A/N: Hope you guys like it. Once again I think this chapter might stink; hopefully you all think differently. It's a little bit of a filler at the start, I wanted to show how Riley's demons and fears are coming out. The next chapter should be better; I have some big plans in store. Also before anybody says something about Lori; while in the show I can see how some people saw her as a bitchy character I feel like in the right situation she could be really nice. I also love Rick to much to have him and Lori be fighting all the time. Anyway please review. It was awesome and literally made my day when I got all the responses to the last chapter. It makes me want to write the chapters that much quicker. So once again I'm going to ask please review I love hearing your input! Thanks guys!

Chapter 10: Finding a New Home

'"Listen Rye bread" Merle whispered to his sister '"if anything happens and Daryl and me aren't here I want you to run ya hear me you run; you don't stop for nothing, you run until you either find me or Daryl or we find you, and we will always find you; you understand me"' Riley nodded her head looking at her big brother 'good girl, your smart and strong and tough, you're a Dixon and we never give up"'

"Don't stop running…don't stop running" Riley had made it out of the farm and away from the Walkers her main focus now was to get to the highway before it was too late. She wasn't stupid she knew that eventually they would have to move on; with or without her.

In the distance she saw it, the trees thinned and the highway was in her grasp. She was losing her ability however to make her legs go the speed she wanted "you're a Dixon and we never give up" she huffed out and willed her body to not give up on her.

Then she heard it the sound of someone shouting her name, they were still there. She looked up and saw a sheriffs hat came out from in-between a few trees and she knew her family was still there…still alive

"RILEY" Carl yelled his voice full of excitement and he took off before anyone could stop him. Rick looked over to Lori whose eyes were filling with tears as she held a hand over her mouth then to Daryl who had yet to move from his spot; to scared that it wasn't her that she wasn't Riley anymore.

Rick ran forward after his son followed closely by Lori, Glenn, Maggie and the others. Daryl moved a few feet closer; still keeping his distance he couldn't let his hopes get too high

Carl was running at full speed; she had made it, she was alive, she was his badass sister and she would always be there for him…would always come back. He was a few feet away when Riley dropped to her knees her arms opening as Carl threw himself into her body. She brought her hand up holding his head, while the other went around his back. She could hear him crying and tried to comfort him

"hey now, shhh I told you I'd come back, remember ain't no way I'm leaving you" Riley spoke softly. She glanced up and connected eyes with Rick whose blue orbs held unshed tears, she gave him a small smirk and he smiled back. Rick didn't want to admit it but he thought about what would happen if Riley didn't make it back, and the thought made him sick. He couldn't image Riley not being here…he didn't even want to think what that would do to Lori or Carl.

Riley then noticed Lori walk forward. She stood up the best she could with Carl still clinging to her when the woman pulled her into a hug smoothing her hair and saying "don't you dare do something like that again" Riley smiled thinking that sounded like something a mom would say. She pulled away from Lori and gave her a nod and mumble out a "sorry".

Maggie, Glenn, Herschel and Beth were next to give Riley a hug and express their happiness that she made it back in one piece. Herschel looked at the young child and gave her a wink; the man had faith in the Dixon girl. She was something else and he knew that a lot more then Walkers would be needed to take her out. Everyone then turned looking at where Daryl was; he had been watching the whole scene before him, when the shock wore off he walked forward pass everyone and straight towards his sister. Carl who was still glued to her side was prided away by Lori. Daryl pulled Riley into a bone crushing hug while kissing the top of her head. He swallowed the lump in his throat and when he felt he was able to speak he said something that Merle often said to her but her a completely different reason "never again Rye bread, never again" Riley closed her eyes and breathed in her brothers scent, tightening her grip on him. She nodded her head and glanced up into his eyes "Merle was right" Daryl gave her a questioning look, he never understood the things Merle told Riles, in fact he never understood most of their relationship "he said that one way or another if we were ever separated we would always find each other…we're Dixons and we never give up" Daryl looked down at his sister each of them wearing matching smirks. Merle could pull insightful things out every now and again especially when it came to Riley. Boy did he miss his brother, he knew that Rye also missed him. They shared one last hug and then turned Daryl guiding her to the waiting cars

