"Last name?" Charlotte looked up briefly from the paper work.

"Dixon." She answered, giving the bored looking women a once over.

She nodded. "I'll grab the sheriff." Charlotte sighed and dropped the pen, dropping her head into her hands. "Mrs. Dixon?" she looked up to see the too familiar face of the town sheriff.

"Hey Paul." She said. He leaned against the counter, looking sympathetic, looking Charlotte right in the eye.

"You know if it was anyone else we'd charge him."

"I know."

"And you're lucky I have known that boy and his son of a bitch daddy, that's why I'm so understanding."

"Don't tell him that." She muttered. Nothing like sympathy to flat out irritate her husband.

"Something needs to be done; we have actual things to worry about."

"I know Paul, I'll talk to him." She looked over his shoulder. "Is he sober?"

"Yes, and pissed as all hell that you made him wait overnight." The sheriff smirked a little.

"Thank you, Paul." He nodded at her and walked away, returning moments later with her husband. Daryl looked like he spent the night in the alley way.

"The hell ya' making me wait for?" he asked harshly, squinting at her. He shuffled toward her and leaned against the counter, supporting his head with his hands. Charlotte hoped his hang over was terrible.

"The hell you doing at the county jail?" she snapped. "You think I want to come pick up my husband after getting smashed and getting into some fucking bar fight? The hell you get in a fight for?" Daryl shrugged and Charlotte looked to the sheriff.

"When my officers picked him up he was saying something about his 'wife's tits'."

Daryl snapped his fingers, still staring down at the floor. "That asshole Bernie said you had huge tits." He glanced up to see her giving him a deadly look. "I was defendin' yer' honor baby."

"If he didn't make a comment about my tits you would have found something else to get in a fight over. Let's go."

"What about Merle?" Daryl asked.

"I'm not his wife; someone else can come get him."

"How many times did you bust him out?" Maggie asked.

"A handful." Charlotte admitted, shaking her head. "It was everything I could do to keep away assault and drunken disorderly conduct."

She and Maggie were outside sipping on chai tea; fall was Charlottes' favorite time of the year. She loved the crisp air and how pretty the leaves were.

Maggie was grinning. "When I was in college I was with a guy who got arrested. I thought it was so exciting to go pick him up."

"It's not so exciting after the bail money starts to add up." Charlotte smirked. "At that point it gets annoying." The two laughed and Maggie peered down into her cup.

"I asked Glen to stay in my room and he said no." Charlotte raised an eyebrow and Maggie nodded. "He said that it would be weird with my father in the house."

"Sounds like an excuse to me." Charlotte said, taking a sip.

"I know right." Maggie agreed, following suit. The front door opened and Daryl walked out. "Hey, I just heard about some of your drunk and disorderly." Maggie teased.

Daryl smirked a little. "Usually protectin' my wife's honor." His eyes averted to Charlotte. "I'm gonna' go out and see if there's any game. Ya' comin'?"

"Sure." She said, finishing off her tea. "I'd like to go for a walk anyway. I'll talk to you later Maggie." Maggie smiled and nodded and Charlotte followed after Daryl into the wooded area. Charlotte admired the trees as they walked. Daryl glanced back at her.

"What are ya' thinkin' about this whole Randal situation?" he asked, scanning the trees.

"I think it's time to let him go or let him join. Not hold him captive." She frowned. "It's sick."

"I told Rick we had to do something. I think we're gonna' take him out later." Charlotte's eyes widened, Daryl glancing at her and smirked. "Off the farm. Take him into town." He set his bow down. "I'm gonna' piss."

Charlotte held her hands up in a go right ahead manner and he turned away from her. She leaned against the tree, scanning the area. "Remember our first fall at the house?"

Daryl was quiet for a moment, before he answered. "Ya."

"We had those apple trees in front by the garden. It's tough to think I could be at the house right now, picking the apples." And four months pregnant, she added in her head. She frowned; she probably might have been showing a little by now. "I miss our room, and our bed."

Daryl zipped his pants up and faced her, not smiling or frowning. He just studied her with that hard look of his and Charlotte felt uncomfortable. "I just miss it, is all." He came up to her and grabbed both hips, pulling her into him. He kissed her softly on the lips and pulled away to look at her. Charlotte wasn't use to him being to gentle and loving, it happened but not often. She placed a hand on his cheek and searched his face. "What is it?"

He shook his head. "Nothin'." He kissed her again but this time his lips lingered on hers. He leaned into her deepened the kiss. Charlotte pushed him away.

"Did you bring me out here to seduce me?" she asked playfully.

Daryl grinned and gripped her hips, picking up her tiny body and wrapping her legs around him. He pressed into her and kissed her collar bone. "No, we huntin'." Charlotte grinned and his mouth traveled right above her collar bone, on that one spot on her neck that might as well been her button for sexy time. He bit her and she suppressed a moan.

"We are exposed out here." She tried complaining.

