Life has not been kind this past week. So sorry that this chapter is literally up a week late but things happened and I just did not have the time to sit down and type it out. I won't go into detail about it since it's a shit ton of just crap, but know that I am not abandoning this story, I refuse to!

Another reminder, week of May 29th to the week of June 12th, I will be offline because I have family in town, so updates will either be non-existent or scarce.

New followers/favorites: Mel2121 and Ms. Culture, thank you for your support!

Reviews:

UmiNight Angel Neko: I wanted her to be that person that could hold her end in an argument, against whoever, yet not be the type to just want to argue. I wanted her argument to be something worth while, to be the voice of reason in the group, cause god knows, that group needs that from time to time! lol

Frankie: lol Carol is beginning to annoy everyone but it's gotta happen unfortunately, for the story to go where I want it to, I'm afraid a lot is going to annoy you sooner or later lmao

Dark Rose Charm: Carol is slowly turning on Ana, no doubt thanks to Lori but it unfortunately has to happen for the story to go where I want it to lol like I said above, sooner or later, shit is going to piss you off in my story lmao you have been warned! Enjoy~

Disclaimer: I do not own the AMC's The Walking Dead or it's characters, just Ana~!


Ana's POV...

The day that followed was uneventful. Rick had kept his distance from me after my little outburst, no doubt reading between the lines that I was upset with his decision. I would never openly argue the man's position as leader but there were certain things that would never sit right with me, the inmates being one of them.

Sure I understood where he was coming from. You couldn't trust people in this day and age, but I knew these guys, knew they were not a danger to us or the group. I tried to get Rick to see that but as words were exchanged and one thing led to another, I knew it best I just walk away and let the man figure it out for himself.

I couldn't save everyone, could I?

Just the day after our little argument out in the yard, Daryl had found me sulking, as he put it, in my cell as I silently sharpened my machetes against the frame of the bunk bed.

"Figure ya be here." His voice split through the silence I had been accustomed to as my eyes shot up from my blade to the man leaning against the cell door of my cell.

"What's up?" I muttered, not wanting to start anything with Daryl as I knew his stand with the inmates. He hated them and I knew he was upset about my comments to let them stay, so I decided to keep calm, let him speak.

"Just checkin' in on ya after yer little pissy rant out there." Daryl answered as he glanced outside the cell before slipping in, my makeshift sheet/curtain slipping behind him, blocking us both from prying eyes.

"It wasn't a fuckin' pissy rant, was just callin' shit the way I see it. Everyone's welcome to their own damn opinions, I said mine." I shrugged, attempting to keep my annoyance on the down low as I used a dirty rag to wipe at my blade, pleased with its sharpness.

"Ya think they should stay, be allowed to join our group?" Daryl carefully asked, his voice taking on a defensive tone as he leaned against the single table in my cell, his eyes boring down into mine.

"I didn't say shit about that, just don't sit right with me tossin' them out for what could be small meander crimes like stealin' a fuckin' toothbrush." My arms dropped beside me, my eyes lighting up as I stared up at him from the bottom bunk, challenging him now.

"If we fuckin' judged everyone we come across based on looks, I'd be one of those walkers out there." I pointed out of the cell annoyed as Daryls eyes went from hardened to soft in a millisecond.

"Wouldn't have let them kick ya out and if they did, would have followed ya." Daryl's next words caught me off guard as I gazed up at him from the bottom bunk, trying to get a read on the man who was anything but readable.

"And tell me, why would ya have followed me? Followed a girl ya barely knew, leaving a group of people that ya knew, yer brother?" I didn't enjoy arguing with the man and so I tried to avert the conversation in a different direction, one I was glad he fell into.

"Cause out of that fuckin' group, yer the only one with a solid head on yer shoulders. If it was just me and them, I'd be fuckin' gone by now. Driving me bat crazy as is." He grumbled out, causing me to snort and shake my head, inwardly knowing he'd have no problem following this group without me around. He'd be fine, I knew.

"Looks whose goin' on a fuckin' pissy rant now..." I slowly began to smirk as his eyes snapped back down to mine, that hardened look in them glaring back at me before it slowly began to soften.

