IMPORTANT A/N: Sooooo, things at my workplace have been slowly going down hill and I was just told that my boss has decided to close business. It's sudden but inevitable as I could see this coming from a mile away. Anyways, I'm not out of a job, don't worry as my workplace has another office on the other side of the island. So they basically offered me the same job at the other office, though I'll be working different hours then my current one and also driving about an hour to that office and home everyday. I won't have a computer to work on at that office as my boss will be present 24/7 now (my current location, there is only myself and another worker ever present) but I'm NOT telling you I'm trashing the story because fuck, I'm not. No way in hell. I'm just letting you know that this will probably be the last Tuesday posting on schedule. I'm starting at the other location next week Tuesday so postings from now on will either be on Monday's or Friday's, and maybe sometimes later in the day on Wednesdays. Posting will be all over the place starting next week lol and I just wanted to give you guys all a heads up to the situation I'm in right now.

Welcome/Thank you to my newest follower: silverbluerose!

Reviews:

Bri47: I always find myself thinking 'I don't think I can like Daryl anymore than I already do' and then that bastard has to up and do some cute/protective shit and my heart just can't. That man is too precious for his own good and I feel attacked about 99.9% of the time lol

KyraNoelle: Lol gotta love Rick getting a bit more 'comfortable' with Ana. Happy you liked this chapter and I'm glad I'm not the only one jumping for joy that Sophia is back haha, like I told someone before, I was already set on saving her, just didn't know how till now. Also, i'm super fuckin' happy that you like the triangle drama between Daryl, Rick and Ana, that is also something else that I've been planning from the start and it's turning out BEAUTIFUL! Hope you'll continue to enjoy more!

UmiNight Angel Neko: HAHHAHAHAHHAHA I loved your rant of a review, all I could do was 'golf clap' at your message, imagining you actually yelling at them like that lol

Frankie: I seriously want to give you a hug ;_; thank you for thinking my story is worth your time and enjoying it as much as you have thus far! I really hope I can live up to your expectations in future chapters/seasons cause I'm sure, I'm gonna flip your world sooner or later and you may hate me then lmao so, before that happens, thank you for loving my work! Pssst, by the way, imma push myself to make longer chapters, just for you, but no promises ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own AMC's The Walking Dead or it's characters/plots, just my OC.

Ana's POV...

I silently watched from the porch as the group argued with each other before I felt a presence slide up beside me. Turning my eyes from Daryl stepping up to challenge Shane suddenly, I slowly turned my head to see that Maggie had joined me.

"Glenn told you?" She inquired instantly as I blinked, not sure what she was referring to.

"Told me what?" I asked, turning to give her my full attention as I noticed the light blush touching the tips of her cheeks. Instantly, I knew what she was talking about and turned away, smirking slightly, wondering if I should save her the embarrassment of explaining.

"He didn't really have to tell me, it's slightly obvious." I tested the waters as she blinked a few times, feeling her eyes trail back over to me where I continued to stare at the stare down happening across the yard.

"You-You're not upset?" Maggie then asked as my neck shot over, almost knocking myself off balance with how fast I had turned to face her, my eyes wide with confusion.

"Mad? Why the hell would I be mad?" I turned my full attention back to her once more, seriously confused as to why she thought I would be mad over something like that.

I watched closely as she chewed on her lip, glancing over to the conversation happening across the yard where I knew Glenn to be apart of before her eyes met mine hesitantly.

"I just figured...he spoke about you a lot before you showed up on the farm. You both are attached at the hip whenever you guys are together so I thought..." She rambled as my eyes grew wider and wider in realization before I shot my one good arm out, grasping her forearm, effectively stopping her from continuing.

"We aren't like that, figured that confession shower the other night was enough. I love Glenn, don't get me wrong." I confessed seriously as I watched her eyes momentarily shoot over my shoulder at something before she opened her mouth to say something as I shook my head, continuing on.

"He's a really good friend, that's all. I love him like the brother I never had and honestly, if he had to be with someone, I glad he found that in someone like you." I slowly began to smile as her eyes slid back to my own, a blush flaring across her cheeks.

