A/N: I hope to get another update out tmrw for Valentine's Day. Leave me a couple comments on what you think of the story so far. Thank you for all those who read and review my story, I am very thankful. Enjoy!

-Ten-

The door dinged as they entered the abandoned diner. Daryl crept in front, his crossbow aimed and ready. After it was swept and cleared, Daryl motioned for Lake to lower her gun.

"We got food!" Merle shouted from the kitchen. His head pooped up in the serving window, two large cans in his hands. "We have," His head shifted from one can to the other. "Pork n Beans and corn." His head disappeared from view again as Daryl rummaged through the things behind the counter.

"Knife." He held up a large serrated kitchen knife. Lake sat in a booth by the window before pulling off her right boot.

She sucked air through her teeth at the large blister that was forming due to her ankles swelling.

"What?" Daryl asked as his head turned about; alert.

"My heel is torn up." Lake gritted out as she touched the area around her wound.

Daryl's boots beat against the tiled floor as he made his way to her. He whistled low when he saw her heel.

"Why didn't ya say nothin'?" He crouched and took her foot in his hand.

"It wasn't that bad-" Lake winced. "Until now."

"Merle!" Merle's head popped up again.

"Huh?" He asked.

"Anything we could use as disinfectant back there?" Daryl's voice was calm and strong. Lake always loved his voice.

Things began clanging and clattering in the kitchen before Merle kicked open the swinging door and walked out. He tossed Daryl a small box.

"Is it our lucky day or sumthin'?" Daryl asked as he moved his hands to reveal a 'First Aid' sticker on the front of the box.

"Dayyum girl," Merle leaned on the back of the booth. "Want ta lose yer foot?" Lake shot him a glare which only made him laugh.

After the wound was clean, Daryl wrapped her foot and tied the gauze off. Squeezing her calf, he gave her a knowing look, "We need to keep it clean." He stood and rubbed his neck. "Keep yer shoe off until we leave."

"Uncle Merle is gonna get you some grub." Merle walked back into the kitchen and returned with cans. Dropping them down on the table he grinned, "Pick." He told her.

Lake looked over each can and decided on corn, it being the only thing that didn't make her instantly nauseous.

"Good choice." Merle was in a pleasant mood given what happened at the beach but Lake wasn't about to complain.

Daryl walked up with a can opener, "Didn't know how much I'd miss shit like this until now." He grabbed Lake's can and began opening it. Just something as miniscule as a can opener made life easier and saved them from any potential injury they might obtain doing what it could.

Lake looked down into the can when Daryl handed it back to her. The smell of corn made her stomach queasy but she tilted her head back and let the vegetable slide into her mouth. Daryl dug into the Pork n Beans while Merle sat next to him eating what looked like the same.

When they finished, they gathered whatever cans were left and piled into the truck. "Get the knives and shit?" Merle asked as they pulled out of the parking lot.

"Yeah, I got what would be useful." Daryl answered. They drove for miles until they entered into Alabama.

"I always wanted to travel," Lake told them. "I just didn't think it would have been after the world basically ended."

"Beggars can't be choosers." Merle reclined his seat.

Lake began fumbling with the truck's radio system. She pressed eject on the CD player and was surprised when a CD popped out. She narrowed her eyes at Daryl, "I thought you said you didn't find anything in the CD player." She accused as she read the title of the CD. "Ha!" She laughed as Daryl groaned. "Celine Dion! This truck owner had taste." Lake inserted the CD and pressed play.

"Lake," Daryl started. "Walkers are bad enough. I can't listen to Celine Dion for hours on end." He glanced in her direction. "Ya want me to keep my balls?"

"The whispers in the morning, of lovers sleeping tiggght." Daryl groaned as Lake sang along with the first song. "Are rolling like thunder now…as I look in your eyes." Lake leaned forward to make eye contact with Daryl. The corner of his mouth twitched in amusement but he shifted away from her.

The truck rumbled down the road as Lake turned up the volume. "'Cause I am your lady!" She shouted making Daryl laugh. "And yooou are my man ."

"Damn girl, who need weapons." Merle shifted awake in his seat. "Yer gonna take care of our geek problem with that voice alone." Lake smacked him playfully as the truck slowed.

"Turn it down." Daryl's voice was lethal. Lake obeyed before sinking lower into her seat. Ahead, two men walked out of the woods and stood in the road guns pointed at them.