Once Carl had noticed that Daryl and Riley were done hugging and we're making their way towards them he wiggled free from his mothers arms and ran back over to her. Riley opened her arms and Carl fell right back into them, she threw her arm over his shoulder turning his body and they walked to the cars together "Will you ride with us?" Carl asked her hope filling his eyes. Riley glanced to Daryl who simply gave a shrug, knowing Riley was safe was enough for him whether she rode with the Grimes or on the bike made no difference. Riley smiled at the boy and said "wouldn't think of riding anywhere else"

They stood around the cars formulating a plan, it was decided to head west towards the coast. Everyone piled into their respected vehicles, and off they went

Daryl took the led and then T-Dog, followed by Glenn, Maggie, Herschel and Beth. Carol Riley noticed was with Daryl on the back of the bike; she made note to tease him about this later

As Rick drove he glance in the rearview mirror and saw that Carl had laid down with his head in Riley's lap, as she stared out the window she absentmindedly played with his hair lulling him to sleep. Rick smiled and nudged Lori making her glance back as well. Both shared a look thinking the same thing; this girl was family now… blood or not.

They had driven maybe fifty miles before Rick honked his horn the signal for we needed to stop. Rick stopped the car and opened the door, Daryl swung back around "You out"

"Running on fumes" Rick replied opening the hood

Rick looked around and tapped the window asking Riley and Carl to join them. As Carl and Riley were on point the rest of the group decided that the best and safest course of action was to camp here for the night and then try and regroup in the morning. Glenn looked over to Daryl and Daryl gave a sigh

"You know we found Randal… he was a Walker, but he wasn't bit"

At this point Riley and Carl had rejoined where everyone stood, Rick and her connected eyes silently asking who would drop the bomb. Riley took the led and started

"It doesn't matter how you die…you turn either way" All eyes snapped to her and then Rick spoke

"Jenner told me at the CDC, no matter the cause of death you turn into one of those things" He then looked around at the faces of the people he cared about most

"How could you not tell us either of you" Glenn spoke out but kept his eyes on Rick

Riley not liking how he was staring at Rick blurted out "oh like how you told us about the Walkers in the barn" Glenn dropped his head seeing the similarities in both situations

She then stared at Rick…he shook his head but she spoke out "I…I killed Shane" Everyone stared at her like she had grown three heads. "I needed to...he…" she paused not sure how to continue.

"choices needed to be made" Rick voiced "Rye made the right one…Shane was a danger to us all"

Lori stared at both Riley and Rick before walking a few paces ahead and stood at the edge of the road. Rick was about to approach her but Riley had beat him to it and was walking past him to get to her

Daryl stood shocked for a moment but then approached Rick "everything ok…"he asked glancing at the women as they talked. Rick nodded "you know how Riley looks to Lori, she needs to make sure their okay" Daryl nodded his head wanting to question how his sister truly knew how people turned; had Rick told her or had she witnessed it beforehand. He decided against asking choosing to do it another time and walked to the trunks of the cars and started to set up camp

Riley stood behind Lori watching the woman and trying to think of what to say

"I know it had to be done" Lori whispered quietly knowing that Riley stood behind her

"I just hate that it had to be you". Riley walked forward and stood beside her

"It had to be, if anything happened…Rick is more important to the group…I needed…" Lori cut her off

"Don't ever say that…you know how important you are to this group especially to…" she trailed off and Riley turned and saw she was staring at both Carl and Daryl who were working together to create a fire. Riley glanced up at the woman "and your important to Rick and me…we love you Rye okay…you're needed and wanted" Lori ended pulling Riley into a hug. Riley smiled despite herself. Lori pulled away also smiling, she then hooked her arm around Riley's waist and the two walked over to the campsite.

At the start of the new day, everyone packed up the camp and were ready to continue on their journey. Daryl had gone out at first light with Glenn and was able to savage a little bit of gas from a few abandoned cars at a local supermarket. Everyone piled into their vehicles and the long travel to nowhere began.

The group didn't make it all that far before the weather got worse and travel become more difficult, not to mention Lori was now becoming heavily pregnant and having her always be on the run was not an option.

