A/N: *blows cobwebs off this story* so, quarantine eh? Inspired me to pick this story up again. I regret not continuing with this because I feel like it was doing so well. But hopefully I can manage an update a week. I appreciate no one is probably going go read it because it's been more than a year. However just in case,a quick recap:

My character Pol came into the TWD world way back in S1 and is now in a relationship with our Fave rugged lead, Rick. This chap covers S5 ep 7 and 8 which are when half the group go to rescue Beth and Carol from Atlanta. They are also finding their feet by surviving on the road together and meet father Gabriel on the church. This chap picks up before they go on their rescue mission and is a bit of a long one.

thank you for the faves and follows! It's over a years worth so I'm sorry I don't mention you all but it's so appreciated! And for the lovely reviewers:

Purplepecky: hey dw about the late review! Considering I've just updated loool. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story more, Haha unfortunately this is TWD so bad things are inevitable, but I wouldn't worry about our couple..

Nitro zeus: your wish is my (very very late, so sorry) command!

Disclaimer: I don't own TWD, its characters or plotline, only Pol and my own subplots!

"Daryl." I wrapped the older hunter into a tight hug, burying my face into his chest. He returned the hug fiercely, but pushed me back with a serious look in his eyes.

It was early morning, the sun was shining outside the church. If there were any birds they would be singing, but instead we had the lovely faint sound of walkers growling. Daryl arrived late last night according to Michonne. But he arrived alone.

"Where's Carol?" I asked.

I saw a figure behind Daryl as I glanced around the older hunter, raising an eyebrow at the young man I saw.

"Who are you?" I asked suspiciously.

"Who's this?" I glanced at Daryl.

"I'm Noah." He gave a small wave, smiling uneasily. I waved back uncertainly, looking at Daryl questioningly.

"Pol." I introduced myself.

"Where's Rick? He was sleepin' when I got here and I got a lot to tell y'all." He replied in response, avoiding my question.

"Come on, he's inside the church." I opened the heavy wooden doors as Rick cradling Judith in his arms. Carl was at the back organising the food cans in the church, rationing what we had.

Michonne had filled Daryl in on Maggie, Glenn, Tara, Abraham, Rosita and Eugene. How they had gone to Washington. It had only been three days since they left, but our group was feeling empty again. Like a piece of our family was missing.

Rick's eyes lit up in surprise seeing Daryl as he handed Judith off to me. The baby girl, fussed being disturbed from her sleep as I rocked her. Rick placed a hand on Daryl's shoulders. I rolled my eyes at them. I swear were men that uncomfortable with their masculinity? Couldn't they just hug? But this was Rick and Daryl we were talking about. Two macho men. I smiled at the thought.

"Hug each other for Christ sakes." I scoffed.

"Oops, sorry JC." I winced forgetting I was in a church.

Both men looked at me strangely before turning their attention to each other.

"Glad to see you safe." Rick smiled.

"Not glad that y'all went off on yer own. A lot of shit went down." His smile faded.

"Michonne told me." Daryl nodded sombrely.

"Where's Carol?" Rick looked behind Daryl.

"Let me tell you." Daryl sighed.

He launched into a story, where him and Carol had seen a car with a white cross (the same car Beth had been taken in), and they jumped in the car and followed them. They drove into Atlanta, going to a hospital where Beth was being held by some people. They stumbled into Noah, who was escaping with Beth but she got left behind. And so did Carol.

"Can you trust Noah?" I put my hands on my hips, eyes darting towards the door of the church.

Daryl nodded in response as Rick silently took in his words.

"So Bob," Daryl said looking between us. I cast my eyes downwards in shame. Sure the Terminus lot deserved it, but we enjoyed it too much. It was almost as if a darkness had been unlocked, exposed for everyone to see.

"Terminus got to 'im." Rick said.

"Sasha?" Daryl asked as I shook my head.

"Yeah, she's not doin' good." Rick nodded as I pressed Judith to my chest.

"And those bastards?" Daryl asked with anger.

"Dead." I said.

I hammered in the wooden planks on the side of the church. Much to Father Gabriel's chagrin, we were strengthening it and making it a fort. Unfortunately, that meant tearing pieces of it apart.

