Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends :)

I wish for all of you the best for this upcoming year & this is my gift, a brand new chapter. My longest to date.

Enjoy :)

Scratching

and

Clawing

Chapter 9

"Some Prayers Go Unanswered"

Nearly thirty minutes had gone by since the sound of a gunshot had been heard and it still, obviously, bothered everyone, particularly Lori. She had told JJ as they walked that she had a bad feeling about all of it. All JJ could do was reassure Lori as best as she could. The mother and wife simply smiled and continued walking until she met with Carol. JJ held her head for a second before continuing the walk, reaching for another aspirin in her bag. She opened, again, her bottle and drank as she swallowed the water and the small pill. She realized everyone stopped walking as she turned her head around and noticed Daryl was now a few steps behind her. She walked back and stood next to him as Andrea took a step towards Lori.

"You're still worrying about it?" Andrea asked her.

"It was a gunshot." Lori said looking into the woods.

"We all heard it." Daryl stated as Lori turned her head around, looking directly at him.

"Why one? Why just one gunshot?" She asked, showing small signs of panic.

Daryl looked back at her, "Maybe they took down a walker."

"Rick wouldn't risk it." JJ said as Daryl looked back at her.

"He wouldn't risk a gunshot to put down ONE walker. Or Shane. They'd do it quietly." She reasoned.

"Shouldn't they have caught up with us by now?" Carol asked as she looked between her friend and Daryl.

He walked forward and spoke, "There's nothing we can do about it anyway. Can't run around these woods chasing echoes."

"So what do we do?" Lori asked, biting on her lower lip.

"Same as we've been. Beat the bush for Sophia, work our way back to the highway." Lori nodded as she listened to Daryl's answer, still worried.

"I'm sure they'll hook up with us back the RV." Andrea said as Lori looked back to only stay silent as she resumed walking. JJ started walking side by side with Daryl until they heard Andrea speak again as she approached Carol, the rest of them stopping again to listen. "I'm sorry for what you're going through. I know how you feel."

"I suppose you do. Thank you." She stopped and looked back at Daryl, Glenn, JJ and Lori. "The thought of her out there by herself…it's the not knowing that's killing me. I just keep hoping and praying she doesn't wind up like Amy." All of their eyes adverted to Andrea as soon as Carol spoke the words and almost as quick as she said it she looked back at Andrea, an apologetic expression plastered on her face.

"Oh, god." She grabbed Andrea's forearms. "That's the worst thing I ever said."

Andrea shook her head and looked back at Carol, "We're all hoping and praying with you, for what it's worth." They looked at each other for a few seconds before JJ felt Daryl move from her side and walk towards the two women.

"I'll tell you what it's worth—not a damn thing. It's a waste of time all this hoping and praying." He stopped then looked into Carol's eyes. "Cause we're gonna locate that little girl, she's gonna be just fine. Am I the only one zen around here?" He asked as he started walking away, murmuring a 'good lord' as he walked past JJ whom couldn't help but smile at the determination in Daryl's tone when he spoke. She knew he noticed the smile and sent her a quick look saying 'what the hell are you smiling for?' before resuming the walk. She looked back at Lori and they both smiled. JJ followed quickly behind Daryl just as she was before that and they quietly continued making their way back to the highway.

It had taken an hour before someone asked how much farther they had until they reached the highway. The answer had been given by Daryl and they had at least a hundred yards which had Andrea complain as the rest all continued walking without a word. JJ looked up to the sky and yet again reached for an aspirin, which, this time, she broke in half before swallowing it.

"What did you just take?" Glenn asked her as she swiftly turned her head towards him.

"Oh, just an aspirin. Headache, that's all." She told him reassuringly as she smiled. He nodded and smiled back.

"NOOO!" They heard Andrea screaming, realizing she had walked further away. "Help me!" They heard her scream as they approached and finally were in sight of Andrew whom was on the ground kicking at the walker until the walker was thrown on the ground by a hit. A hit given by a baseball bat and a young woman sitting atop a horse.

"Lori. Lori Grimes?" The young woman asked.

"I'm Lori."

The young woman looked at Lori, "Rick sent me. You've got to come now."

"What?" Lori asked, confused.

"There's been an accident. Carl's been shot." They all froze as she continued. "He's still alive but you've got to come now. Rick needs you. Just come." Lori immediately took her backpack off of her and let it fall to the ground as Daryl tried stopping her.