"Fuckin' hell woman..." He hissed, running his hand through his messy hair before pushing himself off the table.

"Rick wants ta start handin' out watch duties, we're up tonight." Daryl headed for the entrance to my cell before stopping as I slid off the bottom bunk, staring at the back of his head confused as to why he stopped.

"Dress warm." Was all he said as he slipped past the sheet and out of the sight.

I wanted to stand there, over analyze what he had just said, like I found myself doing numerous times before a commotion downstairs began to escalate.

"ANA!" It was Carl's voice that shouted up for me as I wasted no time in grabbing my newly sharpened machetes and hightailing it out of the cell, taking the stairs 3 at the time, almost completely face planting at the bottom before sprinting towards the cell everyone was now congregating around.

Hershel's cell.


Author's POV...

Ana could feel her blood freeze over as she overheard Maggie and Beth begging Hershel just beyond the sheet that Rick and Glenn were packed in. Had she not made it in time? Had the infection spread before she could save him? Had he turned? Was it her fault?

She didn't waste anytime guilt tripping herself any further as she dropped her machetes with a clang before pushing impatiently past everyone to get into the cell.

"Ana, stop..." Rick reached out for her as she growled out at him, ripping her arm free of his grasp before slipping into the cell where Carol was leaning over Hershel's convulsing body.

Ana's eyes widened as she watched Carol attempt to do anything to help the man who was having a seizure of all things, while his daughters watched helplessly from the sidelines. Within seconds, Ana was marching towards Hershel's side, attempting to pull Carol out of the way only for the woman to lash out and turn to her angrily.

"Ana, stop!" Carol yelled as Ana set her eyes on the woman, wanting nothing more than to plant her on the floor.

"Carol, I'm sorry but get the hell out of my way before we lose him. Yer not doin' shit for him!" Ana spat in Carol's face, watching as the woman's eyes widened and glossed over before she slowly gave way for her. Ana had no time to apologize for her words or to make sure she was alright, she climbed on the bed beside Hershel's chained body, attempting to turn him on his side only for the handcuffs to stop her.

"Rick, where's the fuckin' keys?!" Ana screeched, waving her hand over her shoulder for the man to hand her the keys as she began to do a one-handed check on Hershel's vitals.

The keys weren't handed to her like she had thought, a body was suddenly in front of her, uncuffing the man while she slid back, making room to flip the man on his sides.

Carol tried to offer a bottle of water while Lori was in the works of handing over a folded blanket, both of which Ana slapped away or pushed to the ground.

"Keep shit away from him." Ana breathed out as she held him on his side, her eyes panicking as she took in his paling face.

"We're just trying to help!" Lori snapped as Ana ignored her, reaching to touch the man's face to feel his clammy skin. He was feverish but thankfully, nothing too drastic.

"It won't help him by puttin' shit on him, he'll only hurt himself. Gotta let the seizure run its course." Ana slowly knelt down beside the man, sighing out in relief as he slowly began to stop convulsing before he grew still. Checking his pulse, Ana licked her dry lips, glancing up at Daryl just to the left of her, nodding to him that the man was alright before he helped her lay him out on his back once more.

"Is he alright? Daddy?" Beth asked through tears as Ana pushed herself to sit beside Hershel, checking him over, going as far as pressing her ear to his chest to listen for a heartbeat. Thankfully, there was one.

"He's fine. Slightly feverish which would explain the seizure, but not feverish enough to be dangerous. He'll need wet towels, keep his temperature down." Ana pushed herself from his side as Carol passed her a side glance before slipping out of the cell with Lori on her tail. She hated saying what she had said to the woman, but it was necessary.


"You alright, Shorty?" T's voice, a welcoming voice, echoed across the yard as she glanced up from the gun she had been cleaning to the man approaching her from the prison.

"Everythin's alright." She smiled at the man before going back to working on the gun that Daryl had no doubt, jammed when they had taken the prison.

"What's up?" She asked, blowing out a sudden shot of air into the gun, watching as a wad of grime slipped out and fell onto the barrel beneath her.

