Chapter 3 - Prison Panic

Note: One of the biggest review comments I got, was to have someone explain that Rick is not the bad guy. I'm a Lori hater, I admit. But I wanted to explore what it might look like to people just joining the group, who didn't know the backstory (or people just watching season 3 without watching the first 2). I thought it would be fun to have someone see Rick as this cold hearted jerk mistreating his poor pregnant wife, because that's kinda how it looks. I thought it would make for an interesting conversation for the characters to have also. But do not worry, it will be taken care of soon. I love your comments and take them seriously.

Reviews:

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piratejessieswaby: Thanks...plus she learns now.

GypsyWitchBaby: so glad you joined me for this one.

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Panic in the Prison:

"Holy Shit," Lane stood beside Daryl, both transfixed at the sight before them. Even Maggie's hysterics silenced when she turned her head to see the five men in shadow staring back at them, appearing as shocked as they were to see living, breathing people here.

Rick was the one to get over the shock first.

"We've gotta get Hershel back!" Rick yelled, looking around for anything they could use to move him. In the corner was a stainless steel metal cart, likely used to wheel out condiments and such. With a swipe of his arm, Rick cleared it and wheeled it over.

"Daryl...you and Lane got this?" Rick asked, trying to divide his attentions. With barely a nod from Daryl, Rick was convinced and returned his attention to getting Hershel outta there.

Lane stood motionless, almost grateful to have something occupy her thoughts and keep her from focusing on Hershel or her panic. Amazingly, she was doing ok. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw T-Dog and Glenn fight the few walkers at the door. The riot shield helped and before she knew it, she was alone with Daryl and five convicts.

"Lane..?" Daryl called but Lane didn't seem to hear. Fuck, she better not be freaking out. I already gave her meds away. "Lane!" Daryl yelled louder, pleased when she snapped her head around.

"Go secure the door. I got this!" Daryl ordered. Lane quickly dropped her stance and ran over to wedge the tire iron between the handles like T-Dog had done.

"Are you the rescue crew?" the smallest of the men asked tentatively as the others walked around.

"What the fuck took you so long? Where've ya been for chrissake?" the hispanic looked peeved, rather than greatful.

Lane and Daryl looked at each other, neither quite understanding. Did these guys not know what happened.

"How long have you been in there?" Lane was the first to speak.

"Well, me...I been here 7 years," the big black man answered first. "He was in before me..." Lane stopped him before he could continue.

"Are you telling us you've been in since the breakout? You haven't been outside since?" Lane was dumbfounded and the look on Daryl's scowl said the same.

"Who the hell would want to find their way in here lady? Be pent up here?" the short, bearded guy asked incredulously. Lane and Daryl refused to explain they were doing just that. Or planned to anyway.

"You sure are a sight for sore eyes, pretty lady!" the hispanic guy started to come around from the kitchen.

"You best stay back," Daryl growled at the man. Not stupid, he backed off...but still took his time leering at Lane. Daryl felt his finger twitch on the trigger. He was not going to like this guy, that was a fact. Lane looked over a Daryl but he only cut his eyes at her, focusing on the these guys. Focusing on the threat. Lane figured the best thing to do was to keep things under control until the others got back.

"Why did you think we were the rescue crew?" Lane asked the black guy. He seemed the calmest and in command.

"Ya mean ya'll ain't," his voice sounded despondent at the realization. Lane just shook her head no.

"There are no rescue crews," her voice somber.

"How long have you been staying in there? The kitchen?" Lane decided to try another tactic and be specific.

"Dunno exactly. Long time. Since hell broke loose." their leader answered. "We figured we just had to hold out a day or two. Then someone'd come get us."

"Good lord," Lane was truly amazed. It had to have been what? Six months? longer? "How have you managed?"

"Let's save the chit chat fer another day," Daryl scolded. "We need to get back before them geeks come back." Lane nodded and followed Daryl. The five convicts cautiously followed them through the maze of halls back.

She and the others followed Daryl into the large anteroom that was outside the cell block. Carl had re-locked it so they were effectively isolated.

Before she knew it, the guy Tomas got into it with Daryl. She never even saw Tomas move and grab her arm, jerking her to his side, fingers digging tightly into her wrist making her drop her gun.

"How bout we make a trade?" Tomas offered with a disgusting leering,smile. And then with his eyes bored into Daryl's, leaned over to lick Lane's neck before greedily kissing her. Lane turned and spat at the man, struggling to get away and Daryl prepared for a clean shot.

Just then Rick returned. "Hand her over...or I kill you all!" The others looked at Tomas, and he knew they weren't in this with him. Tomas decided to take the long view...at least for now. With a snarl he threw Lane back, Rick and Daryl steadying her.