The mysterious girl continued as Lori got on the horse, "Rick said you had other on the highway, that big traffic snarl? Backtrack to Fairburn Road. Two miles down is our farm. You'll see the mailbox. The name is Greene." She explained as she gave a light kick of her feet on the horse and they were off.

JJ bent down and reached for Lori's bag as she watched Lori and the girl disappear. She heard a small moan coming from her left and as she looked in that direction she saw the walker sitting back up. Daryl raised his crossbow and aimed towards, "Shut up." And killed it as he walked away.

The small group had gotten back to the highway not long after Lori had ridden away with the mysterious woman. None of them had really spoken about what had happened. The moment they had gotten back Dale was asking them about where Lori was. Daryl and Glenn both gave answers and had the question arose as to what they were going to do now, Carol was quick to let them know she wouldn't leave until they found Sophia. Understandable her decision was but that brought another question—who was going to go at the farm the woman had spoken of to reunite with the rest? After some talking the decision was made that only Glenn and T-Dog would go and meet with the others, seeing as T-Dog needed the help with the cut he had. Luckily, Daryl had his brother's stash and some painkillers were in it. Before dark fell upon them, Glenn and T-Dog left with the medication and their bags to find that farm, leaving them the instructions the woman had given so they would be able to find it if the decision to meet them back there was ever made.

JJ had proposed to do the first shift atop the camper to give Dale some time to rest. He thanked her and gave her his rifle as she climbed the ladder and sat herself in the small chair. She continuously scanned her surroundings during her watch, only taking quick breaks once he gave her some food. She found herself munching and staring off into the distance all the while staying quite alert to any sound around her. When Dale had come back once the sun had disappeared, it was to tell her he'd take over while she got some rest and she simply nodded, telling the man he needed to rest more. He simply gave her one of those reassuring smiles and climbed down the ladder as she let her head fall down, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her eyes drifted to her bags, her lips now falling into a thin line, as she reached for it. This, taking that other half of aspirin, would technically be the fourth aspirin she took that day for her ongoing, and non-stopping, headaches. She hoped a good night of rest would do it when it came to the headaches. She brought her hand up to her mouth and put the aspirin in it as she reached for the nearly empty bottle of water and took a sip, swallowing both the water and aspirin. She licked her lips and closed the bottle.

As she took some well-deserved rest with the others, she couldn't deny noticing, even half-asleep, that Daryl and Andrea had gone off during the night looking for little Sophia. She heard Dale asking if it was a good idea only to be cut off by Andrea's annoyed voice. She tried going back to sleep but Carol's crying kept her from sleeping. She got up and approached Carol, touching her arm slightly as she sat on the bed.

"Hey, I'm just going up to talk to Dale some. Try to convince the man to get some rest. If he doesn't budge, I'll be back soon, okay?" Carol nodded and wiped a tear away as JJ got up.

"Go, I'll be fine." She said with a small smile but the words stopped JJ from going. She sat back down and looked at Carol.

"What did I say back at camp?" She asked Carol delicately. Carol gave her a sad smile.

"I'm worried about my baby…" She started sobbing, "Out there, alone in the woods…" She cried harder as JJ slowly put an arm around Carol, trying to comfort her as best as she could.

"Shhh. Everyone is looking for her. We all want Sophia back." She told Carol as her sobbing slowly died down.

"What if—what if she doesn't come back? What if we don't find her?" JJ opened her mouth to answer to that question but closed it again. She honestly had no idea. It was either they find her or…she's dead. Or maybe by some sort of luck she stumbled unto a nice and welcoming group that would take care of her until they found her. That last one seemed too good to even sound true.

JJ opened her mouth again and this time, said, "Being honest here," Carol nodded as she looked at the young woman, waiting for an answer, "I honestly don't know what we'll do…but I promise you that I will keep searching for as long as I have to." She told Carol.

Carol smiled and held back tears, "Thank you. Thank you…the fact that you all are searching is…just…thank you." JJ smiled.

"Go and talk to Dale. I'll be good here. I'll try to sleep." Carol told her as JJ looked at her, eyebrows furrowed in slight worry about leaving her alone. "I'll be fine, really." Not entirely sure JJ nodded and got up as Carol gave her one last smile before comfortably lying down and turning her back to JJ.

