So I honestly never meant to leave it for 2 months. My apologies. Just so you know, expect that from the next chapter. Sorry. But, I've been having a crisis. Well that's a bit of a strong word. I've been freaking out that the fic isn't really all that good. So...yeah

Anyway, enjoy!


Day Five

3rd PPOV

The Atlanta survivors haven't been on the farm all that long, but a routine has already started and it begins with D. She wakes slowly, listening to the birds' chirp, leaves rustling, and the baying of cows. When she's sufficiently awake, there's an opportunity for her to creep in to the house for a shower, with a quick look into Lauren's room; the red head's fast asleep, snoring lightly.

It's while she's taking her things back to her tent that the rest of the camp starts moving. The novelty of being the first one up hasn't dissipated quite yet, there's always a moment where she pauses and stares around at the emptiness. This life has changed her, and despite the horrors she's seen, and will see, there's no doubt in her mind that she likes whom she's become.

Her first task of the day has her slipping into Daryl's tent.

"Bought time." The Hunter mutters, shifting so that she can get to his bandages.

Daryl flushes, but glares at him. "It's not all about you."

He grumbles under his breath, but shoots her a smirk. D does her best to act as though seeing him shirtless doesn't get her blood pumping. She settles her gaze onto the bandages and the anti-inflammatory cream.

"You should spend at least one last day resting before going off to do your hillbilly thing." D mumbles, the words tumbling from her mouth before she could stop them.

"What did ya say?"

She flushes, but keeps her head down as she deals with unwrapping the old bandage. "One last day of rest."

"Nah-uh, tell me Darlin' wut's it ya said?" Daryl grins down at the very red face, trying to hide by turn away to get the cream.

"I, um, I said that you should rest before doing anything." Her hand shakes ever so lightly, which isn't all to do with her close proximity to him, as she massages it into his bruises and around his wound gently.

He snorts, reaching up to gently take her face, though the smug little smirk doesn't die. "Tell me."

D huffs, annoyed with him, annoyed with herself. Hating that even after all that she's been through she can't just get over her shyness. She pauses in her administrations and glares into his green eyes. "I said, wait a day before you go do your hillbilly thing."

He lets go and continues smirking at her. "That's what I thought you said."

Once she's finished helping Daryl, lingering a little longer despite how annoying he's being, D's out and assisting Carol with breakfast. She suppresses a smug smile as she sends Rick to wake Lauren, along with her breakfast.

The read head had spent a lot of time keeping Merle away from her and Daryl. He was never as bad as he could have been, but Lauren still didn't like the constant swearing, racism and crude language, but she put up with it in hopes of giving the two Daryl's a chance to make a friendship.

After breakfast, D slips away for a walk around the farm. Pausing when she hears the voices of Shane and Lori. Curiosity gets the better of her and before she knows it, she's leaning against the side of the house, trying to hear the two of them better.

"Shane, you have to understand that Rick and I are still married." Lori explains, frustration coating her words.

"The rules of before don't apply anymore Lori. There are no courts, no judges, you stop being married when you both want to."

"That's not how it works."

"Are you telling me, you want to go back to Rick?" He steps closer, fury etched into his features. "That after all we've been through, all we've come to mean to each other, you want to throw that away?" He grabs her arm and pulls her to him. "I love you Lori."

"I love you Shane, I do, but Rick…"

"You and him are over!"

"Not to me." Lori pulls away from Shane.

D sneaks away before she can be discovered, worry for her friend's budding relationship and Shane's sanity. It would be no good to have him crack, tearing everyone up further. D retraces her steps, having to go the long way and when she arrives back there's an angry Shane and a distressed Lori already there.

Glenn walks to the centre of their little gathering, pale and terrified. "There's walkers in the barn."

"What?" Shane bellows, pushing Andrea and T-Dog out of the way.

"What do you mean, 'there's walker's in the barn'?" Andrea asks, staring at Glenn in disbelief.

Chaos ensues. Amy attaches herself to Andrea, who grips her father's gun, demanding that they take care of it and Shane erupts into dangerous fury. T-Dog starts arguing with Glenn and Lori tries to talk over him. D stares at an emerging Daryl brought out by the noise. The only person who's calm is Dale.

"Enough!" The crowd quietens as they all focus on the older man. "Let's talk about this calmly, it's not going to all of sudden fall down while we take a perspective."

"There are Walker's in that barn." Shane snarls. "We have a right to…"

"Shane, I know what's in that barn, Hershel told me."

"You knew?" Andrea repeats.

"Yes, and he asked me not to say anything."

"Dale." Amy calls out shocked, if not a little angry.

"This is his farm, we are guests, and it's not our place…"

D slips away when the arguing gets a little too much for her, ready for some peace, it doesn't help that Daryl sneaks away to go hunting. Instead she heads for the house, specifically Lauren's room. Maybe the red head can make her feel better.

