TRIGGER WARNING- MENTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT; PLEASE DO NOT READ IF THIS SUBJECT MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE; STARS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE CONVERSATION...

-A Week Later-

The group had stayed low and tried to avoid one another for the last week. 

After things got heated after bringing Randall to the farm, people began minding their own business and staying within small, separate groups. 

They waited for Randall's leg to heal enough to allow the kid to be able to walk without support from the others, knowing when it would be a perfect time to get rid of him. 

Rick and Shane were taking Randall away from the farm as far as they could, ensuring he couldn't find his way back, putting everyone at risk.

They watched them drive off, hopefully coming back without the boy.

They waited all day, everyone doing their own thing. 

Theo stayed back from the farm, cleaning her gun and knife down where she slept.

Daryl popped in and out occasionally, checking on her, making sure she was alright, and giving her tips on how to use his crossbow and her gun. Though she didn't need any training with her gun, her father and Shane taught her how to use a gun from a young age.

It was just a waiting game.

It got to around 7 p.m. when Daryl pulled her into the barn where they had previously kept Randall. 

"What are you doing?" She asked as he let her hand go. 

"I wanted to show you something. Do you trust me, though?" He asked as she nodded.

"Of course I trust you." She smiled as he pulled her out of the back end of the shed. They walked into the woods for a few miles, stopping randomly. 

"Lay down," He told her as she did as she was told. 

He lay beside her, turning off his flashlight as she looked at him, confused. 

"Look", Daryl pointed up at the sky. 

The trees were parted perfectly, creating almost like a window to the sky. 

The lack of light meant you could see the stars more clearly than in the city.

"Wow", Theo smiled as she looked at the stars so clearly you could see them individually. 

Daryl smiled, looking at the amazement on her face. 

"It's beautiful" She took it in, the sky above her. 

"I know" Daryl nodded, but only he was looking at her. 

"Holy shit, did you see that. A shooting star," Theo pointed up as Daryl slowly looked up.

"Make a wish," He told her, looking back at her. 

She closed her eyes and wished. 

"What did you wish for?" He asked her.

"If I tell you, it won't come true" She smiled as she rolled onto her shoulder, Daryl doing the same. 

"I know what I would have wished for" He whispered.

"What?" she asked, matching his tone. 

He looked at her before kissing her gently. 

She kissed back immediately. 

"To have this...for as long as I'm on this earth." He looked at her shyly, instantly making her tear up. 

"You mean it?" She asked as he nodded. 

They lay there for another hour before heading back just in time to see Rick and Shane pulling back into the farm. 

Everyone gathered together, a round of sighs as they pulled Randall from the car.

"I thought you were getting rid of him," Theo asked, taking a step forward and saying what everyone thought.

"He knew who Maggie was, so he's going back in the barn", Rick explained, dragging Randall to the barn, passing Theo and everyone else without another word.

When they returned, Theo noticed a few cuts and bruises on both men, but she ignored them like everyone else in the group.

"Someone stays outside the whole time, Daryl. Do you fancy trying to get this man to talk?" Shane asked, looking the redneck up and down, wishing he didn't have to ask, but like everyone else, he knew that if anyone were going to scare him into talking, it would be Daryl.

"Yeah," Daryl nodded, following them to the barn. He gave Theo a nod, ensuring she knew he would be back soon.

Theo watched them as they all left.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Lori asked Theo, whispering to make sure no one else heard her.

"Okay," Theo nodded, following her, slight conferment on her face.

They walked silently for a few minutes towards where Theo and Daryl were sleeping. 

Lori suddenly stopped, turning to her daughter sharply. 

She was placing her hands on her hips, taking a shaky breath.

"Look, you said something that hasn't left my mind since you said it. During our meeting, we decided what to do with Randall. When you told Andrea not to follow Shane, you said that she didn't know what he was like and when you held that gun to him, you said no one understands, baby; I need to understand," She begged, reaching her hand out to take Theo's in hers and looking her daughter directly into her eyes. Lori had hazel eyes, but they were close to Theo's green ones, having that reflect from her own.

Lori looked at her daughter. Her blonde hair was dirty, like her father's, a couple of shades lighter. Her skin was fair like hers, and her bone structure was like hers, too. She looked exactly like her mother when she was younger.

Theo thought about it. She was about to do it. 

