Everyone was right, I was working too hard. It was the height of winter and it was so icy that literally only Andy, Nessa and I could run on it, even Daryl struggled and he could not take out his bike at all. So on top of everything else I've got going on, I do most of the runs as well. I don't mind but I barely sleep or eat and I only ever stop to get that little bit of sleep I do get. This went on for about four months. I totally ignored everything the group said to me, Daryl was getting really pissed off and Dr S told me to take a rest but I just couldn't… All of these people rely on this prison to keep them safe and that is exactly what I intend to do. Coming back from another run, I hide the exhaustion on my face as I head straight to the library for the afternoon school. After that I showered. I look at myself in the cracked bathroom mirror and sigh. I look worn out. My eyes are reddening and I have some serious bags going on underneath my eyes. My cheeks are getting hollow and my skin has gone from a pale glow to a dull pasty colour. My skin is drying from the cold weather and my clothes are becoming scarily loose but it will be worth it when everyone is safe and secure and when spring comes in and it becomes easier for others to go on runs. A wave of dizziness falls over me for the third time today and I grip the sink tightly and take a deep breath and shake myself out of it. I still need to feed Judith, go to a council meeting, do inventory and check the perimeter. I head out of the bathroom and back towards my cell where I dump my dirty clothes then head straight back out.

"Hey, Gwen!" Someone shouts and I wave half-heartedly.

More people greet me but they suddenly sound distant. Oh God, my vision is blurry. That's the last thing I remember.

Nessa's P.O.V

Gwen has been working too damn hard lately, trying to build this place for everyone. We've all told her to slow down but then she throws on a cute smile and tells everyone that she's fine and to drop it. I've never seen her sleep, before all this all I did see was a sleeping Gwen but not anymore. She's almost a shell of her former self and it scares me. It scares everyone, especially Daryl. Today, after our run, Gwen walks straight to the library, it is supposed to be my class today… I drop down in a seat in the communal area and have some food. I see Gwen go into her cell then head straight to the shower, to her cell, then out again. I sigh, now where is she going? Someone calls her name and she lifts her hand half-heartedly then she staggers. I stand up quickly and she straightens herself and I almost sigh in relief but she staggers again and hits the ground hard. I gasp and run over.

"Gwen!" I shout and drop to her side and turn her over.

Her breath is laboured and she's sweating. I check her for bites automatically, even though I know she hasn't got any. It's exhaustion.

Daryl forces his way through the crowd and pushes away a guy who tries to lift Gwen up and snaps "What happened?"

I shrug "I don't know, she collapsed. She's exhausted"

He picks her up and says as calmly as he can "Go get Doctor S"

"Right!" I say and run off to find Dr S.

I lead him to Daryl and Gwen's cell where Gwen is still passed out and the cell is packed with Daryl, Andy, Rick, holding Judith, Carl, Carol, Maggie, Glenn, Sasha, Hershel and Beth. Michonne would be here but she's off trying to track down the Governor again.

Hershel is already checking Gwen over but Dr S is a human physician. He drops to her side and checks her temperature and her pulse. "She's got a slight fever, any bites?" Doctor S asks

"We didn't run into any walkers today" Andy says.

"I checked her anyway and she didn't have any" I say stepping forward

The tension in the room relaxes a little. "So what's wrong with her?" Daryl asks anxiously.

Rick places his hand on Daryl's shoulder as Dr S does his job.

Dr S stands up and smiles "She'll be okay but from now on she has to slow down or she might not be next time. She's exhausted and dehydrated and she may talk the big talk but the Snow Queen has a cold"

Andy and I laugh "Really?" Andy asks breathlessly

Dr S nods looking confused.

"She has always said that since she got Swine flu when she was 16 she is immune to illness and she gets taken down by a cold?" Andy laughs and hold onto me as he holds his stomach.

"Andy, shut up" Gwen moans.

Gwen's P.O.V

"She has always said that since she got Swine Flu when she was 16 she is immune to illness and she get taken down by a cold?" I hear Andy laugh

I groan in my head at that, a cold? I have a fucking cold?

"Andy, shut up" I moan as I open my eyes and I'm met by a room full of people.

I raise an eyebrow at the crowd "Did I die or something?"

Maggie giggles "No, we were worried. Turns out you are human after all"

I grin "Sorry guys." I move to get out my bed, despite still feeling tired and dizzy.

I'm pushed down roughly by Daryl who glares at me "No. You're not leavin' this bed"

"But…" I start just to be cut off by Dr. S

"Seriously, Gwen, you have got to slow down. You have made yourself ill. Push yourself any harder and you won't be any use to anyone." He says firmly.

I sigh and rub my temples "I know. I got a little too obsessed with this place." I look at Daryl with a smile "I'm sorry"

I turn back to the group "Seriously guys, I'm good. Go back to what you were doing."

"Fine, but I'm getting you some food" Carol says, "When was the last time you ate?"

I grin sheepishly "I can't remember"

She nods "Exactly"

Everyone leaves and I turn to Daryl who is still staring at me blankly. I sigh "Don't look at me like that"

"Like what?" He asks

"With indifference" I reply and open my arms "I'm sick, hold me"

"I told you over and over again you were making yourself ill" Daryl snaps at me and I flinch "You can see it in your body, you're looking weak"

I cast down my eyes "I know, I'm sorry. I…I just want this place to be safe"

I hear Daryl move and then the bed dips and wraps his arms around me. "Enough now, Angel. You have all of us here to help you. Delegate, don't do it all yourself"

"I know I should have but I'm so used to doing things on my own or acting as someone's mother that I just did it like I was on autopilot" I tell him

Daryl kisses my temple "I'm your husband, Gwen, you gotta trust me"

I look up at him surprised "I do trust you, I trust you with my life, with my sisters and nephews lives. Why would think I wouldn't trust you?"

Daryl frowns "You've been ignorin' everythin' I've said and you didn' tell me the full extent of your workload"

"I thought I could handle it, I was wrong" I tell him. "I'm…"

"Stop apologizin', just don' do it again" He says calmly

I grin "Yeah, okay"