"That looks good." I wiped my forehead, glancing at Carl.

"Thanks." He smiled back, as he hammered the nail into the side of the window.

"I know we haven't had a chance to talk lately, but kid you know you can tell me anything. You can trust me with anything, don't ever doubt it." I said reassuringly.

"I know." Carl nodded, picking up the other plank.

"Judith's taken a real liking to you." Carl commented as I held it in place. I smiled at the wooden plank, my heart growing in fondness for Judith.

"I love her. Never thought I'd get kids to like me though." I said.

"Well you've got us two." he replied.

"And Pol, about you and Dad. We used to talk about loads of stuff, you can still talk to me about that. I know dad pretty well." Carl grinned as I chuckled.

"Especially if you have any problems, I got 14 years of proof on how to handle his moods." He added with a wink.

"I'll keep that in mind." I laughed.

Noah came into view, walking past the two of us looking serious. He looked downtrodden and I realised how hard it must be for him, in the company of strangers and under scrutiny for Rick. He seemed harmless, and from his story it seemed like he was helping Beth.

"Hey Noah," I called him over as he walked over uncertainly.

"Pol, right? And Carl?" Noah checked as Carl nodded and smiled at him.

"Why don't you give Carl a hand with this?" I suggested as the older boy nodded.

"I'll see you later kid." I grinned at Carl, walking over to where Rick and Michonne were talking.

"He wants to go to Atlanta, but I can't have that." Rick said holding the wooden plank in place.

"Then you stay, I'll go." Michonne said earnestly as I looked between them.

"I wanna go, Carol's done so much for me." I quipped as Rick nodded.

"I owe it to Carol." Rick stated.

"We all owe Carol." Michonne smiled slightly. Rick tilted his head sideways.

"I owe her more."

...

I watched as Rick paced the church, clutching Judith to his chest. He kissed her forehead and held her as I waited by Carl. He looked up at his father.

"I'll make sure he comes back." I whispered, pulling Carl into a side-hug.

"Hold down the fort." I smiled at Carl who returned it.

I tightened the leather jacket around my body and checked the bullets in the colt. My machete was hanging by my side and I had a rifle swung over my shoulder. We didn't know how dangerous this rescue mission would be, but it was good to be prepared.

Rick handed Judith to me as I kissed her forehead, she pulled on my hair bringing it to her mouth.

"I'll be back baby girl." I said to her ear as she smiled at me. I gave her to Michonne who took her happily.

"Sing The Chain by Fleetwood Mac if she gets too fussy." I said to Michonne who raised her eyebrows at me.

"The what?" I looked at her in disbelief, turning to Carl for help.

"I got it." He reassured.

We said our goodbyes and closed the church doors behind us. Judith's cries echoing out behind us.

"She'll be alright." I rubbed Rick's arms reassuringly, pulling him towards the car.

Rick stopped in his tracks and begin pulling me towards the back side of the church.

"Rick what are you doing?" I raised my eyebrows as he pulled me along behind him.

He turned around and pushed me back against the church wall, hovering a few inches away.

"As cute at this little getaway is, we don't have-"

My complaints were silenced by a pair of lips against mine. I immediately brought my hands up to his hair pulled him as close to me as possible. I leaned up on my tiptoes to reach his face.

He leaned down as his hands found their way to my waist, rubbing the sides.

He pulled apart and his eyes were dark with desire, his lips found their way into my neck peppering small kisses there. Feeling the absence of his warmth I pulled his face from my neck and brought them back to my lips.

I closed my eyes in bliss and kissed the man for all he was worth before he finally pulled away.

"-time." I said breathlessly my chest heaving.

Rick was looking at me, with an indescribable look In those deep blue eyes of his.

"What was that for?" I put a finger to my swollen lips.

Rick scratched the back of his neck, a habit I noticed when he got nervous.

"I just wanted to do that," he shrugged as I smiled widely.

"We barely get any time alone and you were looking too damn beautiful to not kiss."

My heart tugged at his words as I looped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Careful Grimes, you keep saying words like that and how's a girl supposed to resist?" I whispered feeling his breath against my lips.

