A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry I've been so irregular with my uploading but I'm going to try and get back in the rhythm of it now. I hope you guys are ready because it's reunion time!

Thanks to everyone supporting and reading my story including Epicvibes, melspringer and DaisyMae16 who are now following! you guys are awesome. Also to my lovely reviewers:

JasminJW: It's happening in this chapter! Enjoy!

Ryane: haha wow that sounds like a very eventful trip! I've been in the house for the last two weeks lol. Aww thank you I'm glad you enjoyed Rick's POV, I'll play around with it in more chapters. Yeah Rick definitely has a thing for her, and as we know they've already kissed twice but he's also conflicted because pregnant wife. The reunion is happening hehe..

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or any affiliated characters or storyline, only my OC and plotline.

- Angels and Douchebags

Once I got clear of the town perimeter which involved sneaking around and hiding behind battered vehicles and behind tree trunks, I took out the map from my trousers.

Unfolding the map, I saw the route I had marked to the prison. It also cut across the factory so I had an advantage checking there for the possibility that the group made it there. It seemed like an altogether 60 mile journey to the prison which would take days if I didn't manage to find a car. So hopefully, they took refuge at the factory.

The route followed the highway which ran all the way to the prison. But soon enough they would discover I was gone so I needed to disappear.

On one side of the highway was a thick woodland area, the other side was a series of open fields with green grass and stray Walkers looking for their next meal. The highway was relatively clear as far as I could see suggesting it was a route the governor and his men took often.

At least today I aimed to get to the factory. But that means no stopping for rest and eating on the road whilst walking. So having to pay extra attention to keeping my guard up. I had plenty of food I swiped from Woodbury and water bottles I hope would last me for a few days. With Andrea and Michonne we found a way to drink river water by filtering it out using cloth them boiling it so it was safe to drink.

Walking for a few hours and eating on the road, I was exhausted and completely bored because I had no one to talk to, but nevertheless I reached the factory site. Or what was left of it.

There was a boggy lake surrounding it with dead Walkers growling in the water. It was desolate and nature had decided to regrow over the main building as it was covered in dark green growth.

I walked up to the pier staying clear of the edges and looked around as the fog settled in. I looked around for a place to build a fire and camp but the trees before the lake provided absolutely no cover and I was exposed.

"Shit," I muttered. I heard growling in the distance and pulled my knife out of my belt turning around towards the trees.

What was left of a female walker came stumbling out with half a face and the other half had all the under flesh and bone visible.

"Hello beautiful," I walked up to it and thrusted my knife into its skull, it fell to the ground with a sickening crunch. The sky was covered in clouds but it was getting darker, I couldn't stay out here much longer.

I walked tentatively around the lake trying to deduce another way into the building which I'm sure was also Walker infested. But the marsh water surrounded the entire circumference. I had to think quickly before night completely fell and I was fucked.

Coming back to the place I had killed the Walker I spotted a small wooden canoe just hidden of the side of the pier. Smiling I rushed over to it, my boots making a large clanking noise on the pier and slowly leaned over. Inside was an oar. I looked up seeing the fog get thicker, soon I would not be able to see the factory. Quietly placing the back inside the side of the canoe, I got in as quietly as possible trying not to attract the attention of the Walkers in the lake.

I had only went canoeing once for 6 weeks when I was about 16 and that was with a partner with two oars. This only had one. I kept the knife in my belt so it was easily accessible and climbed inside the small boat as it creaked slightly in the water. Pushing off from the side of the pier I used the oar to steer towards the factory building, avoiding the condensed sea of Walkers to the middle.

Honestly I was shitting myself and I wished I had Michonne with me, she would know exactly what to do. The canoe cut through the water as it began drifting to the Walkers.

"No, no, no." I said panicking trying to row away but it was too late, I had drifted into Walker territory.

A Walker came out of the water and grabbed the right hand side of the boat making me scream. I pushed the canoe into its head as it disappeared under water. I made larger strokes with the oar as the smell of decaying flesh hit my nose when a hand grabbed onto my wrist. The Walker was snarling and moaning trying to pull me over the side, I took the knife and stabbed its fingers also cutting my wrist in the process. The cut was deeper than I anticipated and I tore a strip from my T-shirt wrapping it and continued paddling.

The altercation with the Walkers attracted more to my boat as I was surrounded. Slicing and stabbing my way through whilst also trying to row I got to the pier and jumped on. I took the boat and lifted it up out of the water but it was being pulled back down.

"Let go you shitheads!" I shouted.

