AN: Hi guys! Just to let you know that I've changed the rating for this story now! Thank you to ShadowHunter90 ( I know you said its getting old with Violet getting hurt, but trust me, there is a reason behind these things happening to her, but that will all be explained in later chapters ), galwidanatitud, Shadow knight1121, and Faelyght for reviewing and thanks to Aka Breeno for favouriting. I hope more of you review this chapter :)

SONG: Mad World - Jasmine Thompson.

~ Chapter 12 ~

Daryl and Violet walked into the small shop. The others had gone into another shop across the street. Violet began to rummage through the things behind the counter, and slipped some necessities into her rucksack. She found a picture of a family folded up on one of the shelves. She smiled down at it, and wondered if that family was still alive somewhere. She sighed at the thought, then put it back where she found it.

Violet breathed in, and she began to smell smoke. She looked over to see Daryl was smoking a cigarette. She walked out from behind the counter, and took it out of his mouth.

"The hell-"

"It'll kill you!" She snapped.

"Girl, we're in the middle of a zombie apocalypse," He growled back, and she raised an eyebrow at him.

"So, do you wanna' shorten those days by smoking?" She placed a hand on her hip, and Daryl looked her up and down.

"Are ya givin' me sass?"

"I might be," She smirked, then turned away from him, and began to look at the things on the shelves.

"Ya know...you should wear Beth's clothes more often," He snickered, and she playful pushed him. "What?"

"I don't like it...I'm pretty sure you can see my scars, that's why I put my hair down to cover them a bit," She explained, and she slipped some canned food into her rucksack.

"Let me look," He stepped up behind her, and her breathing hitched in the back of her throat. He moved her hair away from her back and placed it over her shoulder. He saw the scars that weren't covered by her tank top. There was a lot of small ones and there was some big jagged one's from bigger shards of glass. He reached up and brushed his thumb along the rough, raised spot of skin.

Violet bit her bottom lip, and she nervously played with the ends of her hair. She hadn't even looked at them herself in a while. She was scared, but she knew that from Daryl's words, that he himself had scars too. She didn't want to push him into telling her, because she knew that he clearly wasn't the type of man to pour his heart out. She knew it was probably more difficult for him, then it was for her.

"They still don't change who you are," He whispered.

"I know," She turned around to face him, and she ended up being really close to his chest. She slowly looked up at him, and she could feel his warm breath on her face. She got up on her tiptoes, and kissed him softly on the lips.

Daryl brought his hands up and buried them in her hair, pulling her body closer to his. A moan escaped Violet's lips and he walked her back until she was against the shelves. Violet's heart was beating rapidly in her chest, and she could feel her face heating up.

He nibbled on her bottom lip, and she let him slip his tongue into her mouth. Violet placed her hands on his chest, and she stroked a path up, then wrapped them around his neck.

Daryl moved one hand out of her hair, and he brought it to her waist. Suddenly, he began to move her, and she struggled to keep up with the fast pace in which he was moving at. Her back came in contact with the counter, and he grabbed a hold of her thighs, then lifted her up onto the edge of the counter. Violet squeaked into his mouth, and Daryl smirked slightly against her lips.

Violet delved her fingers into his hair, and she locked her legs around his waist. His hands came to the hem of her tank top, and his fingers brushed at the skin underneath. Violet shivered under his touch, and she pulled away, resting her forehead against his.

Both of them were gasping for air, and their lips were bright red. Violet had a playful smirk on her face, and Daryl stared at her with heated eyes. Violet shuffled closer to him, pressing her body further against his. Daryl kept his hands where they were, but he began to stroke the soft skin there. Violet pressed a soft and sweet kiss on his lips.

"Er...guys?" Both of them looked over and saw Rick, Glenn and Maggie standing there. Violets face flushed bright red straight away, and she scrambled off the counter. She looked to see Maggie was smiling from ear to ear. Glenn looked like he'd walked in on them having sex, and Rick just stood there with a slight smirk on his lips.

"How long have you been stood there?" Violet asked, and she began to straighten out her hair.

"Long enough," Maggie laughed.

"Great," Violet muttered.

"It's time to go," Rick said, and they all left the shop.

Daryl came up behind her, and he had a humorous smile on his lips, whilst Violet's face was still bright red. Maggie looked over at her, and she laughed some more. She looked away, then nudged Glenn.

Violet looked around at the scenery, trying to forget what had just happened. She felt her face get much cooler, and she sighed in relief. They started to walk through the woods, and Violet began to run her fingers along every tree they passed.

"Oh," Maggie stopped, and she looked down at her feet. She lifted her foot away, and she picked something up off the ground. Everyone stopped, and Maggie stared down at the thing in her hand. "It's a compass."

Violet got closer, and her eyes widened. She closed the gap between her and Maggie, then snatched it from her hands.

"Hey!" Maggie exclaimed, and Violet stared down at the compass. She flipped it over, and saw the writing on the bottom. That's when she knew who it belonged to.

Frank Ranger.

Violet's hands started to shake, and she began to look around.

