Chapter Sixty-One

Daryl watched his daughter with a heavy heart and a silent tongue as she hurried to groom herself and grab her gear. She complained about having to use the empty cell they'd set up as a temporary restroom, tending to her morning ablutions and quickly brushing her teeth before tackling her long blond hair – now past her shoulders as she refused to let her mother cut it – into a messy ponytail. She grumbled over the protein bar he handed her as they made their way to the front gates, but more to herself than her father. He could just imagine having to deal with a belligerent child all morning, and to say he wasn't looking forward to their hunting trip was a vast understatement.

He wasn't sure how long he'd be able to hold his silence, his tongue already raw from biting back a snarky remark several times. His eyes never left her, observing her every move, readying himself for when she would finally snap and turn her anger on him. She could have knocked him over with a feather, however; when he closed the gate behind them and her entire demeanor changed. Sophia squared her shoulders and closed her eyes, listening to the quiet sounds of the forest which beckoned to them. Withdrawing a knit cap from the back pocket of her jeans, she tucked her hair beneath it and buttoned her jacket against the cold. Only then did she take a deep breath and move her bow into her left hand.

"Ready, Daddy?" she asked in barely more than a whisper … her hunting voice as he liked to think of it.

Despite her calm bearing, Daryl refused to let his guard down. He was prepared for whatever she was ready to dish out. It was going to take more than a twelve-year-old to break him. He raised the arm holding his crossbow at the ready, pointing towards the trees. "After you, baby girl. Show me some tracks," he said just as quietly.

She exuded confidence as she set off around the stream and carefully made her way across the small bridge towards the tree line. If Daryl hadn't been waiting for the other shoe to drop, he would have swelled with pride at how far she had come. Much like her mother. They'd come far from the shy trembling females he'd met so long ago at the quarry and blossomed into two survivors. He knew, without a doubt, should they become separated from their family, they would be able to make their own way in the world. Daryl shuddered at the mere thought of losing either one of them, but at least he knew they would be able to take care of themselves. He'd made sure of it.

Sophia cast a side-eyed glance his way and sighed before returning her gaze to the forest floor. "Are you going to give me the silent treatment all morning, Dad?" she asked, her fingers tightening on her bow.

Daryl stopped, his brow furrowing. "What?"

"Are you still mad at me?"

"Soph, I'm not mad," he said honestly. "I thought y' were mad at me."

Sophia giggled, her lips turning up into an amused grin. "I was." She turned on her heel and set off deeper into the trees, having spotted an interesting set of deer tracks.

"Hold up … so y' not mad? What changed your mind?" Since when was talking to a kid so hard, he wondered. "Y' wouldn't even look at me last night."

The girl huffed in resignation and leaned against the nearest tree as she regarded her father. She could see there would be no hunting until she'd appeased his curiosity. "After Mama tucked me in, I couldn't sleep. I had a long time to think."

Daryl felt his face flame, feeling as if he'd somehow failed her. "Yeah? What'd y' think about?"

"Ed," she whispered, staring off into the distance. "You're so different from him, Daddy. I was so angry at you for embarrassing me in front of our entire family. I wanted to hide in that cell for the rest of my life, so I wouldn't have to face anyone."

"Sophia –"

"No, let me finish," she insisted, staring down at the bow still clenched so tightly in her hands. "I never wanted to speak to you again … but … but then I thought about what Ed would have done if he'd have caught me with a boy in my room. H-He would have called me a s-slut and … and a wh-whore … and beat me like he used to do to my mom. There's no telling what he would have done to Carl."

Daryl pulled her into his arms and let her tears fall against his chest. "Soph, I never woulda done somethin' like that t' y'. Please tell me y' know that … that I ain't like him."

"You're not. You could never be like him. As mad as you were last night, you never raised a hand to me or Carl, and you never called us ugly names. And when I realized what a brat I was being, all I wanted to do was crawl in bed with you and mom and tell you both how sorry I was," she sobbed, "but you were asleep."

He pressed a kiss to her brow and chuckled. "Y' could be thirty years old, and we'd still make room for y', Sophia." He tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry I overreacted last night. I didn't mean t' embarrass y'. Bein' a dad … well, it's all new t' me still. I just worry about y'. I'm not tryin' t' be mean. If I didn't love y' so much -"

"You're doing a great job, Daddy," she said, brushing the last of her tears away. "You know this isn't the only time I'll screw up – even though we weren't doing anything wrong – and we'll argue plenty more times before I'm grown, right?"

