Theme Song: "Near To You"– A Fine Frenzy

The day I took shift with Rick was an informative one to say the least. He had come to get me later in the evening time. He had started out going over the basics for the shifts and how everyone rotated, including how to watch for certain spots around the perimeter that were more vulnerable than others.

I had listened with rapt attention to every detail before we leaned against the side of the tower and watched silently from above. I had a feeling since the beginning that Rick had wanted to talk to me about something and during the shift he had finally let it out.

"Vicki, I can't risk my people going back for those women you say were there. I can't allow it." I had been a little upset at him thinking I would ask their group such a thing. I adamantly let him know that I'd never risk his people for a battle that wasn't theirs. It was then Rick had told me everything about their journey thus far. He was brutally honest and I appreciated that he left nothing out.

I understood why Rick had told me all of it though. He was making it known how much they had been through and how valuable every single person was in their group. Which was why he couldn't make risky moves when it came their family.

When Rick had ventured into asking me if I had any kids or a significant other before it all, I had shaken my head. He had been honest with me so I had shared my own misfortune with him. I was not able to have kids. These days I really didn't mind talking about it, but at the time I had found out, it had been difficult. We talked in earnest during that shift and by the end of it I had a profound respect for the man they called their leader, Rick Grimes.

~Three Weeks Later~

It had been a few weeks already since that first shift with Rick. I thought of those women off and on and at times I felt terribly guilty. But, what was I to do? I would die if I went back there.

I helped out with chores and took watches when I could. Maggie and I had formed a connection through Glenn, while Glenn and I picked up like old friends do. Michonne and Carol took to me with a motherly hand, where as Rick and I had shared a special bond since I had opened up to him that night on shift. He was a good man, just trying doing the best for his group. And Daryl..well, he was just Daryl. They already began to see me as family and the feeling was mutual.

By that third week, Carol had put me in the clear for my wound being healed up enough to do strenuous activity. Daryl had come to me that very morning to ask if I wanted to take a lesson. I had happily accepted and for the past five days we had made this training our little..thing, so to speak. It was a time when Daryl and I could indulge in our mutual kinship for the bow and arrow and all things weapons. Sometimes he was moody and wouldn't talk much, not like he usually did anyways.

A few times during my training sessions I would make a quip at him, either slightly inappropriate or playful, and he'd either roll his eyes or scoff. To a certain degree I liked making him a little uncomfortable by dropping little comments. His reactions were always funny and sometimes I swore I saw him smiling.

This particular morning, I had been loading up an arrow as he lit up a cigarette. I looked up to him, tsked my tongue and shook my head before saying playfully, "You know, I heard those things were bad for you." He arched a brow and took a short drag before answering back with an attitude, "Oh yeah? What do ya' care?" I had stood up straight with the bow in my arms now and he looked from the weapon to me with challenging eyes.

"Well, I care." He stood there staring at me with guarded eyes and he clenched his jaw silently. Quickly, I bit out with a smirk, "I mean, who is going to be my bow and arrow mentor five years from now if you're dying from lung cancer, ya' know?" He chuckled lightly and I had to do a double take. Daryl rarely laughed. He shook his head before asking, "What makes ya' think you'll be 'round in five years?"

I tilted my head to the side and placed my free hand on my hip, "Because I'm a survivor." My voice was sure and strong. He snorted, "Ya' won't be if ya' get yourself caught in another tree again." I groaned and tilted my head back towards the sky and then looked back to Daryl. I shook my head ruefully, "You are never going to let me live that down, are you?" He trashed his cigarette and took a step forward while eyeing me casually, "Nah, probably not."

I chuckled lightly and he came around behind me to teach me a new technique I hadn't yet learned before. After we were done practicing I headed back inside with him. While we were walking I looked to him and mentioned, "Since we've been doing this, I haven't been seeing him in my head. It's really helped." Daryl stopped as they came to the door to the prison and looked back over his shoulder to his cross bow, "Told ya', shootin' this thing blows off steam."

Before I could stop my internal thoughts from being voiced I said with a small smirk, "The company hasn't been so bad either." Daryl had drew back slightly as I was already reaching for the handle to the door. He was chewing on the inside of his cheek and he looked down awkwardly. He glanced back up at me through a few stray strands of hair.

I offered the smallest of smiles and ducked into the prison door. I quickly disappeared to help Carol with a few chores that she seemed to be fussing over, as Lizzie and Carl were not helping much with them. This time I was the one ghosting away on Daryl without another word.

~

Later that afternoon, I realized I was ready to get back into my routine. Carol had given me the go ahead, but warned to go easy at first. I was back outside sparring with an invisible person with my sickles and running sprints back and forth. This had been my routine before Daniel had found me. Endurance and agility were important and if you didn't practice for the unknown, you'd become too comfortable. And comfortable could be dangerous.

I ran back and forth on the concrete until T-Dog, Daryl and Tyrese had wandered out to the quad. "You trainin' for the next football season?" T-Dog joked and I wiped my brow before smirking and saying, "Who needs football when you got walkers? We're living in the national walker league now, haven't you heard?" They laughed and Daryl merely smirked.

