"Shawna?" said a distant voice. She could barely hear it. The sounds around her made her feel like she was at the far end of a tunnel listening at the other end. It echoed softly. "Come on. Don't die on me."

Die? Was she dying? Then she remembered seeing the blood on her hand just before everything went black. She tried to open her eyes but they wouldn't budge. Any type of movement was impossible. She even tried speaking but the only thing that came out was a moan. She barely felt the raindrops slap her face. Coldness closed in around her. Her side ached. Something pressed against it causing her to flinch.

"I know it hurts," said the brusque voice. Daryl.

"Shawna?" another voice sounded much closer, clearer, and familiar. There was a sudden light. She was standing in front of a window in a kitchen, her kitchen. "Shawna, we'll be right out back," he said. He smiled at her. She smiled back. She looked down at the dinner she was making; it was a mere can of beans. When she looked up, a walker was biting her husband and her little girl was screaming. He rushed them inside. When they entered the house, they had turned. They came after her. She took a pistol and shot them. Something felt wrong; that wasn't how it had happened. Was she asleep? Was this just a dream, no, nightmare?

"One, two, three, lift," she heard another faint voice. Rick.

She felt her body float into the air. Maybe she was dying and this was her soul ascending into heaven. Then why did she feel so cold and heavy? Her home was gone and blackness surrounded her again like a cage she couldn't escape. Something kept pulling her back into the darkened world. The pain she felt was excruciating. She felt her body being laid on a cold hard surface. In the world with her husband and daughter, she felt no pain and wanted to be with them again.

"Come on, Shawna, stay with me," she heard Daryl say to her. Okay, she thought. She would do whatever his voice said.

She heard other voices talking softly. People were moving about. There was screeching of a rusty metal door and a slam echoed in her head. Murmurs floated around her like cricket chirps in the night as she lay on the flat slab.

"Don't die on me," Daryl pleaded.

I won't, she thought. She would have screamed it to let him know she was still alive in her body.

As much as she tried to stay there, the light came back. She went to it. This time she was outside arguing with Daryl. There was a sting to her cheek. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him but couldn't find the words or the courage. She fought against the feelings as she yelled at him. He turned from her and walked away. She could no longer see him. He had faded into nothing. A walker came up from behind her. It was her husband. He was no longer a living being but a grotesque shell of a person with decaying flesh and exposed bone. Their daughter was beside him looking just as gruesome. Both advanced on her as she fought to keep them away. Daryl and Rick tried to get to her. She was pressed against the fence. Her husband's rotting breath was on her cheek. Her daughter was trying to bite her side.

Suddenly there was a fierce sharp chomp to her side. She screamed. This time it was real and fully audible in her ears. She threw open her eyes and looked around. She could see Hershel although she had a difficult time focusing on him. A voice barked, "Hold her!" Then she felt the pressure of hands holding her legs down upon the cool metal tabletop. Another pair of hands held her shoulders. A sweet smell of dirt, sweat, and motor oil assaulted her nostrils. Daryl was there and close by. Her side felt like it was being ripped open. The agony of the piercing force on her side sent her into the depths of her mind once more.

Shawna was walking in an unknown place. It was warm, bright. From a distance someone was walking towards her, a silhouette against the stark white. Then, it turned into two figures, one taller than the other. They continued to come closer to her. She finally recognized them as her husband and daughter. Tessa let go of her father's hand and ran to her mother. Shawna embraced the child.

"Oh, I have missed you so much," Shawna said as she kissed her daughter on the cheek. She set her daughter down and then embraced her husband. "Is this a dream?"

"No," he answered as he stroked her hair. The sensation felt so real.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"I can't say," he returned.

"Am I…?" she started in alarm.

"No," he stated firmly, "and you won't be. You need to go back."

"But I don't want to. It's a nightmare there."

"It is not your time, Shawna. We love you and miss you but you are going to live. You are going to love that man. You are going to go on."

"You know about Daryl?"

"Who do you think sent him to you?" He smirked. "Who gave him the push to talk to you?"

"You?"

He nodded.

"Why?"

"No one should be alone. I love you. We love you. Always will. Now he does too."

"How do you know? He hasn't even told me."

"You know. He doesn't have to tell you. Close your eyes and listen."

Shawna closed her eyes. The bright white was shut out and dark black closed in around her again. She tried to open her eyes again to see her husband and daughter one last time but they felt heavy. Then, she did as her husband told her to do, she listened. It was quiet except for breathing.

