The tension in the air was suffocating. Carol's cries were the only thing to be heard. It made every single one of them want to cry themselves, and some of them were. Even a cold hearted person like Shane felt bad about what had happened.

Rhiannon finally lifted her head from Maggie's shoulder, pulling away slightly to look at the damage around her. Dozens of bodies lay on the ground, blood splattered from the wounds on their heads. The small child she saw broke her heart. Sophia. The poor girl never even had a chance.

"Don't look." Daryl told Carol, trying to shield her view of her daughter that lay dead before her as he pulled her back to her feet.

Carol just cried harder and pushed out of his grip, stomping away from him.

"Carol," Rhiannon called out softly through the lump in her throat that threatened her with tears. The older woman paid her no mind and rushed away from the prying eyes of the group. She needed her time alone to grieve and Rhiannon would respect that, no matter how much she desperately wanted to comfort the woman.

Now the only thing that could be heard as Carol left was the sound of Beth crying. The girl had just seen her undead mother and brother get shot in the head, there was no way to recover from that.

Rhiannon didn't even try and reach out for Beth as she walked past her. She wanted to be with her mother, she couldn't blame her. Rick, however, tried to stop her as she walked but Beth shrugged him off. He turned to Rhiannon, raising his eyebrows in question. The blonde shook her head, they had to let Beth have a proper moment to say goodbye.

Rick nodded subtly, his face suddenly turning forlorn. He wanted to ramble on how sorry he was, how he wished this had never happened, how he wished there was more he could have done to stop it.

Again, she shook her head at him, letting him know he didn't need to apologize. He certainly wasn't to blame for what had happened. Rhiannon could feel a fiery gaze on her but she kept her eyes away, knowing it was Shane. He was probably hoping she'd blow up at him so he'd have a reason to knock her down again.

Rhiannon tried to maintain her stoic expression as she watched Beth drag a body off her mother but she couldn't help the tremble in her lips. It wasn't even her mother - it was Annette, the woman she'd never even given a chance. And knowing it was too late to ever make amends left a heavy feeling in her chest.

Beth turned her mother over on her back, a choking sob leaving her throat at the sight of her grey, wrinkled skin. It broke her heart to see her like that. Suddenly the lifeless eyes opened, a low growl was heard and her mother reached up to grip at her hair.

"Beth!" Rhiannon shrieked, sprinting towards her baby sister who screamed in terror as cold hands ran over her skin, desperate to get a bite.

The screams followed behind her as everyone ran to her aid. She wrapped her arms around Beth from behind, trying to pull her from the grasp of her used to be mother that was trying to kill her. Rick was by her side, gripping Beth tightly.

She grit her teeth as she used all her strength to pull her away. Finally, Beth collapsed in her arms, turning her body so she could hide her face in the crook of her older sister's neck, where she felt safe.

Rhiannon felt a strong pair of hands on her shoulders. She turned her head and saw Daryl, looking down at her with worried eyes. He knelt down beside her, gently placing his hand on her back to steady her as she pulled both herself and Beth to their feet.

She knew the gesture had been uncommon for him and probably made him uncomfortable and that made her appreciate it all the more.

Rhiannon soon made the mistake of tearing her eyes from Daryl and looked down at her stepmother that was being beaten on by T-Dog. She winced and held Beth tighter, keeping her close so she couldn't turn and see what was happening. The poor girl had seen enough today.

Hershel made his way to his girls who were huddled together. He walked on trembling legs, ignoring Maggie's grip on his shoulder that tried to stop him. He walked past his wife, not sparing a look down at her as she growled inhumanly at the people that tried to stop her. His eyes stayed focused on his eldest daughter who looked ready to pass out as she held on tightly to her little sister that shook with each sob.

He slowly wrapped his arms around both of them as not to startle them. Rhiannon still jumped slightly at his touch though. She turned her head to face him, her expression tearing away another piece of his broken heart in the exact same way his expression did to her.

