Noel already had too much on her mind when Glenn announced to camp that there were walkers in the barn. The entire day seemed to be a blur. She spent most of it alternating watches between the RV and the barn. The barn.

I thought this place was safe.

At this point everyone was on edge, unsure if they were about to be uprooted out of their safe haven. She was on her way to check on the barn when she saw Shane take off. She hadn't noticed Daryl approaching her until he stood at her side, watching with her as the mad man made his get away.

"I think he's going to kill someone else, and soon." Noel said looking at Daryl, acknowledging his presence. One of his eyebrows went up slowly.

"Someone else?" He drawled back. She nodded reading his handsome features. He had asked the question but his face told her he already knew what she was about to say.

"Otis. I think he killed Otis." The corner of Daryl's mouth twitched, it was like as if he was proud she had figured it out on her own.

"Came back wit the mans gun, girl." Noel nodded as Daryl looked around them to see if anyone was witnessing this encounter. Like a conversation was going to give them away, whatever 'they' were.

"He ain't wrong." Noel shot Daryl a look, he almost laughed. "About the walkers in the barn, girl." Noel bit back a smile. She was coming to understand that his use of the word 'girl' was like a term of endearment now. She couldn't help but enjoy every time he said it to her but she didn't want him to know; he might stop. "Gotta get rid of 'em soon. Stay away from 'im, though," he said nodding his head towards the empty space that once held Shane as he sauntered off.

Noel was late to the chaos after Shane's return. She ran up to the house watching as he and a few others made their way to the barn locked and loaded, followed by everyone else. Noel tugged on the rifle on her shoulder as she caught up with the group watching the turmoil unfold before her eyes.

It wasn't until the first shots were fired that Noel pulled her rifle up and pointed it discreetly into the chaos, not at the walkers but at Shane, ready to take him out if he planed on taking things too far. She joined the rest of the armed survivors in front of the barn dispatching walkers as they came staggering out of the barn doors.

She didn't feel bad about this; it needed to be done. Eliminate the threat. It wasn't until Sofia's undead form came shuffling out that Noel felt the bile rise to the back of her throat. But she still held her rifle up, the shuffling girl in her crosshairs. She would have done it, had Rick not been there, even with Carol's cries echoing around them.

As the commotion dwindled, Noel couldn't help but to think of Daryl, and his devotion to finding the girl. It took her minutes to talk herself into looking at him. By that time she only saw the back of him, even so, she could tell he looked defeated. He disappeared after that and despite what she wanted, she was pretty sure he didn't want to be found.

That night, Noel found herself sitting on the steps of the house, she wanted to help, to do something, but here she was. Hershel was gone; Rick and Glenn went after him. Lori went after them and Shane went after her. She looked up to see a flustered Carol making her way towards the house.

Uh oh, Noel thought as Carol approached the house, she knew Carol wanted to talk to Daryl and judging by the look on her face, it didn't go so well. Carol looked at Noel and smiled sadly. Noel patted the empty space next to her on the steps. As Carol sat, Noel could see the tears in her eyes.

"Did he do that?" She asked quietly, referring to the tears, hoping Carol would understand. She did. Carol shrugged and spoke softly,

"He's hurting." Noel nodded, "I don't think he knows how to handle it." Noel agreed. She sighed and placed her head in her hands. She wanted to be there for him, desperately, but she didn't want to upset him further.

The last time Daryl was hurting Noel was there for him. She'd let him fuck her senseless, allowing him release all that pent up anger and all the other emotions he didn't know how to manage. She wondered if that's what he needed now, if she should let him.

"I think he needs you." Carol said with that same sad smile, as if making the decision for her. Noel nodded and stood shakily, her nerves already causing her to hands tremble. She wasn't scared though, she trusted him.

As she made her way to his remote location, Noel's features were set with determination. Her strides slowed as she approached him. Daryl. 'Hers'. Was she going to let him have his way with her if that's what he needed? She cared about him; she needed him.

Noel studied him as he sat in front of the fire, poking it when needed. His face was empty, except for his usual scowl. She didn't know how long she was standing against the tree across from him before she got the courage to speak.

"Hi," she said softly. He'd obviously heard her come up but as she spoke his head shot up to her, nonetheless. She didn't know how to take his silence. She figured she'd just cut to the chase, "Do you want me to stay?" She asked taking a step towards him.

And just like that he was standing. In two strides he was in front of her, hands gripping her arm tightly, slowly walking her back against the tree. She was shaking slightly, not in fear but in anticipation. She felt his breath against her cheek; she couldn't look at him, not yet. She wanted him to just need her here, with him, not just to use her body like she was nothing. She looked up.

She wondered what her face must have looked like, because Daryl dropped his hands almost immediately. Confusion. Hurt. Her emotions were mirrored in his face. He stepped back and she almost immediately stepped forward. She could see him trying to calm himself, uncertain how. Uncertainty. That's exactly what she read from his face.

"Daryl," He just stared at her. "What do you want?" she asked softly. More confusion. "From me? Right now." No answer. "I'll go if that's what you want." Her voice was calm and soothing but all she got back was anger.

"Fine! Go! I don't fuckin' care. Get the hell outta here!" He was yelling now. Noel signed knowing that was exactly what she wanted to avoid. It came out of nowhere.

I guess he is hurting, bad. And just like that she turned to leave. She took two steps before his drawl stopped her.

"So what? That's it. You're just gonna go?" His voice was quiet. He sounded annoyed but it took all of her control to not break into a full grin in that moment. Noel composed herself and turned.

"If that's what you want." It wasn't, she could tell. She knew the only reason he wasn't telling her he wanted her to stay was because he was stubborn. So terribly stubborn it almost made Noel laugh, which would be bad, so she just waited. He was looking at his feet, aware of the fact that she could read him like an open book.

He mumbled something that sounded like, 'you really gon' make me say it', followed by a few curses. Noel couldn't hold back the smile on her lips. It was small and sweet. She walked up to him and placed her hands on his chest. He still didn't look at her. Her hands slid up his neck and she placed them on each side of his face turning him so his eyes met hers.

She knew he was hurting but the only thing she saw was anger. No wonder he couldn't manage any emotions, they all turned to anger, frustration, and aggression.

"Daryl," she spoke softly, "Do you want me to stay?" And she waited, watching his face, giving away nothing. Then he nodded. It was one tiny nod, a slight twitch of his head, but she got it and it was a victory all the same. She pressed her lips against his gently and only now did she realize he too was shaking. She suddenly felt guilty for watching him squirm. But he felt guilty too; she could see it, for acting the way he did and wanting what he wanted.

"It's okay." Her gentle voice almost startled him, but she soothed him with her small hands on his cheeks. "You can do what you want." She said, hoping he would understand. He understood, but hesitated. He didn't know how to do this without just grabbing and taking. But he wanted it, her. He needed her, so he was going to have her.