A/N: I know what you're thinking! What on earth has happened to this chick to take so long to update when she promised more! And I'm sorry! I've been in a blah mood lately and honestly have been uninspired for the longest time. But I'm back baby, and ready to go! Been watching the Walking Dead marathon all weekend and I am pumped, so here you go, it's a little rusty but I promise to find my rhythm again soon! Thank you so much for being patient with me and being so kind, please continue with your reviews, they really do mean the world to me!

~A.S.D

The road was open and empty, much like the gas tanks of the cars. Luckily for us, there was a station right up the road from where we'd been forced to stop after nearly three hours on the road.

"Okay, we should all stick together and search the station. Hopefully there will be some gas or at least some sort of food. We need supplies, bad. So let's move, have your guns ready and be prepared to run," Rick ordered. I was functioning now, although just barely and I didn't have the energy to argue so I picked up my gun and followed them into the store. It was quiet, no definite signs of walkers, but I was definitely on edge.

"I'll take left, you go right," I whispered to Daryl and he nodded, moving to clear one section of the store. Rick was outside with Glenn trying to see if there was any gas left in the pumps while the rest of us were searching inside for other supplies. I made my way through each aisle, the hairs on my neck standing up, making me nervous. I strained to hear any telltale sounds of walkers but all I heard was Lori and Carol gathering what menial supplies were left.

There was nothing suspicious on this side of the store so I circled back to find Daryl. He met me in the middle.

"Nothing over here," he said, wiping his brow. Somehow it was hot in the store despite the continually dropping temperatures outside.

"All clear over here too," I responded and we headed back outside to see if Rick and Glenn had found anything.

"Any luck?" Daryl called, walking up to where they were knelt on the ground but I kept my distance, not trusting myself to be too close to Rick.

"There's a little gas, enough to carry us about fifty miles give or take. What about inside?" He asked and I could feel myself shaking with anger just at the sight of him. I faintly heard Daryl answer him, but all I could concentrate on was the sound of blood rushing in my ears. I started walking across the lot and down the road a ways, just to get away and see what was ahead.

"Addie," I heard Daryl approach but didn't turn around, just stared out. Then, I heard something and it took me about two seconds to register the oddness of it being here. A car engine. I looked back at Daryl who was tensed and staring out at the road. A car drove past us and pulled into the parking lot.

"Shit," Daryl muttered and started jogging back over to the others and I followed quickly, gun drawn. Rick, Glenn, and Hershel were in the parking lot, staring at the car and I could see the others standing at the door, looking out but not emerging. Maggie caught my eye and I held up a hand, gesturing for them to stay where they were.

The other guys were standing near the pumps, directly in front of the door whereas Daryl and I were approaching from the side. Just as we stopped moving, the door opened. My fingers twitched on the trigger of my gun and I held it up, not waiting for any signal from Rick.

A large man with a baldhead and tattoos covering his arm got out along with another guy with dark, curly, hair with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. I could tell there were others in the car but they made no move to get out. The two who did wore smiles but there was something more sinister brewing under the surface. They raised their hands and looked around at the four guns and crossbow pointed at them.

"Well, this is that southern hospitality I've heard so much about," the one with dark hair said, sizing each of us up. "You have no idea how happy we are to see you. We were beginning to think we were the last ones left. I'm Jesse. And that there is Frank. And you are?" He continued, his smile widening but none of us lowered out weapons.

"I'm Rick Grimes. This is my group. Glenn, Hershel, Daryl, and Adeline," Rick's voice was tight but I could tell that he was hoping these people were like us.

"Well, it's nice to meet you. We were just scavenging for some supplies and fuel. Anything here?" He asked, lowering his hands and throwing the cigarette on the concrete and stomping it out.

"No. We've searched the place and can't find anything other than about three drops of gas. We were just getting ready to head out," Rick lied easily.

"Who is in the car?" I asked, the movement becoming more constant and I was worried they were planning something. Jesse looked at me, a little surprised.

"Just more of our group. No need to worry, they're harmless. But it's a shame there was nothing left. Maybe we could travel together for a bit, look for some supplies and split them up. Safety in numbers, right?" He asked, turning back to Rick.

"Well we were heading north, actually. Looked like you lot were heading west. We'd best get going though. Good luck to you all," he was dismissive and holstered his gun, waving for the others to come out of the store.

"Look man. We've been on the road for months, had to do things humans should never have to do, lost people. We need some outside contact," that was Frank who spoke. The others came out with their bags, no supplies visible thankfully. Everyone dropped their weapons except for me, I kept a tight grasp just in case.

"You think we haven't had to do the same thing? Think we haven't lost people? Everyone has. Now, I'm sorry for your losses but you can't come with us," Rick was whispering harshly and his eyes flicked to me when he talked about losses. My heart squeezed but I shoved all that emotion back. No time now.

"Now," a new voice said, "that' s no way to treat people. We were just trying to help. Looks like you've got a good group here, just want some protection," the back door of the car flew open and three more guys jumped out, guns up.

"Listen, we aren't stupid. We know there are supplies and gas here. So hand it over and we can all leave in one piece," Jesse continued and my gun was aimed right at his head.