He leaned in this time and pressed a soft fluttery kiss to my lips, his hands caressing my cheeks as he did.

"Sorry," his thumb traced the swollen part of my lips.

"This kind of feels awkward outside a church." I grimaced recollecting our surroundings.

"You religious or something?" He raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"No but it still feels weird." I giggled.

"Okay, how about this?" He leaned in and pecked my lips softly.

"Much more appropriate." I grinned.

"You know something," I began combing my fingers through his hair.

"Hmm?" Rick closed his eyes as I continued brushing.

"You were my first kiss." He opened his eyes in surprise.

"You didn't date in college or high school?" He asked.

"No I wasn't a stud like you." I joked.

"You are beautiful. And I was not a stud." Rick added.

"With those blue eyes and that southern charm, I don't believe that." I whispered.

"I hope I was a good first kiss for you, even if it wasn't exactly good timing." Rick chuckled remembering that day on the Greene farm.

"You were perfect." I rested my hand on his cheek."

I smiled at him but our moment interrupted by the aggressive honking of the van.

"Come on lovebirds!" Daryl shouted impatiently, glaring in our direction.

"We're comin!" Rick shouted back.

"We better go." he sighed pulling away from me.

"Nooo," I whined stopping him from walking away.

"I just wanna kiss you a little while longer." I smiled pulling his waist back towards me, he smiled his hand tracing my cheek.

"Later." He promised, leading us to the van.

Rick and Daryl got in the front of the black van, as I sat in the separate section in the back with Tyreese and Sasha as well as Noah. Both siblings were sitting close to each other, me and Tyreese looking worriedly at Sasha who sat quietly.

"Yeah?" Sasha sighed heavily, looking between us.

"You know I been there." Tyreese said kindly.

"I know."

"Bob, he would have wanted-"

"Don't. I'm sorry. Please don't." Sasha stopped him.

I gave her a weak smile, the tension lingering in the air. There was nothing I could say to make it better for her, I understood loss of someone I loved. But I didn't understand this particular one. If Rick died, I would be worse.

My blood ran cold at the thought. I couldn't even imagine a world without Rick, him dying just wasn't plausible at all. He was Rick. He was our leader, our hero. He had two children, I didn't think I could handle raising two kids by myself. But I would do it, if it came down to it.

I gulped in fear at the thought. No. I shook my head. Rick wouldn't die. He couldn't. I would make sure of that.

"Tell me instead what happened to your lip." Sasha said lightly, smirking at me.

I immediately reached up to brush my thumb over it, savouring the memory of what had just happened.

"Oh you know, the dangers of dating." I smiled as Sasha chuckled.

"You two are like teenagers, sneaking off for your make out sessions." She rolled her eyes.

"Well I wasn't exactly going to do that in front of his kids."

"I'm happy for you Pol, honestly I am. You two are perfect for each other." Sasha tried her best to smile but said it bitterly.

I smiled back but couldn't keep the sympathy out of my face.

A couple of hours of me being lost in my own dark thoughts passed, and we had arrived in Atlanta. The door to the van was sliding open as Rick, Daryl and Noah helped us out.

"You okay?" Rick asked, noting the change in my mood.

"Yeah. Ready to get Carol and Beth back." I said determined.

"Alright Pol." His fingers ghosted over my arm reassuringly.

It was something I loved about Rick, he didn't press when something was wrong. He would wait for you to go to him when you were ready; but I was not ready to tell him I was thinking about how to live after his death.

Rick jogged ahead, keeping his colt out with Daryl's loaded crossbow following out into the middle of the road. Atlanta was just as deserted as the last time we had seen it. There were some stray walkers which we took down, eyeing the silent buildings. We entered a building opposite the hospital.

I kept my machete out as we navigated the long corridors. There was broken glass and furniture strewn about. Pushing a heavy door back, we entered a large empty studio that gave us a good vantage point.

"At sundown we fire a shot into the air, get two of them out on patrol. Then once it's dark enough that the rooftop spotter won't see us, we go." Rick was knelt on the ground, detailing out our rescue plan.