To anyone else I'm sure the scene was amusing, a small woman pulling a canoe away from 5 Walkers who were stronger and hungrier. Well. Debatable. From constant pulling I felt my arms sore as if they were going to be pulled out of my sockets but somehow I managed to pull the canoe onto the pier and drag it down to the mainland. I took the knife out and held it in the darkness awaiting any Walkers that decided to attack me here.

I flopped down on the ground completely exhausted with my back to the factory building. After a few minutes I got up again and looked at the looming building. The door was chained up with a padlock and the glass windows were intact. There were bricks on the side which I used to smash open the windows clearing the sharp shards and climbing into the ground floor of the building.

I looked around and saw dead bodies littered across the floor with heavy machinery and an assembly line that hadn't been used for years.

They aren't here. I sighed sadly. They would've cleared this out if they were using this space, the door I was in was also bolted shut so the only way in and out was through the broken window. Laying out the blanket on the floor in one corner which was well hidden, I curled up and closed my eyes, not caring for once if a Walker decided to eat me while I slept.

—

I woke up cracking an eyelid open to see the sun streaming in through the window and heat the otherwise desolate factory. I looked around and saw everything was intact, the assembly line and machinery in the room remained as it was, no Walkers had made their way inside, the same number of dead bodies painted the floor.

I sat up and stretched feeling my back ache from sleeping on the hard ground, even with the blanket it didn't make much of a difference. From where the sun was in the sky I deduced it had to be before midday, some point in the morning. I opened the pack and looked at the packet of peanuts.

"Peanuts for breakfast." I said to myself opening the packet and enjoying this luxury food I hadn't eaten in a while. But downside. It makes you super thirsty. Trying not to finish all of my water bottle in one go, I drank generous amounts of water before putting it away.

Packing all of my gear I swung the pack onto my shoulders and pulled out my knife. I climbed over the broken window and looked around, the sun hitting my face. I looked at the pier seeing the canoe still safe with the oar on the edge and smiled.

There was no way I was going to be able to walk to the prison today so I needed to find a car. I could go back to Woodbury and steal one of the cars outside their walls, but that was too risky and time consuming. I'd have to risk it out here. I looked around and saw the Walkers were no longer on this side of the lake. I heard faint growling in the distance, suggesting they were on the other side. There's no way I'm that lucky. I looked over the water and saw the path was clear. I'm not going to question it.

I pushed the canoe off the pier with one hand but gripped the edge keeping it close by until it fell in the water. I put my pack in then sat myself and began rowing. Trying to keep quiet I kept an eye out for any Walkers who decided I was their next meal.

Making it to the other side, I got out of the boat with my things and walked off into the forest area. Five minutes later I was on the other side and back on the highway. It was definitely a hot day today. I took my jacket off and kept it over my head trying to stop my neck and face from burning with the sun.

I pulled out the map and reached the main highway which had more car lanes and was more exposed. The other side were smaller roads but I had no idea how to navigate them and it would just add more days to my journey. Deciding to risk it I walked along the side of the highway.

A few hours in I was still along the highway but no idea how close I was to the prison. I was just about to stop for lunch when I came across a bunch of old cars stuck on the side. Yes! One of them could work. I ran towards the nearest car which was a black BMW.

"Oh ho, no way!" I laughed gleefully. I opened the door and a decayed body was sitting there unmoving.

"I'm sorry, that's disgusting." I winced shoving it out of the car. I put my pack onto the passenger seat and began looking in the glove compartment for keys. But no luck.

"There's no way I'm going to find another car like this." I groaned. I looked under the steering wheel and saw some wires had already been pulled out. I didn't need to hotwire the car, some poor bastard already stole it before me. Closing the door, I tried connecting the wires together a few times as the car engine spluttered.

"Please work," I pleaded with the car. I tried harder this time and the engine roared into life making me laugh.

I looked at the car which had a manual gearbox. I hadn't driven in a couple years but hopefully the driving lessons were still there somewhere in my mind. I took off the rag on my left wrist covering the cut and saw it was nearly healed. Thank god. Otherwise I might have had to learn how to stitch up injuries myself.

I managed to get the car moving and was driving down the highway slowly at first looking at the map. Keeping it on the dash board, I took a CD out of my pack and put it into the CD player. I kept the volume high, rolled down the windows and drove like a maniac, singing and feeling the adrenaline rush.

Within an hour of driving I was almost at the prison after almost taking the wrong junction and getting lost, I turned onto the road where the prison was and parked the car hidden from view just in case I needed a quick getaway. It must've been midday by now and I followed the map, cutting through the forest I came out to a long metal fence with barbed wire. Looking through I found guard towers and the main prison building.

