Another day, another search party. Daryl had snuck a horse from the barn and headed up onto the bluffs to search for Sophia. Rick and Shane had headed another direction. Liz had parked herself atop the RV until Andrea relievedher. Now she strolled across the yard to the porch, where Carl was sitting and staring at his boots.
"Hey, Short Stuff. What're you up to?"
"Nothing," Carl pouted. "No one lets me do anything. Sophia is out there and I can't help or do anything."
"You were just shot," Liz replied. "You aren't going anywhere. We don't need two missing kids, or worse."
Carl scowled.
"Hey, keep your face like that and it's gonna stick," Liz said. She'd known the Grimeses for ages. Rick and Shane grew up together, and she'd befriended Lori when she and Rick started dating. When she went out on the road, she'd kept in touch. Having a normal cirlce kept her grounded.
"Maybe I want it to." Carl stuck his lip out even further.
"Maybe a bird will poop on your lip if you keep it sticking out like that."
Carl finally cracked a smile. "Maybe you're just being dumb."
"Hey," Liz scolded. "Mind your manners."
"Sorry," Carl said. "I don't see what it matters. There's more important stuff than being polite. Like going out and looking for Sophia."
"Maybe so," Liz agreed. "But we've got the adults out doing that. They'd all just worry if you were out there,too. Look at how much everyone's worried about Sophia."
"I'm worried, too," Carl whispered.
"Well, when they bring her back here, you wouldn't want to miss her, would you? Best to stay put. They don't even let me go out with them." She nudged him in the arm. "So we're even."
"You're too famous to go out. That's what Shane says." After realizing what he'd said, he bit his lip. "Oops. Not in a bad way, I mean."
"Ah, cat's out of the bag, huh?" Liz laughed. "Don't worry, Shane already told me that." A call broke up their conversation.
"Walker!" Andrea screeched. Everyone stood and glanced to where Andrea was pointing her rifle.
"Hey, hey, hey," Rick's voice came. He and Shane were running from the woods on the other side of the farm. "Don't shoot, Andrea. You know what Hershel said. We'll take care of it!"
"It's all right," Liz said to Carl. "It's just one. We'll be all right. Just stay here." She stood and shielded her eyes and tried to see how close the walker had gotten.
More calls rang out, but she couldn't make them out. A gunshot rang out, followed by a chorus of anguished cries.
"What happened?" Carl exclaimed.
"I don't know," Liz said, feeling antsy, herself. "You'd better go inside and find your mom." Liz ran to the RV and looked up at Andrea, who was standing with her jaw hanging agape. "What? What is it?"
"Daryl-" Andrea mumbled.
"What?" Liz shrieked. Before she knew what she was doing, she was sprinting toward the group. Her mind went blank and her stomach dropped. She wondered if she'd throw up as she ran. The one person in camp who didn't give a shit if she was famous. The one person who said something when Shane left a mark on her. Now Andrea had shot him in the head and he was likely bleeding out on the lawn.
"Get out of the way," Shane growled as he, Rick, and Glenn carried Daryl toward the house. Daryl was covered from head to toe in blood and dirt.
"What - what happened? Daryl, oh," Liz exclaimed. "Is he dead?"
"I ain' dead," Daryl groaned.
"She grazed him," Rick called out. "I don't know what else. He's a mess. Go get Hershel."
Liz tore back to the house as fast as her legs would carry her.
*****
She was absolutely astounded at the amount of blood she washed from Daryl's face. Whether it was his or that of walkers, Liz had no idea. Daryl had been bandaged and given a heavy dose of painkillers, and he had been out for the rest of the afternoon. Liz hadn't been able to tear herself from the room, even when Hershel suggested Daryl would be out for hours and she'd be sitting there talking to herself. Carol had been with her for a few hours.
"I can't believe this happened while he was looking for my baby," she said softly.
"It doesn't matter what he was doing. This could have happened anytime. Maybe he'd have gone out hunting if Sophia was here. Don't blame yourself," Liz replied.
