Okay...I want to preface this chapter with this...Daryl is a little ooc from the show with Sarah and her kids. With his history of abuse, you can see why he would take an immediate protective stance over them. And Merle is not in my story...don't get me wrong, I love Merle, but he just didn't fit with my vision of this story.

Thanks - and enjoy!

After breakfast, Sarah, Christy and Lisa joined Lori and Carol down by the lake to watch the kids swim. The sun was bright in the sky and the weather was warm almost lulling Sarah into a sense of peace...one she couldn't afford with the undead walking around, not to mention Shane lurking in the shadows.

"Looking around you'd never know the horror currently going on around us," Christy commented, mirroring Sarah's thoughts. "The weather is gorgeous, the sky is clear, and the birds are chirping...it's unreal!" Carol and Lori nodded in agreement, washing clothes in buckets.

"I'm just glad the kids don't know what's going on in the world," Lisa said.

"My Sophia knows," Carol spoke up. "She saw our neighbors before we left. Our friends...the husband was attacking his wife on the front lawn. That was five days ago and she's had nightmares since."

Sarah's mouth dropped open and she shut it quickly. "I'm sorry Carol. That's awful." Carol shrugged wiping tears from her eyes and going back to her laundry.

"Rick thought it best to tell Carl," Lori spoke up, "but he is 11 and Rick has always been very open with him about stuff like this. It's the cop in him!" Sarah smiled at her, understanding completely.

"I think if Noah were older I'd readily tell him, but he's so young. Then again...my dear son is wiser than his 8 years..." she faded off as her mom reached over and stroked her leg. Carol looked at her meaningfully and Sarah gave her a knowing smile. Carol smiled slightly before returning to her work. They sat again in silence as the children played in the water each lost in their thoughts.

"Mom?" Noah called out.

"What's up buddy?" she asked, getting up and walking down to him.

"I have to use the bathroom."

"Oh okay. Let's go then." She ruffled his hair as they walked past the others. "I'm gonna head to the RV with Noah. Keep an eye on Olivia for me?" she asked Christy and her mom.

"'I'll come with you," Christy said.

"I've got Liv," Lisa said. Sarah nodded her thanks.

They walked through the woods toward the campsite with Noah between them. Sarah kept her hand on the handle of her gun paying attention to their surroundings. She heard a noise behind them and whipped around seeing Daryl coming through the brush with his crossbow slung over his back.

He looked at them and gave Sarah a half grin. "See ya more aware of yer surroundin's. Tha's good."

"Hey Daryl. Been hunting again?" she asked.

"Yeah I was trackin' a deer but it got away. Don' happen often." She smiled, liking his confidence in his hunting skills. "Ay there," he said to Noah. "Wha's your name?" Daryl got on one knee to get down to Noah's level and Christy shot her a look.

"Noah," he replied. "I like your bow," he said, shyly.

"Thank ya," he replied. "Maybe one day I can teach ya how ta shoot it!" Noah smiled his brown eyes shining.

"Can I Mom?!" he asked looking up at her. She nodded.

"Sure!" she replied. Noah grinned. Christy cleared her throat. "Oh, Daryl - this is my best friend Christy." Sarah said.

Daryl looked at Christy his smile faltering. "Great to meet you, Daryl," Christy said, holding her hand out.

He cleared his throat and quickly grabbed her hand briefly, adjusting his bow over his shoulder. "Yeah, you too."

"Will you walk us back to camp, Mr. Daryl?" Noah asked.

"Sure, kid," he said as he stood up ruffling his hair like Sarah always did. She smiled and loved that he was showing Noah attention. Christy grinned at Sarah.

"My dad was an avid hunter," Sarah told Daryl as they walked. "He used to cuss all day long when he missed a deer. He hated when he let one get away." Daryl grunted a response, nodding his head.

"Yeah it sucks. Coulda used tha meat with all these mouths ta feed."

"Christy can help you ya know," she replied. "She's a pretty good shot. Our dads were in the same hunt club and since Christy was an only child her dad used to take her."

