Lori came out of the house at daybreak, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. She looked crestfallen as if she'd hoped that Rick would have appeared miraculously and waited for her out here. Daryl, still pacing, felt sorry for her. He'd tried to avoid Lori during the last three months, feeling guilty and confused. She had just begun to show, and every time Daryl noticed the growing bump he felt both better about him and Rick, and worse.
Better because at least he knew that Rick needed and deserved the distraction, the support, he got from Daryl. Worse because he didn't want to make Lori any more unhappy. It was clear to them all that she was suffering, genuinely regretting what had happened.
"Anything?" she asked now. Daryl shook his head.
Making up his mind about what he'd been brooding over all night he looked at Lori. He still hardly ever looked any of them directly in the eye, and he could see the surprise registering on Lori's face.
"I'll go lookin' for them. Jus' waited til one of y' was up." She started to protest, but he cut her off. "Tell Hershel, but not righ'way."
Lori hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, Daryl. I appreciate it."
Daryl didn't reply. He didn't mean to lie to her, but he didn't know what to say, either. He wasn't doing it for her at all. He was doing it for himself, and for Rick.