She was going to tell her mother. 

She was no longer afraid of her mother finding out, but she knew if her dad knew, Shane would be dead within seconds.

"If I'm going to tell you anything, you have to promise me not to tell Dad until I am ready", Theo exhaled, her breath shockingly steady.

She nodded, bracing herself.

She knew she wanted to tell her dad; it was time, but starting with her mum might be more accessible.

They sat opposite one another as Theo took a deep breath.

Theo was now fully crying and unable to stop the tears from falling.

"Shane was my baby's father, " Theo explained, unable to meet her mother's gaze.

She looked at her, shocked and confused.

****

"What?" she calmly asked, moving closer to her, unsure how to react.

"But I didn't sleep with Shane, he..." Theo began but choked; she couldn't say the word

"Theo?" she asked, making Theo look at her mother with pain.

She whipped her face

"He-" but she still couldn't say it

"Did he hurt you?" she asked, worried, slight anger slipping from her lips.

"He raped me, mum", Theo burst out crying as she held her daughter close, soothing her hair as Theo cried into her mother.

She was convinced she was crying loud enough for the others to hear, so she quieted the pain in her hands.

"Oh my—" Lori cried. She pulled her in tighter, trying to hide her tears, but she could not stop them from falling.

"Daryl knows. It's why Daryl and I are so close; he's been trying to keep him away from me, and I told Andrea to be careful," Theo explained through tears.

"I'm going to kill him", she angrily spat, looking in the direction of the farm.

"No, you can't, not yet," Theo said calmly.

Lori shook in complete shock at her daughter.

She was petrified of herself at that moment, not seeing the signs. 

They are allowing that monster in their home. 

She was sleeping with him. 

She was allowing him to be near and around Carl and her daughter. 

Lori almost threw up at that moment. 

Lori didn't know what to say as she cried

"And for Carl, he can never know" Theo pleaded.

"He won't" Lori nodded, kissing her daughter's head as she hugged her again.

"We need to get back before this looks suspicious," Theo explained, standing up and cleaning herself up.

She nodded, getting up quickly.

Theo followed her actions as they walked back to the others

"You alright?" Rick asked, noticing them both walking over, both with red cheeks and looking sad,

"Yeah, we are okay" Lori nodded, holding Theo's hand.

"What are we doing with this kid then?" Glenn asked, thankfully changing the subject.

"He's a threat; he needs to be eliminated," Rick said, changing the tone of his voice.

They all looked over to see Daryl heading over.

"He's got a gang, 30 men, heavily armed; if they come here, they will wipe us all out; the men are dead; women would wish they were", he explained, looking directly at Theo.

"What did you do?" Carol asked, looking down at his hands.

"Had a little chat" Daryl nodded, looking at his bloody knuckles.

"It's settled then; it gets done tomorrow night," Rick told the group, walking off, Dale following him.

"Can I have a word?" Theo asked Daryl as he followed her off to the side.

Once far from everyone else, she stopped walking.

"I told her," Theo began, looking over at Lori, sitting alone, still trying to process everything.

"Who?" he asked.

"Mum, she knows about Shane" Theo nodded, accepting it.

"Your dad?" he asked, whispering.

"Not yet, because as soon as he knows, Shane is a dead man", Theo explained.

Daryl hugged her. She was beginning to feel safe for the first time in her life.

"Head down to the tents; I'll be there in a moment," Daryl told Theo as she nodded. 

She began to walk away, Daryl watching her until she was far enough no one else could get to her without him knowing. 

He began to walk towards the water pump to get some fresh water for the evening when he was stopped. 

"Daryl" It was Lori. 

"Hey," He gave her a small smile.

"Can we talk?" she asked as they walked towards the water pump together. No one else was around. 

"What's up?" Daryl began as he grabbed his water bottle from his bag. 

"You need to kill him", Lori began, tears falling down her face. "You need to kill him, Daryl" She repeated.

Daryl knew precisely who she was talking about. 

"Theo won't allow me to. Trust me. It's all I ever want to do," Daryl told her as he turned to face her. 

"He..."Lori couldn't hold in the tears anymore. 

She practically collapsed onto the ground. 

"I let him put his hands on me. I never knew...." Lori was close to being sick. 

Daryl knelt beside her. 

"You didn't know," Daryl told her. 