"Dad." Rhiannon breathed, her voice weary and weak as she fought back tears. She wrapped one arm around his back, gently moving Beth to his embrace. Rhiannon feared she wouldn't stay standing much longer and she didn't want to bring Beth down with her. And with the look of devastation on her Dad's face she thought he needed his little angel that was Beth instead of the daughter that held the gun.

A small gasp escaped her lips as she turned her head at the same moment Andrea swung a scythe into her stepmother's head, finally ending her once and for all. She stumbled back, tripping on her own feet. Thankfully the familiar hands of Daryl gripped onto her shoulders once again, keeping her upright.

"It's ok." He whispered, having to bend slightly so his mouth was beside her head. If they were in any other situation he would've laughed and made fun of her for it.

Harsh pants left her mouth as she began to feel her resolve slipping. She placed her hand over Daryl's that lay on her shoulder. He tensed slightly at the contact but decided now was not the time to be a pussy. He cared about her comfort more than he cared about his own, she needed it more anyways. He squeezed lightly, feeling her relax against him. He hadn't realized how close they were, there was practically no space left between her back and his chest.

Hershel began to guide Beth back to the house as she continued to cry, Maggie, Jimmy and Patricia following along. Rhiannon sighed deeply and began to follow, glancing back at Daryl as she stepped away from him. She craved his attention, his touch, but her family needed her.

The eldest daughter walked a few steps behind her family. She didn't know where to even begin to comfort them. They knew she'd had different opinions, she just hoped they wouldn't hold that against her. She was grieving too, same as them.

Loud, stomping steps were heard from behind. Rhiannon turned and rolled her eyes at the sight of Shane, pushing past Rick who tried to stop him.

"We've been out. We've been combing these woods looking for her and she was in there all along? You knew." Shane accused harshly.

"Leave us alone!" Maggie spat back at him.

Rick tried once again to stop Shane. No doubt Hershel wanted them gone and if Shane made it any worse, nothing Rick would say could change his mind, nothing could redeem them. He'd seen their faces, the family had been through enough today, they certainly didn't need Shane to make it worse.

"I didn't know." Hershel defended himself weakly. Beth was still cry softly in his arms, the last thing he wanted to deal with was the hot headed ex-cop.

"That's bullshit. I think y'all knew."

Rhiannon bit her lip so hard she was afraid she'd start to bleed. She knew how Shane felt about her and for her own safety she knew she'd better keep quiet but he was making it so damn difficult.

"You really think they'd let me go out there looking for her if they knew?" Rhiannon said harshly, refusing to turn and look at him. She probably would've cowered if she saw the glare he was giving her.

"Why was she there?"

"Otis put those people in the barn. Maybe he found her and put her in there before he was killed."

Rhiannon's throat went dry at her father's words. Shane's head whipped around to glare at her. He narrowed his eyes at her quizzically. She didn't tell her dad anything. She knew if she did, she'd be fucked, literally and figuratively.

Shane took in a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. It took everything in him not to charge at the girl that instant. "You expect me to believe that. Do I look like an idiot to you?"

Rhiannon raised her eyebrows at that comment, giving a look as if to say 'well I didn't want to say it outloud, but yes.'

Daryl noticed the expression on her face and smirked lightly, giving her a halfhearted shake of his head. He didn't want Shane to see and flip out on her. Rhiannon shrugged, she really didn't give a fuck if he saw or not.

She suddenly tensed, the small amount of playfulness in her mind disappearing as Shane got closer to her father. She stepped closer, her fists clenching at her sides. That asshole better not even think about going near him.

"Everybody just calm down." Rick pushed against Shane's chest, forcing him back. Daryl was quick to step up, making sure he was close enough to Shane that he could intervene if he needed to. Glenn just looked on nervously, hoping a fight wasn't about to break out.

"Get him off my land!" Hershel yelled, pointing at Shane.

That only seemed to aggravate the man further. Shane stepped forward, his eyes cold and hard as ice as he looked at Hershel. He thought of Lori, Carl, and that unborn baby. He would do anything to protect them, no matter what Rick thought.

"Hey! Don't touch him!" Maggie yelled in anger. Getting in between the two, she slapped him across the face.

