A/N - This chapter was so long that I thought I'd save you all some trouble and split it into two parts... it was coming round to 3000 words and it still isn't done. I'm going to try and have the second part up tomorrow so as always I hope you enjoy ^_^

"HELP, ANYBODY HELP" A man's terrified screams rang out into the open air stopping the group dead in their tracks.

Carl shifted his gaze to Rick "Dad come on" he pleaded.

Rick held his stance against Carl's pleading eyes "Come on" he repeated, that was enough to shift the group into action, all running to aid the frantic stranger. The group ran into a small clearing where the screaming man had climbed onto a boulder surrounded by four walkers. "Wait, is that a… priest?" The question left you dumbstruck while Rick, Carol, Michonne, and Daryl dispatched the walkers around him with great ease.

The priest looked down on the group with a curious mixture of gratitude and uncertainty before Rick spoke up "Come on down".

The priest complied to Rock's request and stood before the group who were analysing the strange sight with equal uncertainty. "You ok?" Rick asked.

The shock and timing of everything was enough to make the priest throw up as the group watched awkwardly "Christ on a bike, he looks like a bloody lamb being led to the slaughter" you thought pitifully.

The priest finally came up gasping "Sorry. Yes. Thank you. I'm Gabriel".

"Do you have any weapons on you?" Rick jumped in getting through the formalities and straight into business mode.

"Do I look like I would have any weapons?" Gabriel responded innocently.

"We don't give two short and curlies what it looks like" Abraham testified.

"I have no weapons of any kind, the word of God is the only protection I need".

"Sure didn't look like it" Daryl's gravelly voice sounded off; you gave him a light nudge in the ribs to back off which earned you a distasteful glance back.

Gabriel smiled wide, a nervous smile but one that showed his eagerness to prove his and therefore God's cause "I called for help, help came".

"Uh…" Gabriel looked embarrassed as he contemplated whether to say what was on his mind, "Do you have any food? Whatever I… I had left, it's just hit the ground".

This time it was Carl's turn to come forward "We've got some pecans" he held his hand out offering them.

You came forward next "I have some water; it's been filtered so it's ok to drink".

Gabriel accepted both eagerly, with a gracious "Thank you". It was then that Gabriel noticed Judith "That's a beautiful child.", with that one small sentence meant as a compliment the group went into a silent defensive mode, stern gazes everywhere as Tyreese clung onto Judith tighter.

The silence which encased the group felt like an eternity and soon became unbearable to you "Awkward" you mumbled, this time it was Daryl's turn to nudge you, something that you were glad for.

"Do you have a camp?" Gabriel enquired.

"No. Do you?" Rick was harsh and fast with his reply, ready to lead his group from any wrongdoing or dangerous situation that could arise from the present situation.

"…I have a church."

"Hold your hands above your head." Gabriel complied apprehensively. Rick began manhandling him searching for any concealed weapons whilst he asked his three questions.

"My word, this man hasn't killed any walkers or any people, and all because of God's will… No one can be this spotless, how the bloody hell have you survived this long with no weapons, no one to help you, and your general attitude to life?" your mind queried after hearing his answers.

"You said you had a church." Michonne stated.

You looked around the quiet church amazed that it had remained untouched by all the madness like a shimmering oasis amidst the dunes of a desert. Maggie was sat on the front pew staring up at the large metal crucifix that hung on the wall; you observed her thoughtfully, taking particular interest in her expression, she looked awed, confused, sad, and yet happy all within the same expression, showing the full complexities of human emotion.

"Mind if I take a seat?" you asked waiting for an invitation before sitting next to her. "Thanks" you continued "You looked… well you looked like you needed to talk, everything ok?"

"Yeah… No… I mean… I don't know." Maggie responded dejectedly.

"Want to talk about it?"

Maggie sighed "It's just that I haven't set foot in a church since this all started, and you met my dad… I just wish he was here to see this".

Maggie sat hunched over and you sensed that while she wasn't lying she was still omitting the whole truth "It's about Beth" you realised "You're wondering whether she's still alive"; you kept the thought to yourself careful not to probe too much and instead followed a different route "Well you know, by the whole rules of God and heaven and all that jazz Hershel never left, he's always going to be with you Maggie; watching, guiding, and loving you. So you know if you want to send up a silent prayer or even a loud one, go ahead, no-one's judging you. Then when you're done you have a loving husband who hasn't seen you in a long time and I'm sure you've both got some stories to tell" You gave a comforting rub on her shoulder and got up to leave.

"(Y/N)" you turned around to face Maggie again "Thank you, I needed that".

You gave a small nod in response and walked away in search of something else to do.

"(Y/N)" Tara beckoned you over "I found this phonebook and I think we can use it to find places nearby to scavenge, what do you think?" She looked tense about the suggestion

"Great idea Tara, I'll see who's going with Rick, who's staying here, and from there the remainder of us can go nearby on raids".

At your answer Tara visibly relaxed, clearly glad that she had found friendship among prior enemies.

You waited to approach Rick who was sat talking to Carl, lecturing him about safety and protection. The conversation between you and him was short lived with the decision being made that he, Bob, Sasha, and Gabriel would form the team that went to the location Gabriel spoke about, Daryl and Carol would search for nearby water, Tyreese, Carl and Judith would stay in the church, and you would go with Glenn Maggie, and Tara to search elsewhere for ammunition and anything else useful.