"We cut the locks on one of the stairways, take it to the fifth floor. I open the door, Daryl takes the guard out." Rick instructed.

"How?" Tyreese asked.

"He slits his throat." Rick replied nonchalantly.

I looked at him in surprise before regaining my composure. The rest of the group were unsettled with the idea, an undeniable tension was hanging in the air.

"We don't have to kill anyone." I said pointedly.

"This is all about us doing this quiet, keeping the upper hand. They're not expecting us. From there, we fan out. Knives and silenced weapons." The rest of the group looked resigned.

"Let me handle the guard." I interrupted, studying his crude carving on the brick.

"Daryl's got this, I need you for back up, you're better hand to hand combat." Rick said.

"We don't need to kill anyone. That's not who we are. It's not who we have to be." I insisted. Rick's eyes met mine as his gaze softened and I gave him a pleading look.

"Why doesn't Daryl just knock him out? And if he tries anything, then." I suggested as Rick nodded.

"That alright with you Dixon?" I asked Daryl who agreed.

"Give us a minute guys," I smiled at the others, pulling Rick to the other side of the room.

"I'm sorry. Now before you say, that I'm still innocent and naive, I've just had enough of the killing Rick." I sighed rubbing my forehead.

"The bastards from Terminus deserved it, from what they did to Bob and would they could've done to you all. But there are other ways to handle this situation. You do see what I mean right?"

"Polaris," Rick held my arms, speaking softly.

"Oof full name, am I in trouble?" I joked as Rick cracked a smile.

"You and I are different. We think differently and experiences have changed us. I don't necessarily agree with your point of view but I do understand. And we're equals, you don't have to apologise for offering a differing view ever. And I'm sorry if I've made you feel like that." He leaned down to my face.

"You didn't. I just, I just wanna be safe. I'm tired of living on the road and the moral repercussions that come with our actions." I explained.

"I know you are," he pulled me into him as I wrapped my arms around his back. I tucked my head under his chin, burying myself in his chest. He pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"We lead together, okay?" He checked as I nodded, smiling at him.

We walked back over to the other three companions.

"Sorry guys, just clearing something up." I apologised.

"As I was saying, We need to be fast. Tyreese, Sasha take them. Daryl, you take whoever's in the kitchen. Pol, you're with me. We got Dawn. If they're smart, the rest of them will give up. Then it'll be five on three, six on three if we get a weapon to Beth." Rick said encouragingly.

"12 on 3. The wards will help." Noah added.

"That's best case. What's worst case?" Tyreese posed the question.

"All it takes is one of those cops goin' down the hall at the wrong time. Then it's not quiet, all hands on deck. That's a lot of bullets flying around." He emphasised.

"If thats what it takes." Sasha shrugged.

"It's not." I shot a look at her.

"If we get a couple of her cops alive out here, we do an even trade. Theirs for ours, everybody goes home." Daryl suggested.

"It might work." Rick said thoughtfully.

"This will work." I said adamantly.

"You say this Dawn, she's just trying to keep it together, right?" Daryl directed his question to Noah.

"Trying and doing are two different things." He scoffed.

"You take two of her cops away, what choices does she have?" Daryl spoke.

"Everybody goes home guys, this doesn't have to be a bloodbath." I added.

...

We kept low behind the crates watching Noah walk out into the open. The car tires screeched following a limping Noah as they hit him.

I winced as the guns were trained on him. They wouldn't shoot him, they couldn't. I kept a tight grip on the Colt.

Rick was kneeling in front of me, looking at Noah being handcuffed.

"Now," he whispered harshly as we stood up, weapons trained on the cops.

He whistled getting their attention.

"Hands." Rick said lowly, as their guns were now pointing at us.

"What do you want? Whatever this is we can help." The female police officer said.

"You do what we say, we don't hurt you. Turn around put your guns on the ground and kneel." Rick spoke calmly.

They complied with Rick's orders, I gave him a worried side glance seeing the dark look in his eyes. He dropped his gun to the side as Sasha and Daryl tied them up.

"We need to talk. There's water if you need some. And food." He added.

"Mind if I ask you something?" The male cop looked at Rick.