Shane practically growled and turned to face her. Rhiannon saw the look in his eyes, it was one she was all too familiar with. Before Shane could even think of putting his hands on Maggie, Rhiannon kicked him in the shin.

Shane cried out in surprise, stumbling back a step. Rhiannon swiftly pulled her arm back and punched him in the nose. Shane gasped in pain and cradled his throbbing nose that had already began to gush with blood.

Her family looked at her in shock. Rick and Glenn had their mouths agape at watching the small woman physically hurt a man twice her size and with more muscle mass in his left arm than her whole body. Daryl bit his lip to quell his grin. That's my girl, he thought to himself but quickly tensed at the thought. She wasn't his girl, no matter how much he'd thought of it.

Rhiannon watched a furious Shane shake the pins and needles out of his leg where she kicked him. She smiled triumphantly as he moved his hands away from him face, revealing his bloody nose.

She stepped up the porch stairs, having to stand on the third step so she was eye level with the man. It was ridiculous but it was the best she could do.

"Stay away from my family or next time I use my fucking sword."

Rick's eyes widened at her tone. He stepped in between them, giving her a pleading look. "Stop." He whispered desperately. Rhiannon looked down at him briefly with no emotion on her face. Rick was shocked, he'd never seen her so coldhearted before. Not that Shane didn't deserve it though.

Hershel grabbed his daughter's hand, pulling her up the steps. He was conflicted, he didn't want her to be violent in any way but he couldn't help the immense pride he had at seeing her stand up for him and her sisters.

Rhiannon let her father guide her to the house. She turned her head, looking over her shoulder she found Daryl's gaze. He had a hint of a smirk on his face from her actions but it slowly turned into a cold scowl at the realization that Shane may have just ruined everything for him.

"I mean it - off my land." Hershel stated, giving them all a stern look before turning his back on them and walking inside.

Rhiannon followed behind him but faltered at the door. She turned and gave Daryl a helpless look. She mouthed 'i'm sorry' before quickly turning and closing the door behind her. She couldn't see the look on his face, she didn't want to. Knowing him, he'd be just about ready to lash out at anyone that tried to talk to him.

She wished for more time with him, so she could know more about his life. Maybe one day she'd ask him about his scars and she could confide in him about her own. She knew if she had more time they'd become close, closer than she'd ever feel with anyone. Maybe they'd become something more. But know she'd never know, she'd never get the chance.

Rhiannon shook her head, trying to rid her thoughts of Daryl for the moment. She walked towards Beth, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"You held the gun." Her father's soft voice made her turn to look at him.

Her face creased in worry as she saw the haunted look on his face, the hurt in his eyes.

"You were going to shoot." His voice was distant, like he couldn't believe what he was saying. His eyes moved to look at her and she flinched at the accusatory look he gave her.

"I-I, didn't know what...to do, I just- I thought-"

"You were going to shoot your family."

Rhiannon had to grab onto the back of the couch so she didn't crumble to the floor. "Dad," She gasped, the tears finally flowing down her cheeks. Hershel looked at his daughter with a pained expression. He wanted to comfort her but he was too wrecked himself to do so. He shook his head slowly and left the room, leaving her to let out painful sobs.

"Rhi, come on." Maggie spoke softly, wrapping her arms around her. It hurt to see her big sister like that. She didn't think she'd ever seen Rhiannon cry, not as an adult at least.

Rhiannon shook her head, pusing out of Maggie's embrace. She looked to Beth who was in Patricia's arms, both of them had tears in their eyes. "I'm so sorry." Rhiannon gasped through her tears.

"Honey don't do that to yourself." Patricia warned her, already knowing she was putting the blame on herself. "Your Daddy's upset, he doesn't know what he's sayin'. Just give him some time."

"No, he's right. I almost shot them."

Maggie grabbed Rhiannon's shoulders, forcing her to look at her. "Almost, you almost shot them but you didn't. And even if you did it would've been the right thing to do. They weren't the same as they were, they needed to be put out of their misery."

Rhiannon shook her head, moving out of Maggie's grasp again. She made her way to the door.

