I don't own anything to do with Rick or any character from the Walking Dead. I own my OC's, however, and I love 'em! :)

QUICK NOTES: I am sorry for the wait, guys. I have been busting my ass for the last two days trying to write despite the absence of my muse AND the presence of a five year old that does NOT want Momma to write. At all. Because that means she is not paying attention to him and we are not having that, are we? No. Sigh... Anyway, be kind, review. Lol :)

*****NOELL*****

The farm had exploded like the storm above, and now that the worst was over, it all seemed to slow and clear with the swirling clouds above. Thank god, Noell, thought, as she shut Disco and Jimmy's door behind her and leaned against it, closing her eyes for one blessed moment. Everything was happening so fast and the sudden absence of noise around her felt very empty. Empty, but welcome. Behind this door she leaned on, Disco lay in bed with Jimmy at her side, and while Noell was always honest with her patients, she didn't have the heart to tell Jimmy the full extent of her diagnosis. Not after Rick had come in while she was trying to treat the very messy stomach wound and told the young man that he'd lost someone named Becca. Apparently his cousin. He'd taken it well, just nodding and focusing on the pretty girl next to him, repeatedly asking Noell if she was going to be ok.

"How is she?" The quiet voice startled Noell more than the loudest clap of thunder and her eyes flew upon, her hand shooting out reflexively in front of her. "Whoa, slow down. It's jus' me, Doc."

Her hand went to her fluttering heart in her chest, now just below her throat. "God damnit Daryl, wear a bell." She hissed and he managed to look a little amused. He stood down the hallway a ways from her, looking unusually lost in his surroundings. Everyone was with their significant other/partner, whatever- and she was running between them all like a crazy person. But not Daryl, he was alone as usual. Besides Merle, who did he have, really?

Clearing her throat, she took a newer, gentler approach to the man in front of her. "She isn't good, Daryl. I don't know what to say, really. A stomach shot... you know that isn't just something you can sew up, right?"

He met her in the middle of the hallway and they stopped toe to toe, voices low to keep Jimmy from hearing them. He met her eyes, and she was surprised by the patience and understanding she saw there. "You can only do so much, Doc. Don't tear yourself down because you can't save ever'body." He said in that slow drawl and she actually gave a half smile.

Sighing, she rubbed her forehead and looked back up at his wearily. "Yeah." She whispered and sighed, looking back up tiredly. "How's Benny? I'm on my way to see him now."

He shook his head, waving any mention of the boy away. "He'll hold. What about Ruby and the baby?" He frowned, concerned.

"Paul assured me they were fine, and Rick is cleaning them up now. He told me to take care of the more pressing matters first."

"You need to check on 'em. Paul ain't no doctor." He scoffed and she raised an eyebrow at him knowingly.

"Maybe not, but I trust his judgment, same as I do you. Go on up, Daryl. See them for me while I check on Benny and I'll be along shortly." She finished and he didn't move, the look of trepidation growing on his face. "Don't be afraid, ok? It's gonna be ok, and I'll be there in a few minutes."

He gave a bitter 'pshht' and looked at her threw narrowed eyes. "Who the fuck's afraid? I just ain't goin and breakin up a family moment like that, ya know..." He trailed off, not even convincing himself.

"You're kidding me, right? Daryl, you are family." She put a hand out and laid it on his arm, half expecting him to yank it away after the "afraid" comment, but he didn't. "Will you go, please?"

He relented, now that she had given him a job to do, he didn'tquite feel like he was imposing as he did before, and it was evident by the little squeeze he gave her hand on his arm before pulling away. She met his eyes as she left, and for a moment, wasn't sure what it was she saw there. It was more than gratitude, but... sigh... She pushed it away as Daryl being Daryl, the living enigma that he was. She was to the stairs before turning back at a moment's impulse. "Hey Daryl."

He looked down at her from the stairs he'd already climbed. "Yup."

"You know, Benny. Jimmy... uh. He said..." She didn't quite know how to finish and was shocked when Daryl did it for her.

"He said if you save that little son of a bitch he'd kill him hisself."