"Go on Lane...I got this," Rick commanded. This was the Rick not to be fucked with...nor was this a time to negotiate.

With a nod she grabbed her handgun and raced back to the Cell Block and the comfort of her aunts' arms.

Lane did her best to help Lori and Carol tend Hershel, but they had little to nothing to work with. Ethel and Miriam had given them the bottle of Oxycontin they had which seemed to comfort Hershel some, but without training, they didn't know what to do to halt the bleeding. So they waited and did their best to prevent infection.

"Lane, would you check on Carl for me?" Lori asked. Lane knew she was doing little to help Hershel, so headed in search of the young teen.

After a quick sweep of both floors, Lane became concerned that Carl wasn't there. She didn't want to worry Lori if it wasn't necessary so she kept looking. She knew Carl couldn't leave through the front gate, that only left the back.

"Shit," Lane's fears were even more founded when she found the rear gate not locked. It was shut, but not locked.

"Carl?" she yelled. "Carl?" Lane stepped cautiously away from the safety of the cell block...and back into the halls.

"Answer me, dammit," Lane yelled again.

"Lane!" she heard the teen boy's answer.

"Where are you Carl?" Lane screamed, relieved to have found him.

"Here...the infirmary," Carl's voice was getting louder as she walked. Lane followed the voice until she found the boy in the infirmary. Empty except for the two walker corpses.

"Christ Carl! Do you realize you left the door unlocked?" Lane accused and Carl immediately looked down.

"I'm sorry, I didn't...Shit." Carl yelled at himself. "I just wanted to find something to help Hershel." Lane understood the need for him to help...to be considered valuable.

"OK...but we must close the gate...and always tell others where we are." Lane gently reminded.

"Let's grab what we can and get back...," Lane looked around for anything she could find. Gauze, bandages, any bottles of pills she could find. They could always come back later.

"Go on, lead the way McDuff," Lane knew Carl needed this. She kept watch as Carl returned them quickly to the cell block. Carl was about to head to Hershel's cell when Lane interrupted.

"Forgettin' something?" Lane scolded Carl for yet again not locking the cell door behind him.

"Thanks," Carl apologized with his eyes and locked the cell door.

"Go take these to your mom," Lane gave the boy her bundle of goods.

Lane stood there waiting...quietly listening to hear Lori's exclamation at joy over the goods.

"Are you crazy!" Lori yelled. Lane couldn't hear the rest of it, but it wasn't going down the way she thought.

"Get off my back," was the next thing Lane heard...Carl yelling at his mom...then storming off.

The next thing she was was the men carrying in a huge load of food from the cafeteria. Sack after sack, giant can after giant can...as if they raided a CostCo or something. This must be part of Rick's trade, Lane assumed. Which meant the prisoners were likely staying.

Lane was back in the place she was finding to be the most comfortable in all the prison...the watchtower. At night the air was cold, but the feel of it on her face reminded her she was outside ...and not cooped up. This time she heard him...or maybe it was because she knew he had watch duty with her and was expecting him. She actually got a little thrill at the look of surprise on his face when he saw she'd heard him.

"Thought you were gonna creep up on me again?" Lane accused, a proud gleam in her eye that she caught him. At first he looked peeved, but then actually broke out in a sheepish chuckle.

"Yea...s'pose I did," Daryl admitted to her, just as he admitted to himself he liked sneakin' up on her. First, because sometimes he had a moment or two just to watch her without her realizing it and two, it was really kind of fun to see her jump. And, she didn't really get all that mad about it.

Now they at least had chairs from the cafeteria up here, so Daryl sat a few feet next to, propping his foot up against the concrete wall as he looked out over the yard. Periodically he'd ask for the night vision goggles, but for the most part they just looked for any kind of movement.

Lane glanced over at his profile for a second, not even aware she was massaging her wrist. Daryl caught her lookin' at him so she quickly looked away. She realized she was looking at him a lot recently. He fascinated her. She first pegged him as anti-social but useful to the group. But then he'd confused her by doing things like helping her with the water, and obviously caring about the safety of the group. She had no doubt he would likely be better off on his own. She was sure he knew it too. But still he stayed.

As quick as a snake, he reached over and delicately grabbed her arm, bringing it closer for him to examine.

"How bad s'it hurt?" he didn't need to clarify. They both knew what happened. Lane didn't answer, just shrugged. It hurt, but not like it was broken or nothing. But Daryl could easily see the dark marks of a handprint had already formed. Rick shoulda let him kill Tomas. Instead they agreed to help 'em take another cell block in exchange for half their food. He remembered the look on Lane's face when Rick told them.

"Daryl?" Lane's voice was a whisper. "Thank you," Lane looked at him to see if he'd heard her. "It was careless of me to put myself in that position and I'm sorry."

