It had been awhile since we got the radio call from T-Dog, things were still tense around camp. I could see that everyone was worried, but everyone was also too afraid to stand up to Shane.

I was hanging clothes on the line, trying hard not to listen to the conversation Shane was having with Carl about catching frogs. It wasn't serving as a very good distraction for Carl as Mom chopped away at his hair with a pair of old scissors. For the love of God would the child just stop fidgeting already?

"I would rather eat Miss Piggy," My head snapped up at my Moms words, a grin twitching at the corners of my mouth. "Yes that came out wrong."

Moms eyes met mine and she returned my smile for a few seconds before going back to tackling Carls hair.

As I worked through my chores I did my best to distract myself from the absence of Glenn and the others. I wonder does losing people in this life ever get easier?

Just as the thought entered my head I looked up to the sound of boots on gravel. Shane was coming towards me, his expression soft. I felt my jaw set as I went back to throwing sticks on the fire.

"Nikki how long have I known you?" Shane asked, I tried to stop myself rolling my eyes. He knew the answer to the questions all too well so I just threw him another dirty look and continued staring at the orange flame in front of me. "Since you were born, that's how long."

"I hope you're going somewhere with this? Or should I prepare myself for a trip down memory lane?"

"This life is tough, it's a lot different to the one we knew. I can't let anyone else die.. can't let you die." Shane muttered the last part, I glanced at him to see that he too was focusing on the orange flame. "I'm not trying to be your Dad, Nikki. Hell, I miss him so much sometimes it really does hurt."

"You don't owe us anything, you don't have to keep us alive." I heard my tone soften as I looked at him. I knew Shane was grieving for my Dad too. Sometimes I forget that he knew him a lot longer than I did.

"Not doing it cause I have to, kid, I know what you're thinking, wanting to go after the others and try and save them. You think like your Dad, but we just don't live in that world anymore. Things are different now, it's a fight for survival."

My head tilted at his words, could he be right? It was hard for me to grasp the possibility of leaving people to die when there was a chance of us helping but maybe I was just stuck in the old way of thinking. Shane had done a pretty good job at keeping us alive up until now.

I finally made eye contact with my Dads best friend and nodded slowly. Silently promising him to at least think of a way to come around to this idea. He pulled me in for a quick hug, kissing my cheek before pulling away.

"I was at the hospital after you were born, kid. I don't plan on being at your funeral." He grasped my arm tightly before letting go. Before I could decide on whether or not I had just seen a sheen of tears across his dark eyes the sound of a car alarm made my head spin to where Dale was on look out.

"Talk to me Dale." Shane snapped into action, hand on his gun as he sprinted the few short feet to the RV.

"Can't tell yet," Dale said as he pulled his binoculars in front of his eyes.

"Is it them? Are they back?" I tried to ignore the desperate tone of Amy's voice but I'm sure my expression read the same.

"A stolen car is my guess," Dale looked disbelieving as he lowered the binoculars. The car was now close enough to the camp to make out along the winding road. I could see a flash of red now and again between the mountainside and treetops.

Everyone in the camp held their breaths as the car pulled along the final bend. Coming to rest in the camp. The alarm was deafeningly loud but I felt my hand go to the knife hanging by my side as I went into defense mode.

As the door of the car opened my breath came out in a large sigh as relief flooded my body. I could hear Dale shouting something but all of my senses were focused on the boy in front of me. Glenn was stood smiling, looking as though he'd just won the lotto.

A small laugh of relief left my body as I grabbed Glenn into a hug.

"I don't know how!" Glenn called back to Dale. I assumed it was about the still blaring alarm as all of the men gathered to figure out how to knock it off.

Despite Amy's pleas for information on Andrea I couldn't keep the grin off my face. My friend came back. Smiling like a Cheshire cat at that.

Despite the fact that Jim had unplugged the battery from the car, finally silencing the alarm, my ears were still ringing. Another sigh of relief went through my body as Glenn confirmed everyone was okay.

"But, Merle not so much," Glenn grimaced, he had a look of pity on his face even though he was vocally not very fond of the Dixons.

"Are you crazy driving this wheeling bastard up here? You trying to draw every walker for miles?" A stab of annoyance pierced me at Shanes words. No one really even cared that Glenn just told us that Merle could be hurt or worse. If it was any of the others we'd all be beside ourselves.

"What's wrong with Merle?" I asked Glenn but he was too distracted by Shane and Dales discussion on the car alarm and the walker attention it would attract.

"I'm sorry," Glenn shrugged at Dales scolding. "I got a cool car." He looked from face to face as if this was compensation for any possible walker attacks. I couldn't help but grin, the car was pretty sweet. Maybe I could convince Shane to let me go on the next run with Glenn, then I'd be able to drive it.

The sound of a large truck pulling up saved Glenn from anymore scolding as everyone turned expectantly too it. Amy was practically bobbing on the balls of her feet trying to see who was inside.

I smiled to myself as Andrea stumbled from the truck, Amy running to her at a rapid pace.

"Think they'll forget about it pretty soon." I muttered to Glenn, clapping him on the shoulder before turning towards the car. "How fast did you get to go?"

Maybe keeping this car would be the one small reward we got for surviving so far.

"I don't even know I just kept the accelerator to the floor it was insane. I never thought I'd ever get to drive a car like that."

"How'd you guys get out of there anyway?" Shane asked, his head turning away from where my Mom and brother stood.

"New guy, he got us out," Glenn explained, my interest perked at this. There was always some form of anticipation when a new person got introduced.

"Hey helicopter boy, come say hello!" Morales shouted from somewhere behind me. The look on Shanes face made me frown slightly before turning to see the new guy.

And just like that, all of my breath had left my body. It felt like an iron fist had punched me right into the gut.

I'd seen that sheriff uniform before. It had picked me up from school. Had come into my room after a long day at work to ask how my day had been.

My brain hadn't even registered that I was running until I slammed into the person wearing the uniform. Sobs racked through me as I clung to him with all I had.

His scent filled my nostrils, bringing a flood of childhood memories with it.

I pushed myself back, but kept a tight grip on his shoulders, just in case he disappeared again. Tears were currently trying to take over my eyes, flowing freely as they went but I could still see the face in front of me.

The face I never thought I'd see again. The face that I got my smile from, the slight crinkle to my eyes when I laughed, and although we didn't share the same color eyes, his too were fighting a battle with a flood of tears.

Carl had ran towards us, screaming, he was swept into strong arms and Mom joined us shortly after.

All of us crying on top of each other.

But we were back together again. I had my entire family back.