"Mom, Daryl said I can't come with him and the boys" Glenn loudly tattled on his identical twin brother. He skidded into the kitchen where Rick and Michonne were preparing dinner.

"What? Why not?" Michonne asked, chopping up a huge vidalia onion that she'd been growing in her garden for weeks.

"I dunno" Glenn huffed, "he's being a jerk."

Michonne turned to Rick who was preparing meat for the grill in the back of their house. "Rick" Michonne called.

"Huh?" he asked.

"Dad, Daryl's being a jerk" Glenn repeated, propping his fists on his hips. His wild curly hair hung into his eyes and he angrily flipped the curls away, reminding Michonne that both boys needed a haircut soon. Their skin was a dark tan color and they were handsome, with light brown eyes. Michonne knew when they got older they'd get plenty of attention.

"Hey, don't call your brother that" Rick reprimanded.

"But he's not letting me come. He said I should find my own friends" Glenn said crossing his arms in indignation.

"Tell him to come in here" Rick said, not even looking up.

Glenn turned and raced out of the kitchen screaming "Daryl! You're in trouble with Dad!"

Michonne smiled and chuckled at her son as she continued to slice the onion into thin pieces.

"What? I didn't do anything!" she could hear Daryl yell at his brother as he loudly stomped down the stairs.

In a few seconds he came crashing into the kitchen. The boy was a mirror image of his brother, except Daryl was noticeably a few inches taller and more muscular than his twin. While Glenn was more of a homebody who enjoyed cooking with Michonne and Judith or reading, Daryl was a jock who was always outside playing or getting into mischief. And Daryl was always right behind Rick.

"Daryl, watch those feet" Michonne warned. Her son had a habit of walking loudly when he was angry.

"Dad, Glenn is so annoying" Daryl complained, coming up behind his father. "He always wants to tag along whenever I go somewhere with my friends."

"He said you're not letting him go with you to hang out?" Rick asked, still slicing off pieces of meat.

"Yea, 'cuz he's a nerd! He says stupid stuff and talks about books when everyone just wants to play 'Walkers' or practice their slingshots".

Rick stopped cutting the meat and turned to look at his son. "Hey, don't call your brother a nerd. Maybe you should spend some more time studying to bring your grades up."

"Look dad, Glenn is embarrassing. He needs to get his own friends, maybe someone from the Kingdom or something. Why does he always have to come with me? He's a big loser."

Michonne snapped her head around to say something to Daryl about his attitude towards Glenn, but Rick jumped in first.

"That is your brother, and if anyone should be nice to him it's you. You're family, and when all your little friends don't want to play with you anymore or they get different friends, you know who will have your back still? Glenn. You don't talk about your brother like that again, you hear me?" Rick asked, his eyes narrowing so Daryl knew he'd crossed the line.

"Yea dad" Daryl muttered.

"Now both of you need to be back here in an hour for dinner. Is Sasha coming with you too?" Michonne asked.

"Sasha? No way" Daryl said, "Judith is putting makeup on her for her date."

Rick and Michonne both whirled on Daryl like lions on the prowl.

"Her what?" Rick asked.

Daryl laughed when he realized his parents weren't aware of what their daughters were doing upstairs.

"Uh… maybe you should ask Judith" he said, backing out of the kitchen and calling his brother. "C'mon Glenn, lets go!"

Glenn, who knew his parents would make Daryl let him go, called from the porch, "I'm out here already!"

Daryl sprinted for the front door and left it open as the twins jumped off the porch and dashed away.

"Judith!" Michonne called, her onion chopping temporarily forgotten.

"Damn, Daryl has a big mouth!" Michonne could hear Judith mutter from up the stairs.

"Should I wash it off?" Sasha asked softly.

"No, you look too cute. C'mon" Judith responded, and the couple could hear the two girls marching down the staircase. Rick was already waiting at the bottom for the girls to descend.

When Sasha got close enough, Michonne could see Judith's handiwork on her little sister. Sasha's naturally curly hair was styled up into a messy bun, with ringlets strategically streaming down her face. The eleven year old's lips were painted a bright shade of pink, and the same color was applied to her eyelids. Sasha was wearing one of Judith's skirts, but because she was smaller than her big sister it was practically falling off of her. To solve this problem, Judith had wrapped a brightly colored fabric around the skirt tightly to keep it in place, and tied a big bow on the side which incidentally was the same shade of pink as Sasha's makeup.

"Doesn't she look pretty?" Judith said to her parents, as Sasha nervously followed behind her.

"What is going on Judith?" Rick asked her accusingly.

Sasha looked from Judith, to Rick, to Michonne nervously.

