Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

-Oscar Wilde

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world she walks into mine. Shit, Danni?"

The lanky guy behind the steel bars stood, and immediately started talking when he saw Danni approach, Daryl close beside her. She grabbed Daryl's arm to stop herself from falling over.

"Damn girl, looks like you got yourself a new boyfriend. Must be treating you right by the looks of you. Congrats. When the blessed event?'

She was wearing a t-shirt and her old skull jacket that wouldn't zip so her almost six months pregnant belly was more than obvious. Shock closed her throat and made her mouth dry so that she couldn't have spoken even if she wanted to. Her knees buckled, but Daryl caught her as she dropped. He hoisted her up and held her.

"Look at that, he's all chivalrous and shit. That's the word right?"

He just won't shut up. He'd never change. Danni thought.

She was looking at a ghost. He was wearing his old oversized gray hoodie under a black flight jacket. His hair was still short, but messier blonde and his facial hair and goatee longer and scruffier. He was dirty and looking exhausted from being out there for who knew how long, but that line from Casablanca he just quoted clinched it. It was him. It was one of their favorite movies.

"Hell is the' sonofabitch talking about?" Daryl grabbed her shoulder pulling her around to face him. His gravel drawl more pronounced with emotion. "Danni?" He was angry, but she knew underneath was fear and confusion.

"He's a country boy, huh? Well when in Rome, right? You are fitting right in down here. Good going, but that's how we do."

She turned her head, "Stephen just stop!" She yelled.

"You know him?' Daryl asked with disbelief.

"Yeah, dog, she does. "

"I wasn't talking to you!" Daryl shot back at him. "And you do know you're white, right?"

Carol heard Danni say Stephen and realized who this guy was.

"You know you're with my ex right?"

"Stephen just shut the fuck up!" Danni snapped, feeling her entire life collapsing in around her. She was light-headed, and her gut churned. She was only on her feet because Daryl was holding her up.

"Still got that temper, huh, baby?"

"I'll stomp your Eminem wannabe ass right now!" Daryl shouted and ripped himself away from Danni, causing her to stumble. He grabbed the key to the cell from the ring on his belt and stormed toward the door. Rick grabbed him and held him back.

"He got a temper to match yours I see.?"

Now steady on her legs Danni shakily took Daryl's arm and pulled him to the adjoining room.

The rest of the group stood around in shock at the strange development. Carol surprised most of all since she knew their story.

"Danni what the hell is going on?" His eyes were flashing, and his face started to flush with anger.

She didn't know how to explain. Who would expect to run into their ex in the middle of the end of the world?

"He's; he's... an old boyfriend."

Daryl's face registered shock.

"It's over for years. There's no reason to be upset Daryl, we're solid, you and me. You know that. This doesn't affect us. Besides I left him six years ago. Nothing to be upset about."

"Damn right cause he's leaving."

"Now?"

Daryl headed over to Rick who looked like a train hit him.

"You want to put this asshole out or should I do it?" He asked.

Danni ran after him. "Wait, you can't just send him back out there, he doesn't have anywhere to go."

Daryl turned to her. "Danni?"

"He'll die out there, you know it."

"Douchebag's done alright so far by the looks of it." Daryl observed.

"You can't."

"Danni." He said more than asked, again, wanting her to agree with him.

"Well..."

"Don't fuckin' believe this." He turned and angrily ran his hands through his hair.

Neither did Rick; he couldn't fathom that any of this was happening.

"You're kidding right?" Daryl's eyes were pleading with her.

"We can't just..."

But before she could finish Daryl stalked out of the cell block toward the tombs. She was about to follow when Rick took her arm.

"You want to tell me what's going on? How the hell am I supposed to handle this?"

Danni looked up at him. "I know Stephen is acting like a dick right now, but he's just scared; it's what he did...does. He's a good guy. He's a cop like you. Does he know you're a cop? It'll help him calm down."

"He knows, I told him this morning. He pegged me first. Should have known about him. Takes one to know one." Rick then remained silent, deep in thought, considering Danni's explanation.

"What else can I say or do?" She asked overwhelmed.

"Look I'll talk to him but only because you think he's okay. He's acting like an asshole, I agree with Daryl."

" Just tell him to cut the shit, he's different underneath his act, really. "

He was the only man other than Daryl, who'd ever treated her well. The only other man she'd ever loved. He'd taught her how to live after being dead inside for long. She couldn't let him die now.

"Cop?" Rick asked."

"Detective. Narcotics. Minneapolis police."

"Seems a little bit of a stretch for you. A huge stretch. Wouldn't have ever thought you'd have dated a cop."

"Neither would I. Like I said to you before Rick, I've heard that one a million times too. I'm just full of surprises." She smiled weakly. "Go me, huh?"