I dropped my hand from her arm, realizing that she may have been expecting me to say something quite different from the clear surprise on her face before someone cleared their throat from right over my shoulder. I turned from Maggie to the railing I had been leaning against to see Glenn looking up at us in concern, his eyes staying on Maggie just a bit longer before turning back to me.

"Everything alright?" He asked as I passed him a soft smile and nodded, patting Maggie's arm lightly.

"Yeah, though I think I should be asking you the same thing. Everything alright?" I nudged my head towards the area where everyone had been arguing just a second ago to see that it was empty, which surprised me as I hadn't noticed everyone disperse. Glenn sighed, glancing over his shoulder where he had been just moments before and nodded, looking to Maggie in hesitation before turning to me where I nodded in understanding. It clearly had been about something he didn't want to share with Maggie nearby.

Author's POV...

Ana left Maggie and Glenn to converse between themselves, feeling as if she had been awkwardly standing as the third wheel while they attempted to tiptoe around what they really wanted to say to each other. Naturally, Glenn had stopped her from going, worried about Ana which she quickly shot down, promising she was fine before walking off, not realizing how much she wanted to a see a certain redneck till Ana was on her own, strolling across the empty porch.

"Ana." A voice breathed in a sigh of relief just as she stepped foot on the grass of the Greene's front yard before Ana was engulfed in a tight yet comfortable hug. Immediately recognizing the familiar hug of a mother, Ana hugged Carol back with her good arm, rubbing the woman's back as she heard the sniffles and silent sobs of the relieved woman.

"Thank you, Ana. Thank you so much." Carol sobbed out as Ana smiled, running her fingers through the woman's short hair.

"Don't thank me. I made a promise and I intended on keeping it." Ana comforted her as she sniffled, pulling back to show her red and swollen eyes, which did a quick once over on Ana's various injuries.

"I owe you my daughters life, everything." Carol wiped at her eyes, sniffling as Ana shook her head in adoration for this woman.

"You don't owe me anything, Carol. I did it because I wanted to." Ana offered as she opened her mouth to say something before someone cleared their throat just a few feet to her right. Both their eyes slowly panned over, where Rick was standing stiffly, awkwardly glancing between the two of them.

"Sorry to interrupt but, Ana could I speak with you for a minute?" Rick asked as he gestured over his shoulder as Ana tilted her head slightly, confused as to why the man had wanted to talk to her at such a time. Turning to Carol, the woman passed them both a smile before sniffling.

"I'm gonna get started on some dinner, I'll bring some over when it's done." Carol rubbed Ana's back lightly before brushing past her to head back towards tent city as she slowly looked to Rick whose eyes were already on her.

"What's up?" Ana asked worried as his eyes glanced around their surroundings before he gestured to the dirt road that led to the gate entrance to the Greene Farm.

"You alright to take a small walk?" He inquired unsure as Ana noticed the small cut on his right cheekbone, an injury she hadn't seen when she had woke up with him at her bedside just the night before.

"Ummm, sure." Ana answered, not sure what else she was supposed to say as she followed him away from the camp area and towards the dirt road.

Ana's POV...

This was weird.

Okay, weird was putting it lightly as I continued walking alongside Rick who had yet to say anything after pulling me away from my conversation with Carol.

What in the world could the guy want?

"Where'd you get that cut from?" I bluntly asked, knowing it was going to bother me until I asked as I hadn't been able to stop glancing over at his bandaged cheek.

My question seemed to have caught him off guard as I watched him flinch before his hand quickly whipped up to lightly rub the injury.

"Nothing at all, cut it while shaving." His southern drawl did nothing but feed his lie as I snorted, rolling my eyes away from him and back to the pasture.

"I may not know you well, but I wasn't born yesterday 'Sheriff'." I mocked, slowly turning my eyes back to his own as he sighed.

"Daryl and I got into a little argument last night, surprised you slept through it." Rick attempted to make a joke out of it as I froze, staring at his back as he continued on a bit ahead of me before realizing I wasn't following anymore. He stopped and glanced at me from over his shoulder as I stared at him in disbelief.