Lane hung her head as she remembered how Tomas had got a hold of her. Even after all those years of self-defense training ... It was like she just froze. Her attention hadn't been focused on the threat...and now everyone was a threat.

"Ya ain't got nothin' to be sorry fer," Daryl snarled. When that fucker put his filthy hands on her, if Rick hadn't stopped him, he'd have shot him in the head. Instead Rick locked them all up until he could sort it.

They needed to send these guys on their way, Daryl knew they didn't need another Randall situation. There was no way a guy like Tomas was gonna just settle in as a nice little neighbor. Daryl'd known these kinds of men his whole life. He recognized the deadness in their eyes.

"He scares the shit outta me," Lane admitted with a shudder, sensing what Daryl already knew. Daryl wasn't sure what he was supposed to say...He knew what he wanted to do about it.

"Lane, I don't want you to go anywhere alone or unarmed. EVER," he warned. She nodded and again they sat in silence. But she couldn't stop the shiver at the thought of that guy sleeping so close to them. If Daryl hadn't been there with her she had little doubt as to what would have happened. She couldn't handle being taken again.

"Tell me about Rick and Lori," Lane asked out of the blue, needing to think about something else. Something wasn't jiving between Rick and Lori. When Lori wasn't around him, Rick was different. Lane could tell how much Rick cared about the group and she was beginning to understand why Daryl respected him. Watching Rick do that to Hershel today...she knew she couldn't have done it. Maybe she did need to withhold judgment.

"I ain't no gossip. Why don't ya go and ask Maggie...or Carol?" Daryl spat.

"'Cause I'm asking you?" Lane refused to let it go "You're the one who said to withhold judgment until I knew the whole story. So now I'm asking." she let out a soft sigh when Daryl still didn't answer.

"The man I saw today. The man that did what he did to save Hershel's life...that's not a man who treats his pregnant wife like that. You wouldn't do that." Lane crinkled her nose. How did she know Daryl would be different. It didn't make sense. For her, things needed to make sense. Life needs order.

What the hell does she mean by that. That he wouldn't do that to his pregnant wife. She don't even know me, Daryl silently conversed with himself. But just how she said it with such conviction ... he couldn't explain it...it made him feel good.

"It ain't Rick's baby," Daryl and the rest of the group pretended for a while there was a chance Lori had been pregnant before Rick's coma. But the longer the pregnancy went on, the more it was obviously lil' Shane or Shana in there.

Lane's eyes and mouth opened wide then formed a big 'O'. The first thing out of her mouth was, "How?" Daryl just rolled his eyes at her stupid question.

"Stop it. " she protested. "I know 'how'," she clarified. "I guess I should be asking who?" she waited but he didn't answer.

"Oh, don't tell me ? You're Lori's Baby Daddy!" Lane pretended to be shocked and appalled. She knew Daryl was NOT the father of Lori's baby, but his expression was worth the price of admission.

At first he looked at her in horror. But one glance in her eyes and he knew she was fuckin' with him. What the hell was with the women around him lately? Teasin' him and shit? Before, back at the quarry they avoided him like the plague and one glare would send them running. Now, everybody was a laugh riot?

"Shut up!" he said in that awkward, bashful tone she'd caught him use with Carol. He actually gave her a little shove, knocking her slightly sideways.

"What?" she feigned innocence. "I mean it wasn't Glenn or Hershel obviously. That gave me a fifty-fifty shot between you and T-Dog.

"Ain't T-Dogs neither!" Daryl answered. Seeing she wasn't gonna drop it he continued.

"He's dead now. Name was Shane... Rick's best friend and partner back before when they was cops together." he said in a gruff, southern monotone.

This time Lane's opengaped 'O' remained. Lane hadn't known Lori more than a few days but the person she met wasn't a woman who seemed like she would do that. Her 'O' formed a frown.

"Why. She seems so..." Lane couldn't find the right word. It wasn't love per se. She was deferential ... cautious even. As if she was constantly on eggshells. To Lane, that wasn't love. That was fear.

"It ain't all on Lori." She noticed Daryl admitted this somewhat reluctantly. "Shane told her Rick was dead. Rick'd been shot and was in a coma when shit broke out. When I joined the group, everyone just assumed Shane and Lori a couple...turns out they was. Up until Rick waltzed back into camp ... back from the dead." Daryl left out the part about his brother. "Something changed in Shane that day. Then before we got run off the farm Shane tried to kill Rick and Rick defended himself!" Daryl finished, remembering how he'd put it all together after finding Randall with his neck snapped. Lane sat there in silence trying to absorb the convoluted mess this world had made of this poor family's life.

"Oh dear Lord! How awful!" Lane gasped. "No wonder!"

