Author's note: Alright I really need to know what you guys think about this. This has to be the hardest chapter for me to write so far. And it's driving me crazy! It's not as funny as the last chapter and it's definitely a more serious/melancholy chapter. A new weaker side of Mara is exposed , while hers and Rick's relationship is now in an awkward position with Lori and Carl around. Then there's my number one pet peeve-dialogue is there too much dialogue? Is it too wooden? Help a chicka out I am going insane with worry about this chapter! Too much fluff between her and Rick way too soon? GAH! I need a Beta Reader! Anyway next chapter will have Daryl for sure! So excited.

Question: Seriously, what do you think about this chapter-cause I'm half ready to take it down and rewrite it…

~Cassandra

Disclaimer: If I owned the Walking Dead, then I'd be rich and not have to do math homework or my stupid six page Art Appreciation paper on Art's influence's on culture.

"So you, guys have only known each other for two days?" Morales asked kind of shocked.

"More like a day in a half, but I think we could afford to round it up. Don't you?" Mara joked, turning to Rick.

He cracked a small grin. "Whatever you want, Mar."

Andrea stared at the two baffled. The pair acted fair from what people who just met each other would act like. Especially in this new world. "I can't believe it. You two are so…so-"

"So what?" Mara asked curious.

"Trusting." Jacqui answered for her friend.

"It's not common to trust people anymore-especially after only two days. With the way the world is now, if they aren't family then you can't trust them. " Morales explained.

"That can't be totally true." Rick protested, "You guys trusted each other back at the store."

"It was more of forced commitment." Jacqui rebutted.

Mara sighed stretching her limbs out as far as she could in the vehicle. Suddenly she was extremely grateful that Rick had found her and not anyone else. The man was a freaking moral compass after all. Plus he had a strong sense of responsibility even to people he just met. It probably was the cop thing. "Well, I don't see how anyone could not trust, Rick." Mara mentioned, "He's like freakin' Robocop without the metal. Saved me hundreds of times already. Besides him and I are like the perfect tag team. He's the strong serious hero and I'm the comic relief sidekick who is sometimes useful."

Rick let out a snort. And she complained about him not giving himself enough credit. Mara underestimated how much she helped him survive. Sure it wasn't by killing walkers or physically saving his life, but she kept his hope alive. Whether it was by snapping him out of a funk or just by simply being her cheerful self, Mara gave Rick the will to keep moving. "Hey, I am sometimes useful!" Mara laughed smacking him lightly on the arm.

He just continued to grin and shook his head. "Never said you weren't."

Mara rolled her eyes. "I swear if I didn't know any better I'd say you met my dumbass brothers."

Rick opened his mouth to comment, but was cut off by Glenn and his noisy new car speeding up ahead of them. The young Asian boy was having way too much fun for his own good. He let out a loud happy yell as he drove past. Mara leaned towards Rick glancing out the window. "At least somebody is having a good day." Morales sighed, looking over Mara's shoulder.

She sighed shaking her head. Everyone still felt guilty about leaving Merle. And while Mara still felt a little pang, it wasn't that strong. Perhaps she still saw him as a character and not a person like she did Rick. Or maybe there was actually something wrong with her head, like her brother's always claimed. Mara pushed the thought away. She hit Rick softly on the arm. He gave her a confused look. "I knew I should have gone with him. He's having all the fun." Mara said, "Speeding along the highways like it's nobody's business-and you, Mr. law enforcement won't even go past fifty."

"If you have a problem with my driving, I could always let you have a go at it. We are on an empty road now." Rick teased.

Mara instantly sat down. "No way! It's not going to be my fault, we crash into a wall."

It wasn't long before they arrived at campsite. Mara bit the inside her cheek as she watched everybody run up to their beloved. Besides her, Rick gave her an understanding look. She shook her head. There would be somebody for everyone there-especially Rick. The only person who would go alone would be her. From the back of the van Morales patted the two on the shoulders. "Come meet everybody." He requested before hoping out.

Rick glanced over at Mara, his face grim. "What do you think, Mar? Should we go meet everyone?"

Mara gave him a soft smile. As much as she hated to admit it, part of her didn't want Rick to reunite with his family. Part of her wanted to lie and say that his family wasn't there, so they might as well keep pushing onwards. But no matter how much she wanted to, Mara couldn't bring herself to be so selfish. "You know what I think? I say get out of the damn van already, Robocop." Mara replied hoping out.

From far away she heard Shane ask, "How did you guys get out anyway?"

"New guys got us out." Glenn answered.

"Crazy vatos just rode into town. Hey helicopter boy-psychic girl," Morales called, " Come say hello!"

