Wow! Sorry for the delays everyone, been a lot going on recently with school and all. Here's an update, I hope to get back on track with my updates. Also, on another note, where'd all my readers go? Seems like everyone disappeared. ;(

Please read my author's note below!


"Shane…" Rick started, but I quickly cut him off, "Don't worry about it." I tried my best to reassure him with a smile, and I turned back to the rest of the group, "Well…I guess I should start with why I was in Georgia at the time…" I cleared my throat quickly and continued, "I was at Fort Ben-"

"Fort Benning?" Shane interrupted.

I nodded, "Yeah, for basic training, why?"

"Well our plan was to go to Fort Benning. You know if it's in good shape?"

I shook my head, "Sorry, I haven't been there in, I don't know, at least over a month…I can't guarantee anything."

He immediately looked disappointed, but gestured for me to continue, "Right. So after basic training I was given leave before I get shipped out to AIT, and I decided to stay in Georgia since I had a good friend living here." I paused, "She got bit and died, I saw it all happen – the whole I don't know, transformation?" I shrugged but kept going, "I stayed in her house for a bit, upstairs, of course. I had to leave when walkers started breaking in." I had to stop there because I could feel my voice beginning to break.

"Just you?" Andrea asked.

I made brief eye contact, since before I'd just been staring into the fire, "I- I think so." This whole thing was a little more than a blur now, to be honest – probably for the best. I guess there are some reasons to appreciate my brain.

She raised an eyebrow, but I just kept talking because I didn't want to be interrupted anymore, "I found a real nice ride on my way out of the neighborhood though," I added for a flair of optimism, and continued, "and drove to some gas station that I thought was abandoned. I was wrong. I was knocked out – which is why some of this is coming up blank I guess – and when I woke up I found out my ride and my gun were stolen. I left the place after about two weeks or so, and that's when I went to some police station and tried to – ah, steal guns." I smiled and shrugged again, "And that's how I met Rick."

Lori leaned forward in skepticism but couldn't hide the grin from her face, "…So you met Rick because you were trying to steal guns?"

I couldn't hold back a chuckle, "Yeah. Hearing it like that makes it sound so…weird. I have to admit that I'm pretty lucky he was so understanding of it. Anything for survival."

Shane showed the same grin and I prepared myself for either ridicule or more questions, "So you two are together now…" he ran his hands through his hair and chuckled, "over guns?"

I cleared my throat, that also sounded weird to me. Together. Sounds almost wrong. "I guess so? There's not really any other way to put it."

He nodded, accepting my answer and stretched his arms. Is it that late already? Oh man, I really hope the group doesn't decide our sleeping arrangements tonight…

It became a lot quieter when the fire began to die down and people started leaving to get ready for bed to have some moments to themselves, leaving just Dale, Shane, Lori, and Rick.

I enjoyed learning more about the group, it definitely helped me understand that there's still some sense of humanity left and helped the group get away from reality for a while, basically was a great way to lighten the mood. I think this will be the last time (for at least a long time) that we'll be able to sit back and reminisce about our past lives. It was also pretty interesting hearing about everyone's background, some surprising, and others not.

"So, who's on watch and how do things at night work here?" I asked, hoping that I could maybe get a good night's sleep tonight.


September 12, 2010

My head felt heavy and I didn't even have to look at a watch to know that I'd only been out for an hour or so.

I sighed, trying to move but felt Rick's arm slinked tightly around my waist. Yes, we did share a tent. And yes, I love it.

I tried to carefully maneuver out of his grip, but he caught me and gave a light kiss on my shoulder. "Where are you going?" He tried to act oblivious to the fact that I'd known he'd been awake as well, "I can't sleep." I grumbled, "Believe me, I want to – but I can't."

He chuckled, "Where were you planning on going?"

I turned to face him and propped myself on my elbow, "Rick, are we going to play twenty questions or are you gonna let me leave?" I joked.

"I love it when you play hard to get, Isabelle."

"Shut up."

He rolled onto his back and I placed my head on his bare chest, since I'm definitely more than fine with having Rick's chest as my pillow.

"You really can't sleep?" He asked with a slight hint of concern in his tone.

"Yeah, I'm just – I dunno, not used to this…being able to just relax."

As comfortable as I was lying there, I pushed myself off of him and made my way to the corner of the tent to grab my pair of jeans. "I think…I'm just gonna go join Glenn and Dale outside."

Rick sat up, probably to get a quick glance at my ass as I was trying to shimmy into some jeans, "You sure?"