"Violet?" Rick asked.

"M-My Uncle's...this i-is my Uncle's c-compass," She stammered, and she looked back down at it. It was all gold, and covered in dirt.

"Your Uncle Frank's?" Maggie wondered, and Violet nodded her head. She felt tears stinging at her eyes. "That means he's here somewhere-"

"No, it means he was," Violet looked over at her, and Maggie walked over, then pulled her into a hug.

Daryl looked on, and didn't make any move to comfort her. He knew that Maggie probably knew more about the whole situation, than he did. He looked over his shoulder, and through the trees.

"O-Oscar," Violet cried, and Maggie tried to sooth her. "What if Oscar's with him."

"I'm sure they're out there somewhere...we'll keep a look out. We need to head back now," Maggie explained, and she wiped away her tears. "I promise you, we'll keep a look out. This is a good sign, your Uncle's around somewhere, I'm sure he just dropped this, and I'm sure Oscar's with him."

"Okay," Violet sniffled, and she glanced over at Daryl who gave her a reassuring nod.

They carried on through the woods, and Violet kept a tight hold on the compass. She kept glancing down at it, scared that it would disappear, but it was real. It could mean that Oscar was around somewhere, he'd be seven now...still cute and adorable. Violet smiled, and she wiped away her tears.

She felt someone touch her arm, and she looked over at Daryl. He stared down at her free hand, and grabbed it. He gave it a gentle squeeze and she returned it.

...

Daryl lent against the side of his bike. T-Dog and Carol were packing up the truck ready for them to leave early the next morning. Daryl began to chew on the side of his thumb. He glanced over at his tent. He knew Violet was in there, he'd seen her go in there with Beth and Maggie. He wanted to check on her, but he didn't know if he should or not. Daryl assumed he'd end up saying something wrong, and he'd make her more upset.

But then again maybe she needed him.

He sighed and brought his thumb away from his mouth. Daryl looked over at Rick who seemed to be having a heated discussion with Hershel. Carl was sat by the campfire, whilst Carol was hovering over the small cooking pot. She glanced over at him, and flashed him a small smile, and he nodded back. She looked over at his tent, then back at him.

"Go," Carol nodded towards his tent. "I think she needs you."

"I don't think she does-"

"Daryl, she's upset...trust me she needs you. Don't be the kind of guy that isn't there for people. I know that's not you," She stirred what was in the pot, and gave another demanding look at him. He sighed, then got to his feet. He left his crossbow leaning against his bike, and made his way over to his tent.

When he stepped inside, he saw Maggie and Beth both sat around her. Violet was staring blankly at the compass in her hand, completely ignoring both of them. But she diverted her eyes from the compass, and looked over at Daryl.

"We'll give you some space," Maggie said, and they both got to their feet, then left the tent.

Daryl walked over, and sat down by her side. She looked back at the compass, a sigh escaping her lips. Daryl went to bring his thumb to his mouth, but she reached out and lowered his arm, placing it in his lap.

"Do you think Oscar's with him?" She asked, with not an ounce of hope in her voice.

"He could be," Daryl said, his voice rough. "I ain't gonna' tell you that he definitely is, because I don't know that myself."

"Thank you," She whispered.

"For what?"

"Being honest," She looked into his eyes, and he nodded slightly. "Better than filling my head with false hope."

Daryl stared back at her, not knowing what to say next. He'd never been good at comforting people. Especially someone like Violet. She sighed again, then placed the compass off to her side. She stretched out her arms, then glanced down at her clothes.

"Are my clothes dry?" She asked.

"Carol took 'em," He replied.

"You know, I kinda liked wearing your clothes," She nudged him playfully, and it ignited a fuzzy feeling in Daryl's stomach. He looked at her and smirked.

"I kinda liked ya wearin' my clothes too," He nudged her back, and she laughed.

"Oh," She giggled.

"What?"

"I forgot to grab a tent," She grinned at him, and his smile grew wider.

"Guess you're gonna' have to stay in my tent then."

...

"I'm not sure...what if I fall off," Violet mumbled, and Daryl rolled his eyes.

"Girl, just get on we gotta' go," He pointed behind him, and she looked back to see everyone else was getting into the truck, and the car.

"I'm scared," She admitted.

"You've been on it before," He retorted.

"We moved about an inch!" She exclaimed, and he grabbed her arm.

"Get on," He growled.

"Fine, if I fall off and die it's your fault," She grumbled, and she climbed onto the back of the bike.

"You ain't gonna' fall, girl," He replied.

The engine's all started, and Rick took the lead down the dirt road, which led through the trees. Daryl took off, and Violet squealed clinging onto him for dear life. Daryl wove his way between the car and the truck. He took off a head, knowing where they were heading.

He felt the same sensation from last night appear again. He looked down at where Violet's hands were resting on his stomach. Her knuckles were white from how tight she was clinging onto him. He glanced at the road ahead. Daryl didn't mind, he liked how tight she was holding onto him. It reassured him that she was still there.