This was it, after this Rick would have no use for her. Mara took a quivering breath as she heard Rick get out. He looked at her almost begging for her company. She bit her cheek, but walked over towards him. Even though she knew the pained expression on his face would be short lived, Mara couldn't stand to see it. Reassuringly she tapped his arm nudging him to go on. "The guy's a cop just like you." Morales mentioned to Shane.

Shane stepped forward to welcome the new comers but froze. His brown eyes widening as they met with those of his long lost friend. Rick froze too, shifting awkwardly in disbelief as his eyes went from Shane's to that of his family's. He stepped back and small sob escaping his throat. For a second he didn't know what to do or what to say, until he heard Mara whisper ' now you run to them, dummy.' Without a second thought he lurched forward, running towards his son and wife. "Dad! Dad!" Carl cried running to met him.

Lori followed, tears heavy in her eyes. Rick cried scooping Carl in his arms and holding him as tight as possible. He carried Carl over to where Lori was and the family continued its happy reunion. Mara smiled, tears falling down her cheeks. She was always a sucker for Hollywood stuff like this. The pair held on as Rick gazed thankfully to Shane than Mara. Silently he laughed to himself, he guessed Mara would be keeping the last candy bar after all.

The family continued to hug for a while before heading off somewhere to be alone. Mara glanced around awkwardly and slightly embarrassed. No matter how much she told herself this would happen, she couldn't help but feel a little hurt Rick had just left her. She shook the thought away. If Mara was in his place , there probably would be no one who could detach her from her brothers' arms. Besides she was a Grayson. Meaning she was being stupid for feeling hurt about this shit. Grayson were stronger than that.

Dale was stood on top of the RV roof keeping watching when Mara came up to him . As a child Mara was actually rather shy clinging silently to her brothers' sides no matter where she went. For a while it was so bad Bryon and Easton actually considered taking her to a psychiatrist. Luckily though as she grew older and went to school, Mara began to make friends on her own. Thus growing out of her closed in shell. However every now and then , Mara would get what her brothers called a 'shy' spell and stutter like an idiot. This was one of those moments. She knew Dale was a nice man. The old man had surprisingly made it onto her brothers' list of kickass characters. Still just because she knew all about him, didn't mean Mara could go talk to him like it. "E-excuse me, sir?" Mara called up.

Dale looked down at her. A smile on his face. "Oh hello? What can I do for you, miss?" he replied hoping down.

Mara's face heated up. "I was wondering if you have a pair of scissors I could borrow, please?"

"Sure. Follow me, they're right in the RV." Dale said, walking in.

Mara followed uncomfortably behind. The RV was smaller and cramper than she thought it was. However it was homey and Mara had to admit it was rather nice. "Ah ha, here they are!" Dale exclaimed finding them in a draw, he handed them to her, "Here you are, miss…"

"Mara." Mara pipped up, extending her free hand, "Mara Grayson, and thank you very much Mr…"

"Dale Horvath, and your welcome." He said shaking her hand, "If you don't mind me asking…why do you need them?"

"Oh-I'm just going to set up my tent. I need the scissors to cut the 550 cord so I can string it up." Mara explained.

Dale gave a confused look. "What type of tent is this?"

"A tent made out of string and military issued ponchos…." Mara said sheepishly.

Dale continued to stare at her. He seemed be having trouble processing what she had said. "You in the military?"

"I was…hurt my back in basic and got sent home. My brothers are though, so they're able to get their hands on the goods-and show me the ropes behind surviving as well." Mara rambled embarrassed. She may lie to save her face about failing basic, but that didn't make her any less ashamed.

The older man shifted awkwardly. A contemplating look on his face. Mara felt her throat tighten. She felt as if her dad was mad at-or what it should feel like if your dad was mad at you. Bryon normally took the role of Dad in her family. "You know there is plenty of room in the RV. You could sleep in here if you want. Has to be better than living under a tent made out of ponchos and string." Dale offered.

Mara gave him a soft smile. "That's very kind of you, Dale. But I'll be fine. I'm used to it really-my family doesn't really believe in tents really."

"Well, if you sure-but if ya get cold or something, feel more than welcome to come in."

"Thanks Dale." Mara said before heading out the door.

She had everything she needed now. The scissors, the large spool of 550 cord, huge sticks to help create walls and both hers and her brothers' ponchos. All Mara had to do was start building it. Taking one last tired sigh, she went to work. If she was going to be sleeping in what was pretty much a handmade tent in a sea of consumer bought ones, then hers had to be the best. So for the next two hours Mara worked on building Fort Kick-Ass. It consisted of a large slanted poncho built roof, two walls made from old logs and a what Mara called a front door –which was really just logs stacked on top of each other. By the time she was done, it was nearly dinner time. "Mar? What the hell are you lying under?" Rick's voice came from outside Fort Kick-Ass.

