A/N: Sorry for the delay but here it is! The last chapter of Walking the Line. Thank you everyone who has made it this far with me. I really couldn't have done it without all of you that read, favorited, followed, and messaged me. You guys were what pushed me to finish this! I hope you enjoy the last chapter and come back for the sequel which I hope to start publishing sometime this summer. Hopefully no later than July. Thanks again and I hope you enjoyed the ride!

The next twenty-four hours were hard for Jess. She'd forgotten to, or maybe she didn't want to, tell Doctor S when she was beginning to feel light-headed and had nearly passed out before they pulled the line out of her to Daryl. She suddenly had felt useless and restless, despite the weakness from giving so much blood but she never left the infirmary and she didn't, or couldn't, sleep. At one point, Rick and Carol had come to check on her, the former brought her guitar and her book for something to keep her occupied and the latter brought her food, which Carol had to almost force Jess to eat, and had dressed her flesh wound on her arm. Jess hardly said a word past gratitude for their help and she didn't need to, especially with Rick because he'd been in a similar situation before. He knew the waiting was the worst part.

So, unable to focus on the words of the fourth read through of The Two Towers, Jess had fallen back on playing her guitar until her fingers were raw. Even then, she'd only taken about a thirty minute break to rest her fingers and pace the room and her mind started racing.

She had gotten way too close to the people here; too close to Daryl and she'd almost lost him today because of their relationship. She was what the men at the store had wanted and if she hadn't been there then he wouldn't be in the bed, recovering from near death. She should have just gone with her gut instinct when she first woke up after Daryl had brought her to the prison and left as soon as she was able to. She should have ignored their request for help and moved on with her mission. When she lost Erin, she had spent days wandering and grieving, trying to decide if it was worth going on but as much as she wanted to put a bullet in her brain then, she remembered her promise. However, this time a promise wouldn't be enough to make her want to live if he died because of her.

Jess knew she thought more emotionally than rationally at the moment and it was because she had allowed herself to care again. If she were still alone, there were no emotions to get in the way and no one else to worry about except for Argo. She knew she really didn't belong with these people, she was too wild and independent to be a contributor to this community. Her presence there was bringing them down, not helping.

Jess stopped her pacing to look at the man in the bed and realized what she had to do. She almost got him killed and there was no telling what would happen to him from now on if she stayed. He had a family here and she didn't want to be the cause of him losing them. Or the cause of his family losing him. The only way to keep that from happening was to leave.

With that thought, she gathered the items that had been brought to her, minus the guitar, and stepped out of the room and down to the library a few doors down. Which was where Carol said she would be the last time she'd dropped by to check on Jess and Daryl.

When Jessica opened the door to the room she had to squint at the midday sun streaming into the room through the large windows as she'd just come from the darker infirmary. Once her eyes adjusted, she was surprised to see Carol and Michonne sitting at the table, talking softly to one another. Jess waited politely until they noticed her as not to interrupt their conversation. It didn't take long for Carol to notice Jess.

"Jess," she called as she stood quickly, "is Daryl alright," she asked in a shaky voice.

"Yes'm. He's still just still sleepin'," Jess assured before she continued, "I's just wonderin' if ya wouldn't mind sittin' with him fer a few minutes so I can check on Argo."

"Of course," Carol agreed with a half-smile. "Take your time."

Jess just nodded in agreement, carefully avoiding making eye contact because she was afraid Carol could see right through her. As the older woman took her leave Jess caught Michonne giving her an odd look. Jess's eyebrows furrowed into a questioning glare to help hide what she thought Michonne saw.

"Somethin' on yer mind, Michonne?"

The dreadlocked woman held Jess's gaze for several seconds before she lifted her shoulders slightly in a shrug.

"No. What about you," she questioned, turning the subject back on Jess as the swordswoman stood and grabbed her katana that was leaning against the table.

Jess had to stop herself from shifting nervously when she answered. However, she did manage to look Michonne in the eyes to help hide her intentions.

