2 Months Later

Kat felt the sun light shining through the curtains of her and Daryl's room in the early morning. She looked up from Daryl's chest and watched him sleep. At that moment Kat felt content. Yawning, she got up from bed slowly and went to the bathroom. Though she was up, Kat could feel her eyelids get heavier as she sat on the toilet. Suddenly a loud banging on the apartment door woke her up. She quickly finished and got out of the bathroom to the front door.

"Who is it?" Kat asked.

"Who the fuck is in my apartment?!" The man yelled.

"Merle?" Kat went to the door and opened it. Merle looked at Kat up and down and smirked.

"Well, what do we have here?" Merle said. Kat gave a strained smile. As much as she cared for Merle, she couldn't help but fell slightly annoyed and bad for Merle. She could see the drug use taking a toll on his body. Merle stepped into the apartment and gave Kat a big hug.

"I didn't know you were getting out so soon." Kat said. Merle let her go and went to the couch in the living room. Kat sighed and closed the front door.

"Did my little brother tell you I was getting released today?"

"No, he did not tell me." Kat groaned.

"So, you and my brother shacking up together?" He smirked.

"Yes, Merle."

"Fucking finally! Thought that boy would never man up. Started to think he swung the other way." Merle cringed. Kat rolled her eyes.

"Well, speak of the Devil!" Merle said as Daryl walked into the living room after waking up from his brother loud, raspy voice.

"The fuck are you doing here?" Daryl asked.

"The fuck you mean? This is my apartment. Or have you forgotten."

"Calm the fuck down! I meant why are you here. I was gonna get you later today."

"They let me out early." Merle smiled. Daryl grunted and walked to the kitchen with Kat followed behind him. Kat pulled on Daryl's arm.

"Why didn't you tell me he was getting out?" Kat whispered. Daryl shrugged.

"I forgot." He yawned.

"You forgot your brother was getting out of jail today and forgot to tell the girl who has been living with you for months now?"

"I forgot! Calm down. What are ya' stressed or got your monthly or something. Been acting crazy." He said. Kat groaned and walked out of the kitchen. Daryl watched her leave and scuffed.

Kat walked by the living room with Merle watching her.

"What's your problem, Kitty?" He asked.

"Nothing. Just stressed out." She went to the bedroom and laid on the bed. Why does being surprised by your boyfriend's druggie brother have to be something period related?

After work the next day, Kat went to her family home for lunch. She decided to give Daryl sometime with Merle since his release yesterday morning. As she drove up the driveway, her mother and Hayley came out from the house to welcome her. She parked the car and walked up the steps to the house.

"Hey, Ma. Hayley!" Kat smiled. She hugged her mother and sister and they all went inside. They went to the kitchen and sat at the table to eat. Kat was hungry! Haven't eaten since yesterday night and having her monthly, she grabbed seconds and about to get thirds.

"Honey, slow down! You're gonna choke." Norma laughed. Kat smiled and put down the fork.

"Sorry, haven't eaten since last night and got my period." Kat said.

"Okay, well pack some food with you. Can't go all night working and not eating. That's how you get sick." Kat stood up and put her dish in the sink. "And gain weight." Norma said. Kat blushed and looked down. She's been slowly but surely gaining weight since starting at the hospital.

"Ugh! I know, I know!" Kat said. She sat down at the table and put her face in her hands. She felt embarrassed about the weight gain. She's always been chubby and gaining weight was making her feel shy about being naked or having sex. Though Daryl doesn't give a damn.

"Ya know what? I'm gonna start running and eating right. Get some of these pounds off."

The next couple of weeks Kat worked out anytime she was free and ate less but better too. She felt better and looked a little better but couldn't get some unwanted pounds off. As she was getting ready for her workout, her stomach started to rumble. She forgot to eat! She brushed it off and went to the little gym in the hospital. Kat was running on the treadmill when she started to feel light headed. She had to stop. She wasn't feeling good. The other staff members in the room looked at her with concern until one came over to her.

"Are you okay? You look a little pale." They asked. Kat wanted to say she's fine but knew that was a lie.

"No, I need to sit down." Kat was guided to a near by chair.

"Did you eat today?"

"No, I forgot to."

"That might be it. I have a protein bar in my bag. I'll get it for you." The person ran back and grabbed the bar out of their bag. Kat was starting to feel embarrassed from the attention she was getting. They came back and handed the bar to Kat, who practically ripped it open. Taking a couple of bites, Kat was starting to feel better until she throw up the protein bar on the gym floor.

"Um okay, maybe we should take up to get checked." Some other member said.

"No, it's probably nothing. I ate too fast." Kat coughed.

"Let's just go to make sure, okay?" Kat sighed and got up slowly from the chair and followed them out.

Daryl sat at the bar with Merle drinking a beer and hearing him rant about some chick down the bar who "obviously" wanted Merle. Though by what Daryl was looking at she definitely didn't.

"That girl wants me, man." Merle said. Daryl rolled his eyes.

"She ain't even looking your way." Daryl then felt his cellphone vibrate in this pocket. When he took it out to check the caller I.D., he didn't recognize the number causing him to ignore it.

"I'm going over there." Merle said getting up. Daryl went to stop him but his phone buzzed again. This time he picked up.

"Hello?" He asked.

"Hey." It was Kat but it didn't sound like it. Her voice was shakey like she's been crying.

"Kat? What's wrong?" He asked. Daryl got up from his seat, ready to run out the door if need it be.

"I-I got admitted to the hospital. I wasn't feeling good and I-I was looking pale. They're doing test and all. Daryl- I'm scared. I hate being on the other side." Kat said.

"I'm on my way, okay? Don't worry. You'll be fine."

"Okay." Daryl said goodbye and told Merle he had to leave.