First Person POV

I stretch and yawn, happy that the nightmares decided to take a vacation. When all I hear is the muffled tweets of the birds outside and my own breathing, it's easy to deduce that there are no visitors. Sitting up, the quiet is a little unusual and a little disconcerting. I don't like it, quiet means that you have to be on your guard.

I sigh, playing with the blanket and stare out the window. Not much can be seen from this angle, the tops of trees. I'm just about to get out of bed for a closer look when there's a faint knock on the door. I perk up when Rick greets me with a warm smile and breakfast.

"Morning."

"Morning, Chief."

"Breakfast is served, Mi'Lady."

"Why thank you kind sir."

He chuckles and sits it down on my lap. "How did you sleep?"

"Good." I nod, taking a bite of the eggs. He raises an eyebrow. "No, really, it was. No nightmares or anything."

"That's good, was getting worried."

I smile sadly. "No need to Chief, you have more than enough on your plate without adding me and my nightmares."

He nods, though looks unconvinced. "I sometimes dream that we never find you."

"Rick…"

"That I failed you, failed Sophia…"

"Never…"

"…That I'd never see you smile again."

Placing the plate on the side table and pulling him into a hug, there's no helping the "Oh Rick" that comes out. He sinks into me, like he's been waiting for someone to lean on. "I will never leave intentionally, I'll never do anything to put myself in danger, or anyone else…if I can help it."

He chuckles, his head buried in my shoulder. "You're careful with your words."

"Words are powerful, you can do a lot of damage with them." I rub his back with one hand and play with the back of his hair with the other.

We stay like this for a time; there's nothing that can get me to move him, not even my hunger. He needs someone to count on and I'm more than willing to be there for him; I just want him to be happy. He pulls back, looking a little embarrassed. He does go, maybe an hour or so later, with my plate, and I lean back on the pillows grinning.

D storms in.

"I can't believe this! She was on the verge of divorce before the end, for the Deputy, then the world ends and she shacks up with him, then Rick's found, and she runs back…"

I wait patiently for her to finish, knowing she needs this.

"…I get that, okay, they never finished with it and she thought he was dead. Then after the reunion she goes back to Shane…now she thinks she wants Rick again." She turns to me her eyes dark with anger. "What the hell!"

I smile sadly, having tried to keep this whole problem from invading my mind. "And if she still really loves Rick?"

"Then she would never have given Shane this hope." Her words are bitter and angry.

"Angry much?"

"Look, Loz, I know you. You're not going to try anything when you think you could be breaking up a family…" She runs a hand through her growing hair, "So, I'm going to get angry, and I'm going to vent, because…" She sighs and sits on the edge of the bed. "…Because you don't want me getting involved."

I pat her leg, and lean my head on her shoulder. "And I thank you for it."

Though she's still very irritated, and not just with Lori, she's calm enough that we actually talk about what's been going on. For it's Rick that has to decide whether to accept Lori back and the unborn child, or to make a stand and say no. I don't know what he'll do, he has a past with her, there's a chance that the child could be his.

D idles in the room while I have a quick shower, then she helps me outside where I take a seat on the rocking chair that's still on the porch. I can see what she means about the chaos. Despite the hour or so we were in the room, the farm seems to be in disarray. It's like Hershel's group versus ours.

I don't know where Hershel is, nor Rick or Shane, but everyone else is hovering near the barn. Lori's gripping Carl, who looks annoyed, and Sophia is being dragged behind her mother. The Asian for his part is focused on Maggie who's not even looking at him. She storms off.

D's focused on Daryl, a curious expression on her face, obviously wondering what he's thinking. I sneak a look at D, she's still not looking so I slip away after Maggie. I'm not angry, at least not yet, but I'm miffed that she's not thinking properly. If she were, she'd not be as upset.

I find her at the back, dealing with the washing. "I'm going to let you explain your side before I rip you a new one."

She jumps at the sound of my voice and stares, before glaring at me. "He had no right to tell anyone what my dad is keeping in our barn."

"He's protecting us."

"He had no…"

"Shut up Maggie." I glare at her, now getting angry. "You listen and you listen good, Greene." I limp forward, and ignore how this might subtract from my intimidation. "You have no idea what those things are capable of. We've lost people because of them. They are not sick." I come face to face with her, "They are monsters that can't discern between one person and the next."

Tears come to her eyes, "But…mother."

"She's gone Maggie, they're all gone. I'm sorry that you haven't figured that out before now. I'm sorry that you never got to properly mourn for them, but taking it out on Glenn, when he's just protecting his family, is low. Show him a bit of respect."

She nods, looking completely chastised and shakily hangs another sheet up. I grab it from her with a sigh and nod my head towards where Glenn had gone. She takes off. I finish the sheets and wonder around the farm. I know I shouldn't be, my ankle still throbs, but I'm a little too restless to go back.