"What sort of argument are we talkin' about here?" I inquired, my mind weaving back and forth. Did Rick say something to blow Daryl up or was Daryl being his usual dickhead self?

Rick sighed, shoving his hands into his front pockets before turning to gaze out at the field to the left of us.

"It's really nothing, plus I wanted to talk to you about somethin' else." He brushed off my question as I pulled my lips into a tight line, annoyed that he wouldn't tell me. Muttering curses under my breath, promising that I would find Daryl later to inquire about it once more, I turned to the wooden fence outlining the pasture and walked over, hauling myself onto the top beam.

"Well, let's take a seat then, I'm already fuckin' exhausted." I muttered as Rick startled me by placing his hands on my waist, helping me up. I blinked a few times as my eyes met his, caught off guard with how close we were before we both turned away from each other, embarrassed.

"Before you say anythin' just know, I ain't droppin' that little question about yer argument." I cut him off as soon as he opened his mouth to speak, effectively snapping his jaw shut as my eyes pinned him to his spot. He scoffed out a laugh before leaning his arms against the wooden railing I was now sitting on.

"Lori' pregnant." Rick's words caught me off guard as I hadn't expected this to be the subject of this 'oh so important' conversation he had called me out on.

"Yeah, I know." I answered knowingly as his wide accusing eyes snapped up to look at me in disbelief.

"Before you start accusing me of not tellin' ya, wasn't my secret to tell." I put my hand up to stop him from accusing me as he visibly deflated and turned away.

"Seems like I was the last to find out." I heard him mutter as he pushed his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"I don't know what to do." I then heard him whisper as I watched the various emotions cross his face before I turned away, simmering on what I should say to the poor man as I gazed at the opposite pasture.

"Not sure what ya want me ta say, but I'll give you advice if that's what yer lookin' for." I offered, instantly feeling his eyes boring into the side of my head.

"I know Lori took the abortion pills Glenn found for her. I also know that she threw them up. The baby is fine if yer worried." I slowly turned my eyes to his, seeing the relief flash briefly across his eyes before he turned back to the pasture behind me.

"But I have a feeling that is not what you are completely worried about?" I tilted my head, observing him a bit closer, knowing there was more to his worry then just those abortion pills she had attempted to take. I watched as Rick sighed, dropping his forehead onto his forearms, effectively hiding his face from me.

"I don't know if the baby is mine." I heard his whisper as my heart broke just a little for him. Okay, maybe Rick wasn't as ignorant as I first put him out to be.

"So you know about Lori and Shane?" I slowly asked, not sure if he did or not as I watched him nod into his arms.

"Sorry dude." I apologized, rubbing his back, feeling slightly bad that the man knew his wife had slept with his best friend after they assumed he was dead.

"How do you know about all of this? Did Glenn tell you?" He muttered into his arms as I continued to rub his back, feeling as if the man just needed someone to lean on for a second.

"Glenn told me about Lori being pregnant, he needed someone to confide in and with Shane, well, I'm a little too observant for my own good it seems." I joked lightheartedly, glad to hear him let out a chuckle as he pulled his head away from his arms to smile up at me.

"You're incredible, you know that?" He then asked as I snorted, trying to cover up how embarrassed I was by his comment before turning away.

"Yeah, so I've been told." I teased back as he chuckled before letting out a deep sigh.

"This must be awkward, huh? We barely know each other yet I feel like I can confide in you about these kinds of stuff." Rick spoke as I gripped the post with my uninjured hand.

"Awkward wouldn't be the word I'd use. Surprised, yeah." I nodded as he chuckled before turning to lean his back against the fence line.

"I could really use advice on the pregnant thing, now that you're offering." Rick suddenly spoke up as I turned to him, meeting his hesitant eyes before he looked away.

"Well, what's done is done. Nothing more that we can do then to protect her, just a bit more and help where we can. In 9 months, let's pray that we are still here or in a more stable location to safely bring a baby into this world." I advised as I watched Rick nod in agreement from the corner of my eye.

