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THANK YOU READERS!

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT (in later chapters) & LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of The Walking Dead characters and I'm NOT making any money off of them! I only claim the characters I created for this story (Kim Monroe, Jim & Anna Gibson, & Leslie Peters).

**Please leave reviews.**

It'd taken several days for the group to get all the trucks unloaded and everything separated out. To everyone's surprise, three gas grills had been found at the back end of Jim's trailer. The man had explained to them that sometimes he'd have loads that were combined with others going to different stores in the same area. He'd even pulled out the paperwork, checking over them and had found the grills were to be delivered to the hardware store that they'd stayed at.

Flour, sugar, pasta, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, crackers and cookies were just some of the items that been packed on the pallets. All in all, they would be able to eat good for at least the next year. They'd even lucked out and found a few pallets containing non food items consisting of all different sizes of batteries, hygiene products, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and a large case of aluminum foil. The biggest surprise to them all though had been a pallet with nothing but diapers that Judith would be able to wear as she grew.

Daryl had taken off before sunrise that morning to go hunting and see what game he could scare up for them for meat. Kim had offered to go with him the night before, but he insisted on going alone. It was the one thing he like to do by himself. It gave him time to think, and time away from everyone else. The woman had gathered in the kitchen, planning out a celebration dinner for that night. They had everything they needed now to be able to have a feast. All they needed was the meat.

Rick, Glenn and the other men set up the grills outside in the courtyard, putting them together and then going to gather up firewood. Michonne and Maggie had taken the day watch together up in the tower to give the others a break. The growing group was in high spirits for once, something that was rare.

When Daryl returned with a doe he'd killed, he made quick work of skinning it and separating out the meat. Once done, he took it inside to the women for them to begin preparing it for that evening. Anna took over preparing the venison, her previous skills in the kitchen coming out strong. She'd owned a small restaurant in Savannah and had been taking a much needed vacation by going on the road with her husband when the world turned on them. Carol and Beth both watched as the woman expertly seasoned the meat and prepared it for the grills.

Kim made herself busy with them, making a special recipe that had been passed down through her family. Taking some of the venison, she cut it up into cubes before placing it into a hot pan of oil to cook. Normally she would have used chicken or fish, but, she wasn't going to be picky. To the side, she had rice going and several can's of vegetables pulled out. A small smile formed as she worked, glad to be able to make them all something special.

By the time the sun was starting to set, the meat was on the grill. Daryl had ran off the other guys claiming there cooking skills over a fire lacked. Laughter filled the air around them as they told stories and joked around as they stood watching Daryl. It wasn't until Glenn went over to the last truck that had been unloaded that they quieted down.

"There's a few things that weren't unloaded that, well...we might want for tonight." Climbing up, he pushed the door up as the others came over and their faces lighted up. Bending down and picking up two of the cases of beer that he and Daryl had found, he held them up, "What's a barbeque without beer?"

The men started laughing as Glenn started handing down the cases. The last night the group had stayed at the hardware store, Daryl and Glenn had ventured out that night and found a liquor store around the corner. Clearing out the two walkers inside, they had acquired seventeen cases total of beer along with bottles and boxes of wine and fifteen cases of various hard liquors.

Opening one of the cases of beer, Rick tossed one over to Daryl, "There you go, brother."

Cracking open the can of Budweiser, Daryl took a long drink and then yelled out, "BOOYAH!" Laughing with the others, he pointed towards Glenn, "Best get you a soda, Asian man...remember the last time you drank."

Glenn's smile dropped some and he glared at Daryl, "That's because you kept adding more to mine when I wasn't looking and I didn't know."

Flipping one of the roast that was cooking, Daryl took another drink and called over his shoulder, "Admit it...you just can't drink. Hell, even Carol drank you under the table that night."

Shaking his head and smiling some, he continued to hand down the alcohol, "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

The men began to filter back into the commons area, handing out beers to the women that wanted one and placing the rest onto a table. Rick pulled out a few bottles of wine, popping the cork and then pouring several cups of it for the other women. Taking a cup over to Hershel, Rick set it on the table in front of the man and then took his daughter into his arms, "Thought you might like some to, Hershel."

"Thank you, Rick." Taking a sip, he then watched Rick holding Judith, "Pretty soon she'll be too big to hold like that. She's a strong one."

Gazing at his little girl, Rick nodded and then looked back down at the older man, "Just like Lori was." Getting a nod from him, Rick smiled, "No matter what though, she'll always be my baby girl."

Giving Rick a smile, Hershel nodded and looked over towards Beth, "I agree. My girls...they're still my babies."

Coming out the kitchen, Kim wiped her hands and then headed over to Jim. Giving him a smile as he held up his beer to her, she stood beside him, watching the others. "Jim, that radio in your cab...does it run off batteries?"