I took a second to survey the situation. My gun was trained on Jesse. His gun was pointed at Rick. Frank's gun was pointed at Hershel. Two of the others had their sights set on Daryl and me. The last guy was aiming in the general direction of the group. Since Rick had put up his gun earlier, he didn't have it in his hands and drawing it would be suicide. Daryl and I were the only two who had a means of protection.

"Now isn't that just adorable. Look sweetheart, why don't you put that gun down before you hurt yourself," Jesse laughed at me and my blood boiled.

"If I were you, I'd shut up and put those guns down before I blow your brains out," I snarled and I saw a flash of surprise on his face.

"Hold on. Let's just talk about this. I'm sure we can reach some sort of agreement," Rick said, holding out his hand. The tension was mounting and I wondered how long it would be until everything blew up.

"Just hand over the supplies and you can leave."

"And maybe one of those pretty women. That one there looks like she's feisty. I like that," Frank added, looking at me and I snarled. I felt Daryl tense next to me but he didn't move.

Rick caught my eye while all the men were laughing at the joke. He slowly pulled his gun out and lifted it to aim at Jesse's head. He nodded and fired. The gunshot rang out loudly and Jesse slumped to the ground as I fired at Frank and a bolt went through one of the other's heads. I felt a bullet bite into my arm and cried out in pain. Rick and Daryl dispatched the last two and Daryl knelt at my side.

"Addie," he said.

"I'm fine. It's just my arm," I told him quickly, getting back up and looking at the carnage around me.

"We need to move. Every walker in this town heard that and will be here soon," Rick ordered, herding us back towards the cars. My heart rate was slowing but I was still on an adrenaline high as I climbed back onto the motorcycle. "We're nearly there. Just another thirty miles or so and we'll be at the beach."

Daryl cranked the bike and we were off again, leaving five dead bodies in our wake.

…

I could see the ocean. A weight lifted off my chest at the sight of the waves lapping over the shore. I could have cried with joy, until I remembered that Shane wasn't here to share this with me. For a moment I imagined what he would say, then I shoved it all back, building more walls against my emotions.

The sea breeze was ruffling my hair and I could smell the salty water. The sun was starting to set so watching the colors reflect on the water was soothing. I couldn't believe anything so beautiful could still exist in a world this ugly and dark, a world where my brother no longer existed. We pulled onto the sand and stopped. I climbed off of the bike and walked over to the water and stood where the waves just lapped at my feet. We were on a secluded section of beach and there was no danger in sight, we were cut off from the main beach by a large cliff of rocks, protection. The water was freezing but I welcomed the coolness, it made me feel something other than the numbness that had been eating me all day. I felt a tear slide down my face and a lump in my throat made it hard to breathe. I managed a shaky breath before the tears started again. I wiped at them in frustration but there was no stopping them anymore.

Instead, I made an irrational decision. I ran onto the small pier and started stripping down to my tank top and underwear and when I made it to the end, I dived off into the water. It was like being stabbed as the cold water slapped me. My throat contracted but I managed to find a rhythm and warmth gradually filled me. I swam underwater for as long as I could before finally breaking the surface and coming up for air.

"Adeline! Adeline!" I heard someone yelling.

"Yo Walsh! What the hell are you thinking? Get out of the water!" That was Daryl's voice. He was standing on the sand with the others who were all looking at me like I had lost my mind. I took a deep breath and went under again, silencing their noise. Beneath the waves, it was quiet and peaceful, a blissful coolness that allowed me to think clearly for the first time since leaving the farm. My tears were unnoticeable and there was no one around to see my weakness as I mourned my brother. I screamed and saw the bubbles rise up to the surface but just kept swimming. When I was forced to come up again I was far away from the shore, I could just make out individual faces but there was one missing. Just as soon as I realized that, something broke the water next to me.

I looked at Daryl's wet head and stern face and knew he was pissed.

"What the hell Walsh? Are you trying to get yourself killed? This water could be contaminated! Not to mention you're gonna freeze to death if you don't get your ass back on that beach!" He was yelling right in my face and I instantly responded by shutting down.

"It's none of your damn business Dixon!" I yelled back.

"Really? Then whose is it? Because if you remember correctly what happened last night, I think it is my business," he hissed and I felt a small fracture in the walls I had built.

"Last night was…" I trailed off, not able to find the right word.

"Was what Walsh?"

"I don't know! Okay? I don't know what it was and that is the problem! I'm scared and confused and I don't know how to deal with any of this! My brother is dead, Daryl. He's dead and never coming back. Then on top of that, I don't know what to think about you and me, or if there is even anything to think about!" I stammered frantically, tears coming again and I hated myself a little more with each one. "God I'm becoming a Lori." I laughed humorlessly and wiped my eyes.

"Addie," my name in his deep voice melted me. "I'm not good with this kind of stuff, this emotional stuff, but I know that last night was something. Something I've never experienced before. And I know you're scared and upset, and that's okay, but I want more nights like last night. That came out wrong…I want to be with you Addie. Damn you for making me say that," he said, rubbing his chin and I smiled sadly at him before running my hand through his hair. "And you are nothing like Lori," he laughed and I leaned in and kissed him quickly.

"Daryl Dixon the sweet talking, cuddly, teddy bear," I laughed and he glared at me harshly before jerking his head back to the shore and I nodded and ducked under the water and swam back. We both surfaced and walked the rest of the way shoulder-to-shoulder, ready to face whatever came next.