I would like to thank my beta reader, rocknrollprinces131. She's an amazing writer and a great friend. Definitely go check out her work!

So we found out that Beth caught Jolene cutting herself and Jolene finally realized that she had a moment of weakness and that she's better than that. She was going to leave the group and find her own way but Rick caught her just in time. Rick now knows everything, what happened in her past and feels horrible for his reactions. Hershel, the loving father that he is has declared Jolene as one of his own and gave Jolene a home at last. Now will that loving new family and home last?

-That Night-

Martinez had parked his car half a mile away behind thick trees and continued on foot to the prison. His shoulder was carrying a heavy black and orange back pack that was filled with supplies that he needed for his survival. He didn't know if surrendering to Jolene and the people in the prison would be a wise move but he was taking the risk. If they wouldn't accept him into their group, then he would move on to anywhere but Woodbury.

He stood behind a tree and looked into the prison. He saw two little girls, a little boy, two women and two men sitting around a small fire, eating and smiling. He knew by the look of them that they were good people, people he would be willing to fight for, to keep safe. Martinez took a deep breath and lifted his right leg forward to take a step.

*Click* "Where do you think you're goin'?" The Governor cocked his gun and aimed it to the back of Martinez's head.

Martinez froze in his tracks for a moment before slowly turning around. The Governor's gun was now one inch away from the middle of his forehead.

"Scouting out the place. Trying to find a clear way in." Martinez lied through his teeth.

"Why?" The Governor glanced down at his obviously heavy back pack.

"Jolene's in there. I found her and wanted to know what we were up against." His heart suddenly overfilled with guilt, he had no idea The Governor was following him the whole time.

The Governor glared hard at him, he knew he was lying but was going to play along for now. "Is that so?"

Martinez clenched his jaw, ashamed of being a coward and ratting Jolene out just to save himself. "Yeah."

The Governor put his gun down and gazed out into the prison, surprised that people have actually made a prison their sanctuary. "She's in there?"

"Yeah, there's more people inside but it's a small group. Nothing we can't handle." Martinez looked down, knowing it was all over now. He knew that The Governor will take everyone down in that prison just to get to Jolene, and the fact that there are children involved gave him a dull, sour tasted in his mouth.

The Governor was now planning his way in which provided him with a feeling of orgasmic satisfaction from head to toe, thinking about the things he was going to do to Jolene. "Well, I think it's time she comes back home."

-Clementine-

"Hey, something's out there." Clementine stood up and looked out to the trees.

Andrea, Carol, Daryl and Jensen rose to their feet. Andrea picked up her shot gun and looked through the scope to see what was rummaging around in the trees.

"See anything?" Daryl took a few steps forward to the fence to get a better look as he aimed his flashlight through the dark night.

"I don't see anything." Andrea responded.

"Probably just an animal." Jensen tried to keep Clementine, Sophia and Carl calm.

"It's alright sweetheart." Carol rocked Sophia in her arms. "It was just an animal."

-Jolene, Beth and Rick-

"Joe." Beth tucked the sheet to the side, to stay out of her way and walked into Jolene's cell.

"Hey." Jolene stepped towards Beth.

"I want to apologize. You trusted me to keep your secret and…"

"No need to apologize. I shouldn't have told you to keep quiet. I put too much on you. I'm sorry." Jolene surprised Beth with a hug. "Thank you."

"You're family, Joe. Remember that." Beth hugged her back.

Jolene saw Rick walk up to her cell. He stood by the door, waiting to be granted permission to enter. Beth felt the presence of someone behind her and they both slipped away from the hug. Jolene took a few steps back and looked down, not wanting to look at him. Beth turned to see Rick waiting by the door and got the hint.

"Good night Joe. Rick." Beth walked out of sight.

Rick un tucked the sheet once Beth had left so they could have some privacy.

"Queen Bee's gonna throw a bitch fit if she finds out you're in here."

"What I do shouldn't concern her. Not anymore."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Jolene quickly glanced up to him.

"What Lori and I had is over. It's been over."