Daryl snorted, the corner of his mouth twitching with hidden mirth. "No boys in your room. There's common areas where y' can hang out. I'm not tryin' t' separate y' from your friend, Soph, but I need both of y' t' have some boundaries. Got it?"

"Got it," she quickly agreed. "So … we're good?"

He tilted his head to the side, watching her closely as he wondered how much he could tease her. "I dunno. Y' think y' could bag us some game for dinner t'night?"

Sophia saw right through him. "If I do, can I help scout out the admin buildings with you when we get back?"

"No!"

"Dad," she whined.

"No, too dangerous," he insisted.

Sophia huffed indignantly and adjusted the grip on her bow. "Fine!"

Daryl did his best to hide the amused smirk he wore as he watched his daughter stealthily creep through the thicket of birch and pine. He was so proud of her, of who she'd become once she'd been freed of her cage. It had only been a matter of time before Ed would have turned the abuse onto her. Her inner beauty was stunning. She had fire and a zest for life he hadn't witnessed before. It was amazing … what a little warrior she'd become. As much as Carol had tried to shelter her, it hadn't kept her from seeing how things could be different, it had never squashed her hope.

He trailed after her, knowing if he let his mind wander, he could easily lose sight of her and then spend the morning tracking her. Little miss was becoming quite skilled at concealing herself in the woods. Apparently, this morning, however; she wasn't in the mood for one of their training games. Sophia stopped, crouching behind a tree and whistling softly for him to hurry up. He knelt beside her, making not a sound.

Sophia reached behind him, trying to still her pounding heart as her fingers gripped the edge of his vest. "Dad, look!" she breathed excitedly, pointing in several different directions. Squirrels chittered from the treetops, there was a fat hare burrowing under a copse of bushes and in the center of the clearing, a doe. "How can this place be teeming with wildlife when further south we were wondering if walkers had decimated the ecosystem?"

Daryl scratched at the scruff on his chin. "Herds are pushing North, maybe … game is smart enough t' look for new stomping grounds."

The girl frowned. "Should we be worried the walkers will show up here next?"

"Don't go borrowin' trouble, Soph. Whatever comes at us, we'll do as we've done from th' beginnin' … we'll fight," he assured her. He didn't need her losing faith now.

She nodded and turned to find the doe had slipped off into the trees. She wasn't worried. The loam of the forest floor was soft, and the tracks were easily visible. Rising to her feet, she brushed the leaves from her pants and inched out from behind the tree, her father following. "You really think the prison is worth fighting for, Daddy?"

Daryl snorted as he studied the leaf litter. "Looks like we got more than one deer in the area." He pointed towards where the doe had disappeared and then again to where a second set of tracks led deeper into the foliage. "Which one y' wanna follow?"

Sophia chewed at her lower lip – another habit she'd picked up from him – her brow set in deep concentration. Who knew how deep into the woods the second deer would lead them, when she was certain the first doe was a sure thing? "That way."

"Lead th' way," Daryl nodded, allowing her to lead. They'd barely made a few steps before he revisited her earlier question. "Y' don't like th' prison?"

It was her turn to snort. "It's a big mausoleum, Dad. Instead of feeling safe … I just feel trapped. And it's so cold. No, I don't like it, but I know it's necessary right now."

Daryl frowned, feeling the same way about their new home. "Yeah, I s'pose it'll do for now. Try not t' let it get t' y', ok? Y' don't have t' stay locked in your cell all th' time. There will be things for y' t' do outside. An' if it gets t' be too much, I'll bring y' out here t' hunt."

Her bow fell in her hand to rest against her leg as she swiped at her eyes, turning from him so he wouldn't see. "Dad, what if … what if Merle –"

He slung his left arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close to his side, his crossbow held up, poised to fire. He was ever vigilant where his family was concerned. "Don't think like that, baby girl. He's tryin'. Y' know … before th' turn all I wanted was for m' brother t' grow up, t' stop his shit with th' drugs, th' booze, an' th' loose women. Took th' world goin' t' hell t' get m' wish, an' look at 'im now. We just have t' give 'im a bit more time, ok?"

Sophia gave him a tight squeeze and squared her shoulders. "Ain't nobody can kill a Dixon but another Dixon, right, Daddy?"

"That's right! Now let's go get that deer." Daryl watched her move through the trees, hoping he hadn't just lied to his kid.