"Well maybe she shoulda thought a waitin'' longer than a month before jumpin' into bed with her husband's best friend. Husband not even cold in the ground!" Daryl spat. He could only see Rick's side in thus. Plus he'd always hated Shane. Even before he knew Rick. Shane walked around camp like he was better'n him. Rick always treated him with respect, even that first day.

Lane knew it sounded bad. But Lori did think Rick was dead. Plus nobody knew what went on between a man and a woman behind closed doors.

"Maybe ya might wanna have all the facts before ya start judging," Lane said with mischief, throwing his words back at him.

Daryl huffed for a second. But there was something about her that was infectious. He half glanced at her but one look at her taunting grin and he ended up grinning in spite of himself.

"So how long would you wait before after wife or girlfriend died before...you know ...?" she waggled her eyebrows in a goofy sexy face.

What the fuck? He was not having this discussion with her. But then she shoved him.

"Come on? You're judging Lori, aren't ya? So what's an acceptable time frame before you're doing the sexy dance with the next hottie that comes around? Oh, add to that the threat of imminent death!" she intended to tease but things somehow turned serious.

"Every day now's a threat," Daryl ignored the first question, but after a while answered.

"A long time I s'ppose," Daryl ground out but refused to look at her. Lane just stared at him, unable to catch her breath. In that moment Daryl reminded her of a wolf. He would mate for life. She was sure of it.

"I believe you. Something tells me you'd wait forever," she patted his leg, assuming he'd already lost this person he'd loved.

Realizing what she'd done, she jerked her hand back. Daryl caught his breath at the intimate touch. Then startled by the retreat he jerked to her.

"Ya wanna talk about her?" Lane offered, wanting to know about a woman who could instill this kind of devotion.

"Who? What the hell ya talkin' 'bout?" he frowned at her beautiful face in the moonlight, feeling stupid all of a sudden. Lane picked up that she had misread something horribly.

"I ..." Lane stuttered. "I mean, I just assumed... I mean you just sounded so sure...I thought you'd lost ... You know yer HER," Lane didn't know what else to say as she stammered. So instead they sat there in silence both looking out into the darkness.

"I ain't been married," Daryl grunted, seemingly appalled at the thought.

After about an hour, shortly before next watch duty she turned to him.

"I would have waited too," Lane whispered.

"At least more than a month," she added ironically, to try and lighten things up a bit.

Daryl realized he'd forgotten to breathe, he had been so focused on her ... her words... her face. It was too much. Seeing himself through her naive eyes. He had to get outta here.

Lane frowned at his back as he hurried down the stairs... Wondering what she had expected from him. And why she was so incredibly disappointed?

Lane crawled into the RV bed after putting on her favorite nightshirt and sweats. The shirt was her old XL but she couldn't part with it ... so perfectly worn and soft. It was a tent on her now, but it wasn't like there was anyone to see and be disappointed. These weren't exactly the time for fancy lingerie. Suddenly Tomas' face formed and she shuttered.

She'd just crawled on top of the bed...too exhausted to pull the covers over her...when the RV door slammed open. Terrified it was Tomas, she scrambled for her knife.

"Hey, it's just me," Daryl said in a soothing tone. Lane wondered if he used that tone just before he killed his prey out hunting...so they weren't so terrified when they died. Lane frowned, not understanding why he wasn't staying in the prison.

"Rick said we stay in twos...at all times now. Didn't want you out here alone." Daryl lied. It was Ethel that asked...rather begged. Otherwise, Rick was gonna force her inside and he knew she wasn't ready. And given a choice between sleeping on the perch listening to everyone's shit or the quiet and comfort of the RV. It was an easy decision. It had nothing to do with sleeping near her. Carol wasn't happy with him though. What the hell was that about?

Lane stared at him a while. And it dawned on her.

"Aunt Ethel put you up to this, didn't she?" Lane asked, already knowing the answer. Daryl neither confirmed nor denied. He just set about getting comfortable on her former bed, the sofa.

"Hey Daryl?" she leaned her head up a second, waiting for his grunt of an acknowledgment. "Thanks!" she curled up into her covers, actually feeling more comfortable and safe than in a really long time.

Lane woke feeling better than she had in years. Her muscles ached but still, she felt good...rested...safe. It was when she sat up and saw the hunter, still sound asleep and sprawled on the sofa.

Asleep, his face looked so relaxed and peaceful. It was strange how his face changed so much when he was sleeping. What happened to him to create such a hard exterior? Somehow she knew it wasn't the dead walking. This had been a part of him for a long time. She ran a hand through her hair as she pondered, as had become her morning routine. This time her fingers got stuck in mess of gunk. She didn't want to even think about what it was.