"Just came to check on our firecracker. Hershel's fever broke as you said. Maggie and Beth are tending to him." He added, plopping down on a crate beside her as he watched her go about fixing the gun and cleaning it.

"Carol and Lori?" Ana couldn't stop herself from asking as she had been slightly caught off guard when the man mentioned two daughters and not the two women who were usually a leg deep in the Greene's asses.

"Doing 'other important stuff', as they put it." T-Dog scoffed, followed by her as she passed him an 'are-you-fuckin-serious' look to which he laughed at.

"Hey, don't shoot the messenger, just tellin' it how it is." He put his hands up in mock defense causing her to snicker and shake her head.

"Those two don't do any shit important. If ya need help gettin' in the way or naggin' ya to death, they are professionals at that." Ana muttered under her breath with a grunt as she slipped the cleaned clip back into the handle of the gun. She felt bad for talking bad about Carol, slightly, but ever since that day Glenn had informed her about the woman's clear distrust for her, she couldn't find it in herself to care. Don't get her wrong, she still loved Sophia, still found time to be around the little girl whenever her mother wasn't climbing up her ass about 'helping out', but now that she had a clear sight on the woman's intentions, she was peeved. Well, the better expression was, pissed the fuck off.

How dare a woman, who was lucky enough to still be able to call herself a mother, thanks to Ana, talk shit about said woman behind her back? Ana had thought, aside from Glenn, T-Dog and Daryl, Carol would have her back, now and always. But she clearly had been wrong and Ana couldn't help but wonder if that conversation she had walked in on between Lori and Carol, if that conversation had been a turning point in Carol's trust for her. Was Lori turning her against Ana? It was a possible after all, especially coming from Lori as the woman was the most poisonous thing in the world now.

"Can't help but notice your minds everywhere." T-Dog then mentioned as she sputtered her lips in amusement, turning to glance over at him.

"Come to offer an ear then, Dr. Phil?" She shot back teasingly as the man scoffed, flipping her off sending both of them laughing.

"Course, anytime you need anything shorty, I'm here for you, don't gotta ask." T-Dog then offered kindly as she smiled thankfully at the man and nodded.

"Well, since yer offerin', I'm pissed as hell cause Carol is goin' down to the fences and practicing C-sections on walkers." Ana decided to not sugarcoat it when it came to T-Dog. The man knew she didn't enjoy tiptoeing around the bush, better to just come out with it.

"Say what?" T-Dog asked again, shocked by what he was hearing as she slipped the fixed gun back together before sighing.

"Glenn told me yesterday, Carol's been messing with the walkers, practicing in case Lori goes into labor since Hershel is out of commission." Ana muttered under her breath as she used her slightly greasy rag to wipe that same grease from her fingers.

"That's why we have you, isn't that obvious? You could do it." T-Dog then pressed causing her to smile softly at the man's confidence in her.

"Hershel's been prepping me off and on since the farm. Even had me reading birthing books every day. Pretty sure I can recite every book, word for word. But! It seems I'm not qualified to help birth a baby, as Carol has so kindly put it." Ana began to rant on, her eyes never leaving the field where the other men were hard at work cleaning the area.

"That's bullshit! The person least qualified to do shit like that is Carol. Aside from Hershel, you're the only one here I'd trust doing anything medical related." T-Dog stepped up to her side, grabbing her arm to get her attention as her eyes shot over to his defensive ones. Ana stared at him for a moment longer before chuckling, amused by the man's belief in her small amount of abilities.

"Thanks T." She thanked him as his eyes softened before he sighed, shaking his head before releasing his grip on her.

"Shorty, don't let people like that mess with you. You're a talented girl, ain't shit people can say against that. We've all seen it. And if they're still talking shit behind your back, that's their own fuckin' problem, not yours." T-Dog continued as I sighed, feeling a lightness fall over my shoulders as I turned back to the field.

"You're right, T. If she thinks she can do it, I'll let her. From where I'm standing, I'm not losing anything with her attempting to do a cesarean on Lori of all people. Good Luck."


"Rick." A voice called as he blinked his eyes a few times before glancing over his shoulder to Lori who stood just a few feet behind him.

"What is it?" He muttered uninterested, turning back to the view of the prison yard and field, where none other then Ana and T-Dog were conversing.