*.*.*

A loud whistle from the tower had Rick and Shane running to the gates to open them. Sophia huffed a little as she struggled with her kill, but didn't let it stop her as she preceded her father through the now open gate. There were a few walkers trailing behind them, but she and Daryl managed to stay ahead of them despite their burden. Shane went out to dispatch them quickly enough.

"Y'all went hunting?" Rick asked, securing the gate once everyone was inside.

Sophia arched a brow in his direction. "Good morning, Captain Obvious," she snarked. "Wanna give me a hand? I'm all bloody and my grip keeps slipping."

Daryl bit back a chuckle at his daughter's cheek. "Run on ahead an' find y' mama. Get cleaned up an' see what she's got planned for y' today."

Shane wasn't so reserved. "She's got quite a mouth on her," he chortled. "You're rubbing off on her, Dixon."

Daryl rolled his eyes and slung his crossbow over his shoulder as the two former deputies relieved him of the field-dressed doe. Rick still stared at him accusingly. "I woke up this morning, and you were gone. You need to tell someone when you head out."

The hunter shot him an are-you-fuckin'-serious look and clucked his tongue. "Well, pardon th' hell outta me, Officer Friendly. I thought th' group might like some fresh meat for dinner t'night."

"That's not what –"

Shane cut Rick off before he could shove any more of his foot into his mouth. "Hell yeah! I for one can't wait to see what Carol cooks up for us. Damn, but that woman can cook."

"It's not that I don't appreciate it, Daryl … " Rick ducked his head sheepishly. "Just didn't know where you'd gone. This group is only strong if we stick together. And I really wanted to get an early start on the administration building this morning."

Daryl slid the gate for the inner courtyard open. "Yeah, well I needed to spend some time with m' daughter. Not like th' admin building is gonna run off while I'm huntin'," he grumbled. "Why didn't y' just ask Carol where I was?"

Shane snickered as he set the doe down on one of the outside tables. "Well, you see, he was going to, but she was showing Lori how to break down her new pistol to clean it."

"So?"

One side of Rick's mouth quirked up as he folded his arms over his chest. "Lori … she … um –"

"She can't hit the broad side of a barn. He didn't think she could afford the distraction. You know Carol … she'll make sure Lori knows her weapon top to bottom when she's done with her," Shane finished for his floundering friend.

Daryl snorted. "M' wife didn't know shit about weapons 'til I got her away from Ed. Didn't take her long t' learn. Won't take Lori long either if she pays attention."

Rick's brows rose in surprise. "You really think she's capable of learning quickly? We've been trying to teach her how to use that .38 with little luck. What makes you think she'll do any better with the 9mm? You got that much faith in her?"

"In Lori?" Daryl scoffed. "No. She's too dependent on us keepin' her safe. But I do have faith in Carol. When I first met her, she was a little mouse … that's what Merle likes t' call her. But that ain't her no more. She's always been smart, but now she watches everything, especially if it has to do with learning how t' survive. Don't underestimate her." He whistled for the kids and gave them quick instructions on what to do with the deer before heading off towards C block, Rick and Shane following. "Lori has it in her t' do th' same, Rick. Maybe you should have a little faith in her. Y' married 'er, for fuck's sake! Y' had t' have loved her, because it damn sure couldn't have been for her sparklin' personality."

*.*.*

Daryl glanced up at the late morning sun as the rest of their team listened to Rick hemming and hawing with Shane and Glenn as to how they should handle the administration building where the warden's office was located. He leaned back against the brick building and gnawed at the cuticle on his thumb. There were so many other things he could be doing instead … such as helping Rory and the kids butcher the deer Sophia had killed that morning, or moving more of the bodies outside the main fence, or teasing his wife, he thought with a grin. But it was imperative they find a layout of the prison and hopefully the location of the armory. They could always use more weapons to add to their stores. And he certainly wasn't going to go off into the bowels of the prison with nothing but his crossbow and his good looks. They needed a definitive plan as to where they were going before he risked his life, especially when his girls depended on him.

Rick cut his eyes in Daryl's direction as the hunter snorted at his own train of thought. "Daryl … you with us, man?"

"Jus' waitin' on your call," he grunted, not willing to admit he'd been woolgathering.

The sergeant had three of his men standing at ease behind him. "What is our objective here, Rick? We going in hot?" he asked, his hand resting lightly on his rifle.