Eeewww, she thought. Shower? It felt selfish? But they had water now? Right? And access to more. She rationalized herself into the shower, taking care to wash her hair twice...promising to refill the tank later today.

She quietly opened the bathroom to get dressed and ran smack into a wall of chest. Man chest.

"Ohhh," she gasped! She was pressed up to Daryl like before, right in the teeny hall. But this time all she had on was her towel, and an allover hue of red from embarrassment.

"I thought you were asleep." her accusation came out in a husky whisper.

Daryl hadn't expected her to open the door half-naked but now standing here so close to her, was doing something to his brain. He couldn't think ...or speak. But he couldn't deny another part of his anatomy had no trouble reacting. He turned his hips so she couldn't see...or God forbid, feel.

"Um..." Lane sought her brain for something coherent. "Showers free?"

"Ya don't mind?" he was shocked she was lettin' him use their shower.

"Daryl...?" Carol slammed open the RV door to get him. This time is was Carol who gasped as she stood there

"Em," Carol was struggling "Rick was wondering... he wants to talk to you is all." Carol finished her sentence.

"Tell him I'll be there in a minute. I'm gonna wash up first!" Daryl said firmly, leaving no room for a comeback. Lane frowned and so did Carol. Daryl hadn't used this tone in ages. Not since Lane joined the group.

They both watched as Carol huffed and them turned and left.

Daryl took that shower. He knew he likely used twice the water usual to get clean, but felt slightly less conscious of himself now. He refused to think about why Carol had stared at him that way. It pissed him off. They were just friends...why was she bein' huffy. By the time he got out Lane was dressed and ready.

But before the left he grabbed her arm, holding it up for inspection. The bruises were now becoming purple with tinges of yellow. He squeezed his eyes to gain some control as the fury building up blurred his vision.

Lane pulled her arm away, knowing it seemed to make him angry.

"It's fine" she lightly kissed his cheek. But as soon as she realized what she'd done, she panicked. What the hell had possessed her to do that? Daryl gasped at the sudden invasion of his space. Lane turned and fled the RV.

"Lanie dear? What's wrong?" Ethel pulled her aside as soon as she saw her face, sitting her down in her and Miriam's cell.

Lane stared at her aunt. She was too humiliated to even talk, so just sat on the cot, and tried to compose herself.

"Is it that young man?" Ethel gently probed. "Daryl?" Ethel had seen the way the two looked at each other. Each waiting for the other to turn away, so as not to get caught. It gave Ethel hope that Lanie just might have this experience...of loving someone after all. Or at least have sex, she giggled to herself.

"I did something stuped," Lane finally admitted to her aunt.

"What...you're brilliant, so I know it couldn't have been that stupid," Ethel couldn't imagine what had got her niece so worked up. Lane did her best not to roll her eyes, knowing her aunt meant well. She leaned over and whispered.

"I kissed him," Lane admitted, and the mortification returned with a vengeance. She put her face in her hands.

"Yeah...and...?" Ethel was hungry for more details. She'd always been a sucker for romance...and gossip.

"And nothing..." Lane replied despondently.

"I think you need to explain a little more," Ethel cajoled. Just then Miriam walked in.

"What's going on?" Miriam asked, knowing it was juicy based on the look on Ethel's face.

"Lane kissed Daryl!" Ethel explained in a jubilant whisper, as if she was sixteen sharing the latest gossip with her BFF.

"And?" Miriam too wanted to know more. She liked the hunter. More importantly she trusted him. And after yesterday and what happened in Lane's past, the thought of something happening to her again was more than she could bear. Perhaps more than Lane could bear, which is what really terrified her.

"We'd just showered," Lane started.

"Together?" Ethel's eyes twinkled with hope. Lane gave her an annoyed look.

"Noooo," Lane sighed in exasperation. "Of course not. We only just met, for pete's sake. Anyway, we were about to leave and he grabbed my wrist, to see how bad the bruising was. His face just became so angry...like he was angry at himself that it happened. It was so strangely sweet, that I...I dunno...it just felt right. I leaned up and kissed his cheek." Lane finished.

"Thay's it?," Ethel sounded so disappointed. "I was hoping for...you know, KISSING!"

"Auntie!" Lane protested, embarrassment taking over.

"OK, Lanie. What happened after?" Miriam coaxed, ever the voice of reason.

"Nothing...He got this freaked out look on his face, so I just ran," Lane leaned her head against the wall.

"Sweetie...this is nothing to get your panties in a bunch over," Lane knew Miriam loved to use that expression. Sometimes she said knickers instead of panties, especially if she'd been watching a lot of BBC America.

"I'm sure he was just surprised is all." Miriam, actually was concerned it might be more than that, but she kept it to herself. Miriam had no doubt the hunter had his eye on her Lanie. Miriam's thinking was that this fella wasn't sure what to do next.