"OK, so there are two towns that are both about 20 minutes from here in opposite directions" Glenn stated as he checked the map against the phonebook.

"Great, then we split up into two groups and check both towns" you added.

"I don't think we should split up again".

"Look around Glenn, we've already split up, Rick's groups already left. Plus, we can cover more ground and get more supplies with two teams".

"(Y/N), we don't know these towns and Gabriel isn't here to provide background information on them, we'd be safer in a larger group" Maggie stated.

"I get your opinion but we're all experienced scouts here, we've done this before, and I think we need to find all we can get; besides what it one town has nothing, we at least need to try".

The three looked at you sceptically "Ok fine, Tara what do you think?" you huffed, annoyed.

"Wha… Uh I think… I think that Maggie and Glenn are right" she answered awkwardly.

"Wait… what if we all get what we want?" You piped up as you thought of another solution.

"You have something in mind?" Glenn questioned.

"Well this place is pretty isolated, no one's been here since the start so it's likely that no one will invade it or anything. The combined power of Tyreese, Carl, Abraham, and Rosita seems a bit much, plus Eugene only needs one bodyguard tops with this kind of security".

"Your point?"

"My point is that either Abraham or Rosita could come with me, then we could search both towns and no one has to worry; what do you think?"

The three looked at each-other like a small counsel communicating only through subtle movements before Glenn finally looked back over and gave one final decisive nod.

"Great, ok, you guys set off and I'll ask Abe, if he says no I'll catch up and meet you on the road".

"You know we can wait" Maggie confirmed.

"No, we've already wasted enough time, we're burning light, go ahead, if I need to I'll catch up".

DARYL POV

Daryl watched you as you approached Abraham with your request; he had deliberately put off going to get the water with Carol till he knew where you were going and who with, eager to see you safe. Carol lingered nearby, she refused to rush him, knowing how important your safety was to him; together they stood by and waited to hear what Abraham had to say similar to the way a court waits for the judges' verdict.

YOUR POV

"Oh come on Abe, at least think about it" you pleaded.

"Nope".

"Why not?" you almost whined.

"Look Tiny Tim, Eugene is the miracle-grow cure and he can't be unguarded for even a second." He motioned to Eugene who was standing stock still next to the church entrance and watching the exchange with his usual stoic expression.

"He won't be unguarded, he'll always have someone and this church is the safest place we've had… At least lend me Rosita".

"No can do".

"Why not?"

"Well let's say that a horde managed to find its way here or some raiders, we'd need all hands on deck".

"Ok first off, the chances of that happening are slim, and secondly what difference is one person going to make in surviving a horde?" you knew the answer to that argument, one person could make a world of difference, especially when that person was someone as well trained as Rosita.

"Sorry sugar but it's a no can do".

"Ugh… fine, I'll go get my pack and meet with Glenn and the others" you trudged into the church unhappy with the outcome.

While inside the church you didn't notice Daryl coming over to meet you until you saw a shadow looming over you.

Without turning around, you started talking "Ok great Abe, you finally come to your senses-" the words died in your mouth as Daryl came around to face you.

"Oh Daryl, sorry about that, hey shouldn't you be out with Carol getting water?".

"We're going. I just wanted to see that you're ok about staying here." Daryl's gravelly voice was steady and low.

"What? Oh no, no, no. You've misunderstood, I'm heading off now to rendezvous with Glenn, Maggie and Tara" you explained.

"(Y/N), they left 15 minutes ago, it'd be stupid to go now, we don't know these roads and I don't want you out there alone."

"Daryl I'll be fine, I can catch up and I'm a big girl believe it or not, so I'll see you when I get back".

You brushed past Daryl ready to leave but were pulled back by his vice-like grip on your wrist.

"Uh, what are you doing?" you asked, slightly annoyed that the conversation wasn't over.

"You're not going".

"So what? You're forbidding me now, is that it?" your tone was mocking.

"Yes" Daryl's answer was sharp and curt, it held none of the mocking of your question.

"Oh my God, you're serious. Daryl you can't forbid me from leaving" the tone of your voice had risen dramatically so it was barely below a shout.

"Look you're staying here and that's final, now I'm leaving with Carol and I'll see you when I get back."

You stood stock still in the middle of the church too shocked to argue or move and Daryl took that as consent to leave freely; you were still stood in the same position for a while after he left, you weren't sure how long it was 5 minutes – 10 perhaps, what you did know was the silent fury that was bubbling up inside you. Finally, the anger became too much and you yelled "HE FORBID ME".

Carl and Tyreese looked over with a fearful gaze and you heard a small guffaw from Abraham outside. "NO. THAT'S IT. I'M GOING" you picked up your hatchet and moved for the exit of the church.

"(Y/N) wait" Carl rushed over "I know you're mad but Daryl has a point, the others left ages ago, you won't catch up to them till they're on their way back" he was now trying to keep pace with you as you headed for the church exit.

"Well that's not going to be a problem Carl because I'm going to the OTHER town. GOODBYE." Before Carl even had a chance to argue you had slammed through the churches' double doors and were on your way to the, hopefully abandoned, town.