Sorry this chapter took so long everyone. I have school and the work load is unbelievable! I'll try and update the next chapter quicker! Enjoy xx

Chapter Five

Daryl's POV

Daryl had been out in the woods when he heard the scream, it sounded like that new girl, Joelle. He took off in a run towards the sound which was close to his small camp. As he ran closer he recognized Shane who had backed the girl up against the tree, only in her bra the shirt ripped on the ground.

An overwhelming anger took Daryl as he sped towards Shane and ripped him off her. He pulled his fist back and let it snap into Shane's face, he continued to beat Shane "don't ya dare put yer hands on an unwillin' woman!" his voice was hard before he shoved him back into the ground. Turning around Daryl faced Joelle who was shaking violently, she looked so vulnerable it made his heart tug which was rare for the crossbow wielding redneck.

He noticed the dog tags hanging around her neck but didn't say anything .Taking off his leather vest he offered it to her, when she didn't take it he moved forward and placed it on her shaking shoulders. She wasn't going anywhere shaking like that Daryl thought before he gently picked her up and took her to his tent.

After he had laid her down she seemed to relax her eyes barley remaining opened after what had just happened, "thank you" he only just heard her soft whisper but it was there.

He took that moment to get a good look at her. She had long chestnut waves that fanned around her face. Her skin was flawless a slight tan had gathered on her skin after spending more time outside. A small nose leading to full rose colored lips. He didn't need to look at her eyes; he remembered them so clearly; silver-grey orbs framed in thick long lashes that held pain and every other emotion she was feeling. She was beautiful, breathtaking. Joelle was smaller than Daryl but it wasn't hard with him being 5'10 she was only about 5'4. She wasn't weak though her body was lean and fit, her breasts full and her legs never ending.

Daryl sighed as he left her alone to sleep so he zipped up the tent and sat out the front making bolts for his crossbow.

Daryl knew she was broken he could tell. Damaged people gravitate towards damaged people and he was most certainly damaged and Joelle, Joelle was so broken, he wanted so badly to fix her, to make it better but he didn't even know her. Daryl wondered how Ricks sister was so damaged, after all she had a perfect little life like Rick didn't she? Maybe he would talk to Rick about her history or something but for now he would keep her safe. For now that was enough.

General POV (Joelle)

Joelle woke to the soft dusk light that was filtering through the thin material of the tent wall. The first thing she noticed was that this wasn't her tent, the second she wasn't alone. She could hear Daryl moving around outside, well she hoped it was Daryl. Unzipping the tent she was relieved to find it was in fact Daryl who was busy hanging up some of his shirts. Looking down at her chest she was relieved to see he had put one of his own shirts on her.

"D-Daryl, I just wanted to say thank you again, for what you did, so thank you." She said shyly, looking at him through her thick lashes.

"S'okay, no one should ever have t' go through somethin' like that" he replied his voice soft, "I saw the tags, you in the army?"

Joelle froze, while most of her time in the army was filled with good memories, there were moments that tainted her memories and she hated it, it was hard for her to talk about, "I was, about three years ago, I was on long term leave to look after my daughter," her voice was a soft whisper that could only just be heard, she didn't seem to noticed the lone tear that had tracked its way down her cheek.

"I'm sorry," he didn't know what to do with an upset women, how to comfort them.

"It's okay Daryl. Do you have any family still alive or?" she left the sentence unfinished and waited for his answer.

"I had a brother, Merle but we lost track of 'im back in Atlanta," he replied softly, as much as he hated Merle he was still blood.

He didn't notice Joelle's eyes widen at the name. Merle Dixon had been with her in the army and had saved her life a number of times as a result. She had completely forgotten that he had a little brother and hadn't made the connection between the two. More to the point that she had promised to look out for him when Merle couldn't. Joelle figured she could justify forgetting that promise with the current apocalypse but it still unnerved her to forget something that was usually so sacred.

"I'm sorry; I know how hard it is to lose family," Joelle tried to smile but it just turned into a grimace.

"I know, yer stronger than ya think," he smiled and stood, "C'mon lets go get you some food," with that he head off in the direction of the main camp.

But before they could really move Lori came storming towards them, "where the hell have you been Joe? We have all been so worried! Beth's in shock, Hershel's missing and Rick and Glenn have gone to find him!" she was breathing heavily by the time she was done listing everything, "Can you go look for them? It's getting dark and I'm worried Joe!"