"I'm sure you're not the first woman to kiss him...if you even call that a kiss," Ethel scoffed and patted Lane's.

"Yer sure?" Lane looked up at both her aunts. "It's not big deal?" Lane had no idea how she should act around him now.

"OK I'll just act like I do this all the time...like the French? It was just a friendly kiss to say thank you?" Lane was talking to herself as much as her aunts.

"Lane, just be yourself," Miriam knelt down in front of her to look her straight in the eye.

"This world doesn't leave time for games. If you like him, just tell him. I'm not saying to jump into anything. But there's no point pretending one thing, if you feel something else. The worst that happens is he doesn't feel the same." Miriam said calmly.

"And then I have to walk around this confined space feeling embarrassed and humiliated forever," Lane looked to the worst-case scenario.

"Let's get going drama queen," Miriam pulled her up, leading her out of their 'home'/cell. "And you be careful today!"

Lane had a hard time listening and focusing on Rick's instructions The small bearded prisoner had given them information about the prison, so they now had a slightly better lay of the land. Rick was even more convinced they could clear the prison quickly, or at least the rest of this cell block.

The prisoners were still locked up. Rick didn't trust them to fight side by side, so told them they were to stay locked up until they made it to Cell Block B...where they would live should they so choose. They'd get 'em there and help 'em clear it. After that, they were on their own.

After yesterday's work, they were now separated into teams of two. Whereas before the walkers could pin them between halls, now the plan was to squeeze the remaining walkers, trapping them in a hall, and exterminating them from both ends.

Lane had to force herself to keep her eyes on Rick and the diagram he was making, using the filth on the window and his finger to draw out the plan. Ethel and Miriam watched from afar, watching Daryl watching Lane, who was pretending to watch Rick, but really kept cutting her eyes back at Daryl.

Good lord, it'll take these kids fifty years to get together, Ethel told herself as she watched them in frustration. These weren't a couple of teenagers with all the time in the world. Ethel felt Miriam squeeze her hand, giving her a warning glare and slightly shaking her head no. Miriam saw the wheels spinning in Ethel's head and knew no good could come of it. Ethel trying to be matchmaker was like asking Lucy Ricardo to run your candy factory...it eventually turned into a comedic fiasco. With the emphasis on fiasco.

Daryl led the way but Lane stayed glued to his back. So far the plan was working. They'd been able to put the squeeze on three side halls, with Maggie and Lane high-fiving after a rather magnificent take down by the two of them. She overheard Glenn whispering to Daryl, "That was hot!", but never heard Daryl's answer.

Rick and T-Dog appeared at the far end, during their adhoc celebration.

"Glenn...Maggie, take the end there." Rick motioned. "Daryl-Lane...cover the intersection!"

Lane stood with Daryl at the four-way...waiting for the others to clear and return. Plus, it gave them time for a breather. Lane yanked her water bottle out, greedily chugging and then passing it to Daryl. Wordlessly he accepted, quickly returning the bottle. They had yet to speak, other than to give orders. Lane reminded herself, this wasn't really the time or place exactly.

Just as she was about to say something, Lane and Daryl heard Rick yelling. Immediately Daryl ran down to the hall where'd they'd last been seen.

"We got a herd!" Rick yelled at Daryl to back track. Grabbing Lane they ran back through the maze. Daryl turned to see Rick and the others, but he was motioning for them to keep going.

"Run Daryl-Lane ... the closet down 5! We'll come for you!" Rick ordered. They watched Rick pull the wire grate shut, sectioning them off. Just then they saw a huge herd of walkers heading down the main artery. Daryl immediately understood the plan, but by being separated, they'd been cut off. They'd have to find that room to hide out until the others cleared a path to them.

Something's not right, Lane realized. She'd seen Maggie's face before Rick pulled the grate shut. For a second she'd been frozen, but Daryl jerked her around and soon she was running like hell. They'd spray painted the halls with numbers, and 5 was on the end. Just when they got to 4, a walker jumped out but Daryl but a metal pole through it's head, only taking a moment to retrieve it and keep going.

"Oh crap," Lane saw the horde was after them, no longer interested in the others, She felt like a mouse in a maze and the snake was right on her trail. "Where is it?" she screamed, shining the flashlight erratically around, desperate to find the door.

"There," Daryl yelled as he saw the door ahead, tossing her the keys. It was locked and Lane's hands trembled as she tried to get the key in the lock. She knew the one it was, because the cell keys were bigger. This had opened all the janitor closets before...but she couldn't get her hand to stop shaking.

"Hurry!" Daryl screamed as he took down another two. She looked up and saw at least six more coming. Daryl was now using the bodies to create an impediment but that only slowed them. She finally felt the key go in and the click. With a turn, the door opened. Without even looking Daryl shoved her in and slammed the door shut.