"Sasha wanted to look cute today. Can't a girl just get all pretty?" Judith asked with a shrug, not intimidated at all by her father.

"Daryl said something about a date?" Michonne asked.

Judith looked at Sasha with a head tilt that said 'your time to shine'.

"It's not a date… exactly…" Sasha began, "Stevie asked me to hang out with him by the orchards. Like just walk around and stuff. Maybe pick some apples. I can bring you guys back some if you want…"

"What is on your lips?" Rick asked, staring at the bright lipstick.

"You like it Dad?" Judith cut in, "I made it myself. Lipstick and eyeshadow. I should start selling it the next time we have a carnival."

"Why is it on Sasha's face?" Rick asked.

"I mean, it's the first time a boy's asked her out… um… for a walk… and she wanted to see how it'd look on her."

"Judith, you're 22, Sasha is 11. There is no way she's leaving this house with lipstick and eyeshadow" Michonne said, crossing her arms. "And why does she have your skirt on?"

"I wanted to wear something different" Sasha said. "I always wear jeans and t-shirts, and Judith has cute clothes."

"Put on the jeans and t-shirt" Rick ordered.

"But Dad!" Sasha whined.

"And take off the make-up" Michonne added.

"Mama!" Judith pouted.

"Hurry up, and when you come back down here then we'll talk to you about this boy" Michonne said.

Sasha pouted and gave her sister one last look, like maybe she had some other card tricks in her hand, but Judith shrugged apologetically at her sister, and Sasha turned around and went back upstairs. As soon as Sasha was out of sight, Michonne whirled on her oldest daughter.

"You knew about this date?" she asked, her voice raised.

"C'mon mama, it's not even a date. They're going to the orchards, there's like 20 other people there at any given time" Judith said, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. "It's not like they're going to the back fields or anything. And Sasha is so innocent you don't have to worry about her yet."

"It's not Sasha I'm worried about" Rick said with a scowl. "Who is this Stevie?"

"I know him" Michonne said. "Wanda and Oliver's son. He seems like a pretty good kid but he's older than her."

"He's 13. And he is a good kid" Judith said, "I um… used to date his older cousin, Simon."

"When was this?" Rick asked in shock.

"When I was 15 dad" Judith said.

"Judith, you weren't dating anyone when you were 15" Michonne said quietly.

"That you knew of" Judith said softly, looking off in another direction. Rick blinked a few times in shock.

"Look, my point is, Sasha is just starting to grow up a little, even faster than Daryl and Glenn. If you guys don't let her experiment and try to figure out who she is, she'll just do it behind your back and it'll be ten times worse. She's a good kid, let her live a little. Let her go on this 'date', she's not going to do anything, I know my little sis."

"Judith, bright pink lipstick and eyeshadow on an 11 year old is not appropriate" Michonne said sternly.

"Okay, okay, I admit I got a little carried away. Maybe when she's 16. I was just excited for her. She's excited too, so don't crush this whole experience for her. Let her go out with Stevie, believe me, she won't be by herself."

"What are you talking about?" Rick asked.

"You think I was gonna let my sis go out there by herself? Daryl and Glenn are gonna be watching out for her. If Stevie tries anything he's gonna be sorry."

"You got Daryl and Glenn to agree to spy on Sasha?" Rick asked.

"Spy is such a strong word" Judith said slyly, "I think I'd prefer the word 'watch'".

"And the boys agreed to that?" Michonne asked, intrigued. Her sons were known to argue and bicker amongst themselves, but one person they never seemed to raise their voices to was Sasha. Even though she was the same age as them, they still thought of her as their 'little' sister, and they were very protective of her.

"Let's just say they're gonna play with their little friends close enough to the orchards to keep an eye out for Sasha. I told them not to be obvious and give her space, but if they can give me a report on what happened I have some compensation planned for them."

Michonne sighed and looked at Rick who was still staring at Judith somewhat amazed.

"How did you have time to plan all of this?" Rick asked.

"I have connections dad. Just… let her do this" Judith said with a smirk.

A few moments later, Sasha came bounding back down the steps, Judith's skirt in her arms, and her make-up gone, replaced by blue jeans and her favorite yellow t-shirt. Her hair was still styled upwards, making her look fancier than usual. When she got to the bottom of the steps she crossed her arms, assuming her parents weren't going to let her go on the date.

"Much better" Rick said, nodding his head. "Now listen up Sasha. This is not a date. This boy, Stevie, is your friend and that's it. The two of you can go have some fun at the orchards. Bring back some apples for dessert."

"I can go?" Sasha asked, her eyes wide.

"You can go, only because we trust you. We know that you're not going to do anything you're not supposed to. And since you and Stevie are friends, the two of you are gonna keep your hands to yourselves, right?" Michonne asked.