"What about Daryl?"

"It was a long time ago. I haven't seen in Stephen in six years. There's nothing there anymore. "

Rick looked hard at her, "Are you sure?" He wasn't taking chances or messing around. Daryl was his priority.

"Yes." She assured him, a little annoyed at his tone. "Of course, jeez..."

"Don't get that attitude with me. You're lucky Daryl, and I didn't send him out already."

Then he added, "Come with me. Let's talk to him." The tension was running high.

... .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . .

Rick and Danni entered the anteroom cell with the rest of the group, excluding Daryl; they stood or sat around listening curiously, not nervously, since finding out Danni knew the intruder.

Stephen Mattson was another guy Danni never expected to have fallen for. He'd grown up in North Minneapolis, a blue-collar kid from a rough, racially diverse neighborhood He never had a father around. Never had a mother. He lived with his older sister but pretty much raised himself, growing up on the streets. A lot of his friends became criminals or ended up in gangs, but he chose to go to community college getting his degree in criminal justice and life philosophy from Buddhism. It was his street sensibilities and calm demeanor that got him recruited straight out of the police academy and into undercover duty. His oversized hoodies, Timberland boots, and homeboy slang, his way of talking and relating that defined him as a former street kid became his biggest asset as an undercover cop.

"I was working vice, gang task force and narco and, I don't know, I guess narco kind of stuck to me." He explained to Rick.

Danni had met him completely by accident or, as Stephen said, because she was in the wrong place at the right time. She was waiting around after a show for the club owner to pay her band when he and his team raided the place. Stephen took her outside for 'questioning' then told her to get lost, to keep her out of any trouble. He knew she was an innocent bystander, but his fellow detectives might not be so sure. Still, he wouldn't let her leave without getting her number. Outside in the dark alley behind the bar it was freezing and beginning to snow, so finally, she wrote it down on a piece of Hello Kitty notepaper she pulled from her purse. She'd had a couple of beers, so her judgment was a bit off. She didn't think much of him at first. They were on completely different planets: the rock musician and the narc. Besides, he was all street, and she was still hanging on to her punk roots. She never in a million years expected him to call her, but Stephen had chased her down breaking all the rules. No matter how many times she said no or blew him off, he persisted. He wore her down until she agreed to go out for coffee. They were opposites, but at a time when Danni needed someone solid in her life Stephen was a rock. He took her as she was, no judgments. One of the first things he'd ever said to her when she'd asked how he could be so accepting was, "People want to put everything in a box, get spoon-fed the answers, make everything black and white. Me? I see the grays."

She was at the point where her life could have gone either way or not at all.

"You ran away from life thinking it was because you were mistreated, pissed off. Poor you, blah, blah, blah. But I think you ran away from living just so someone would come looking for you. You wanted me to come looking for you."

Maybe he was right? He held her accountable for her self-destructive behavior; he didn't just leave when she was in crisis. He called her on drinking too much and taking pills. He was sober and made her cut back. He forced her to eat on a regular basis and cooked healthy for her. That's when she became a vegetarian. He encouraged her to write every day, making her see she had talent. And he showed her sex was not about power and abuse. Not about shame. He quoted the Buddha to her all the time until she stopped laughing and took it in.

"The one who has conquered himself is a far greater hero than he who has defeated a thousand times a thousand men."

"Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion."

"Bad deeds and deeds hurtful to ourselves are easy to do; what is beneficial and good, that is very difficult to do."

He repeated these sayings to her to her until she believed.

The most important thing he helped her to do was accept that her sister's suicide was not her fault.

He showed her how to have a strong back and an open heart. This trait prepared her for Daryl.

"How'd you get in here?" Rick asked.

"What the hell are you doing in Georgia?" Danni added.

"Questions, huh? I usually do the interrogating, but alright I can play the other side. Let's see, what I'm doing down here? Well, the department sent me when the whatever the fuck this dead dudes biting thing started. They thought it was some new illegal drug craze like bath salts or some shit like that. It seemed to be concentrated in the southeast, so every major city sent a narcotics cop to the Atlanta CDC. I got the short straw. Repping the Twin Cities. I came to get the details, see what it was, how to stop it. But, this wasn't about drugs. When I got here, the CDC was gone; the city was gone. I started out with a couple of narcos from Chicago and Detroit. We met an Atlanta cop who had a bunker under his house. That guy was a survivalist nut, he knew the end of the world was coming. We lasted a few months until supplies got low. I split when tensions got too high. My Zen was getting messed with. I just moved west, thinking I heard about an army base somewhere. Past few weeks haven't been the best, but then I saw this place figured it would be a safe place to crash. You got an open section of fence at the back and broken door. So, here I am. "

"I can't believe..." Danni started to say.