"Wait! Rhiannon, where are you going?" Beth asked, her voice cracking as tears continued to flow down her cheeks.

"I just need to clear my head." She told them quietly.

"Rhiannon! You're not leaving." Maggie yelled at her making Rhiannon look at her with wide eyes. "None of this was your fault and I'm not gonna let you take this on alone, I'm not gonna let you pull away. We need you."

Maggie watched with sad eyes as she watched her big sister fall apart in front of her. Rhiannon wiped her wet cheeks, silently cursing herself for letting them fall in the first place. "I don't know what to do." She cried helplessly.

Maggie frowned, holding her hands in hers tightly. "You don't have to do anything. It's not your responsibility to clean up the mess."

"No, about Dad. You saw how he looked at me. He's never gonna forgive me for what I did."

"Rhiannon, you know that's not true." Beth told her, hoping it made her sister feel better that she didn't blame her for what happened or for holding the gun. Beth realized it had to be done, no matter how much it hurt her.

"Honey, we all know how wrong we were. We should've listened to you in the first place. Your Daddy sees that, it's just gonna take him some time to get used to the fact that they're really gone. But don't think for a second that he's holdin' a grudge on you, sweetheart." Patricia told her.

Rhiannon let out a shaky breath and nodded. She felt reassured by their words, maybe not one hundred percent but it did help knowing she had the support of the three most important woman in her life.

Maggie wrapped her into a hug, refusing to let her sister out of her sight while she was this fragile. Rhiannon had a habit of making bad decisions when she was upset, most of which were ignoring her family.

Rhiannon hugged her sister tightly, reveling in the comfort she found on such a horrible day. She soon felt two more pairs of arms wrap around her. A light smile graced her lips as Beth and Patricia joined in.

Despite the horrors that she faced when she was on her own, despite the horrors she'd just witnessed in her backyard, she was so thankful that she had them in her life still. Most people had lost everything but Rhiannon found solace in the knowledge that she still had most of her family by her side.

The women stayed in their embrace for a long time, making sure to comfort one another when one of them had another bout of tears or needed reassurance that everything was going to be ok.

Soon enough, it was time for the funeral. They were all reluctant to go and face the people who had just been told to leave their safe haven but they all needed to go pay their respects.

Rhiannon stood slowly and reached her hand out to Beth who sat motionless on the couch. "Ready?"

Beth nodded and grabbed her hand, finally standing and together they walked outside towards the grave sights beyond the barn where a number of bodies still lay. Rhiannon cringed slightly as they passed, she hated that they couldn't bury everyone and give them peace.

Hershel, dressed in his sunday suit, was already standing in front of his late wife's resting spot. He turned his head briefly, hoping to find the gaze of his eldest daughter but she refused to look in his direction. He regretted what he said, how he said it. It was the shock talking and he wished he could take it back because at the end of it all, she was right. She'd been right the whole time and he should've listened.

The rest of the group joined and they all stood in silence. Hershel didn't recite a sermon from the bible as he usually would, he just had nothing to say this time.

Rhiannon stood between Maggie and Beth whose gazes were glued to the ground in front of them but she could hardly stand to look at the graves. All it did was remind her of her failures. If she'd gotten home earlier maybe Annette and Sean would still be alive.

Her gaze turned to the grave on the end, the smallest one that held the innocent child she'd never get the pleasure of meeting. Her eyes lifted to the man who stood away from the crowd.

Daryl wasn't looking at her, he couldn't. He didn't want to see the look of pity on her face, he didn't want to know if she thought he was a failure. He couldn't take that from her.

The absence of Carol was noticed by Rhiannon who frowned deeply. She wanted to wrap Carol in a hug and never let go. She just desperately hoped that she didn't hate her for not finding her daughter, for getting her hopes up for nothing. Rhiannon certainly hated herself for it so it wouldn't surprise her if Carol did.

Daryl was the first to leave, he couldn't take the silence anymore. He spared a quick glance to Rhiannon and almost sighed in relief when he saw she was looking down at Beth and not at him.