"He's a good man," Carol sniffled. She wiped a tear away. "Sophia's own daddy wouldn't have gone out looking for her. I promise you that."
Liz frowned. "I'm sorry, Carol."
"No, no," Carol said, waving her hand. "No pity party. I just hope he'll be all right. We can't lose him. He's one of the good ones." After a moment, Carol stiffened and cleared her throat, realizing what she'd said. "Not that-"
"I know," Liz jumped in. She tapped her lip. "Remember that? I didn't trip and fall into the car door. It was my beloved brother." She sighed. "I guess that's why I'm here now." She dipped the wash rag into the bowl of water, wrung it out, and ran it down Daryl's neck. The grime melted away and she laughed softly. "I don't even know if he'd want me to be here." She rinsed out the rag and wiped off the rest of his next. "God, what happened to him out there?"
Carol frowned. "Let me know if he wakes up."
"When he wakes up," Liz quickly corrected her. She brushed hair back from his face. "You're right - he's a good one. You don't meet real good people anymore. They all want something, or want you for the wrong reasons."
"Not Daryl," Carol said before closing the door behind her.
"Not Daryl," Liz repeated to herself.
****
After a few hours, Daryl opened an eye. He shifted in bed and was immediately reminded of what happened. Sighing, he heaved himself up onto the pillow. He squinted in confusion when he saw Liz sleeping in a chair next to the bed. "Hey," he grumbled. "Hey."
Liz jumped awake. "Oh, finally." She moved and sat on the edge of the bed. "Sorry." She rubbed her eyes. "What happened out there? Someone shot you? And then Andrea shot you? Sophia's doll? Tell me. You don't have any bites, by the way. You've been feverish, though, but Hershel thinks it's your side." She ran a damp wash rag over his forehead, but he slapped her hand away.
"I know that." Daryl scowled. "Andrea shot me. Horse threw me. No Sophia." He closed his eyes and groaned.
"I'll get Hershel." Liz stared for the door.
"Don't," Daryl cut in. "Leave me alone."
Liz stared down at him in confusion. "Then I'll bring you something to eat. Dinner just wrapped up."
"No," Daryl growled. "Ain't hungry."
"What happened?" Liz insisted. She sat back down on the bed and touched his bandaged side. "We're all so worried."
"Don't, I said," he snapped, swatting her hand away. "Horse threw me down a ravine. Arrow went through me when I fell. Found Sophia's doll, but not Sophia. Now get out." He rolled away from her.
Liz frowned and lingered for a moment. "Just thought you should know Carol has been in here for most of the evening, too. She's real grateful you've been out looking for her daughter." She chewed at her lip for a second before continuing. "Just because we haven't found her doesn't mean you're a failure." When he didn't reply, she frowned. "I'm glad you're alive," Liz said softly before leaving him alone.
*****
The next afternoon the women were gather in the kitchen, making dinner for Hershel and his family. It'd been an excruciatingly hot day and everyone from the search group was famished.
"No, you really think?" Lori giggled. "I wouldn't be able to even look at him. God."
Andrea joined in the giggling. "I'd be all over it. Sideways, backwards, upside down. It's the end of the world. What's the difference?"
"You better not let my dad hear this," Maggie giggled.
"Oh, you're saying if your celebrity exception wandered in here, you wouldn't try to hook up with him? We're the same age, girl. You aren't hiding any secrets from me," Lizzy laughed. "Who is it? Johnny Depp? Chris Hemsworth?"
"None of them! They're all probably crawlin' with STD's!" Maggie exclaimed.
"Ahemmph," a man's voice came from the door.
The women erupted into full blown laughter as Hershel grimaced and headed outside.
"I told you," Maggie exclaimed.
"And that's so unfair," Lizzy protested. "Not all celebrities have STD's."
Lori gasped, then laughed again. "I completely forgot. You're still Shane's little sister to us."
Carol smiled shyly from where she was chopping carrots and tried not to laugh. She still acted starstruck around Liz, much to her dismay.
"I wanted to ask Hershel something. I'll be right back," Liz said. She wiped off her hands and headed out onto the front porch. "Hey, Hershel."
