"Set the bow down, boy.

Daryl snarled back at the man who stood with one arm wrapped around Skye's chest and another holding a knife to her slender neck. Not lowering his bow in the slightest he said, "Not a chance."

"I'll kill 'er. I swear I will. Slice her pretty neck right open."

The look in the man's eyes told Daryl there was no joke about what he was saying. Skye felt the knife press into her neck, threatening to beak the skin. She could feel herself begin to tremble and even more so as she watched Daryl set his crossbow down on the table in front of him.

Raising his hands up, Daryl took a step back, all the while glaring daggers across the room at the man.

"What do ya want?"

"I want ya to back out slowly. If you so much as peek a head in... I'll end 'er." His grip on Skye tightened making her wince before her eyes found Daryl's. He took slow steps backwards, hands still in the air, with eyes fixed on her making a silent promise – he would get her out safely. Suddenly she wasn't quite as afraid. She knew deep down that he would do everything in his power to keep that promise while at the same time making this man pay.

Once Daryl was out the door, one swift motion spun her around bringing her face to face with her captor. He was a lot younger than she expected. She had been guessing maybe sixty, judging by his voice, but he couldn't have been older than mid-forties. His face was bearded over with scraggly chestnut hair hanging down into his crazed eyes. These were eyes that had felt the weight of this new world, a weight he had to face alone. This was something that could drive anyone mad, and who knew what he would be willing to do. His look was topped off with a smile lacking almost all his teeth from which breath that rivaled even the dead flowed as he spoke.

"Any weapons on ya, girlie? I suggest you rid yourself of 'em now if ya do."

Skye reached down and pulled her pistol along with the machete up and threw them onto the counter with a clang. He gave her a satisfied grunt before turning away to grab a drink. Little did he know there was something she left out. Turning back to her he held out a glass for her to take, brown liquid sloshing around inside. Hesitantly, she wrapped her fingers around it bringing it to her nose. The scent burned her nostrils, but she threw it back anyway, scrunching up her nose as she felt the burn go all the way down to her empty stomach.

The man slammed his own glass down onto the bar, startling her, licking his lips and shaking his head before wiping away little droplets of alcohol that clung to his beard. Shivers ran up her spine as his beady eyes glanced sideways up at her.

"Rick!"

Daryl's boots kicked up dirt as he sprinted to where Rick and Carl were searching some cars that sat abandoned on Main Street. Hearing Daryl's urgent tone Rick sprung from the vehicle and marched toward his comrade.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Daryl slowed down and now paced back and forth in front of Rick. Carl hurried over and came to a quick halt behind his father, noticing that Skye was not with Daryl.

"Where's Skye?" The small boy's question hit Daryl hard making guilt wash through him.

"Some asshole in the bar. That bastard jumped her. Must've been hiding behind the damn bar. He better not touch one hair on her head. If see one scratch on her I swear I'm gonna –"

"Calm down, Daryl We're gonna get her out," Rick attempted to calm Daryl, who continued to pace frantically. "I'll just go talk to him."

"Can't. Said if we try to get in he'll kill 'er."

Worry flooded Rick's face as he struggled to think of how to handle the situation. "Let's find the others."

"You guys came to the wrong town. See, I've been alone in this place for nearly four months. That is, until you folks come barreling in," he let out a chuckle that set her teeth on edge.

"What happened to everyone? There were no survivors at all?" Skye decided she would try to keep this man talking, then maybe, just maybe, the others could find a way to get her out.

"The plague or whatever this shit is, it took most of 'em. My brothers, sister, friends… all of 'em. Others fled town till all that was left was me and four other guys. We holed up in the pharmacy across town, but those fuckers got in." His head shook, remembering the past as if it had just happened. "They took Bubba right next to me. If we had been standing just a bit further to the left I coulda saved him. I just know it. But I didn't. All that was left after that was me and Thomas."

Stopping there he walked around the bar to where Daryl's crossbow remained. As his fingertips grazed the cool metal of the bow Skye pushed on.

"And Thomas? What happened to him?"

"Well I killed him," his face was stone cold. There was no remorse, nothing. If he was willing to kill one of his own, he would have no trouble killing her or the others.

"Why?"

"We were tryin' to take this bar, but every time we tried to leave there were some of those creeps outside. So I took my hatchet and drove it into his leg and pushed him outside. While they were busy with him, I snuck off here, barricadin' myself upstairs. Eventually they all moved on, left town. Finally decided to come on out and see if there was any more alcohol and what do I hear? Cars approachin'. It got really lonely after killin' Thomas. But now…" his eye burned into hers. "Now I have someone to keep me company."

"So you aren't going to kill me?" her voice was full of hope.

"As long as those fools outside don't try anything funny and just go along their way, then no I won't be killin' ya."

"And let's say for a second that they do move on and I am left here with you," she swallowed hard, trying not to reveal how scared she truly was. "What if I don't wanna stay? I try to leave."

"Let's just say you don't wanna be doin' that." He shot her a wicked grin and she knew he would most definitely kill her then… or worse. "I know that redneck just showed you a little lovin' but I wouldn't count on him comin' back. Although," he held up the crossbow. "He probably would come back for this."

She knew he was trying to get under her skin, trying to make her feel all hope was lost, but she knew better. She just stayed sitting on the bar, not saying a word.

"Thought he would've tried somethin' by now if he really wanted to save you." Crossing the room to her he traced a finger down her jaw line. "Maybe he has someone else. Maybe someone worth protecting more than you. Is there another woman in the group?"

