"What happened out there?!" 'Belle screamed at Carl when they had finally got into the house. She wasn't mad at the boy, and everyone knew her temper just when it came to Daryl. Everyone stayed away from her when they heard that Kara had been taken, not knowing what the fiery red head was going to do.

"I don't know. One minute we were throwing snow balls, the next, she had a gun on her head," replied Carl in a small voice.

"Whaddya mean ya don't know!" she screeched.

Daryl stood with his arms crossed and his eyes hard. He watched them talk and didn't give a shit to try and calm 'Belle down, not yet anyway. Once she had her yelling time, maybe destroyed a few things, and started to think, she would be fine.

"I don't know..." Carl's voice was lower. He looked like he was about to cry, terrified of Kara's mother.

"'Belle please, just try to calm down," said Rick slowly, in a voice he would use for a crying child.

"Calm down! Don' y'all tell meh what t'do! Mah daughter has been taken by a psychopath! AH WILL NOT CALM DOWN UNTIL AH GET HER BACK! Y'HEAR?!"

"We can look for her when the storm passes."

'Belle threw her hands up in frustration. She screamed once and started throwing knives around the room, cursing as she did so. No one had time to react, they were frozen in fear. It was good, this would ensure that 'Belle didn't hit any of them. One of them whizzed by Daryl's head, nearly hitting his ear. He didn't move though, just continued to watch her. She finally stopped, hair covering her face and breathing heavily. She sunk to her knees, looking like a woman who has been utterly defeated. She had retreated into herself, the final stage finally in play. That was his cue. He walked over to her, kneeling down to her level.

"I ain't gunna let nothin' happen to her," he whispered in her ear. It was that soothing voice he used to use when they were together, madly in love.

When she didn't respond at all, he gently pushed her hair out of her face. Her green eyes were clouded, downcast, and raining tears. She wasn't there, she was dealing with what just happened. He had seen this before, and knew exactly how to handle it. He grabbed her gently by the shoulders, and lifted her up with him. Ignoring the stares of the other's, he walked her up the stairs and out of their sight.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Lori.

"We're stuck here until the storm passes. After that, I'm going to help 'Belle find her daughter," said Rick.

"And what do the rest of us do?" asked Hershel.

"Wait here, we'll be back before sun down. If we have to move on, we move on."

"'Belle won't leave without Kara," said Glenn.

"And Daryl won't leave without 'Belle," added Carol.

Rick sighed, bringing his hand to his head, "We have a few days to figure it out. I think for now we should get some rest."

"I don't want to leave without Kara or 'Belle," said Carl.

"Don't worry son, we'll find a way to make it work."

...

Daryl had walked 'Belle to the room that was supposed to be for her and Kara. His hands never left her shoulders, and she didn't move on her own-aside from her feet. He left her standing in the room, closing the door. He then prepared the blankets, making a bed for them to sleep in. He walked over to her, standing in front of her. She hadn't moved, and he wasn't even sure she knew what was going on. Carefully, he disarmed her, starting with her machete. He searched her for the remaining knives she had on her, and then took her guns off. He placed them all within her reach of the bed.

He moved the hair out of her face and behind her shoulders. No change in her. He walked her over to the bed and sat her down. He took her shoes off, and her sweater. He laid her down on her back, moving the hair out of her face. Her green eyes were focused on the ceiling, barely even blinking. The tears had stopped, so at least that was an improvement. He walked over to the other side of the bed. He peeled off his shirt, took off his shoes, and laid down himself, his crossbow in arms reach. He lowered the lantern and put an arm behind his head. He pulled the blankets on top of them, feeling the cold radiate off her. She was always cold, even in the middle of summer.

He knew he wasn't going to sleep, but he wasn't going to bother taking watch tonight. There was no need, he could hear the wind of the storm howling away at the house they stayed at. He couldn't believe that for the second time in his life, he had failed to stop Johnny from doing harm to 'Belle. Maybe Merle was right, maybe he really wasn't man enough for her. What good was he anyway if he couldn't protect her? He didn't seem to do much in her life besides hurt her. Why would someone like her bother with him? She loves you. At least, she used to. Now it was hard to tell where she stood on her feelings towards him. He was convinced that she hated him, and yet, she always gave into him when he wanted her.