"Yeah." She nodded uncertainly. "I don't know if I know how to let someone die if I can stop it. It feels like I'm an executioner, instead of a doctor, you know?"

Daryl stayed quiet for a moment, then descended the stairs and put a large, rough hand on the back of her neck, making her face tilt up toward him a little. "Doc, Jimmy's pissed, he's hurtin', an' you know how that feels. But, you... you got a job to do. Leave him to me, you do what you need to. What lets you sleep at night. I ain't gon' let anybody git in yer way."

Noell felt a lump in her throat at his words. His sincerity constantly astounded her. Before she could stop herself, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. The feel of the rough stubble of his cheek left a tingling burn across her much more sensitive skin, and he froze at first, a rushing blush of red moving up his neck and over his face like a wave. His hesitation didn't last- suddenly his hand, the one still on the back of her neck, tightened and was joined by the other one on her hip, just as tight. He pulled her forward, startling her greatly but making her blood heat up like an instant fire in her veins. Their eyes met and she felt herself falling into the pools of blue just as his lips met hers. Slow at first, then she closed her eyes and leaned completely into him. Lips parted slightly, and he took great advantage of it, his tongue sweeping in and tasting every bit of her. For how rough his hands were, how his stubble burned delightfully, she could not get over how soft his lips were. They were like velvet, such a contrast to the rest of him, and absolutely intoxicating. His hands were on her, moving and massaging the skin of her waist and shoulders as his lips moved down her chin and onto the delicate skin of her neck.

Downstairs somewhere a door slammed shut and the dream they were in was burst into a million pieces as reality set back in quickly. He pulled back, biting his lip painfully to force himself to stop kissing her when all he wanted was to throw her down right there and make love to her forever. She was left gasping for air and holding the wall for support for her trembling knees, the loss of the feel of him almost painful.

"Go on now." He said in a gruff clearing of his throat as he backed up. Giving her one last little nod, he darted up the stairs, leaving her alone there in the hallway. It took her a good few minutes before she found she was able to move again, and remember that she had a job to do. Wiping at the dampness on her cheek and the feel of the burning now a slight tingle across her reddened skin, she slowly made her way down the stairs and toward her next patient.

Merle was standing by the fireplace, looking down at the Benny, who was still laying there when Noell came in the front door. The jerk of the boy's body, however, gave away that he'd long ago woken up. He lay on his side, facing away from her, and when she rounded the couch and came near he pulled away, still not showing his face.

"Here, here. I have water for him." Abe shuffled out from the kitchen and got down across from her when Noell knelt down to the boy's side. He was thin, tall for whatever age he was. She hadn't realized how tall when he'd been whisked inside earlier. He was a good 5'8, taller than her own 5'6, but curled up and lithe, bony and tense. When Abe offered the cUp of water, she saw the first glimpse of his face, well... the side of it at least. It was streaked with blood and dirt, but very red, and not for the reason you would think. He was more broken out than the proverbial pizza delivery boy, the red and inflamed acne spread evenly over the would be pale flesh of his face and neck. Ugh... she felt herself recoil a little when she caught the whiff of his body odor on top of it all, and she tucked her nose meekly into her shoulder as she pulled on a pair of latex gloves. Waiting patiently, she only reached out to inspect the shoulder wound when he'd gotten his fill to drink from Abe.

"How to you feel?" She spoke while trying not to breathe, and Benny hissed at her touch, trying to pull away.

"How you think I feel, ya' dumb bitch?" He mumbled rudely, glaring at her and she met his eyes with her own steely ones.

Abe, however, would have none of the inconsideration to the only woman in his presence. He whipped out a hand and back over the boy's face, knocking him senseless in one quick blow. Noell jerked back in alarm, looking up at the old man in shock. "None of that, young man. She's trying to help you." Abe's tone was low, deadly, and Noell cleared her throat uncomfortably as she turned back to the boy.

He shut the hell up then, and let her work, for what good it did really. She could do little with it. The bullet had gone in and out, the real problem was that it seemed to have nicked an artery and the bleeding was out of control. Abe had done well while they'd waited for her, and his packing had held till she pulled it away, spilling a fresh stream of blood over her fingers and a shot of arterial spurt hit the floor a few feet away.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, despite herself, but a handful of fresh packing came up in front of her face and she looked over to find Abe handing it out to her.