Did he just say he ended things with Lori? A great euphoria quickly lifted Jolene from the pit of her depression knowing it was finally over between them. A father who would go through great lengths just to keep everyone safe and alive deserved better than Lori, but all of that quickly sank back down to the pit by what had happened yesterday.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. You deserve better." Jolene brushed past him and moved the sheet out of the way to leave. She wasn't up to hear anything else he had to say because she didn't know if she would be able to handle it.

"Jolene, please." Rick firmly but gently grabbed her right wrist, not wanting her to leave.

Jolene looked down to the floor and let go of the sheet but didn't turn to face him. Any kind of contact with Rick made her feel weaker and his dry, rough hand wrapped around her wrist put her in a trance. For a moment she forgot what had happened, she loved how his strong hand didn't let her go.

Jolene sucked it all up, took a deep breath and finally turned to face him. Ricks let go of her wrist when he finally had her full attention. Her eyes were drawn to his blue eyes. It looked like he had been crying before he entered her cell and yet, they were still so hypnotically beautiful. She was now looking into the eyes she had trusted and fallen in love with, filled with honesty and sorrow, asking nothing but forgiveness.

"You're a father trying to keep his family alive. The world's gone to shit and you don't know who to trust anymore. Lori and Shane don't make things any easier for you and you got a handful of people who put their lives in your hands. You were overwhelmed, I understand."

"Don't make up an excuse for me. I don't deserve it. I could have approached you about it a better way. I was wrong to judge you, I shouldn't have done that. I wish I could take it back, but I can't and it's eating me up inside knowing that I broke whatever we had." Rick clenched his jaw and held back the tears that wanted to bolt out. He hated himself for making such a beautiful and caring woman cry and almost take her own life. The thought of losing her was unbearable for him to take in.

"I don't know what I would've done if you had gone through with what you almost did. I almost lost you and I…" He exhaled softly and ran his right hand through his hair. "I can't lose you. Please don't go. I'm sorry, Jolene."

They both stood there, not knowing that the others heart was beating out of their chest. Everything that has happened between them was just too real to take in. To them, it felt like a dreadful nightmare. Here they are, both looking into each other's eyes. Rick couldn't believe that he was falling in love with such a character.

Even though Jolene had a glimmer of hope that in the end it would be Rick who sweeps her off her feet, she wasn't betting on it and definitely not going to go for it. He has a son and his son has a mother, a mother who loathed her. "Life's too short to hold grudges, don't you think?"

Rick's eyes shifted down to the white bandage around her left wrist. His fingers cupped under Jolene's palm and lifted her hand close to his abdomen. His left hand feathered over the bandage then slowly started unwrapping. Jolene closed her eyes, ashamed of what he was about to uncover. She gulped hard and slowly opened her eyes when she felt her wrist finally air out. She saw hurt and concern etched onto his face.

Rick knew he caused her to do this to herself and it was tearing him apart to see it. He gently wrapped the bandage back to her wrist, then lifted her wrist an inch higher. His head bent down to softly kiss the bandage over her wound then slowly released her.

Rick rubbed the back of his neck, feeling ashamed as he looked down to the floor. "You should get your rest. It's been a long day." He turned away from her to exit the cell.

"Rick."

Rick stopped and turned to her.

Jolene crossed her arms, holding herself for comfort. "You said you broke whatever we had. What did we have?"

Rick searched her face with his eyes. Her face was serious, wanting to know the truth about whatever it was that he felt. Her deep brown eyes reminded him of the winter trees at nightfall and they were rather reflective; looking into her eyes always brought warmth to his heart, as if every problem he had could be solved within her chestnut eyes.

He didn't know if he could say what he was feeling for her, he found himself to be lost in his words lately. Rick gripped behind her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. He firmly wrapped his arms over her as her arms were still wrapped around herself. He needed to finally feel how she felt, he needed to hold her.

The hug completely caught Jolene off guard. She stood there, stiff for a few seconds, then un wrapped her arms but resisted to hug him back. She tossed every inch of fear to the side and went in for it, wrapping her arms around his waist and it was perfect. His firm arms held her tight, her arms were around his fit waist and she mentally melted into him. She had always imagined how it would feel like to be held by him and her imagination did not come close to the real thing. She immediately felt safe in his hold, hearing his heart beat drumming faster as his grip on her tightened.

