A/N: Hey guys! I'm sorry for the brief hiatus, things have just been crazy lately. Spring break is coming up soon though, thank goodness, so things will calm down. I really do not like this chapter, but I've been suffering from some major writer's block, so this is just to push me from one point to the next so I can get back to the good stuff. Hopefully the new episode tonight will inspire me! Thanks so much for being faithful to this story, please keep it up!

~A.S.D

I stayed with Daryl, talking about nothing and everything, until the sun was almost completely set in the western sky. Then, I ducked back outside and looked around. Most everyone was sitting around the fire, nibbling on what I could guess was squirrel. I saw Shane and Andrea among them and let out a sigh. I trekked over to them and sat down next to my brother.

"Hey Addie," Andrea laughed when I sat down and I looked at her with arched brows. Shane was the only one allowed to call me that. To illustrate my point without being so blunt, I retorted.

"Hi Andy," I smirked devilishly and grabbed a bowl from Shane who was smiling mischievously. I ate in silence, not having much to add to their idle chatter. I got up, telling them I would take over watch for the night.

"Wait up Addie," Shane called and came after me. I didn't slow but he caught up to me easily.

"How was the trip with Andrea? You two seem to be getting along well," I said, subtly adding a double meaning to my words. He picked up on it, looking at me with daggers and I smiled.

"There's as much going on between us as there is between you and Dixon," he shot back and my smile broadened, deciding to have some fun at his expense.

"Oh, well that says a lot," I said, making my cheeks turn red intentionally so I could play coy. He stopped and grabbed my arm, making me look at him. I struggled to keep a straight face but couldn't in the end. I burst out laughing and his eyes darkened.

"Don't joke like that. You know what I said is true, use your head Addie," he said and I just rolled my eyes. I couldn't talk to Shane about my relationship with Daryl. Not that there was a relationship to talk about.

"Anyway, how was the trip? Did you see any sign of Sophia?" I asked again, avoiding the topic.

"Nothing except a group of walkers. Bout overran us, but Andrea's new shooting ability came in handy and we are okay," he said very nonchalantly which caused me to become very suspicious. I could tell by the look on his face, however, that I wasn't going to get any answers out of him. I made a mental note to do some digging later but let it drop for now.

"I feel like you're shutting me out," I told him honestly. Since that night I purged my heart to him, and he'd told me about Otis we'd barely spoken except for yelling at each other. I could sense something changing in him and I didn't like it one bit.

"I'm not you shutting you out, there's just nothing going on. We're sitting on this farm like the world hasn't ended playing house, not much exciting news right now," he nearly spat the words and I scrunched my brow at him.

"That's a bad thing? We're finally getting a reprieve. Don't get me wrong, I think Lori is an idiot for sitting around playing housewife, but it is nice to have a minute to catch out breath. Plus, we gotta find Sophia and that's enough to keep us occupied," I stopped walking and turned on him. We were almost to the RV now, parked way out in the field to give the camp as much time to prepare as possible should something arise.

"Addie. Do you really believe she's still alive?" He asked and my temper flared.

"Are we going to go through this again? I've already told you, I'm going to find that little girl, one way or the other. Now, I told you I have your back on this Otis thing and that I'm here for you, but you have got to get your head screwed back on straight. Got it?" My voice was a steely whisper full of venom.

"Gah, I know Addie. I don't know what's going on with me. I'm just so stressed about everything. I have no idea what's going on with Rick or Lori. I just feel like I need to get away for awhile," he reached up as if to run his fingers through his hair but then remembered it wasn't there anymore.

"Well where the hell are you going to go? How about just forget about them. They aren't worth it, to hell with both of them," I said, pointing in the direction of the house.

"It's not that easy Addie."

"It can be. Just forget about them. I never understood your fascination with her to begin with. She's definitely nothing special," I retorted, my anger melting once I saw the pain in his eyes. I reached up and gave him a hug, which he returned easily. "Just try."

He nodded and pulled away with a small smile.

"When did you get so smart?" he asked with a wink. I smiled and shrugged playfully. "Love you Addie."

"Love you too."

"Just don't let them turn you against me. I can't take it if you hate me too," he said and my eyes went wide.

"Shane Alexander Walsh, I could never hate you. Not that I think anyone here does, they just don't understand you the way I do. I've got a knack for getting people that other people don't," I teased lightly after the serious tone in my declaration.

"You really are an amazing young lady. I guess I did alright by you after all," he said, slinging his arm around my shoulder and ruffling my hair as we started walking again.

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm still your mini-me," I laughed and he joined in.

We made it to the RV then and I grabbed my gun from inside along with the shotgun. I climbed up the ladder and plopped down in the lawn chair, looking outward.

"Goodnight Addie," I heard Shane whisper in the dark.

"Love you Shane," I whispered back and settled in to try and protect the people I love.