AN: Hi! Thank you to galwidanatitud for reviewing, and thanks to pandahlocks, Nerd4StageAndScreen, Lauren Emmens band GiraffesEatCookies for favouriting and following :)

Song: Sia - Broken Glass.

~ Chapter 18 ~

Four Weeks Later:

The motel wasn't their home anymore. Violet raced through the woods at full speed. She didn't even realize she could run this fast, but with a herd of walkers on her tail. She wasn't about to die. Her knife was in her hand covered in black blood, and her whole body was covered in wet dirt. She had no idea where everyone else was.

They were at a crossroad, then out of nowhere a herd of around two hundred walkers appeared. They all scrambled quickly, not having time to get into the vehicles. They had split up and she was with Daryl until a few minutes ago. The idiot she was, she had tripped and fallen down the embankment landing in a massive mud pit, and she'd taken off in the opposite direction and the walkers following them both had split up, so she had about thirty on her ass.

Violet ran out of the woods and onto a dirt road. A car flew past her, then the brakes slammed. The door flung open and Drew got out. "Get in!" He hollered, and she ran over, and got into the passenger side. He drove off and she looked out of the back window and saw the walkers stumbling out of the trees.

She panted for air, and she placed her head back against the headrest. They flew through the woodland area, and he passed her a bottle of water. She took a sip, then glanced around.

"Where are we going?" She asked, and he glanced at her, then back at the road.

"My camp," He grunted. "The others are looking for the rest of your group. We only want to help."

"Okay," Violet couldn't be bothered to argue. She wanted to know if everyone was okay, she hadn't seen where her baby brother had gone. He had been with Carl, that's all she knew.

They drove in silence for around ten minutes until he pulled up outside a gate, which surrounded a warehouse. He waited for the gates to be opened by someone in a watch tower, then he drove inside, and pulled up next to the other vehicles. She got out slowly and observed the place.

The warehouse was massive, and when she looked around all she could see were men. No women. She felt Drew grab her elbow and he guided her around the back and through a door. This part of the warehouse was bleak. She heard a shrill scream and she widened her eyes at Drew.

"Sorry darlin'."

…

Daryl climbed on top of the bins, then grabbed onto the edge of the roof and pulled himself up onto it. He got to his feet, and removed his crossbow from his back. Rick was doing the same on the other side of the street. They looked at the walkers moving around and he gave Rick a nod of the head, then he fired his crossbow and began to take down the walkers. Rick used his shotgun and they began to fall like flies.

The rumbling sound of truck got closer, and he glanced over. Three men came out and began to fire shots at the walkers. Daryl pulled out his gun from his belt and began to fire shots. Within minutes they were all gone and he looked over at Rick.

"We mean no harm," One of the men spoke. "We ran into some of your group. We brought them back to our camp for safety. Are either of you Rick?"

"That's me," He responded.

"There's a Chinese man asking for you back at base," He replied, and Rick nodded his head at Daryl.

They climbed down, and greeted them in the middle of the street.

"It's nice to see new people," One of them said as they shook Rick's hand. "We've been tracking the herd for a couple of days. It's one of the biggest ones I've seen."

"Have you come across anyone else?" Rick asked.

"There are more of us out looking. Shall I take you back to base? I promise you it's safe, I understand why people are cautious, but we're good guys."

Daryl didn't quite believe what he was saying, but Rick seemed to give in straightaway. He couldn't get his mind to calm down. She was okay, he wasn't going to doubt himself. The image was fresh in his mind. She had fallen behind and he turned around to see her falling, disappearing from his sight. There had been too many walkers for him to turn back and get her. Maybe they found her.

"C'mon, I can't wait for you to see the base."

They got into the truck and Daryl sat awkwardly between the two men. He bit the side of his thumb as his mind began to rush with a million thoughts. Within fifteen minutes they were outside the gate of the base, and had pulled up next to another truck. They got out and he looked around.

Something wasn't right about this place. Too quiet.

He glanced at Rick who was smiling. Daryl placed his crossbow on his back, and he looked at some of the men working outside. Only men.

The doors opened and Glenn came running out. "Rick!" He gave Rick a hug, then Daryl nodded his head at him. "We're just about to eat."

They all followed him inside, and Glenn mentioned that T-Dog was here to. Daryl looked around at the decorated interior. They walked through a set of double doors and into a big hall. There was someone serving food onto people's plates. All men, again.

They were led over to the serving table and food was placed on a plate for them. Daryl didn't understand this place, then he saw someone he recognized. Drew. They sat down at the table and Daryl kept his eyes on him.

"I'm starving," T-Dog rubbed his hands together, then Daryl glanced at his plate. Rick went to put the meat in his mouth, but Daryl reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"I wouldn't eat that if I were you," Daryl growled. "Rick don't tell me you 'ave gotten stupid. Look around, what's not here?"

Rick glanced around slowly, then he stared in Daryl's eyes. "Women."