"It happened before." He explained his patient readiness with a smile as she took it from him. A vial of painkillers was about all there was left, she realized and reached into her bag. Benny didn't even give out a squeak as she pinched his left bicep and stuck the needle in.

"We should get Rick." She said, leaning back and capping the needle.

"Don't have to, darlin'." Merle drawled and she looked at him quizzically. He gestured behind her, and she turned to see a flash of the sheriff in the window, then the door opened and he strode inside.

****Ruby********

Ruby's room had become a hive of activity, a whirling tornado around the tired young woman and her newborn. Of course Carl had chased them all upstairs when he realized his brother had been born, and he went from being next to Ruby's bed staring down happily at the boy and standing guard outside in times of needed privacy. Rick came and went a few times, still dealing with other things on the farm, but blessedly had managed to get her and the baby into the bath. With soft and warm, but swift, movements he had the blood and goo washed away while Carl changed the bedclothes for the new arrival. Them, combined with her favorite nightgown, both clean and fresh smelling, effectively soothing them both.

Beth had left Paul to get acquainted with his daughter and he was currently in a haze of bliss back in their room, and was waiting for them when they came out of the bath. She began to assist Ruby in the ways of breastfeeding, and it didn't take long at all. The baby sucked at Ruby's breast greedily, and Ruby couldn't stop smiling, elated with the way the child just caught on so quickly.

"I told you he would. Jett did it, too, they just know." Beth had told her when she'd adjusted the infant in Ruby's arms. Rick and Carl had stood back, a little embarrassed color creeping up into their cheeks. Of course Ruby understood, this was unusual, especially to Carl. This is not only the most natural thing in the world, but needed, too. If the baby didn't feed from his mother, the way Jett had been doing so well, he'd die. They didn't have the formula needed to go any other way.

"So weird..." Carl had watched with an awed and slightly disgusted face. Of course, Beth made sure Ruby was modestly covered, they worked under a blanket, but it still seemed to be too much for him. "What does it feel like?"

Ruby tilted her head to the side and thought about it, smiling softly. "You ever put the end of a vacuum cleaner hose against your skin? You know how that feels?" She asked him after a moment.

"Yeah." He grinned back at her.

She nodded. "Well, it's kind of like that. It's tickly, but pulling. And sometimes it hurts if he bites down too hard."

"But, he doesn't have any teeth." Carl looked confused.

She chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "Yeah, what he's got is worse! Those gum plates are as sharp as a knife."

"Oh man." Carl looked a little shocked, and Rick put his arm around his son's shoulders.

"Man, what do you say we go grab a drink, let them finish this up." Rick asked, steering Carl toward the door.

"Can we talk about names?" Carl asked as they went.

"I think we better." Rick nodded, grinning as he and Carl left the room.

When Beth was sure Ruby had it, she'd gone and rejoined Paul and her own child with a "better get back , but come get me if you need me" as she went. The room was finally still, and quiet, for the first time and the baby's eyes closed peacefully. His belly full now, his breathing evened and he began to sleep deeply. She was nearly gone herself when a soft knock came at the door, and Daryl poked his head inside, his face uncertain as his tone would prove to be.

"Yeah... uh... Doc wanted me to make sure ever'thing was ok." He began, but Ruby motioned excitedly for him to come closer.

"Daryl! Come in! Come see him." She whispered excitedly, genuinely happy to see her friend. Daryl closed the door behind him and came across, getting down on the side of the bed to see him.

"He looks good. Strong." Daryl grinned down at the child, seeming almost proud. Ruby thrilled at his reaction. "What's his name?"

"Uh..." Ruby glanced down at the baby with concern and embarrassment.

"He don't got a name yet? You tellin' me you never talked about it?" He teased.

"Oh we, did. Kind of." She stayed quiet for a moment. "No, we didn't. Not really."

"Why?" Daryl picked the sleeping infant's tiny fingers up and rubbed them gently between his thumb and forefinger. She sighed, and stayed quiet. He broke his contact with the baby after a moment and looked up at her with concern. "What? What'd I say?"