"He hurt my baby girl", She cried as Daryl looked away, trying to keep himself composed. 

"I know. You couldn't have known," Daryl reassured her. 

"Do you love her?" Lori asked, making Daryl look confused. 

"I don't know" Daryl admitted. 

"You do. You are just scared to admit it, right?" Lori asked as he looked at her worried. 

"Everyone around her can see it, Daryl; you watch her like a hawk. You protect her more than I have ever done. Thank you for doing it. But if any part of your brain thinks you love her. You will wipe him off the face of the earth..." Lori looked up at Daryl 

"Listen. Your husband does not like me. And what do you think he will do if he finds out about Theo and me? Then Shane and Theo. And that you and I knew about it and never told him. I want to do it. But Theo deserves it more," Daryl told her. 

Lori took a deep breath. 

"You're right", Lori told him as she stood, wiping her face from the fallen tears. 

"Goodnight, Lori," Daryl told her as he returned to Theo.

-The next day-

Everyone was up and ready for what was to come that evening. 

Theo spent the morning minding her own business when something caught her eye. 

Carl was sneaking into the barn where the prisoner was being kept.

Theo ran over to see Shane and Andrea out front.

"Open it," She asked quickly.

"Why?" Shane asked, confused.

"God dammit, open the damn barn!" Theo yelled, this time at him doing so.

She ran in and saw Carl.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" She asked, grabbing him by his shirt and pulling him outside. "What the?" Theo stopped herself from swearing

"Don't tell Mum and Dad", he begged, looking at Theo, slightly scared.

"You think it's about getting in trouble, Carl? He is not a good person; he will manipulate you into letting him go." Theo yelled

"I'm sorry"

"Stop- I don't care that you did it, you live, and you learn, but if I catch you doing that again, I will tell Mum and Dad", Theo yelled.

Carl nodded.

"What did he say?" Theo asked

"That he would take us to his people", Carl explained

Theo sighed heavily, annoyed

"Please don't tell," he begged

"Go find mum; you are not to be within 50 yards of that barn, you understand?" Theo asked, sighing heavily into her hands.

He nodded before running away; Theo followed, not wanting to stay near Shane and Andrea.

She began making my way over to Daryl when Dale stopped her.

"You alright?" Theo asked, noticing a pull in his brow.

"I need to talk with you", he began, slowing his pace to walk beside Theo.

"Sure, what's up?" She smiled.

"The kid, do you agree with what his fate is?" Dale wondered

"To be honest, the kid isn't the problem; it's what his people can do, and if that means they come here to kill us all, then I'd rather we kill him", Theo admitted, slightly taking herself back with the words that escaped her mouth, but the more she thought about it, it's how the world was. It was everyone for themselves, to protect those they cared about, not about people who could potentially be a risk.

"You can't think that's right, though?"

"Dale, I killed a man last week; I pointed a gun at Shane's head; this world is fucked in more ways than one; I'm not innocent, none of us is, not anymore; that kid, he's a problem, a threat, and if it means protecting my people, then killing him might be the only way to do so" Theo explained.

"Theo, please", he begged.

"Sorry, Dale," she frowned, walking around him and continuing down to Daryl.

When she arrived, it looked like Daryl had just left, but she stayed there, waiting for him to return.

She began sharpening her knife, keeping herself occupied.

The nights were getting colder, and Theo had nothing for winter but a jumper. She looked in her tent and noticed a small note.

She looked at it to see it said:

"Meet me at our target practice area, Daryl."

Theo got up and headed out there, a 5-minute walk from where they were.

She walked around to see him nowhere.

"Daryl?" She whispered

Suddenly, a branch snapped behind her, making her turn quick, but not quick enough.

Someone had run at her, taking her to the ground and pinning her down. 

She looked at Daryl, smirking at her.

"What the hell?" she asked, looking up at him. 

He had her pinned down and straddled.

She tried to get up, but he stopped her, causing her to laugh.

"Just practising, see if you can defend yourself" " he suggested, making Theo look at him, confused.

"Why?" she struggled under his hold.

"Preparation," he said in all seriousness.

"I don't wanna hurt you, though", she smirked. "I think you just wanted me in this position", Theo winked.

"Really?" Daryl laughed. But as he laughed, Theo used her legs to stamp down on the black of Daryl's knee, causing his weight to lighten under her; she used the chance to push him off her hands, flipping them over, grabbing her knife and holding it to his neck as she straddled him.