On one night that was unusually cold the group had taken shelter in an old cabin in the woods. There was a small fire going but that's the thing it had to be small, couldn't risk drawing unwanted attention. Rick and Daryl were on watch both sitting on the porch outside; Riley could faintly hear them talking or every now and then walking back and forth in an effort to get warm.

Riley was sitting next to Lori with Carl on her other side. Everyone had taken notice to how Riley become more anxious with every day that passed regarding Lori and the baby. Riley gave up rations of food, even went out on her own to find Lori clothes that would be more comfortable. Daryl had been livid when Riley returned

'Riley had placed one foot into the house the group was camping at for the next couple of nights when Daryl stormed out of the kitchen "you have some real guts, ya know that" he spoke with narrowed eyes looking down at his sister. "how…why…what made you think it was okay to go out alone, after everything that has happened come on Riles have some common sense" he threw his hands up in the air. Riley just stood watching her brother. Daryl was really starting to worry about her. She was hardly sleeping, would give half her food to Lori or Carl and now was going out alone, she could have at least asked Maggie to go along. Daryl was beyond pissed and the way she just stood there made him even angrier, he walked over grabbing the backpack from her hands "and what was so important you just had to go out and get". Riley tried to hold onto the bag but Daryl was stronger and the bag went flying; out fell clothes, some breakfast bars a bottle of water and two books. Daryl glanced at Riley who had bowed her head, hair covering her eyes. He walked over and glanced at the books picking them up 'Everything You Need To Know About Having a Baby' and 'Being a Midwife: The Ins and Outs of Delivering a Child'. Daryl let out a sigh, picked up the discarded items and handed the bag back to Riley, "Riles…" he stared but she slowly shook her head. Daryl watched her for another moment before leaving the room.

Riley glanced down at Lori watching as her chest rose and fell with each breath. She looked up and once she was sure that everyone was sleeping reached into her bag and pulled out one of the books 'my wife's dead because of you' Riley shook her head and started to read determined to memorize everything in both books.

Rick peeked into the window and saw everyone sleeping but Riley. He let out a long breath and looked at Daryl eyes full of concern "she ain't sleeping is she?" Daryl questioned already knowing the answer.

Rick shook his head returning to his seat. He watched as Daryl rubbed his eyes

"Rye…she…she holds a lot of blame, was told her whole life she was the reason behind her momma dying" Daryl paused

'Daryl sat next to Merle. His father was pacing up and down the white hallway. He looked over to his boys "pretty soon you both are going to be big brothers to a little sister." Daryl watched as his father walked over and kneeled in front of him and Merle. "You know what a big brothers job is?" he asked glancing at both of his sons "to protect their little sister, no matter what; always and forever" Daryl and Merle both nodded, his father patted both sons on the shoulder and stood as the doctor came out of the room. The doctors white coat was not so white anymore splatters of blood were covering most it and Daryl watched as his fathers face fell. He listened to the words that were spoken his mother had died during childbirth, that his sister was doing fine, the doctor did all he could but his mother lost too much blood. The doctor patted his father on the back and asked if he wanted to see his daughter. Daryl knew that life would never be the same when his father answered "No"'

Daryl looked over at Rick "she died during childbirth with Riles" Daryl finished his words turning to fog in the cold air. Rick looked back out at the land before him just as snow started to fall. He glanced back at the window watching as Riley watched Lori.

The winter passed slowly, and the routine was the same. They would drive for a bit and then secure a house or cabin for the night never staying in one place too long. On a car ride to the newest location Lori was sitting in the back while Carl rode shotgun. Lori had her feet resting in Riley's lap. Rick glanced in the rearview mirror concerned about the bags underneath Riley's eyes and how she looked smaller then ever. All that disappeared when Lori dropped her feet to the floor and grabbed Riley's hand placing it on her stomach "you feel that" Riley stared at Lori's pregnant belly for a moment and then it happened Riley's face broke out into a grin "it kicked" Rick looked back again he had already felt the baby kick but seeing the look of pure joy on the girls face was enough to make a smile spread across his face.

