"Food's here." T-Dog called.

He waited for Carl to open the gate while holding two boxes of food. Rick and I stood side by side, also holding as much food as we could.

I still would've preferred it if we killed the prisoners and took all of the food. But instead we have to clear a whole cell block for them.

"What you got?" Carl asked.

Abby walked out to see what the fuss was about. She stood next to Carl and I handed her a paper bag filled with random cans. She stumbled a bit, but Carl helped her carry it.

I glanced at Rick with a smug smirk. He also noticed the exchange between his son and my sister. He rolled his eyes, but a ghost of a smile formed on his face.

"Canned beef, canned corn, canned cans. There's a lot more from where this came from." T-Dog commented.

I hummed in agreement as I went to the front of the cell that Hershel was staying in. I glanced inside to see his eyes were closed and his stump was wrapped in bloody sheets.

"Any change?" Rick inquired.

Glenn and Lori stepped outside to give us the report. I shifted uncomfortably at the sight of her stomach. The fact that there was a human being in her disturbed me.

More so than usual. Without Hershel, Lori might not survive childbirth and that's something I don't want Carl nor Rick to go through.

"Bleeding is under control and no fever, but his breath is labored and his pulse is way down and he hasn't opened his eyes yet." Lori explained.

I don't recall her being a doctor or having any medical knowledge. Not everyone skips first aid like me, I suppose. I never bothered myself with amputation lessons or internal bleeding surgeries.

All I know are the basics. Which might not be a good idea since I already got shot once. Luck doesn't seem to be on my side when it comes to injuries.

"Take my cuffs. Put them on him. I'm not taking any chances." Rick demanded.

I turned my head sharply to look at him. He wasn't serious, was he? I mean, I know it's for safety but this is Hershel. A man of faith. We can't treat him like an experimental animal.

Glenn listened to Rick as I bit my lip. We have to listen to Rick though, he's always been right so far. A sigh left my lips as I went outside.

I noticed Rick and Lori speaking to each other in hushed voice. My eyes connected with his for a split second before I left his sight.

No one was outside because of the bodies. Especially now since the prisoners could be there. Yet I made sure I saw all of them inside. I don't feel safe around them.

The sun hit my face once again and I closed my eyes letting myself enjoy it for a second. I hated the sun on most days, but when it was slowly setting down and you had a few hours before it disappeared, that was when I let myself enjoy it.

In those fleeting moments.

"You're being creepy, Rick." I commented.

I opened my eyes to see him standing behind me. He was watching me with a soft look in his eyes. I couldn't understand it.

There is nothing about me that inspires such intensity and gentleness. He has to know that by now. I watched as he lifted up the first aid kit.

"Sit down. I need to change your bandages." He spoke up.

I hesitated before doing what he asked of me. We sat down on the steps of the prison and I held out my hand. Rick gently took it in his and unwrapped the bloodied bandage.

I frowned at the small sting that I still felt. Probably shouldn't have gripped the gun so tight today nor dug my nails into my palms yesterday.

"You need to be more careful, Josephine." He said.

I looked at him and saw he was engrossed in cleaning my cut. As if it was the most important thing in the world. And for a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to have someone to take care of me every time I fall.

A real relationship. The one Daryl wanted. This is what it would feel like. But I pushed the thought away as quickly as it came. I would ruin it. I ruin everything. Carol was right.

I hide behind my anger and sooner or later someone is going to grow tired of it. I don't want to know what it's like to have your heart broken by someone you love.

Family is different, you're bonded by your blood. With romantic relationships, when your heart breaks, it's more permanent than with family.

"Tell me something I don't know, Ranger Rick. I'll be fine, I always am." I replied.

He finished bandaging my hand and looked up into my eyes. Just like before, his hand was still holding mine. His eyes were still so intense, so blue.

They reminded me of Daryl's for a split second. A sigh left Rick's lips as he pointed at my head.

"That head of yours, has got to start thinking more about your wellbeing. Your family would be devastated if something happened to you and so would the group." Rick stated.

He lowered his hand and let go of mine. I stood up at the same time as him. I swallowed a lump in my throat as I nodded acknowledging his words.