"I think I love her," she heard Daryl say.

"Is that so bad?" Rick's voice questioned.

"Nah. It feels pretty good." He sounded happy.

"I'm probably not the best person to offer advice, but, always tell her the truth, no matter what," she heard Rick say to Daryl.

"Did you love her?" She was surprised by Daryl's inquiry. She felt her eyebrows raise. The heaviness she was feeling was lifting but with it came excruciating pain in her side.

"Yeah," he drawled, "I still do but not like you do. She's like a…best friend…or sister." He paused. "I will admit, though, I did kiss her. That woman and those lips," he confessed. The corners of her mouth twitched into a smile.

"Don't remind me," she heard Daryl moan, "I've been wantin' to kiss those lips since breakfast." Shawna knew this is where she belonged. Her husband was right. She needed to go on.

"Quit talkin' about my lips," she said slowly and hoarsely. She coughed a bit and groaned in pain.

She heard a rustle of sound and the warmth of a body next to her.

"Shawna?" Daryl whispered so close she felt his breath on her cheek.

She took a ragged breath. She smiled weakly and said, "Yeah, I'm here." Slowly her eyes opened to gaze at him.

"Li'l shit, don't scare me like that," Daryl chided, "ever again." He placed a callused hand on her forehead and pushed back her hair.

"I'll leave you two alone," Rick said from beside Daryl. "I'll come back later."

"Promise?" Shawna asked softly.

"Yeah," he replied with a smirk. Then Rick walked out. She could hear his boots on the metal grating.

As Shawna tried to take a breath, it caused her pain. She gripped the sheet beneath her and cringed.

"You a'right?" Daryl asked immediately. His brow furrowed and gripped her arm.

"Just hurtin'" she replied.

"Bob couldn't find any morphine," Daryl informed her as he absentmindedly explored her arm with his fingertips.

"Good," Shawna said breathlessly, "I'm allergic to it."

"You're shittin' me?" he asked seriously.

She shook her head and continued, "No. I would have been sick as a dog for days. I don't do narcotics well." She chuckled and grimaced. "I could never be a drug addict."

"Good," Daryl said. His visage turned somber as he concentrated on thumbing her upper arm. Then he peered deep into her eyes. "Shawna, I won't let this happen again. I promise."

"I know," she said. She bent her left arm so she could touch his cheek. "Did you mean what you said?" she asked in a soft voice. She wondered if he would recognize his own question to her. "That you…?" she drawled.

"Yeah," he whispered in return. He leaned down and softly kissed her lips. She smiled into the kiss. They had a way with each other of saying "I love you," without really saying those exact words. "You get some sleep. I'll be right here."

Shawna nodded and closed her eyes to sleep. Slumber came easy for once. This time she did not dream but allowed her body to rest completely.

About a half hour later Rick came into the cell. Shawna was still asleep and Daryl was playing the vigilant guard.

"I talked to Hershel," Rick informed Daryl.

"About?" Daryl asked.

"Told him to take you off watch duty and the committee like you wanted. I understand why you don't want to do it. I explained it to him. He's callin' an emergency vote in the morning for three more members to the committee. We lost Ryan gettin' to the infirmary. He wants the committee to decide what to do with Carol." Rick could see the rage surface on Daryl's face at the mention of the woman's name. Rick handed Daryl a piece of paper and a pencil. "I brought you the first ballot so you don't have to worry about it in the morning. Mark it and I'll take it back down."

"I'll take it," Daryl said. "You stay with her." He took the ballot from Rick's hand, sat on the stool, and checked off his selections on the ballot. Then, he stood up while folding the piece of paper. He glanced at Shawna before he made his way to the common room.

He walked down the first floor corridor. Carol was standing at her door. When she saw Daryl, her heart sank.

"Daryl?" she called out. "Daryl? Please! I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry!" He stopped in his tracks and turned back to her. He walked up to her cell door.

"Sorry?" Daryl fumed. "You could have killed her!" Karen and Tyreese were walking back to Cell Block D when they heard Daryl.

"I'm not proud of what I did. I just…I just…care about you so much," Carol confessed.

"If you cared so much, you would have left her the fuck alone," Daryl said forcefully. Tyreese came up behind Daryl but kept his distance.

"I didn't mean to hurt her. I only wanted to scare her."

"Scare her? You fuckin' shot her. You scared her enough when you hit her the first time. What? That ain't good enough for you? You had to try to kill her? What kind of person does that?"