"We are where we are when we are supposed to be."

"Buddhist shit." She smirked. He was still the same.

"But, maybe I'm not supposed to be here. Your pissed off boyfriend don't seem to think so."

"Daryl's just...being Dary," was all she could say at the moment.

"Well, Danni is vouching for you," Rick explained. "I trust her word. Otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting there. But," Rick gestured the everyone who'd just heard Stephen's story. "We act as a group. We have to discuss what to do about you and we'll have an answer tomorrow morning. For now eat something, rest up, you look like you need it. We'll talk later, but I can't promise you anything."

Danni looked at Rick questioningly. Her word wasn't enough?

Stephen didn't complain about staying in the anteroom, surrendering his gun and knife or being locked up when a member of the group wasn't around to supervise him at gunpoint. He was glad to be inside, safe for the first time in weeks. Rick appreciated his calm acceptance of confinement and lack of hostility, but added, "Danni might know you, but the rest of us don't."

Stephen sat back on the bench raising his hands in the 'I surrender' gesture and said. "Your house, your rules, man."

"I'll talk to him," Danni said after Rick left.

"Don't. No big deal. Whatever he needs to do. No worries."

She nodded but headed after Rick.

"He doesn't have to be in there." Danni stopped him by the outside door.

"You saw Daryl's reaction. I think he does. And the others, they don't know him."

"Yet. Carol's over there talking to him now, feeding him. He's making her laugh."

Rick looked beyond her.

"He's a good guy Rick."

"I'm sorry Danni, but this is the way it is. And, If Daryl has a problem and doesn't come around, your friend is out."

"I know," Danni said seriously. Daryl is my life now. "But I think I can convince him."

... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

"Daryl."

"Came here to be alone."

Danni found him in the hallway to the tombs sitting against the wall, cross-legged and hunched forward, stabbing his knife into the cement floor.

She lowered herself carefully and sat down beside his heartbreaking form.

"You're gonna ruin that blade."

He ignored her.

"Talk to me."

He wouldn't.

She put her hand on his shoulder and started to massage it gently. She felt they'd aged years since first setting eyes on each other. It was the Walker time standard again. Months were years. They weren't kids when they met, but it was only now that she felt the pressing weight of adulthood, heavy with responsibility. Did he feel it too? They looked older, somehow darker. So much had happened. Danni was someone else with Daryl; she'd become who she was always supposed to be.

"It's been over for a long time. I am not that person anymore."

Daryl remained silent, but he didn't stop her hand from working on his shoulder and then neck.

"I left him."

"Then you won't have a problem when he goes. He is going."

"But...can't we talk about it? Daryl he saved my life. I wouldn't be here if it weren't..."

"Stop." Daryl didn't want to know; didn't want to know this guy ever existed. "He's going Danni." Daryl turned to look at her. "He don't belong here."

She didn't argue or try to convince him she just asked "Are you coming?"

"In a little while."

She stood and he asked one last thing. "Why didn't you tell me? About him? You told me every other damn thing about your life from...before. Why'd you hide this?"

"I wasn't hiding it."

"No?"

"No. You know how you are...I didn't want to upset you and I didn't think it mattered..."

"How I am?"

"Jealous, over nothing." She said it quietly.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I didn't..."

"Go on, get back Its dangerous out here. Go."

She knew she'd blindsided him. It was probably the worst possible thing she could have done to him. She fucked up. Nothing could ever just go smoothly or go right. Danni was so busy worrying about Merle she didn't have any mental reserves to deal with this Stephen thing now. It was unbelievable. A bad dream. Wake up, wake up, wake up...

Daryl was distant with Danni for the rest of the day. She knew it was his way of processing so she left him alone. He and Rick sat with Herschel for a good part of the afternoon in deep discussion about reinforcing the fence and entrance at the rear of the prison to ensure no other intruders decided to drop in on them. Daryl may not have wanted anything to do with her but at least he wasn't isolating; at least he was interacting with Rick. She noticed T-Dog hanging out in the anteroom obviously getting along with Stephen. Carol, Lori and Glenn were in and out too, but she stayed clear, not wanting to upset Daryl any more. Besides she'd had an intense headache and nagging nausea all day and hadn't been able to do more than lay down and ruminate over her actions or inaction.

Danni sat on her bed, stroking Fionn's head as he rubbed his cheek vigorously against her knee. He purred loudly and she knew he was trying to comfort her. He always sensed when she was upset or ill. He was a cat who possessed a healing purr. He eased her headache with the deep rumbling, but she felt guilty and incredibly lonely for Daryl. She put one of his shirts on her pillow and lay her head down wishing it was his chest.