I continued to do my sprints while the guys hung out out on the picnic table, talking lightly amongst themselves. I watched as Daryl sparked up a cigarette and took a drag, but turned away before he looked back towards me. Glenn and Maggie drifted out and the rest followed. Maggie jumped up from the bench all of a sudden while I practiced sparring, "I wanna' learn some moves!" Her enthusiasm was intoxicating and Glenn beamed at Maggie. I grinned devilishly as a fun idea started to formulate in my mind.

I had guided Maggie on sparring and teaching her techniques in how to subdue someone. We'd been at it for half an hour now and Maggie was learning quickly. I called out, "Glenn, come here." Glenn swallowed and looked nervous, but came over to us nonetheless. This would be the fun part. I could hear Hershel chuckle and I saw Rick now smiling at a nervous Glenn.

I quickly gave Glenn the run down I had given Maggie the past thirty minutes. Glenn's first problem was that he was afraid to spar with Maggie and well..Maggie sparred brutally. I stepped away and watched them with delighted eyes. They were both learning, despite Glenn not wanting to really hit Maggie. I heard Daryl call out at one point, "Ya' really gonna' let your girl kick your ass?"

That earned quite a few laughs from the group. After they were done, I gave some pointers and Tyrese and T-Dog got the itch to come out and spar as well. This went on for almost an hour or two and towards the end Rick had come up to me with Judith in his arms and nudged my shoulder with his own. "This is good, Vicki. Gettin' everyone out like this." He shook his head as if agreeing with his own words.

I smiled lightly, "I did this all the time by myself before Daniel found me. I found it best to always be prepared and practicing was a good way of staying on top of my game." He smiled at me, Judith now reaching her little hands out towards me, while saying, "Well, whatever it's worth, I think it's a good idea. You just became designated teacher."

I laughed lightly at this and shrugged while saying to Rick and everyone else within earshot, "If anyone wants a lesson, I'm always here to help. We do have a lot of time here." Rick nodded and Glenn walked away, licking his wounds with Maggie. I could tell she was hiding a snicker. Those two were quite possibly the most adorable thing since sliced bread. I was so happy Glenn had found someone, despite it being during the end of mankind.

Rick offered Judith to me since she kept reaching out and I looked hesitant for a moment. I'd only held Judith a few times, but as I looked to those innocent eyes I knew I wanted to hold her. I held her as we walked into the prison. Daryl had silently fallen into step on my left while Rick was on the right.

Judith was looking at me now and I stared intently at the baby before me. She truly was a miracle baby. I cooed playfully at her and then pulled back as my own eyes grew ever so slightly misty. Judith was the only thing that was able to move me in such a way.

I looked to Daryl and he seemed to have caught the look on my face. He swooped in carefully, "I'll take 'her to Carl. He was just talkin' 'bout feeding her I think." Rick nodded at Daryl and I handed her off before making my way to my own cell, taking the stairs two at a time. I was dirty and needed a shower. That was one thing here I was grateful for, the showers. They always had an abundance of hot water.

I had made it back to my cell after a nice long shower and once inside I heard heated whispers coming from below. I peered my head out of the cell and then leaned over the railing to see Rick, Michonne, Carol and Daryl standing around talking. "We need fresh meat. The kids need something more than beans. Can't we have Daryl go out and get some squirrels or something? We have the means to cook that kind of stuff here, Rick."

Rick had been silent before looking to Daryl and arching a brow. Daryl shrugged and shouldered his cross bow higher before answering, "Don' bother me none. I can go before dawn tomorrow. Best time to catch 'em anyways." Rick looked like he was mulling this over. Michonne looked between everyone as Rick was coming to a decision.

"Alright, but you need someone to go with you." Rick frowned as Daryl shook his head adamantly. "No way. I do better on my own. C'mon Rick." Daryl looked annoyed now and I listened as Michonne spoke up, "Not when we don't know who is out there. Even though those men probably won't come out this far, we can't risk it. Can't risk you by yourself."

Daryl huffed loudly, "I'll be jus' fine." His country twang bit out now as his whispers became more heated. It was then I made myself known over the railing, my dark hair dripping still from the shower, "I'll go with him."

I beamed as everyone looked up to me in surprise. Rick clapped Daryl on the back, "Look at that. Problem solved. You and Vicki can go." Daryl looked like he wanted to protest, but it was already settled. Carol smirked at his reaction. Daryl was such a stubborn man, of course he'd want to tackle the hunting trip alone. Not when Daniel was still out there though..I'd hate for him to come into contact with them by himself. They were truly a ruthless bunch.

I looked down at Daryl and tilted my head to the side with an excited glint in my eyes, "So, we goin' squirrel huntin' tomorrow?" Daryl huffed and looked to me from the bottom floor, saying roughly, "I'll wake ya' before dawn." He wandered off and I went back into my cell to clean my Glock. Well, tomorrow was going to be very interesting.

Author's Note: This was a fun chapter to write. I try to include some of the other characters in the story. Hope you all enjoyed!