Everyone moved quickly and within seconds guns were being aimed at them. Rick shared a knowing glance with Daryl and he glanced around.

"Who are you people?" He asked.

"Very hungry people with an acquired taste," One of them laughed, and everyone joined in.

"Boys! Don't taunt the guests!" A male voice boomed and a man appeared behind Rick. "I'm Rufus. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Daryl saw red.

…

Violet fell to her knees. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. She cried out, screaming at the top of her lungs. She stared at the beheaded body on the floor, and she was grabbed by her hair and dragged to the front of the small group of women. They ate the women.

The sword was placed against her throat, and she closed her eyes. She had been stripped bare like the other women, and she felt the bile rise in the back of her throat. I'm not going to make it.

"You're going to taste perfect," The man grabbed her hair and licked the skin of her neck. She whimpered, and kept her eyes firmly closed. The cold blade brushed against her shoulder. She just wanted him to get it over and done with. She wanted to die. In a matter of half an hour these people had made her want to die. The things she had seen and the things they had done…she wanted to die.

"Bye princess!"

Gunshots went off and she heard the women scream, but she still didn't open her eyes. She just couldn't. Everything turned into a buzzing sound, and all she could hear was the sound of her heart beating fast. She wanted Daryl. The warmth of a jacket was placed over her shoulders, and she flinched.

"VIOLET OPEN YOUR EYES!"

Her eyes flew open and she shot up gasping for air. Her lungs were burning and her body was soaked in sweat. Daryl was kneeling next to her on the bed and Hershel had his hands on her shoulders. She looked around the room and her eyes burned in their sockets. She heaved for more air, but it wasn't enough.

"Breathe," Hershel showed her a breathing technique, and she looked into his eyes with a possessed look, but she tried to copy him. She reached out her shaking hand, and grabbed Daryl's hand with a tight grip. He wiped her drenched hair from her face, and she saw the sheer panic on his face.

She continued to use the breathing technique, and she felt her heart begin to slow down. It was dark outside and she knew she'd been having a night terror. She had only ever had one other one in her life and that was the day Rufus had attacked her. It had felt so real.

"Are ya okay?" Daryl tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She nodded her head quickly.

"Violet, sweetie, have you ever experienced anything like this before?" Hershel asked.

"Yes," She said with a dry mouth, and he placed a bottle of water in her hands. She took a sip and he stroked her hair.

"I'm going to go and tell Rick that you're okay. He found you screaming in bed," Hershel left the room and she glanced at Daryl. He laced his arms under her knees, and picked her up from the bed. He kicked open the bathroom door, and sat her down on the toilet seat. He pulled back the shower curtain and turned on the taps. He crouched down in front of her without saying anything and he began to take off her clothes. She watched him contently and he finished removing all of her clothes, then he turned off the taps and put her into the water.

Her body twitched and she sniffled, wiping at her damp cheeks. He grabbed a scrubber to wash away the sweat from her body, and she couldn't take her eyes off his face. He wasn't giving much emotion away anymore. He looked like he was in deep thought, but what he was doing right now was one of the most caring things anyone has ever done for her before.

"I've just been stressed," She whispered, and he scrubbed her arm. "I…it just felt so real. It was horrible, they raped me and made me watch them whilst they beheaded some woman-" She began to hyperventilate, and Daryl cupped her cheeks and forced her to look at him.

"Baby girl," His voice was soft. "Nothin' is going to happen to ya, and I'll die before I let any other man touch you like that."

She gripped onto the side of the tub, and she forced a weak smile onto her face. He returned to wiping down her body, and she bit down on her bottom lip.

"Daryl, there's something I need to tell you," She whimpered, and he stared into her teary eyes.

"I know."

"You do?"

"I found the pregnancy test," He grunted. "I was going to come and talk to ya about it, then Rick came running into the kitchen hollerin' that you were having a fit…never seen anything like that before in my life girl and I've seen some messed up shit. I never knew someone could have some kind of seizure, but scream at the top of their lungs at the same time."

"Oh," She looked away from him, and he grabbed her chin, turning her head back to face his. "What do we do?" She sobbed.

"We'll talk about it in the mornin' baby. We're gonna' get some sleep, and I'm gonna' be right by your side," He explained and he finished wiping down her body, and he helped her out of the bath. He wiped her down with a towel, then grabbed one of his flannel shirts and slipped it over her body.

They walked over to the bed, and Daryl removed the soaked bedsheets. He took off his shirt and trousers, then they both slipped under the blanket and she rested her head against his chest, and wrapped her leg over his waist.

Violet closed her eyes, and he kissed her forehead. She felt herself get sucked into the heat of his body, and she felt comfort in the warmth, then slowly drifted back off to sleep.

…

Violets eyes fluttered open and she glanced at Daryl. He was fast asleep and she saw the sun was beginning to rise. She sat up and got out of bed. Her body was drained, and she was emotionally exhausted. She saw the makeshift fence out of the window and Glenn was patrolling it.