"The way you talk, the way you carry yourself, were you a cop?"

I unsuccessfully tried to hide the look of surprise on my face and continued looking at them. Rick kept a stoic expression on his face.

"That's Lamson, he's one of the good ones. He'll be down for this." Noah whispered to Rick who smiled.

The sound of tires screeching around a corner caught our attention and was heading full speed for us. We shot repeatedly at the front windows but it kept coming.

I jumped out of the way but not soon enough as the tire ran over the front toes of my foot and disappeared around the corner.

Shouting in pain I dropped to the floor holding my toes which were broken in several places. Daryl came rushing by my side.

"Are you okay?" He demanded searching me for injuries.

"Rick!" He shouted but Rick, Sasha, Tyreese and Noah had already disappeared around the corner

"My foot." I grounded out through clenched teeth. Daryl shrugged the boot and sock off, my toes were covered in purple bruises, some of them bent at awkward angle.

"These two are broken." He touched the toes as I hissed in pain.

"Don't fucking touch." I growled at him.

"You can't walk on this, let me get Rick." He began standing up before I pulled him back.

"Don't you dare tell him." I whispered harshly.

"He won't let me come with you guys, and you need all the help you can get." I said.

"Pol are you crazy? Your toes are broken!" Daryl half shouted.

"We'll deal with it later. Rip the sock and wrap it tight around the last two toes." I instructed him.

Daryl looked at me incredulously before I glared at him.

"Now!" I growled.

"Alright bossy." Daryl said, I winced in pain as he helped me out the boot back on.

He held his arms out as I leaned on his upper arms standing up.

"You good?" Daryl asked.

"Yep this isn't so hard." I smirked.

"Walk." Daryl crossed his arms over his chest.

I leaned heavily on my right foot which hadn't been crushed and hopped over.

"See it's fine." I smiled, hiding the pain.

We caught up to the others, Daryl standing near me waiting for me to fall.

They had their guns trained on the car which had crashed. A few flesh zombies were on the ground, the skin burnt off.

"Y'all good?" Rick said noticing us.

"Yep." I nodded as Daryl continued shooting daggers at me.

In the far distance the police officers ran off as the others followed.

Daryl checked the back of the car, as I opened the front, my colt ready to fire. No one. I sighed.

"Pol, come on!" Rick said.

"Don't be a dumbass, be careful." Daryl rolled his eyes as I hopped over to Rick. I turned around giving him a thumbs up.

"Love you too Dixon."

He gave me the finger and went to check a large burnt camper van. Out of nowhere one of the police officers jumped out of the van tackling Daryl to the ground.

"DARYL!" I screamed as the walkers also began crawling towards him. I limped towards the struggle,as Rick caught up shooting me a funny look.

The man was strangling Daryl with one hand and two walkers were making their way towards him. I shot one and Rick shot the other, point his gun at the officer. I dragged Daryl, closer to me away from harm.

"Okay, you win asshole." The cop said slowly standing up and walking closer to Rick. Rick kept his gun up not bringing it down.

"Rick. Rick." Daryl repeated trying to get his attention and swung my arm over his shoulder. I looked at him gratefully.

"Rick." I said softly as his eyes softened at my gaze and saw my injured foot.

"Three's better than two." Daryl said. Rick lowered the gun as Daryl walked me over to Rick throwing my arm around his shoulder. Daryl tied the cop up.

"What happened?" Rick turned to me.

"Car, foot. Me not moving fast enough." I winced.

"You don't have to do this, Pol you can wait here." Rick emphasised.

"I would feel better if you did." He glanced down at the foot.

"But I also know you better." He sighed as I gave him a satisfied smile.

"The minute it gets too much, you're out." Rick said firmly.

"Deal."

We made out way to a partially underground concrete compound. Rick and Noah were making plans in the gravel as I sat to the side inspecting my foot.

I yanked the boot off looking at the toes.

"Yikes." I grimaced seeing them swollen and inflamed. I checked the sensation as the toes were turning purple.

"Owww," I hissed. Okay I could still feel the toes this was good.

"Rick you're gonna wanna hear this!" Daryl shouted as the 3 cops were in tow. He walked over to them as they tied them up against the poles separately.

