Sophia yawned and stretched her little body was nestled against the solid wall of Daryl's side. Cracking her eye open she grinned when she seen her mom practically laying on top of Daryl. She grinned as she crawled out of the bed and lifted herself off Daryl's out stretched arm. He lifted his arm immediately and wrapped it around her mother holding her tighter to him.

Sophia slipped down the hall pulling on her boots and was out the door. Annette was waiting on the porch shading the morning lift from her face and Sophia rushed to her. Annette had a ready smile for her and Sophia imagined that it was what her grandmother would be like had she ever got to meet her. She liked it here. She liked being surrounded by a family, the Greenes and Dixons. She felt like her mama and her finally found their place in the world.

"You tell your mama where you are?" Annette's voice was soft and warm.

Sophia smiled up at her shaking her head, "No she was still sleeping."

Annette sighed as she patted Sophia's cheek, "What about Daryl? You at least let him know so he could tell her when she got up?"

Sophia grinned at her and shook her head, "He's sleeping too."

Annette looked down at her and Sophia beamed at her. They walked into the kitchen and Annette pushed a seat to Sophia prompting her to set down. Annette had taught her how to make biscuits and gravy here lately. She had scorched the gravy the other day but no one had said anything to her. It had shocked her. She had seen Ed slap her mama for spilling gravy one time and not even that much. She didn't want to think about what Ed would have done over ruined gravy.

Daryl would didn't even seem mad about the gravy. He just snorted at her and packed his biscuits outside with his coffee. Sophia smiled at the memory of following him out there and listening to Hershel and the men talk. Ed would have run her off but Daryl had shifted giving her room to set until she moved so Mac could set next to him. She didn't move far though only a step down and then she was leaning back against Daryl's legs, another thing Ed would have never allowed. She couldn't honestly remember him ever willingly hugging her even interacting with her but it seemed Daryl didn't mind a bit. She'd felt his fingers catch in her hair a few times and despite the roughness of his hands she welcomed the gesture. Plus she got to keep Mac and Merle.

"Got something on your mind sweetie?" Annette rolled out more dough and looked over at her. "Hand me that rolling-pin."

Sophia grabbed it and handed it over watching Annette closely. She wanted to learn everything she could and readily listened. She shifted though feeling the womans knowing eyes on her.

"DO you think Daryl likes me?" Sophia kept her voice soft.

Annette dusted her hands down her apron flour coating it lightly, "Honey what would make you ask that?"

Sophia blew out a breath and Annette laughed at her softly. Sophia pulled herself up onto the counter her feet swinging, "Shane told me that Daryl didn't want me around just my mama."

Annette looked over, "That man has no right to say things like that to you." Stepping over to her Annette grabbed her jaw and made her look up, "Daryl isn't the type of man to coddle or be overly affectionate Sophia but if anyone is gonna get it from him it'll be you. That man is crazy about you."

Sophia smiled, "You think so?"

"I know."

Sophia watched her as she finished breakfast and jumped down just as the door slapped letting them know someone was inside. Mac walked through his eyes sweeping over the kitchen quickly and he grinned at her.

"I like how Kit here gets favoritism." Mac sighed leaning on the counter next to Sophia.

Annette looked over at him and shook her head "I do not show favoritism."

"That right there is a lie." Mac elbowed Sophia getting her attention, "She is lying to you don't let her fool. It was always Daryl her favorite cause he was a pussy ass sweetheart and now it's you."

Sophia bit her lip and looked over to Annette who was glaring at him.

"Mac you know better than to speak like that in front of ladies." Annette caught him in the face with her hand and left a flour print. "Sophia sweetie go get Daryl and your mom...breakfast is about done."

Sophia grinned and hopped down with Mac catching her around the ribs swinging her down even faster. "Yeah Sophia be a good little mini Daryl and go get them."

"I'll take that as a compliment Mac...ya know since he's the favorite around here." Sophia giggled.

Annette laughed and shot her a smile as Mac glared, "Hardy har har you little shit. You got a fuckin' mouth just like him."

"Mac you just got one upped by a goddamn kid." Merle barked out a laugh from the door.

"Why don't all y'all suck my-" Mac's words were cut off suddenly when Annettes hand slapped over his mouth.

Sophia shot out the door laughing at his startled eyes and Merle's laugh following her. She was running around the side of the house when she slapped into Carl and they both crashed to the ground hard. Sophia yelped and Carl groaned both of them laying on the ground.

"Watch where you're going." Carl snapped rubbing his stomach. "Rude."

"It was an accident."

"I don't care." Carl snapped.

Sophia glared at him ignoring everything around them, "What is your problem?"

Carl shook his head and looked off, "How come Daryl started that fight with Shane?"

"Daryl so didn't start that!"

"Not what he told me...he tried to talk to him and Shane said Daryl hit him."

"Shane can eat shit."

Carl's eyes flashed to hers and widened, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me Carl Grimes Shane can eat shit and you can go to hell! He hit my mama!"

Carl spluttered and Sophia huffed, "I don't believe that! That aint Shane."