Rick did not want this moment to end. Her body was pressed up to his and he loved it. He mustered up the courage and looked down to her. Jolene looked up to him and he laid his lips on the top of her forehead, giving her a small peck.

Jolene felt the heat burning through her forehead where he had kissed her. She pursed her lips, the already strong palpitations continued to rise, as if her heart was going to come flying out of her mouth. She had never experienced this level of nervousness before.

He gazed into those eyes he was falling in love with, he had her in his arms and this was it. He had to tell her what he felt for her, it was now or never because for all he knows, in this world they are living in now, he could be dead tomorrow. "Jolene-"

"Joe." Clementine scampered in and jumped onto the bed with the walkie talkie in her hand. Andrea was behind Clementine and stood by the cell door.

Rick and Jolene quickly backed away from each other. Jolene nervously cleared her throat and Rick rubbed the back of his neck, frustrated that he had to wait a little longer to confess to her.

"I saw something moving in the trees outside. Andrea let me check through the scope of her shot gun to ease my mind. I think it was a deer, that's what Daryl said."

"We're pretty sure it was just an animal. Daryl and I are going out hunting tomorrow at dawn. He wanted me to let you know so you won't wonder where we are when you wake." She stared at Rick. "Good night you guys."

"Joe, can you braid my hair, please. I'm getting sleepy." Clementine dug through her back pack and pulled out her hair brush.

"I'll uh, leave you two at it then. Good night." Rick trudged away.

-The Next Day-Evening-

Jolene had spent her day helping Hershel farm and spent time with Clementine, Maggie, Beth and Glenn. She didn't see much of Rick except for breakfast and lunch and when they crossed paths in the prison. When Rick and Jolene would glance at each other it was torture. Rick wanted to spend the whole day with her, as did Jolene. Except they all had jobs to do, jobs to keep the prison safe and running.

Sunset was creeping up on the prison. Everyone had finished eating dinner and Jolene went outside with a sharpie in hand. She looked at the cracked, blank concrete wall, picturing what she wanted to draw, then made it happen. The black lines escaping the sharpie formed into a simple looking woman.

Rick had picked a few white flowers that was growing on the sides of the fence and laid them down in the middle of Jolene's bed. He wanted to make sure she sleeps with a smile tonight. God, she's positively radiant. He found himself smiling thinking of her smile. Then he really started thinking. This isn't love, it can't be. We haven't known each other for that long. Maybe a crush? I'm a grown man, I don't crush anymore…I think. I can't deny that I'm really like her…can this really be love? I haven't felt like this in years. I think…maybe I am.

"Damn, didn't know you were an artist." Daryl snuck up behind Jolene.

"I used to doddle a lot." Jolene glanced back at him.

"That's no doddle, that's art. It's like one of those amazing murals I've seen on buildings."

Jolene smiled and continued to draw. She was never complimented before on her drawings and to hear Daryl pay her a compliment flattered her.

"Everything alright?" Daryl stared at her right hand that was controlling the sharpie.

Jolene stopped drawing, put the cap back on and turned to him. "Everything's fine. Why you ask?"

Daryl slightly shook his head. "Nothin'." He tried to shrug it off. He knew she was crying that night at the back of the prison when she was talking to Rick and had picked up that they had a thing for each other. It didn't take a genius to figure it out. He started to really care for Jolene, she was a good person and it's a rare trait now a days.

"Wow, that's so cool!" Carl was astonished with Jolene's drawing as he walked over to her with Clementine, Sophia and Charlie by his side.

"Here." Jolene handed Carl the sharpie. "Feel free to add the finishing touches." She smiled and took a step back.

Carl stared, not want to touch it out of fear of messing up a beautiful drawing.

"Can I try?" Sophia looked to Carl, who handed over the sharpie and watched her.

