Chapter 20

I woke up in Daryl's arms and a huge smile spread across my face. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes again. Daryl woke up and placed a small kiss on my temple. I looked up and kissed his lips. He put his hand on the back of my hand. As we separated I smiled again.

"You ready to get up and walk today?" I asked.

"Or we could just stay here." He said.

I laughed and kissed him again before getting up and getting dressed. He got dressed as well and we walked outside into the early morning. We sat down with the others to eat. As we ate Glenn stood up and looked at us.

"Everyone…..the barn is full of walkers." He said.

I dropped my plate and slowly turned and looked at the barn.

"Damn it." I hissed.

We all walked over to the barn and Shane walked up to the door. The walkers inside started to bang against the door. Shane jumped back and looked at Rick angrily.

"Okay you can't tell me you're alright with this!"

"This isn't our land! There is nothing we can do." Rick said.

"What's going on?"

I turned and saw Anthony and Brandon coming.

"This here barn is full of walkers!" Shane snapped.

Brandon remained calm and Anthony's eyes widened.

"This isn't our decision." Rick said.

"I think it's time we moved on. Now we've been talking about Fort Benning for a long time." Shane said.

"We cannot leave!" I said.

Shane looked at me with frustration.

"Why the hell not?!"

"It is safe here! Hershel is our host and has taken care of us! He must have a good reason for this!" I said.

"Well then I'll talk to Hershel." Rick said.

"Hershel says those things in there are people! Sick people! His wife and step-son are in there." Dale said.

Shane rounded on him.

"You knew about this?!"

"Yesterday I talked to Hershel."

"And you didn't say anything?!"

"I thought we could survive one more night and we did! That barn is secure!" Dale said.

Shane turned around and kicked a rock at the barn. He looked at me.

"You want them in there with Daryl still injured!? What happens if they get out? What happens when they kill him!?"

The thought of Daryl dying cut my heart. I backed away shaking my head. Daryl glared at Shane.

"Ye leave her outta this!" He warned.

"Or what!? She knows I'm right! I'm telling her how it is!" Shane snapped back.

"Ye ain't got no right to upset her like that! That is my woman and I ain't gonna let some dipshit like you get her upset!" Daryl snarled.

"What do you know!? You don't have feelings!" Shane said.

I looked up angrily.

"Do NOT speak to him in that way Shane." I said.

Everyone looked at me.

"I'm only trying…."

"I care not what is it you are trying to do! Rick is the leader of this group and he is right! This is Hershel's land! Let him talk to him! In the mean time the barn is secure and we have all been safe! Daryl can take care of himself and he has me! I am his! And I will not tolerate anyone speaking to him in such a manner!" I snarled.

Shane looked a little surprised but quickly recovered and glared at me.

"I thought you were different Prue." He said.

That hit me hard. Shane was my friend. Now Brandon stepped forward.

"She is different. She helped Anthony and I. She led us back here. I stand with her and Rick." He said.

I looked at him and smiled gratefully. He winked and I bowed. Daryl nodded his approval and he wrapped an arm around my waist. I looked over at Andrea. She was looking at Shane. There was something between them, that much was clear. However it concerned me…..not for Shane but for Andrea. I looked away and Rick spoke.

"I'll talk with Hershel. I hope I make myself clear when I say the barn is not to be touched." Rick said.

I nodded and Shane walked off angrily. I sighed and Glenn looked over at the house. Maggie looked at him and then walked inside. He ran his hand over his face and then walked towards the house. I looked at Daryl.

"Come on. I do not wish to linger by the barn any longer." I said.

He nodded and we walked away. T-dog and Brandon came up to talk with him and I walked over to Anthony. He was talking with Carol, Carl, and Sophia. I smiled when I saw he was good with the kids.

"Hey Prue! Anthony knows how to use a bow too!" Carl said.

I smiled.

"Really? Well that's good. This way we won't have to use guns so much." I said.

Carol smiled and put an arm around her daughter.

"And the addition of Anthony and Wayne makes our group stronger. Now we're safer."

I nodded and then Carol looked at me. I raised and eyebrow.

"Anthony would you mind watching Carl and Sophia? I need to talk with Prue." Carol said.

"Sure thing. Come on guys." He said.

They walked off and I looked at Carol.

"Is everything alright?" I asked.

"Shane makes me a little nervous." She said softly.

I looked down. He was making all of us nervous.

"I know. But he is a good man. I do not believe he would do anything to put us in danger. He is only trying to protect us." I said.

Even as I spoke the words the doubt was still in my mind. I looked back up at Carol.

"The way he acted in front of the barn…how he snapped at you…you're his closest friend next to Rick. He has never done that to you." She said.

I was trying to think of a way to defend Shane, however I could not. I bit my lip and shook my head.

"He fears for our safety. I understand. We knew not there were walkers in there. We know not how many." I said.

"I know you're trying to protect him Prue. But I don't think he deserves it." She said.

I looked at her again. She was looking at Carl, Sophia and Anthony. I looked towards them. There was nothing else to say about Shane.

"I won't let anything happen to her. Or Carl. Those two and Daryl are my first priority." I said.

With those words I walked off towards the house where I heard Rick talking with Hershel.

"You don't know what it's like out there.!" Rick said.

I turned away and looked out towards the chicken coop. I watched Maggie put an egg in Glenn's hat and then smash it on his heads. My jaw dropped and I held back laughter. She walked away and up to me.

"Hey Prue." She said.

"Maggie wait!"

She turned and looked at me.

"Look I know you are royally pissed off right now…..but Rick won't let anything happen to those wal…..I mean to the people in the barn." I said.

"You don't get it. I asked Glenn to keep a secret and he didn't. Not only am I pissed but so is my dad. I'm not mad at you, but I really don't wanna talk about this." She said.

"Alright….I understand. But I think Glenn did this for you." I said.

She looked at me one more time before walking away. I walked over to Glenn and smiled a bit.

"Lady problems?" I asked.

"You don't say?" He said.

I laughed and took his hat.

"I shall wash this up for you however…..I believe you should give her some space for a while. I do not think we need to waste anymore eggs." I said.

He smiled and laughed a little. I went to the well and got some water and dunked the hat in. I used some soap so the smell would be gone and then brought it back to Glenn. He smiled and thanked me and then I found that Rick was taking the group for target practice.

"Prue maybe you could come and teach archery or something?" Rick suggested.

I looked at Daryl.

"Go on and make sure these morons learn a thing or two." He said.

I smiled and walked up an kissed him. When I pulled away I grabbed my weapons and then walked off with the others.