They had found a good sized house to whole up for the night in. Lori had an actual mattress to sleep on which made Riley very happy. As everyone settled in for the night Daryl approached his sister

"Rye…I want you to sleep tonight…she's going to be fine" Daryl spoke looking at the closed door to the room Lori and Carl were in "she has a real bed and blankets" he watched as Riley processed what he said biting on her lip. She didn't make eye contact with Daryl but she nodded her head and walked off to her area for the night.

That night Daryl didn't have Walker watch, but he had sister watch which to him was more important. He watched as Riley slept seeing all at once how tired, stressed, small and young she really looked and wondered what troubling thoughts were running through her head.

Winter was passing and with it brought new hope. Lori looked as if she was ready to pop, which made Riley more paranoid then she let on. At the current moment the group was sitting idle on the highway figuring out their next course of action. Herschel advised Rick that having Lori go through anymore moves wasn't the best idea. Riley couldn't agree more. Rick looked at his wife who was sitting in the car waiting, too tired to get out and join. He nodded his head and glanced back at the map he had spread over the hood of T-Dogs truck. From the corner of his eye he saw Riley make her way over to Lori with a silver wrapper in her hand. 'giving up her food again' Rick thought.

Riley got to the car and looked through the window, she plopped the breakfast bar onto Loris belly and smiled. Lori looked down. She knew what the girl was doing, and while it warmed her heart, it made her nervous for the already tiny girl. Riley wasn't eating enough that was clear to everyone. She would always come up with an excuse like she had squirrel from a hunt she never took, or she just wasn't hungry. Lori smiled at the girl though and broke the bar in half handing part of it out to her. Riley looked at it then back to Lori "I won't eat it unless you eat it" Lori spoke with a grin. With a huff Riley took the bar and popped it into her mouth, Lori grinned in triumph as she ate the other half. Daryl was watching from next to Rick and smiled internally that the woman got his sister to eat something.

Daryl then turned to Rick "While their washing their panties let's go hunting" Rick nodded and grabbed his gun. Daryl whistled and Riley's head shot up. Daryl pointed to himself and Rick and she waved back signaling she understood. Riley left Lori in search of Carl; she found him leaning against one of the cars keeping watch; Riley could tell from where she stood that the boy was pouting "what's wrong cowboy?" she asked as she leaned against the car beside him glancing down from the corner of her eye.

"my dad and your brother went hunting" Riley cocked an eyebrow "and" she countered back

Carl looked up at the girl he trusted most "its not fair…I could help too and they don't…they don't think I'm capable" Riley's eyes narrowed and she stared at the boy she then broke out in a smirk "you really don't know do you?" Carl gazed at her with questioning eyes "know what?" Riley let out a sigh and squatted so she was a little below Carl's eye level.

"you my friend have the most important job of all…you're in charge. Why do you think your dad feels comfortable enough to leave on a hunt huh? Cause he knows you're here watching over things…watching over your mom. It takes a mighty capable man to have that sort of reasonability" she ended looking at Carl. Carl grinned and stood up to his full height feeling proud. Herschel who had been sitting in the car the two were leaning against smiled at the conversation. He was among good people, and it made him feel confident that together they would and could get through this.

Riley was sitting on the hood of the car Lori was sitting in with Carl leaning against the tire. When she heard the distinct whistle of her brother. She jumped off the hood and walked around to Lori helping the woman out of the car "their coming back" she informed the group and everyone walked over to the men as they emerged from the trees.

Riley noticed that Rick wore a smirk and for the first time in a long time looked like he held a little hope in his tired eyes. She then glanced to Daryl who also had a grin on his lips. Daryl looked at Rick and nodded

"I think we found somewhere"

Questions and excitement arose. Rick quickly explained that we needed to drive up about another mile or so and then hide the cars until we were sure that the location was useable code word for safe.

As we trekked through the forest to what we hoped would be our home; Daryl watched as Riley shadowed Lori offering the woman a hand or support whenever it seemed she was in discomfort. Lori glanced up catching Daryl's eye; she looked over to Riley and then back giving the hunter a small smile. Daryl gave a nod in return. Lori had become even more of a mother to Riley over the course of the winter and after having a conversation with Daryl; Lori happily took the role on.