They were hitting luck at the moment, because there had only been a few walkers passing through, which meant they could relax for a while. Violet walked out of their bedroom in Daryl's shirt. It came to her knees and she began to roll up the sleeves. She made her way down the stairs and walked into the kitchen.

"Are you okay?" Beth ran over and hugged her tightly.

"Yes, I'm fine now," She smiled at her and Beth handed her some water.

"Here drink up it will make you feel better," She returned to the pot of food over the fire, and she used the ladle to pour some of the soup into the bowl. She placed it down on the table and Violet sat down, and Beth sat opposite her.

"Thank you," Violet began to eat the food and Beth watched her closely.

"You can talk to me you know. I don't bite," She said.

"I know," Violet muttered. "I've just had a lot on my mind."

"Thank you."

"For?"

"Pretending like you didn't see anything between Rick and I," She explained and Violet sighed. "I don't know what's going on…I'm not used to being in a situation like this, it's scary."

"Does Rick like you?" Beth nodded her head. "Has he told you this?"

"Yes. It's hard to explain Violet. I wanna' tell you, but it's hard when you're not sure yourself," She admitted, and Violet nodded in understanding. "We've drifted apart…I miss you."

"Beth, I'm always here. I think we both just have a lot going on, but I've still got your back and I know I can still talk to you," She explained and Beth smiled.

"Yes, there is a lot going on right now," She whispered. "When I find this Rufus, I'm gonna' kick his ass."

Violet laughed and Beth got to her feet and left. Violet finished up her food and drank all the water. She walked back out into the lobby and made her way upstairs, then into the bedroom. Daryl was sat up against the headboard and he looked over when she entered.

"Morning," She wandered over and climbed into bed. She snuggled up to his side and he began to stroke her hair.

"Have you eaten?" He asked and she nodded her head. "Good."

"What are we gonna' do?" She whispered, and he sighed.

"Nothin', there's nothin' we can do," He said. "We're just gonna' have to deal with it."

"Is this what you want?" She sat up straight and looked at him. "Daryl, we haven't even had a conversation about what you want to call us, let alone me being pregnant."

"I know," He grumbled.

"I-I thought you'd be freaking out," She admitted.

"So did I, but you're going through way too much baby girl and I don't wanna' upset you more," He chewed on the side of his thumb and she reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling it away from his mouth. "I…I ain't going anywhere Violet."

She breathed out a small laugh, and she brushed his hair away from his eyes. "I love you."

Violet's mouth slammed shut. Why did I just say that! Daryl abruptly got to his feet, and he left the room. She stared at the open doorway, then let out a squeal, burying her face into the pillow.

…

Oscar was sat on her lap whilst she played the piano. He had his hands latched onto her wrists, so whenever she moved to press a key, he would move with her making him giggle. She kissed his head, and began to play a faster tune.

Frank walked in and ushered Oscar out of the room. She looked at him with a confused expression and he sat down next to her.

"I think there's something you need to tell me," He said.

"I…I don't know what you are on about," She tried to play it off cool, but he gave her his best disappointed father look. "H-How did you know?"

"Daryl was talking with Rick about it," He explained. "Then he stormed out of the motel."

"Oh," She sighed, rubbing her eyes. "He walked away Frank…I told him I loved him and he walked off."

"Well, he's a fuckin' idiot."

"Yes he is," She whispered, then she looked at him. "But, I still love him."

"I'm not doubting how you feel for him sweetheart, but you're pregnant and you don't need this stress…how could you be so stupid," He grumbled and she got off the bench.

"It was an accident!" She exclaimed, and she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I never planned for this to happen, but I can't do anything about it. We're just going to have to accept that this is happening, and if he doesn't want to be around me, then he doesn't want to be around me!"

"Alright, okay, calm down Violet," Frank walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Give him a chance to come to his senses. He's probably just as stressed out as you are."

"But, I'm the one carrying the child. I'm the one that's got to give birth with the risk of dying. Then I've got to protect the child with my life, because I'll be bringing it up in a damn zombie apocalypse!" She cried, and Frank pulled her into his arms. She buried her face into his chest, and he kissed the top of her head.

"Violet, I'm always going to be here. I ain't going anywhere," He whispered.

"I know," She croaked through her sob. "I'm just feeling…"

"Hormonal," He suggested and she laughed.

"I guess," She brought her head away from his chest and smiled up at him. He stroked her hair, then kissed her forehead. "This is just happening so fast."

"I know," He flashed her a smile and she returned to hugging him.

"Can I come back in now?" Oscar whined from the other side of the door.

"Yes," Violet laughed and he ran in and into her arms. They all made their way over to the couch and sat down. Violet tucked herself into Frank's side and rested her head on his shoulder. Oscar was wedged between them, smiling from ear to ear.

They stayed that way for an hour just talking about normal things.