He went to say something, but hesitated. In the end, he only nodded before leaving me in the courtyard. I glanced down at my hand to see how delicately he bandaged it.

-----

"That one." Carol said.

I put my hand over my eyes and focused my attention behind the fences. A female walker in a yellow dress was the one Carol had chosen.

It looked ugly as fuck. All grey and wrinkled up. Thank God we're putting it out of its misery.

"Everything you're saying is completely sane, okay? You wanting to use a walker for practice is a sane thing. I-I mean it, okay? I just, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around it." Glenn explained.

He and Ryan were comforting the Greene sisters by Hershel's side. I still don't know what Ryan sees in Beth, but I'm trying to let it slide.

His crush will soon fade, it has to. She's too young and the only reason he's interested in her is because there's no one else.

"Lori's overdue. She had Carl by C-section, she's probably gonna have to have this one the same way. Hershel had a little bit of experience with this kind of thing, but he's not gonna be able to do it anymore. I need experience and we have plenty of volunteers." Carol explained.

"Let's cut the chatting and get this over with. Slicing up walkers isn't the weirdest thing we've had to do." I said.

At least it doesn't sound crazy in my head. She's doing it for a good cause anyways. Lori's kid will have one hell of a life and its birth will be as complicated as its journey. We already knew that. So this boy or girl has to face some tough challenges.

"I need to learn how to cut through the abdomen and uterus without cutting the baby." Carol explained.

God, I get shivers only from thinking about it. My hand flew to my stomach where a gunshot scar stood.

I was unconscious through most of it, but I still recall flashes of immense pain. I don't even want to imagine what Lori will be going through.

"Why not?" Glenn mumbled.

He went to stab the walker, but Carol touched his shoulder to stop him. I leaned against the fence behind them as Carol gripped the pole in her hands.

She obviously wanted to be the one to kill it. Part of her 'let's not look weak' plan. Ed abused her and now she wants to be strong, just like me. Even if she denies it.

"I'll do it." She said.

She carefully aimed at the walker before pushing the pole into the walker's skull. It fell down and my eyes followed it with lack of interest. I was told to stay behind as Rick and the others clear out another cell block.

There was no arguing with Rick so I let it slide just this once. Glenn yelled at the walkers driving them away as Carol and I undid the wire on the fence.

-----

"Jo, Hershel woke up." Abby exclaimed.

I looked up as I entered the cell block. A lot of the group was gathered around the cell Hershel was laying in. Daryl looked at me and Abby launched herself in my arms. I was surprised by the sudden display of affection.

It was then that it finally sunk in how much she was worried about him. I crouched down to hug her back. It feels as if I have been ignoring her and her feelings.

I've been doing my best, but Dakota was the one with the good advice. All I do is minimize the hurt that she feels which is nowhere near to actually comforting her.

"Of course he did. You don't have to worry about him, sweetheart. He's a tough son of a bitch." I said.

She pulled away and I wiped away a stray tear from her eyes. A smile tugged at her lips as she squeezed my hand and nodded.

Abby is growing up in front of my eyes and I'm afraid I won't be able to teach her everything she needs to know. I moved a piece of stray hair from her face.

"As long as you are with me, I'll be okay too." Abby replied.

My eyes softened at her words not understanding her need to say them. Ryan called out for Abby and she went to his side. I got up as Daryl came to my side. I grabbed his hand and led him upstairs.

A part of me felt hesitant at doing this now, but I needed a distraction. As soon as we entered the furthest cell, his lips were on mine.

I kissed back with a newfound passion inside of me. His hands grabbed the back of my thighs and I jumped wrapping my legs around his waist.

Our lips moved in sync as something clawed inside of me. I needed to get my mind off of everything. A relationship is too complicated, sex isn't. He lowered me onto the mattress and hovered over me. I switched our positions and straddled his waist.

He took off his shirt and helped me take off mine. My lips left small kisses over his chest up to his neck. A groan left his mouth as I nibbled on his skin. I hushed him and he furrowed his eyebrows.

I pointed downwards meaning the group. We can't let them hear us. A smirk tugged on his lips as he moved me so he was above once again. It's going to be a fun night.