"Ah want her back..." said 'Belle in a small voice.

"I know, baby, I'll get 'er for ya," he replied gently, his eyes still fixed on the ceiling.

"Ah failed her..."

"There was nothin' you could do, 'Belle."

"Ah shoulda went after them."

"I couldn't let ya. Storm woulda killed you, then I wouldn't be able to bring her back to her mom."

"Ah need ta find 'er Daryl," she said, her voice more choked up.

Daryl chanced a glimpse and saw tears starting to well up in her eyes. He brought his arm down, reaching to go under her neck and across her shoulder. She allowed it, and he turned to face her, bringing her body closer to his. She was facing him also, placing and ice cold hand on his ribs. He took a sharp breath in, bringing his other hand to cup her cheek and rub it with her thumb. He wiped her tears, looking into her eyes.

"I promise you, Isabella, I will find her. Ya ain't goin' out there alone, an' I ain't stoppin' 'till she's back with you, or I'm dead," he spoke in the loving voice she once knew.

'Belle knew he was sincere. His eyes always told her everything, and that aspect about him hadn't changed a single bit. She wanted to ask him why, wanted to know if he still loved her. She could see it, but it wasn't something she was willing to gamble on. She was afraid though. If he did still love her, then what would she do? She'd have to tell him the truth, and make some hard decisions. It could all blow up in her face again, she just couldn't take that risk. It was hard at time like this. He genuinely cared about her daughter, about her well being, and he was caressing her ever so lovingly right now. It made her want to cry more, but she bit it back.

"'Baby'. Hell, Ah haven' heard ya say that in years," she said, smiling sadly.

"Didn' think ya were listenin'."

"Reckon ye can get away with it?" she raised a brow, challenging him.

He smirked, "What are you gunna do 'bout it? Pretty little thing like you needs t'be taught a lesson by a real man."

"Well soldia, point meh in the direction of one and Ah'll be sure to ask."

"Girl, your blind if ya ain't seein' one in front o'ya."

She chuckled lightly, "Y'always knew how to make a lady feel light headed," she said, looking down shyly.

He smiled at her, loving that he still had this effect on her. When she looked back into his eyes, he was completely struck. The love they never let go of shone through to each other. 'Belle was trapped in his gaze, her stomach doing flips because she was so nervous. Daryl hadn't seen a look like that in her in years, and he really missed it. He never forgot her, just always pushed her memories aside. She didn't think about him much, always so busy trying to raise Kara. Her lips parted slightly, her breath a little heavy. He couldn't stand it.

He kissed her, his lips crashing on hers. She was expecting it, she wanted it. Their bodies were together, his hand pulling her head to him. Her arm wrapped around his waist, but their minds were focused on this kiss. It wasn't dominance, it wasn't basic instinct, it was passion. It was a desire built up inside of them, just begging to be released. Their kiss deepened, and 'Belle's head was swimming with old and new feelings. She gave a slight whimper, and it made him lightly grunt. He knew this was probably a bad idea, but he couldn't help himself. She was 'Belle, there was no way to deny her anything she ever wanted. And there was no way to control himself around her.

They broke apart slowly, not breaking contact completely. They weren't sure what the next move was, this not being about dominating the other anymore. This was their emotions getting carried away. He placed a shorter and gentler kiss on her lips once more, before only tearing his face away from hers a few inches. Their noses were ghosting over each other, their breath slightly heavy with everything going on with them. Her fingers ran up and down lightly on his back, no further than her wrist could turn. He was petting her shoulder gently, as they gazed at each other.

"'Belle..." his voice was barely there, "I-"

"Hold it sugah. We should sleep 'fore we get ahead of ourselves. Got a lotta plannin' to do," she stopped him.

He looked like he was about to say something, but decided not to. He pulled her closer instead, his lips resting on top of her head. 'Belle was stunned that he still wanted to be this close with her. She was hurting, not wanting to stop the words she knew he was going to speak. She let a tear fall, wishing that her life could just get easier for once.

...

sorry its so short, just wanted to stick to the point. thank you so much for reading and your lovely comments. you keep them up, and so will i :)