Lane shined the light around to make sure there weren't any walkers in here. All she saw were shelves and shelves of toilet paper, paper towels, bath towels and cleaners.

She spun around to look at Daryl, her heart racing and her breath coming in pants. "We made it," she acknowledged.

"A course we made it," Daryl said as if he never doubted it, which only made Lane smirk. Daryl began dropping his pack and his crossbow and prepared to get comfortable. Lane wasn't really sure what to do...so after a minute did the same. Against the free wall, she leaned back and slid down next to Daryl. Just then it began dawning on her that she was now locked in here...without her meds. No help. She would die in here, the terror began bubbling up. BOh shit...stupid...stupid...stupid, she began scolding herself, feeling the terror take over her body. The walls began to spin and close in on her.

"Oh god, I can't be in here," Lane moaned and scrambled to crawl to the door. Daryl had been watching, or to be more precise listening to her in the near darkness. As soon as she realized they were locked in, she started trembling and breathing erratically.

Daryl reached forward and snaked his arms around her waist from behind, yanking her back to him and settling her between his legs with her back against his chest. He couldn't let her go berserk and open the door...get 'em both killed.

"Shhhhh. We're ok. We've just gotta hold tight a little while...let em clear the bastards out." Daryl sounded so calm...so sure. But she wasn't it. She wouldn't be ok... It was a death trap ... a coffin. Daryl felt her entire body trembling and she was struggling to breathe. He grabbed the paper towel of pills Ethel gave him again and opened it up.

"Here...!" he tried to give it to her. But Lane had become lost...as if she wasn't there with him. Daryl reached around and opened her mouth, forcing both pills under her tongue. She never even protested. Daryl was starting to get worried. His first concern when he realized they were gonna be trapped here awhile, was they'd end up talking about this morning. Now, he just wished she'd talk to him about anything.

"We're ok...I've got ya. You're safe here. We're fine..." Daryl found himself leaning her back and whispering in her ear, rubbing her arms up and down. He finally felt her start to relax against him...felt her breathing slow slightly, though it was still faster than a jackrabbits.

"Lane?" he asked tentatively...seeing if she was responsive yet. Slowly she turned her head slightly to him.

"Thanks." she quietly whispered before leaning her head into the crook of his neck. "I seem to be saying that alot lately." she croaked out, trying to make it sound like a joke. He reached over to give her the water bottle, pleased when she took a small sip.

"Yer gonna be ok," Daryl said.

"I think so," Lane assumed she was answering his question.

"That wasn't a question. I was telling ya, ya gonna be ok," Daryl told her. When he said it like that, she could almost believe him.

"Ya think we'll be here long?" her voice sounded so small and frightened, so different that the woman he'd been speaking to last night. What had happened to her?

"I don't expect so...long enough for the others to get out and clear a path," Daryl made it sound easier, than he knew it was. He was starting to regret giving her both pills. Maybe he should have waited, but she seemed pretty bad.

"Ya gonna be ok, if we cut the lights?" Daryl asked, not wanting to burn out their batteries, in case they had to make a run for it. Lane knew why he was asking...she knew she couldn't ask him to risk their lives so she could have a damn night light.

"Yeah...will you just keep talking to me though," she clicked off her flashlight and then Daryl did the same.

Shit, she wants me to talk to her...they could be here for hours. He didn't tell her, but they may have to stay overnight. What the hell could he talk to her about that long. He couldn't talk to women during the best of circumstances.

"We've got lots of toilet paper," Daryl observed, surprised to feel Lane bend forward laughing.

"Yes...Yes we do. Oh, God...I hope they get here before I have to go." Lane suddenly sounded horrified. "I don't think I can go if someone else is here." This time it was Daryl's turn to laugh.

"It ain't like I can see anything," Daryl reminded her.

"That's not it. You'd hear," Lane tried to explain.

"Women!" he shook his head. He would never understand them.

"Women? What about men? Explain to me the obsession with the tv clicker. Why you can't just leave it on a channel, deal with the commercials?" Lane was feeling better as they discussed these mundane things.

"You don't understand. You might miss something on the other channel," Daryl explained. Though when Merle was out of prison and staying with him, he'd always taken the clicker control from him.

The meds were making her feel loose and relaxed, and her body fell into him. She turned slightly so she could rest her cheek against him, rather than the back of her head.

"Ya gonna tell me why this happens to ya?" Daryl asked. Lane jerked up, mostly surprised he was even interested.

"Ya don't gotta!" Daryl regretted bringing up.

"No...you just surprised me by asking that's all." Lane felt she owed him some explanation, considering.

"How's that?" now Daryl was confused.