"Yeah. I'll sleep later." And by "later" I meant when exhaustion overwhelms me, but I didn't want to say that since he deserved a good night's sleep.

I kneeled over by him and planted a gentle kiss on his lips, "I'll be back soon, just go to bed, Rick."

He sighed, and I started to feel a little bad because I knew that he just wanted to spend this night with me and not having to worry about anything. "Alright, goodnight, Isabelle." He said before I crawled out of the tent. I really hope he just goes to bed.


Dale and Glenn were hanging out around the RV when I stumbled out of the tent. I buttoned my jeans and fixed my bed head before making my way over to them.

Both were atop the RV, probably cause Amy and Andrea were asleep inside. Lucky.

"Hey guys." I said as I made my way up the ladder, I hope I didn't interrupt anything.

"Can't sleep?" Dale asked.

I sat down and rubbed my temple, "Yeah. Long day."

"Don't worry about it, it took the group a while before they were comfortable with falling asleep. Just surprised you'd want to be around us night owls when you have your boyfriend the sheriff." He joked harmlessly.

I scoffed, "Heh. I don't mind at all, really. I appreciate how warm you guys have been to me so far since none of you guys know me."

"Well, nobody in the group really knew each other before this happened. But tragedy brings people together, and when the world goes to shit we shouldn't let ourselves go down with it."

I nodded, "Very wise words to live by, Dale. I'm glad the group has someone like you." I smiled, hoping I wasn't coming off as creepy or anything.

"Every group needs its moral compass." He replied. I'm starting to like him more and more each minute he talks.

"True." I leaned back in my seat, "What do you guys do to pass the time?"

Glenn finally spoke up, "Talk, mostly. Sometimes Andrea or Lori will come up here to shut us up if we get too loud."

I rolled my eyes in response but could understand where the women were coming from, "Who takes your spot after you guys go to bed?"

"Daryl, just by himself when he gets back early in the morning. He prefers it that way." Glenn answered, "And I think most of the group does anyways."

I agree. I really, really do. If he's anything like his brother, which I hope he's not, then he's probably an ass. At least he's not too bad looking though, from the brief moment I saw him, so I suppose I can let it slide sometimes. Just don't tell Rick I think that.

"Why do you guys keep him around? He seems like an ass." I blurted out.

I heard Dale give a small chuckle, but kept quiet, leaving it to Glenn to respond. "Uh…" He hesitated, I think he was probably worried that Daryl was really awake and listening to everything, but he hadn't come back yet. "He's a good hunter and can be good conversation if you're on his good side."

"I can understand the food part, but are you so sure about the conversation part? I feel like he has the conversation skills of a potato."

Glenn cracked a small smile, which gave me some relief since he seemed so uptight since we'd gotten back from the city, "He's really not that bad, Isabelle. It's Merle you should be worried about."

"No shit." I cleared my throat to quickly apologize, "Sorry. But you, well you know…" My voice faded off as I remembered what happened the day earlier. This is terrible of me to think but part of me hopes that Merle doesn't make it back because of what he did.

Dale joined in the conversation again, "What'd he do?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, unsure of what to say. I didn't want to stir up any unnecessary drama, but I didn't want to hide the dangers of Merle's anger from the group. They were probably aware of him being a potential threat but –

"Merle hit T-Dog and then hit Isabelle right after when we were in Atlanta." Glenn quickly blurted out.

"He what?" Dale shot up in his seat, well there goes any chances of the group even wanting Merle back.

"It's nothing, really, you should be more concerned about T-Dog," I mumbled, trying to hide the redness creeping up on my cheeks. Really, they should be more concerned about T-Dog! He was the one being treated like absolute garbage by that racist piece of shit.

"Damn it," Dale growled, "I hate to say it but leaving Merle behind could be for the best if he attacked you two like that."

"I…have to agree." Glenn said, "I think the whole group does too."

"Minus Daryl." I added.

"Yeah, I still don't know what we're going to do about him." Dale said, and Glenn nodded. In fact, I don't think the group as a whole doesn't know what we're going to do about him. Hell, I'm not even sure if the whole group even knows.

"Just wondering guys, what happens if Merle comes back? Don't you think he might, you know, try to get revenge or something?" For a brief moment, I was worried Glenn was going to shit his pants form the thought. Poor guy seriously needs a good night's sleep and a hug to keep him calm.

"I don't know, Glenn. I don't think that's something we should be thinking about right now." I answered.

