AN: so, I don't usually ask for reviews. That's not why I write. But I do gauge reviews to see if the chapter was enjoyed. The last chapter was my least reviewed chapter maybe ever :( where did I loose you? To much emphasis on Merle's gas? Sometimes things are funny in my head but maybe not so much in print. If you like this chapter at all can you drop a review. And let me know what you think?

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 3

The fire was crackling in the fireplace of the abandoned house they were occupying when Carol next woke.

If it had been another time, another place, it would have almost felty homey. The warmth of the fire permeated into the cocoon of blankets someone had encased her in, she was warm and surprisingly comfortable.

She took the time to study the four men with her. Daryl was sitting at her feet, on the couch, he was staring into the fire intently, watching the flames crackle. Merle was on a window seat staring off into the window. She'd heard Daryl call the third man Ceasar. He was cleaning his gun. The one who had introduced himself as Perez, was slumped in a chair, reading what appeared to be reading a Harlequin romance novel.

She let out a small snort "that's not the reading material I would have taken you for." She said hoarsely.

The four turned sharply, Daryl jumping in his seat as he had not realized she was awake.

"Hey" he said, given her a bottle of water. She was suddenly aware of how dry her mouth felt. She started To down the water only to choke.

"Easy, you were out for a long time. Go slow." Daryl said coming over to her and helping her sit.

Gasping as she coughed she managed to get out a question. "How long was I out?"

"24 hours" Daryl said.

A panic started to seap into Carol's bones. "You guys need to get out of here...just leave me. You wasted to much time on me already." She said clutching at Daryl's hand.

She could feel their attention on her, so she continued. "The saviours, there already onto my group, me. If they find me with you.." She paused as Daryl shushed her.

"We ain't leaving ya, you wouldn't make it on your own." Daryl growled. Trying to calm her she knew. But she could feel anger in him as well.

"Then I don't make it. You four are good men. Daryl you're a good man. You all could have left me, and moved on. I'm injured, I'll slow you down. I'll never be a burden again." She whispered, her eyes squeezing tight, as memories flashed through her mind. "The saviours are murderers, they'll hurt you guys. Promise me Daryl... Promise me if push comes to shove you won't risk your lives for mine." Her eyelids seemed to grow heavy. She felt like Daryl was calling to her from a million miles away as she drifted back to sleep she heard him say "I ain't leaving you."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I ain't leaving you." Daryl said but she was already asleep.

"Well fuck" Perez muttered squeezing the bridge of his nose. "Making this decision would be a whole lot easier if she was an asshole." He muttered.

"Damn is she for real?" Ceasar muttered.

"God damn it." Merle got up, grabbing his gun. "Don't start feeling sorry for her, I'm gonna check the perimeter."

Daryl was watching her. Staring at her as she slept, restlessly, her dreams already haunted by whatever she'd seen since the turn. That was when he heard it, one word whispered with so much pain it took his breath away.

"Sophia"