JJ walked towards the door as she gave Carol one last look before opening the door and going outside. The night breeze was much cooler than it was the day before and it was truly comforting as JJ closed her eyes and breathed the fresh air, the smell of decaying bodies almost completely impossible to notice during the night. Or maybe it was because they had grown so accustomed to the smell. Either way, the breeze was fresh and the smell not so horrible. She turned around and climbed the ladder, reaching the top and meeting with Dale's gaze.

"Can't sleep?" He asked as she fully climbed and sat herself near him, shaking her head.

"I was half asleep when they left to look for Sophia. Couldn't sleep much afterwards." She said talking about Andrea and Daryl leaving. "Which way did they go?"

Dale pointed towards the wood, in another direction than the one they had gone to during the day. She nodded and looked towards the woods as she heard him sigh.

"She's with Daryl, she'll be fine." Dale looked at her and furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

"What's with the sudden Daryl-admiration?" He asked as she smiled.

"Not admiration nor is it sudden. But credit is given where credit is due." Was all she said.

He smiled, "Because he saved your life?"

"Not just because of that." She answered as she looked down at her feet. She looked up at him, "Please go to sleep. You're exhausted."

He chuckled, "Not just yet. I'll wait for them to come back." She shook her head with a small smile.

"Please God, let them come back so Dale can go to sleep." She joked as he chuckled some more. She looked up at the sky and thought. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked at Dale.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked her. She sighed heavily.

"My mother, my father, my brother…even my ex." She chuckled on the last one and he joined her in the chuckling.

"Did you get to talk to them before everything went crazy?" He asked her.

"Yeah. Only to my mum and father. My brother was on a road trip with his best friend, my ex." She explained as he laughed.

"Your brother was on a trip with your ex?" She nodded and smirked.

"Sounds weird I know, but they were best friends before we dated and it was an amicable break-up, mutual. So, they stayed best friends." She said.

"Did you both date for long?" He leaned his elbows on his knees, waiting for her answer.

She looked at Dale, "Four years and two months." She paused. "I learned a while after we broke up that if things hadn't gone the way they did, well, I could have been married."

"Wow." Was all Dale could say as he looked at her.

She shook her head, "I know." They quietly chuckled. She thought back on the first time after her ex and herself actually spent time again together with her family after breaking up and she couldn't help but smile.

JJ and her mum were in the kitchen as they washed the dishes quietly, her father sitting in the living room watching TV. They had kept two extra plates of cake so her brother, Jordan, and Lucas, his best friend and her ex, could eat once they came back from watching the hockey game. This was going to be the first time Lucas would spend time with her family after they had broken up just a few weeks before and she couldn't deny being nervous, wondering if the atmosphere was going to be awkward.

"We're back!" She heard her brother yell, as per usual, as he entered the house. She rolled her eyes as she dried her hands and walked into the living, meeting with her brother and Lucas.

"We lost." Was all she said.

Her brother frowned, "How do YOU know?" She knew he asked because she didn't like the sport and didn't care about watching it. Putting a hand on her hip she pointed with the other towards the TV and smirked.

"How do you think? Dad yelled and changed the channel which is code for 'we lost'." She told him.

Lucas took a few steps and stood next to Jordan, "Well, at least, they tried and played well."

"Played well? When do they ever?" JJ said as Lucas rolled his eyes at her.

"You just hate the game." She smiled and turned around when she heard her mother come in.

"You'll argue later boys. Now come and eat." They both looked at each other and removed their coats. Her brother walked past her and kissed her at the top of her head as she pinched his side. Lucas followed closely behind and grabbed her shoulder as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. She smiled and patted his back as she followed him inside the kitchen. She walked to the sink and finished doing the dishes, listening to the boys talking about the game.

"Well, would you look at that, God heard your prayer." JJ shook her head out of the memory and looked ahead of her. She saw some lights coming from their flashlights and they both, Dale and her, got up and went down the ladder. When she got down she met with Daryl's gaze and he looked at her for a mere second before he opened the door to the camper and walked in. JJ looked at Andrea then at Dale as the latter told her to go in and sleep. Andrea further insisted when she told Dale she'd keep watch. JJ nodded and opened the door to the camper, walking in and closing it. She looked to her right and saw Daryl, her back to her, quickly look at her as he looked back at Carol's sleeping form before lying back on the floor. She sighed and walked to the passenger seat of the RV, sitting in it and waiting for sleep to consume her.