Looking down at the woman, Jim nodded and then raised his brow, "It does, but there isn't no radio stations anymore, remember?"

"Yeah...but...it has a CD player and I have a stash of CD's I found. Thought we could use some music tonight," she said and then took a drink of her beer.

Holding up a finger to her, Jim headed outside. Figuring he was going to get it, Kim took off into the cell block, going to her cell and grabbing the box she'd put the CD's in. Taking them back out to the commons area, she waited as he returned with the radio. Once she'd got the new batteries in, she picked out a CD and put it in. Turning up the volume, everyone turned in their direction and quieted down as the familiar sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd began to play.

Big wheels keep on turning

Carry me home to see my kin

Singing songs about the Southland

I miss Alabamy once again

And I think it's a sin, yes

Well I heard mister Young sing about her

Well, I heard ole Neil put her down

Well, I hope Neil Young will remember

A Southern man don't need him around anyhow

Smiling some, Kim raised her beer in the air, "And now we have tunes, y'all!"

Everyone began to laugh once more, some tapping there foot to the music as they talked. Carol and Anna retreated back into the kitchen to check on the food, each with a cup of the wine in hand. Kim hand even started to dance in the spot she stood, swaying to the music and drinking her beer.

Setting his down once more, Jim offered Kim his hand, "Care to cut the rug, Kim?"

Laughing, she nodded, setting hers down onto the table and took his hand. Following him he then turned, pulling her towards him and then doing a little foot shuffle. Rick and Hershel laughed as they watched the older man before placing his hand on Kim's waist while he held her other and moving them with the music. Beth and Glenn soon joined them, both laughing at each others clumsiness.

Coming in carrying the meat from the grill that was done, Daryl called out, "Hell, y'all done started the party without my ass."

"Hey, you wanted to man the grill," Glenn called out and then stepped on Beth's toes causing her to yelp. Blushing, he looked down at her, "Sorry."

Making his way over to the table, he set the plate down and then nodded to Carol as she came back out the kitchen area. Getting a smile from her, he waited as she approached, "The rest will be done shortly."

"Thanks." Looking at the others and seeing their smiling faces, she sighed and wrapped her arms around herself, "This was a good thing. We needed something like this. It feels...normal."

Nodding in agreement, Daryl took another drink of his beer and then crushed the empty can, "Yeah. 'Bout time. Been too long." Moving over to the other table with the beer, he got himself another one and returned to her side. His eyes settled on Kim as she danced with Jim, seeing for the first time a true smile on her face. When Carol nudged him, he looked down at her, seeing her smirk, "What?"

"Why don't you ask her to dance?" she asked quietly so only he could hear.

Crinkling his brow, he took another drink and then groused, "Dixon's don't dance."

Chuckling some at his comment, Carol shrugged her shoulders and looked back at Kim and Jim, "There's always a first time."

Scowling, he shook his head and then looked back at her, "Why don't you go dance, Carol?"

Smiling up at him, she shrugged, "You gonna dance with me?"

Shaking his head in disbelievement, Daryl walked away, heading back towards the door to go check on the rest of the meat and taking Axel with him.

Chuckling to herself, Carol noticed Anna come to her side. Both women watched for a few more minutes before Carol spoke up, "Jim's quite a dancer."

Laughing at her comment, Anna sighed, "Yes he is. Whenever we'd have cookouts he was dancin' with everyone he could. Says it keeps him feelin' young."

"Nothin' wrong with that," Carol smiled and then took a sip of her wine. When Jim twirled Kim, she laughed and then leaned in so Anna could hear her, "Maybe we can have Jim teach these other guys how to dance. They're like wallflowers."

Placing a hand on Carol's arm, Anna snickered, "Sometimes it's best that way. You know...two left feet. That can make the toes hurt."

Two more songs played before Daryl and Axel brought in the rest of the meat. Michonne and Maggie followed in behind them having just come off watch. With it being quiet out, Rick had decided to just lock up the doors and everyone remain inside for the night. They all needed a break from the outside world and he was determined they got it.

The food table quickly filled up with delicious smells from the various food the women had fixed. Bottles of barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and pepper sauce set bedside the meat, separating it from the rest of the meal. Various bowls of vegatables, rice with instant gravy, boxed pasta salad and Kim's special dish took up the rest of the table. Everyone filed in, filling their plates and then going over to where the guys had pushed some table together to form one large one to sit them all.

Once everyone was seated and had their glasses full, Rick stood up, clearing his throat to get their attention. Looking around at the happy expressions, he smiled, "It's been a long time since we've been able to sit down for a meal like this. Too long actually. We've been down a long hard road together, but...we've made it this far. We've made it. Granted, I know we still have a long road ahead of us, but we'll walk it together. Some of you are new...some have been here since the beginning. But, we've stuck together, not let anything bring us down and tear us apart. We've seen loved ones come and go...and even welcomed in new life in the world. This group...no...this family..."