"She's right," Dale agreed, "Right now…right now the group needs to focus on us and only us. We need to concentrate on staying alive and together."

Glenn did have a point though, not about Merle but he was right in being concerned. With Merle abandoned on some roof there's no doubt Daryl is going to want to something about this, and it's probably going to be dangerous or plain stupid.

"Even more important," I began, "What the fuck do we do when Daryl gets back and realizes Merle isn't with us anymore?" How the hell are we going to give him the news? I really can't imagine this going too smoothly with him. 'Hey we left your jackass brother on a roof surrounded by walkers, sorry! Hope you can forgive us!' If only there were a Hallmark card for these types of occasions…

Glenn rubbed his forehead and groaned, "I'm not sure I even want to think about it."

Dale sighed, "It's going to have to be Rick or Shane that's going to have to deliver the news, they can probably keep Daryl calm and if not I know they can handle him."

"I guess so. I just know it's not going to be a pretty sight." My head ached at the thought, I can see it already too. I'm going to have to find a way to make sure he doesn't have his crossbow near him or I know something or someone is going to get shot.

"I don't think it'll be a good idea to have T-Dog around…" Glenn mumbled, and I had to agree. It wouldn't help much having the guy who – accidentally, mind you – dropped the key that would've unlocked your brothers' handcuffs.

"It's a shame that this had to happen," Dale uttered, "But I always had a feeling Merle would pull something like this, it was only a matter of time…"

"That's true," I agreed, "better to know now and have it taken care of before anyone…" I was going to say died but I don't think that's the right choice of words, "you guys know what I mean." I yawned, surprising myself since that means I'm actually…feeling tired.

Dale noticed my fatigue setting in, "You should sleep now."

"Are you sure? I like talking to you guys." I whined, not that I didn't want to go back with Rick but I enjoyed the fresh air.

"He's right, you're tired, Isabelle." Glenn added, oh I see, now they're ganging up on me – no wait, conspiring against me.

"Now you guys are just trying to get rid of me?" I joked, "Turds. Fine, I'll give in and go to bed."

I heard them both share a small laugh as I slid down the ladder, at least I made some of the group feel better. Maybe now Glenn won't be so uptight and paranoid.

I snuck back inside the tent and tried to remove my jeans as quickly as I could to get back into the sleeping bag, but apparently I wasn't quiet enough because I heard Rick move around a bit…must be him still asleep though. At least, hopefully.

I slipped in to the sleeping bag and that's when I knew he was awake, when I felt a light kiss on my shoulder, "I was wondering where you were."

I turned to face him and gave a little smirk, hoping he could see it, "Missed me?"

"Course." He lightly placed his hand on my jaw line and added sternly, "Now go to sleep."

"Buzzkill." I mumbled and smiled, "You're like the fourth person to tell me to go to bed. Now I don't want to listen to any of you."

"C'mere." He wrapped his arm tightly around me and brought me closer to his chest. I could hear his heartbeat and it was definitely starting to relax me.

I closed my eyes and was starting to doze off when I remembered something. Something very important.

"Rick," I whispered.

"Hmm?" He groggily replied.

"No goodnight kiss?" I pouted.

He sighed and lifted my chin gently, planting a kiss on my lips, "Goodnight."

I couldn't keep the stupid grin off my face, "Night, Rick."


I blinked several times, since it took me a couple minutes to realize that I was actually safe for once and not in some abandoned gas station or overrun farm. I rolled on to my back, Rick wasn't here, probably out eating or something. There was some mild chatter outside, but other than that, I enjoyed the silence.

That is, until Daryl found out where Merle really was.


Sorry for a short and boring chapter, my lovely readers. I need to get back into the habit of writing and actually remember the storyline. I also apologize for any confusing parts, random errors, it's been a while. :o Anyways, to those who are still around, thanks for reading and I have some things to share with my readers.

First, some parts of the story may be in third person later, don't worry I'll always go back to first person but third person may be needed for some parts. I haven't decided on this yet. I'll let you guys know when I do.

Second, there's probably going to be a story that branches off of this one since this plot has been eating away at my brain for some time. Same character and background for Isabelle, but will most likely be following TV canon and will have a certain interesting pairing. Let me know what you guys think about this idea, in PM or review.

It's getting very late and I'm veeeery tired, so I'm sorry for not replying to reviews this time. You all are wonderful people and I appreciate all of you for taking your time to read and review my story. Love you all~