"All thangs considered, I'm good," the cowgirl turned away before Michonne could ask any more questions. "I'll be back in a bit."

Jess felt Michonne's eyes on her back as she exited the room and it was quite unnerving. That woman was way too observant. Jess would have to be careful around her because if Michonne found out Jess was leaving, she might tell someone else. She didn't think Michonne would try to stop her but there were several others that might. Jess wasn't sure she would be able to deal with that. The choice to leave was not a light one and would probably haunt her for the rest of her days. However, she felt it was the right one regardless of how much it hurt her.

It didn't take Jess long to gather her things, even though she had to stop by her cell and pick up a few items she kept there. There were too many people around the food storage so she would have to skip stocking up on food and find her own, which was easy enough when she was out there alone. Once she made it to the barn she packed up her regular shoulder bag and saddle bags with all of her things and checked to make sure Argo's saddle was ready to be thrown on quickly. She didn't want to saddle him now because there were too many people wandering around and they would see Argo and question why she'd saddled him. Also, there was no way to tell when Daryl would actually wake up and there was no way she was leaving without seeing him one more time. If she could just look into his hard blue eyes one more time she could make it on her own with the memories of him, the prison, and it's people. She wasn't going to say goodbye this time because she knew she wouldn't be coming back. It would just make it harder to go.

She left her belongings in the barn so people wouldn't notice and made her way back up to the infirmary, taking in the sights and people as she went. There were children at the awning playing a board game. Carl gave her a smile and wave as she passed which she returned fully, carefully hiding the fact that it was the last time she'd see him. Luckily, Michonne was nowhere to be found as Jess made her way through the halls but she did pass Rick on his way out to the fields. He gave her a reassuring smile before continuing on his way. Rick would be another of those she would miss.

When she finally made it back to the infirmary, Carol was sitting in the spot Jess had made for herself, reading a book she'd brought with her from the library. Carol smiled up at the younger woman before she closed her book.

"Back so soon," Carol commented as she stood, knowing that Jess would take back over watching Daryl and didn't want to intrude.

"Just needed to check on Argo, doesn't take long," she answered simply. She was afraid to say much more because she might give her intentions away and Carol was one of the most observant women she'd ever met.

"Herschel dropped by while you were gone, he seems to think Daryl will be waking up soon," Carol revealed with a smile.

Jess returned the smile weakly before she took the seat Carol just vacated.

"Good," Jess answered, her eyes on the sleeping hunter in the bed and a weary expression on her face.

Carol had a feeling that Jess needed some space. However, it never hurt to ask.

"You want me to stay," Carol asked as she stood at the foot of Daryl's bed.

The younger woman shook her head with a small smile, her eyes still carefully avoiding Carol's.

"It's a'ight, Carol. Ain't it storytime with tha kids," she asked as she picked up her guitar for what seemed like the millionth time in the last several hours.

"Yeah, but I'll stay if you want me to," Carol offered again, still not quite ready to give up leaving Jess alone.

"Ya go on 'n' do storytime. We'll both be 'ere when ya get done," Jess reasoned. If she were honest, she really wanted to be alone now anyway. Besides, she wanted to spend her last few minutes with Daryl alone.

"Okay," Carol conceded as she headed to the door. "I'll check on you when we get done."

"Thanks, Carol," Jess smiled as she finally looked up at her friend.

Carol stopped and turned just enough so Jess could see the small smile that graced her features.

"You're welcome," she answered as she opened and shut the infirmary door behind her.

As soon as the door shut, Jess began to play the guitar again. She had played through the pain in her fingertips for almost two hours when Daryl woke up. He didn't open his eyes right away as it took a few minutes for everything to start coming back. Besides, he was enjoying the music.