Rick squinted at the door for a moment before turning his gaze to the man. "Only fire if you have to. If there are any walkers in there, try to only use your knives. We don't want to be swarmed. If any are on the ground floor, we might be able to draw them out … take them down one at a time."

He nodded at Shane and the deputy pounded loudly on the double doors leading into the building. Daryl pushed off the wall and adjusted his crossbow on his arm as he paced back and forth between the Marines and the doors. He was full of barely restrained energy, ready to jump into the thick of it. He was rather disappointed when only two lone walkers ambled out of the crack Shane had made in the door. Rick took out the first with his machete, and Glenn the other with his knife.

Daryl snarled in disgust. "That cain't be all that's in there." He nudged one with the toe of his boot. "Must be what was left of the secretarial pool."

Rick shook his head. "Alright, everyone, stay alert."

Daryl took point, crossbow up and swiveling in all directions, his flashlight strapped to it, giving him ample light. The others fell in behind him in tight formation. The foyer was empty and almost eerily silent. It branched off into two hallways. He paused, again waiting on Rick.

"Two teams … Shane, Brian, Cameron and Glenn take the left hall. Me, Daryl, Miles and Jamie will take the right. We don't know what we're going to find in here, so stay tight."

They were silent as they worked their way down the hallway, clearing each room as they went. The main visiting area for prisoners to meet with their families, conference rooms, file room, restroom, and they'd only encountered a handful of walkers who looked as if they'd worked there. A few in business attire, a guard or two and another secretary from what Daryl could tell. Twenty minutes later, they met the rest of their group at the bottom of the staircase directly opposite the foyer.

"Any trouble?" Daryl asked as Glenn took a long pull from his canteen.

The man shook his head and heaved a weary sigh. "Fair few of those guards in riot gear. I'll be glad to see the last of them."

Shane nodded at Glenn when Rick shot him a worried look. "Bastard came out of nowhere, knocked Glenn over and had him face down on the floor. Good thing it had that helmet on and couldn't bite him."

"Sure y' alright?" Daryl frowned darkly at him. "No scratches or bites?"

"Nah, I'm good … just can we not tell Maggie about this?"

Daryl gnawed on his lower lip, grateful his friend hadn't been harmed. But he wasn't taking any more chances. He grabbed Glenn's elbow and pointed him towards the stairs. "C'mon, Short Round, you're with me."

Glenn huffed a laugh and began to climb. The second floor was more of what they'd encountered on the first, but with fewer walkers. He was relieved when the 'all clear' was given and they stood before the closed and locked door of the warden's office. Daryl didn't hesitate to bang loudly on the solid oak doors.

"Why're you knocking?" Glenn asked quietly.

Daryl smirked. "If y' were looking for th' perfect place t' hide from th' hell in th' blocks, where's th' first place you'd run?"

"Warden's office," the sergeant said from behind them.

The sound of a body … then more than one … slammed against the doors, followed by the accompanying groans and growls of the walkers within.

"Well, ain't that a bitch," Brian drawled, scowling at the doors. "Doors open inward. Ain't gonna be none of that lettin' 'em out one at a time strategy."

Miles pushed his cover back and scratched his head. "T-Dog's got those shields he found. We could batter them back and let the others come in from behind us to take 'em out."

"GO!" Jamie barked, and his men hustled back to C block to fetch the required gear.

Rick dropped down on his haunches and rubbed at the back of his neck, grateful for a respite. "You really think it'll work?" he asked the sergeant.

"Unless you want someone to scale the wall outside and come in through a window."

Rick looked up at Shane who gaped at him incredulously. "Fuck that, Rick! I am not scaling a building and busting through a window."

Daryl snorted as Glenn – who usually got volunteered for all the bullshit assignments – inched further behind him, trying to make himself small. "C'mon, Rick, that's crazy."

"You're right," he agreed with a wry smile, "but it was a good plan B."

Jamie shook his head, knowing the man was crazy enough to follow through with a plan like that. He and his men were trained for special ops, but from what little he knew about their leader, he would try it if it would help out his group. At least the man was dedicated … sometimes to the extremes. Only Shane and Daryl seemed to be able to talk him off the ledge when he wanted to do something too farfetched.

Daryl hurried to the stairs, alarmed by the racket going on below. He pointed his crossbow over the wide bannister, relieved to see it was only the Marines Jamie had sent to fetch the shields. He stepped back to find Rick beside him, a worried frown marring his brow.

"D'you think they were able to get them without our wives noticing?" the sheriff asked.