He kissed her neck more aggressively. "I'm still alert. Please babe I'm dyin'." He rubbed himself against in-between her legs. Charlotte let out a moan this time and her head dropped onto his shoulder and held him tightly. She had to admit she missed sex, doing it all the time and having the intimacy. And Daryl knew how to turn her on and finish the job in minutes. "I'll be listenin'." He breathed into her ear. He maneuvered them to the ground and pushed her onto her back. "Why don't you just lay there and relax while I take care of ya'." He tugged at her shorts and looked to her for permission. She just stared at him and he took that as permission and pulled them off. He spread her legs and kissed her through her panties and Charlotte bit her lip before she moaned loudly. She wanted this more than anything at the moment. He kissed her roughly and started to pull her panties down. His tongue flicked against her and it had been so long and she was so ready for it.

"RICK! RICK!" The couple jumped and stared at each other wide eyed.

"Fuck. FUCK." Daryl swore while Charlotte pulled her bottoms back on and he ran to grab his crossbow. He grabbed her hand and helped her up and they took off back toward the house. Everyone was gathered outside and Shane was yelling, blood dripping down his face.

"The little bastard snuck up on me!" Shane was yelling. "He has my gun." Charlotte looked around and put it together he meant Randall.

"Hershel and T-dog get everyone in the house; I need Glen and Daryl to come with me." Daryl and Charlotte gave each other a quick look before he squeezed her hand and let go, following after Rick. Charlotte felt sick; she stood up for Randall. And now he was running around on the property with a gun. "He couldn't have gotten far."

"Just let him go!" Carol objected. "Wasn't that the plan?"

"Somewhere far away not on our front doorstep with a gun." Rick said heatedly. The boys disappeared and the rest of the group was ushered inside.

"He's hobbled and beaten. He couldn't have gotten far." Rick was saying. Daryl was looking around, confused and irritated. All he had to do was look around to know Shane wasn't telling the truth. There was nothing there. "You got a trail?"

"No, I don't see nothin'." Daryl answered.

"There ain't know point in a trail, we came this way." Shane objected. "We just got to split up and look for him."

Daryl didn't look at him, just surveyed the area. "The kid weighs a buck 20 soaking wet." He turned around and stared at Shane. "Ya' tryna' tell us he got the jump on you?"

"Ya' that's exactly what I'm saying." Daryl looked away, not buying it. Rick separated the group and Daryl gave him a look asking if he was sure. Rick nodded.

Charlotte looked out the window, arms crossed. She felt a hand fall on her shoulder. She turned to find Lori, who was smiling. "He will be just fine."

"I still worry." Charlotte shrugged. Lori gave her one last rub and walked away as Tanner made his way over to her. "Hey."

"Hey." He greeted. He leaned against the window sill and glanced out of it. "That asshole will be back before you know it."

"God you are reassuring." She shoved him playfully. He only smirked. "Why did I marry the guy that goes out for the hunt and not the one that stays behind with the rest of us?" she tried to make it sound like a joke, but it her voice was flat. "I'm always scared he won't come back."

"I guess you know how he feels when you run off and get into trouble." Tanner pointed out. Charlotte frowned and looked at her hands. "I bet he is wondering why he married the gal that goes off and tries to get herself killed all the time."

"At the risk of being that girl that sounds like 'I'm not like other girls',-"

"Like Andrea." He interrupted.

"- I can't just stay behind." She finished.

"You sound a little hypocritical." He teased lightly. Charlotte crinkled her nose. "That's the face you make when you're wrong."

"No its not." She threw him a smile. "Stop trying to make me be rational."

"As long as you see my point deep down." He glanced back toward the window. "It's dark out now."

"They should be back." Charlotte sighed.

"Want me to go find them?"

"Not yet." She mumbled. As she said that she heard the front door open and was relieved to see Glen and Daryl.

Daryl surveyed the room. "Rick and Shane ain't back?" the group watched as Lori's face fell.

"Maybe they ran into Randall?" Andrea asked.

Daryl shook his head. "No, we found him. He's a geek and from what we could tell he hasn't had anything to eat yet."

"A walked got 'em?" Tanner asked, his brow furrowing.

Daryl and Glenn exchanged a look. Glenn spoke up. "That's the weird thing, he wasn't bit. Daryl checked everywhere."

"How is that possible?" Tanner asked.

"Please, I need ya'll to find Rick." Lori pleaded.

Daryl nodded and looked to Tanner. "I could use some help trackin'." Tanner nodded and the two boys went out the door. Not even a moment had passed when Tanner came charging back in.

"We got walkers!"

Oh shit. Charlotte watched as a herd came spilling out onto the farm. "Where the hell did they come from?"

Maggie was dragging the gun bag out onto the front porch and began digging through it. Glen watched in amazement as she shoved a gun into his hand. "What about when the herd passed through on the highway? Shouldn't we just go inside and wait for them to pass?"

"Unless there's an underground secret passageway ya'll didn't tell us about, a herd that size will tear the house down." He looked to Hershel. "Your land, your call."