I had made it. Now I could only hope they were there.

Trying to look through I couldn't see anything but I did hear cars being moved around. I hid back behind the trees just in case there were any unsavoury characters lurking around. Before I could react, three Walkers pushed me out of the trees and onto the ground in front of the fence. I tried to reach for my knife and kick them off me but they were clawing through my clothes. I kicked one away, and got out my knife in time to stab the other one in the face pushing it off. The third one pushed the knife out of my hand.

I was trapped this is how I was going to die. I tried to push my face out of the direction of it's teeth and put my hand on it's neck feeling the rotting flesh. It's teeth were going for my neck before I heard a strange sound and the Walker stopped groaning and lay unmoving on top of me. A green tipped arrow was embedded on the top of it. Pushing the Walker off I reached for my knife ready to attack whoever was behind me.

"Don't," They called out. Wait, I recognise that voice. I smiled to myself knowing exactly who it was.

"Put your hands up an' turn 'round. Real slow." I turned around slowly and found myself face to face with a slightly longer haired Daryl Dixon.

He slowly dropped the crossbow in shock and slung it over his back.

"Pol?" He asked incredulously and I nodded walking over to him slowly. He closed the distance, towering over me and engulfed me in a hug as I patted his back.

"I told you one day, you'd be the first to hug me." I grinned pulling away.

"Shut up," He grunted.

"But how? We thought you were dead." He stated.

"It'll take a lot more than some Walkers to kill me Dixon." I smiled picking up the knife from the ground and putting it back in my belt.

"You're a tough bitch." He said. Coming from Daryl that was a compliment. He ruffled my hair as I ducked away.

"How are the others?" I asked.

"Are they-"

"They're all alive. Rick's good too." He said.

"I didn't ask about Rick specifically." I said raising an eyebrow.

"I know, I thought you might want to know." Daryl smirked making me punch him in the back.

"Where you been?" Daryl asked as he began leading me over towards the fence.

"Where have YOU been?" I asked.

"I'll tell you all about it. Daryl, wait." I reached out an arm and pulled him back as he turned around.

"What?"

"I drove here and hid the car a few minutes away, can we get it?" Daryl nodded and followed me as I led him over to the BMW. Daryl whistled looking around at the car which I had parked just off to the side, in front of the woods.

"Nice right?" I said appraisingly admiring the car.

"You tell anyone about that hug, I'll sh-"

"Yeah Daryl I know, you'll shoot me." I mocked him.

We drove the car over to the front gate of the prison where I saw some of the group coming towards us with guns. Daryl jumped out of the car and put his hands out calling out to them.

"It's alright! Got someone here." Daryl shouted, his face morphing into a smirk. I popped my head out of the car and saw Rick, Glenn, T-Dog and Carol's faces morph into grins and shocks.

"You mind opening?" I asked as Rick shook his head disbelievingly. He opened the gate and I drove in past them, putting the cars where the other cars seemed to have parked.

Not ten seconds after closing the car door and retrieving my pack from the passenger seat I was picked up into a hug from Rick.

"Rick," I sighed wrapping my arms around his waist. He put my back down on the ground and stroked my hair.

"I thought you were dead," His voice said shakily.

"I thought you might have been alive but, I wasn't sure." He said pulling back.

I took a good look at him, he was wearing a grey T-shirt, old black trousers and his cowboy boots he had since the day I had met him. His hair had grown out and was slightly curly and he was now sporting a full beard on his face. I had to admit, he had looked even better than before. His intense blue eyes, were still blue but he had more lines around his face. They had been through a lot. He looked stressed.

"Why didn't you come back?" He asked letting go of me.

"I tried to, me and Andrea we were fighting the Walkers, and we saw your car drive off." I said seeing Rick's face fall.

"But it's not your fault! Please don't feel guilty, I made my choices and you didn't know." I reached out and touched his forearm.

"Rick," I said gently putting my hand on his cheek as he looked up to me nodding.

"Think you can manage a smile?" I asked trying to look at his face.

"I'm glad you're safe." He smiled this time making me smile.

"There you go sheriff Grimes." I grinned.

"Pol!" I looked behind and saw Glenn walking over with a grin.

"Glenn," I opened my arms smiling and hugged him looking at Rick over his shoulder he gave me a wide grin.

"I can't believe you're here!" He said stepping back.

"Neither can I." I shook my head. Carol came over along with Daryl and smiled at her wrapping me in a hug.