Apparently Jess knew every Johnny Cash song known to man as he realized that she was playing "I Walk The Line" followed by "Beast In Me", both popular Johnny Cash songs. Jess knew a variety of songs and he was beginning to wonder if it had been more than just a hobby for her. When he finally opened his eyes, her fingers stilled on the strings. He saw her eyes lock on him as he took in her appearance: her big doe eyes were slightly bloodshot with dark circles and her hair was out of its usual braid, the strands were wavy from the braid they'd been in not long ago. There was no other sight more perfect to wake up to. Despite her weary appearance, she was the most beautiful thing in the world to him.

They locked eyes for several moments before he saw the tension physically leave her. She calmly set the guitar aside and went over to the bed.

"Hey," he greeted her in a voice gravelly from disuse as he watched her sit on the edge of the bed and turn to him. His eyebrows furrowed in agitation as he realized how worn out she looked.

Over the past twenty-four hours, Jess had come up with different things she would say when Daryl woke up. She no longer wanted to yell at him for leaving her alone at the hardware store after he'd been shot. However, she knew he'd expect it so she acted like she was angry.

"Don't 'hey' me, mister. I have half a mind ta pull yer dumb butt outta that bed 'n' beat ya like a redheaded stepchild," she grumbled as she turned away, her thick wavy hair blocking his view of her face. Before he could say anything in response, she let out a shaky breath and her voice was thick, "but I'm just too damn glad yer alive ta bother."

"Don't be such a pussy," he growled teasingly at her as he pushed himself in the bed so he was sitting up. The second he settled back into the mattress, Jess was leaning over him and desperately pressing her lips to his, her hands carefully roaming over him as if she was making sure he was really there.

Daryl responded in kind and before he realized it, he lifted his hand to fist into the hair at the nape of her neck and press her flush against him. He needed to feel her as much as she needed to feel him. However, before things got too serious, he roughly tugged on her hair to let her know they needed to stop. After a few more seconds, Jess reluctantly leaned away a few inches to look him in his tired blue eyes.

"Did I hurt ya," she asked sincerely as she looked him up and down. Sometimes, she could get a little out of hand when it came to Daryl and she thought maybe she'd been a little too rough.

"No. Just didn't want ya to think that was an invitation" Daryl teased as his fingers still buried in her hair. He really did like her hair. It was soft yet wild, just like her.

"I gotta feelin' I'll know that invitation when I see it," Jess teased back like she normally would, even though it felt like someone was stabbing her in the chest. Jess realized she'd never get to really be with Daryl. Not the way she'd been dreaming about.

There were a few more moments of silence as they just looked at each other, knowing how close Daryl came to dying. Jess took her time in memorizing his rugged features and sharp blue eyes while Daryl followed her long hair down her body then came back up to her amber eyes. For a second he thought he saw her expression darken but he couldn't be sure.

"So what happened," he asked as Jess leaned away to sit by him on the bed, her hip touching his as she looked away but not before he saw the fear in her eyes.

"Ya died," she answered flatly. Daryl continued to look at her, his expression unchanging as if he wasn't surprised by the news. Jess continued to explain, "yer heart stopped," she said, voice thick with barely suppressed emotion, "luckily, Dr. S was able ta start it again. If they hadn't'a used me fer a blood transfusion, ya would'a stayed that way."

"Damn," he cursed, surprised to still be alive.

"Ya ain't kiddin', peach," she scoffed before she looked back at him and he could see the moisture in her eyes, "I thought ya's a goner."

"Yeah, well I ain't dead," he answered forcefully, not sure if he'd be able to handle seeing her cry over him.

"Yer a tough man ta kill, Daryl Dixon. 'N' that makes me happier'n a hog in mud," she smiled to hide her whirling emotions.

"Damn Texans," Daryl grumbled as he tried to shift again in the bed but stopped when pain shot up his leg. Jess noticed this and stood.

"I should go get Herschel and Dr. S to take a look at you," she frowned down at him. It was getting harder to hide the fact she knew this would be the last time she saw him. She had to get out of there before she changed her mind.