Daryl noticed that Sophia tried to emulate what Jolene had drew. She started getting a little frustrated because she wasn't achieving. "Let me help you out a bit." Daryl bent down to her level and held her hand, helping her draw like Jolene. Clementine was coaching Sophia and Daryl on how to draw, as if she knew exactly how Jolene did it.

Jolene stepped away a bit and looked out into the sunset. She was lost in her thoughts, mostly of Rick.

"You okay?" Carl walked over to her.

"Yeah." Jolene continued to stare out.

"You know, you are one of us." Carl assured her.

Jolene looked down to him. Now she was certain everyone knew what she had done to herself. "Thanks. It actually means a lot coming from you." She patted his shoulder. "You alright?"

"I guess…it's just…"

"If anything's wrong you can always talk to me." Jolene wanted nothing more than to make sure Carl knew he could talk to her about anything.

"Everyone here thinks I'm just a kid. That I don't know anything, but I do. I know about my mom and Shane. I know that my mom and dad called off their marriage. She keeps thinking that you and my dad are together and I know that Shane is planning on leaving and wants me to go with him and my mom."

Jolene tilted her head in disbelief. She knew Carl knew something was going on despite everyone trying to keep it away from him but didn't think he knew it all and was shocked to hear that Shane was planning on leaving with Lori and planning on taking Carl. How could she think about taking away Rick's son?

"Out of everything that's going on, the only thing that bothers me the most is that I might be leaving. I don't want to go. I want to stay here with Beth, Maggie, Glenn, Hershel, Sophia, Clementine, Daryl, Andrea, Carol, Charlie, my dad and you."

Jolene was lost in her mind full of questions. "Does your dad know?"

"No. The thought of just being with my mom and Shane and not having you and my dad around makes me feel like…I love my mom but I don't know…It's safer here. I want to be with my dad and you guys more."

"Carl." Lori snarled. She didn't want Carl anywhere near Jolene. "Time to come inside." Lori laid her hand to his back and gently pushed him away from Jolene and into the prison.

Daryl stood there, glancing over at what was going on, he heard everything Carl and Jolene were saying to each other, even though they were speaking from a distance in a low tone. Daryl stared at Lori walking away. What a bitch.

"Hey Clem, help Sophia get things ready for bed wontcha?"

"Okay." Clementine took on the task. "Come one Sophia." Clementine walked into the prison with Sophia and Charlie by her side.

"So you and Carol?" Jolene walked over to Daryl. She brought up the first thing on her mind before Daryl confronted her about what just happened, she didn't want to talk about it.

"Psh, what about us?"

"Nothin."

Daryl's eyes wondered off behind Jolene, suddenly she felt someone's presence behind her. Daryl handed Jolene the sharpie and walked away.

"It was a beautiful day today." Jolene softly spoke. She knew that it was Rick who was standing behind her.

"Yeah, it still is." Rick stared at her hair that was up in a pony tail.

"As dumb as it sounds saying it now a days, how was your day?" Jolene lightly twirled to face him.

"Daryl, Andrea and I reinforced the south side of the fences, kids were being kids and we have enough supplies to last a good while. Today was a good day."

Jolene smiled as she leaned her back against the mural she was working on and looked out into the sunset, her thumbs snugly resting in her front pockets.

"When did you learn how to draw like that?" Rick admired the woman she drew.

"I taught myself. I've been doing it since I was Clementine's age."

"She's beautiful, but not as beautiful as the artist." Rick leaned his back to the wall by Jolene.

Jolene kept her eyes on the sunset. She tried everything in her power to not blush or show any kind of emotion but she could feel the tingling red in her cheeks. "So what were you going to tell me? You know, before Clementine interrupted."

Rick turned his head to her and got lost in her beauty. His eyes quickly gazed down to the curves of her body then back to her angelic face. He wanted to hold her again, to touch her soft skin. He didn't know how much longer he could keep his hands to himself. Now has to be the time. "I…"

"Rick!" Shane stormed outside, holding onto a crumbled up piece of paper, with Lori hiding behind him.

Great, something always has to ruin their moment. What is Shane going to say? What is going to happen? Next chapter is going to be insane. Things dramatically change and nothing will ever be the same again.