More people began to make their exit and soon it was only Rhiannon left, with Rick staring at her in concern. He tried to place a hand on his son's arm to keep him from approaching her. He figured the woman would want some time alone and not be pestered by the little kid that had a schoolyard crush on her.

Carl was persistent though. He shrugged off his Dad and made his way to Rhiannon. "I'm sorry about your family."

Rhiannon looked down at him in surprise, a touched look on her face. She smiled slightly at him and sniffled. "I'm sorry about Sophia. I wish I could've done more."

"Me too." Carl said sadly. "Uhmm, here. I hope you don't mind, I picked them from the garden." He said shyly, holding out a small gathering of wild flowers in his fist.

Rhiannon bit her lip, trying not to show just how much she wanted to burst into tears at the incredibly adorable boy in front of her. She looked over the kid's shoulder at Rick who looked just as taken aback as she was.

"Thanks, Carl." Rhiannon bent down and kissed his forehead, a smile cracking her cold features as she noticed his wide eyes and blushing cheeks. He reminded her of how starstruck Daryl had been when she kissed his cheek. "Come on." She said and together they placed flowers on each grave.

"Carl." Rick called out to him and motioned him to Lori who stood a few yards away waiting for him. Carl nodded sadly and turned to Rhiannon giving her one last sad smile before running to his mom.

"Rick, don't say anything." Rhiannon told him when she noticed he was about to speak, no doubt to apologize. "It wasn't your fault."

"I know, I'm still sorry though."

"I don't think anything I say is gonna change his mind." Rhiannon told him, referring to her Dad and his choice to kick them out.

"I know and I'm not expecting you to try. You've done enough."

Rhiannon scoffed. "Have I? I went out looking for Sophia, I tried to talk to my dad to make you stay and both times I failed." She shook her head resentfully, crossing her arms against her chest. "I haven't done shit."

"You really believe that?" Rick said in astonishment. He sighed, running a hand over his tired face. He knew she was beyond exhausted, she'd constantly been working hard and today was emotionally draining, he knew nothing he said was going to change her mind. He just hoped later, when she was feeling better, he'd be able to tell her how much she'd done not just for him and his family, but for everyone. "I hope you realize how much I've come to care about you. How much we've all come to care about you."

Rhiannon was taken aback by his words, she just stared back at him with wide eyes. Rick chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing reassuringly. "And remind me never to piss you off, you got a mean right hook."

Rhiannon let out a small laugh and covered her face in her hands to hide her embarrassment. She was just glad he wasn't mad at her for punching his best friend. Rick still didn't know what an ass Shane was and she was sure he wouldn't appreciate it.

After the stunt he pulled, Rick actually wasn't too upset to see him shed some blood, especially when the delivering punch was from Rhiannon.

Rick smiled warmly at her, feeling proud that he was able to make her smile. "Good luck with everything."

Before Rhiannon could say anything, he'd walked away. She sighed, letting out a small groan. She couldn't let them leave, it would kill her to say goodbye to them. The people in the group (minus Shane) were some of the best people she'd ever met, even before the apocalypse. She couldn't let them walk out of her life.

The enormous task of convincing her father loomed in front of her like mount everest. She had no idea how to convince him, she just knew she had to. Deciding she could take a few minutes to herself before the inevitable blow out between her and her Dad, she made her way to her car that was still parked a ways down the driveway.

It wasn't just her sword she had been hiding from him. Although that wasn't a secret anymore, she still had a few she liked to keep. For one, the cigarettes she kept in the glove box. If he knew she was smoking he'd flip. She still couldn't believe he didn't notice when she was smoking in high school.

Rhiannon walked through the tall, grassy field. She felt like the weight on her shoulders lessened the further she got from home. But she really didn't feel like fighting any walkers today so she stayed within sight on the property. The male voices she'd heard in the woods a couple of days ago still freaked her out too. God, the problems never stop do they?

She leaned against the dilapidated stone wall. She couldn't even remember what it used to be, all that was left was the lone standing wall and a few stones strewn below. She lit a cigarette and she could've cried in relief at the sensation that immediately spread throughout her body. She hadn't had one since she got back home.