Hershel nodded once. "Elizabeth, isn't it?"
"Liz, Lizzy, yeah. Sorta works out since you already have a Beth." Liz sat down on the steps and stretched out her legs. "I wanted to say thank you."
"Rick's already taken care of the formalities," Hershel said curtly. He pursed his lips and stared out toward their camp with a look of disdain on his face.
"I'm sure he has. Rick's a great guy," Liz replied. "I haven't thanked you, though, and that's not right. You didn't have to take us in. We really appreciate it. Truly. It's just - out there? I can't even explain what it's like. You've saved us."
"Rick put you up to this?" Hershel asked skeptically.
"No, I, why would he? It's proper manners to thank your host, and even more for the person who saved all of us. We'd love to help out with whatever chores you have - anything." Liz nodded to emphasize her point.
Hershel was hardly receptive, and sighed loudly at the offer.
"I also wanted to apologize for something," she continued anyway. "I know my brother's been, well, frankly, a horrible guest. I'm sorry. He's always been a tough nut. He's not himself after this whole thing. I'm sorry. We aren't all like him, really. The rest of us are so grateful."
Hershel nodded. "Thank you, Elizabeth."
As if right on cue, Shane stormed around the corner. His brows were furrowed; he'd clearly heard the last bit. "Liz. Lemme talk to you a minute."
Hershel set a scowl on his face and crossed his arms over his chest. "Welcome back, Shane," he said coldly. When Shane ignored the old man, Hershel shook his head.
"I'll see you at dinner. I hope you'll like it!" Liz said to Hershel before Shane grabbed her arm and pulled her out into the yard.
"You trying to give him another reason to dislike me? I'm trying to keep our people alive AND balance the stupid ideals of an old man who ain't seen any of the shit we have?" Shane huffed and scratched the back of his head with his pistol. "I don't know what to do with you."
"I'm trying to make it easier for all of us, Shane."
"Is that it?" Shane laughed. "Little Miss Hot Shot decided to get off of her ass and do something worthwhile? Well, guess what? Hershel's got a barn full of walkers not a hundred yards from where we all sleep. You gonna keep kissing his ass?"
"He WHAT?" Liz shook her head. "That can't be."
"It is, and you would have known that if you'd stay in the tent and do what I tell you. I never told you to leave and take up with them." Shane scowled.
"Shut up, Shane," Liz snapped. "I'm your sister, not your child."
"Shut up, Shane? Shut up, Shane." Shane's lip curled. "That's the thanks I get in this group. I can take it from the other nobodies we're stuck with, but not from my own blood."
"You aren't the king of us, Shane. Why don't you mind your own business? Work things out with Rick. Leave Lori alone. All the problems we have are your fault! We could deal with whatever's in the barn if Hershel actually liked us."
"Bitch!" Shane pistol whipped Lizzy and she dropped to the ground.
From the front porch, Hershel shook his head and went inside to send someone to retrieve the girl. "I knew I never liked that man," he mumbled to himself.
"My God, what happened?" Carol blurted the second Liz sat down at the table.
Liz frowned. She'd tried to arrange her hair so that it covered the welt and gash on her head. She self-consciously touched the gash and struggled for words. She still hadn't come up with an excuse.
"We had a little accident," Maggie jumped in. "No walkers involved, no worries." She smiled at Liz. "Us girls got this one covered." She'd helped Hershel bring Liz back into the house and had heard the truth.
Rick raised an eyebrow and exchanged glances with Lori. Andrea cleared her throat, and Patricia stared at her plate. Daryl, however, still mending from his own head wound, looked around the table. "Where's Shane?"
"I saw him leave before dinner and he hasn't come back," Beth said quietly.
"Probably out keeping watch," Glenn suggested awkwardly.
Liz stared at her plate and pushed her food around with her fork for the rest of the meal.