"I'm fine," he growled as he looked up at her. He saw that fear in her eyes again, along with something else but before he could say anything she was leaning over him. She kissed him softly, her hair falling over her shoulders and catching in the stubble along his jaws. It was very brief but it was the sweetest kiss they'd ever shared. However, it had alarm bells going off in his head. Something about her wasn't right.

"Thanks fer everythin' Daryl," she whispered while looking into his eyes. Daryl was too confused to try and stop her so he just watched her turn and head for the door.

"Jess," he asked, "what the hell is goin' on?"

She paused in the door frame to turn her head just enough for her to see him one last time, and her sad smile startled him.

"Nothin', peach. I'll be right back," she lied.

With that, she left the room to an observant, angry Dixon.

"Get your ass back here, woman," Jess heard him yell as she quickly shut the door behind her. It was hard to ignore him, but she did.

Damn him, Jess thought as she hurried down the halls, Daryl's angry yells haunting her as she walked. He obviously knew her better than she realized if he'd picked up on her distress after she'd tried so hard to hide it.

Jess moved through the prison with purpose until she ran into Carol. Of all the people she needed to avoid at the moment, Carol was at the top of that list. The older woman had become like a mother to her and there was no way Jess could get away now without saying goodbye. Her interaction with Daryl had weakened her resolve slightly.

"Hey Carol," Jess greeted as she met the older woman in the hallway just outside the library. "Daryl's awake, can ya grab Dr. S fer me?"

Daryl knew something was up with her and he'd probably be trying to get out of the bed to go after her even though he'd almost died a few hours ago. She had a feeling he'd crawl after her if he had to. So her idea was to send Carol and the doctors to slow him down. Jess knew they wouldn't be able to stop him but at least they could give her some time to get past the gates.

"Of course," Carol agreed before she realised the strange look on her friend's face. It was a sad expression. "What's wrong?"

Jess quickly corrected herself and smiled at her friend to try to hide her intentions.

"Nothin', I just wanted ta say thank ya for everythang. Mean's a lot ta me ta know there's people like ya left," Jess explained with a forced smile.

Carol didn't know what to think about what Jess was saying. It was almost as if she were saying goodbye but that couldn't be right. Maybe Jess was just relieved to have Daryl back and it was finally taking its toll emotionally.

"You're welcome, Jessica," she answered sincerely.

The cowgirl's smile grew as she nodded at her friend and turned towards the door to the yard. Carol watched her retreat in confusion before she turned to do what her friend asked. Was that Daryl's voice she heard echoing down the hall?

None of the other occupants paid any attention to Jess as she moved through the courtyard to the grassy yard in front of the prison. Jess was just about to let out an exhale of breath that she'd made it this far without too many questions until she saw Michonne leaning nonchalantly against the side of the barn, Flame's head over the wooden fence just beside the swordswoman. Instead of a sigh of relief, it was a sigh of resignation. Now she had a new obstacle. Before Jess could say anything, Michonne gave the archer an incredulous look.

"I know what you're doing," Michonne warned. Jess walked right passed her and through the boards of the fence to start preparing Argo.

"So ya gonna try 'n' stop me," Jess threw over her shoulder as she tossed the blanket and saddle on Argo's back.

"You've already made up your mind so I doubt I can change it," Michonne resigned with a sigh. "But you know this is wrong."

"Is it now," Jess spat as she stopped to look at her friend, her emotions finally getting the best of her, "as long as I'm here, it put's all y'all in danger."

"Right, and what makes you so special that puts us all in more danger than we're already in," Michonne asked knowingly. "Or is it you just feel guilty over nothing?"

Michonne's question was meant to strike a chord with the cowgirl and it did. Jess stopped short of cinching Argo's saddle to shake her head of the doubt that was creeping in.

"If I hadn't'a needed tha string, we would'a never stopped there," she looked up at Michonne, tears swimming in her eyes, "if we weren't together, they wouldn't'a been able ta use that against us. I put him in danger 'n' that puts all'a ya in danger."

Michonne scoffed at her friend as she stepped through the fence to cross her arms and face Jess.

"You're pretty stupid," she tested as she shook her head. "You saved his life."

