CHAPTER 7

- Kate -

The next few days were calm ones for the group at the prison. Hershel was improving everyday and there was no sign of infection. The remaining prisoners had stayed clear of them, which was a relief. They had spent a lot of time cleaning out the block, as well as starting on the yard, but that was going to take more time. Lori was overdue and everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the baby to be born. It was a stress they all shared and they would all be relieved when the baby had arrived safely. Carol had practiced performing C-sections on walkers, but she was hoping Hershel would somehow be well enough in time.

Living in close quarters, it was hard to miss anything, and the group had all noticed Daryl and Kate had been different with one another. Neither had any idea that it was obvious and no one dared say anything to either of them - except for Maggie. She teased Kate frequently just to see her friend squirm.

"It's not like that Maggie." She would always sigh, paranoid that someone would overhear them.

For her part, Kate knew she had developed feelings for Daryl, but she was pretty sure she wasn't the kind of girl Daryl would want. She was younger than him, less worldly. He sometimes made her feel like a kid, with her fears and her lack of independence. He seemed to do so well on his own and she was in desperate need of the group. Besides, Daryl seemed the type that would run at the first hint of emotion. They were trying to survive here, the last thing she needed to do was complicate things with something like this. She was content to keep her feelings to herself, if only Maggie would let her.

The next night, they had watch. Daryl was already up in the tower by the time Kate got there. He was leaning against the railing, leg bent, with his crossbow resting in his lap.

"Anything going on out there?" She asked, not expecting anything different.

"Few more walkers these past few days, might be a problem eventually."

They both watched the dead paw at the fence line as the sky darkened. A small gust of wind blew through and Kate pulled her sweater closed.

"Weather is starting to change. It's going to get cold soon."

"You've lived in Georgia your whole life?" She inquired.

"Yup. Never left. Not once."

"Really?" She said, surprised. He looked at her with a hint of defensiveness in his eyes.

"No reason to." He changed the subject quickly. "What about you? You always out in California?"

"Ya, I was born there, but I have family in Arkansas. I've spent plenty of summers staying at their farm."

"You're kidding?" Daryl snorted, with a half smile on his mouth.

"Nope. I've even had chiggers once." She said with a big grin. "Why? Does that surprise you?"

"Ya. Doesn't fit with how I've been picturing your life before. Prissy California girl - beaches and movie stars."

Over the years, she'd heard all the misconceptions people held about California.

She laughed, "Sorry to disappoint you, never liked the beach and I've never met a single famous person. What else do you think you've figured out?"

Daryl shrugged. "College girl. Boyfriend. Nice family." He guessed.

"My family isn't as nice as you might think..."

He just looked back at her chewing on his thumbnail.

"Don't get me wrong. I have a great mom, brothers. My Dad, he's another story. He never grew up. He wasn't around much, when he was he just yelled. He was out of work a lot too. Utilities were always being turned off, we were evicted once, lost our home. I'm pretty sure we ate nothing but peanut butter and jelly for two years straight."

Daryl was looking at her like he was trying to figure something out.

"What about you?" she asked. She didn't know if he'd answer, she wasn't sure, but she had a feeling Daryl's background was an uncomfortable subject for him. Daryl and Merle didn't come off as people who had had easy lives. They were surviving long before the rest of them had to.

"Not much to tell." Daryl said quietly. "My Mom died when I was just a kid. She probably wasn't the best mom, but I knew she loved me in her own way. After she died, it was pretty much just me and Merle - and he was off in juvy or the army most the time."

"What about your Dad?" She asked, troubled at the image of a young Daryl fending for himself.

"My old man wasn't around much. Better when he wasn't. He was a drunk - a mean one too. He probably would make your Dad look like 'Father of the Year'. But Merle and I took off when I was 16 and it's just been us since then."

"You miss him a lot? Merle?"

"Ya. I mean, Merle has his problems. But he's my brother. Only person whoever gave a damn about me. Ya, I miss him."

"Well maybe he's still out there. You never know Daryl. You Dixons seem to be really good at surviving. Stranger things have happened. Rick found Lori and Carl."

"And what if I do find him? What then? You think the group is just gonna welcome him back with open arms? I mean, you met him."

She smiled, remembering his crude brother.

"Yes, I did. Called me Goldilocks the whole time."

"Better than what he called Andrea. He snorted.

"Sugar tits!" Kate remembered. They both laughed. "But Daryl, he's your brother. That makes him our family too. If you found him, we'd all be OK with that. We would all welcome him because we all want you to be happy."

Daryl looked at her intensely, biting at the inside of his lip, before looking away to break the connection as he mumbled a thank you.