'Daryl watched as Lori sat in an oversized chair being able rest her feet after a whole day of moving. Riley had reluctantly left Lori's side to help Maggie do a quick sweep of the few houses that lined the street. He took this opportunity to speak with the woman. "How ya feeling?" he started unsure how to really bring this subject up "not too bad today" Lori replied looking up at him. He noticed how tired she looked "so…I wanted to talk about…"

"Riley I know" Lori cut him off. Daryl looked at her and waited "Rick told me about your mother…I'm sorry" Daryl looked down he hated when people pitied him "Riley is a great girl, I love her as much as Carl and I know Rick feels the same. I'll do whatever I can to help fill the void she has" Lori stopped unsure of if she should tell Daryl this "Before I had Carl, I miscarried; it took a long time before Rick and I wanted to even try again scared to go through that all over again…he always wanted to have a girl…" Lori stopped and stared out the window for a moment. "being a police officer was hard on him too he would get these calls.." Lori trailed off. Darryl nodded understanding. "my point is Daryl that I would be happy to fill the mother role for her. I think I've already started, and hell Carl already calls her his badass sister; so I think there's no going back" Lori ended with a laugh. Daryl smiled an actual smile, he was only able to utter a "thanks" before Riley whizzed by him dropping her bag to the floor and saying "look Lori" as she pulled out a jar of peanut butter and some chocolate chip cookies. Lori's mouth hung open. Riley grinned as Lori reached for the bag of cookies "you my child are awesome" Riley bent down to pull out more of the items she collected and when she wasn't looking Lori gave Daryl one last wink. Daryl gave a grin and bent down as well to see what his sister had savaged.

The group approached a clearing and saw in the distance a chain link fence that enclosed a prison. Everyone looked at each other, all thinking the same thing; this could work. They walked closer finally getting a look at what the inside of the fence held they weren't surprised; Walkers were ambling around. Rick looked at the Walkers and then pointed "there…if we can shut that gate it will close off that section and we can take these Walkers out"

Everyone moved down to the outer fence. Daryl counted the Walkers, and Rick looked around picking out different places for people to get a better vantage point.

"Ok" he spoke "I want Daryl and Carol…you become a pretty good shot just aim and take your time" he said looking at Carol "over in that tower" he pointed to the east building. "T-Dog and Herschel take that tower there" he pointed to the guard tower towards the west "the rest of you I want to get as many Walkers attention over here " he gestured to the fence

"that leaves the closing of the gate" Glenn spoke up "I'll do it"

"No way! it's a suicide run" Maggie shot out wanting to protect her boyfriend

"I'll do it" Rick replied. Riley's head snapped in his direction

"NO!" she shouted causing a few Walkers to glance their way. She then looked over to Lori quickly "I'll go" and before anybody could say anything she walked over to the gate that would allow her entrance into the field. Rick looked over to Daryl whose narrowed eyes were focused on his sister; he was beyond concerned now. Why was Riley always putting herself in danger. He would have to talk to her at some point at this moment though there was nothing he could do. He turned his eyes towards Rick who gave him a reassuring nod and then walked to Riley handing her a padlock. She gripped it in her hands and gave him a small smile "I got this" she whispered to him.

Everyone ran to their respected posts and waited for Riley to make her move.

Before she pushed the gate open though Carl was at her side "be careful" he said. Riley nodded and flicked his sheriffs hat from his head. She then pushed the gate open and ran. She was able to take a few Walkers out that got to close and then had faith that her family would bring the backup. She halted however when a bullet hit the pebbles by her feet. She didn't bother to search for who did but she heard someone shout "sorry"; Carol she thought. She rammed her knife into one last Walker before quickly placing the padlock in place and securing the fence. She then turned and had nowhere to run, she spotted another door that looked like it led to the inside of a guard tower she ran over and pushed open the door, disappearing from view. All firing and screams stopped as the group watched "come on Rye" Daryl mumbled Carol looked over concern written on her face. It wasn't until an arrow came flying down into the eye socket of a Walker that they all glanced upwards and saw Riley with that classic Dixon smirk. Daryl then yelled "light it up" and within minutes the Walkers were finished.