The hunter arched a brow. "Seriously? They woulda had t' go right through th' common room. Ain't no way they didn't notice. 'Specially since Lori an' Carol are settin' up th' kitchen in there." Daryl nudged him with an elbow to the ribs. "They're not gonna come out here, Rick. I swear y' worry like an old lady."

Rick grimaced, imagining what Lori would have to say when they returned to the block. Things were good between them, but that didn't mean he liked her nagging him about what risks he might take to get the prison in shape. He lined up with Glenn and Shane behind the Marines and their shields, ready to storm the last room in the building – aside from the basement – as Daryl moved to unlock the doors and throw them wide.

Jamie led his men forward with a war cry which had Daryl rolling his eyes, pushing the half dozen walkers back further into the room. Glenn threw the doors closed to prevent any from escaping to ambush them later before engaging one of the geeks, stabbing his knife into the soft tissue of its temple. Daryl fired his crossbow into the head of another and spun on his heel to thrust his big hunting knife into the base of another's skull. Rick and Shane worked on the other three threats on the far side of the room, all the while the Marines covered them. It was over before they could break a sweat, and they all felt rather pleased with themselves that another part of the prison was clear of walkers.

Shane patted Rick on the back. "Why don't I take Jamie and his men down to the basement and make sure it's clear. If we're lucky, we might find something useful down there," he suggested.

Rick nodded. "Good idea. We'll sweep the office and meet you down there in twenty."

Daryl stared at the long wall between to bookshelves and smirked smugly. "We ain't gonna need that long," he said, pointing a long finger to the blueprint of the prison tacked to the drywall. "We got what we came for."

*.*.*

"Damn, woman, y' gonna go through all your cleanin' supplies on two rooms," Daryl commented lightly as the others followed him into C block and deposited what they'd looted from the armory onto one of the tables.

Carol held herself in check, suppressing the need to go to him, to strip him of his filthy clothes and check for bites and scratches. That very real fear which gripped her every time he left on some mission or another with Rick and Shane, loosening somewhat in her chest. She knew he was fine if he was teasing her. "I'm sure we'll find more hidden away in a closet somewhere, and if not, we can find some on a run. You know I can't abide filth, Daryl, and it's not good for Lori and the baby to be exposed to it either." More of her tension fled as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his side. "Besides, it keeps us all busy and distracted from wondering what you lot might get up to."

He leaned in close to her ear, his voice a soft murmur of reassurance. "Ain't no sense worryin' about shit y' can't change. If somethin' is gonna happen, worryin' ain't gonna stop it."

"I love you … it's my job to worry," she insisted stubbornly. Before he could argue, she changed the subject, nodding towards the table. "Was there a good haul from the armory?"

Daryl shrugged and linked his fingers with hers as he watched Rick and Shane go through their meager supplies. "Flashbangs, some CS triple-chasers, few boxes of ammo … it was pretty much wiped out. Figure whoever made a break for it, took what they could from th' stores an' left what they couldn't carry. It's fine, though. We still have what Rick had in his gun bag, what we took from th' bunker, an' th' weapons Jamie an' his men had stored up."

"Not to mention what we find out on our runs. So, we're good?"

"Yeah,"

Carol let her free hand trail over his bicep, down to grasp his fingers, wrapping around them reassuringly. "Sophia seems better. Did you have a good talk with her this morning? No more quarrel between the two of you?"

Daryl grinned down at her. "Mhmm. We talked about a lot o' her concerns. She's adjusting jus' like th' rest of us. I wanted t' make it clear t' her she could come t' us if she needed t' talk about what was bothering her."

Carol sighed, her eyes searching her daughter out where she and Carl were working with Rory and Randall on butchering the doe. "She's in the habit of bottling her troubles. Ed was of the firm belief children should be seen and not heard." She squeezed his hand. "I'm so glad she feels she can talk to you."

"I'm tryin'," he said, ducking his head sheepishly. "Gonna take me a little time t' get used t' th' whole dad thing. Protectin' her is easy because she's smart an' she listens, but when it comes t' th' … it ain't like I had the best role model for a father, Carol."

"Daryl … you're wonderful." Her hand lifted to brush his wayward bangs out of his eyes, so she could better see him. "I know you can't see it, but you're the finest man I've ever had the pleasure to meet. Parenting doesn't come with instructions. We just have to muddle through and hope we don't mess up too bad, but from what I've seen so far, you're doing a great job. Don't doubt yourself." She doubted he'd ever find the same faith in himself she placed in him, but she would continue to encourage him as long as he needed. One day … maybe … he would see for himself what a good man he was, and wipe away the poison Jackson had plied to Daryl's mind.

