Daryl was restless. He kept pacing the room, even after Merle told him off for it. He didn't care. All he cared about was Harleigh getting better. If it hadn't been for Merle's loud mouth, none of them would be in this situation to begin with.

A loud knocking stopped him mid-stride. He froze, his crossbow in his hand a moment later.

"Don't shot!" a familiar female voice came. Merle and Daryl exchanged a look as a very tired, very unlikely guest opened the door. Michonne stepped in, followed by Riley, who was wheezing heavily.

"He can't be alive," Merle muttered in amazement, eyeing the dog carefully. "We saw him get killed."

"Obviously not," Michonne shrugged. Her eyes fell on Harleigh who was still out cold. "What the hell happened?"

"Damn dog o'er there decided to play hero," Merle spat, ending his explanation with a rainbow of choice words. "Damn near killed her when she collided with the van."

"Why's she still out? Head injury?" she asked before her eyes caught sight of the blood on the couch. "Was she…?"

"She wasn't bit," Daryl assured her. "She reopened an old wound, it got infected," he continued, looking at Harleigh's sleeping form. "Had to uh…cut the infection out."

"She's been like this for how long?" she asked, moving to inspect Harleigh. Daryl stepped aside but hovered protectively near her side.

"Almost a day and a half," he said softly.

"That long?" Michonne looked at him in shock. "Damnit Daryl, ya shoulda brought her back to the prison."

"How?" Merle asked sarcastically. "Van won't start and she sure as hell can't sit upright or hold on. Bike's totaled anyhow."

"Harleigh?" Michonne called softly, ignoring the older Dixon. "Leigh, you have to wake up." She ran her hand across Harleigh's cheek, shocked by how warm she was.

"She's burnin' up," she mused.

"Again?" Daryl asked, his voice hitching. His eyes were wide. Merle caught the look, his heart sinking. So his baby brother had a thing for the hardass Harleigh after all.

"I'm gon' go back and get help," Merle said suddenly, surprising both Michonne and Daryl.

"Ain't such a good idea," Michonne argued. "You're not exactly welcomed there. Neither is she," she sighed, throwing a look at Harleigh. "Where'd the kid?"

Both men were on their feet without another word. "She was supposed to wait in the kitchen!" Merle groaned, surveying the empty room.

"Where's Blade?" Daryl asked, looking for the large dog. Both brothers met up at the front door, clearly at a loss.

"You didn't see her when you came in?" Daryl asked Michonne, who looked at them with a worried look.

"No, but I know if Harleigh wakes up and that lil' girl is missing, you're both as good as dead," she said carefully. "That lil' girl is all she's got to fight for these days."

"I'm right here," came the sound of a little girl's pleased voice. Both brothers turned quickly, nearly tripping one another to reach the little girl who had just materialized out of thin air.

"Where the hell did you go?" Merle spat, sinking down to his knees so he could look at her. Blade stood heroically at her side.

"Back to the van," she said proudly. "Mommy needs meds," she said almost as if she were far older than just a few weeks shy of 4. She patted Blade's head. Attached to his back was a huge first aid kit.

"Holy shit," Daryl breathed, kneeling beside the dog. He pulled the pack free, his eyes widening when he saw what was inside.

"Mommy leaves a note in the bag," she informed him. Sure enough, there was a simple, easy to follow note.

Emergency Kit

Someone better be dying if you're using this shit, got it?

Alana's O- not that it makes much a difference. I am too. Don't fuck that one up, okay? We're the universal donors. So don't go stickin' us with the wrong blood, okay?

Alana's allergic to peanuts, strawberries and bee stings. If she goes into anaphylactic shock, (if her throat swells due to an allergic reaction) there's a kit full of epi pens in the bottom of the bag.

If I'm out for the count for whatever reason, remember, I'm allergic to penicillin. DO NOT mix up the IVs. I don't wanna die due to someone else's mistake. Use cephalosporin instead. I've got about three eight rigs with it left. Use only if you honestly think it'll save me or someone else.

Too many big words for ya? Use the little pen with the needle in it if Alana's throat closes. Got it? Don't you dare stick me with anything that has a "cillin" attached to it. Unless ya plan to kill me. Opt for the "rin" endin' one instead. Oh, stop reading this like it's the craziest not ever ya fool. C'mon, times a wasting.

Daryl smiled in spite of himself. He knew the note was recent. She must have tucked it in the bag while packing, in the event something was to happen. He quickly shuffled through the bag, his eyes scanning the labels for what he needed, while Michonne quickly wiped down Harleigh's arm.

"Thank god this woman plans ahead," she mused as she brushed her hand over Harleigh's forehead. "She's smart."

"So's her kid," Merle muttered. "How'd you go off by your lonesome anyhow?"

"Mommy taught me how to follow tracks," she shrugged. The little girl looked up at the older man with a proud look. "Said I might need ta know one day."

"Your mom's a smart lady," Merle said at the same time Daryl said "Thank god." He pulled free the IV rig, thankful that Harleigh had thought ahead and had the antibiotics already mixed in the bag. He handed it to Michonne who quickly hooked it up, hanging the bag on the old hat rack.

Then they waited. There was nothing else they could do. Alana seemed tired, so Merle settled down on the floor, letting the little girl curl up in his lap, her head resting comfortably on his chest. Blade made himself comfortable on the floor at their feet, his eyes never leaving the little girl, who seemed so much older than she really was.

Michonne retired to the armchair, her katana sitting across her lap. Her eyes focused on the door, her stance ready for anything.

It was Daryl who was restless. He paced back and forth, his eyes never leaving Harleigh's body. He wanted to curse himself for letting her get this sick. He blamed himself for the little girl running off by herself. What if she'd been killed? How could he live with knowing it was because they were too busy tending to her mother?

Stop it, Daryl, the voice in the back of his head commanded. Right now, Harleigh needed him to be strong. For her, for her daughter, and most of all, for himself.

"I can't believe you let her leave!" Carl said defensively, glaring at his father.

"What did you want me to do?" Rick shouted. He was sick and tired of his son's outbursts.

"You could have made her stay! You could have made them all stay!" he growled.

"Enough, Carl," Hershel said quickly, attempting to end the argument that had been going on since the group left the prison. "Enough." Carl stomped off, his hands balled into fists. He was pissed.

Maggie was rocking Judith, her eyes full of anger. She was hoping the little girl could calm her down, but she didn't, instead, she fueled the fire even more. Daryl had cared so much about this little baby, and now he'd never see her grow all. All because Rick was too goddamned stubborn to open his eyes.

Glenn knew Maggie was upset, but he didn't know what to say to her. He was right there along with the rest rallying for Rick to send Merle on his way. He found himself questioning his judgment. Maybe having Merle around wouldn't have been such a bad thing.

It was Carol who noticed the oncoming danger. A large herd was making its way to the fence, clearly attracted by something. She ran back into the prison, screaming for the others, but it was no use. Before she even reached the cell block, the first of the shots rang out.

A/n - Oh, shit's about to hit the fan now! I realize Alana speaks a little too clearly for a three year old, but keep in mind, this is being told from a first/third person point of view, therefore, if, say, this was a movie, obviously her words would be a bit more jumbled. But since it's not, it's more like this is what her words are translating to. Also, she's bright for such a young girl. Remember, Carl was super young when TWD started, and he was far past his years in everything but that.

Anywhoooo. Another update for you lovely people. Let me know what you think!