I know things are going to start happening, I can't remember what or when, except the farm gets overrun at some point. D and I haven't breached that yet, I don't really want to, it's relatively safe here right now.

"Wut' the hell are ya doin' Red?"

I twist, startled, by the voice and wince as I stumble on my bad foot. "Uh, Daryl…"

He's by my side and supporting my weight, glaring at me. "Didn' think ya were gonna be so stupid as ta walk on yur foot."

I let him guide me back to the house. "I had something to take care of."

"Like what?"

"Family stuff." I shrug, not feeling as though he needed to know the in's and out's of Glenn's life.

"Next time leave it for someone else." He mumbles, depositing me on the rocking chair.

"Where the hell have you been?" D frowns as she stands with her hands on her hips.

"You're not supposed to be on it." Carl accuses as he stands from sitting on the porch's fence.

"I'm sorry." I nod, feeling bad. "It won't happen again."

"I'll make sure of it." Carl nods, "I'll send my dad on you."

"She might like that." Daryl smirks.

I blush, and send the hunter a glare. "Don't you have some game to clean and dress?"

He nods, still smirking, "Come on, yer gonna help me." He addresses D. For her part, she smiles dreamily then sends me a firm look before almost skipping after him.

Carl's here to keep me company, but unfortunately it's not all sunshine and rainbows. He's been eavesdropping on his father and Hershel. The elder Greene made it clear that with everyone not doing as they're told he's had enough.

"Hershel says that we're all healing, and that we should go." He mumbles as he scuffs his shoe. "Dad did try to convince him to let us stay."

I sigh and open my arms, letting the boy curl up in my lap. "Whatever happens, we're going to be fine. I have confidence that we can get through this." I caress his head and place a chaste kiss on his forehead.

"Dad told Hershel that you're still hurt, can't walk properly and that mum's pregnant."

I pause, not having realised she finally told someone. I continue, hoping that Carl hasn't noticed, but I wouldn't put it past him. He's a perceptive kid. I'm not surprised she told Rick. My hope is that she also told Shane. I want to know whom she's going to be relying on as father.

"Hershel doesn't look like he's going to budge though." Carl continues, a small sniffle catching my attention.

I pull him up so that I can see his face. "You listen to me Carl Grimes." I gently take his chin and tilt it so we're looking right into each other's eyes. "You are not a quitter. You will stand strong and believe in your father, if no one else." I sigh again and kiss his cheek. "Your dad is pretty amazing, give him time, I'm sure he'll change Hershel's mind."

I can see in Carl's eyes that the comfort has helped. But I can't help but focus on Lori. I don't understand her. Why is she still trying to cling to Rick when she chose Shane? This just puts more pressure on Rick, which he doesn't need or deserve, it's tearing apart two guys who used to be so close.

Thankfully Sophia joins us, prompting Carl to scramble from my lap for another chair. He wipes away all traces of unease and smiles winningly at her. I watch as the two chat, well mostly argue about the best movies they've ever watched. This is just precious.

However, it doesn't last. Shane comes back with guns, and then starts handing them out. Apparently we're going to need weapons to protect ourselves. I frown and watch from the porch. I catch D's eyes, and she's as worried as me. She comes over and stands with us. Everyone moves towards the barn. D and Carl support me as we get closer to them.

Rick, Hershel and Jimmy show up with two walkers on leads. Everyone's tense, and Shane looks furious. He steps forward and confronts Hershel's beliefs. He shoots them in the chest. Yelling about how if they were alive, they couldn't survive gunshots.

"They're dead!" Shane shouts as he finally lays the female walker to rest with a bullet to the brain.

It's heart breaking to see Hershel fall to his knees, he's staring at the once woman with horror and pain in his eyes. But I don't think that it was his wife, I'm sure Maggie and Beth would be inconsolable other wise. I sniff back tears, only now realising I'm crying. Carl and Sophia are clinging to me, and I hug them tightly.

Rick tries to get Hershel to take the pole he has, so he can stop Shane. It's no use. Shane breaks open the barn and releases the walkers. They shamble out, one at a time first, and then more and more follow. Shane begins to gun down the walkers, while we all watch in horror. Daryl begins to help Shane and T-Dog and Andrea soon join. Maggie gives a nod to Glenn to help out.

It all happens so quickly, and then the kids and I are back on the porch while everyone else deals with the walkers. For a long time we don't talk, though our thoughts are on the deteriorating group dynamics.

"No matter what happens, I'm with dad."

Sophia and I turn to look at the young boy, his face set in determination. I watch as Sophia nods, her face showing a set look that no 12 year old should be wearing. "I'm with you." She turns to me, the look softening to a child like plea. "You'll stay with us, right?"

I smile and kiss their foreheads, "Till the end of time."

With the sun setting on another day, I regale them the story of Sophia's rescue from my point of view. If anything, it'll get rid of the awful, too serious expressions on their faces. Despite this new world, they are too young to make such iron clad decisions.