Hershel loaded his shotgun. "This is my farm, I'll die here." Daryl raised an eyebrow.

"Take out as many as we can, lead as many away?" Maggie suggested.

"Alright, if ya'll are sure." Daryl reached into the gun bag and handed Charlotte a shotgun. "Ya' got this?" she nodded. "I know ya' ain't use to the kickback this got a little more power, jus' keep the weight against yer' shoulder. It's gon' hurt." He took out his revolver and put the safety on, pushing it into the strap of her bra. "Use this if ya' run out. You and Tanner go get the truck an' try to lead them away from the house." He looked to Tanner. "Stay with her."

Tanner shrugged it off. "Looks like I'm your personal babysitter again." He said to Charlotte and she rolled her eyes. Despite himself, he gave Charlotte a quick kiss on her forehead.

"Be safe, alright?" she nodded, squeezing his hand. "I love you."

"I love you too." With one last squeeze she and Tanner ran off toward the truck. Tanner jumped into the driver seat and Charlotte hoped in, rolling the windows down. She opened the sun roof and stood on the seat. Tanner began to drive in front of the house, calling attention of walkers and trying to lead them away.

The shotgun was heavier than what she was used to, and the first shot she fired kicked back so much she thought her shoulder was dislocated. She swore, ignoring the pain and firing another round after pumping it.

"Fuck!" Tanner swore, and she realized why right after he said that. The barn was up in flames. "Should we go over there?"

"I don't see anyone." She said, looking around. "I lost everyone."

"Fuck, fuck. There's too many there are about to circle us." Charlotte looked around, desperately. She turned around.

"Back up!" she fired a few shot and Tanner threw it into reverse, running over a walker and getting stuck. Tanner swore and Charlotte watched a small herd making their way toward them. Before she knew it she was climbing out of the sunroof and climbing off the car.

"God damn it Charlotte!" Tanner yelled. "Get back here!" she jumped off the car and grabbed the walker that was stuck under the car and ripped him out. She jumped on the car.

"Go!" she yelled. She tried to get back in through the sun roof but Tanner was accelerating and she was holding on tightly, pulling herself through.

Once she was back in the car Tanner was glaring at her. "I'm telling Daryl about that. He ain't gon' let me take ya' anywhere!"

Charlotte rolled her eyes. "It's overrun what are we going to do?"

"Cut our losses and get the fuck out of here!" Tanner exclaimed, taking off toward the road.

"No!" Charlotte cried hysterically. "Daryl is still out there!"

"Not unless he is an idiot, he probably took off!"

Charlotte stood up and poked her upper half out of the sun roof. "Daryl! Daryl!"

It took everything she had to not burst into tears. Tanner and she hadn't said a word yet and the sun was up. He finally broke the silence. "He's fine." She couldn't hold it in anymore and she burst into sobs, her shoulders shaking. She heard Tanner sigh. She lost him, all over again. As soon as she got him back. "Charlotte come on."

"We left him behind! What if he's dead?" she said between cries.

Tanner shook his head. "He ain't. Let's go to the highway and regroup, then we will go out and find him."

We won't.

Daryl came up to the highway, seeing everyone gathered there already. He was relieved, Tanner and Charlotte were probably there. He almost died trying to go back to find them.

He pulled up and killed the motor. He got off the bike and looked around. "Where's Charlotte?" he asked when he didn't find her right away. He glanced to Rick, who only stared at him. She wasn't here. He swore loudly. "Did anyone see them take off?" he surveyed the group, getting a collective no. "They don't know to meet us here, I gotta' go back."

"No." Rick said. "We ain't going back, and we can't stay here."

Daryl stared at him, taking a few steps toward the sheriff. "And what exactly are we doin' to find my wife?" his tone was dangerous, expecting an answer from Rick that detailed how they would get her back.

"We leave a note saying we headed north."

"A note?" Daryl snapped. "Is that a fucking joke? If ya' think for one minute-" his voice was cut off by the sound of a motor coming up on the highway. Daryl felt his stomach drop as he saw the familiar truck. Tanner didn't even make a complete stop before Charlotte jumped out, running out.

She flew into Daryl's arms and he caught her, exhaling in relief as he did so. "Thank God." He breathed. Tanner got out of the truck and nodded to Daryl, Daryl returning the gesture.

Charlotte pulled away slightly to look up to him. "We tried but we got overrun. We came here to get supplies and set out to go find you."

Daryl only squeezed her and released her. Rick held out a hand and Daryl gripped it, nodding in mutual understanding. "We got to set out." Rick stated.

"Where is Shane?" Daryl asked.

"He didn't make it." Rick said, looking down to his shoes. "Neither did Jimmy."

"Patricia is gone." Beth said, looking near to tears as her dad and sister held her.

Charlotte sighed and buried her head into Daryl's chest. He rubbed her back, whispering in her ear that everything would be fine.

A/N: Haha, back from hiatus. Thoughts? About to go into the Crawford storyline, before the prison, see what the group did during the winter. Also, thoughts on showing some sexy time next chapter?