Looking around the table at each and every one of them, Rick sighed, looking down and then back up at them, "This family will survive...we will fight back." Raising his can of beer to them, he smiled, "Now, being Daryl and a few others are giving me an evil look...Let's eat!"

Everyone raised either their cans or cups up to Rick before he sat back down and then conversations began up again. Sporadic laughter filled the room as they ate together, voices raising as stories were shared. Even in the bleakest of times, they had been able to find comfort, companionship, and trust with each other.

Once everyone had gotten their fill, the music came back on and the celebration continued. Jim and Anna took the lead, getting others to start dancing with them. Maggie and Glenn, Rick and Carol, and even Beth and Carl had joined them. Staying close to the radio, Kim made sure the music kept playing, watching the couples as they laughed and danced together. Even Michonne had been talked into a dance by both Oscar and Axel.

Deciding to change things up some, she found a cd she was looking for, knowing the younger people like herself, Maggie, Glenn and Beth would more then likely enjoy. Calling Maggie and Beth over, Kim whispered to them, "Y'all ready to really dance?"

A smile formed on Maggie's lips and she crossed her arms over her chest, "What you got in mind, Kim?"

Smirking, Kim held up a cd, "I think it's time us young people let out some energy." Placing it into the cd player, she followed the girls out to the area that had been cleared for dancing. The music started and everyone's eyes fell on them.

Ha, ha, it's Mr. 305 checkin' in for the remix.

You know that S 75 Street Brazil.

Well, this year gon' be called Calle Ocho.

Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Que ola cata, Que ola omega, And this is how we goin' do it.

Dale, one, two, three, four, Uno, do', tres, cuatro...

The three girls began to dance together, each letting loose there dance moves. All eyes stayed on them, everyone with smiles. Getting up the courage thanks to his forth beer, Glenn went over, joining them and blushed as the three of them put him into the middle of the small circle they formed around him. The others laughed at his awkwardness and shy expressions. Glancing over to see Carol standing by herself with a look like she wanted to join them, Kim waved her over, "C'mon, Carol."

Blushing some, Carol shook her head. It took Kim and Maggie to drag the woman over with them all with smiles riding there faces. Kim and Beth got on either side of Carol, showing her how to move. Once they had her moving with them, they all danced together. Getting bolder with her own moves, Kim dipped down, gyrating her hips before slowly coming back up and catching Carol's surprised expression. Laughing, Kim did it once more and nodded to Carol for her to try. When the older woman blushed and shook her head, Kim laughed, Throwing her arm around Carol's shoulders, "Gotta let loose sometimes, girl."

Sitting on one of the table beside Hershel who sat next to Rick, Daryl's eyes stayed on Kim as she danced. His eyes roamed over her petite five foot two body with eye catching curves. Granted Kim was far from having the body of a super model, but Daryl didn't care. He liked women that had some meat on their bones and didn't eat rabbit food constantly. Her long dark brunette colored hair was down, and it seemed to move like silk with her movements.

His eyes went lower, taking in the dainty black tank top that covered her handful sized breasts. Her tan skin shined with a thin sheen of sweat as she continued to dance as another song started. When she turned, his vision gravitated to the tight faded jeans that covered her firm ass.

Noticing where Daryl's line of sight was, Rick smirked and got up, moving to the other side. Taking a seat on the table beside Daryl, Rick took a drink of his beer and then looked back at the girls, "That Kim sure can move." Pursing his lips as if he was thinking, he felt Daryl's eyes on him, "She's got a nice body too. Never noticed it til now."

Starring at the man, Daryl then looked back out and took a drink before breathing out, "Hadn't noticed."

Sighing and shaking his head, Rick smirked to himself and then glanced at Daryl, "Man, you can't tell me she isn't nice lookin'. I'd think you're blind if ya did."

Taking another drink of his beer, Daryl groused, "I ain't blind...she's...alright I guess...for a girl."

Laughing, Rick saw Hershel chuckling at their conversation. Ever since Kim had arrived at the prison, both men had noticed how Daryl had taken to Kim. How he defended her, took her on runs with him, even looked at her when he thought no one saw him. Finishing off his beer, Rick stood up, adjusting his jeans, "Think I'll go have a dance with her."

Knowing exactly what Rick was doing, Hershel smiled, watching as he went over to Jim and asked him to change the music once the song was over. When a slow song began to play, Rick walked over to Kim, asking to dance with her. Glancing at Daryl, Hershel saw as he tensed up when Rick took Kim into his arms and began to move with her.

Raising a brow, Hershel sat back against the table some, "You know, Daryl...I think you should ask her to dance with you too."