That night the group sat around a fire eating roasted squirrel that Daryl had hunted down. Daryl stood atop an overturned bus keeping watch while Rick walked the perimeter for what Herschel counted as the third time. Riley watched the man and stood; handing her left over meat to Lori; it wasn't missed by anyone how the bowl was barely touched. She then walked towards Rick.

Daryl glanced down as Carol came towards the bus. He helped the woman up and she handed him a bowl "there will be nothing left by the time you join us" he looked at the bowl then towards the retreating back of his sister. Carol followed his eyes "she wouldn't take it even if you offered…she just find a way to give it to Lori or Carl" Carol spoke with a grin. Daryl nodded and sighed before picking up a piece of meat.

Rick was slowly walking when he stopped waiting for who he knew was Riley. She stood beside him "this is good Rick…it will work…we'll make it work" Rick stared at the girl

"it will be a good place to have the baby" he spoke and watched Riley's face closely as he spoke the words. She looked beyond him and nodded. "thank you" Rick began as the two started to walk again "for helping with Lori. It means the world to her, that you're so involved…you'll be a great big sister to another little Grimes child" Riley stopped walking glancing up at the older man. Rick smiled at her "you're family Rye remember, blood or not" he then wrapped an arm around the girls shoulders and together they walked back towards the camp.

As they approached they stood by Daryl and Carol and Beth's sweet voice filled the air, she was soon joined by Maggie the two sisters smiling as they sang together. Once the song was finished Rick cleared his throat. "We should all turn in…we have to get inside tomorrow, see what we're up against….I'll take first watch" he then leaned down and gave Lori a kiss and then Carl a ruffle of the hair, when he passed Riley he also gave her a hug "goodnight kiddo" he spoke as he let go and walked towards the bus. Riley smiled as she watched him go. Lori looked over to Daryl and saw that he too was smiling, when he saw her watching him she gave him a nod silently saying 'I told you so'

The next morning everything and everyone moved quickly. Rick, Daryl, Glenn and Maggie were assigned the job of going inside the actual cell block. Riley, Carl, Herschel, Beth and Lori were to stay behind and wait. Riley was a little miffed that she couldn't go in, but that morning Lori was not feeling her best so she was glad to be close to the woman.

"Can you still see them" Lori questioned

"Nope…their behind the wall now. Its just a waiting game at the moment" Riley spoke keeping her eyes on the spot her group was last seen.

It seemed like hours passed before Glenn came running down the field saying that they had secured the cellblock, he then helped everyone get through the hole they cut in the fence that they would keep closed by zip ties for the time being until better supplies could be found.

The walk towards the cellblock was a long one and Riley walked along side Lori the whole time. When they entered Riley found herself watching Lori and her reaction more then looking around herself

"is it safe" Lori asked looking to Rick

"this block is, we'll check the others tomorrow, Daryl and I both have a set of keys" Carl butted in with "so we sleep in cells"

Rick nodded his head "not me" Daryl spoke out "I'll take the perch" he then looked to Riley to see she was still watching Lori as she peeked into each cell. He bumped into her shoulder as he walked by snapping her from her trance "pick a cell" he whispered as he walked up the stairs then into a cell pulling out a mattress and throwing it on the ground.

Riley watched as Carl walked into a cell, as well as Herschel and Beth. Maggie and Glenn also chose one together. She watched as Lori whispered something to Rick who nodded and then she disappeared into the cell Carol had walked through. Rick joined his son, that left Riley alone. She glanced around and then walked up the stairs, stepping over her brother. She walked towards the end of the block and peeked into a cell. She then looked back out and saw Daryl sitting up studying her. She gave him a small wave and walked inside. She threw her crossbow onto the top bunk and watched as dust flew into the air. She then sat on the bottom bunk leaning back against the wall. She pulled her backpack onto her lap, pulled out one of the books and as she opened it she thought 'Home Sweet Home'

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Next Chapter: Herschel loses his leg we meet the prisoners, Daryl may even have that heart to heart with Riley