... .. .. .. .. .. .. .

"Can I have a minute." Rick asked T-Dog as he entered the anteroom cell.

T-Dog nodded at Rick then gestured to Stephen "Later, man" as he left the two alone.

"Danni speaks pretty highly of you."

"What's not to like."

"Cut the attitude. She also says she hasn't seen you in six or seven years. A lot can happen to change a man in that time. Especially after what's happened. Men can be pushed to their limits. I need straight answers from you. Can you give them to me?"

Stephen lost some of his attitude. "Yeah, I'm nothing if not straight up."

"Are you with anybody else; do you have a group out there waiting for you, one that's waiting to break in here and attack us?"

"No, told you. It's just me."

"Do you have any intention of making trouble." Rick's voice was low, almost menacing with protectiveness for the group. "I am responsible for these people and I won't hesitate to do what needs to be done to protect them. Whether you know Danni or not. We clear?"

He nodded his head. "Look I'm just trying my best out here, like you. I don't make trouble for people unless they're a low life criminal and I'm doing my job. Or, was doing my job. Otherwise, I'm a real live and let live kinda guy."

Rick nodded considering Stephen's words.

"You're obviously the chief here. I respect that. If you tell me to go, I'll go. I believe what happens is meant to happen. I won't bitch or try to change your mind, okay Chief? Your move."

Rick recognized that his sincerity and respect was genuine. Danni was right, underneath that obnoxious street pose he was a good guy.

"You're not on the job now son, best leave that bullshit attitude behind. Your scoring more points with me talking man to man."

Stephen smiled, "Yeah dog, heard that one before."

"Okay, now see, you're starting to change my mind again." Rick sounded exasperated. "One more thing. Danni. What exactly do you want from her?"

"We've been over for a long time. Hell, I fucked that up good." He shook his head and sighed. "Long story man, but you know how the job can be on relationships?"

Rick did, he could imagine the extra baggage of being undercover and dealing with narcotics. He had an idea of what may have happened.

"You get too good at playing your part, at undercover? Too ...authentic?" Rick asked.

"You know it. But I've been clean five years now. One stumbling block for a year, but it was enough to lose her. Before that, we had a good four-year run. I've accepted it was over a long time ago. Still feel that way. Danni's a good girl. All I want from her now is forgiveness."

"Seems like you have that." Rick observed, noticing Stephen was an intelligent, thoughtful guy if let himself be.

"Maybe."

"I need to be sure that you won't cause any problems with her and Daryl."

Stephen looked a little surprised."What kind of lowlife you think I am? Yo, she's pregnant."

"I don't know you. That's why I'm asking."

"I won't come between people. Not how I work Chief. Besides, I've been with somebody else too for the past couple years." His face fell thinking about what happened to her.

Rick knew his look. "Sorry..."

"Yeah. Thanks. But you never know, she might have made it. Look at us, right?"

... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Danni had been asleep when Daryl came to bed so nothing was discussed further. She was just relieved he came upstairs at all. He wasn't hiding or running from her, that was a good sign. Still, questions flooded her mind along with regret and self-doubt. Why hadn't she ever mentioned Stephen to him? She assumed he was dead, like everyone else. So what would it have mattered? Was it the dreams? Did they actually make her suspect he was alive? No, she just didn't want to take a chance that Daryl would feel insecure knowing about a guy from her past. She wanted to avoid another Shane situation over someone who she'd been positive was dead. Right? I mean, look at the way he's acting now. No, don't blame him. I should have told him.

She carefully moved from Daryl's side, holding her breath trying to get out of bed without disturbing him. It was a challenge as he was a light sleeper and always ready. She took her tarot cards and the bedside candle and moved to the wall turning her back to him, blocking the light as she lit the flame. She shuffled, breathed, then dipped. The Queen of Wands. Her eyes widened. It was her astrological correspondent card as the Strength card was Daryl's. It represented fire and Sagittarius.

The Queen of Wands indicates you will find a solution to your current predicament that will bring you to a place of true confidence; this card shows that you will soon tackle obstacles that will once and for all make you believe in yourself. Success seems to come in the blink of an eye, but it has been the accumulation of wisdom and using your inner strength; a process that was years in the making and lead you to this and all future victories. You finally own the self-assurance and undistracted calm that runs throughout this card.

Couldn't have been better. She'd make Daryl see he could trust her, that their relationship was more important than anything from her past. They'd come too far to let this ruin anything. She cared for their present. She was about to put the cards back when something made her pull the next one on top of the deck. Strength. Daryl's astrological card. She caught her breath. She'd never gotten them both in a reading together before. She looked to the card combination section of her reference book.