"But I shouldn't'a had ta, Chonne," Jess nearly yelled, her emotions beginning to get the best of her. She waved her hands towards the prison as she tried to reason with herself for leaving. "None'a y'all should'a been put in tha position where we had ta save his life."

The two locked eyes as Michonne continued to lean casually against the wall in an unthreatening way. It was rare to see Jess so hot-headed but she'd been put through so much emotionally the past few hours that it'd pushed her to the edge of her control.

"So you're telling me you'd be staying if it were me in that bed instead of Daryl," Michonne reasoned, "I'm feeling the love."

"Ya know darn well, Daryl 'n' I are more'n friends," Jess growled before she turned away to disappear into the barn to get the rest of her gear. Michonne waited several until the cowgirl reappeared with her hair in a high pony tail instead of the usual braid before she continued.

"And so you're just gonna give up what you have here because you're afraid of losing it? You're still losing it, Jess," Michonne countered darkly as Jess finished strapping her weapons on and picked up her bow. Jess mounted an agitated Argo and looked down at her friend with determination as she gripped the reins in one hand and her bow in the other.

"Least I'm choosin' ta lose it instead'a it bein' taken from me like everythan' else," she stated strongly before her expression softened. "Sorry, Chonne. Take good care of Flame 'n' she'll take good care'a ya," she advised one last time. She kicked Argo and he jumped out off the pen before Jess could really think about the conversation with Michonne. If she had, she would have seen that the dreadlocked woman was right.

Jess sent Argo on canter to the front gate, careful not to look back at the prison. When she reached the closed fence she whistled up at Glenn.

"Can ya let me out, kiddo," she called up to the young Asian. Her yelling caught the attention of Rick, who was not far away tending to his farm, and he came walking over with a confused look on his face.

"Where ya goin'," the farmer asked as he approached the anxious horse and rider. Rick could see that Argo was prancing uneasily underneath Jess. The cowgirl carefully turned her head to wipe away the few tears that had slipped past her eyes.

"Can ya just open tha gate, Rick," Jess pleaded.

"What's wrong," he asked as he approached. Jess sidestepped Argo away from him and toward the gate as Glenn and Maggie appeared at the bottom of the guard tower.

"What's going on," Glenn asked as he looked between the prancing Argo and rider to Rick.

"Fine, if you wont open it, I will," Jess growled as she had Argo approach the gate.

Just as she was about to dismount, there was a yell from behind her.

"The fuck ya think yer goin', dumbass," Daryl yelled from the courtyard as he hobbled along on crutches awkwardly. Carol must have helped him instead of slowed him down.

Suddenly, Jess felt her resolved start to waver as more of the prison's occupants were drawn to the commotion by the gate. She still kept her back to the prison as she quickly dismounted to open both of the gates, her bow still in her hand.

"Rick," Daryl yelled with a hint of desperation as he hobbled down the gravel drive.

Even though the cop turned farmer didn't understand what was going on, he knew what Daryl needed him to do. He sprinted to put himself between Jess and the rope next to the chain link gate and what he saw surprised him. He saw a woman very unlike the Jess he knew. Her eyes were red, bloodshot, and very moist. The sun glinted off the tear tracks she'd tried to wipe away earlier and her expression was one of exhaustion and desperation. He had a feeling she was like a feral cat backed into a corner.

"Jess, tell me what's going on," Rick demanded quietly as he waved off everyone else who was approaching, even Daryl. He'd talked down many of women in his time as a cop. He felt obligated to find out what had happened to make her want to leave.

"Time I light a shuck, Rick. I don't belong here," Jess admitted to the man.

"Why would you say that. You're an asset to us," he reassured. "And our friend," he added as he tried to keep himself between her and the gate. "Give me a good reason why you shouldn't be here."

Jess knew that Daryl was close, maybe even close enough for him to hear her, so she tried to keep quiet as her voice wavered.