"The hell ya talkin' about, old man?" Daryl asked defensively.

Looking up at him, Hershel kept his voice low, "I've seen how you look at her. She's a pretty woman. I've also seen how she looks at you in the same way, son." Letting Daryl have a few seconds to process what he said, Hershel then raised his cup to his lips, and said, "You'll never know unless you try."

Sitting there a little longer, Daryl got up, leaving his beer on the table and went over to the other table that held the drinks. Grabbing a bottle of Wild Turkey, he twisted the cap off and took a few drinks from the bottle. His eyes went back to Kim and Rick, seeing how they were still dancing and almost whispering to each other. Clenching his jaw, Daryl dropped the bottle back down onto the table and strode over towards them.

"I wanted to thank you. You...you made all this happen. You've made your place in this family," Rick told her just before he felt a heavy hand clap onto his shoulder. Stopping, Rick looked into Daryl's icy cold stare, "Problem, Daryl."

Shifting his weight some, Daryl nodded, "Time to let someone else have a turn, Rick."

Looking back at Kim, Rick smiled and stepped away from her, "Thank you for the dance." Heading back over to the table with a huge smile, he chuckled as he took a seat next to Hershel, "Look's like the plan worked."

Standing there in front of Kim nervously, Daryl shrugged and asked, "Wanna dance?"

Looking up at the man, Kim nodded silently and moved closer to him. When he took her hand and pulled her a little closer, she dropped her eyes to his chest, "I was wonderin' if'n you were gonna join us out here."

Biting the inside of his bottom lip some, Daryl shrugged some, "I was busy."

Smirking at his answer, Kim lifted her sights back up to him, looking into his blue eyes, "Really? And here I thought people could dance and drink at the same time." Seeing his scowl, she snickered, "Ease up, Dixon. I'm just joking around."

Daryl's head was reeling, Dixon's don't dance, echoed though his mind as they kept moving together. But he was dancing with her now and glancing in Rick's direction to see the man raise a beer to him, he huffed, "What did you and Rick talk about?"

"Nothing really. He did thank me though...told me I'd made a place here," she said softly. Looking back up at him, she bite her lip and then lowered her eyes back to his chest, "I'm glad I did stay."

"Told ya they're good people. Just had to give'em a chance to get to know ya, that's all," he replied taking notice of how she seemed to move closer to him. Stiffening some, his eyes darted around the room, but noticed the others were not paying any attention to them. When she lifted her hazel eyes back to him, he starred down at her for a moment, "What?"

Shrugging a shoulder, she whispered softly, "If this is making you uncomfortable we can go get a drink."

The music stopped as Jim changed out cd's and he let her go, shoving his hands into the pocket of his jeans. Nodding towards the table, they walked over to it and he retrieved the bottle of Wild Turkey he'd already opened. Taking a drink from the bottle, he noticed her look and offered it to her, "Wanna hit?"

"Yeah." Taking it from his hand, she took a long drink and handed it back to him. Swallowing hard and seeing his smirk at her reaction, she then breathed out, "Been awhile."

Swallowing down another gulp of the amber liquid, Daryl then pointed over at Glenn, yelling out at him, "Glenn!" Getting his attention, Daryl held the bottle up and smiled, "Need to git your red face on."

Smiling, Kim watched as the Asian man went back to dancing with the others. In the time she'd been there, she'd slowly began to learn more about each person, especially Daryl. She didn't know why, but their was something about him that she liked and she couldn't understand it. Tim had been total opposite of Daryl and what Kim was used to. She'd been attracted to Tim for the way he'd made her laugh. He didn't hunt, he wasn't into sports, he preferred shorts to jeans and he never let his facial hair grow past the morning stubble before he shaved. He was also quiet but in a different way then Daryl. Tim kept a soft voice at all times, even when he was mad.

Snapping herself out of her thoughts when he nudged her to take another drink, she smiled shyly and took the bottle. Swallowing hard as it burned down her throat, she wiped her mouth, "Too bad you couldn't find any Yeager." Pulling a smoke from her pocket, she lit it and then drank again. The more she took, the less it burned. When she finally handed him back the bottle, she smiled, "Hope Carol and Hershel know where the aspirin is in the morning. I got a feeling a lot of us will be hung over."

"Yeah, probably. But who cares. The important thing is we're having fun for once," he said, his voice soft and causing her to looked up at him.

He gave her a small rare smile and Kim returned it. Nudging his arm, she took the bottle from him, "C'mon...best not let them have fun without us."

The night had turned out better then anyone could have imagined. The groups bonds growing as the night went on. None of them could remember when they had been able to have as much fun as they were now and they all hoped they'd be able to keep it within there grasp. They were a family and family stuck together trying to make it better for them all.

*Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd 1974

*I Know You Want Me (Cale Ocho) by Pitbull 2009