"And about the possibility of it being Shane's, well, that sucks and honestly, in my opinion, what they did is low, even if you were actually dead. I could not and would not have moved on that fast, or at all actually. But not all women process the loss of a loved one the same." I confessed, briefly enjoying the cool breeze that blew across my damp skin.

"But let me ask you this, if it ends up being Shane's, will you love the baby any less?" I was curious though I knew he would love Judith with all his heart though he knew bone-deep, she was Shane's.

I watched as Rick sighed at my words, hanging his head to stare at his boots in the dirt beneath him.

"No, I wouldn't." He confessed as I allowed a soft smile to grace my features as I watched him process his words.

"Since finding out, you've begun to realize all the changes between the two of them since you got back huh?" I then asked as he sighed loudly and nodded.

"I think I've known for a while now about the two of them. I was in denial at first because I was so happy to have them back but then as the days went on, I began noticing the changes between Lori and Shane. Then when I found out she was pregnant, my mind instantly went to the fact that it might not be mine, that it could be Shane's." He muttered, continuing to stare down at his boots.

"But there is a chance that it could be yours." I whispered, wanting to give the man even the slightest shimmer of hope, though I knew it wasn't there.

"True." He sighed, finally pulling his head up as he turned to me with a small smile.

"Thanks for talking with me about this. It means a lot to me." He thanked as I smiled back and nodded.

"Yeah, of course. I'm all ears whenever you need to talk to someone though I still don't know why you chose me out of everyone else here. I'm the new girl." I carefully slipped down from the railing, trying not to be obvious on what I was attempting to do before Rick stepped forward, grabbing my hips to help me down. Ignoring the blush blowing up across my features, I silently thanked him before stepping away from his towering form.

"It's because I know I can trust you to be blunt about anything. You have that nag about you." I couldn't tell if he was being serious or if he was criticizing me as I turned to look at him with narrowed eyes.

"Not sure if that's a compliment or a criticism?" I muttered suspiciously as he broke out laughing, shaking his head at me.

"Definitely a compliment. The world needs more people like you Ana." He promised as I smirked, nodding, pleased by his answer.

"Well, if you are looking for blunt, in yer face type of advice or opinions, ya'll can always ask me. I'm open for anythin'." I promised back as he nodded, turning to look down the road towards the house.

"The barn is full of walkers, any advice on that?" He bluntly asked as I scoffed, turning to look at the barn as well.

"Yeah, Glenn told me, what is Hershel's take on it?" I knew Hershel's take on the walkers and everything in me was screaming to go slap some sense into the man.

"He still sees those things as his family. He thinks there is a cure out there for them and that they will be saved." Rick offered as I rolled my eyes at the ignorance of the old man's words.

"He and his family have obviously been sheltered here for far too long." I mumbled under my breath as he nodded, his hands finding their way to his hips.

"The danger is practically on our doorstep and we can't do anything about it." I knew Rick felt helpless but I also knew what was coming. I wanted to promise him everything would work out in the end, but I also knew that fate in this world had a sick sense of humor.

"We can't do anything about the walkers, Rick. Unfortunately, this isn't our land or our home and what Hershel says goes, no matter how fuckin' stupid it is." I muttered the last part as he turned to me with a snort.

"What's your opinion on it?" Rick turned to fully face me as I perked a brow in amusement.

"Well, you should know me now, Rick. I kill any walker within a 50 feet radius of me. There is no cure no matter what god Hershel prays to. But that isn't our decision to make. We need a safe place to lay low and this is it, we can't risk losing this place, not now." I shook my head, grimacing as the movement tugged on my new set of stitches.

"Ya'll alright?" Rick stepped up in concern as I adjusted the arm sling with a sigh.

"I'm fine, just tugged on my stitches is all." I brushed off his concern as he stepped in front of me, eyeing me up in concern.

"I'm a big girl 'sheriff', I can take care of myself." I teased before I realized what I had said, causing my jaw to clench in horror.

Unable to meet his eyes, I coughed awkwardly before stepping past him in the direction of the house, only to feel his hand grasp my uninjured hand lightly.

"Can I ask you something else?" He whispered as I swallowed heavily, glancing at tent city as if it was a haven from the unusual tension between me and Rick.