Morning came too quickly for everyone's liking. The sun was barely up when JJ heard noise coming from outside. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Dale talking to Carol outside. She turned her head and noticed that no one was in the camper. She shook her head and got up as she opened the door and walked outside. She stretched her legs and arms as she took small steps to Dale.

"Good morning." She told Dale as he smiled at her.

"Good morning to you too." He told her as she squinted which made laugh. "Not quite awake yet, aren't ya?" She nodded.

"I thought you'd wake me up." She honestly told him.

"You were looking like you were sleeping good. Didn't want to disturb ya." He replied.

She took his arm and squeezed it lightly, "Thank you." She looked around and then back at Dale, "What are we doing now?"

"Daryl and Carol put some supplies and a sign up on one of the cars for Sophia." He sighed.

She nodded and stated, "So we're going to the farm." Dale gave her a small sad smile before nodding.

"Here." He handed her keys. "Shane wanted to take that car," he pointed to the said car, "his stuff is in it. Could you drive it to the farm?"

She took the keys out of his hand and nodded, "I'll get my stuff." She walked back to the camper and got her bags. She walked back out and made her way to the car, opening the door and getting in it.

As she started the car, she mumbled to herself, "Man, I haven't driven a car in a while." She chuckled as she looked up and saw the camper move, turning around and started making its way back. She waited for the truck that Carol drove to pass before following her as they drove to the farm where their other friends were.

She found herself enjoying the ride over to the farm, the feeling of driving again and the landscape looking nothing like the world had ended. To her right was a small hill and as they drove further it disappeared to let her eyes fall upon a nice house. Following the dirt roads up to the house they quickly arrived and parked the cars right outside the house, quickly exiting each car. JJ's gaze quickly fell on Glenn and smiled. She then saw Rick and Lori coming out of the house along with a woman and an old man. They finally all met up and looked at Rick whom looked absolutely exhausted.

Dale was the first to ask, "How is he?"

Lori nodded and smiled, "He'll pull through," she looked back, "thanks to Hershel and his people."

"And Shane." Rick cut in, "We'd have lost Carl if not for him." Everyone looked at Shane whom was standing in the back, quiet. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Dale approach Rick, hugging him, expressing how happy he was Carl was okay. JJ smiled and walked up to Rick, he smiled and hugged her quickly. She leaned back and walked to Lori, smiling and hugging as quick before the question arose.

"How'd it happen?" Dale asked.

Quick, Rick responded, "Hunting accident. That's all—just a stupid accident." They all smiled and Rick quickly introduced the group to Hershel's family. They all thanked him for being so kind and taking care of Carl and T-Dog. As they talked with the family they learned that one of their own had sacrificed himself for Shane to get out and be able to save Carl.

And to pay their respect, and also thank the man, they asked if they could attend the small service they had planned. Hershel led them to a tree where rocks had been pilled up, where Otis', the man's name, body would have been, leaving an empty grave there under. They all took place in a circle around the grave. JJ was the last one to find a place as she stood between Daryl and Glenn and looked at the grave before her. One by one, family members took a rock and placed it atop the pile as they walked back to their place. She watched as Hershel took his bible out and read from it.

"Blessed be God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to Him for the gift of our brother Otis, for his span of years, for his abundance of character; Otis, who gave his life to save a child's, now more than ever, our most precious asset. We thank You, God, for the peace he enjoys in Your embrace. He died as he lived, in grace." A sudden urge took over JJ and she looked back at Shane, the last man to have seen Otis alive. He wore a look of complete numbness. As if he was remembering the night where Otis had been taken away. She frowned as she continued to look at him until Hershel asked of him to speak of Otis.

"I'm not good at it." His raspy voice spoke as he looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

"You were the last one with him." Patricia, Otis' wife, sobbed. "You shared his final moments. Please. I need to hear. I need to know his death had meaning." All eyes had turned to Shane, waiting to see if he'd do it. His eyes now looked lost, void of emotion as he looked back at Patricia then to the grave.

"Meaning." He whispered before closing his eyes for a second as he began speaking. "We were about done. Almost out of ammo. We were down to pistols by then. I was limping. It was bad. Ankle all swollen up. 'We've got to save the boy.' See that's what he said." Shane paused the moment he began to choke up, "He gave me his backpack. Shoved me ahead. 'Run,' he said. He said, 'I'll take the rear. I'll cover you.' And when I looked back…" He stopped, looked at Patricia and walked forward, knowing everyone understood what happened at that moment.