"Ewww mom, yes!" Sasha said excitedly.

"And if you feel uncomfortable, or you're ready to come home, even if it's early, you can come right back home" Rick added.

"Dad, the orchard is literally like a few blocks away" Sasha pouted, "you didn't tell Daryl and Glenn all of this when they left."

"Hey, you wanna go or not?" Rick asked. Sasha instantly closed her mouth.

"Okay, be back here in an hour for dinner" Michonne said.

"Okay thanks mom, thanks dad!" Sasha said happily before sprinting out of the front door that was still open from her brothers' departure.

Judith stretched her back like a cat and then gathered up the skirt she'd lent Sasha, her make-up bag with the lipstick and eyeshadow, and various other belongings from the living room.

"Where are you going?" Rick asked, as confused as ever.

"Home" Judith replied, "my work here is done. I have a date tonight myself and I need to get ready. Luke and I are driving over to Hilltop for a daycation. I'll tell Carl you said hi. "

"I thought you were going to stay for dinner?" Michonne asked, disappointed. "Luke can come eat too."

"Sorry mama, not tonight, but I'll be over here tomorrow night to hear the full report on Sasha's 'date'."

Judith came over and quickly pecked both Rick and Michonne on the cheek before sashaying her way out of the house, finally closing the door that her siblings had left open.

Rick and Michonne stared at the door behind her in a stunned silence.

"What just happened?" Rick asked.

"I think our children have outsmarted us" Michonne said with an amused shake of her head, "and Judith is the ringleader."

"How is our 11 year old daughter going on a date? How did she grow up so fast?" Rick asked, his eyes squinting as though he were in pain.

"I don't know" Michonne said. "It seems like yesterday that I pushed them out in that bedroom."

"I have to go make sure Sasha is okay" Rick said, heading for the door. Before he could take a step, Michonne placed her hand on Rick's arm.

"Rick, she's been gone for 2 minutes, she's fine."

"I don't like this boy asking her out and not coming to us first. Who is he anyway?"

"Rick. Calm down" Michonne said rubbing his shoulder. "I'm skeptical about this too, but she'll be back in an hour. It's okay, it's not like she's going out of the gates. I guess this kind of thing is something we have to get used to now. And how did we not know Judith was dating some guy when she was 15?"

Rick rubbed his forehead. "Judith was a sneaky one, I hope Sasha doesn't follow her in footsteps."

***can08writer***

Sasha had a great time at the orchards with Stevie. They'd picked two basketful of apples, one for his family and one for hers.

He even picked a dandelion that was growing between the apple trees and gave it to her, to her surprise.

When the hour was up and it was time for her to go home, Sasha said to Stevie "I had a lot of fun. Thanks for the flower. I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?"

She smiled at him and then turned to walk back home when he called "wait!"

Sasha turned around to face him.

"Aren't you gonna kiss me goodbye?" Stevie asked.

"What? Ewww no" Sasha said, scrunching her face.

"Why not? I thought you had fun?" Stevie asked, confused about Sasha's response.

"I did have fun but I don't wanna kiss you" Sasha said.

"But you're supposed to. That's how dates end. All the other girls I went on dates with kissed me goodbye."

"If I want to, but I don't. My sister went on a whole bunch of dates and she told me I don't have to do anything I don't want to."

"If you don't kiss me I'm gonna look stupid when my friends ask me what happened" Stevie replied.

Sasha crossed her arms. "I don't want to kiss you, and you telling me about all the other girls that kissed you makes me not want to kiss you even more. I'm going home" Sasha said, not even trying to hide her annoyance.

"Hey, wait!" Stevie yelled, grabbing her elbow. Sasha snatched her arm out of his and said "Don't touch me!". She continued walking when he grabbed her wrist this time. Using all the self-defense lessons Michonne had taught her along with her brothers, Sasha twisted her wrist out of Stevie's grip, and punched him in the chest.

"Ouch!" he yelled in surprise, "stop being so stupid! I don't even want to kiss you now. That's why you're ugly anyway!"

The sound of running and trampling through the apple trees made the fighting couple turn, and Glenn and Daryl crashed into view.

Glenn plowed into Stevie, knocking him to the ground.

"Touch my sister again!" Glenn yelled at Stevie at the top of his voice, "go ahead, try it!"

Sasha looked on shocked as Glenn and Daryl surrounded Stevie who was lying on the floor looking up at the twins.

"You put your hands on my sister and you lose them. Got it?" Glenn asked again, tilting his head to the right and giving Stevie his most dangerous glare.

Stevie nodded quickly, glancing from Glenn's wild eyes to Daryl's cold stare.