Mara popped her head out of the small opening between her 'door' and roof. Truthfully she was surprised to see Rick. In fact Mara had betted herself, that he wouldn't notice her absence until a week or so later. And by then, she figured he'd probably forget who she was. This all was just her imagination running way of course. Easton always said she overreacted way too much. "Oh hey, Robocop. Didn't expect to see you for at least week. How's it hanging with the family?" Mara smiled softly.

Rick crouched down to her level. "Good-wonderful. It feels too good to be true."

"Well, it is. So quit pinching yourself and go spend time with your son. He probably missed you more than you can imagine." Mara assured.

A smile graced Rick's lips, he shook his head. He looked up at the sky for a moment then down at Mara's small head. There was so much he wanted to say to her. So much he wanted to offer her. He wanted Mara to meet Carl and Lori as soon as possible, and to become best friends with them as quickly as she had him. Then he wanted to go help her find her brothers so she could have the happiness he had. "You know, Mara…I never got the chance to thank you for everything you've done for me." Rick mentioned.

She gave him a confused look. "You mean acting like a five year old around you? Or the needing you to rescue me all the time part?"

He shook his head. His facial expression becoming more serious. "Mar. Without you, I would have died. You saved me, from shooting myself. You saved everyone in Atlanta with your vision."

Mara sighed, crawling her way out of her fort. She grabbed Rick's hands in hers. "Trust me, Rick, when I say you could very well have done all that on your own. I know it for a fact. All I did was add a little new dialogue to the plot. Anyway good talk, but I'm starving and dinner is smelling real good right now. So how about we go get some chow, so we can for once go to bed on a full stomach?"

Rick eyed her carefully. Something was wrong he could tell by looking at her. "Mar." He said, grabbing holding of her wrist.

She looked at him confused. "What? Aren't you excited to go to bed with on full stomach?"

"Mara, what's wrong-"

"Look Rick, I get it." Mara said suddenly, her voice serious. She crouched down next to him. Her dark brown eyes staring into his. "Everyone wants to sleep in Fort Kick Ass. And while I'm sure Carl would love it, Lori doesn't look like one for sleeping on the ground. Now come on, let's go get some chow."

She yanked her wrist out of his arm and started to headed towards the campfire. Rick sighed, his fingers closing in on the empty space that was once Mara's wrist. He didn't know what happened to upset her so much. The only thing he could think of was Mara feeling alone now that Rick found his family. But she wasn't. He was still her friend. No matter what happened. He stood up slowly making his way to the campfire. His eyes on Mara's small form the whole time. From afar she appeared to be happy-even carefree. In the short time Rick knew her though, he learned that Mara's childish behavior was just a cover for her real emotions. "Hey." Lori greeted, handing him a bowl of beans.

"Hey." He smiled kissing her cheek. He sat down pulling Lori close him. Carl sat in front leaning back against them.

From across the campfire Mara sat next to Glenn happily conversing in some random conversation. Rick pulled Lori closer to him. He couldn't understand it. His family was back with him, and yet he felt lonelier than ever. "Disorientated, I guess that's what comes closest ." Rick spoke after the meal, "Disorientated…fear…confusion..all those things but disorientated comes closest."

Dale smiled looking down. "Words can be the meanest things…sometimes they fall short."

"I felt like I was ripped out of my life, put somewhere else." Rick continued, " For a while… I thought I was..trapped in some coma dream-something I might not wake up from-ever."

Once again Mara bit the inside of her cheek. She knew exactly how Rick felt. Hell she still felt it. No matter happened Mara couldn't quite convince herself this wasn't some realistic dream-that she wasn't actually sleeping besides her brothers under some crap made tent. A silent sigh escaped her. She had no idea what to do. "Mom said you were dead," Carl said tiredly to Rick.

Rick looked at Lori for a moment, before smiling softly at Carl. Gently he stroked Carl's face. "She had every reason to believe that…dontcha' ever doubt that."

"When things started to get really bad…they told me at the hospital…they were going to medevac you and the other patients to Atlanta…and that never happened." Lori lied.

Mara bit her cheek harder, this time drawing blood. As a rejected soldier and daughter/sister of soldiers, Mara could easily figure out all the mistruths of Lori's statement. Hell to anyone with any military experience, the whole statement didn't make sense. And as person from another dimension where this world was considered a hit show, Mara knew for a fact it was just a cover up for Shane's mistake. Just as she knew Lori slept with Shane. Still as much as Mara wanted to, she knew it wasn't her place to tell Rick all this. It was Lori's. And even though Mara kind-of-sorta hated Lori with a tiny bit of a burning passion, she couldn't exactly say Lori purposely did it to hurt Rick. The woman was just extremely needy when it came to men. Something Mara could never be.