His cheeks tinted a lovely pink beneath her praise, and again, he wondered what he'd ever done to deserve a woman like her. He didn't know how to answer her, and he felt inadequate standing there with her, fighting his usual battle with words. Thankfully, Rick drew his attention back to their plans for the day.

"Hey, Daryl, you ready to get this done?"

Lori's nails dug into her husband's bicep, her eyes fraught with fear as he met her gaze. "You're really going down there?" she interjected in a heated whisper, ever mindful of protecting the children from her worries.

Rick's gaze softened as he looked down into her wide sable eyes. "It has to be done." He pointed to the blueprint Shane had fastened to the wall, drawing her over to it and tracing where they stood with a lone finger. "At least now we know where we're going. We'll take two teams," he explained, mapping out the cafeteria and the infirmary. "If the prison fell early after the outbreak, there should still be supplies in both areas … supplies we need, Lori."

"And we can't have walkers roaming around our new home, now can we?" Glenn added, though his gaze was focused on Maggie where she stood next to him. "We have to try to make it safe."

Shane nodded. "No more losses. Not if we can help it."

T-Dog smacked his sharpened rebar lance against his open palm and shot her a cheeky grin. "Time to get this show on the road," he said, looking over at Rick. "So, who all's going down there?"

Rick pulled Lori into his side and felt her relax a bit as she buried her face against his chest. He knew it was in her nature to worry, to question everything, but he was glad she wasn't going to fight him on this. It had to be done. As curious as the children were, he knew it wouldn't be long before they decided to explore, and he couldn't bear the thought of them coming to harm. "Volunteers?"

Nearly everyone gathered together in the common room raised their hands. Except Lori who knew it was pointless. Rick would lock her in a cell before he let her go down to the tombs. Daryl was bouncing on the balls of his feet, more than ready to head below. He grabbed Carol's hand as it shot into the air and pulled it back down to her side. "Oh, hell no, woman!"

She arched one dark brow at him. "Is this because I'm a woman, or because you doubt my abilities?"

His jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed. "Neither, an' y' damn well know it," he fumed. "Sophia needs y' up here. She's gonna worry enough when I go down there."

Carol sighed, knowing he was right. If, god forbid, something was to happen to him, at least she would have one parent. "Fine …"

Daryl fought off a keen feeling of rejection as his wife pursed her lips and turned away to watch the rest of the group. He didn't hear Glenn arguing with Maggie or how the teams were being chosen. His sole focus was on the rigid tension evident in Carol's posture. He knew he was doing the right thing by making her stay, yet she was the only person he knew able to make him feel badly about his decision. His left hand curled gently around her hip, dragging her back towards him as his chin came to rest upon her shoulder. "Carol … don't be like that," his gravelly voice intoned next to her ear.

She shivered and relaxed back against his chest. "I'm not," she replied. "I am yielding to your good judgement. I'm not so stubborn I can't admit when you're right. But it doesn't mean I have to like it."

He sighed, relieved she wasn't going to fight him. He hated fighting with her. He would if it came down to it, but would avoid it at all costs. It made him angry and out of sorts, and that was a side of him she didn't need to see. "Y'know I'll be able t' concentrate better if I know you're safe up here with th' others. I'm not doin' it 'cause I don't want y' with me. Ain't nobody I'd rather have coverin' m' ass."

Carol snorted. "I know. Besides, there's plenty to do up here to keep me distracted." She tugged on his hand until his arm was firmly settled around her waist. She wouldn't cry or give in to a fit of theatrics to show her fear for him … for them all, really. Instead, she bit lightly at her lip and relished his embrace. "Just … be safe, Daryl … please."

He hugged her a bit tighter, but they were both drawn back to reality at the sound of Rick's raised voice.

"Hershel, you're not going either," he said, resting a firm but gentle hand to the older man's shoulder. "The best way for you and Sprite to help is to get our clinic set up. It was a damn fine idea yesterday, and moreso today. You're the only doctor we have, and we can't risk you getting hurt."

"He's right, Hershel," Shane said, nodding respectfully.