Skye's jaw clenched as Carol's face popped into her mind, but still she said nothing at all. His grin grew, as he let out a low laugh.

"See, he won't be coming for you. He's left you for me. It's been a long, long time since a woman has been in this town that hasn't tried to eat me." Pushing her hair back from her neck he leaned in, taking in her scent before running his tongue up her neck, making her skin crawl in disgust. Jerking her knee upward she hit him in the chest, knocking him backward. He growled and a sharp pain filled her left cheek as his hand smacked across her face. She fell from the bar, landing hard at his feet.

"Stupid bitch!"

Regaining her composure, she flipped her hair back and looked up at him as he towered over her.

"You're going to regret that!"

"Is there a back door?"

Glenn stood, shotgun in hand, looking between Rick and Daryl. At his right Maggie kept shifting in place at the thought of her friend in danger just inside the building in front of them. They couldn't see through the windows seeing as how they were all boarded up. Having been discussing this for the past fifteen minutes, they were finding they were running out of ideas.

"Nah. He'd hear you before you could even make it to them," Daryl pointed out.

"How'd this happen? How did you not notice someone in there?" Carol shot from their right, giving Daryl a questioning look.

"It doesn't matter," Rick stated, hooking a thumb into the front pocket of his jeans. "All that matters right now is getting her out.

"Should we even risk it?"

Everyone's eyes went to Carol, who dropped her eyes avoiding their gaze.

"I just mean, what if someone gets hurt in the process? Or killed?"

Daryl stepped over towards her. "How could you even suggest that? Leavin' someone behind like that?"

"She's one of us. There's no leavin' her behind. I'd die tryin' to save one of us! So no more talk of leavin' anyone behind, alright," Rick defended.

Daryl looked down at the woman before him, shocked that she even said the words. Shaking his head in disappointment, he spun on his heels returning to his place beside Rick.

"Something happen, Rick?"

They turned to see Hershel stepping up next to them.

"Saw ya'll standing here from the vehicles." Hershel scanned the group. "Where's Skye?"

"Inside. There was a man. He took her hostage," Rick filled him in.

"Shouldn't you go talk to him?"

"Not an option. He'll kill her."

Hershel gazed over at Daryl, whose eyes weren't leaving the bar door. With a sigh, Hershel asked, "Any ideas yet?"

"Had some, but none seem as if they'd work out in our favor."

"Is there a way to get to the second floor? Maybe sneak downstairs." Hershel pointed at he awning above the door.

"You think that could work? Did you see a staircase inside?" Rick looked to Daryl for an answer.

"I saw one. It was in the storeroom. Door to that is right next to the bar. You guys don't seem to be listenin'," Daryl fired, aggravated. "Every step you make in there makes the floorboards creak. No one's gettin' in there without him knowin' it."

Lori and Beth came running over to the group, stopping behind Rick.

"Rick?"

"Go back to the car, Lori," Rick demanded, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

"Just tell me what's going on!"

"We're taking care of it. Now go back to-"

All of their attention was drawn to the bar as the sound of crashing came from inside. Without even thinking Daryl rushed forth, ignoring Rick as he shouted in protest.

"Daryl! No! Wait!"

Slamming through the door, what he found was something he hadn't expected. His chest heaved and his heart threatened to burst from his chest as he stared over at Skye, who stood leaning against the bar trying to regain her breath. Rick appeared at the door next to Daryl, both their eyes falling to her feet where the man lied dead. Her eyes never left the body before her. Something in her hand caught Daryl's attention. It was the knife he had given her, only now it was gleaming red from the blood that covered the blade and splattered up her hand. Careful not to approach too quickly, Daryl watched her as he stepped closer.

"Skye?" Daryl whispered, but she didn't move.

Eyes still glued to the man she said, "I had to."

His eyes searched her for any signs of harm, but found none other than a slight pink handprint on her cheek, but it was fading quickly. "Give me the knife."

Her eyes finally met his then looked down to the knife she clutched on to. Gently she let it fall from her fingertips into his waiting hand. Swallowing the lump in his throat he was about to lean down to press his lips to hers, but stopped as he remembered Rick standing in the doorway.

Clearing his throat he said, "We should probably head out."

"Not yet," Rick stated. "We should check upstairs. If he's been survivin' here he may have some supplies we can scavenge. Rick pushed past them and headed over to the storage room. Once he was gone, Daryl saw his opportunity, but as he leaned in Skye head her hand up, stopping him.

"What?"

"What was that?"

"What are you talkin' 'bout?" Daryl asked dumbfounded.

"You have to wait till he's gone to kiss me?"

"Skye…"

"Why don't you want them to know?"

"It's none of their damn business."

Skye just stared back at him, not convinced.

Uncomfortable under her stare, Daryl threw a hand up. "Aw hell. I don't need this right now, Skye."

"Do you care for me, Daryl? If so, why are you so ashamed to let them see it?"

He knew she was right. His feelings embarrassed him, even though he knew they shouldn't. Truth was that he didn't want them to see him like this, but as they had been this whole time. He wanted to be that hardass redneck his brother had pushed him to be. Merle. If only he could see Daryl, he scoffed in his head. He would probably tell him to man up, not to show his soft side, to care only about Merle and himself. He could hear it now. Darleena, stop letting this girl get into your head. Just you and me, baby brother. Don't let anything change that.

Getting ready to start season 3! I think I've got everything pretty well planned out so the updates should be coming a lot quicker than they have been. But not too quick, I don't wanna rush it. We have awhile until season four! D: Much love!