Save me, Save you

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or the characters except my own! The rest is all AMC!

summary: twenty-nine year old Kathryn Smith and her daughter three year old Jasmine have been on their own until they meet the Atlanta group on the highway. both mother and daughter carry with them a scared and frightening past but Kathryn is also carrying with her something more. Enter Daryl Dixon Hunter, tracker, and all around bad ass as well carries a dark past can they both save each other or will someone or something tear them apart?

Authors note: Wow Chapter 10! I mean I should be excited when I get to twenty, but I have to say this has been my longest story that I haven't given up on! It's all thanks to you readers! my special thanks to Carowen and Betagirl09! If it wasn't for ya'll this would never have taken off like it has!

Theme song: Carry On Wayward Son by: Kansas / Your My Best Friend by: Queen

Chapter 10 part 1: Hard Times, Rough Roads, and Surprises

It's been a long cold year and winter was approaching, Kathryn's stomach was now the size of a volleyball.

Lori too was starting to show, Daryl and Maggie had found maternity clothing for both soon to be moms. Kathryn wanted to protest telling them to look out for food and the children.

Daryl said they were, but he also wanted to get something for her as well.

Neither Daryl or Kathryn could believe how long they had been together, Carol had become like a second mother her, to which Carol was more delighted to hear.

That's when Carol made a unofficial "official" adoption of Kathryn along with Hershel.

Jasmine had started calling Hershel grandpa and Glen uncle along with Rick. She also started calling Beth, Maggie, and Lori aunts and Carol grandma. It made everyone smile and spirits sore when they were down.

Memories of Kathryn's dark past where behind her, though the scares remained, she found the group had become her new family she was no longer afraid.

The small caravan made it's way through back roads, usually they slept in cars or out in old ruined brick houses.

Kathryn looked up from her seat beside her "father", Hershel had requested she call him dad and the girls agreed, to see an old plantation looking house.

"Glen honk the horn." She says urgently.

Glen looks back at her concerned "Why? Everything ok?"

"Yeah, but there's a house up on that hill we could be able stay there for the winter." She points out to him.

The young Asian man looks to where she pointed and nods. "You're right, let me get their attention."

Glen honks the horn stopping the caravan, everyone gets out as Rick walked up to Glen.

"Everything ok?" He asks looking at Kathryn in concern as Daryl walked over to her.

"Yeah, Kat just pointed out that plantation up on the hill. It could be worth looking at." He suggest.

Rick looks up at the hill examining it, after having to leave a warehouse because their gun training was too loud, attracting walkers for miles. They hadn't found another safe place as of yet.

Rick nods agreeing with them, the house looked sturdy and untouched, but looks could be deceiving.

"Alright, here is what we do, Daryl, Glen, and T we go scout the place it looks ok on the outside. But we know from experience it won't be. I want you three with me." All three men nod as Rick looks at the rest of the group.

"I want the rest of you to stay in the cars I'll send Daryl back if it's safe, if not then all three of us will hopefully be back." They all nodded Jasmine hugged her father's leg wishing he didn't have to go all the time, but she knew everyone had a job and his was keeping her and her mommy safe.

Daryl hugs his girls kissing them both. "I love ya both, I'll be back promise." That was their new thing to reassure one another that they were coming back.

They nod as they watch him mount his bike, Carol walks up to Kathryn laying a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Come on before you catch a cold." Kathryn nods, watching her man go out once again, her heart in her throat like always.

Dad had warned her time and again that worrying so much would put stress on the baby, but Kathryn couldn't help it if she tried. She knew one of these days she was gonna have a heart attack.

Everyone was on edge as they waited for the men to return, Jass looks up at her mother. "Can you sing a song for us?" She asks.

The adults chuckle at the three year old, Kathryn nods as the thinks of one to bring them to high spirits.