"You callin' my mama a liar and everyone else? You know what why don't you go back in the house little boy." Sophia snapped sounding more like Daryl at the moment then a little girl.

Sophia stormed off without waiting for his response. She left Carl wide eyes and gaping after her and Rick shaking with silent laughter close by. She had seen Rick walking for them and had a feeling she was going to get in trouble once her mama found out how she had talked.

Stepping around the corner she seen the door to Daryl's house open and him and her mom step out. Daryl was holding the door for her mother and she was smiling shading the sun from her face. Sophia paused in the shadow of the big house watching them. Daryl was looking out towards the woods nodding along with Carol but he had a slight smile teasing his lips. She liked seeing them like this. She didn't know what they were smiling about but she knew that before they were together she hadn't seen them smile all that much.

Sophia yelped but it was cut off when her feet left the ground suddenly. A hand slapped over her mouth and she was pulled further back her little body hitting the solid wall of someone. Sophia thrashed against the tight hold that was crushing her ribs. Tears welled up and she could see her mama and Daryl so close but wasn't able to call to them. Feeling fear race her entire body she bucked her entire body and kicked as hard as she could connect with something hard enough for the grip to loosen up and her break free briefly.

Sucking in a lungful of air as she felt the same arm come around her stomach she screamed with everything in her. "DAD!" Her voice tore ragged from her throat as a sob built up and followed it.

"Shut the fuck up."

Daryl's head whipped around at the sound of Sophia's voice crying out. Before he even had time to register what he was doing he was already sprinting across the yard and he heard the sound of the screen door slapping the back of the house the same time Mac jumped the porch rails. Their foot falls were fast and in sync rushing towards the sound of a struggle.

Coming around the corner he seen red. Shane had his hand over Sophia's mouth as she fought and clawed at his arms trying to break free from him. She had tears streaming down her face and her little body was dangling in the air while being held against him. Her feet were kicking out and swinging back connecting with everything she could.

"Let her go." Daryl snarled moving towards him. His eyes locked with hers and he seen relief flood through her eyes at the sight of him but she never stopped fighting.

"No see Dixon I aint stupid...I let her go and you two pieces of shit are gonna have nothing between us." Shane shrugged, "I think I'll hang on to her."

Shane took another step back and Daryl snarled moving forward but Shane's arm tightened around Sophia's throat and she yelped against his hand. Mac grabbed his arm stopping him and he relaxed just enough at the touch to let his eyes focus on more than Shane. That second was all he needed before he started smiling.

"Now aint this just a fine way to start my morning." Merle sneered just behind Shane. "Hated your cock sucking ass back at the Quarry and now look we've come full circle."

Shane tensed and Daryl locked eyes with Sophia again and she bucked her entire body again and broke free at the same time Merle grabbed Shane. Shane grabbed for her but she was already gone. She was racing forward and Daryl moved forward at the same time. She launched herself the last few feet and crashed into him roughly but he caught her. Her small arms wrapped around his neck and she wrapped her legs around his waist. She was clinging to him with everything she had in her as her tiny body shook from adrenaline and sobs.

Daryl's hand hit at her back and his other arm banded around her supporting her full weight, "Shhh I got you Kit."

Mac looked over at them as Daryl glared at Shane over her small shoulder, "Get her up to the house." His voice told Daryl everything he needed to know and he turned without a word.

He wanted to be there but knew there was no way he was prying Sophia off him right now. She was damn near choking him as it was and her breathing was too quick. He started walking faster and just as he came around the corner it seemed everyone else finally had caught up. Carol was wide-eyed and at his side instantly as he stepped around the corner but he was going up the steps. She had heard Sophia at the same moment but didn't run near as fast as his longer legs could carry him.

"Where's Hershel?" His voice was rough and her little sobs against his throat was breaking his heart.

Carol was almost as on top of him as Sophia was as he stepped into the den with Hershel. He immediately stood and Daryl tried to get Sophia to loosen her grip but the second he did she all but started wailing against him. He set down heavily and shot a panicked look to Carol and Hershel.

"Baby...Sophia sweetie look at me...are you hurt?" Carol soothed as her hand swept down her daughters back.

Sophia clung tighter to Daryl sobbing harder and he let out a breath. Hershel gave him a sad smile, "Son I think she's just shook up.."

He excused himself and left him and Carol there with her. Daryl looked at Carol wide-eyed but she gave him a small tense smile and he set back giving up trying to pry Sophia off himself. She calmed down the second he did and Carol set down next to them running her hands through Sophia's hair as she pressed her face into Daryl's throat.

"I think she's asleep." Carol kept her voice low and soft.

Daryl went to move her small arms from around his neck and Sophia tensed. Carol leaned into his side still talking low to Sophia calming her down. He felt useless. He didn't know what the fuck to say to either of them at the moment. He knew Carol was just as upset as Sophia was but he had no words to comfort either one. He felt awkward and wasn't sure what the fuck was supposed to happen now. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to beat the fuck out of Shane for thinking he could ever lay hands on her...