He eyed Christy, who was talking to Noah in front of them, taking it into consideration. He nodded. "Sure. Ain' no one else offered to contribute. We can go in the mornin'. Best huntin' gets done then." She nodded. They reached the RV and Sarah filled Christy in on the plan.

"Sounds good. Just come wake me up when you're ready," Christy replied, smiling at Daryl.

He gave a half smile. "I will. See ya, kid!" he said to Noah, who high-fived him.

As Daryl walked away, Christy let out a small laugh. "You're the best best friend - ever."

Sarah laughed. "No shame, huh Christy?"

"None."

Before dinner that night, Sarah sat by the fire with Lori helping her fold clothes while the kids played nearby with Rick and John.

"So," Lori said, "Rick was really beside himself about getting you here safely." Sarah's heart beat faster as her face flushed red.

"Yeah that's what John said."'she replied feeling uncomfortable with the discussion.

"I stick by what I told you 3 years ago when you and Shane divorced and every day since then…he's in love with you."

Sarah scoffed. "No he's not. We just…spent a lot of time together and he helped me and…" Lori smiled.

"Sweetie I'm not mad. At all. So don't lie on my account." She grinned at Sarah's embarrassment. "Don't get me wrong I love Rick, but I fell out of love with him a long time ago. John is my love and Rick is the father of my child. It works for us." Sarah glanced over at Rick who looked up at the same time and smiled at her. "With the world seeming to fall apart around us…isn't it time to just give in and go with your feelings?"

Lori squeezed Sarah's knee and got up grabbing the folded clothes and headed to her tent. Sarah stared at the fire lost in her thoughts of Rick and the memories of post-divorce that all had him in them.

"Sarah?" a voice came from beside her. She looked up and saw Rick. "This seat taken?" He gestured to the camp chair next to hers. Warmth came over her. She shook her head no. He sat down watching the kids with her neither one of them speaking for a few minutes. Sarah was still thinking about her conversation with Lori. "Penny for your thoughts…" he spoke up.

She he turned and looked at him. He was leaning on the arm of the chair his blue eyes penetrating deep into her soul. Her face grew warm. "Just thinking about stuff...things..." He smiled his eyes asking her to continue. She leaned closer. "Do you remember that one day at the shooting range?"

He smiled. "Of course I do," he replied softly. "the first time you hit the target and told me you'd been 'practicin' in your sleep.'" They both laughed. "I was so proud of you that day."

"I was proud of myself too..." They leaned closer to each other. Rick put his hand on her arm as she stared into his eyes, her heart thumping.

"Ahem."

Their heads both whipped around and they jumped apart to see Shane standing there staring at them expressionless.

"Can we help you, Shane?" Rick asked, keeping his hand on her arm. Sarah felt scared a little scared for the first time in years.

"Yeah, I was just going to take a group down to the spring to get some water. Wanted to see if you wanted to come with," he said to Rick not acknowledging Sarah.

"No, I think I'll stay here. See if T-Dog and Glenn will go with you," he replied. Shane nodded and glanced at Sarah and walked off. Sarah blew out all of the tension she was holding. "You don't have to be afraid of him anymore," Rick said quietly. She closed her eyes, her thoughts running wild then turned to look at Rick. He looked at her intensely. "Hey sweet girl, I meant what I said earlier…I will do everything I can to protect you and those kids. But you know you can protect yourself too. I know you can...I've seen it."

"I know...I had a pretty good teacher." He moved his hand down and grabbed her hand giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thanks, Rick. For everything you've…ever done, really. You're a great friend."

He smiled at her, but this time it didn't reach his eyes. "Thanks Sarah. You are too." He gave her hand a squeeze then let go but turned to look into her eyes. "I'm going to go check on Carl then get ready for dinner and bed. I'll be right here if you need me." He smiled again and got up and walked across camp.

Sarah looked at her children and saw Lori watching her. She shook her head letting her know that she just couldn't do it. In order to protect herself and Rick she needed to keep her feelings to herself.

There was no way Shane would understand...and she didn't need him pissed off.