Author's Note:

Ok, so I completely suck for not updating in forever but ya know, I'm an infrequent writer and stuff and thaangs happen.

I hope you all will still be willing to read even though I haven't updated in months

Love y'all

Emily xoxo

The sun was shining through the windows in the prison, seemingly magnified by the big glass windows. It was making it difficult to get any more sleep. I opened my eyes and smiled at Daryl as he slept next to me. I kissed his jawline to wake him; I know he doesn't like sleeping in too often. "Good morning." I said with a warm smile as he opened his eyes. He groaned and squinted at the bright sunlight shining into our cell.

"Damn, it's morning already?" He asked his voice deeper than usual. He ran his hands through his long hair; there was nothing sexier than Daryl in the morning.

"You're going on a run today?" I asked, sitting up.

"Yeah, gonna head over to a store, ya know, check it out and everything."

"Yeah, I know, I was just hoping that you'd let me go." I said raising an eyebrow.

"No, ain't no way." He said standing up and shrugging on a sleeveless button up.

"Aw, come on, you know I like to help." I said twiddling my thumbs. "And when we get back safe, I can take care of you..." I hinted trying to be suddle.

"Nah, you ain't coming, Ali, it ain't safe, I don't even know if we'll be able to get in there." He said.

"It's not like I'm handicapped, Daryl."

"Remember you ain't the only one looking after you anymore." He said referring to the promise he made me two months back. He doesn't like me being too independent because I take "too many risks."

"I know but you're going and I'm looking out for you…" I pleaded

"And if I fall and hurt myself I ain't risking you, letting you come is risking your life." He said. "You don't see Glenn letting Maggie go, do you? You two can bond together, you haven't seen her much."

"She thinks she's pregnant, Daryl, you're comparing rainbows to suicide."

"I don't want to lose you too, ok?" He asked.

"Fine, you win." I said. Daryl always won, it wasn't fair.

"Thought so." He grunted. "C'mon, let's go get breakfast together." He said grabbing my hand.

"Mornin', Daryl!"

"Sup Dr. S?" Daryl asked as the daily greeting of Daryl began. I trailed behind him and rolled my eyes as I didn't get the same response as Daryl. More greetings came and I sighed, figures I'd be in love with the star of the group. "Smells good." Daryl commented as he reached where Carol was cooking. I immediately tensed; Carol was really pushing it these days. Her eyes darted to me and then back to Daryl.

"Just so you know, I liked you first." She said.

"Stop." Daryl replied. My fists balled and my eyes narrowed and I stomped over beside Daryl, knowing she wouldn't say anything when I was in front of her. She smiled at me and I raised an eyebrow at her and put on my best disgusted face, it didn't take much I hated the look of meat; I've been trying to stay the vegetarian I was.

"Smells good, Leah, don't it?" She asked.

"It's Aliyah." I muttered, grabbing a bowl and filling it with some of the vegetables.

"You know, Rick brought in a lot of them too." Daryl said.

"Not recently, give the strangers sanctuary, keeping people fed you're going to have to live with the love." Carol complimented and I groaned.

"Right." Daryl said.

"I need you to see something, Patrick, you want to take over?"

"Yes, ma'am." The young boy said and scurried over. "Ah, Mr. Dixon?" He said. "I just wanted to thank you for bringing that deer back yesterday. It was a real treat sir, and I'd be honored to shake your hand." He said extending his hand. Daryl licked all of his fingers before shaking his hand.

"That's my man." I said looking at Carol. Carol sighed and walked away with Daryl in tow. I watched them from a distance. I noticed Carol getting closer to Daryl as she pointed out the cluster of walkers leaning against the fence. Daryl nodded and I could hear her voice, softer than usual. It was really annoying seeing her try to seduce Daryl. I jogged over to them just as I heard Carol giggle.

"Sorry, Pookie." She said and I nearly thought I imagined it.

"You know what? I am sick and tired of you trying to seduce Daryl, he is mine, just accept it! He is not your "Pookie" and I really don't give a shit if you liked him first. He doesn't want your wrinkly ass." I nearly screamed at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry Aliyah; I didn't think you'd hear that." Carol laughed. "I think Daryl wants someone with a bit more experience than you." She said.