"I put you in danger," she answered quietly, her eyes focused on the rope behind Rick. He could tell she was calculating her odds if she tried to get around him. He had a feeling that even though he was pretty sure she hadn't slept or eaten much in the past two days she'd still put up a good fight if it came down to it.

Jess heard shuffling behind her and knew if she was going to get out of there, now was the time. Rick saw her muscles tense and her knuckles turn white on the grip she had on her bow.

"She gave that same lame excuse to me," Michonne spoke from behind Jess. If the cowgirl were to turn and look she would see that Michonne held Argo's reins. The sword carrying woman was also giving Daryl a look that screamed wait. Luckily for her, Daryl seemed to get that Jess was on edge and anything could set her off. He also understood that she was this way because Carol told him she hadn't slept or eaten hardly anything in the past few days. That topped with the fact he'd almost died messed with her emotions so much it caused to do try to do something crazy that she had somehow rationalized in her mind.

"It ain't no excuse," Jess defended as she shuffled her feet to center her weight. She spoke in almost a whisper as she continued, "I put one'a ya at risk cuz'a my feelin's."

Rick planted his feet because he felt like Jess was coiling for a strike. He wouldn't let the woman catch him off guard if she was. It was a good thing that Sasha explained to him what had happened at the hardware store the day before so he could help in this situation.

"Your feelings are what separate you from those guys that tried to take you on the run," he explained as if he knew from experience. "Things happen we have no control over. The only thing you can do is react and hope you've made the right choice. We all have faults and that's just one reason why we stick together."

"He's right, Jess," Michonne agreed. "Leaving to be alone so you don't hurt or hurt someone else isn't the answer."

Rick could see that they were starting to get through to her as she relaxed slightly.

"All of us here, we've all hurt each other in some way at some point," Rick explained as he took a tentative step towards her as he saw Daryl start moving toward them again. "But we have each other to help heal."

"Yer leavin' cuz ya think I got shot cuz a you," Daryl stated angrily behind Jess, his eyes boring into the back of her head while he balanced on his crutches. His wound hurt and he was feeling winded and weak from his trek down to the gate but he wasn't about to let her walk away without putting in his two cents. "That's fucking stupid, Jessica."

Apparently, that was enough to elicit a very passionate response from Jess. She rounded on him, her eyes bloodshot from exhaustion and crying but also bright with anger.

"Ya know what's stupid? That I walked ya in there 'n' they used me against ya. They shot ya 'cause they wanted me, Daryl. If I hadn't'a been 'round, ya wouldn't'a even been there in tha first place," Jess snarled, her face red as her eyes locked on his.

"Ya think they wouldn't of done the same thing with Michonne," he yelled at her angrily as he hobbled closer to her. "Ya think I wouldn't'a got shot if it had been her instead of you?"

Jess looked away as she realized Michonne really had been right. The swordswoman said that Daryl would have done the same thing had it been anyone else. Maybe he would have said something different to those bastards but he wouldn't have done anything different. However, that wasn't because he cared for Michonne in the same way he did Jess, it's just Daryl. He felt it was his job to protect the people of the prison and would do so at his own risk. That's the kind of man he was.

Daryl saw the fight physically leave Jess as her shoulders slumped and tears started to fall. He hated it because he felt it was his fault and like someone had just punched him in the gut. So, Daryl bravely took another step closer to Jess which put him within arms reach. Jess noticed this and looked back up at him with eyes that excluded her conflicting emotions.

"This what I's 'fraid of, remember?" She asked him in a voice that sounded small and weak. A voice that was the opposite of what she really was.

"Yeah. Ya remember what I said," he asked as she stared up at him.

"Life's short," she answered quietly as she turned her gaze to her boots. She remembered the moment he referenced and it was one of the best of her life. It's when she realized she wasn't alone anymore.

"That's right, Tex," he praised in a deep voice. "Stay cuz I don't wanna die alone neither."

That moment Jess realised that she had almost made the greatest mistake of her entire life. She'd almost walked out on the best thing that ever happened to her.