"Just take those old records off the shelf I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself Today's music ain't got the same soul I like that old time rock 'n' roll Don't try to take me to a disco You'll never even get me out on the floor In ten minutes I'll be late for the door I like that old time rock 'n' roll
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll That kind of music just soothes the soul I reminisce about the days of old With that old time rock 'n' roll Won't go to hear 'em play a tango I'd rather hear some blues or funky old soul There's only one sure way to get me to go Start playing old time rock 'n' roll Call me a relic, call me what you will Say I'm old-fashioned, say I'm over the hill Today's music ain't got the same soul I like that old time rock 'n' roll
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll That kind of music just soothes the soul I reminisce about the days of old With that old time rock 'n' roll"

Everyone laughed as they joined in and singing and dancing in their seats, Kathryn playing an air saxophone which made Carol laugh harder.

By the time everyone had stopped laughing Daryl had pulled up saying it was clear.

Once at the plantation house everyone climbed out, Kathryn looked around Jasmine clinging to her mother's leg.

Daryl walks up, a smile on his face, he had found something within the master bedroom and couldn't wait to give it to Kathryn.

By the time everyone was inside Rick wanted everyone down stairs.

There was only one problem, both Lori and Kathryn needed a normal bed, Rick gave in and let Kathryn, Daryl, and Jasmine take the master bed room.

By the next morning everyone was up doing chores or exploring the old house.

Daryl woke seeing his woman asleep on one side and his daughter on the other, this to him felt like heaven.

Getting up quietly without waking the two, he walks over to the dresser in the room.

There stood a jewelry box and Daryl knew this new world you didn't have time for material things but he wanted to do something special, something right. He grabbed what he needs before going down and talking to Hershel.

Kathryn woke up an hour after Daryl, Jasmine woke a few minutes before her.

There seam to be silence but then again she figures everyone was in the kitchen eating.

Getting up she sifts threw the bigger bag, they had picked up for clothes, and found a cheesy shirt that said "Bun in the oven" with a picture of an actual bun being put in an oven.

Shaking her head she figured it was a joke shirt Maggie found and threw it across the room. Like she was going to wear something like that, looking again she found a dark green shirt that was loose at the bottom.

She pulled it, some jeans, a black knitted sweater, and underwear out. She then pulled out alcohol pads that they had taken from restaurants and stores to wash themselves when there wasn't a stream nearby.

She "washed" herself and put her clothes on, looking around she saw a small bottle of perfume.

Now Kathryn wasn't one for frilly things, in her heart she still felt like a tomboy, but she didn't want to smell like alcohol wipes.

Walking over to the dresser, she picked up a bottle and sniffed it. It smelled like Lavender, her grandmother on her mother's side always loved lavender.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, her and her grandmother used to be so close.

She was glad that she wasn't alive now to see what was happening to the world.

Sighing, Kathryn sprits some on her wrists and neck, she then wrapped it in a shirt and put it in her bag so it wouldn't break.

Walking out she heard cans clanking, Lori appeared from the bed room next to the stairs.

"How are you doing this morning?" She asks.

Kathryn shrugs "Ok, I guess just feeling down."

Lori nods as she walks up to the young woman. "It's the mood swings, I understand."

Kathryn nods and gives Lori a small smile, both women walk down the stairs, Lori a step behind to make sure Kathryn doesn't fall.

Jasmine runs up to her mother, a big smile on her face. "Mommy this place has a biiigg library, like this big." The three year old holds her hands out showing how big the library was to her.

"Really? Well after I'm done eating I'll go see it, ok?" Jass nods happily "Ok, Grandma says she's going to read to me!"

Kathryn nods as the little girl runs off. "It's good to see her still smiling, wish Carl would do that more often."

Kathryn looks at Lori as they make it to the last step. "You know he just doesn't want to feel like burden, he wants to help where he can."

Lori sighs and nods. "I know, but it feels like both him and Rick are pulling away from me. It scares me..."

Kathryn hugs Lori. "Hey, everything will work out I promise."

The older woman nods hoping she would be right.

They walked into the kitchen, Daryl looked up at her with a smile on his face as he walks over to her.

"Hey darling, how are you feelin?" Kathryn smiled as she kisses him.

"Better now that I saw you, you seem in a good mood." Daryl chuckles and nods.

"Well I got something to be in a good mood about, look I gotta do somethin with Hershel, Maggie, and Jass. I want ya to stay inside until your dad comes to get you ok?" Kathryn nods wondering what he's up to.

Daryl smiles kissing her passionately and runs out of the kitchen with his crossbow.