He wanted to do more than just beat him. He wanted to fucking kill him for touching Sophia at all. He felt something swell in his chest almost to the point of suffocating him and tried to fight it down. He didn't envy the man for being out there with Mac and Merle right now but Shane was lucky at the moment. A fucking moment was all it was going to be too. He was lucky Sophia had attached herself to him or he'd be out there and he'd make sure he had miserable last moments before he bit the bullet.

Daryl shifted and Sophia shifted on him as well her little arms falling loose around him. He slid her from his lap finally and onto Carol's where she was nestled sleeping. Carol stretched out in his vacated spot and Daryl stood watching as mother and daughter wrapped around each other. Carol's body cradling her daughters and shielding her.

Stepping out the door he shut it behind him and Mac was standing there. He was leaning against the wall opposite the door. His face was set in stone and he looked like he was ready to rip the world apart.

"How is she? Hurt?" Mac's voice was low and sharp.

Daryl shook his head and motioned Mac out the side door. It was late evening now and he wasn't even sure where the goddamn time had went. He must have fell asleep on the goddamn couch with them. He wanted to be pissed but it had calmed Sophia down so he'd deal with it.

"She's fine." Daryl's voice was rough.

Mac grabbed his arm turning him, "He didn't hurt her? Hershel said she was a mess..."

"Nah she had some blood on her hands but that was all his. Her nails must have shredded everything she could get ahold of." Daryl smiled at that and then shook his head, "She was damn near in shock."

"Hershel said the same." Mac was looking out to the barns his eyes hard. "He's out there with Rick and Merle both watching him. "

"I'm surprised you didn't kill him there in the yard."

"I tried." Mac snarled, "It seems we have delicate sensibilities about killing someone i the front yard though." Mac looked over at him, "How is Carol?"

Daryl looked over at his brother at the use of Carol's real name. He never said her name. Never. He hadn't since he had started calling her silver fox and other sexual innuendos to Daryl. Mac was actually concerned for her and that alone was a feat.

"She's upset...pissed."

"Maybe we should turn her and the rest of those savage ass women in there on him with nothing more than spatulas and other women shit."

Daryl fought the smile that threatened his mouth but couldn't fight it anymore and he snorted, "Fuck you Mac."

"What...that was goddamn serious! Could you imagine Annette with that goddamn wooden spoon and the rest of them armed with similar shit after you? Fuck that man. I was raised around that hell-hound in there and she beat the shit out of us with kitchen utensils every time she caught us doing shit! Fucking hurts."

"NO fuck you for making me laugh you asshole." Daryl chuckled, "And if you don't recall I got hit the other day with that fucking wooden spoon."

"Cause Kit's the favorite now not you. You been replaced brother."

Daryl snorted and glared out to the barns. Shane wasn't long for this world. No he'd handle him but right now he needed to handle other shit. Mac shifted next to him.

"Rick wants to talk to us all in the morning when everything has settled and people calm down."

Daryl nodded and walked back to the house. If he went out there right now he'd kill him without a thought. He'd bury his knife into that man for every tear and sob ripped from Kit's body. For every bit of worry he'd caused Carol.

Carol set up when he walked back into the den and Sophia's eyes opened locking onto him She looked wore out and yawned again. She never looked away as he squatted down in front of them. "You gonna make me pack you out there or you walking?"

Sophia just nodded at him her little voice was almost stripped from all the crying she had done. Carol set up as he lifted Sophia. He knew he should worry about his side but at the moment he felt fine. She was already nodding off against him and Carol opened the door for them. Annette was waiting for them at the back door her face worried and worn.

"Y'all gonna eat?"

Daryl shook his head even as she thrusted food towards Carol. "Thanks."

Annette hugged her and then done the same to him as she kissed Sophia's cheek. That feeling returned to him and he felt his chest swelling with it again. He swallowed thickly and walked down the steps. Carol was silent next to him her body brushing his arms as he carried Sophia. She was already snoring lightly.

Getting her in bed was easy enough and he left Carol to getting her changed. Stepping into the bathroom he cleaned his side for the night and changed the bandages making sure nothing was torn. He was in good shape and thankful for it. He didn't like not being at hundred percent.

"Everything okay?" Carol's voice was soft and concerned.

Daryl looked over at her and nodded, "Yeah."

Carol moved around him not listening and checked for herself. "You need to eat."

"So do you."

Carol sighed, "I did earlier while you and Sophia slept at the big house."

Daryl made a face and she gave him a sad smile, "You both fell asleep on me and I...I couldn't sleep. I ate and helped her clean the kitchen before coming back in and finally being calm enough to set."

Daryl pulled her to him and nodded. Her hand caught his and pulled him down the hall, "I'm not hungry."

"Don't matter Daryl you need to eat. You aren't ever going to heal if you don't eat and take care of yourself."

Setting down she pushed a plate in front of him and he looked down feeling his stomach growl. She gave him a pointed look and he started eating. He groaned and ended up scarfing it all down quickly. He was too keyed up to sleep but couldn't damn well do anything that he use to when his adrenaline was running so high.

Carol smiled at him, "Thank you Daryl..."

Looking up he raised a brow at her, "For?"

"For caring."