Hey guys! I'm sorry it's been so long since I have posted, I went on vacation for a week and had absolutely no time for writing. This chapter is a little longer than the rest so I hope it makes up for it. And just a warning for next month, I am going to be really busy with color guard that I won't have much time for writing. So chapters may not be put up as soon as I like but I guess slow and steady wins the race, right?

BTW, I saw the season 4 trailer for The Walking Dead, and it is getting me so excited! I'm a huge Caryl fan so I'm hoping next season we'll get some action haha. I'm intent on watching it once a night until I can recite every word said in the trailer. Haha I'm such a dork.

Anyway, enough babbling from me, Here you go.

"All we know is distance, we're close and then we run. Kiss away the difference. I know you hate this one but this is where the story ends, or have we just begun, to kiss away the difference?" -Where the Story Ends by The Fray

Hallie sat down in the last empty chair at the table. Everyone had hunger in their eyes as they looked at the assortment of food on the table. It wasn't much, but Hallie placed as much food as they could spare on the table for dinner. She glanced at the people sitting around her, Leo was to her right and Kara on the other side. Noah sat beside Kara with Sawyer on Leo's right. "Shall we say grace?" Sawyer asked, taking Kara's hand and holding his other out for Leo. Hallie glanced over to Leo who nodded. They all linked hands and bowed their heads. Once Sawyer finished they all began to gorge themselves with the food.
"There's a bedroom, first door on the right, "Leo began, after swallowing a bite, "Y'all can take that one, and someone else can sleep on the couch." He looked over to Hallie, "We'll share the other."
She could of sworn she saw Kara smirking. Great, what comment would she say to her later? Probably something about 'now was her chance' or 'time to get friendly with him.'
Through the window, the rain was pouring hard and everyone in a while thunder would follow the bright strike of lightning. The others were lucky the let them in the house tonight.

"What about guard? Sawyer gulped down a bite.

Leo arched an eyebrow, "Hmm?"

Sawyer and Kara both exchanged an amused glance.

"You know, watching for, what you call walkers. Making sure they don't get through the fence," Kara spoke, the amusement in her eyes reaching her accented voice.

"The fence is secured, we made sure of it," Hallie assured.

"Well I think we'd all sleep better if someone was on guard," Kara asserted, placing a gentle hand on Noah's back.

"Feel free to do so, but me and Hallie are sleeping tonight," Leo said, effectively ending the conversation. Sawyer and Kara shared one last glance and resumed to eating.

Eventually everyone got up from the table and Hallie busied herself with cleaning up. Kara picked up a plate and threw it in the trash bag.