"Well I'm not surprised after Atlanta fell." Rick said, "And from the look of that hospital it got overrun. "

"Looks don't deceive." Shane finally spoke, "I barely got them out…you know…"

"I can't tell you how grateful I am to you, Shane. Can't begin to express it." Rick replied, his eyes wandered toward Mara, "You too, Mar."

"There goes those words falling short again." Dale said as the group fell silent.

The silence was broken shown by the character known as Ed throwing a log into the fire. Shane glanced up. "Hey Ed…wanna rethink that log?"

"It's cold man." Ed replied leaning his head back.

Mara frowned if she could, she'd go kick that man's ass in advance for hitting his wife. Unfortunately life didn't work that way. Even more so Mara was sure the fat bastard could probably over power her and the last thing she needed was another bruised cheek. One hurt enough as it was. "Cold don't change the rules does it?" Shane called back, "Keep our fires low just to an amber, so they can be seen in the distance."

"Said it's cold! Why dontcha' mind ya own business for once." Ed snapped.

A small smirked made its way to Mara's face as Shane marched over to the asshole. From what she saw so far and from what her brothers blabbed about, Mara knew Shane was just as equally an asshole as ED. However that didn't mean he wasn't her favorite person right then. Unfortunately though Shane spoke in such a hush whisper that Mara could only make out what said thanks to memory. Mara frowned as Shane came back to the circle. That was one conversation she wanted to hear. "Have you given any thought to Daryl Dixon? He won't be happy to hear his brother was left behind." Dale piped up.

"I'll tell him." Shane sighed.

"I dropped the key it's on me." T-Dog spoke up.

"I cuffed him, that makes him mine." Rick protested.

Mara rolled her eyes. It was like a blame competition between these men. "Guys, it's not a competition. Though I don't mean to bring race into this, but it'll sound better coming from a white guy." Glenn stated

"I did what I did. I have nothing to hide from." T-Dog insisted.

"We could lie?" Amy offered.

"Or tell the truth." Andrea countered, "Merle was out of control. Something had to be done or he would have gotten us killed. Your husband did what was necessary. And if Merle got left behind, it is nobody's fault, but Merle's."

Dale shot her a look of disbelief. "And that's what we tell Daryl? I don't see a rationale discussion to be had from that-do you?"

Andrea shook her head in agreement. Mara felt her fingers dig into her palm. She was waiting for the right moment to speak her piece. Now wasn't the time. "A word to the wise we're going to have our hands full when he comes back from his hunt." Dale warned.

"I was scared…and I ran. I'm not ashamed out it." T-Dog confessed looking off into the distance.

"We're all scared. We all ran. What's your point." Andrea said.

"I stopped long enough to chain that door…staircase is narrow. Maybe half a dozen people can squeeze against through that in one time-not enough to break through there. Not that chain-not that padlock. " He paused, "My point…Dixon's alive, he's still up there and cuffed on that roof…that's on us."

Mara sighed as she watched T-Dog walk away ashamed. Rick stared silently into the fire, but to guilt was written clearly on his face. Another sigh escaped her as she shifted awkwardly besides Glenn. "I was waiting to say my piece…" Mara muttered, "but I'm going to be the one who talks to Daryl."

It went dead silent. "You got to be joking me." Shane snorted.

Mara glared at him. "Just because I'm a girl doesn't make me any less capable than you. Besides I'm just as responsible for this shit as everyone else-if anything more so. Plus I'm three quarters white, so race isn't a real problem."

"Mara…" Glenn said, "I hate to say it, but I'm with Shane on this one. You talking to Daryl wouldn't be a good idea."

"You've already got hit once, I'm not going to risk the chance of you getting hit again." Rick added, looking down.

"Daryl won't hit me. He might pull a knife out on Rick, but not me. Even if he does, I'll be prepared this time-Merle caught me off guard, Daryl won't. And as I said before this is my fault therefore I'm going to do what my brother always told me and face my consequences." Mara said standing up, "Anyway this conversation is done. I'll be the one to inform Daryl Dixon in the morning, that his brother is on top of a roof-no one else."