Jess kept her eyes carefully averted and lifted her hand to rest on his chest. The second she felt his warmth seeping through his shirt, the dam holding back her emotions broke. For the first time since she was a child, Jess wept. The sobs shook her entire body as her emotions took hold of her and wouldn't let go.

Daryl usually didn't know how to handle crying women. Had it been anyone else, he would have probably turned and run in the other direction. However, even though Jess startled him with her sobs as she buried her face in his shoulder and her hands fisted in the front of his shirt, he knew what she needed. As best he could while balancing on his crutches, he wrapped his arms around her. All he did was hold her because that's all she needed. Needed someone to hide her pain and relief from prying eyes. Needed to know that someone was there for her and had her back no matter what. That someone cared about her.

Daryl looked up at Rick who had moved to stand beside Michonne. The Dixon nodded his thanks to the both of them and they both just smiled back at their friend. Michonne had to keep a tight hold on Argo as the horse could tell his owner was in distress and wanted to go to her. However, this was Jess and Daryl's moment and Argo could wait.

Carol and Doctor S, who had followed Daryl for when he needed help, politely looked away and headed back up to the courtyard to wait for Daryl to return. Glenn and Maggie shared a look before they headed back up into the watch tower.

It took several minutes before Jess finally ran out of tears. Almost as if she suddenly realized what she'd done, she pulled away from Daryl but he didn't let her go. He kept his hands on her sides to make sure she didn't go too far away from him as she finally looked up at him. He hated that she'd cried over him but he also couldn't help but realize how beautiful she was even with tear stains and puffy eyes.

"Gonna try ta run from me," he asked with his hands gripping her tighter, warning her that he wouldn't let her go if she were.

Jess used the sleeves of her shirt to wipe away the remaining tears as she finally got back to her old self. She smiled mischievously up at him.

"From yer ugly mug," she stated jokingly in a thick voice as she stepped out of his reach. "I'm still thankin' 'bout it," she added with a small grin.

In that moment, he knew she wouldn't leave. As long as she was alive, she would be with him. She would be his. It was the happiest moment of his life.

"Thought ya said I was sexy," he called after her as she went back to her horse. She needed to unsaddle him. However, Michonne waved her off.

"We go this," she assured. "Go help that dumbass get back to bed."

Rick nodded his agreement with a small smirk. He was glad the cowgirl was staying. Not because she was an asset, but because of how happy he could see she made Daryl.

"Thanks," Jess smiled as she turned back to Daryl. "And you," she began, ignoring his comment about her thinking he was sexy, "ya need ta get back ta bed."

"Only if ya come with me," he said quietly as he turned back towards the prison, waiting for her to catch up with him. He didn't want her leaving his sight for a while.

He would never admit it but when Carol came into the room and confirmed his suspicions about Jess acting strange, he felt his whole world shift. He hadn't known Jess for a very long time, but he knew her well enough to know she might be leaving for some crazy reason only she could come up with. He'd yelled at Carol to find him crutches and she'd brought them without to much of a fight. Doctor S had appeared about that time and said he shouldn't be getting out of bed. A death glare from Daryl had the doctor giving in, knowing that something serious was going on. The hunter was fuming mad and even though he'd been shot, Doctor S wasn't about to get in his way.

When he finally made it out of the prison walls, he saw Argo jumping the fence with Jess fully geared. He knew immediately she was trying to leave and knew why. He was mad and scared all at the same time. The thought of losing her just as they were really starting to get to know one another, just as he was starting to care, frightened him. It was the first time in a long time he could remember ever being so scared of anything.

Daryl looked over at her as he carefully made his way toward the prison where Doctor S, Herschel, and Carol were waiting to check him over and get him back to bed. It was then he'd realized she'd been talking to him the whole time. He caught the tail end of her rant and couldn't help his smile. She was the one that almost just left him. He was the one that should be ranting at her. But that was Jess. Nothing was ever about her and she'd turn everything back on him anyway.