The two fire sign cards have the potential to form an unbreakable bond, however, both the Queen of Wands and Strength must master and defeat their respective insecurities. The key to their future is to destroy insecurity and trust each other completely. The relationship between the Queen and Strength the lion is one in which they master all of their talents and harness them. They compliment each other.

There was no doubt about its meaning. Why couldn't he see it? No one would ever come between them. She carefully placed the two cards on her pillow face up and headed downstairs.

She hadn't had a chance to talk to Stephen alone at all since he'd arrived. She felt wrong, somehow sneaky, as she moved carefully and silently down the stairs. She looked back at Daryl making sure he was still asleep.

.. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

They sat on the floor beside each other in the silver-gray light that illuminated the cell block every night, the bars between them.

"I never thought I'd see you again." She said still feeling like he was a ghost.

"Figured you'd never want to." Stephen answered.

"It wasn't like that. I've felt guilty every day since I left."

"Why?" I let you down. See, I don't expect forgiveness. I know whether it comes or not, it's none of my business. The only thing that matters is what I do to earn it."

"Of course I forgave you. A long time ago. It's myself I can't forgive for walking out on you when you needed me."

"No. You did what I taught you. You took care of yourself."

She started to tear up. "You saved my life but when you were losing yours I bailed. I just...I owed you...I..."

"I don't blame you. I'm glad you left. Shit, I was a junkie, Danni. Job or not, I was. I used it as an excuse with you." He shook his head, still a little ashamed despite his five years sober. We had a good run, four good years before I fucked it all up."

"I couldn't wait around for you, not knowing if you'd come back to me or not. You were so gone, just not you anymore. I couldn't understand how you helped me but then couldn't help yourself. I didn't know what to do."

"It's okay. It wasn't your fight, it was mine."

"I'm glad you came back from it. Didn't keep you down long?"

"No, a year of hell, but my Lt helped me pull it together and you know, I took my own advice." He paused. "You did the right thing. Sometimes we aren't meant to know somebody forever. Some journeys are supposed to end. Know what I'm saying?"

"I think so."

"People have to leave your life to make room for somebody new. Letting go frees you up for that. It's like this: do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present."

She put her head in her hands almost laughing. "You still have it." He could still charm her when he wanted to.

"Most def. It's a lifestyle, know what I'm saying? How the hell you think I been dealing with all this apocalyptic shit so good? "

"What are you doing here?" Danni asked becoming serious.

Before he answered, she added. "And why are you such a dick?"

"Which answer you want first? Both kind of obvious."

She nodded. "Yeah, well..."

"Danni, if I'm voted out tomorrow, don't worry. Some journeys are supposed to end." He repeated.

"Look, it'll work out. I've talked to Rick, everybody else seems to like you."

"Good group of people. T-Dog reminds me of my old partner on the job. Feel like I've known him forever."

"I just have to talk to Daryl. He needed time. I'll do it in the morning."

"So what's up with this pissed off redneck you hanging out with now?"

"Watch what you call him. That's my husband you're talking about." She smiled that smile Stephen had always loved.

"No shit?"

She showed him the ring.

He smiled back. "Damn girl. So he's doing right by the kid. Good man you have there.'

"He is. He's ...everything I ever wanted."

Stephen saw love and devotion in her eyes. He could always read her eyes.

"You deserve it. You know that right?"

She nodded. "I love him. He makes me so happy, you have no idea. I mean, could you ever imagine me pregnant?"

"Hell no, baby girl. Thought that mother of yours scared you off permanently. Didn't want to say anything, but since you brought it up..."

"But it's his. That makes it different. I love him so much I actually want this. It's crazy. I wouldn't want the old world back if it meant I wouldn't have met him."

"You seem really good. He must be doing something right."

"Everything. He's doing everything right. Remember we used to talk about soul mates, how you believed everybody has one out there somewhere?"

He nodded.

"I found mine. I really did."

Daryl woke, noticed she was gone and headed downstairs knowing he'd find her there, with him.

They were talking and didn't notice him approach slowly from behind, hidden in the shadows. He was about to charge forward angrily and face her when he overheard her say "my husband." He moved back against the wall further from their line of sight and heard the rest of the conversation.

"I love him, he's everything I ever wanted, he makes me happy, he does everything right. It's his. I love him so much I actually want this. It's crazy I wouldn't want the old world back if it meant I wouldn't have met him. Soul mates."

He felt his anger at her dissolve. He knew he didn't need to be jealous, but knowing and feeling were still two different things. It was like that thing with Shane again. He trusted Danni, it was that asshole he didn't trust.

He finally stepped forward.

"Suddenly start sleepwalking?" He asked gruffly.

He startled her. "No, I ..." Danni started to say.

He reached down and gently pulled her to her feet.

Stephen kept quiet. He held back the sarcastic comments he'd normally make.