"Someone scared of losing you. Someone who loves you," Carol's voice was truly sincere as she stretch an arm towards him.

"She," he shouted pointing a finger towards where Shawna was sleeping then into his chest, "loves me." He paced like an agitated tiger, then halted in front her. "This," he said indicating the two of them, "never was. I don't love you! I'm done with you," he finalized. He slammed his hands against the bars of her cell and took a step back. It clanged loudly making Carol flinch. Tyreese went to grab him but he held up his hands in surrender. He then turned abruptly and continued on his way to the common room. Karen and Tyreese watched him storm by them.

Daryl went straight to the table with the white box on. He slammed his ballot in the box and walked over to Hershel.

"If she stays," Daryl began, "we're out, Shawna and me. We're leavin'." He didn't wait for a protest and walked away.

"Daryl?" Hershel called after him. Daryl ignored him and kept moving.

He would have to pass by Carol again. If he had his way, she would be gone by now. He kept his gaze forward. He may have heard her call out to him again, but he ignored her. He walked up the stairs to his cell where Rick was watching over Shawna.

"She hasn't stirred," Rick informed Daryl when he saw him. Daryl nodded and watched her. Her face grimaced in her sleep from the pain. "You let me know when you need rest. I'll keep watch over her," Rick offered. Daryl nodded but still seemed upset about something. Rick tried to ease his tension by saying, "Daryl, I know you're upset with Carol. There is nothing you can do about her. Try to let it go. Concentrate on Shawna. She's going to be okay. Bob said . . . ."

"That's not it," Daryl interrupted. "I just told Hershel that if Carol stays, I can't. We can't."

"So you're just going to go off again like you did with Merle?" Rick questioned him.

"Man, I came back! I saved your ass. Carol is a threat to her. Shawna shouldn't have to look over her shoulder every damn day," Daryl spoke.

Rick scrutinized Daryl for a minute. Then he said, "Let's just hope the committee makes the right decision. I'll be back later to check up on you and let you know the results tomorrow." Daryl nodded and watched Rick walk down the stairs.

The need to lay beside her was great, but making her comfortable was greater. Instead, Daryl took the mattress from the top bunk and placed it on the floor beside her. He kneeled on it and stared down at her. Her face still shone pain.

He wished he could take her pain away. He leaned down and kissed her gently. Her face eased and she looked more peaceful when he pulled away. He sighed and then laid down on the mattress on the floor with his arm tucked behind his head. He didn't sleep right away. When he did finally drift off, he dreamt of a happy place and time with Shawna by his side.

A prick in her arm woke Shawna. She went to sit up but the pain that bored into her left side quickly quelled the action. An agonizing groan escaped her throat. Daryl was right there to hold her shoulders down.

"Easy," he coaxed. "Dr. S is just giving you some more meds." She looked down at her arm and then up to Dr. Caleb Subramanian.

"Daryl told me about your allergy to Morphine," Caleb spoke up as he put an adhesive bandage on the area where he gave her the shot. "Thank goodness you didn't get it. Is there any pain medicine that you can take?"

"Acetaminophen," she answered.

"That's good," Caleb said nodding, "That's easy to find around here. We'll get you some shortly."

"There is some in my backpack," she suggested. Daryl immediately grabbed for the backpack directly underneath her. "It's in a pouch with some other medicines."

He pulled the zipper open and pulled out her extra clothes, a rag, and a bottle of water, which he placed to the side. At the bottom of the bag was the pouch. Inside he found the acetaminophen bottle. Instead of opening it himself, he handed it to Dr. S. Caleb opened it and shook out three caplets. He placed them in Shawna's hand.

"Try three at first, if it doesn't help, I'll increase the dose," he recommended.

"I want to sit up," she said looking towards Daryl. He immediately came to her side helping her to sit up. Even Dr. S offered a hand. When she was sitting up, she leaned to her left to ease the stretching and pulling on the wound. Her jaw was clenched in an effort to deal with the pain of moving. When it eased up, she popped the pills in her mouth. Daryl picked up the bottle of water and handed it to her.

"You should get some more rest," Caleb advised. "Give yourself time to heal."

"How long have I been asleep?" she asked.

"A day," Daryl answered. He was the only one who could answer since he hadn't left her side.

"I need to get up and move around," Shawna said restlessly. "I can't lay here anymore."

"Shawna, you really need to relax," Dr. S insisted.