"...runnin' 'round with yer leg half blown off. Good thang I didn't leave'r someone else would be scrapin' yer sorry butt up off tha ground."

"You mean my sexy ass," he teased as he stopped walking, forcing her to stop and look up at him. She should have never told him that because he would use it against her for a very long time.

"Yer never gonna let that go, ain't ya," Jess observed with an annoyed look on her face. Daryl could tell she was joking, trying to get past the intense moment they'd just had. He thought how he would have missed their easy banter if she'd left.

When the silence stretched out a little too long as they looked at one another, Jess blinked a few times in confusion.

"What," she asked with a hint of worry in her voice. He was looking a little pale, maybe he'd overdone it and was about to pass out there in the middle of the courtyard.

"I'm glad yer here," Daryl stated simply as he tried to convey what he meant with his eyes.

Jess picked up on it easily and her expression changed instantly to one of regret.

"Sorry, Daryl. I panicked. I been alone so long 'n'-"

She was cut off by Daryl dropping his crutches to the ground and balanced his weight on his good leg. She blinked as he roughly grabbed the back of her head with one hand and pulled her to him, his other hand resting on her hip to help steady himself.

"I know," he growled before he roughly pressed his lips to hers to show her everything he'd wanted to say and effectively silence her.

Jess smiled into his lips before she responded just as passionately as he was kissing her. She fisted her hands into the front of his shirt to hold him to her as he ravaged her mouth. She didn't lean into him too much, however, since he did seem a little uneasy on his feet. She wasn't about to let this moment go to waste though as she turned her head to give him better access. Daryl immediately took advantage and his tongue brushed her lips and the kiss got more heated. This went on for several moments before people started to notice.

They hadn't realized they'd stopped in the middle of the courtyard when they started making out. This meant that everyone that was coming out for the day could see them. It didn't take long for Zach to notice and let out a whistle.

"About damn time," the young man yelled at them from the safety of the awning. If Daryl hadn't been wounded, he would have kept his big mouth shut.

After a few more moments of making out heatedly Daryl reluctantly pulled away just enough to look down at his woman. Jess had flushed cheeks and nibbled her lip nervously, which Daryl found extremely sexy. For the moment, he ignored Zach and looked down at Jess with a very satisfied smirk.

"Not that look again, Dixon," Jess grumbled as she tried to regain her composure. Daryl had a huge effect on Jess and it drove her crazy that he wanted to take things slow. She really looked forward to the day when they finally had time all to themselves so she could return the favor.

"Ya know ya like it," he teased as Jess pulled away from him to pick up the discarded crutches.

"Darn you, Daryl Dixon," she grumbled as she handed them back to him. She knew he was right, though. She loved what he did to her. Jess reached up on her toes to give him a sweet kiss on his cheek as he settled the crutches under his arms. "Now go let the doc look at ya, peach. Ya look like chewed twine."

Daryl scowled but did as she asked. Before he started to hobble away, he looked down at her one last time. She saw his relief there and a promise of things to come.

"Fine," he grumbled as he started for the entrance to the prison where the others waited. He paused after a few steps and looked back at her over his shoulder. "Kill stealer," he called out before he started walking again.

Jess watched as he met up with the perturbed doctors and worried Carol.

She'd only known this group for a few months and they'd become her family. Jess couldn't believe that only a few minutes ago, she was going to throw that away to be alone again. To die alone.

Daryl looked back at her as he noticed that she wasn't right behind him and gave her a look that conveyed his annoyance at her not being by his side. Jess just smiled at him as she began to walk towards the prison to catch up.

Jess was happy for the first time since the turn, which is something she never thought she'd feel again. Everything changed the day she ran into Daryl at the river. If he hadn't heard her singing that day, she would be dead. He never would have stopped to help her at the grocery store. He never would have had the chance to show her that not everyone left in the world was evil. That there was something left to live for besides the never-ending search for her parents. He gave her a meaning to her life again. She owed him everything and Jess would spend the rest of her life making that up to him.