Maggie hugged Beth to her side, relieved their father would have to comply with Rick's wishes. Amidst the bickering, it was finally decided Rick, Daryl, Shane, T-Dog, Glenn and Cameron would make up the group which would search out the cafeteria. Jamie would lead the second team including Brian, Miles, Tessa and Rory to the infirmary. Each team would be going in silently, relying on their knives … the use of handguns only to be used in case of emergency.

Carol wrapped her arms around herself as Daryl disappeared through the barred door, locking it behind him, a shudder shaking her to her core. Lori held herself together long enough to escape to her cell, her muffled cries echoing off the stone walls.

*.*.*

Carol tried not to dwell on the time, though it was difficult not to sneak peeks at her watch and wonder if Daryl was safe. There were too many things which could go wrong down there. Narrow corridors, hordes of inmates turned walker, little to no light aside from the flashlights they carried with them, and a myriad of other things. How was she not to worry? Instead, she tried to focus on overseeing tasks to keep the rest of the group busy. She greeted Randall with a wan smile as he came in from the courtyard where the kids were still butchering the deer and preparing it to go in the small cooler they had connected to the outlet in one of the trucks. That had been a contribution from the Marines and she couldn't be happier to have something in which to store their perishables.

Alexandra already had their large soup pot going on the camp stove they'd brought into the common room, seasoning the water with some of their meager stores of dehydrated onion, bell pepper and spices. Dry gravy mix, canned potatoes and carrots and the cubed venison would be added to provide them with a hearty stew.

Randall laid the heavy brown paper containing the venison on the table next to the stove and nodded to Carol. "We're nearly done, ma'am. After clean-up, I was wondering if you'd mind me taking Carl and Sophia out along the fence. There's a small buildup of walkers, and Beth said we should try to get rid of them before their moans attract more … if it's ok with you."

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Maggie and Patricia organizing the boxed and canned foods they'd brought with them in neat rows in the storage closet – now their pantry. Beth waited near the door leading out into the courtyard, there to see if Carol would concede with Randall's request while keeping an eye out for Carl and Sophia at the same time. Andrea hovered near Alex, chatting amiably about nothing in particular and Kayla sorted through the laundry supplies they'd be using the next day on the pile of filthy clothes which were piling up. Even working to make their small space livable couldn't take Carol's mind off of what might be happening below in the tombs.

"Yes, Randall, that would be fine. Sophia and Carl need as much distraction as we can provide just now. They don't need to sit idle and dwell on where their fathers are or what they're doing. Thank you," she said, trying to muster a bright smile for the boy. "When you're done, perhaps you could set them on watch duty in the guard tower."

Randall frowned, hating to see her so distraught. She'd been the only one to really believe him after he'd been separated from his group and brought back to the farm. She'd even garnered the redneck's disapproval when she'd taken him under her wing, knowing it had driven a wedge between her and Daryl. He owed her his life, something he didn't take lightly. "Ms. Carol … you know everything is gonna be fine with them, right? They're good fighters. They'll come back; you'll see," he said, trying in his own way to make her feel better.

Her hand came to rest on his shoulder, giving it a gentle reassuring squeeze before she watched him go, Beth following along after him. Andrea dried her hands on a clean dish cloth and wrapped an arm around Carol's waist, leading her to sit down at one of the tables.

"He's right, Carol," her friend murmured, lending her strength through touch.

Carol leaned into Andrea and rested her head on the blonde's shoulder. "We're fine … they're fine … we'll get through this. I wonder if I tell myself that often enough I might begin to believe it."

Andrea's stomach rumbled as Alexandra seasoned and seared the venison destined for the stew pot. "At least they'll have a good meal tonight to reward them for their bravery," she chuckled. "We can even make some mac and cheese to go with it. Dixon will like that, I think."

Carol smiled for the first time since the barred door had slammed shut behind the men. "He'd live off that stuff if we let him," she sighed, hugging her friend in silent thanks. She had to remember Andrea's man was down there as well. She was just better at not giving in to her emotions. It warmed her heart to see Shane so happy with Andrea, and not just because it had shifted his focus from his best friend's wife. With the world gone to hell, every one of them needed to grab onto whatever happiness they could while they were able.

"Feel better?"

"Much, thank you." Carol rose to her feet and squared her shoulders with determination. She was a Dixon, and Dixons did not sulk. "I think I'm going to see how Hershel and Sprite are coming along with the clinic … and check in on Lori."