He continued a few seconds later, "If not for Otis," he took a rock and looked back at every single one of them, "I'd have never made it out alive. And that goes for Carl, too. It was Otis. He saved us both. If any death ever had meaning, it was his." He put his hand forward and placed the rock of the pile. He walked back and took his place as they all silently paid their respect. One by one, starting with Hershel and Patricia. Then Maggie, Beth and Jimmy. Then Rick, Lori, Shane and Carol. And seconds after Dale and Daryl, only leaving JJ as she looked back at Shane's limping form then back at the empty grave, a frown on her face. She walked to the pile of rocks and laid a hand upon it. After a few seconds she started walking back, following in the other's footsteps.

She met back with them as the house and was quickly called over by Rick. She looked from the house to Rick then walked to him. He, along with others, stood around a truck.

"How long as this girl been lost?" Hershel asked once JJ reached the small group.

"This'll be day three." Rick answered as Maggie approached with a map in her hands.

"County survey map." She said, putting the map on the car as she opened it wide. "Shows terrain and elevations."

Shane held the top of the map to keep it straight as he spoke, "This is perfect. We can finally get this thing organized."

"We'll grid the whole area, start searching in teams." Rick declared as Hershel looked back at him.

"Not you. Not today. You gave three units of blood. You wouldn't be hiking five minutes out in this heat before passing out." Hershel then looked at Shane, "And your ankle—push it now, you'll be laid up a month, no good to anybody." Shane sighed, knowing Hershel was right.

"Guess it's just me." Daryl said.

"And me." JJ chimed in as she looked at Daryl quickly before looking at Rick. "In a team we won't do any good. Better if we cover different areas. We'd cover more ground." She reasoned to Rick, knowing he'd be opposed to the idea of her going out there alone. He looked at her and nodded, looking back at Daryl.

"I'm gonna head back to the creek, work my way from there." Daryl said as Rick nodded.

"JJ, how about you do the same but from here." He pointed on the map and it was on the opposite side from where Daryl would start. "If you happen to meet up, I want you both to come back or search if there's still light. If not, just come back before dark." JJ nodded and looked back at Daryl who did the same.

"I can still be useful." Shane started. "I'll drive up to the interstate, see if Sophia wandered back."

"Alright, tomorrow then. We'll start doing this right." Rick decided.

"That means we can't have our people out there with just knives. They need the gun training we've been promising them." Shane said as they all looked at Hershel.

"I'd prefer you not carrying guns on my property. We've managed so far without turning this into an armed camp." He maintained, looking from Rick to Shane.

"With all due respect," Shane started, "you get a crowd of those things wandering in here…" He stopped as Rick started speaking, looking between both Hershel and Shane.

"Look, we're guests here. This is your property and we WILL respect that." Rick insisted as he looked at Shane. He reached for his gun then took it out, putting it on the hood of the truck. Shane stared at him before doing the same. JJ was reaching for hers when Rick stopped her. "But I insist she keeps it as a precaution while she's out. She knows to only use it if absolutely necessary. I guarantee she'll give it up once she comes back." Rick said as he looked at Hershel who only gave her a nod as she leaned on the hood of the truck.

Rick sighed then looked at everyone, "First things first: set camp, find Sophia."

Shane interjected by saying, "Man, I hate to be the one to ask, but somebody's got to." He stopped then continued, "What happens if we find her and she's bit? I think we should all be clear on how we handle that."

Rick's jaw clenched and pondered for a moment before answering, "You do what has to be done."

"And her mother? What do you tell her?" Maggie asked, completely horrified at the idea of killing a little girl even if she was bit.

Andrea looked at the back of Maggie's head as she answered, "The truth." JJ caught the small look Hershel gave his daughter and frowned as she leaned back.

"I'll gather and secure all the weapons. Make sure no one's carrying until we're at a practice range off site." Shane started as he turned to Hershel, "I do request one rifleman on lookout. Dale's got experience."

Seeing the doubt in Hershel's face, Rick turned to him and said, "Our people would feel safer, less inclined to carry a gun." Hershel looked at Rick then sent his gaze flying towards Shane as he gave him a small, barely noticeable nod. "Thank you." Rick said as he looked at Shane, Daryl and JJ. They all started walking away. JJ walked to her bags and grabbed her smaller one, filling it up with what was necessary for the search ahead. She walked to the camper and went into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the small mirror and undid her hair, wincing as she did so because of her tangled hair. She took the brush she had taken from the CDC and brushed her hair quickly before tying it again. She sighed and exited the camper, bag on her shoulder. She saw Rick sitting on the house's stairs and as he saw her, he gestured for her to come closer. Her eyebrows furrowed and she hurried her steps as she walked to him.