"Are you two going to sleep in the same bed?" She asked with a slight grin on her face.
Hallie scoffed, "He'll be sleeping on the floor."
She gasped dramatically and placed her hand to her mouth, "You mean your not jumping at the opportunity to share a bed with Leo?"
"No, I'm saying he has some southern hospitality and he's not gonna make me take the floor," Hallie replied as she placed the leftover food back in the pantry.
"Well if I were you I'd pull the old 'I'm cold' trick and make him snuggle up with me," Kara laughed.
Hallie was beginning to get irritated by her. She didn't want their relationship to change, no matter what she was feeling for him. Hallie trusted him but she didn't want to let her guard down. If they took their friendship further and it went south, Hallie would be on her own. She would be back to how she was before the outbreak, alone and fighting for herself. That was the last thing she needed right now.
"If you want him, you could take you know," Hallie countered back.
Kara scoffed, "Please, he's too young for me."
"How do you know how old he is?" Hallie didn't even know how old he was. Of course he was in college but she didn't know his exact age, how the hell would Kara know?
"Sawyer told me," She replied simply. "We weren't the only ones talking while scavenging for dinner."
Hallie sighed, she would never get Kara of her back about this. And it seemed like the new group would be staying longer than the two days they were originally invited for.
"Anyway, I don't think we properly told you how thankful we were you let us stay here. We'll figure out a way to repay you," Kara said.
"Maybe you could stop pestering me about Leo," Hallie muttered.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up," She chuckled and left Hallie to join Sawyer in their bedroom. She continued cleaning the kitchen, enjoying the quiet. She wasn't sure where Leo was but tried not to think about him. Hallie didn't like how it was so hard to ignore Kara's remarks of them two. It should be the last thing on her mind to get together with him. But it wasn't, the thoughts were pushing their way up to the top of her mind, and she hated herself for it.
She held an empty cup and was just about to drop it in the trash when a voice spoke behind her, "You look kinda mad."
Speak of the devil. Hallie didn't bother turning around. Her hands had stopped working, like they had been frozen and wouldn't thaw. She felt his cool breath tickle her neck and was tempted to move closer to him.
"No," she drawled sarcastically. She forced herself to take a step forward, but only managed to budge an inch.
"Tell me," Leo coaxed, leaning around her to take the cup from her stiff hands and throw it in the trash.
What would she say to him? That Kara suggested that they hook up? Not likely, but sooner or later he would hear it from Sawyer. And that wouldn't go to well. Maybe she should talk to him, see what he thinks about it. Hallie couldn't deny the fact that she was dying to know what Leo thought about her. Obviously she wouldn't come right out and ask that, no need to create an awkwardness that should never exist between them. But confessing here was the absolute wrong place to do it, Hallie could almost hear Kara snickering in the hallway. "Later," She whispered, and finally turned to face him. Leo made a face of confusion, but laughed it off. Hallie joined in and instantly became more relaxed. This kind of moment is what she didn't want to ever disappear. The way he could lighten the mood with practically a snap of his fingers. He half-smiled and stood up straight, beginning to walk away.
"I'll be in our room."
"So now it's ours?" She called after him. He stopped walking and looked back.
"We are sharin' it tonight, so yeah. Ours," Leo answered before smiling again. Hallie scoffed playfully and returned to the kitchen.
When she entered the room Leo was making a palate of blankets beside the bed. She was right, he wasn't gonna take the bed.
"I was just makin' your bed," He joked, referring to the blankets. She chuckled and jumped on the bed. Hallie landed on her back and instantly felt like she could fall asleep right then.
"I think your too much of a gentleman to make me sleep on the floor," She said and flipped onto her stomach. Hallie maneuvered toward the side of the bed closest to Leo. He propped himself on the bed resting his head on his elbows while his knees were still on the floor.
"I guess your right," he agreed, "Is it later yet?"
Hallie sighed, she guessed it was time to confess to him.
"It's just Kara bein' nosy."
"I figured she had somethin' to do with it. Didn't know there was anythin' to be nosy about though," He grumbled. She sat up and crossed her legs. "She thinks we should be together." Hallie searched his face for any signs of, well anything. Nothing showed. Leo got off his knees and joined her on the bed.
"What do you think?" The curiosity in his voice reached his blue eyes.
Hallie smiled half-heartedly. "I was gonna ask you the same thing."
The corners of his mouth barley tugged up as his blue gaze penetrated through hers. Without breaking eye contact he reached over and gently grabbed her hands and laced his fingers through hers. Leo slowly leaned closer and paused when they were only a few inches away. He brought his eyes up to search for any expression on her face. Unintentionally, Hallie closed the gap between them. His lips brushed against hers creating a feeling in her, she hadn't felt in a very long time. A feeling she had missed more than she'd known. She felt his hands ever so slightly, tighten around hers. Their lips separated for less then a second, only for Leo to press his against hers again just a little bit harder. Unwillingly, Hallie broke the kiss.
"Leo," she moaned, his name rolling off her tongue too easily. "I can't." Instead of pulling back he stayed right where he was. Still just inches away. Her heart was pounding erratically, she was surprised he didn't make a remark about it. Hallie wanted nothing more than to kiss him again. She longed to feel his warm, comforting lips meet hers once more, but she couldn't. She didn't want to mess up what they had.
"There's someone else isn't there?" He whispered, a slight smile forming. Leo started to lean in again but Hallie broke one of her hands free from his light grip and placed it on his chest. He stopped and looked up at her with the slightest bit of hurt in his eyes.
"Stop," She murmured.
Leo brought his face back to fully look at her. "Why?" He breathed. Hallie dropped her hand from his chest and avoided his eyes.
"If this went...further and...didn't go well, I-I don't wanna lose you," She stuttered out. She looked down at her hand that was still laced in with his.
"You ain't losin' me," Leo barked out a laugh, so sudden that Hallie jumped. "You couldn't lose me even if ya wanted to."

