Rick was riding shotgun next to Daryl in the truck, lost in thought.

His own heart ached every day they didn't find her-he couldn't begin to imagine what it was like for Daryl.

The feelings were somewhat perplexing to him. The draw he felt to Rose, the affection he had. Looking in the side mirror back at his wife, he sighed. How could she have contempt for such a kind, sweet person? The suspicion she had that Rick pined after Rose didn't help things…he tried to communicate several times that he didn't see her that way-couldn't even if he wanted to-she was too sweet and gentle. He simply felt compelled to keep her safe the way he would Carl.

Needless to say, that didn't go over well either, and that was the last time he tried to reassure her.

Rose was so good for Carl. Sophia, too. Rick went to check on them one night and found her in between the two kids, reading. Sophia was propped up on Rose's leg and Carl was resting his head against her shoulder, all three of them looking content. When her eyes met Rick's he could tell she was enjoying it just as much as they were.

They asked for another story and she happily obliged. She quietly closed the door after she'd tucked them in and was heading for the RV when she saw Rick sitting by himself in front of the fire.

The flames stirred faintly as she took a seat next to him. They illuminated her milky skin and made her eyes and smile that much brighter.

"Sitting out here all by your lonesome, darlin'? What's on your mind?"

He smiled. "Oh, you know. Stuff."

She elbowed him softly. "Ah, yes. I know all about stuff."

Nodding knowingly, he replied "I figured you would."

They both watched the fire, watched golden embers dissipate into the night sky. The silence was comfortable, but Rose wasn't satisfied. She thought for a moment on how to proceed.

"I do, absolutely. I know that you are papa bear…" she smiled affectionately. "Not only to Lori and Carl, but to this whole group. And you take that on and take it in on such a deep, personal level, and it means so much to you…"

His eyes had left the fire and settled on her face as she continued to speak.

"…and you do an incredible job with it all, with everything that comes with that responsibility, and everyone is thankful, of course. But I think in the ever present concerns of day to day, they forget the enormity of what you do. So…I just wanted you to know that I'm here if you ever want to talk about…stuff. Okay? I want you to know that."

Rick opened his mouth to respond but could only smile. He slipped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her. "You're special, Rose."

She laughed warmly. "No, it's the people around me that are special."

After that night, he found himself occasionally taking her up on her offer. An unbiased ear. Trustworthy, rational, reassuring.

She knew things weren't great between him and Lori. She felt awful that she indirectly contributed to that but also knew the unease and distrust started long before she ever came into the picture.

As Daryl drove up the empty highway, Rick had a bitter thought.

How ironic and hypocritical it was of Lori to question him about his motives. How dare she after what happened between her and Shane?

And even more ludicrous-the way she reacted when Rose, Daryl, Maggie, and Glenn came back that day and told the group that Shane was gone.

She went after Rose. Of course, she didn't get far- Daryl and Glenn intercepted her angrily.

Rick shook his head and Daryl caught it.

"What's up, man?" His voice was tired and seemed far away.

Rick sighed, leaning his head back against the seat.

"Just thinking about some things, brother."