She glanced back and gave a quick smile as Daryl pulled her away.

He wanted Danni to be happy, this guy was doing that. He kept his mouth shut as they left.

... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

"Why won't you talk to me about this?" She walked behind him up the stairs.

"I heard you. All that stuff you said to him." He admitted as they reached the top.

"Good. I meant every word."

"About me doing everything right?" He turned to her.

She nodded.

That was a lot for him to take in even from Danni.

"He knows what you are to me. He respects it. "

"Don't want to talk about him." Daryl wasn't ready for that. "You said...I...make you happy."

"Even now, with the world the way it is, you do. You know you do."

There was restless magnetic tension between them. Danni experienced a compelling physical pull that she knew had to be satisfied. Stephen's presence actually drove Danni closer to Daryl. She needed to push it, increase their level of connection and trust. The whole day had urged her toward this.

She turned and taking his hands, gently pulled him over her, close against her back.

"What are you doing?' He moved away and pulled his arms from her hands. "Danni stop."

She faced him "I want to." She was shaking a little. "I want you to."

He shook his head. "I won't."

"I need you and this is the only way. Really need you. Like before."

He looked scared. His dream. "I can't." He was firm, voice barely audible.

"You need this too right now. I know you do."

He shook his head. "You can be on top, it works fine."

She shook her head. "It's different, I want you to hold me, to be closer."

He was silent, unsure.

"Just talk to me, let me hear you the whole time, and hold my face. We can do this."

"Did he ever...' Daryl began to ask.

"No. No one's ever."

He considered, then nodded, stepping a little closer. "But stop me if you need to, I'll stop, I will so..."

She turned her back to him and removed her shirt. He touched the tattoos and her scars within their frame. He gently moved his lips across them, massaging her shoulders. That's as far as she could ever get. He unbuttoned his own shirt and pressed his bare chest against her back. She leaned into the heat of his flesh and pulled his arms around her securing them over her shoulders. He felt her tremble and start to breathe shallowly.

"Talk to me." She managed, trying not to stop breathing. "Let me...hear you."

He held his mouth to her ear while she pushed back into him, letting his voice calm her. "What do you want me to say?" Even that helped.

"Anything," she said shakily.

"I don't know what to...its okay."

She nodded. He kept repeating 'its okay' into her ear. She started to relax, focusing on his low graveled voice, now rasping with affection and reassurance, his comforting scent and familiar touch on her body. She knew his feel; it was him, she didn't have to see him to know. They stood like that for a while. He spoke softly and nuzzled her neck while holding her tightly against his chest.

"Come here." She drew him over to the mattress and lay down, resuming the position on their sides. He curved his body protectively around hers. Danni's grip on his forearms was tight, her palms a little sweaty and he swore he felt her heart beating against them.

"Don't stop talking. Tell me a story." Her voice shook.

He thought a minute. She was trembling hard without his words so he quickly began. "Heard of a Cherokee Rose?" He asked softly into her ear, his face pressing against her neck.

"Like a flower?"

"They grow out front by the fence. I showed you once." He told her, gently cupping her chin then stroking the side of her face.

"Yeah, I remember. Pretty." Her voice shook a little less.

He went on, "The story is that when American soldiers were moving Indians off their land on the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee mothers were grieving and crying so much 'cause they were losing their little ones along the way from exposure and disease and starvation. A lot of them just disappeared. So the elders, they said a prayer; asked for a sign to uplift the mothers' spirits, give them strength and hope. The next day this rose started to grow where the mothers' tears fell."

He paused then added "I'm not fool enough to think there's any flowers blooming for my brother. But I bet one of the ones out front there bloomed for your little sister."

Tears started and she nodded.

"You okay?

"My sister. She deserves that." She'd never told him Tara was dead.

He gently traced her tears with his fingertips.

"Daryl, can we just stay like this?"

"Yeah. Course." He kissed the back of her neck. "Sure you're okay?"

She nodded, "Yeah, good, I just don't think I can... I'm not ready to..."

"Shhh. Whatever you want."

"Yet. Yet."

She was settling into him, feeling calm. She liked him covering her securely and breathing warmly on the back of her neck. He was making it okay. Daryl had no lingering doubts from his dream. The situation was completely different. She wanted him to hold her this way and he was patient and gentle like she'd said he was. She was at her most vulnerable and it was with him. She chose to trust him this much.

"Hey." she said softly.

"Hmmm?" he said it against her spine sending heated vibrations through her body.

"Names. For the troublemakers. You said I probably had some in mind."

"You do, I know you do." She heard the slight smile in his voice.

"Ryder for him and Scout for her?"

"What no Merle?"

"No, no Merle."

They both laughed.

