Present Day

Looking from face to face as they sat around the small campfire, RickyJo could tell everyone felt as beaten down as they looked. They had secured the fences and tried to stay quiet, but in the end a herd had swept through and destroyed the farm. She tried not to think about the people that died. Sarah, one of the girls they had rescued from Randal's group had panicked and tried to run. Her mother Tracy and Patricia had gone after her and all three of them had been swarmed. Sammie had tried to go after her sister and mother, but RickyJo and Beth had grabbed her and dragged her to the truck. Now she was sleeping with her head in Beth's lap, having cried herself out about an hour ago. Jimmy was dead as well, and Andrea was gone. No one saw what happened to her, but they had heard gunshots coming from a few miles away earlier that day. RickyJo hoped her friend was alright, but knew the chances of her making it alone were slim.

Glen and Rick took first watch, so everyone else was supposed to be sleeping. A few people had passed out from sheer exhaustion, but most were sitting up, staring into the small fire. RickyJo was leaning back against what was left of the brick wall behind her with Daryl's head in her lap. He was sleeping. She combed her fingers through his hair, trying to get the little peices of leaves out. They were going to need to find a new place to live. And soon. She was thinking about going back home to her grandmother's farm. It was a long way away from where they were, but the trip might be worth it. The place had high walls and plenty of food and water. That was if it had not already been overrun or taken by another group.

Rick walked away from the group and headed down by the small creek they had gotten their water from earlier. RickyJo suspected he was going down there to cry. He had made it off the farm with Carl and Hershel. Shane had saved Lori, and the way they were sitting together by the fire spoke volumes. RickyJo was glad the woman had finally made her choice, instead of jerking both men around, but she felt bad for Rick anyway. She saw Carol was still awake and motioned for her to come over.

"I am going to check on Rick," she whispered, "will you sit here so Daryl doesn't wake up?" Carol nodded and took her place as carefully as she could, trying not to wake the man. RickyJo headed down to the water. She felt bad for Rick, but was also worried for the group if things came to blows between him and Shane. They didn't need anyone else getting hurt or killed. Rick was crouched down by the water with his head in his hands. RickyJo knelt next to him and gently placed her hand on his back. He looked over hopefully, hoping it was Lori.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, "I know you were hoping I was Lori." RickyJo fell quiet, trying to think of what she could say to the man. There wasn't really anything that would make it better.

"She is my wife," he said, gesturing towards the fire.

"I know," RickyJo said, "but she is pregnant with Shane's baby." She watched his face to gauge his reaction. This was not going well. He looked ready to kill the man.

"Think about Carl," she told him, "he needs you. And the rest of us could use your help too." Rick thought about this. He was thinking he might take Carl and leave the group. But that would only be best for him, not Carl. The hard truth was, they were safer with the group. RickyJo could see the man's body language start to relax. She got up and headed back towards the fire. Shane was still awake and she motioned for him to follow her. When they got back down to where Rick was, he stood up.

"I think you two might have some things to talk about," she said, "like what we are going to do in the morning." Both men nodded reluctantly. They were going to have to work together and they might as well start now. RickyJo turned and headed back for the campfire.

"Where you think you're going?," Shane asked her. She turned and smiled at him. "Don't play like you don't already have a plan," he added.

"My plan was to get you two to stop hating each other so you could make the plans," she said.

"Bullshit," Shane told the woman, "you got something else cooking." Rick smiled a little despite himself. He knew Shane wasn't much of a strategic planner. Now he knew where the man had been getting all his good ideas.

"Alright," she admitted, "I was thinking we could try for my Nana's farm, but its a long ass haul from Atlanta. I think you guys should figure out what to do for the next few days." Shane knew a little about the farm from talking with the woman before. They had kicked around the idea of going there before, but trying for a long shot had seemed like a bad idea when they had a safe place to stay at the time. Now they had nothing to lose.

"It's South of here, right," Shane asked. She nodded. It was down near the Florida border.

"We are going to need supplies for that long of a trip," Rick said. Shane nodded and RickyJo smiled at both of them. It was good to see they could at least work together for a common cause. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. The stress of the last day had been tiring for everyone but even more for her. Rick looked at the woman. Even in the dim light he could see how worn out she looked. "Why don't you go get some rest," he suggested to her, "we can figure out the rest." She nodded gratefully.

"Daryl said wake him and Tdog up and they can take watch," she said. They both nodded and she walked back towards the fire. She glanced back at the men, happy to see they had their heads together, planning and talking. Carol was fast asleep with her head leaned back against the wall. RickyJo lay down next to her and Daryl and rested her head on her arms. Within minutes she was asleep.