"I doubt that," Hallie retorted.

He looked confused and hurt, "Why would you think that?"

She shook her head, "Forget it."

Leo scoffed and dropped her hand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." He quickly got off the bed and began to lay down on his pile of blankets. "Won't happen again," He mumbled. "Night," Leo barked out, his tone cutting. She heard him pull the blankets over him, settling in for sleep. Hallie quickly climbed under the covers, on the side of the bed furthest away from Leo.

"Good night, Leo," her voice escaping in a whisper. She knew he hadn't heard her when he didn't reply with a remark. Or maybe he had heard but was giving her the cold shoulder. She closed her eyes, hoping to forget about everything that had just happened. Her hopes were wasted, the previous moments kept coming back. Of course he was mad, Hallie basically blew him off. But his reaction was exactly what she was afraid would happen. If he continued to be mad, it would be a matter of days before he was gone. Maybe even a day until he picked up his stuff and headed for a new place with new people. The last thing Hallie needed was for him to leave her right now. But Hallie had to admit, she loved the feeling of his lips against her own. She didn't have many to compare him with, and even though there kiss had been short, he was far better than the others. But it was wrong, very wrong. Sure she didn't want to stop, and Kara would be thrilled to know they did it, but Hallie didn't want to lose their partnership. And that's exactly what would happen if she would have kept kissing him.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Hallie woke up to an empty room with the sunlight beaming on her. She groaned when the memories of last night came back to her. She hoped he wouldn't still be too angry with her. Hallie would need to speak with him about it, sort out everything. She didn't exactly give him a reasonable answer for why she pushed him away. She heavily sighed and began to put on fresh clothes. She put her gun carefully in her back pocket, with her knife in the front. After leaving their bedroom, she entered the kitchen to see Sawyer cleaning his gun. Noah was watching intently while trying to do the same. Sawyer was quietly chatting with him, probably instructing the boy on how to clean it. He looked up at her and nodded a greeting. "Mornin'"

"Morning. Where's Leo?" Hallie asked.

"Outside with Kara," He paused to pick up a part of his rifle that had fallen to the floor. "Makin' breakfast." A slight smirk reached his lips. That defiantly wasn't good news. Who knows what she had pried out of Leo about last night. Even though she seemed quiet at first glance, Kara had quite the mouth on her. It wouldn't take long until she got him to confess. Hopefully he knew how to keep his mouth shut and the events of last night were still a secret.

"Did he say anything to you?" She gulped, afraid of his answer and scared that Sawyer would get too suspicious.

He shook his head, "Didn't talk much. Seemed too preoccupied by something to say anything. Kara's probably talkin' his ear off right 'bout now," He chuckled.

"Thanks, I'll find him," Replied Hallie. She briskly walked toward the front door. Once out of the house, it didn't take long for Hallie to spot them poking at the fire. She took a deep breath in and began to make her way toward them. She stopped a few feet away from the flames. Kara, who had been conversing with Leo, looked up and a small smile was brought to her lips. Leo barely acknowledged her arrival and continued to check the food set over the blaze.
"I'll take over," Hallie addressed to Kara, politely returning her smile. Her small grin evolved into knowing smirk and she stood up from her kneeling position.
"Good, I'll help Sawyer with the guns," She began to advance to the house, stopping just as she was about to pass Hallie. "He's not much for talking today," Kara whispered in her ear.
Great, he was still upset about last night. Not that she could blame him. She waited until Kara was out of ear shot before moving to Leo's side. She kneeled down beside him, but not close enough to overwhelm herself with his pleasant smell. "Hey," Hallie nervously greeted, pulling up a piece of grass that had sprouted from the ground. Leo's eyes flicked her way and he nodded his head was once. "I'm guessing the others are stayin' for good. They're making themselves feel at home already," She noted, hoping that would start him talking.

"Probably," Leo curtly answered, prodding at the meat in the fryer. She sighed and threw the grass she had collected to the ground. Small talk obviously wasn't working, Hallie would have to get right to the point.

"We gotta talk," She stated, watching him intently.

