Sorry for the delay of posting a new chapter. Been struggling with a few chapters, but, I think I got it under control now, LOL. Damn writers block! Hope everyone is staying safe out there with all the bad weather that's been going on.

ALSO THANK YOU READERS for your kind words/reviews/favs/followings!

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: LANGUAGE & 2 CHARACTER DEATH's! You Are Warned**

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of The Walking Dead characters and I'm NOT making any money off of them! I only claim the characters I created for this story (Kim Monroe, Jim & Anna Gibson, Leslie Peters, Max & Seth, Clint Dixon).

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Pulling up into the courtyard of the prison, the group was met outside by Carol and Jim. Both wore grave expression's on their faces and Rick instantly knew something had happened. Getting out, he glanced back to find Daryl getting Kim out as Glenn began to gather their things from the back.

Walking over to them, Rick's hand rested on the butt of his gun and he stopped just in front of Carol. Her eyes were red and swollen as if she'd been crying and Rick's heart dropped, "What happened?"

Knowing how rough it was on Carol, Jim placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and spoke up, "Hershel passed sometime during the night, Rick. Max went to go get him for breakfast when he didn't show up this morning...the boy wasn't armed. Tyreese was coming out the shower's and heard Max's scream and found them. He uh...he had to put Hershel down."

Running his hands through his hair, Rick couldn't believe what he was hearing. Hershel had become more then just a member of the group to them all, he had become a father and brother to them as well. Turning, his eyes found Daryl's as he carried Kim's beaten body towards them. Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to turn back, his eyes settling on Carol, "Carol, I know this is hard for you but...Kim's gonna need you now. She uh..."

Their gaze fell on Daryl as he moved past them and towards the cell blocks door, "Best get Anna to help you. She was raped and beaten. Think she's in shock."

Wiping at her tears, Carol left them silently, running to catch up with Daryl. Opening the door and letting him go in first, Carol fell into step with him, "Get her into the cell..."

"No. Ain't puttin' her in no cell, Carol." Heading towards the door leading out towards the offices they cleared, he breathed out, "What office is still free?"

Taking the lead, she came to the old Chaplain's office which had been cleared out and had a bed set up. Pulling the blanket back that was on the bed, she watched as he laid Kim down and then moved him out her way. Uncovering her, Carol took in the damage, "I need you to get some bandages...antiseptic, towels, water...and get Anna in here to help me."

Cupping Kim's face in her hands gently, Carol tried to coax her back to them, "Kim...sweetie, it's Carol. I need you to tell me where you're hurting." When she got no answer and Kim didn't even acknowledge she'd heard her, Carol sighed, "She's in shock. How long as she been like this?"

"Don't know...maybe two hours now. She was fine when we left out this mornin'...then she just, zoned out," he said as he watched Carol checking her wrists. Needing a moment to himself in order to keep it together, he headed towards the door, "I'll go get Anna and get what you'll need."

Nodding, Carol continued looking over Kim, taking note of the cuts that she clearly could tell were made from a knife. She herself had gone through some of the same when she'd been married to Ed. He'd gotten off on beating, cutting and degrading her throughout most of their marriage and she'd been left to carry the scars from it. Keeping her voice soft, Carol began speaking to Kim, hoping she could hear her, "I know it sounds cliche... but I do know what you're going through, sweetie. My husband did the same to me. It hurts, I know, but you're strong, Kim. I've seen how strong you are."

A tear of her own fell and Carol brushed it away with the back of her hand and recovered Kim with the blanket. Moving back up to her face, Carol stroked her hair back from her face, "You're not gonna go through this alone. You have family here that wants to help and that loves you. Don't let yourself get lost to this, you're stronger then that. Don't let that bastard win. Keep fighting."

When Anna came in with some of the things she'd sent Daryl for, Carol began her work. With the door closed to give Kim privacy, Carol pulled the blanket back off and unbuttoned the shirt that Daryl had put on her. With Anna's help, they got it off her and set it aside before examining the wounds to her torso. A soft knock came to the door and Carol looked at Anna, "See who it is...but don't let anyone in. Not until we have her cleaned up and settled in."