"I'm so glad you're okay," She said squeezing my back.

"You do stink though," She said scrunching up her nose.

"That's what you get from being covered in Walker blood." I shrugged making the others laugh.

"Is that your car?" Glenn's eyes widened at the black BMW.

"Yep," I grinned patting the hood of the car.

"How is it we found the shitty cars but you get the nice one?" He complained eyeing the car behind me.

"I guess I'm just lucky." I shrugged.

"Come on, let's get you inside," Rick said throwing an arm around my shoulder, leading me inside the prison.

"It's me!" Rick shouted as we walked into the cell block marked D. I walked in seeing rows of cells with doors open and sheets hung up inside a few. There were packs and weapons lying around. From what I had seen, there was a cafeteria which had food and medical supplies, they had also found weapons nearby.

Carl, Beth and Maggie came out of their jail cells and stopped walking as soon as they saw me.

"Pol!" Carl said walking over to me with a large smile on his face and wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Hey," I chuckled looking at Carl.

"You grew," I said as we were almost eye to eye with each other. I looked at his belt and saw there was a gun and knife hanging there.

"Look at you big defender of the group huh," I grinned.

"He is, he's done a lot." Rick said from behind me hands on my hips.

"I didn't know if you were coming back," Carl said standing to face me. I looked at him and saw a mini version of Rick.

"Yeah, neither did I." I said.

"How did you find us?" He asked eagerly.

"I'll tell you all about it kid, later." I said patting his shoulder.

"Look I kept it safe for you." He said holding the constellation necklace I had given him when I left the farm. He began taking it off before I stopped him.

"I think it looks better on you."

"Really?"

"Really," I smiled. I walked past Carl to Maggie and Beth who were standing there.

"Hi," I said awkwardly remembering how we had left things badly between us. Maggie was the first to break the silence as she stepped forward with her hand out.

"Hey, fresh start?" She asked as I shook her hand smiling.

"Fresh start," I agreed. I looked at Beth who gave me a quick hug then disappeared back inside the jail cell.

"You weren't gonna get away without saying hi to me, were ya?" I looked at the far end and saw a very pregnant looking Lori standing there with her hands on her hips. I grinned and walked quickly over to her, hugging her as best as I could without hurting her.

"I'm so glad you're here." She said rubbing my back.

"I've missed you, missed talking to you." I said sheepishly.

"Same here." She said smiling.

"So, wow," I said looking at her pregnant body.

"When are you due?"

"Any day now, Hershel says." Lori said.

"How's it been?" I asked.

"You guys must've been on the road a lot." I stated.

"It's been hard but we, we managed." Lori said shooting a look over to Rick who met her eyes briefly then turned away.

"Everything's alright?" I asked her searching her eyes.

"Yeah," She nodded smiling.

"Get settled in then we can all talk," she said patting my shoulder then going inside her cell. Carol gave me a smile before following Lori inside.

"You should get your rest." I looked around as Rick stood behind me.

"I've had enough rest," I waved a hand dismissively..

"What about a shower?" He asked.

"Are you saying I stink, Rick Grimes?" I said mock offended.

"Yeah I am," He smirked at me.

"How dare you, first of all I had a shower the day before yesterday," I said making Rick raise his eyebrows.

"I'll tell you guys about it." I said seeing his response.

"So which cell is mine?" I asked pointing to the row of cells.

"Well take your pick." he said.

"You can have this one, it's right next to mine." he stated pointing to the one at the end. I looked at him.

"B-because in case you need anything, I'm right next door." He defended.

"Okay, this one it is!"

"Holler if you need anything." Rick said as I disappeared inside the cell. There was a double bunk-bed with a toilet and sink. I dropped my pack on the top bunk and kicked off my boots lying down on the bottom bed. I closed my eyes and curled up feeling inexplicably tired.

Waking up after a few hours, Carol had taken my dirty clothes with the promise of cleaning them and shown me to the prison showers. I washed up and she brought me back to the prison block all clean and fresh.

"Well, you smell a damn sight better." Daryl walked down the stair from his perch and sniffed near me as I swatted him away from me.

"Very funny," I deadpanned.

"Let's eat," Rick said as we gathered around outside the cell doors in the centre of the cell block where we started a bin fire. Daryl had hunted some squirrels which were now being roasted over it.

Hershel came out with a stick supporting himself and Maggie on the other side, and I noticed he had a leg missing.

"Polaris," He said nodding to me even giving me a small smile.

"Hershel," I smiled.

