Chapter Ten

I felt a little uneasy after what Shane had been saying, I knew what he was trying to insinuate, but I didn't like it- it appeared as though Rick didn't either. There was an awkward tension between us as we reached the old, now empty, stable. I sat down on one of the remaining hay bales. I was taken by surprise when Rick sat next to me.

"You've been distant," he said flatly.

I shrugged, "it's not my place to involve myself in everyone's business."

"You're just as much a part of this group as everyone else, Ashlyn. You know that, I know that, we all know that…" His voice was soft, "You put on this act, like your some loner, some tough girl who doesn't need anyone else. I know because Daryl does the same thing."

"What is this really about Rick?" I said, becoming a little more uneasy. If he could read me like a book, who else could?

He looked at me, but I avoided all eye contact, "Shane. It's always about Shane…"

"If you want my opinion… He's dangerous to the group. To Lori, to Carl, to the baby…." I tried putting things in his perspective the best I could, "He-"

Rick cut me off quickly, "He's dangerous to you, Ash."

"Don't mind me, I'll be fine," I said brushing off his concern. Rick shifted, kneeling in front of me now, his hands on my knees, as he stared into my eyes.

"Just listen to me," his voice was almost pleading, "you need to stop thinking like that… Shane attacked you in the woods that day, now I know you've kept your distance from everyone but it's not necessary… I know he's dangerous, believe me, today he proved that again-"

I cut him off this time, "what happened out there?"

Rick hung his head, sighing; he slowly took his hands off of me and stood up. He turned around to look outside in the distance. "He went after me, he wanted me dead.. He thinks he can take Lori and Carl from me… And it's my fault he went after you like that."

"What do you mean, Rick?" I spoke softly, standing up.

"I was going to tell you that day, I was going to warn you that he's unstable. He and Lori… They, uh… She thought I was dead, and he… uh.." Rick struggled with his words, but I could easily see what he was getting at.

"It's okay…You don't have to say it. Rick," I put a hand on his shoulder in an effort to comfort him. Something in me knew that I was the only person he'd confided in other than Lori, and I knew he could never tell her everything. Especially not if she had any sort of relationship with Shane.

He turned around, looking at me, his blue eyes holding worry and uncertainty, "I can't trust anyone anymore… My wife and my best friend, they are the ones who are supposed to support me. But Lori, she still looks at him a certain way and Shane… He wanted to leave me for dead, so what am I supposed to do?!"

Rick hadn't noticed his voice raising, he also hadn't realized the way he grabbed me by the shoulders, when he did his gaze softened, "I'm so sorry Ash, this wasn't how this talk was supposed to go-"

"Stop, Rick, you're fine, everyone has their breaking point," I said looking down.

His grip loosened but his hands remained on my shoulders, there was now a tension between us, "Shane needs to leave.'

"I know, Rick, but he'll never go for that…" I let out a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood, "And here I was all ready to pack up and leave…"

"What?" Rick said, shortly, "You can't leave. I ne- the group needs you… You're the only person I can trust with this stuff…" He stared into my eyes, as though he was looking into my soul. I admired him greatly for his leadership and good conscious. At the same time I had no idea why it was me that he looked to for counsel.

After a moment Rick cleared his throat and backed off, changing the subject, "so what was Shane talking about to you?"

I kicked at the dirt with the tip of my boot, "I'm not really sure… If he was anyone else I'd say he was coming onto me, but knowing him… Anyway, he uh… Started insinuating that you and I were sneaking around or something…"

"I figured as much…." Rick sighed, "Just keep your distance from him. He's unpredictable now more than ever. If he tries anything, tell me. I'll talk to Daryl, you should keep close around him- if I can't protect you we both know he will…"

"Rick, don't worry about me," I assured him again, "my daddy always told me to mind nothin' but what's yours."

"I am, Ashlyn, you are part of this group now, nothing will change that… I'll handle the Shane situation, and the Randall situation… Could you tell Daryl to come find me in the morning? I'm going to have him talk to Randall, maybe intimidation is our best bet right now… Also, I want you to stay with Daryl tonight. Shane's caused enough trouble and I know he won't bother you if you're with someone else," Rick's voice was more collected now as he walked me out of the stable.

"Yeah, sure," I said looking down, unsure what else to say, "I'll let Daryl know."

"Ash," he sighed, putting a hand on my shoulder, "you're worth more than you give yourself credit for."

I was quiet for a moment, and just nodded, looking at him; he took a bit of my hair in his fingers and began to play with it, peaking my curiosity. He let out a sigh, causing me to look into his eyes. I quietly whispered, "Rick?"

"Nothin'… Just be careful out there, and don't run off… You belong here, Ashlyn," his words were soft, nearly a whisper. He suddenly broke away, realizing the peculiarity of his actions. "You, uh, you should get some rest… I'll check on Shane tonight, make sure he's minding his own…."

I smiled to the man, he'd been under more stress than anyone should be and I felt sympathy for him, "don't worry Rick, everything will be fine. If anyone can clean up this mess, it's you."

As I walked away, I heard him mumble, mostly to himself, "if only everyone had that much faith in me."

Walking to Daryl's camp I felt eyes on me, glancing over my shoulder I noticed Rick watching me walk away. I then looked to the group camp, where Shane was sitting by the fire, also watching me. Finally, looking towards Daryl's site I noticed him staring Shane's direction until his gaze abruptly turned to me. Once I reached his site I sat down across from him, Daryl crossed his arms still looking at me, "what was all that about?"

"Rick wants you to come find him in the mornin' so you can talk to that hostage a bit, or something," I said nonchalantly.

"So why couldn't he tell me himself? Why drag you into it?" Daryl's voice held suspicion.

"He wasn't, we were just talking," I said narrowing my eyes.

He scoffed, "first Shane's tryin' to get his hand on ya' by the well and Rick steps in leading you somewhere private… Then you two disappear for a while, come out and he's all close to you, hands on you, ya' know what that looks like?"

I stood up, insulted, "well, it's not… I'm no home wrecker if that's what you're getting at. "

"I know that, but the more you get involved with Rick the more Shane has it out for you. What were ya'll talking about anyway?" He prodded, pressing the issue. It wasn't something he normally did, thus taking me off guard.

"It's nothing, Shane just said some inappropriate things, Rick came down and started warning me about Shane being dangerous… It's not your business," I spoke defensively.

Daryl stood up as well now, "It sure as hell is my business. YOU are my business, Ashlyn, and I don't like the way Shane looks at you or the way Rick's putting you in the middle of everything. This is just a load a bullshit and you know it… You're not safe with Shane around."

I looked down, kicking the dirt nervously, my voice became weak and shaky but I mustered out an "I know…" After a moment I pulled myself together again, "And that's why Rick sent me to you. He said if he can't protect me, you will."

"Of course I will," Daryl's voice softened, "come here…"

He took me in his arms, as I felt myself fall apart. I held back tears for as long as I could but a few sobs made their way out. Too often did I try to be stronger than I really was, and I had my breaking point just like everyone else, Daryl spoke again softer than before, "You can bet your ass that no one will hurt you again so long as I'm around, little girl… That's a promise."

Author's Note:

So, this was kind of a touchy-feely chapter I guess. Not sure how much I actually like it but I needed to tie up some ends before the next chapter. The next chapter is going to be a transitional chapter into the next "season" and it might run a little longer than the previous chapter or maybe a bit shorter depending on how I'm feeling. Either way, change is coming, we all know what happened in the show, but what will happen with Ashlyn?