Dad had been gone for over three weeks now and something inside me doubted her would come back home now, even if it was my birthday. Shane didn't need to know right now, I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Hell, I had done it since mom died three years ago. I took another deep breath and took a second to listen to the silence that filled my house.

Though I was alone at such a delicate age, I found myself grateful for it. I was grateful my father owed no money on this house, grateful that all our bill were on automatic payments, and grateful for the privacy. Aside from Shane next door, none of my other neighbors paid me any mind, I could come and go as I saw fit. I did wonder if now, with whatever this was between Shane and I, how long I could hide that face I was essentially an orphan.

I banished the idea of this coffee "date" being anything more than just a gift from a neighbor and headed upstairs to shower and get ready for bed. What on earth was wrong with me, I had been a legal adult for less than an hour and I definitely didn't need to get anyone outside this madhouse involved, especially the police. I shook my head and for the first time all night, my head was clear and my thoughts were focused.

Morning came as it had the uncanny tendency to do every morning without fail and I was still happily alone. I had about twenty minutes before Shane said that he would be heading over to collect me so I could spare a few extra minutes in making sure my outfit was "grown up" enough to show him that I meant what I said last night. I choose a dark blue sundress as opposed to my cut off shorts and a tank top, I even had time to put a few loose curls into my long dark brown hair. I certainly looked like an adult and at the end of the day I assumed that's all that really mattered.

A knock a the door alerted me to that fact Shane was a few minutes early and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tiny bit excited about seeing him, even if it was just as friends. I bounced down the stairs and happily opened the door. "Good Morning Sh...Officer Grimes..." I stammered realizing that was definitely not Shane, instead his partner Rick Grimes stood at my door and he didn't look to happy to be doing so. "C-Can I help you?"

"Becca, it's about your dad. Can I come in?"

I opened my mouth to speak but then I saw Shane pull up and run up in a hurry at the sight of Rick's cruiser. So much for my coffee date or any privacy for that matter. I just sighed and nodded and motioned for them both to come in.

My father's body had been found off the coast of Florida, he made it father than I thought. He was always in some sort of trouble which would explain why we could afford this house without him actually having a job. Now apparently, someone had caught up to him and showed him their displeasure and there was a small chance they might be after me next. I zoned in and out of Rick explaining my options to me, I knew I only had a couple. Either I moved up to Montana with my Grandmother and her fifteen cats or I could stay here and get custody of the house. With every passing word I could feel my so called "freedom" slipping further and further away. I knew Rick and he wasn't going to allow a 'young lady like myself' to stay here alone.

"Officer Grimes, I can assure you that I am perfectly capable in looking after myself."

He smiled that dad smile that basically translated into 'Oh that's cute, you think your an adult but really you just a helpless child'. "I know you're technically an adult now Becca," See told you. "But I just don't feel comfortable with you staying in this house alone. You could come and stay with Lori and I..."

"Hmm... I'm gonna pass. I'm pretty sure your wife hates me still Officer Grimes. You know... the whole accidentally scratched her car thing."

"That was three years ago, she's completely over that."

"I can tell my all the friendly looks she gives me everytime, I'm in town." I forced a smile. "Look Officer Grimes..."

"You can call me Rick, Becca. I have to remember your not a child and go on, I'm listening." Rick nodded.

Wow. Okay well that was unexpected. Better run with this lead while I can. "Shane is right next door, He can check on me anytime he wants."

"Or she can call me if she needs anything." Shane added on. The first time he spoke since entering the house. He was back on 'officer mode' and to be honest, It made missed whatever shane I got a glimpse of last night.

"See," I smiled and got to my feet. "I'm fine Rick. Shane is right next door or a simple phone call away if I need him." I turned and flashed a tiny smirk at Shane who ignored me entirely. Why was I so excited about him again?

I shrugged it off and after a few more minutes of insisting my capability of looking after myself, Rick and Shane finally headed out on to my front porch and again insisting after another minute, Rick finally left. Shane turned and headed off across the lawn towards his house. Wow really? Not even so much as a 'I'm sorry about you dad'. "Ok bye! See you later!" I said as loudly and as bitterly as I could.

Shane stopped and turned around to face me. "Oh I'm gonna be back."

"Why?" I snapped. "I told you and Rick already, I don't need a babysitter."

He smirked and took a few steps back towards me and stopped just at the bottom of the porch steps. "Look, I have been up all night thinking about you, so I am going to go home, shower and change into some clean clothes and come back over here just so I can have you tear them off." He said without missing a beat.

I blinked a few times before saying. "W-what? I beg your..."

"Yeah, there's probably gonna be a lot of that going on." He said with a wink and turned on his heel and headed back off towards his house. "You're killing me in that dress by the way." He called over his shoulder.

Well that escalated quickly...wait...what in the ACTUAL FUCK just happened?