"You're about to go?" Rick asked as she put her hands in her pockets, looking down at him.

"Yeah. I'll be back before dark." She reassured him.

Rick nodded and looked up at her, "Be careful out there."

"I will be." She promised as she gave him a light smile. "Stay quiet and stay sharp. Isn't that what you said?" He smiled a bit and nodded.

"Yeah, exactly what I said. Quiet and sharp, you can do that?" She nodded.

"Of course. I better go if I want to come back." She told him as she turned and started walking, looking back at him and waving. When she turned her head back she caught Daryl walking out, also making his way out. That was until Rick called him. JJ looked back but didn't stay and kept walking, heading into the woods.

Daryl had left after Rick stopped him and pondered on the words he told him. Not the part about not owing anything to the group but the part where they talked about the girl. The girl in this situation being the new girl, JJ. She wasn't so much the new girl anymore seeing as mostly everyone treated her like she had been part of the group since the beginning. Daryl still had no idea on how to act around her. So far it had been quick small banters or just quick glances but nothing else. She didn't bother him at all. Not like she ignored him, she acknowledge his presence but in a quiet manner that reminded him of his own.

Forgetting the fact she had punched him in the first few minutes after he came back to the camp when they were at quarry, she was, he'd never admit out loud, a decent girl. Only decent because he didn't know much about her. Mysterious was the word that very well described her and he, hating to admit it even to himself, hated not knowing anything about her. In the first few days when the group had formed they had exchanged stories, even Daryl and Merle joined in. He had at least an idea of what everyone did before or how they were but not her. A complete mystery.

The day was well on its way and Daryl was almost halfway through his part of the creek and its surroundings. He'd taken his time and searched thoroughly of course but there was nothing to be found. He turned his head to the right and noticed something. He squinted his eyes and got closer, stepping out of the woods to stumble unto an, what looked like, abandoned farmhouse. He took his crossbow off of his back and loaded a bolt in, just in case. He got to the front of the house and climbed the stairs as he stood in front of the doors. He kicked the door in and immediately his crossbow went up, ready to shoot. He took careful steps as he walked in, the floor creaking under his feet. He turned to his left into an area that looked like a living room, looked around and went back into the hallway. He walked down when he noticed a small patio door opened. He got closer and looked inside the room closest to that door. There was no furniture at all, it was just empty and dusty.

A noise attracted his attention, a creaking noise. Like someone was walking around. He checked the stairs and then turned into another room, the kitchen, as he looked around and noticed a small, recently opened, can of tuna. He bent the can and let the contents of the can splatter on the floor. His gaze went up to an opened pantry door, he raised his crossbow again and with his left hand reached for the door, opening it to find nothing in it. He looked down noticing a blanket and pillow on the floor of the pantry, like someone had been holed up inside.

He finished checking the rest of the house and stepped out, yelling Sophia's name a couple of times to see if she'd hear him but nothing, he was completely alone. He turned around and noticed, near the small pond beside the house, a small bush with flowers popping off at the top. He walked towards it and bent down to touch one of the flowers. He looked at the sky then back at the flower. It wasn't just any flower. He knew what kind of flower it was.

It was a Cherokee rose.

It hadn't been long since JJ had found this small house in the middle of nowhere. It had been raided long ago, probably when everything first started and had probably been inhabited for as long. She noticed a small shack not too far behind and went to look at it first. She looked around it, gun in hand in case anything came out and surprised her. She got back to the front of the shack and kicked the door open. Only one walker on its knees was there. She put her gun back and took out her machete as it started moving. It got up quickly as it saw her. JJ took a few steps back and waited for it to come out. As it stepped out she reached, with one of her hands, for its shoulder, grabbed it and raised her other hand and planted the machete from under its chin. The walker moaned and went limp as she removed the machete from its head, hearing the walker fall with a thump on the floor. She had been unlucky and had met three, now four, walkers since the start of her search. She scanned for any movement coming from the woods and when nothing happened she made her way towards the small house, deciding to inspect it.