She shrugged gently. "I guess... I was just afraid. If he didn't make it, having a name would be-" She stopped suddenly and looked at him, tears in her eyes. He let out a "'ohh" sound and reached out, grabbing her chin and holding it tight.

"You don't gotta say it. I get it." She smiled gratefully at him, sniffing and he wiped the tears from the bottom of her eyes with a thick, warm thumb. She took a deep breath and was about to say something when her door tapped and opened quietly.

"You done with feeding him?" Carl asked excitedly, and she grinned, gesturing for him to come in.

"You wanna hold him?" She offered and Daryl blinked up at her uncertainly.

"I.. uh, I don't-"

"Come on, come on." She waved his weak objections away and moved so Daryl could come up and sit on the side of the bed next to them. "Put out your arms, yeah..."

She moved the gruff hunter into position, and when the baby was laying in his arms looking up at him, he gave a wide, deep yawn and settled back sleepily. "He likes you." She whispered, settling back against her pillows and watching him happily.

"Course he does." Daryl grunted gently, a grin never leaving his face. "He knows I'm gonna teach him how to shoot. Don'tcha, little man?"

"Not anytime soon, you're not." She yawned widely, and felt the first tugs of sleep pulling at her fiercely.

"Just ain't right for a man to come into this world without a name." Daryl was half mumbling, more talking to the baby or into the air than anything.

"Well, truth be told, I wanted your input." She said and he looked at her in surprise.

"What're you goin' on about?"

"I wanted to know what you thought. It shouldn't surprise you that much, should it? You get your say on everything else around here." She chuckled lightly, her eyelids becoming heavier and heavier with each passing breath.

"Not on somethin' like this, now. That's a family thing."

She echoed Noell's words back to him, and he felt his heart spring up. "You are family, Daryl. I just want to know what you think. I'm not giving you final say. You might wanna name him Bubba or something."

"Bubba." He chortled lightly. "Yeah, that's what I was gonna say. Or maybe Cletus. You like Cletus, little dude?"

"I was thinking. A hybrid name." Carl spoke up and they looked at his curiously. "You know, you put together names of people that mean a lot to you."

Ruby nodded. "Oh.. yeah. Well, there is Rick, obviously, but I don't want a junior. Then Paul, Daryl..." She trailed off, lost in thought as she watched Daryl look down at her son, holding him tight. She suddenly snapped her fingers and grinned. "Darick."

"Darick? Don't you mean Derrick?" Carl asked, his head tilted in slight confusion.

"No. Darick. Dar, for Daryl. Rick, for his dad."

"What about Paul?" Carl asked.

She smiled at him. "His middle name can be Paul. Darick Paul Grimes."

Carl hopped up from the bench he'd been sitting on excitedly. "I'm gonna go tell everyone he's got a name!" He was almost to the door when Ruby stopped him.

"You should ask your dad first, make sure he likes it."

"He'll love it. Trust me." Carl said firmly, his grin never wavering. A second later, they could hear him bounding down the stairs. Ruby chuckled, and focused back on Daryl and the baby.

Coming slowly to sit on her bedside, he looked up at her with his eyes soft, almost glistening. "You, uh... You sure you wanna name him after me? I ain't special, ain't nobody to him."

"Don't even give me that. I hate the way you downplay everything you do for us, for this place. If it weren't for you time and time again, I know I wouldn't be sitting here, much less him. Not just us, either, everyone out there can say in one respect or another that they owe you their lives."

He shook his lowered head, but she could see his lower lip trembling ever so slightly. She reached out and put a small hand on his burly arm. "You ok?"

He nodded quietly, his hand coming around to sit atop hers. They sat like that for a little while before she gave another monster yawn.

"Lay back, git some sleep. I'll watch him, I ain't goin anywhere" He assured her and she nodded. She settled back and he helped cover her fully with a soft blanket. She was so tired that a mere four or five minuted later she was breathing deeply, sleep completely overtaking her. Daryl kept his word. He moved to the chair next to the bed and sat down there gently. Darick slept deeply in his arms and he watched Ruby do the same in the bed before him. For a while, sitting there, he felt complete.