Hi guys, thank you so much for your awesome reviews/faves/follows. It really does help me to continue writing this story. Had to do a little time jump to keep the story moving, nothing too drastic. As you've noticed (and I know some of you are aren't happy about) this story isn't all about smutty Daryl goodness. I know, I know, I love that stuff as much as the next woman, but I really wanted to tell a story with smatterings of smut in it. I do hope you all will stick with me to see what happens!

As always, leave me a happy note in the box on your way out!

On with the show!

There was a lot going on today, between cleaning out the Miller's place, Beth getting her ass tore by me, Daryl's group moving into the barn and the promising signs from my parents, things were about even keel. The comforting smell of the stable surrounded me, the soft nickering of Mira and Zip made me smile. My body went onto auto pilot doing the night chores. I had a feeling once Daryl's group fully moved into the barn; this would be my place to be alone. I never really liked being around people much; something I could tell I got from Daryl. I feel like I'm more him than I am mom, if that's even possible seeing how I don't even really know him. I can talk to him easier than mom, and he gets me. I know that sounds totally crazy, but it's the only way I can explain it. My folks need each other, as much as they don't think they do, or will even admit to. I'll never understand those two, not even gonna try.

Hefting the water bucket to fill the trough with, I heard someone speaking softly in the stable. I followed the sound of the voice, creeping around the side of the barn. I'm sure whoever was in the stable talking heard the water sloshing in the bucket as I carried it, not that I really cared. The way the person was talking, and to who (or what) they were talking to, it sounded like they just needed a moment to them self. Coming around through the alley, I spied Daryl barefoot in jeans; his head leaned against Zip's broad forehead. Daryl's hands gently rubbed Zip's neck, the horse clearly enjoying the attention as he gently nudged back at Daryl.

"You doing alright baby girl? Ya haven't said much since what happened at the Miller's." Daryl's soft voice cut through the quiet night; startling me. I grimaced at the cold water soaking my shirt; I guess I'm more jumpy than usual these days.

I dumped the water into Mira's trough before I snapped on her lead line to take her out into the pasture to run for the night. I heard Zip's lead line snap on, then the soft thunder of his hooves following me. Daryl was good at taking hints without me asking him to help. Daryl came to stand next to me at the rail of the pasture, watching the horses run after we turned them out.

"Allie, come on girl, you ain't said two words to me since Miller's. I can tell something's up." Daryl prodded me gently; he wasn't trying to push too hard. Anger trickled into my veins, heating up my face. I glanced sideways at Daryl, seeing concern painting his features.

"I didn't like seeing that girl all over you. It just pissed me off. No one my age should be all over you like that. Especially after seeing you and Mom doing okay now." The words were laced with my anger, carving what felt like the Grand Canyon between Daryl and I.

Daryl sighed, taking hold of my chin, making my eyes meet his. His tone was stern, not angry, if a bit exhausted.

"Allie, honey, I've been with that girl for over a year now. I watched her deal with her home getting over run, burnt to the ground. Her boyfriend got ate alive by walkers; her mom got turned and was shot and killed. Her Daddy lost his leg, then got taken down by walkers. The baby she cared for as her own died in her arms. She's lost a lot of people she loved this last year. I know it ain't any excuse for what she did, but know I wasn't ever interested in her like that."

I saw nothing but truth in Daryl's eyes; lying to me would have been the worst thing he could have done. I rubbed my temples against the stress headache I could feel coming on, eyeballing Daryl carefully as words formed in my mind.

"Guess you and Mom are okay then?" I tempted trouble asking that question, I knew I did and I didn't care.

Daryl narrowed his eyes at me, "Yeah, we're good. What makes you think that?"

I felt my mischievous grin coming on, "Cause I heard you and her all the way out here. She's never been quiet and the window was open!" I saw Daryl's face flush pink with embarrassment before I took off running for the house.

"Damn it girl, get your ass back here!" Daryl hollered, laying chase after me. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically all the way to the back porch. Yeah, things were going good, and it felt great.

A month later...

Glenn walked across the yard towards the house; he was worried for Maggie since she had been running a fever lately. He needed to ask Natalie a favor; he needed Natalie to evaluate Maggie. He figured it would be ok to ask since he brought a stack of framed pictures from the McCaffrey farm of Allie and Mike together for Allie. It would settle Glenn's nerves to know it was just a cold and not something that could be fatal. Natalie was hanging clothes out on the line to dry, humming to herself.

"Uh Natalie, can I talk to you for a minute?" Glenn swallowed as he stood on the opposite side of the sheet hanging between them, bouncing on the balls of his feet with nervous energy.

Natalie clipped the towel in her hands onto the line, throwing the next towel over the line. "Sure Glenn, what can I do for you?"

Glenn quickly explained what was troubling him concerning Maggie. Natalie agreed to see Maggie after dinner that night in the clinic. Glenn thanked Natalie, beaming as he walked towards the barn.

Daryl watched the entire interaction from the kitchen window, drinking deep from the coffee mug in his hand. Whatever his woman agreed to made Glenn happy, Daryl was sure he would find out later what it was. Over the last few weeks since coming to the farm, Natalie had opened herself up completely to Daryl in the darkness of their bedroom. Nothing was a secret anymore, even though Daryl did nothing but listen most of the time. Daryl slugged down the last of his coffee, heading out for the clothesline.

Natalie jumped; dropping the wet pair of jeans in her hands to the ground as a hand came around her waist, lips falling on her neck. "Jesus you scared me!"

Daryl's lips inched their way up to Natalie's earlobe, gently sucking on the tender flesh with a chuckle escaping his throat. "Babydoll, you should be more aware of your surroundings."

Natalie turned in Daryl's grip, pressing her lips to his; laying her hand on his jaw. The kiss was tender in greeting; Natalie was never much for public displays of affection.

"Mmhh, you should know better than to sneak up on me. Not that you molesting me makes up for it." Natalie felt Daryl grin against her lips, slowly pulling away.

"You seen Allie anywhere this morning?" Daryl knew that girl of his could be anywhere; if he had to guess she was probably out hunting. Meat was getting low with the groups coming together as one large body.

"Last I saw her this morning she was heading out with Kyle to go scavenge or hunt near the McCaffrey's. Why?" Natalie studied Daryl's face, seeing the worry flash across him as he broke free from her hands.

Daryl turned sprinting for the Jeep, with Natalie hot on his heels. Daryl didn't like the thought of his little girl out there with the Greene kid, sure Allie could defend herself, but Kyle wouldn't be able to protect her if shit really hit the fan. Daryl hoped he and Natalie could find them before the worst happened.