Leo finally turned his head to sweep his eyes across her face, "'Bout what?"

Hallie scoffed and rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Don't give me that," She shot back.

"What do want me to say Hallie?" He huffed, quickly standing up. She followed in suit, standing up beside Leo.

"I want you to tell me what I did that made you so upset." It was stupid for her to say that. Of course she knew why he was angry, but Hallie wanted him to say it out loud.

He stepped forward, glaring down at her, "Your really askin' me that?" He sighed heavily and clenched his jaw. Leo broke his stare on her and took a step back. "You know maybe you should answer my question before I tell you what you want," Leo spat back.

Hallie recalled his only question left unanswered from last night. The one that she was afraid to answer, the one she blew off and made him so upset with her.

"Why?" She squeaked, "Why would I think that?" Hallie took in a deep breath, realizing this conversation is what she came out here for. "I don't want this to change. I don't want us to change."

"Maybe change is good," Leo suggested, his eyes slightly softer than the glare he once held on her.

"Every time something changed, I ended up alone. And right now, being alone is what gets you killed," She confessed, crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes looked to the ground, staring at nothing in particular. Leo sighed, finally losing all sense of hostility.

"Maybe," He paused, seeming to be in search for words. "I think you should forget about what happened before the world ended. Everything's different now, I ain't running away if something goes wrong." A reassuring smile reached his lips and he held out his hand, silently asking for hers. The corners of Hallie's mouth were brought up in a grin and she placed her hand carefully in his.

She knew he was right, and somehow he never seemed to be wrong. It was best for her to just let go of all the things she kept hold of. Nothing that happened before the dead ruled the world mattered anymore. Everything is different now, and the only thing Hallie needs to worry about now is surviving with Leo and the others.

Just as Hallie opened her mouth to reply, a loud scream was emitted beyond the fence and from the woods. She jumped at the sudden noise and Leo was already clutching his gun that he had removed from his back pocket.

Her eyes had widened in fear as she glanced back to Leo, "Who was that?" Hallie asked, her voice barely a murmur. He only shook his head in confusion. Kara, Sawyer, and Noah emerged from the house all with the same look if horror and confusion on their faces.

"Was that y'all?" Sawyer barked out. He held his gun while Kara and Noah each held their own.

"No, it came from the woods," Hallie answered, reaching for her pistol.

"Let's go," Leo said, cocking his gun.

Sawyer briskly nodded. "Kara, you take Noah and get in the house. Watch for them," He instructed. Kara did as she was told and quickly led the boy back to the house.

The three didn't waste any more time and began to run into the direction the scream came from. They hopped the fence just as a much louder and closer shriek was permitted from the woods. Leo began to lead, searching for any traces of trouble. Hallie cocked her gun and pushed the safety off, preparing herself for any danger that may overwhelm them. Leo peered through a bush and abruptly knelt down in the position Hallie immediately recognized. "Walkers," he whispered as he waved his hand for the other two to look through the bush. Hallie carefully pushed back a few leaves and saw a raggedy tent that was pitched under a tree with a campfire blazing just a few feet away. Two bodies were lying on the ground with four walkers feeding on them. The screams they heard were of the people that had just been attacked by walkers.

"We can take these few out our knives," Leo noted, pulling out his blade. They both nodded in agreement and readied themselves.

Leo stepped out from the cover of the bushes first, which caused all four decayed heads to look up from their meal. The closest male stumbled its way toward him and Leo quickly ended it with his knife. Sawyer took care of a scrawny female feeding on the other body while Hallie focused on the forthcoming male. She waited until it was only a foot away before she drove her knife into the top of his skull. She pulled out her blade just as the dead walker dropped to ground. She turned around to Leo, who was on the ground stabbing the last walker.

"They never saw it coming," Sawyer said, standing beside her.

"No, they didn't. Check the tent," Leo addressed to Sawyer.

"Maybe we should be assigning watches. These walkers are really close to the fences. If we're not careful, this could be us," Hallie sighed, placing her hands on her hips.

He nodded, "We'll figure it out first thing."

"The world may have ended, but its just the beginning," Sawyer muttered, carrying two more guns. He was right, it was the beginning of everything. It was the start of the dreaded walkers but it also the beginning of Hallie and Leo.