Ryder and Scout Dixon, he thought. Sounded right.

"Danni whatever you want." He said softly with affection. "Whatever you want."

"But do you like them?"

He nodded "Yeah, a lot."

They were names that had no connection to either one of their families. They were starting fresh, creating their own legacy, their own family, and their own memories.

"Here." she put the two tarot cards she'd left on her pillow earlier into his hand.

"What's this?"

"It's us."

She pulled him tighter, feeling better with every second that passed.

When Danni awoke to the pale, winter morning light streaming from the high barred window, Daryl was already up and downstairs. She stretched out on her back and gently rubbed her belly, hoping to feel some kicking. "He liked your names," she said to the babies. Last night had been perfect. She and Daryl had taken a step further toward victory. She used the lofty term because it felt like a war sometimes but when she fought her demons with him by her side, she won. The way he'd been last night made her think the whole Stephen thing might just work out.

After dressing, she headed down expecting to find Daryl but he wasn't around. Then she noticed the anteroom empty.

Gone. Daryl and Stephen were gone. Danni wanted to say she couldn't believe Daryl would put Stephen out without talking to her, but, she wasn't surprised, just angry. What about talking, what about the vote? She avoided Rick, who probably okayed the move and headed straight outside before anyone noticed. She had to catch up, stop them.

Shit, I need a key to the gate. Glenn.

She returned as he and Maggie were starting breakfast.

"Glenn can talk to you for a second. Outside."

"Sure."

"Sorry, Maggie I'll only keep him a minute."

"You need to open the gate for me." She said as he followed her out the door.

"What are you going?"

"To stop Daryl and Stephen."

Glenn looked down. "Yeah, about that... look Rick and Daryl just decided it was best. I'm sorry."

"What about the vote? They didn't even talk to me. That's really shitty Glenn."

"Daryl asked us not to get you this morning. They left an hour ago or something."

"He did, did he? Bastard. He can't do it, I have to talk to him."

"What? You can't go out there. How do you even know where he's dropping him off."

"I heard Rick and him talking, they said something about the train depot being a good spot, far enough away. I passed it with Daryl when we went on the run. I know I can find it. The tracks run right by the road."

She zipped the large, black hooded sweatshirt which covered her belly reaching the middle of her thighs clad in black leggings. She was wearing the sneakers she'd got on the run. She headed straight for Daryl's motorcycle.

"If I can just talk to him. It's so stupid I know he's jealous, but Glenn he doesn't have to be."

She found the second key duct taped to the bottom of the saddlebag. She got on the bike.

"Danni he's Daryl, you know how he is, better than any of us. Just let this go."

"I can't. Stephen saved my life. I have to save his. So will you open the gate for me?"

"Please, let it go."

She shook her head.

"Then I'm going with you. You shouldn't be alone."

"You don't have to."

"Yes, I do. You used to be my enforcer remember? Well, I'm returning the favor. We'll take Maggie's car though, come on."

... ... .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .

Daryl had to admit that because this guy wasn't complaining or bitch whining about the situation, he felt a little begrudging respect. He was taking it like a man.

"Won't try to change your mind, just want to get something straight with you." Stephen said to Daryl as they drove. "I'm above-board. I'd never go after a married woman especially not a pregnant one no matter who she was. That is low and I don't limbo, see what I'm saying? Just to be clear."

Daryl kept his mouth shut and his eyes on the road. This guy is such a douche.

"We are over. Her and me. You don't have to worry. That girl is loyal and honest as they come. I had a lot to do with it, but she's come a long way on her own. If she says she's yours, she's yours. Give her the credit, okay? Trust her, she deserves it. Hell, I can see how much she loves you."

"Trying to marriage counsel me or something?'" Daryl snapped but didn't tell him to shut up so he went on.

"Just tellin' you, you can lose the fear man. There's enough of it in this fucked up world, you got something solid with her, it's one thing you can count on. And hey you're gonna be a dad. You know she's gonna be a great mom right?"

"Yeah she is." Daryl was defensive.

"She's scared to death ain't she? Her own mom was a real piece of work, I tell you. The point is, you guys are lucky, don't take it for granted by being so afraid and insecure man. "

"Jesus Christ, who the hell are you tellin' me what I think? You don't know a damn thing about it." Daryl interrupted. This guy talked as much as Danni did, no wonder they got along.

"Let me break it down for you," he continued. "My body's my temple, right? But here? " He pointed to his head. "This is a control tower."

"You still talkin?" Daryl looked over, a confused what the fuck are you talking about squint and wince on his face.

"I finally let go. Of thinking that I had any control. See, we aren't in the driver's seat. You can't control anything, not her not anything. Just let go and trust her. I'm done talking now. Just wanted you to know where I'm coming from."

