A/N: Don't ever have four works in progress. You will hate yourself.


Rick was still flustered over everything with Carl but as soon as Glenn came running toward him, he knew something was wrong. And as soon as he was by Daryl's side and freeing his wrist from the handcuffs he apologized. He should have left the keys in the cell or even with Hershel. But by the look of Daryl's condition, he wasn't even sure if he heard his apology. Then he shot forward, completely off balance and Glenn had gotten the bucket to him just in time it seemed. Rick felt like he cringed with every heave that erupted from Daryl.

"We may have a problem." Hershel slightly shifted beside Rick turning to look at the man.

Rick studied Hershel's face and knew whatever he was about to say wasn't good. He couldn't bring himself to say anything though. He just didn't want anything more to be wrong with Daryl and judging by the way Hershel was looking at him, it had everything to do with Daryl.

"With everything that's been going on lately, I think it's started to affect his kidneys."

Rick shook his head. "Affect his kidneys how? You mean…you mean like kidney failure?"

"Hard to tell but I'm afraid so. He asked for you as soon as he woke up and the only other thing I got out of him was that he felt sick and his back hurt. Dehydration could be causing the pain. We don't know just how long he's really been sick since he's tried to hide it from us," Hershel explained.

Rick glanced back over at Daryl once he realized the man had fallen silent. His shoulders were sharply rising and falling with each short, quick breath, his entire upper body being solely supported by the wall and the bucket he was resting his arm and head on. Rick almost thought he had passed out again after having just woken up but he started to move around shortly after.

Daryl placed his right hand down onto the bed next to him and slowly moved off of the wall. He wiped his left arm across his mouth and nose before looking over toward the three, bleary eyed. "What's the prognosis?"

Hershel slowly reached out to place the backside of his hand against Daryl's forehead. "Your fever feels like it's gone down some, which is certainly good news."

"And what's the bad news?" Daryl didn't beat around the bush. Even in his sick state he managed to cut the crap and jump right to it.

"How's your back feeling?" Hershel inquired, tossing Daryl's question to the side momentarily.

"Same. Hurts…" Daryl rubbed at his eyes while still managing to stay balanced sitting up.

"I just got done telling Rick I'm concerned you may have a problem with your kidneys shutting down. Dehydration could cause that to occur, and your back pain and where it's located all add up."

Daryl stared down at the ground. "So…I just needa drink more."

"I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. If you're still nauseated, there's no way you'll be able to drink anything. Much less drink enough to reverse what's already been done."

"Then what can we do?" Rick turned his attention from Daryl to Hershel, Glenn still standing by his side.

"It would be best if we could run an IV to replace the fluids that have been lost. Saline solution."

"Nope, no way…" Daryl shook his head. "That's somethin' we don't got here and there's no way anyone's makin' a suicide run to try and find some."

"I'll go. It's not a problem. And you need it, Daryl." Glenn asserted.

"He's right. If we don't do something soon, there's no telling what could happen. If your kidneys fail then you're ultimately facing death," Hershel explained.

"I already feel like I'm knockin' on Death's door anyway…" Daryl muttered, burying his face in his hands.

"We'll get something under way. You mind staying with him?" Rick looked to Hershel as the older man nodded in response. "Glenn, you come with me."

Rick didn't give Glenn a chance to even rebel if he wanted to. He immediately left the cellblock and headed back for C. He wanted to talk to everyone and get things sorted out about who was to be in charge after his talk with Carl but it seemed like that would have to be put on hold. Or maybe not.

Rick entered into C Block with Glenn in tow. Tyreese and Sasha were close by but it was Maggie and Carol who were the first to approach the men once they returned.

"Something wrong?" Carol questioned.

"We need to talk some things over."

"What do you mean? What happened?" Maggie folded her arms.

"Hershel thinks Daryl's gonna need an IV to keep him hydrated. His condition is affecting his kidneys," Glenn spoke up for Rick. "We need to make a run."

Tyreese and his sister must have overheard the conversation at that point because they joined in.

"Woodbury might have had something like that. They were pretty well stocked by what we saw when we were there. Could probably find what you're looking for," Sasha suggested.

Rick looked to Carol. "Get Karen. We need to move this conversation away from everyone in the meantime." As Carol retreated further into the cellblock, Rick led everyone out into the hall just outside the door. As long as they were out of immediate sight, they were out of mind—and that was good enough for Rick.

"So we round up a few of us and make the trip back to Woodbury. Are we sure that's the best idea?" Glenn crossed his arms now. "That's the one place where the Governor could be hiding for all we know."

"Highly unlikely." The group glanced over to see Michonne had joined them now. "If he's as smart as he tries to make himself look, he wouldn't be in the most obvious place. Woodbury's deserted."

"She has a point. It would be too easy." Tyreese agreed.

Maggie shook her head. "Even so, leaving the prison is a risk. He could be anywhere out there just waiting."

"He would have done something by now to make himself known if he was," Michonne stated.

Carol returned with Karen, the dark haired woman seeming to be apprehensive as they approached the group. "Carol said you needed me?" She looked to Rick.

"We need to know if there's anything you can share with us about Woodbury. Anything you may have had stocked there. Medical supplies, things of that nature," Rick filled her in.

"Doctor Stevens had quite a bit of supplies." Karen took in everyone standing around in the circle. "Can I ask why?"

"We need the equipment to be able to run an IV of saline solution. One of our group is sick and if he doesn't get that he might not make it." Rick placed his hands on his hips and averted his gaze to the floor.

"…How long has this been going on? You have a sick person?" Karen asked in disbelief.

"That's not important and it's not like he was bit." Maggie narrowed her eyes.

"If we make this trip, which it sounds like we are—we need your help. None of us know the layout as well as you do. If you come with us then we'll be able to get in and get out much faster without drawing too much attention to ourselves," Rick explained.

"You're talking as if you're going yourself." Karen raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were the leader here?"

"I was meaning to talk it over but this came up first. I'm going to Woodbury and anyone else who wants to come is free to. I know you mentioned going," Rick turned to Glenn.

"I am," Glenn nodded.

"And you can count me in. That makes four of us, which is more than enough," Michonne added.

"Alright… That means I'm making you in charge while we're gone, Tyreese. If you have any concerns you can bring them up to Hershel or Carol. They'll be glad to help if need be." Rick sighed, "I need to talk to Carl before we head out. I'll meet you three down by the cars in five."

Rick left the group and headed outside without another word toward the guard tower where he had left Carl. He needed to fill him in on the trip to Woodbury. He was already assuming it wasn't going to go over too well. He had confirmation of that once he climbed the stairs and met his son's stare.

"You can stay on watch if you want but I just wanted to let you know we have to make a run. Glenn, Michonne, and Karen are coming with me and I'm leaving Tyreese in charge. We're…going back to Woodbury."

"Why? And why Woodbury?" Carl narrowed his eyes.

"It's our only shot at finding what we need for Daryl."

"So he's gotten worse?"

Rick shifted his gaze out toward the gate. The others were ready to go. "…In a sense."

"I'm glad Tyreese is in charge then." Carl turned his back to Rick and walked over toward the other side of the tower to look out over the field. "Hope you don't get everyone killed risking their lives for Daryl."