"What happened to your leg?" I asked staring at the stump.

"Got bit. Rick cut it off, saved my life." He looked at Rick appreciatively who nodded at him smiling slightly.

I looked at Rick impressed but his smile didn't meet his eyes.

"So wanna tell us where you been this whole time?" Rick sat down opposite the fire.

I launched into the story of me and Andrea fighting the Walkers on the farm after everybody had left and how we met Michonne all the way up to Woodbury including the Governor and Merle right up to the point I left and came to the prison.

"Merle's alive?" Daryl's interest perked up.

"Where? Woodbury?" He asked.

"Let's go get 'im." He stated standing up before Rick but a hand up to stop him. Everyone around the fire was giving each other uneasy looks.

"Not yet." Rick said firmly staring down Daryl.

"Yo, that's my brother, you left him there on that rooftop back in Atlanta, don't 'pect me to wait here and do nothing." Daryl said angrily going up to Rick.

"Woah, Daryl." I turned his attention to me.

"I think Rick just means, we should make a plan, before we do anything." I said as Daryl sat down calmly staring into the fire.

"Sounds like you had quite the journey," Rick said eating food.

"Yeah, it was crazy. I'm glad I found you guys again." I smiled at the group.

Rick told the story of what had happened once they escaped the Greene family farm and how they stayed in the forests, scavenging from town to town for food, water, supplies, weapons, shelter and fuel for their car until they reached the prison. They cleared out all the Walkers from the prison and came across another group who were previous inmates staying in another area of the prison.

"I still can't get over the fact you have that car." Glenn shook his head beside Maggie,

"You're not getting it Glenn." I narrowed my eyes at him making the others laugh.

"So Lori, you thought of any names yet?" I directed my attention to Lori who was sitting quietly.

"She's gonna name the baby after me." Carl said proudly.

"And what if it's a girl?" Rick raised an eyebrow at his son.

"Carla," He grinned as the group laughed together.

"Maggie, Glenn you mind being on watch?" Rick asked the two who nodded taking their rifles and heading outside to go to the guard tower.

We finished our food and put out the bin fire. Lori and Carol went inside one cell so they could get some rest and Carl went to sleep inside the one he shared with Rick. Daryl was sitting up on his perch playing with the crossbow. Hershel and T-Dog were talking on one side of the cell block leaving me and Rick to clean up. I watched Rick clean up before he looked at me questioningly.

"You've changed." I observed as he looked at me.

"Changed how?"

"You don't seem as happy," I said sadly.

"I am," Rick said unconvincingly making me chuckle. I nudged his shoulder making him smile.

"The group seem like they're well." I turned around at T-Dog and Hershel who were conversing with one another.

"They deserve it, we've had a hard couple months." Rick began cleaning some of the plates.

"You don't have to put your walls up, around me Rick." I said with my hands on my hips.

"You can talk to me remember. I'm your friend." I said my heart twinging on the last word.

"We can talk outside?" I suggested as Rick nodded he lead the way to the courtyard of the prison.

"When we escaped the farm, I told Lori I killed Shane and that I did it because he was dangerous. I wanted to keep her, Carl and the baby safe. I did it for my family. But she-" Rick said pinching his forehead with his fingers.

"She didn't take it well, things haven't been right between us since. Carl hasn't been speaking to his mother either." Rick stated.

"That must've been hard for all of you." I said making Rick look at me.

"Lori being pregnant in a post-apocalyptic world, all the stress and trauma she's endured can't have been easy. Blaming you for Shane was the easiest thing for her to do, the most plausible reason than believing he was dangerous. And Carl, well he's a kid who's had to grow up too fast." I said.

"So you're saying it's alright for her to blame me?" Rick said annoyed.

"No, no," I put my hands on his arms.

"I'm not saying that at all. I'm just saying, you guys have all been through a lot and it's not my place to say or intervene but I think give her another chance, she looks like she wants it." I explained.

"Me and Lori have drifted. I think I still love my wife, but it's different now." Rick said pacing. I felt awkward he was talking about Lori like this, especially since the history between us.

"It's different." He fixed me with a stare coming close to me until we were face to face.

"Lori needs you." I said stepping out of our proximity.

"I know," Rick said feeling slightly taken aback.

"But, I'm always here for you Rick." I said gently taking a small step closer.

"I know," He said in a gentle tone. I reached up and planted a kiss on his cheek pulling back and seeing his intense eyes on me and his cheek slightly red.

"You give nice hugs you know," I said smiling.

"I know." Rick grinned.

A/N: Review?