"Fuck." Merle whispered. Looking over to Daryl, "Run 'em down." He instructed.

"I can't." Daryl's voice was soft. He looked to Lake before turning his attention to his brother.

"Run 'em down Daryl." Merle pressed. "It'll be better than anythin' they'd do to 'er." Lake's heart pounded as she realized what Merle was implying.

Grabbing Daryl's arm, Lake squeezed. "Run them over." She turned to see the men still in the road. "If they don't mean harm they'll move." She was ashamed of what she asked but she had to think of her unborn child now. She doubted it would survive a brutal rape if that's what this came to.

The truck revved as Daryl pressed the gas. Lake watched the men look at one another before opening fire. A bullet crashed through the windshield and hit the seat a few inches from Lake's head.

"Get down!" Daryl shouted as he pushed her head into her lap. "Merle!" Lake turned slightly to see Merle steady a gun out the window and open fire. A scream came from outside and Daryl cheered Merle on. "Ya got 'em, now the-"

A loud explosion sounded at the side of the truck causing it to swerve. "Shit." Merle shouted. "Tire's out!"

Daryl cursed colorfully as he fought to keep control of the truck. Merle dropped into his seat and grabbed Lake just as the vehicle tilted on two wheels.

Lake met Daryl's horrified blue gaze just before everything went black.

Lake's vision faded in and out as she heard ringing. She was moving. Her eyes focused up on Merle dragging her from the truck cab. He had a huge bleeding gash on his forehead and his mouth was moving.

Lake tilted her head as her hearing began to clear. "Atta girl, yer okay." Merle encouraged as he pulled her back onto him. Wrapping his arms around her, he told her over and over that she was okay.

A moan came from her lips as she turned to look for Daryl. Merle turned her head up toward his face as he shook his head. "D…daryl." Her throat burned as the words left her mouth.

Merle continued to shake his head, "He's fine." He assured. "He's taking care of somethin'; he'll be here soon."

That was when Lake heard it. The screaming. She struggled against Merle's hold until she was able to make out two figures in the road. Daryl was on top of a man hitting him over and over. The thudding noise continued until the man's screams were replaced with shallow gurgling. Even then, Daryl continued to hit him. Lake turned her head away from the brutality reasoning that Daryl was doing what he had to to keep them safe.

The wind sent the trees waving as a bird flew overhead. Lake watched a squirrel climb across a power line as everything fell gravely silent.

Merle helped Lake sit up just as Daryl approached. He walked with a heavy limp and the entire front of his body was covered in blood. Lake avoided looking at him until she heard a choked sob. Jerking her head up, she frowned as Daryl dropped to his knees before her. Yanking her into his arms, Daryl cried.

She stroked his matted hair, "It's okay. I'm okay." Daryl squeezed her so tight she struggled to breath.

A hand told Daryl to pull back and he obeyed allowing Lake the air she needed. Merle stood over his brother and nodded before heading over to where the bodies lied. Lake refused to look as Merle stabbed each carcass in the skull ending even their un dead life.

She held Daryl until he quieted. "Are you hurt?" She asked.

Daryl didn't answer for a long time, "Do you think ya lost the baby?" The sadness in his voice was heartbreaking. Lake knew there was a good chance she lost their child and she couldn't bear to lie to Daryl; not after all they'd been through.

"I don't know." She started. Daryl placed a bloodied hand to her stomach as if he could feel the child this early. Lake lifted his chin so that he looked her in the eyes. "I don't feel different. I'm not hurt so there's still hope."

A single tear streaked its path down Daryl's cheek. "I'm sorry." He told her but Lake shook her head.

"Don't you say you're sorry. You did nothing wrong, you were trying to keep us safe. If we lost our baby, we will survive the heartache. That's what we do, we survive and there isn't anyone I know that's better at surviving then you Daryl Dixon."

Daryl kissed her roughly on the lips. "I've never had anyone like you before." He looked down as if embarrassed. "I love you."

Lake smiled at the courage it took him to say what she already knew he felt. Cupping his face, she kissed him slowly.

"I love you too you dirty redneck."

Lake sat quietly with her feet in the lake. They had been walking most of the day and by chance ran across a small lake. Daryl emerged from the water, his hair slicked back. He glanced over at her sitting on a large rock before swimming over.

"You coming in?" He asked as he grabbed her injured foot and inspected the wound.