Standing just outside the door with a large bowl they used for cleaning and a bucket of water, Daryl chewed on his lip, worrying about Kim. When the door opened and Anna closed it tight behind her, he sighed, "Carol wanted some water for her."

Taking the bowl, Anna held out her hand for the bucket, "I'll take it from here, Daryl. Sasha and Beth has lunch almost ready...why don't you go eat and let me and Carol tend to Kim. We'll let you know when you can see her."

Eyeing the woman, Daryl's jaw clenched and he breathed out, "I have ta stay with her..."

"Not until we have her cleaned and bandaged up. Daryl...please don't make me have to pull Carol away from her work now. She's doin' all she can to help Kim...do your part and let her."

Having overheard Rick and Glenn talking to a few of the others, Leslie had gone in search of Kim and Daryl. Coming around the corner and seeing Daryl and Anna standing out in the hall, Leslie's eyes caught his as he turned his head. Tears began to fill her eyes as she stood there starring at him, unsure if Kim would be okay.

Handing over the bucket but keeping his eyes on the young girl, Daryl then turned, walking slowly over to her. The soft sound of the door closing back behind him echoed off the dirty walls and Daryl came to a standstill in front of Leslie. The young girl's tears tore at his heart and he silently reached for her, pulling her to him as she began to cry into his shirt. Wrapping his arms around her small frame, he whispered, "Your momma's gonna be just fine...she's strong."

Leslie body shook as a sob left her body and she sniffled, "R-Rick...he said she was raped..."

Cursing the other man for having not been more discreet, Daryl sighed, knowing he couldn't lie to her. She deserved to know the truth and he'd be there for her, "Yeah...she was. But she's safe now. Ain't nobody gonna hurt her again, ya here?" Lifting her chin so he could see her eyes, Daryl brushed her tears away gently with his thumb, "She's gonna need ya bein' strong for her, like she was for you."

Nodding her head some, Leslie asked, "The man?"

"I killed him. He ain't gonna hurt anyone else," he replied, watching her eyes carefully. When she took in a deep breath, Daryl fought to stay planted where he was standing.

Lowering her eyes for a second and then looking back up at him, Leslie whispered, "I'm glad you killed him."

Seeing so much strength in the girl, Daryl turned her but kept a arm around her shoulder as he lead her back towards the commons area, "Carol ain't gonna let us in to see her just yet. Best we eat so your momma doesn't get pissed at us later."

They walked slowly and Leslie looked back up at him, "You love her, don'tcha?"

Stopping, he looked back down at her, and then nodded, "Yeah, I do. That bother ya?"

Shaking her head, she shrugged her shoulders, "No...cause I know she loves you too. You make her happy. If she's happy then so am I."

Starting to walk again, Daryl sighed, "She makes me happy too, Les...and so do you."

A small smile formed as she glanced back up at him. Daryl was one of the few men she fully trusted now in her life. He didn't try to be something he wasn't, he was honest with them and he kept them as safe as he could within his control. When they came into the commons area he led her over to a table and motioned for her to sit down. Watching as he headed over and got them both a plate of food, he came back, setting her in front of her and then taking a seat beside Leslie.

Picking up her fork, she then spoke softly, "Thanks, Daryl...for everything."

Feeling his cheeks redden some, Daryl pointed at her plate with his fork and then dove into his, "Eat up, Les, if'n ya want to see your momma anytime soon." They both began to eat, sitting by themselves and remaining silent. Daryl couldn't help glancing at the door leading out, hoping he'd see Carol come though to tell him everything was gonna be okay. He knew Kim was in bad shape and it could be awhile before they would be allowed to go into the room with her. He didn't have the heart to tell Leslie though. Instead, he would do what he could to keep the young girl calm and her mind off things. She didn't need the stress on her shoulders at such a young age. Glancing to her and then back down at his food, he made a silent vow to himself that he would do all he could for the two girls in his life...his two girls.