After dinner, Liz stormed toward the edge of the farm. She kicked at the weeds and fell to her knees, her face in her hands. Shame washed over her, though she knew better. You can't pick your blood, she thought angrily. She pounded her hands into the ground and cried out in frustration. Not only would the group see her as lazy and worthless because of her career; now they'd see her as a victim and Shane's personal punching bag. Any respect she'd earned was surely lost now.
"Liz?"
The girl spun round, her gun in her hand before she realized what she was doing.
"Whoa," Daryl said, raising his hands and continuing toward her. "Jus' me. What're you doing out here? Too close to dark. Ain' safe." He scowled. "You know better'n to be out here alone."
"Sorry," she breathed, stuffing the gun back into her waistband. Her cheeks were hot in embarrasment. "I just needed a minute." She sat back and crossed her legs there in the dirt. "How's it we only find each other at our worst?" She cringed. Her head was still throbbing.
"How's it you're always at your worst?" He sat down next to her and laid the crossbow between them. "I think we all know that answer." He sucked at a piece of grass, then finally looked at her. A look of anger flashed across his face. "That's an ugly cut. That bastard brother of yours show up yet?"
Liz sighed and shook her head. "It's not fair. Carol, Andrea, Maggie- he doesn't give a shit what any of them do. I can't do anything right. If I help out, I'm stupid, if I try to stay out of the way, I'm being lazy." She suddenly stopped talking and bit the inside of her cheek. "Ya'll probably think so, too, huh?" She touched the welt on her forehead subconsciously.
"Why'd we think that? You do your share of work." He stared at her with a blank look on his face. "S'all that matters."
"Shane never liked that I was a singer. Said I should do something worthwhile." She chewed at the inside of her lip. "It doesn't matter now, that's for sure. He makes sure to remind me every day that I can't sing my way through the walkers." She rolled her eyes. "As if I don't know that."
"First day at camp, thought that was you," Daryl nodded. "Didn' know what to say. Pry ain' easy, everyone knowin' your face and thinkin' they know you. That's why I didn' say nothin'. Wanted to, though."
"Hmm?" Liz chimed.
"I recognized you the moment I saw you." Daryl looked down. "Even with the hat. I'd know that pretty smile anywhere. "
Liz smiled and blushed. "Thank you." She brushed her hair back over her forehead gingerly.
"Don't thank me for nothin'," Daryl replied. He frowned. "Stay away from him."
"I don't go looking for trouble," Liz replied earnestly. "I was just talking to Hershel." She threw her hands in the air. "This has turned him into - I, I don't know." She fell backward onto her back and stared up at the stars. "Everything's all messed up."
"You jus' now figurin' that out?" Daryl exclaimed. "Ain' your fault," he continued. "We aren' responsible for what our brothers do. You remember Merle. I saw how others looked at me - I dunno. Pity? I don' need that. I know I ain' my brother. Same goes for you. They know you ain' Shane. Thank God for that," he added, almost under his breath.
"Oh?" Liz fished.
Daryl cleared his throat. "Lori an' Rick got their problems, Carol's messed up over Sophia," he trailed off for a moment before continuing. "Andrea's a bitch. Got to be some sane woman 'round here."
"Ha," Lizzy replied. "Or I'm 'the woman with the crazy brother who's going to get us all killed.' That's pry more like it." She propped herself up on her elbows and looked up at Daryl. "Really, why you always showing up when I'm hoping someone will show up?"
"You wan' me to leave?"
"No," Lizzy answered quickly. "I don't. I also don't want Shane putting a target on your back because you're spending too much time tracking me down."
"He's no more your boss than I am. Do what you want, girl." Daryl scanned the horizon for walkers before glancing down at her. "I'm jus' tellin' ya that we're gonna have a real problem if he puts another mark on you. I mean that, and I'll tell him myself. Kin or not, he's done touching you." He grabbed his bow and stalked away.
"Daryl," Lizzy called after him.
The man paused and looked back at her. "Yeah?"
Liz hesitated, suddenly unsure of what she'd wanted. "Thank you. Really," she recovered. "Thank you."
Daryl nodded, then hoisted the crossbow onto his shoulder and headed back to camp.