Lake looked over her shoulder to where Merle sat on a log, his back to them. "I don't know. What if Merle-"

"Merle isn't comin' over here. I made him uncomfortable back at the road so he is in deep thinkin' mode."

Lake smiled softly, "Merle? Deep thinking?" Water beaded down Daryl's face as he smirked at her sarcastic question.

"Come in with me." He backstroked through the water his eyes never leaving hers. Lake stood and pulled her shirt over her head before shyly looking over at Merle again.

Daryl splashed at her, "He can't see ya but ya better hurry before he does." Lake quickly shimmied out of her jeans before jumping into the warm water.

"Wow." She sighed as Daryl swam up and wrapped his arms around her.

"Wow is right." His voice husky and his eyes on her. Lake pushed him away and swam away with a laugh. Daryl growled. "Ya know how I like to track, woman." A mischievous glint in his eyes.

Lake stopped and stuck her tongue out at him before swimming closer to the rocks. She was almost there when a hand snaked around her calf. She giggled when Daryl pooped up and pressed her back against the rock's surface.

"I'm damn good at trackin'." He spoke against her lips. "'specially if it's somthin' I want." He deepened their kiss as his hand slid her bra strap from her shoulder. He kissed the skin he exposed until his mouth was on her breasts.

Lake moaned at the sensitivity as Daryl pulled off her underwear. He threw them over his head and they plopped into the water disappearing below the surface.

"I don't have an abundant supply of underwear Daryl." Lake scolded as she turned her neck into his kisses.

"Good." He muttered against her skin. He pushed deep inside her causing Lake to dig her nails into his back. They moved together giving into their bodies lust until, unable to hold off any longer, allowed themselves sweet release.

Lake panted as Daryl licked the water from her neck and chin. A rustling near their head made them freeze.

Merle walked out from around the rocks, oblivious to the naked pair until he spotted them.

"Shit!" He swung around as Daryl positioned himself in front of Lake as she shrieked.

"Get the hell away!" Daryl shouted but his huge smile sent Lake's mood venomous.

Merle's laughter was so loud, she couldn't help but turn red. "I ain't lookin' no more." Daryl turned. "Damn, you two are like rabbits." Lake threw a humiliated hand over her face as she watched Daryl swim to her clothes.

He stood above her and held a hand down to pull her up. Lake looked to Merle, "Don't you turn around Merle Dixon or I swear I'll kill you."

Merle waved his hand dismissively as Lake was pulled up onto the rock. Grabbing her clothes, she pulled them on and crossed her arms over her chest. Looking out into the water, she saw her bra floating nearby.

Daryl had just pulled on his briefs when Lake pointed, "Oh no, go get my bra since you think this is all so funny." Daryl followed in the direction of her finger before laughing.

"Alright." He pulled off his underwear and jumped into the water.

"Showoff!" Lake shouted after him.

Merle was now watching from the shore and hooted with laughter when Daryl waved her bra in the air. "Those bitches sure do float." He choked between laughs. "If we need a boat we know where ta find one."

Lake flicked them both off as her cheeks went aflame. She walked around the rock when Daryl handed her bra back and quickly pulled it on. He was already pulling on his shirt when she came back into view.

"You're in trouble." She stated. "I told you he'd come back!"

Daryl held up his hands as Merle cut in, "Ain't got nothin' I ain't seen 'fore." Lake narrowed her eyes at him.

"We were done, he didn't see nothin'." Daryl frowned at Lake's shocked face. "I mean…I-"

Merle handed Daryl his crossbow before taking the lead, "I'd stop diggin' that hole baby brother." He laughed at Daryl's defeated face.

Lake shook her head and followed after Merle leaving Daryl to his own devices. After a couple kisses and some much needed begging, Lake and Daryl walked through the woods hand in hand.

He talked of the time he got lost out in the woods and ended up with poison ivy to the ass. Lake laughed but Merle remained quiet; his mind elsewhere.

They broke through a clearing and stopped when a town stood ahead.

"Melbrook." Lake read the sign. "I don't know how I feel about towns after Woodbury."

Merle glanced over his shoulder before looking back. "We need ta stop. We should check it out and stay the night if it's empty."

Daryl agreed. "I need'ta stitch that up." Merle's gash was beginning to bleed through the strip of fabric they tied around his head. Daryl squeezed her hand, "You need ta eat too."

"Ok." She agreed.

They proceeded into town with the hopes of not running into any trouble. Hopes have a way of letting people down.