"The hell you doin' out here?"

Rhiannon let out a small scream and almost fell right on her ass at the sound of his voice. "What the fuck?! You have to stop doing that!" She yelled, putting a hand over her eyes as she suddenly started laughing.

Daryl smirked at her, dropping his stuff on the ground and moving to stand next to her against the brick ledge.

"Jesus Christ." Rhiannon muttered, placing a hand over her rapidly beating heart. She swiftly nudged him in the ribs as she saw the smirk on his face.

It was as if they suddenly remembered what had happened earlier and a dark aura had surrounded them, leaving their smiles to vanish immediately. Rhiannon reached into the carton and pulled a cigarette out for him. "Want one?"

He nodded and eagerly lit the cancer stick. "Didn't know you smoked."

"I never did once I moved to New York. I would've been kicked out of if they saw me with one but It doesn't look like I'll be making it back for the show." She laughed bitterly.

"There's rules to be a dancer?" Daryl asked in amusement.

"Oh yeah. All the teachers at Juilliard were so strict. We weren't allowed to smoke or do any drugs, we couldn't drink or eat junk food, it was crazy."

Daryl snorted. "So you were straight laced that whole time?"

Rhiannon laughed. "Fuck no. I still got drunk and ate McDonalds. They could never take that away from me."

Daryl smiled lightly and turned his gaze down to her. He looked at her with amusement he didn't even know someone could give him. Rhiannon turned to face him and he was floored by the emotion he saw swirling in her big brown eyes.

"Are you ok?"

Daryl couldn't help but be annoyed at that question. His shoulders tensed and he leaned back against the wall, taking a long drag before answering. "'M fine." He growled.

"It's ok if you're not. I'm not."

Daryl was starting to feel uncomfortable. He was never good at making someone feel better, let alone someone he actually cared about. He stayed silent, not knowing what he could say to her.

Rhiannon sighed at his silence. She didn't know what she expected. It's not like she wanted him to pull her into his arms and tell her everything was going to be ok. That wasn't him and frankly she'd be a little freaked out if he had done that.

"How come Carol didn't come to the funeral?"

Daryl grinded his teeth together and scowled. "Said that it wasn't her daughter."

Rhiannon rubbed at her scar above her eyebrow that was bothering her. It always seemed to start itching before she got a headache. "I guess I can understand that."

Daryl glared at her for her words. "I mean, you gotta understand, she doesn't wanna imagine her daughter as one of those mindless monsters. It's just easier for her to think that she died out in the woods somewhere, as herself."

Daryl knew it was a valid explanation, a coping method of sorts, but it didn't stop him from getting angry. "Still her daughter though."

"I know. But we've never lost a child, we can't tell her how to handle this." Rhiannon told him. She crushed the finished cigarette against the brick and let the ashes fall to the grassy floor. "I wish we found her." She said quietly, her voice breaking slightly.

Daryl turned his head away from her so she couldn't see the pained expression on his face but it just made her more persistent.

"Daryl," She stepped in front of him, making him look down at his feet. "I know you're blaming yourself. I blame myself too. And I don't know if we're ever gonna feel better about this, if we're ever gonna be able to move past it but I don't…" She sighed deeply and ran a hand through her hair. Daryl watched her, all his attention glued to her as she wiped at her eyes quickly. "I don't want you to blame yourself and pull away."

Daryl felt like he'd been punched in the chest, he could barely breathe. "Ain't gonna pull away. Not from you." He shrugged, trying to make it seem like he hadn't just revealed something so emotional and incriminating about how he felt about her.

Rhiannon was absolutely shocked at his words. She watched him with a frown as he shyly looked down at his feet, avoiding her eyes. It was like she could finally breathe in the fresh air at the thought that maybe things weren't as one sided as she thought.

She felt her chest heave with every panting breath she took. Her hands trembled slightly as she contemplated her next move. She looked at him with a small smile, he was so adorable when he was embarrassed. Fuck it.