"Polaris? Are you okay?" Noah came over to sit beside me.

"Uh yeah, I'm good." I smiled at him.

"How you feeling Noah?" I asked seeing the nervous look in his eyes. He couldn't have been older than Beth, he was so young.

"Okay I guess. I just don't want want anyone else to get hurt. I wanna get Beth out." He said.

"I know." I patted his arm.

"Me too." I glanced at my toes again, inflamed and painful.

I was in no condition for this, if it came to a fight I would just be slowing them down. Not helping.

"Rick!" I called as he was talking to the police officer Bob.

He jogged over as Noah got up to give us privacy. He knelt down in front of me.

"I-I can't come with you." I sighed looking at my foot.

He followed my gaze and his eyes widened at my toes. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"Why didn't you say it was this bad?" He gingerly touched it.

"I didn't want to be a burden. We had a good plan and we need the numbers. I wanted to rescue Beth." I explained as he nodded.

"You'll never be a burden to me." He lifted his hand and placed it on the side of my cheek, my heart swelling at his words. Tears rolled down my cheek as he wiped them away. He pressed his forehead against mine before giving me a rifle.

"You and Noah head to the roof, be ready with the rifles and we'll meet you there." Rick said.

...

A while later me Daryl and Sasha had our weapons pointed towards down towards the police car approaching. This had to be Dawn.

Rick was already down there, waiting to deal with her, the other two cops were in our charge guarded by Noah and Tyreese.

"They're headed towards the vantage point." I spoke in the walkie talkie.

"Okay. Copy that." Rick's voice played through the static.

We watched as a police car approached and held their guns up at him. Rick put his hands up speaking to them. I held my breath, watching the even breathing coming from Rick. He took his gun out and dropped it on the ground.

I had my rifle pointed towards one of their heads, waiting for any sudden movements. Their mouths were moving but couldn't make out anything they said.

A walker appeared out of nowhere, coming up behind them.

"I got it." I aimed for the hear as the walker dropped down."

The police officers finally placed their guns down as I breathed a sigh of relief.

Rick looked at us and nodded. It was working.

"Rick, I'm gonna go to the truck now. Be safe, bring back Beth and Carol. I love you." I spoke into the walkie talkie.

"be safe. I love you." Rick replied.

"You gonna be okay to make it down?" Daryl asked glancing at me.

"Yeah don't worry, you guys come back okay." I smiled hobbling down into the shaft. I made the slow walk down the stairs and out of the hospital. Seeing as all the cops were in the hospitals, the only enemies I she to face were the walkers.

I kept the rifle up, hobbling across the compound before reaching the truck.

I helped myself up into the front seat, keys in the ignition ready to go.

"I'm in." I spoke into the walkie, so he wouldn't have another thing to worry about.

Now all that was left to do, was wait.

...

My leg was up over the dash before I heard a loud gunshot. Followed by another. My eyes widened as I prayed everyone was safe.

I sat anxiously with the door open, legs dangling over the side of the truck.

"Come on. come on."

"Ah fuck it." I hopped out of the truck and made my way back to the entrance of the hospital.

I looked in shock seeing the rest of the group there.

"Guys!" I half smiled as they turned around in surprise.

"Glenn! Maggie!" I shouted at the couple and three my arms around their necks.

"You all came back." I smiled at Abraham, Rosita and Tara.

Michonne was there too with Father Gabriel, who was surprisingly holding a wrapon

"What the hell did you do to your foot?" She began walking over seeing me limping.

But before I could answer the hospital doors swung open.

I cried in relief seeing Rick but he was crying. His eyes were glassy and his face had splatters of blood.

I stopped my smile seeing him shake his head. I anxiously waited to see everyone in the group walk out unharmed.

Sasha and Tyreese walked out holding an unharmed Carol. Then Daryl.

Daryl came into view, with a lifeless Beth in his arms. He was sobbing.

Maggie collapsed to the gravel with a e

I stopped in my tracks, bringing a hand to my mouth.

Another one of us gone, another one of us dead.

A/N: I realise this chapter may be all over the place but your thoughts would be appreciated!