"Hershel's fever has broken. He seems to be getting better, luckily." She informed him as Rick sighed in relief, nodding but not giving her the light of day.

"Rick?" She asked again, carefully as his shoulders tensed before her eyes panned over the yard to the two sitting together in the distance, laughing without a care in the world.

"You like her, don't you?" Lori fought to keep the bile at bay as her nails dug viciously into the palms of her hands.

"Why do you care?" Rick retaliated without any hesitation as Lori wiped the treacherous tears out of her eyes.

"She's not good for the group." Lori couldn't stop the words from falling from her lips as Rick was quick to turn and glare down at her.

"What did you say?" He asked defensively, glancing around in relief to see that no one was within hearing range.

"You saw what she did in Hershel's cell. She wants all the glory for herself, wouldn't even take Carol or my help when we offered." Lori desperately pleaded for Rick to see Ana the way she saw her, but from the hardened look in the man's eyes, she knew, he would never see her that way.

"What I saw in that cell was a woman going out of her way to help a man, one she saved from turning into one of those walkers. She didn't take your help because she didn't need it. The man was having a seizure for god's sake, Lori. What did you think a blanket and water was going to do for the man?" Rick took a threatening step towards her, hissing heavily into her face as she stepped back in mild terror at the hate gazing back at her.

"Rick, she..." Lori swallowed her fear and stepped back up, grabbing at his arm only for the man to shrug her away.

"Leave Ana the hell alone Lori. She has done nothing to you and yet you lash out at her every fucking chance you get, and I'm sick of it. Shouldn't you be more worried about that baby than trying to get the upper hand on someone you clearly can't top?" Rick snapped this time, lowering his voice once more to makes sure no one could hear.

Lori stood there, shocked and speechless, unable to muster the strength to wipe the tears now spilling down her cheeks. She opened and shut her mouth a few times, unsure how to reply or how to speak before Rick scoffed, glancing down at her large stomach before stepping back, turning back to the view once more.

"That baby? It's our baby..." Lori whispered, her last chance at trying to wrangle her husband back into her arms only to watch in shock as he let out a dry laugh.

"Don't bullshit me, Lori. We both know, that baby isn't mine, it's Shane's."


The night rolled through as Ana pulled a flannel over her black tank top followed by a hoodie she had found earlier in the week on a run. Gathering the unused blanket from the top bunk of her cell, she slipped out of her cell and quietly down the stairs where the others were prepping for sleep.

"Ana?" A small voice as she glanced over to see both Sophia and Carl sitting together against the wall, coloring in one of the coloring books she had found out on the road.

"Hey guys, shouldn't you both be in bed?" She softly asked as she approached them, adjusting the rifle on her back for her to kneel in front of them.

"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" Carl reiterated causing her to gape in surprise before snorting, shaking her head with a smile.

"I'm a big girl, we don't need sleep as much as you two squirts do." She teased, poking at him teasingly only for him to whack her hand away playfully while Sophia giggled.

"Are you leaving?" Carl then asked as he noticed the rolled up blanket under one of her arms along with an assortment of weapons hanging over her form. She glanced down at herself before smiling at the two, realizing what it must look like to them as she watched their faces morph into ones of sadness.

"Hey, stop that, will ya. I ain't goin' anywhere." She scooted closer to them, bringing her voice softer as she gazed adoringly at the both of them, reassuring them she wasn't going anywhere.

"It looks like you're leaving..." Sophia muttered sadly as Ana chuckled and shook her head.

"Hey, I promised, I'd always be around when you guys need me. Now tell me, how am I supposed ta keep my word if I leave?" She jokingly asked, waiting for either of them to speak as they just glanced at each other, unsure how to respond.

"Your dad wants to start puttin' people on watch duty, never know what sort of thing could sneak up on us in the night. So I'm up first." She quickly explained, realizing both kids would continue to think otherwise until she told them where she was going.

"Not alone right? I could go with you...protect you." Carl began outraged before his voice softened, his eyes suddenly going downcast in embarrassment causing Ana's heart to melt.