"No offense, Dr. S, but I have had a child before," Shawna began somewhat seriously. "This pain isn't anything I can't handle." She saw Daryl smirk and barely snicker. Then he tried to cover it up with his hand. Caleb leered at him.

"I'll look after her," Daryl put forth after composing himself.

"I'm more concerned about blood loss than pain," Dr. S stated. "If you feel dizzy or light headed, I want you sitting down."

"Got it, doc," she returned. "Besides, I have my guardian angel here." She nudged Daryl's leg with her fist.

"You sure do," Dr. S said quietly with a small smile. "I want to take a look at that bandage too. Let's stand her up, slowly," he said towards Daryl.

Caleb and Daryl each hooked an arm under Shawna's armpits. She took a deep breath and they hoisted her up. The cell spun for a second but it quickly dissipated.

"Are you okay?" Dr. S inquired. She nodded. "Okay, just turn slightly so I can look at the wound."

When she turned she was facing Daryl. At that moment she realized she only had her bra on. Her shirt was gone, most likely ruined. Even though her physique was exposed, Daryl only looked into her eyes.

"Can you lean forward?" Caleb asked.

As she went to lean forward, Daryl stepped up for her to lean on. Her head pressed against his shoulder. She turned so her nose nuzzled against his neck. She could see his quickening pulse throbbing against his neck.

Dr. S carefully removed the old bandage and said, "It looks good. I'll just redress it and you…uh, can…yeah." Dr. S had noticed how close they were. He turned around to get new gauze and tape. Daryl tilted his head to rest on hers. Caleb quickly taped the gauze over the injury. "You are all set. I'll check on you tomorrow," he concluded.

It took a second for Shawna to stand up straight again.

"Thank you, Dr. S," she said. He nodded. He finished packing the first-aid kit and then left the two alone again.

"I want to sit down," she told Daryl. He helped her back onto her bunk. She smirked, "I guess he was right. I'm a little more tired than I thought."

"Do you need anythin'?" he asked her.

"Can I have a shirt?"

"Oh, yeah," he said not even realizing she was still shirtless. He bent down to get her only shirt she had left in her bag. It was just a t-shirt. She would have to look for more clothes on a run.

"Anythin' else?" he inquired.

She took a second to gaze into his eyes. "Just you," she answered. He sat down at one end of the bunk scooting himself back against the wall.

"Come 'ere," he said patting his lap. She carefully laid back and placed her head on his thighs. Once she settled, he nonchalantly caressed her arm. Her arm was pressed against her side as her hand draped across her stomach. His hand accidently brushed the side of her breast. It sent a shiver down her spine and ended in her groin. She tried not to let on that she was being aroused by his touch.

"The group had an emergency meetin'," Daryl began to inform Shawna. "They voted on three new committee people."

"Three?" she asked in wonder.

"Yeah," he said, "I quit. Carol was kicked out. Ryan died trying to get to the infirmary."

"Ryan?" She was shocked. Her shoulders sagged and her body pressed further into the mattress. Someone risked and lost their life because of her. He didn't even like her much and yet he died for her. "What did they need to get from the infirmary that they didn't already have?"

"Bullet extractor," he answered.

"Oh," she replied. "Why did you quit?" she questioned.

He dropped his gaze to her and said, "To be with you. I'm not lettin' anythin' happen to you again."

Shawna was flabbergasted by his commitment to her and yet it angered her.

"What about your watches?" she inquisitioned.

"Not doin' that either," he responded shaking his head weakly.

"Why not?" she contended.

"I just don't!" he came back at her.

"You can't watch over me forever. You need to eat and sleep."

"Rick said he would watch you while I slept 'til you get better."

She didn't say anything more. The idea that someone would give up everything for her was mind-bending. In the past, she had sacrificed things for her husband but he had never once implicated that he would do the same in return. Was she good enough for that sort of devotion?

"Do you know who was voted to be in the committee?" she asked in the silence.

"Yeah," he replied, "Glenn, Paul, and Sasha."

"Have they decided what is to do with Carol?" she asked gingerly fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

He let out a deep sigh and spoke, "Yeah." He took a moment before he went on. "She's been banned from the prison. They're lettin' her go tomorrow mornin'," he said with a heavy heart.

It was then, in the silence, she heard it, distant sobbing. Shawna had no pity for the woman.

"Then, we better get some sleep," she said sternly. "I want to watch her walk out."