Walking in front of the house she stood there for a few seconds before walking up the wooden stairs, which creaked under her feet making her face scrunch up. So much noise I'm making with those damn stairs. She thought as she reached for the door handle and opened it. There was barely any light in the house and she found herself squinting as she entered, trying to adjust to the lighting. She took careful steps as she wandered around the house, searching for any sign that Sophia might have been there. She went up to the second floor and didn't have to search for long seeing as there were only two rooms. She went back downstairs and entered the kitchen and searched the cupboards for anything edible to keep. An angry sighed escaped her lips when she found nothing.

That's when she heard the steps and the front door creak one after the other, stopping her dead in her tracks. She put the machete on the counter and reached for her gun. She paid attention to every movement the walker, she believed, made as it walked around. She listened and looked at the small door that separated the dining room from the kitchen, the noise making its way inside the dining room. She approached the door and waited, gun up and her finger loose on the trigger and she waited. It seemed like it was taking its time because it walked around and stopped from time to time before starting to walk again. It finally reached the door and stopped. She frowned and waited. She heard it take a step. She inhaled and backed away from the door far enough so it wouldn't hit her. That's when the door flung open and she aimed her gun only to bring it down while cursing under her breath.

"Shit." She swore. "I could have freakin' killed you, you know that?"

"Ya wouldn't have been able to, I would have killed ya first." She scoffed as she looked into Daryl's blue eyes.

"Well, know that I would have haunted your ass Daryl." She exclaimed as a light smirk appeared on his face before disappearing behind his typical serious expression. They both breathed heavily as they looked around. "You find anything?"

He nodded, "Found blankets and a pillow in a house not too far from here. Someone holed up in there for a while, someone small." He said as she walked back into the kitchen, Daryl following her as she went to take her machete.

"Sophia-kinda small?" She asked looking back at him and he nodded. That was a sort of relief, knowing she may have tried hiding in the house for a while.

"You?" He inquired as she shook her head.

She pointed towards the back, "Only a walker holed up in a shack behind the house. I got attacked by three walkers when I first reached the creek. Two of 'em were feeding on a buck."

"You bit?" He wondered as he squinted his eyes trying to see if she had any scratches or bite marks. She shook her head.

"No." She told him as she continued, "One almost surprised me from behind but I heard it and killed it. The two that were feeding heard and came to me, one tripped and I killed the other. The last one didn't get the chance to get up."

He looked at her, "Looks like I didn't have to save yer ass again." He mumbled as she scoffed again, something, he noticed, she did often. "Did ya check the whole house?" She nodded.

"We should go. Before it gets dark." She stated, remembering Rick's words. He bit on his lip and nodded as they walked out the house, Daryl leading.

As they walked back to the farm JJ realized that for the first time they held a conversation. Of course there was a small banter as per usual but they had spoken to each other, which is something that so far had never happened. They exchanged glances and words, a banter, here and there but this, to JJ's surprise, had been nice. She watched him from the corner of her eye and noticed the expression he held back in the forest when the entire group had first gone to search for Sophia—determination. She could tell that right at this moment he was thinking of where the little girl could be. That he had gotten so close but yet so far to finding her today. She smiled and looked ahead of her as they continued walking in complete silence.

Daryl found himself looking at JJ from time to time thinking that anytime soon she'd start a conversation, something he dreaded. But she never did, she simply kept silent and looked around as she stayed alert to anything that went on around them. If it would have been anyone else from the group they would have tried to get him to talk, especially old man Dale. And that would have ended with Daryl telling him, or the others, to shut up. But not her…no, she stayed quiet and gave him the peace he wanted, never annoying him. Making him think that instead of being a simply decent girl she was a nice girl, an understanding one at that. He shook his head at the thoughts as he looked ahead and saw Hershel's house.

As they reached the house they both directly tried to find Rick, which happened to be easy as he sat at the small picnic table near where the others had put up their tents. He quickly got up when he saw them, taking a few steps towards them.

"How'd it go?" He asked, relieved to see the both of them fine.

"Fine. Here." She started as she gave him her gun. "Give that to Shane." He nodded and looked at Daryl as JJ looked back and forth between the two men.

"Found blankets in small house, someone small was holed up in there." He explained quick and simply. Rick sighed.

"You think it could be Sophia?" He asked.

JJ chimed in, "It's a possibility."

"She's right. The kid's scared. She probably hid and slept there until something scared her out of the place." Daryl finished, shifting his weight continuously from one leg to the other. Rick nodded and looked at the both of them.