"Yeah, that's totally why he's been fucking me instead of you!" I threw in her face. She looked shocked, nearly frozen.

"Ali, stop." Daryl said.

"No, she needs to understand that we've been together for a few months now. We've been actually getting along, it took me forever to get Daryl to be open and honest with me and now you are trying to ruin that for me. I get that you're lonely and all but maybe you could seek out someone else in the prison because Daryl and I aren't breaking up anytime soon." I said.

"Aliyah, relax, you know what we are." He said.

"What are you?" Carol asked.

"That's not something you should be worrying about." Daryl said and I grabbed his hand and he wrapped his arms around my waist, it was natural now. I rested my head on his shoulder and I inhaled his intoxicating scent. "I can feel your heart racing; you shouldn't be getting this stressed out."

"I know." I said.

"It's not worth it." He reminded and I nodded and realized that Carol was still standing there, her eyes cold.

"Anyways, we need to clear out those walkers today or they may be able to take down the fence, they just don't spread out anymore." Carol said clearing her throat.

"I'll do it with Ty, Karen, Rick, and the others." I volunteered. Daryl's eyes stared into mine; he never wanted me to help. Ever since what happened to Merle, he'd taken precaution to an overbearing extent but I really didn't mind.

"I won't be around." He said.

"You can't shelter me forever, Daryl." I said taking his rough calloused hand in mine. "I'll be fine; you know I can handle myself." I brushed his lips with mine, only for a moment.

"I know." He said with a nod.

"If you can take risks so can I, I understand why you don't want me going on the run with you but there is no excuse for me to not do something when everyone else is busting there ass trying to provide for the group." Daryl nodded.

"Fine, you win." He said mocking the phrase I said most often. I nudged him in the ribs and he smiled but his eyes were sad. I know he was thinking about Merle, he thought about him daily and his eyes always looked the same. I squeezed his hand and smiled at him.

"I'm going to brush my hair and get my spear." I said and he nodded. "Want to join me?" I asked and he shook his head.

"No, I'm going to get the car ready for the run." He said. "Stop by there before you head down to the walkers." He asked and I nodded.

"Of course."

"Aren't you gonna say goodbye?" I heard Zach ask Beth.

"Nope." Beth replied walking past me, offering me a small smile.

"Damn romance novel." Daryl muttered.

"Yeah, just like you and Ali." Zach said and I dove around a corner, I had always been good at eavesdropping.

"Nah, not like Ali and me, we're different, we ain't young or stupid."

"Ali's pretty young if you ask me." Zach said.

"She don't act it, she knows to kiss her man goodbye." Daryl said and I smiled ear to ear.

"Hey guys, what's up?" I asked, unable to repress my smile.

"Ah, shit." Daryl said knowing I had heard the whole conversation.

"Damn romance novel." I smiled kissing his cheek.

"Shut up, Ali, I didn't know you were listening."

"Where would I be without my wonderful eavesdropping skills?" I asked.

"Probably dead." Zach commented. I looked to him and smiled, he and Beth were adorable.

"Don't say things like that." Daryl asked checking the car's oil. "We're good to go." He said.

"Ok, I'm going to the fence." I said and Daryl nodded.

"Be safe."

"Always." I said and I kissed his cheek, I had never been happier than during these past few months. For once everything was going good; Daryl and I had figured out that we were better together.

I arrived at the fence and Tyreese had just kissed Karen goodbye, apparently he was going on the run with Daryl. I heard the familiar sound of hooves approaching the prison. Michonne must be back, I thought happily. I jogged to the gate to let her in.

"Hey, Mich!" I said happily. "Any luck?"

"No, his trail went cold." She said with a sigh but smiled at Carl. "Someone hit the jackpot." She said handing a stack of comics to him.

"No way!" Carl exclaimed.

"I get to read them when you're done." She said and Carl nodded. The group going on the run came down, Daryl smiled at Michonne.

"It's good to see you." He said.

"Same to you." She said. "Going on a run?"

"Yeah, we're going down to the Big Spot."

"I'll go." She suggested.

"You just got here!" Carl whined.

"And I'll be back." Michonne said. I smiled as the group disappeared down the path, I was happy Michonne was back. Michonne was a big part of the group and she knew that but she was set on killing the Governor. I had a strong feeling that they would return, I just knew it.