"And if I hear any rumors going around of you saying you kissed my sister, you're gonna be sorry" Daryl added.

Stevie nodded again.

"Now apologize" Glenn said.

"Sorry for grabbing you Sasha" Stevie said quickly.

The three boys all turned to look at Sasha. She nodded and tilted her head for Daryl and Glenn to let Stevie get up. Stevie stood and brushed leaves and debris from his clothes.

"Have a good night" Sasha said calmly.

Stevie turned from the triplets and walked away briskly. As soon as he was out of earshot, Sasha turned on her brothers.

"What are y'all doing here?" she asked, "were you spying on me?"

"No, we were just in the area and heard him yelling at you" Daryl said with a shrug.

"In the area Daryl? Really? Since when do the two of you play in the orchards?" Sasha asked with her hands on her hips.

"Look we could've heard him yelling from all the way across town. Aren't you glad we were here?" Glenn asked.

"I could've handled him without you" Sasha said with a smirk, "but it was pretty funny with you guys crashing through the bushes. And Glenn, who knew you had all that in you?" she asked, playfully rumpling Glenn's hair.

"Yea Glenn, that was badass" Daryl confirmed, knocking his shoulder into his brother.

Glenn's cheeks turned a shade of pink. "Well who does he think he is talking to Sasha like that? Let him call my sister a name again."

"Awww you guys love me" Sasha said wrapping one arm around Glenn's neck and the other around Daryl's. Both boys ducked out from under her arms.

"C'mon, we're late for dinner, mom's gonna be pissed" Daryl said before the three jogged towards home.

***can08writer***

"You're late" Michonne said sternly, as her three youngest children barged into the house.

Sasha and Daryl looked at Glenn to speak for them. He was the best at getting them out of trouble.

"Yea" Glenn said, "there was something going on and… we're sorry."

"What was goin' on?" Rick called from the kitchen.

Sasha and Daryl turned to Glenn again.

"Um… someone fell down 'cuz he was doing something dangerous. But we helped him" Glenn said with a smirk.

"Fell down huh?" Michonne asked, giving her children the side eye. She looked over at Sasha. "How was your outing with your little friend?"

Sasha raised her basket full of apples. "Got lots of apples" she said with a shrug.

"And?" Michonne prodded, shooing the boys to the bathroom for them to wash their hands.

"It was alright, but I don't know if I'm gonna do it again any time soon" Sasha said.

"How come?" Michonne asked, pressing her daughter for some details.

"Boys are annoying. I'm around them too much as it is" Sasha said.

Michonne smiled at her daughter. "You're right" Michonne laughed, "tell that to Judith the next time she wants to doll you up for a date."

"It wasn't Judith mom, I asked her for the makeup. I like dressing up sometimes. I never get to wear cute stuff" Sasha explained.

"But you're already so cute" Michonne said, giving her daughter a kiss on the cheek.

"But I wanna be girly sometimes" she persisted.

"Alright, on the weekend we'll go to Ms. Eldan to get you fitted for a new dress to wear, okay?"

"Okay" Sasha agreed.

"Are you sure everything went okay with that boy?" Michonne asked, knowing she'd hear the report her sons told Judith anyway.

"Yep" Sasha said, and she followed her brothers to the bathroom to wash her hands.

Rick, who had been listening to the entire conversation from the kitchen came up behind Michonne and whispered in her ear "she is so lying."

"Yup, she is" Michonne said, "but whatever happened I think she handled it."

***can08writer***

After dinner, Daryl and Glenn were brushing their teeth in the upstairs bathroom in silence before they headed to bed.

"So what are we gonna tell Judith tomorrow?" Daryl asked, breaking the quiet.

"I dunno" Glenn shrugged, "what happened?"

"No way. If Sasha finds out we told Judith what happened she'll kill us."

"How's she gonna find out?" Glenn asked.

"Judith will tell mom and dad, and mom and dad will over react, and it'll be a whole big problem when we already solved it" Daryl said.

"So you wanna lie?" Glenn asked Daryl, spitting his toothpaste into the sink.

"Who are you more scared of, Judith or Sasha?" Daryl asked.

Glenn looked at his brother, gave him a smile, and both of them simultaneously said "Sasha."

"So we're lying then. Nothing happened, Sasha just didn't like Stevie after hanging out with him. Cool" Daryl said, strolling out of the bathroom and making his way over to his bed.

Glenn flicked the light off and quickly jumped into his own bed. The room was silent for a few seconds when Daryl said "hey Glenn, wanna come with us to the lake tomorrow and look for frogs?"

Glenn smiled from underneath his blanket.

"Maybe. I'll see if I'm free" he replied.