With that said she walked back to Fort Kick Ass. It was a childish way to end things, but Mara couldn't think of another way to make it clear the conversation was over. She closed her eyes pinching the bridge of her nose. Daryl Dixon was Zane's all time favorite character. If there was anyone she knew in this damn world, it would be Daryl. Zane was worse went it came to obsessing about things than she was. The damn boy could probably recite every line Daryl said since his first appeared. Still the information didn't make her feel better about speaking to him. If someone left one of her brothers on a rooftop she'd kill them too. Man or Woman.

"You're not going to talk to that man, Mar." Rick's voice came from behind.

Mara jumped surprised. She turned towards Rick trying to reframe from shivering. He stared at her, a scowl carved deep into his face. "Rick, I'm twenty-two. Not a ten, I don't need anyone's permission to do anything." Mara argued, she rubbed her temples, "Look, I know you're worried, but I can handle myself. I promise. You got more important things to worry about than me now. Lori and Carl are here, and they deserve your whole undivided attention after everything that's happened to them."

Rick stepped forward, his hands cupping her chin forcing Mara to look at him. Even in the dark Mara could see the seriousness and aversion in his blue eyes. It was silent between the two as they stared at each. Gently Rick's thumb stroked small circles over Mara's bruised cheek.. "You got hurt trying to help me last time, Mar. I don't even want to imagine what this fucker would do to you, when he hears what happened to Merle." He muttered softly.

Mara closed her eyes. She enjoyed the feel of his touch, the warmth of his worry-and she hated herself. Rick was a married man. Not only was he a married man, but Lori meant the world to him. The annoying woman was the whole reason Rick risked his life out there. Using every ounce of will power Mara pulled herself away from Rick. He was being a good friend nothing else. "He has lost a brother. I've lost three. I can relate. Also…Daryl deserves to hear it from the person responsible for Merle being left."

Rick opened his mouth to protest but Mara held her hand out. "Before you say anything about it be your fault, just know this-bullshit." Mara swore, "This is in no way your fault. You had no idea T-Dog was going to drop the key and neither did he. I however knew very well what was going to happen and did nothing to stop it. Therefore it's all my fault. As for Daryl being supposedly violent, I'm not too worried about it. Like I said Merle caught me off guard, it won't again."

"Mar, I know you like to prove how capable you are but when it comes to strength-"

"I'm not talking strength, Rick. I'm talking about stabbing him with a damn pen if he so much as move."

He blinked. "A pen?"

Mara smiled, "Yup, didn't I tell you. Back in high school I used to stab people with writing utensils all the time. Especially when they pissed me off. I kinda got detention a lot thanks to it, but they deserved it. Anyway I'm tired so I'll be taking a wonderful nap in Fort Kick Ass if you don't mind."

She patted him on the shoulder as she crawled through the small opening of her fort. It was nice a warm for now, but Mara knew it would probably be best for her to find a sleeping bag sooner or later. Using the ruck as a pillow was livable, but having no blanket or sleeping bag would prove to be a hassle. From outside the fort she could hear Rick crouched down. "You know Mar, if you want you are more than welcome to-"

"Thanks Officer Friendly, but I'll stick to my fort. You and Lori haven't seen each other in weeks-if anything I should be offering to let Carl sleep here tonight." Mara replied, lying her head on the ruck.

Rick chuckled, "Good night, Mar. If you get cold or something-"

"Dale already offered the RV, Rick." Mara interrupted, still she smiled softly to herself, "But thanks anyway. Good night. Tell Lori and Carl, I said night for me will ya?"

"Of course-remember if anything happens-scream."

"Good night Officer Friendly!" Mara repeated laughing to herself.

It wasn't until she could no longer hear his footsteps did Mara let her tears out. She wished her brothers were here. They'd know what to do.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Thanks to you guys, I get the motivation to keep writing.

Geena: I agree, I so can't wait until Merle comes back. Shit is definitely going to hit the fan especially depending on whatever relationship Mara and Daryl have then. Anyway I am so honored Mara made your ten OC's, I hope she continues to stay on it .

Kenise: I agree its technically everyone's fault including Merle's that he's stuck up there, too bad neither Rick nor Mara see that way. As for the OC, I will definitely keep that in mind. But if I do put an OC in it won't be until later.

Maddy: Don't worry this is not going to be an Carly fic. Though I don't mind Carol, if Mara doesn't get with Daryl then I will definitely have an OC for him. Probably in the form of an annoying Asian child, in honor of my best friend away in college. Lol But no promises for sure.

NL March: I am so glad you are on the Rick/Mara bandwagon, and that you like the last chapter, I was worried it wouldn't be action packed enough. I'm also curious to see if Mara can actually change any of the show's plot, I have yet to decide if she can. So we'll see.

ScornedXRose: Thanks for the suggestions, I will keep them in mind for whenever Mara needs something from her magical rucksack. lol