"Now I do, so why don't you go on back there "

One last thing. "Good luck."

Daryl glanced over again. "Hell you mean by that?"

"Cause Danni's gonna be pissed when she finds out about this and you're gonna have to deal with it. If I remember right, it's not fun. When she gets pissed..."

"Thought you was done talking. Jesus."

After a few minutes, Daryl stopped the SUV. He got out and walked slowly around to the front of the vehicle and leaned back against the hood. He knew he needed to trust Danni. Last night, when she trusted him so completely, he knew she deserved more from him; more than him acting like a jealous hot head. If he couldn't give her that now, what had everything they'd been through been for? From what she said he should trust her. All that stuff she said to this guy last night-told him straight up she was Daryl's. Now Stephen was basically telling him the same thing. He may not like the guy, but he sensed an honesty to him. A fucked up, obnoxious, annoying honesty, but it was there just the same. Damn it he did trust her. This guy made him think about what his actions would do to Danni, not just how they'd make Daryl feel himself. What the fuck?

He's head shrinking me and I didn't even know it.

"You're afraid of her huh?" Stephen's voice startled him as he joined him leaning on the Explorer.

Daryl shook his head "Fuck you sayin'?'"

"Yeah, I know how she is dog. "

Daryl's mouth moved into a self-deprecating smile, the guy was right.

Stephen laughed. "Yeah I feel you, really do."

Daryl took a pack of cigarettes out of his breast pocket. He thought for a second, then offered them to Stephen.

He nodded and took one. "Thanks, man."

Daryl nodded, lighting his own then holding the Zippo out to the other man. "So you're a narc right?" He asked.

"Yup was."

"Ever go to shrink school?

"Nope."

"Coulda' fooled me." He muttered. "Good with a gun?" Daryl asked.

"Yeah, part of the job. Good skill to have these days."

Daryl grunted in agreement. "Never thought I'd know so many damn cops in my life. The whole thing is fucked up."

"Can't be too choosy these days. Just hope you're lucky enough to be surrounded by guys who'll have your back no matter who they are or were. I guess."

At that moment, a small group of Walkers emerged from the trees at the side of the road. They were slower than usual, hungry but weakened, probably from a recent lack of human flesh to fortify them. As they got closer, the two men looked at each other, daring the other.

"You first." Daryl offered.

Stephen took his police issue folding knife and launched himself close enough to the first corpse to turn it around and shove the blade up into the base of its skull dropping it and silencing its growling hiss.

Daryl nodded then moved forward and threw his buck knife hitting his Walker between the eyes. He retrieved it and motioned to the next one. Stephen shrugged and this time stuck his knife up under the chin and into the brain stem then kicked it down to the ground.

"All yours." Stephen gestured to the last one.

Daryl decided to do a close kill himself. He shoved the knife into the side of the rotting head, powerfully forcing it through the brain with a twist. He pulled the blade out and turned.

They didn't say anything but the little game of 'my dick is bigger than yours' eased some tension. When they got back in the SUV, Daryl turned it around and headed back to the prison.

"You so much think of talking about any memory shit, anything at all about her and you, I will put you out. Hear? And stop trying to head shrink me. That's strike two man. And third stay the fuck away from me back there. It's a big place use it. Just cause you're staying doesn't mean I like you around much. "

"You let her win, a good thing. I know how it is."

Daryl shook his head. "You deaf? Don't talk to me."

Stephen added "Okay, okay." Then, "Thanks, man."

When Daryl pulled up the dirt driveway, Carl closed and locked the gate behind the SUV.

Rick expected Daryl to be alone so he was shocked when Stephen got out of the passenger side. Daryl didn't say anything just grimaced and stalked inside.

"Can't talk about my past with Danni, can't try to head shrink him and I need to stay out of his way. Small price to pay for staying alive." Stephen explained.

Rick nodded, glad Daryl had changed his mind. Still he wasn't expecting a bromance between these two.

... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Danni looked around the small train depot. Daryl and Stephen weren't here. Stephen wasn't here. She must have been too late. The sun was warm as the morning grew later and crickets were the only sound they heard. She leaned forward on the hood of Maggie's car, feeling tired and a little defeated.

"Sorry Glenn, sorry you came all this way with me for nothing."

"It's okay." He assured her. "It's good to get away for a while. So quiet here, so weird." He noticed. "Back there, back home, you can always hear them outside the fence no matter where you are".

"And where is it y'all good people are calling home?" The words came from behind them.

Danni knew that voice. Holy shit. This was how it was going down and it was now.

"Merle?" Glenn said it first.

"Well, well, what do we have here? The Chinaman and the rock chick eh? How 'bout a hug for your old pal Merle!"