Deciding to act now and think later, she reached up, her hand moving to his cheek. She slowly brought his head up so he was looking at her once again. Her thumb moved against the stubble on his jaw making his breathing heavier.

Daryl nervously avoided her gaze, once again trying to look back down. Rhiannon moved closer to him so their chests brushed against each others making them both swallow nervously. She moved her head quickly, claiming his lips with hers before she could stop herself.

It was what she'd been waiting for since that first day together and it was worth it. Her hand moved to the back of his head, as if holding him in place so he wouldn't bolt. Her other hand moved to cup his cheek gently. Daryl didn't respond which made her nervous. She pulled away slowly, hoping she hadn't just ruined everything.

As she moved away from him, his strong hand held the back of her neck, keeping her in place. Daryl suddenly leaned down, finally getting over his shock and crashed his lips to hers once again, this time more passionately.

Rhiannon had to hold back a moan as their lips moved together. He tasted like the cigarette he'd just been smoking but she didn't mind one bit. His hands which had previously stayed by his side in shock had moved to her hips and he gripped onto them tightly.

He was seeing stars, he didn't think anything in the world could feel like good. Rhiannon was also feeling the same bliss, she had to try hard not to smile and break the amazing kiss. They pulled away breathlessly. She looked up at Daryl who had his brows furrowed tightly, like he was holding something back.

She frowned and moved closer to kiss him again when he suddenly pushed her back. She frowned as she watched him begin to pace, his hands coming up to cover his face before roughly raking through his messy hair. She couldn't understand why he looked so stressed after the mind blowing kiss they just shared.

"Daryl?"

"Don't. This was a mistake." He said harshly, his back now turned towards her.

"What?" Rhiannon took a deep breath, trying not to fly off the handle at his hot and cold behaviour. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Us..we can't- you can't do that shit."

"What shit? Kiss you?" She grabbed his arm to make him turn and look at her but he shrugged her off.

"You don't want me."

Rhiannon rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me what I want, Daryl." She spat, finally moving in front of him, grabbing his arms tightly. "Why the fuck wouldn't I want you? Was that kiss not clear enough that I fucking like you?"

"You shouldn't. You an' me, we ain't the same thing. I'm just some dumb redneck and you went to fucking Juilliard, you were doin' somethin' with your life!"

"That doesn't matter! I don't care if you were homeless, that's not gonna change how I feel about you." She tried to reason with him but it seemed hopeless. She knew when Daryl was like this there was no rational thought happening.

"What the fucks your family gonna think if they see you with me?" He yelled, kicking at the stones that lay on the ground. "You prolly just doin' this to get back at Daddy right? Bring home some good for nothing asshole to show him how rebellious you are."

Rhiannon felt like she'd just been slapped in the face. "Is that really what you think of me? That I'd just use you?" She choked out, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "Wow." She whispered, turning away from him as she wiped at her eyes. She thought they'd been friends. She told him about her troubled past thinking he'd understand, not use it against her.

"Rhiannon!"

They both turned suddenly at the loud yell that came back from the house. She frowned deeply at the frantic sound of Maggie's voice calling for her.

"I guess you got what you wanted." She said coldly, not even sparing a second glance at him before walking away. She tried to keep her cries silent as she walked so he wouldn't hear but it was useless. She'd been hurt, and by him. That made it a thousand times worse.

Daryl watched her walk away with regret. He rubbed his hands over his face and cursed under his breath. He really fucked up. He was so elated that she'd kissed him, he finally began to wonder if there really was a chance that it wasn't so unrequited. But he'd heard Merle's voice in his head, his Dad's voice, telling him he was nothing and she was just using him because it was the apocalypse and there was no one else.

He hated that he listened to those voices every time they wandered through his mind. He hated himself for ruining what could have been the best thing in his life.

But really, who was he kidding? A girl like her with him? It just didn't add up. He cared about her, more than he realized, more than he wanted to admit.

He thought she deserved everything good left in the world and he didn't want her to settle for him.

Please don't hate me for this..

Thanks so much for the reviews on the last chapter! Hope you all enjoyed this crazy mess of emotions xx