep that bike or yourself in one piece, I don't want to hear it again while you're on MY farm.",my words dripping with anger and fear.

"Do I make myself clear?"

The question is rhetorical in my mind, but he just looks at me with fire in his eyes,

"Crystal." He says, keeping his glare locked on mine until he steps off the bike and begins the long push back to the barn. I watch him, hoping that the saying "If looks could kill.", might actually work as I bore into his back with anger still flooding my vision.

-He could've just compromised you, and everyone else here with that stunt. What are you going to do about it now? I was beginning to wander if my brother hadn't taken over in my mind, it wasn't like me to think so irrationally. That had always been his area of expertise, doing before thinking.

"Haven't seen many people who can put him in his place like that without a good fight. He'll be okay though." I hear Ricks voice and realize I hadn't even known he was beside me. It was comforting in a way and my anger begins to dissipated little by little as I load what I can into Chenoa's saddle bags and urge her toward the house once again. By the time we have the 3 vehicles strategically parked around the house and barn, it was late afternoon. After seeing Chenoa back to her stall and making sure both mares were clean, fed, and had water, I make my way back to the house.

Hey guys! Don't forget to leave reviews:) No work today so I should have another chapter posted here later on!