Hershel had insisted on using the first cell on the first floor for the clinic, as it was the closest to the entrance of the block. For now, they had a long narrow table pushed up against one wall where the vet and his new nurse were organizing what medical supplies they'd been able to squirrel away. Hershel's large bag was set beneath it within easy reach. A stack of multicolored towels sat at the edge of the sink, and the two were bickering over the placement of peroxide and alcohol when Carol passed without comment, seeing they were lost in their own little world. They got along well, and she was glad they'd found the new group. Having more than one person learned in the study of wound care could only benefit them in the long run.

Carol wasn't able to hold her silence, however, when she came to stand at the entrance to Lori and Rick's cell to see her friend curled on her side, salty tear tracks etched on her ashen features. "What are you doing?" she asked, crossing her arms stubbornly over her chest.

The brunette sat up stiffly, one hand going to her slightly rounded baby bump as the other wiped lingering tears from her eyes. "Hey," she offered lamely, staring down at her feet.

"Don't give me that crap. Tell me why you're in here moping when there's work to do. Hell, I'd rather see you out on the yard taking a walk and breathing in the fresh air. Lord knows it would be better for the baby if you did," Carol scolded gently. "The stress isn't good for either one of you."

Lori sniffled, raising red-rimmed eyes to meet Carol's as the older woman sat down beside her on the bunk. "I'm not moping."

Carol arched a dubious brow, letting the woman know she wasn't fooling anyone.

"Ok, fine! I'm moping," she huffed. "Happy?"

"No … why would I be happy to see you in pain?" Carol asked, wrapping her arm around Lori's shoulders and pulling her into a comforting embrace, much like Andrea had done moments ago for Carol. Without the support of their friends, she didn't know how they'd make it. She knew just how desolate it was to be in a bad situation … alone, frightened and hopeless.

Lori clung to her friend, twining her fingers with Carol's. "How do you do it? How can you just watch Daryl go off on runs, or rushing into the middle of a herd like he did yesterday? I nearly died when I lost sight of Rick, and the danger they have to be facing down in the tombs …" She shuddered, a small sob slipping past her lips. "How can you be so strong all the time?"

"Because I have to be," Carol said simply. How else would she have survived her marriage to Ed? "And because I'm don't have to deal with raging pregnancy hormones. You're strong too, Lori. You don't give yourself enough credit."

Lori nodded sheepishly, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Being a cop's wife was a bit easier. I worried about Rick all the time, but it was nothing like now where we have flesh eating corpses just waiting to take a bite out of him. Even when he'd been shot, at least I knew there was a chance he'd recover. If he's bitten or scratched … not even a good healthy dose of penicillin could cure him."

"You just have to have a bit of faith, Lori. Trust him to keep himself safe. You know the others will watch his back." Carol sighed. "If it makes you feel any better … I'm just as worried about Daryl. As much as I trust him to be careful, I had my own little meltdown in the common room barely twenty minutes ago. When you love someone, it's only natural to worry."

A scream cut off whatever it was Lori had been about to say, followed by Glenn's anguished cries for Hershel. Carol and Lori collided none too gently at the door of her cell as they shot to their feet and spilled out into the corridor. Lori barely stifled a whimper as she caught sight of her husband covered in blood, his arm supporting Cameron on one side, Glenn on the other as they rushed the injured Marine to Hershel's cell for treatment.

Carol's heart thundered in her chest when there was no sign of Daryl. She left Lori to follow after Rick and see if there was any way she could help, focused on the noise coming from the common room. She gasped as she stumbled into the room to find her husband, bow raised and targeting four strangers standing before the now open cell door which led into the tombs.

"Get the others and take them into the cell block, woman," he growled lowly, never taking his eyes off the liberated inmates. He shifted to the right, planting himself between Carol and the men ogling her curiously.

The others were already moving towards the cells, Alexandra's arm wrapped firmly around Kayla's waist and the woman sobbed over her injured mate. Once they were safely away, Carol turned to look at the men, a shiver tripping along her spine as her eyes settled on who appeared to be their leader … a tall man with long greasy black hair and a hint of madness in his dark gaze. The blood in her veins turned to ice, and her hand snaked down to palm the .45 at her hip, bringing it up to point directly at the man as she stepped out from behind her husband.

The men all held their hands up in a gesture of surrender. She could hear Daryl calling her down, Rick speaking to the inmates as he charged back into the room, Kayla's cries … yet nothing registered in her fear-soaked mind. She could see the threat before her. Her eyes narrowed as her thumb depressed the safety and cocked the hammer back.

A/n: Thanks so much for reading.