Joelle badly wanted to say yes and go off and find her brother but with what had just happened she didn't think she could, "I…"

Daryl stepped in, "She ain't nobodies bitch, why don't ya get off your ass an' do it yerself! She got better things t' do" with that he stormed away taking Joelle and leaving Lori speechless.

Once they were sitting down Daryl gathered a plate and piled some food onto it before handing it to Joelle, "thank you, for standing up for me and for the food," she looked up at Daryl smiling shyly.

"Someone needs to Elle," he grinned at her, moved and sat next to her.

"Elle… I like it," her grin matched his. The darkness came quickly until it was only the fire that illuminated their faces. He was handsome it was hard to believe he was related to Merle, the only thing they shared were their eyes, their cold ice blue eyes. Short blonde-brown hair that didn't yet reach his eyes, and at that moment a thoughtful expression was on his face. He was tall, strong, thick bands of muscle wrapped around his arms and you could tell even though he was clothed, the rest was fit and muscular to. Joelle noticed that they were unconsciously leaning in as if to kiss.

The moment was interrupted when a whiny voice disrupted them "We can't find Lori and the others aren't back yet either," the two sprang apart like startled rabbits as Carol jogged towards them.

"Dumb bitch must gone off lookin' for em'," replied Daryl as he aimlessly poked the fire with a stick.

"What!?" replied Carol slightly startled at his tone and answer.

"Yeah she asked Joelle t'go an' I told her that Joelle ain't nobodies bitch," Daryl said back still looking into the fire.

"And you didn't say anything!?" Carol was looking stressed and upset now.

Both Joelle and Daryl didn't say anything as they sat there. With a huff Carol stalked away back to the others, not long after that a car drove down the driveway away from the farm.

"I should go check on Carl, he'll need someone with both his parents in town," stated Joelle as she stood brushing leaves and grass off her butt.

"You ain't going alone," replied Daryl as he too stood.

They walked back to the group everyone giving them strange looks as they walked side by side. Carl stood a little ways away with Andrea who was struggling to comfort him "Carl bud, come here," he didn't need to be told twice as he ran into his aunties waiting arms, she held him close reassuring him that he would see both his parents again.

Joelle sat on the ground still holding Carl as she gently rock back and forth whispering soothing words into his ear. Soon it was silent and after what seemed like hours a car pulled up at the Greene farm, everyone walked up to it as Shane got out the car and Lori who was holding her head half stumbled out.

"Oh my god, are you alright?" asked Andrea as they all looked at a slightly battered Lori, "What happened?"

"I was in an accident, I'm fine, I'm fine I really am," she reassured a fussing Shane who was hovering over her like the idiot he was, "Where's Rick?" Silence. Shane looked away a slight guilt etched into his face. Lori looked at the expressions on everyone face and stopped, "they're not back?" she took the silence as confirmation.

"Where are they?" her voice was malicious and low as she turned to Shane.

"I had to get you back here," reasoned Shane.

"You asshole," she spat and walked towards his fists raised.

"Lori, Lori I will go after them I will find them," Shane said as he tried to hold a kicking Lori, "Hey, first things first, I gotta… I gotta look after you, make sure the baby's alright okay?" there was dead silence as the group heard the news.

Joelle and Carl who had been making their way with a trailing Daryl stopped at the edge of the group, "You're having a baby?" Said Carl and Joelle in unison both shocked and Joelle disgusted as she realized there was a high chance the baby was his, especially by the way he reacted to her getting hurt.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Carl continued.

"Uh…" Lori was at a loss for words not expecting him to be there or for the news to be shared, "

"Huh, come on let's make sure you're alright," said Daryl breaking the awkward silenced but not the tension. With that the group dispersed Joelle and Daryl heading back for his camp.

The two sat in silence watching the fire, not much later Joelle stood, she was still exhausted from the day's events, "Well I'm going to go to sleep, goodnight Daryl," she turned to leave when Daryl caught her arm and stopped her.

"Where the hell do ya think ya goin'? I ain't letten' ya sleep alone with tha' psycho out there!" stated Daryl as he kept a firm yet gentle hold on her arm.

"Then where am I going to sleep?"

"With me, c'mon" he unzipped the tent and held the flap open as she entered the tent. They both removed their shoes and Joelle moved to sleep on the floor, "Not there Elle yer sleeping on the cot," he scolded he may be a redneck but he was still a gentleman.

"Only if you do too, there's more than enough room for both of us!" she retorted.

"Fine, but don't steal the covers, I hate that."