I just realize i skip around a lot so i apologize for that...

Once more I beg for feedback but i won't make it mandatory.

My hands gripped the edge of the bed curling and uncurling my fingers against the white sheet. My brain refused to form words, or thoughts, or any sign of emotion. I could feel shock. It was building in the pit of my sanity and struggled to be shown, but I wouldn't allow it because right now isn't the time to be emotional. I have to be strong for everyone. I desperately wanted Daryl to come back so I could curl up next to him and cry the pain away, but the baby needed food and he was our strongest fighter.

"Rose," Glenn said softly his feet taking sheepish steps towards me. I didn't dare look up at him for I knew what he wanted. His yearning voice for help as the baby groaned in his hands for nurturing.

I unclenched my hands from the bed placing them on my legs. "Where's Rick?" I asked out of habit already knowing he was on a killing rampage in the tombs where Lori's body still laid. I wanted to go in with him not to kill, but to bring her body out for a proper burial. Knowing how much blood she was drowned in I guessing walkers had already gotten to her unguarded body. The thought made me cringe and guilt drench my bones knowing I could have brought her out safely.

He sighed. "In the tombs. He's been in there for hours." Another stepped was taken towards me and I looked up into his tired eyes. "I have to go dig the…the graves. Can you watch her? Beth and Hershel are trying to find supplies that are available here or else I wouldn't ask."

"Why wouldn't you ask?" I fought back the glare. It's not like he knew a dark secret on how I was a terrible mother because I was never put into situations like that.

Glenn's shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "Guilt maybe. Shock perhaps."

I nodded. "I see." I looked down at the baby in his arms a slight disgust filling my body looking at the thing that caused Lori's death. I know it wasn't really her fault but I resented the newborn awfully harshly than I should, but of course I knew better. "Be careful out there." I told him outstretching my arms. He placed it carefully in my grasp before stalking off grateful of the burden I had taken away from him. I stared down at the baby with its new eyes looking at me with curiosity. Wet droplets hit her face before I realized I was crying. What was I thinking? It wasn't this poor innocent child who caused Lori to pass so soon how could I even to stir that thought into my head. Was I turning that malice to blame a little infant for the cause of a tragic accident?

"You're beautiful," I whispered to the child cradling her against my chest as I laid down on the bed sobbing to the newborn who didn't even understand but she cooed on my shoulder feeling the comfort of a woman's body. Though she knew best than to believe me as her mother I was the closest thing she had been to a warm, clean chest to lay her head upon. Her tiny hands were grabbing at the skin on my arm. I turned on my side laying her beside me, curling my body around her small one. Together we drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

"Rose. Rose wake up." Daryl's voice lingered into my ears his soft hands trying to wake me sweetly.

I blinked up at his concerned face as beats of sweat streaked down his face."What's wrong?" I asked him gasping slightly at a sharp pain in my arm.

Daryl laughed reaching over and grabbing the baby who was sucking harshly on the skin of my arm. "She's hungry." He held her in his arms watching as Carl began to work with the formula. "Kinda sad I'm not the only one giving you hickeys." He winked at me before I looked down at my arm where a dark shade of purple was forming in a circle on the soft skin.

I rubbed the bruising section. "She probably thought it was where she can get milk." I choked on a laugh.

"We got that." He told me as Carl rushed forward with the bottle letting Daryl shove it quickly in her mouth. We all surrounded around her in amazement.

Beth awed. "What's her name?"

Everyone looked around now curious as to what to call the newborn. "How about little ass kicker?" He looked down at the baby smiling softly. "Ya like that? Lil' ass kicker."

The ladders on the bunk above were blending with each other as my tired eyes started at them for countless minutes. "She's out like a light." he tugged his short over his head folding it neatly onto the table. "Beth is looking after her." He had already locked the cell block door as he placed the keys next to his shirt. "You cold?" I shook my head but he placed his poncho over me anyways. "You okay?" I shook my head as he rolled onto the bed beside me. We were extremely tired; more him so than me, but tired nonetheless. It had to be past midnight. No one really could keep time except maybe Hershel who had a watch. I could not sleep despite my blood shot eyes and fatiguing state. Those lost, unknown hours meant nothing to me. It was either light or dark and in both senses I could not sleep. "Get some sleep." he mumbled entwining his limbs with mine.

"Has Rick come back?" My eyes remained wide open.

"No."

"Do you guys even know if he's alive?" I turned my head to the side to meet his eyes.

"He'll come back." Reassurance. What a waste of an emotion.

I squeezed my eyes shut tight. "I should have brought her back when I was in there. I should have brought her body back to be buried. Why did I leave her there?"

His hand was running up and down the length of my arms soothing my tensing muscles. "Don't you dare feel guilty. You have done no faults. What happened happened because we live in a world where survival is rare. You could not have done anything else for her."

"I know."

"Go to sleep Rose. You've been up for too long. You're driving yourself insane." I felt his moist lips pressed against my neck and then his face being nuzzled into where my shoulder met my clavicle. It's weird to think of Daryl so cozy with me now because when I first met him he ignored all source of human contact. His emotional maturity towards me still had me awestruck. The amount of stuff he has endured for me and yet I push him away in the sight of a mental breakdown. I could not do that. I had to listen to him because he knew what was best for me. I had to sleep.