Author's Note: I'm really proud on how this story is turning out and am happy that all those people reviewed or are following it. It's always a happy moment when you see that people are actually reading your work. And on that note, I decided with people to protect at that point, he wouldn't have gone after Merle. Though I'm still trying to decide if I want Merle to be separated, or to have him actually come back. Makes me feel confident about getting chapters up and out on time. Trying for two chapters a week now, one on Monday and one on Thursday. We'll see how long I can keep that going. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story itself.

Eventually, the cop or Rick as he'd eventually introduced himself, had come and found him and Sophia who were coloring with each other outside. He looked surprised to see him with a child; well flabbergasted might be a better word. Damn cop couldn't believe that he could be happy and have a normal life and have something of a normal functioning family. Rick stopped like three feet from them and smoothly coughed at them, successfully getting both of their attention. "Daryl, right? Can we talk."

Daryl went to stand up, but Sophia was fast on grabbing him by the arm and attaching herself to his side. She looked up at him pleadingly, and whimpered; "Don't leave Daryl; I don't want you to leave." He wasn't sure how to react to that, he wasn't planning on going far, but now he didn't want to leave at all. With a sigh, Daryl stayed in his seat and looked back up at Rick. "We can talk here. Sophia doesn't mind and there is no one else around."

Rick hadn't counted on that apparently, and now looked doubly uncomfortable. "We're getting a group together to go after your brother, with man power we should be able to get through and save him. He should still be up on the roof, T-Dog told me he locked the door and there was no way for him to get out of those cuffs himself." Daryl gritted his teeth and tried his best not to swear at Rick, that was inappropriate for Sophia to hear and he was trying to work on that. Or maybe he was just done with talking to Rick, just like he had been earlier. "Look, as much as I care for my brother I can't just leave everyone unprotected at the camp. If he escapes then he'll head back here, knowing him just to be able to punch you in the head. You better count on that, cause no one can kill Merle but Merle. Tough as nails, feed him a hammer and he'll crap out nails." Rick looked confused that Daryl didn't want to go after his brother; he probably thought he was just some loud, rude and terrible hick. He was only some of those things.

The conversation was clearing over, yet Rick didn't leave. He stood in front of the two of them as Sophia went back to coloring and pointing to what space she wanted Daryl to color with what color. He imagined that it looks pretty stupid, gruff looking guy like him with a tiny girl in his lap and using crayons. He didn't really care though, let the cop think whatever he wanted, he was happy at the moment and that was good enough.

Rick didn't leave even as lunch was called and Sophia ran ahead to see her mother. She had told him all about how excited she was to go swimming today, and he didn't blame her with how hot it was. As soon as Sophia was gone though, Rick sat down from is hour long looming position with a grunt. He held at his hand and Daryl found himself staring at it. "I just wanted to say that we never got a chance to be introduced. My name is Rick Grimes; I'm Lori's husband and Carl's father."

Daryl then shook his hand, "Daryl Dixon." He didn't trust himself to say more; like I had a brother. "Well Daryl, Shane told me about you and how you defended Carol and that little girl from that Ed guy and have been providing food to the camp. I just wanted you to know that you're much appreciated and people are grateful for you."

Daryl nodded at him, but then looked over at him sharply and bit down on his thumb nail. He wasn't exactly sure what Rick wanted from him, but he was sure as hell not giving compliments to a stranger for free like this. Rick continued, "I've seen lots of woman in the same state of Carol and I think it's a good thing that you're doing here. Even for that little girl, she already looks at you like you're the greatest thing in the world. Which is pretty much what it means to be a father, to make sure your kid thinks you're a superhero because you'd do anything for them."

Rick stood up and left without another word to Daryl and he had to stop and reflect on what had just happened. Did it really look like he was the girl's father? Though the main thought in that was that he didn't mind that people thought that he was, it didn't bother him at all. Carol sat down beside him with two bowls of what appeared to be back water stew. He smiled at her as she handed him one of the bowls, apparently if he didn't get to lunch for about 30 minutes after it is called, Carol would make sure he got fed. It was nice to know that someone in this world cared for him, and more importantly (or rarely) someone cared about him. Even Merle would eat his portion if he wasn't fast enough. As kids they were lucky if they got anything to eat, so you learned to be quick about it if there was something.

They sat quietly and ate the soup together. It was really nice.