"Sure." I forced out, subtly pulling my hand from his as I began adjusting my sling once more.

"Has Shane...has he done anything else since the quarry?" Okay, out of everything I thought he was going to ask, that was not one of them.

"What?" I asked, looking at him in confusion as he stepped a bit closer to me again, though I made no move to step back from him.

"Shane, he hasn't done anything more to you, has he?" He repeated as I swallowed, shaking my head slowly, really not wanting to tell him what Shane had done that day in front of the porch stairs.

"If he does anything, and I mean, anything, tell me, alright? I'll take care of it." I watched as Rick's hand slowly shot out to kindly grip my shoulder.

"Rick?" A voice cut the tension growing between us, in half as I instinctively took a step back from him and looked over to see Lori glancing between us in suspicion.

"I'm gonna head back and see if Carol needs any help with dinner." I mumbled under my breath, passing Lori a forced smile before I began heading away from the married couple.

I didn't help Carol, like I had said. As soon as I was within reach of the camp, my eyes searched for my redneck, only to notice that he was gone, along with his tent.

Horror sunk deep into my chest as I frantically began to search for him, only finding Carol and Glenn. Knowing I had no choice but to ask, I ran over as fast as my arm would allow, catching Carol's attention.

"Hey Ana...are you okay?" She must have noticed the look of pure panic on my face as Glenn shot up from his seat and was instantly at my side.

"Have you guys seen Daryl? His things are gone." I pointed out, attempting to reel in the fear bubbling in my chest as Glenn turned me, pointing out to the tree line just beyond the pasture.

"Yeah, he moved his stuff out there, said something about wanting some distance from everyone." Carol explained as the panic snapped into confusion as I turned to Glenn who only shrugged his shoulders.

"No idea, he was cursing and mumbling the entire time." Glenn added as I turned my attention back to the lone tent and fire in the distance.

"If you're gonna go check on him, mind taking some dinner out for him?" Carol asked, knowing what I had planned to do as I nodded, taking the offered plate that she piled high for the two of us to share.

"Want me to take you to him?" Glenn then asked as I scoffed, pushing him away gently.

"You know, the amount of faith you have in me is insulting." I joked, watching his eyes widen as he began to fumble over his words to defend himself sending both me and Carol laughing hysterically.

"Oh god, Glenn, do me a favor and never change." I teased, passing him a wink before I turned and began heading towards the tent in the distance, already planning on ripping that redneck a new one.

Author' POV...

She couldn't figure out why the hell Daryl had suddenly moved his crap away from the house to the tree line? Sure, he did this in the televisions version but she had found Sophia, alive and well, he had no reason to move away and mope.

Getting closer, she noticed that he was knelt beside his brother's bike, tinkering away with it.

"Told ya I didn't want any visitors." He grumbled, obviously having heard her footsteps through the tall brush.

"Well, too bad I don't fuckin' listen to shit you say." She bit back as she watched his back tense at the sound of her voice.

"Any specific reason you moved yer shit out here, away from us?" She placed the plate of food onto the lone chair beside his fire before turning to him, waiting for an answer as she heard him scoffed.

"Don't ya have a Sheriff to talk ta or a pizza boy to cozy up to?" He grumbled though she easily picked up on it.

"What the fuck are ya goin' on about now?" She spat annoyed, marching forward to meet his eyes only for him to shoot up and turn away from her.

"Ya know exactly what I'm goin' on about, heard ya talkin' to the farmer's daughter. So you and the pizza boy huh? He know about ya and the Sheriff too?" Daryl wasn't making any sense as Ana silently watched him rant on as he moved away from her, going towards the tent as she tried to get any sort of traction on this conversation.

"What the fuck are you talkin' about?!" She threw her one good arm in the air, completely annoyed by his cryptic words as she had no idea what he was talking about. He scoffed, stepping back out of the tent with his crossbow as she marched over, cutting him off from going any further causing him to growl.

"Get the fuck out of my face." He spat angrily, trying to bypass her as she growled, stepping back out in front of him, stopping him again.