"Ya think anyone in this place would let me go out there alone?" Ana snorted at her own comment, knowing it to be true as Sophia grabbed Carl's hand with a shake of her head.

"She's right Carl. Daryl wouldn't let Ana go out there alone, ever." Sophia spoke confidently as it was Ana's turn to blush this time as both kids turn to her for reassurance.

"Unfortunately, he's my own personal guard dog. Goes everywhere I do." She sputtered her lips in defeat, pushing herself to stand with a groan before she eyed the two kids once more.

"Now, you two should be in bed. Tomorrow morning, ya'll can help me clean up a bit, what do ya say?" She began to smirk as their faces deflated quickly.

"Cleaning?" Carl asked disgusted as Ana chuckled and shrugged.

"Or maybe we can sneak off and do something a bit more fun?" Ana shrugged, teasing the prospect of something better before she patted the both of their heads and walked away with a 'go to bed' over her shoulder.

"You like Ana, don't you?" Sophia innocently asked Carl who had been busy watching said woman disappear through the prison room and out the exit. He blinked caught off guard before turning to look at her like she grew a second head.

"What?" He blabbered out in disbelief, feeling his cheeks heat up as her words further sat with him.

"Ana, you like her? I can tell, you always watch her, like Daryl, and Daryl likes her." Sophia explained as Carl glanced away, unable to say anything to the girl beside him.

Did he like Ana? Wait, was this what it was like to like someone?


Ana's POV...

I shut the exit behind me, sighing out into the cold night air as I silently made my down the stairs into the empty prison yard. Daryl had made his way to the guard tower a few minutes before me seeing as Rick wanted me to give Hershel a quick check over. Luckily, T-Dog had been right, Hershel had broken his fever so now he just needed to rest and hopefully, he'd wake up soon.

Glancing around the dark yard, I kept my eyes peeled for any movement, one of my machetes tight in my grasp while the other held onto the blanket I had snag off my top bunk. Thankfully Daryl had reminded me earlier to dress warm or I might have been dumb enough to stroll out without a jacket and blanket.

Making my way down the gravel road, the cold air pricking at my neck and hands, I reached out for the handle of the door leading into the guard tower only for that same door to swing open, almost bashing me in the face had I not moved out the way quickly enough.

"Oh! Sorry, didn't know anyone was here." Carol stepped out from the darkness inside the building. Just the sight of her coming out of a building where Daryl was waiting, sent a large stone of nausea tumbling loudly into the pit of my stomach. I didn't say anything to her as I stepped out of her way, my eyes pinned on the darkness inside the tower before she brushed past me.

"Thought Daryl was going to be on watch duty alone, thankfully he's not. He has you." She spoke as I bit into the side of my cheek, stopping me from saying anything I'd regret later as I continued in before she did the unthinkable, grabbing my arm and stopping me.

"Ana, we need to talk." She calmly began as my mind continued to run away with itself on the matter than she had been in the tower, alone, with Daryl.

"I have nothing to talk to you about." I muttered in irritation, my body beginning to overheat as I wanted nothing more than to march up those stairs and away from this woman.

"We clearly do." Carol snarked back, yanking me suddenly as I stumbled towards her, caught off guard by her forwardness as my blanket fluttered to the ground.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you avoiding me? Did I say something? Do something?" Carol's innocent act only further added fuel to my anger over her being present. I gripped my hand tightly before yanking it clear out of her grasp with a snarl.

"Don't fuckin' act innocent." I hissed as her eyes widened up at me as I swiped my blanket from the ground, completely fed up with her innocent shit.

"Ana..." Carol began, uncertainty clear in her eyes as I laughed in disbelief.

"I heard the shit yer sayin' behind my back, Carol. Ya don't trust me to do shit, don't trust me around yer daughter which for the fuckin' record, wouldn't be alive if it weren't for me. So I apologize for avoidin' ya or not wanting to converse with ya." I defended darkly as her eyes widened in shock causing her mouth to open, no doubt to spew some lie to defend herself as I took another step away from her.

"I'm done helpin' ya. Have fun performing that c-section on Lori, I want no fuckin' part in it anyways."


How was it? Hope ya'll enjoyed it!

Until next time~