"Alright. We'll continue the search tomorrow. Thanks, both of you." He said as he walked away. They both stood there for a few seconds before glancing at the other. She nodded towards him and started walking away under his gaze. He did the same seconds afterwards, walking to his tent.

JJ watched Daryl from far away as he walked to his tent and entered it before turning her back, walking towards the camper. She waved to Dale and entered, her eyes widening at the clean interior of the RV. She caught Carol's gaze and smiled quickly.

"You're back." Carol greeted quietly. "I take it everything went good?"

"Without a hitch." She replied, not entirely sure if she should tell her about what Daryl found. She thought for a second and she quietly pointed to the bathroom. A small chuckle escaped Carol's lips as she nodded. JJ smiled and with her bag, entered the bathroom and closed the door.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she look at herself in the mirror for the second time that day. Man, I need a shower. She thought as reached inside of her bag for the bottle of aspirin, opening it and taking another two aspirin before stopping herself. She pondered on whether or not she should take two of them, seeing as the bottle was nearly empty. She decided against taking both of them and put them back in the bottle, closing it and letting it fall into her back. I'm not gonna have aspirin forever, I need to start stocking up on it. She leaned against the sink, letting her head fall in her hands as she tried keeping her breathing steady. She heard the door to the RV open and it served as a distraction to the oncoming migraine.

She listened as the person walked in front of the bathroom only to stop right where she stood before when she spoke to Carol.

"I cleaned up." She heard Carol say. "Wanted it to be nice for her."

"For a second I thought I was in the wrong place." Daryl.

JJ hated listening to conversations without actually being wanted there. Or in this case, without one person knowing she was there but it must not have bothered Carol much because she didn't say anything. It stayed silent for a while before Carol's quiet voice spoke again.

"A flower."

"It's a Cherokee rose." She heard him say before explaining. "It's a Cherokee Rose. The story is that when American soldiers were moving Indians off their land on the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee mothers were grieving and crying so much 'cause they were losing their little ones along the way from exposure and disease and starvation. A lot of them just disappeared. So the elders, they said a prayer; asked for a sign to uplift the mothers' spirits, give them strength and hope. The next day this rose started to grow where the mothers' tears fell. I'm not fool enough to think there's any flowers blooming for my brother. But I believe this one bloomed for your little girl."

Not realizing until he stopped speaking, JJ wiped one of the tears that had fallen down on her cheek. Why the hell am I crying for? She thought as she laughed to herself, hearing Daryl's steps fade way as he made his way to the door. She waited, dried her tears away and opened the door to the bathroom once he had exited the RV. She turner her head to the right and looked at Carol whom still had tears threatening to fall down as she looked up at JJ with a small smile. JJ opened her mouth to say something only to have Carol nod towards the Cherokee rose. JJ looked at it and smiled as she looked back at Carol whom simply nodded. As if that small exchange had been a discussion, they understood everything that was meant to be said and that without one word. JJ exited the camper minutes later, looking composed and just as she did when she entered it. The noise the door made as it closed attracted everyone's attention but they all went back to what they were doing in a matter of seconds.

Daryl was the only that found himself not being able to tear his eyes away from the camper once she came out. His memory was in shambles over the fact that he did not remember her going in after he came out. He didn't remember her going in at all. It was after she came and took a seat that Daryl grew worried because once she sat, plate in hand, she looked at him. Didn't smile or nod. She simply looked at him then adverted her gaze from his eyes.

It dawned on him then that she had heard everything.

My first chapter of 2013, this is it. I've been working on this non-stop for two days now and man, am I tired. I really do hope you guys liked it because I loved writing this chapter.

Starting at this part, things will slow down and as you read, JJ and Daryl finally have more interaction. Finally, I say, after nine chapter technically. We're getting to the good part I believe. Part (and parts) where I've had ideas written since the beginning of this story so this is pretty exciting for me. Now to answer & respond to reviews, haha :)

FanFicGirl10's question: Is JJ's illness deadly? And the answer is: I can't tell, sorry :( to be honest, I'm still trying to figure it out by myself, kinda...haha.

JoolR: Merci beaucoup pour le commentaire, j'apprécie beaucoup et ça me fais chaud au coeur. Passe de belles fêtes aussi et bonne année! :)

So this is it guys. Happy New Year and I wish all the best to you guys! Lots of love! Good health! Success in everything!

R&R Constructive comments. No bashing, 'cause if you don't like then don't read, as simple as that.

And again, HAPPY NEW YEAR :D