Daryl let out a small "ow."

She let out a breathy laugh as Daryl smirked

"I can protect myself" She huffed, her hair covering her face

"I know, I had to be sure," He explained, his hands dropping to her ass by no mistake. 

She placed her knife back in her holder and sat up, straddling Daryl.

Daryl propped himself on his hands, decreasing the gap between them 

"What's up?" Theo smirked.

"Wanted to ask you something", he began, looking over her features. 

"Couldn't you have asked when you got back?" She smiled.

"Couldn't wait" he continued

"Sure, what's up?" She asked, tilting her head to the side

"If things somehow go to shit, and Randalls gang do find us, I need you to stay with me, I'll get you out, and then I'll help your family", he put sternly

"Why?" She asked, confused.

"Because I heard what their men do to women, and I can't let you go through that again", he admitted, sounding like he could cry.

"Hey, I'll be okay," she told him, rubbing his cheek with her thumb and cradling his head in her hand.

"You stay with me", he repeated, not breaking eye contact.

"Okay" she whispered, agreeing to what he said

"Promise," he asked, matching the volume.

"I promise, Daryl" She nodded.

He looked at her, hesitant, before leaning in to kiss her.

She joined him and kissed him back.

 The kiss was quick and gentle but said more than he would say. 

He cared about her.

He pulled back and rested his head on hers.

"Who knew, huh?" She smiled

Daryl rolled his eyes.

"Don't make me regret it" He smiled, resting his hands on her waist.

"Daryl Dixon is a romantic", She teased.

Daryl sighed, rolling his eyes once again.

He quickly kissed her again before throwing her off him playfully.

"Do you mind?" Theo laughed, grabbing his hand and pulling her to her feet.

He took her over to where he had spotted two walkers earlier in the day.

"Try the crossbow again," he said, handing it to her.

She squatted behind a tree, aiming the crossbow at the walker's head.

She took a deep breath before pulling the trigger.

The bolt went straight through the walker's head, killing it in its tracks

"Haha!" She laughed, proud of herself for hitting it the first time.

"Try your knife" Daryl whispered.

She handed back his crossbow before grabbing her knife

She stood up, looking at the walker.

She readied herself before throwing the knife, her aim being perfect once again, and it killed the walker straight away.

"Holy shit!" She smiled at Daryl, who smiled back.

Daryl couldn't help but admire everything about her. 

The sun's pink tones on her cheeks brought out the freckles on her nose. Her lips were perfect, and he was obsessed with kissing them. 

Her body was lean like her mother, but she was proportionate; her hips were more expansive, and her ass was perfect. 

Despite being a little greasy, her hair framed her face perfectly, the muddy blonde that seemed brighter in the sun. 

"It's rude to stare, you know," Theo snapped him from his daydream, thoroughly embarrassing himself.

"Sorry," Daryl's eyes fell to the floor. 

"I'm joking, Dixon" She playfully hit his arm. 

He looked up, smiling at her again; he couldn't stop looking at her. 

"Just kiss me, you idiot" She laughed. 

Daryl rolled his eyes before gently pulling her neck towards him, piecing their lips together. 

Her hands found his hips, having to hold onto them for balance as he gently pushed her back, pinning her between the braid and his body. 

Her hands slowly picked up his shirt, lacing her fingers over his exposed skin. 

The kiss was becoming extremely heated, and Daryl reluctantly pulled away. 

He breathed out heavily, resting their heads against one another. 

"I don't wanna rush this", Daryl told her. 

"Me neither." She pecked his lips again.

"I want to continue doing this..." 

"People will get suspicious, and if you continue, I won't be able to stop," she laughed.

Daryl quietly laughed with her, stepping back slightly. 

Theo grabbed his hand, looking him up and down. 

God, how she loved everything about him. 

Loved... 

Her eyes met his trousers, looking up at his eyes with a devilish smile. 

"Might wanna take a minute before you go see everyone?" She giggled. 

He looked down quickly before shoving his hand in his pocket, trying to hide it. 

Theo laughed at his attempt as he rolled his eyes. 

"Nice try" She winked while walking ahead of him.

"It's not helping with you in front of me!" He called to her, but she continued as they headed over and collected their weapons before heading back to camp.