After about half an hour of traveling. They all pulled to a stop at a gas station. Violet got off the bike, and her legs began to shake. Daryl smirked at her, and she pushed his arm.

"It's not funny," She muttered, and he got off the bike.

"Ya okay?" He asked, and she nodded her head.

"Let's search the inside," Rick said, and everyone came together. Daryl went and stood by Rick, both of them getting ready to lead them inside. T-Dog and Carol were behind them. Glenn and Maggie, were by Carl who stayed right by Lori. Violet went to the back with Beth and Hershel.

Rick and Daryl went inside first, and everyone followed behind them. They all split off, and Violet, Beth and Hershel stayed by the door. Beth began to nudge her playfully, and Violet nudged her back. Beth was grinning like the Cheser Cat and Violet wanted to know why.

"What are you smiling about?" Violet asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Maggie told me what happened at the shop," She whispered back, so Hershel wouldn't hear.

"Oh...oh!" She exclaimed, and Beth giggled.

"I think it's cute," Beth chirped, and Violet looked over at Hershel who was staring down one of the aisles.

Violet looked out of the door, and she could see there was a walker staggering towards them. She pulled out her knife, and told them both she'd be back. She made her way out of the door, and the walker stammered closer. She grabbed onto its shirt, then stabbed her knife into its skull. She pulled it out with all she had, and it fell to the floor.

Violet wiped the mess onto her jeans.

"Violet, those are my jeans!" Beth exclaimed from the door, and Violet rolled her eyes.

She made her way over to the truck, and she grabbed a bottle of water from one of the boxes. She took a quick sip, then put it back. She saw a small rag, and she used it to clean the rest of her knife, and to clean the black gunk from her jeans.

SNAP!

Violet looked over at the trees. She glanced back at the door, and she saw Beth and Hershel had their backs to her.

SNAP!

Violet walked around the truck, and got closer to the trees. Maybe it's just a walker, she thought.

SNAP!

A figure came running out of the trees and collided into her. Violet let out a scream, and she looked up at the person.

"Violet."

"Frank."

"THERE HE IS!" A loud voice boomed, and Frank's eyes widened. He let go of Violet and ran back into the trees

"FRANK!" Violet screamed, and she took off after him, completely ignoring Beth and Hershel's screams for her to come back.

...

Daryl quickly took down one of the walkers in the back of the gas station. He pulled his arrow out of its skull, and Rick came up behind him. He looked at the sparse shelves and side, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You okay?"

"I'm not sure if we're going to ever find another place," Rick admitted with a sigh.

"We'll find somewhere. I believe you'll find us a place."

"Really?

"Really," Daryl repeated. "You got us this far, ain't ya?"

"I suppose so," Rick said.

"FRANK!"

"VIOLET! COME BACK!"

Rick and Daryl both took off running to the front of the place. They ran outside and saw everyone standing there, looking off into the trees.

"I'm going after her!" Maggie snapped, and Glenn reached out to stop her.

"What's going on?" Rick asked.

"Her Uncle came out of the trees, and he took off. She's gone after him, and there's people chasing them. They've got guns and everything!" Beth hollered. Daryl barged past everyone.

"Daryl! Wait!" Rick called after him, but he was already gone.

...

Violet collapsed onto the woodland floor. The leaves and twig crunched underneath her weight. Her hands flew to her mouth, as she tried to contain her cries, not wanting to attract any walkers. The men who had been chasing after Frank had just ran straight passed her, not caring she was there, and she couldn't see them anymore, or hear them.

Her shoulders shuddered from her sobs, and she buried her face into her hands. She couldn't think straight. What if Oscar wasn't with him? What if the men got him? Violet just wanted a chance, she wanted a family. She wanted Oscar back, she wanted to apologize for leaving. I never should've left...

"Violet," She heard the leaves crunch behind her, and she recognized the rough voice. "Girl, come here."

Violet looked over to see Daryl was crouching down by her side. She flung her arms around his neck, and buried her face into the crook of his neck. She sobbed loudly, and he wrapped his strong arms around her.

"He's gone!" She cried, and he held her tighter. "He was right in front of me, and now he's gone!"

Daryl kissed the side of her head, and she fisted the back of his vest. Daryl looked over at the trees, and he heard the groan before he saw the walker. He pushed Violet away from him gently, then he put an arrow in his crossbow, and took it down.

"I wanna' go after him," Violet tried to scammer to her feet, but Daryl grabbed her arm and sat her back down. He placed his hands on either side of her face.

"Girl, you can't go after him. He's too far gone," He whispered, and he wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "But, he knows your alive...once he's lost them fuckers, he'll come back and find you."

"He will?"

"Course he will," Daryl kissed her forehead, and she sighed.

"I'm a mess...again," She wiped all her tears away, then ran a hand through her hair.

"Didn't I tell you, your 'bout the prettiest thing I ever seen," He said, and she smiled sweetly at him.

"Thank you," She wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him.

"We best head back," Daryl grunted.

"Can we just stay here a little longer?"

"Sure."