"That your not mad...that your interested," her voice went quiet.

"I ain't mad," was all he said.

"I'll tell ya. Just not in here," Daryl felt her tense up. He started rubbing her shoulders, remembering that it seemed to help Carol. Lane was initially surprised by the gesture, but soon relaxed under the rhythmic motion.

"That feels nice," she leaned back.

"Why'dya kiss me?" Daryl's voice was husky and she could feel his breath in her ear.

"Ummm," Lane didn't know what to say. Tell him the truth...or try and play it off like it was no big deal.

"I was just thanking you for lookin' after me," Lane tried to make her voice sound light. She heard a grunt behind her, and his hands stopped moving. For a while they sat there in silence...the only thing they could hear were each others breath.

It was his breath that did it. Feeling it softly on the back of her neck...over and over. Miriam's words came back to her.

"That's not true, I lied," Lane admitted suddenly, her voice surprisingly clear and strong. Daryl's attention turned to her face, which he could feel was near, but couldn't really see. He wanted to turn on the flashlight to see her eyes.

Lane realized this could make for a really long, uncomfortable time cooped up together, but proceeded anyway.

"I kissed you, because I like you. I shouldn't have kissed you on the cheek," Daryl pulled back, now really confused. She wriggled around, half sitting on his lap trying to face him. Doing this in the dark was awkward.

"I should have kissed you on the lips," she whispered huskily, so close he could practically feel her lips already. She waited for him to do something. To kiss her. To say something...anything. But he didn't. In fact, she no longer even felt his breath. With a sigh she leaned away.

"I'm sorry...now I've made things awkward. Dammit, I shouldn't have said anything," Lane started to try and figure a way out of this.

"Don't worry, I won't..." Daryl's hands roughly gripped her arms and spun her around, lifting her slightly off his lap. But only so she would be facing him.

"Wha...?" she didn't know what was happening, but then she felt his hands in her hair pulling her to him. Somehow, in the pitch black, his lips sought and found hers...meeting perfectly. His kiss was soft...yet seeking. Once she'd overcome her surprise, she'd responded in kind by sliding her lips against his, sharing each other's breath. His hands were calloused and rough, but his lips were amazingly soft.

With a sigh, she leaned in, reaching her arms up around his neck...freeing his hands to wrap around her waist. With a tug, he lifted her up to straddle him, her legs now bent around hid sides. He slid forward, and she was able to wrap her legs behind him. Never once did they stop kissing. The pitch black seeming to excite all the other senses, as they felt each other.

Daryl heard a soft moan behind the thunder going on his brain. With her tongue she began tracing his bottom lip. He began to do the same to her...playing a sensual game of follow the leader.

It had been ages since he'd been with a woman, and never like this. Never with kissing involved. He cautiously peeked his tongue inside the silken warmth of her mouth. He groaned when she pressed herself closer and opened her mouth, greedily accepting him. Soon they were snaking their tongues in eager exploration.

She felt his hands switch, and then he was pressing her closer with his hand on the small of her back, his other hand closer to her ass. He was straining against he pants and peridically 'adjusted' her position.

Lane felt him doing it, and hoped he'd do it more. It created this exquisite sensation between hee legs and she unconsciously started squirming back and forth.

Somehow his hands moved to tangle in her hair in need. Needing more. The slight pain only spurred her on to try and get closer. She periodically would leave his lips, to place hot wet kisses along his neck, occasionally nipping but quickly laving the tender area. His groan and the subtle jerk of his hips told her she might be doing something right.

She felt his hands reaching under her shirt and when he cupped each breast, she groaned in pleasure and leaned back so he could have better access. "oh my god," she whispered.

Daryl had never felt this way, at least not with a woman. She made him feel confident. She really liked the way he was touching her... not tolerating it and hoping he'd hurry and finish. He leaned forward to nip and lick her neck the way she had done.

Suddenly Daryl froze.

"Don't stop," she protested, pulling him back.

"I think they're coming." Daryl told her reluctantly. A part if him wished for a few more hours. He felt Lane scramble off him, turning on the flashlight to find their stuff. After they got everything back on they took position by the door.

"I suppose I found an effective therapy for my problem," she said, staring straight ahead, refusing to look at him.

"Glad to help," Daryl actually joked back. But even he'd been surprised when she hip-checked him. He responded by playfully swatting her ass. Only it wasn't quite that playful when he let his hand linger..

Lane lost her breath and turned to look at him.

Just then the door burst open and Maggie, Glenn, T-Dog and Rick stood there.

"Come on, let's go," T-Dog commanded. But Maggie caught Lane's flushed face and Glenn caught sight of the bulge in Daryl pants. Glenn gave Daryl a knowing glance, but he just ignored it, racing back to cell block C.