"No way in hell, not till ya tell me what the fuck ya complainin' about." She hissed annoyed as he glared down at her.

"Saw you and Grimes last night, him kissin' yer hand and shit. Makes me sick." He growled out as she tilted her head in confusion before she briefly remembered hearing yelling in the room last night then seeing Rick's face this morning. Taking her confusion as an opening, Daryl made to walk past her once more only for Ana's hand to snap out, grabbing him.

"You fuckin' hit him? That's why he's got that bandage on his face?" She connected the dots quickly, the yelling, the reason Rick didn't want to tell her what happened, the bandage she knew wasn't there the previous night, Daryl had snapped at Rick, for kissing her hand? What in the actual hell?!

"I ain't apologizing for hittin' yer boyfriend, though kind of fuckin' messed up that yer messin' with China man too." He looked down at her in disgust as she slowly began to connect the dots, realization settling in on her as Daryl brushed past her.

Gaping as she slowly turned to his disappearing form, she couldn't believe what he was saying. He thought she was messing around with both Rick and Glenn?

"Fuckin' dumb ass." She hissed, running to catch up with him, grabbing his arm again, startling him this time as he shrugged her off hard, sending her stumbling. Daryl in the next instant, shot out, his arm wrapping around her waist, stopping her from face planting into the nearest tree.

"Fuckin' hell." He grumbled as he helped her stand before she spun to face him, grabbing the collar of his vest, stopping him from taking off again. Daryl's eyes widened, both in confusion and surprised by her actions.

"Yer a fuckin' dumbass, ya know that?" She grumbled in his face as he blinked a few times before reaching up, trying to pry her hand from his vest.

"Get the fuck off of me." He hissed as she tightened her grip on his vest, not making any move to let go.

"I don't have a thing for Rick, or Glenn, for that matter." She cut him off as he stopped attempting to rip her hand off of him, his non-trusting eyes meeting her own.

"I don't know why he kissed my hand, I was pumped up with so much drugs last night, I don't even remember returnin' to the camp. And Glenn, now that's disgusting, he's like a brother ta me, I would never look at him like that." She defended herself, not sure why she had to at this point as Daryl stood there silently listening to her.

"I heard ya talkin' to the farmer's daughter earlier, ya said ya love Glenn." He mumbled sheepishly as she snorted, finally letting go of his collar so she could look at him a bit better.

"Ya I said that, but not in the way ya thinkin'. He's a friend, a really good friend. Plus he has a hard-on for said farmer's daughter, literally. She was inquiring on my opinion about the two of them together." Ana couldn't believe it. If she wasn't mistaken, she couldn't help but sense that for some reason, Daryl was jealous of this misunderstanding.

It was silent between the two of them as Ana's heart swelled at the possibility that Daryl Dixon may have been jealous over the men in her life. Not wanting to believe something she had no concrete proof of, she decided to ignore it and wait for him to say something.

"What the hell are ya doin' out here? Shouldn't ya be restin'?" Daryl attempted to change the subject as she inwardly chuckled, shaking her head. No, he didn't get the pleasure of changing the subject like it never happened.

"Admit yer fuckin' jealous and I'll leave." Hell, Ana didn't care anymore. She knew she was pressing Daryl for something she could either get an answer she wanted to hear or one she didn't want to hear, but she didn't give a shit anymore. He didn't get to be upset and accuse her of something she didn't do and then act all innocent in the next second. He made her walk her exhausted ass out into the forest just to check on him and yet, he spent most of the time, yelling and hissing at her for stupid shit.

Daryl scoffed at her accusation though Ana easily noticed the blush crossing his features as he went about fiddling with his bow, acting like he was busy all of a sudden.

"Fine, if ya think so little of me, imma go look for Glenn and Rick." Ana spat, completely annoyed with the redneck as she turned, heading for the tree line just as her arm was roughly grabbed and yanked on, her back colliding with the huffing chest of Daryl.

"Fuck no."

OOOhhhh, we got a little Daryl and Ana growth going on in this chapter lol how was it?

So, like I said before, posting from now on will be scattered lol but I'm not trashing this story so don't get your knickers in a bunch!

Until next time~