Between Arrows and Hearts - Daryl Dixon

Nothing to lose

Rick and Shane had taken Randall away from the farm, finally making him a problem of the past. The rest of the group decided to continue with their routines.

Cass stepped into the house, heading straight to the kitchen to see if Lori or Maggie needed help. They had been taking turns looking after Beth, and she figured an extra set of hands wouldn't hurt.

She heard Lori's voice before fully stepping in. "Just that things had gotten pretty bad." 

"Need a hand?" Cass asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Lori looked up and gave her a smile. "Always. Here, pour some of that puree for Beth."

Cass nodded, grabbing the pot and carefully ladling the mashed vegetables onto a plate.

"Cass," Maggie started, her voice a little hesitant. "Can you tell me what really happened in town? Glenn's not the same. Says he froze. Blames me. Says I got into his head."

Cass paused for a moment, considering how to answer. "When he tried to get to the car, they shot at him," She explained, focusing on her task. "They didn't hit him, though, but when I found him, he was hiding behind a trash can, completely frozen. Looked like he was in a trance." She explained. 

"But whatever happened, it's not your fault."

She glanced up at Maggie, who was biting her lip anxiously. Cass had already had this conversation with Glenn days ago, but it hadn't done much good. He was convinced his fear had gotten the better of him because he was too worried about Maggie after she told him she loved him.

"Men have to do certain things, you know that." Lori chimed in, the tone of a woman who had dealt with her share of male stubbornness. "And they're either gonna blame the little woman as the reason they do 'em or the reason they don't."

Cass rolled her eyes dramatically. "Little assholes." She muttered, earning laughter from both women.

"I tell you something." Lori continued. "What happens out there, happens out there. We're just trying to keep it together till they get back."

Maggie hesitated, doubt clouding her expression. "Things were good. Maybe—"

"Glenn's a big boy." Lori interrupted. "He makes his own choices, and then you..." She popped a piece of cucumber into her mouth, pausing mid-thought. 

"Do you have anything to apologize for?" Lori asked pointedly, raising an eyebrow.

Maggie shook her head, and Cass grinned as Lori threw up her hands in mock exasperation.

"Tell him to man up and pull himself together." After a moment, Lori added with a chuckle. "Just don't say 'man up'. It never goes well."

Cass and Maggie burst into laughter. "Or say it anyway," Cass suggested, smirking. "It won't fix anything, but I'd pay good money to see Glenn's face when you do."

Maggie laughed, finally relaxing a bit, and picked up the tray they'd just prepared. "Let me take this to Beth."

"You go on," Lori said, taking the tray from her hands. "I've got it."

As soon as Lori disappeared down the hall, Cass turned to Maggie, her expression softening.

"For what it's worth," She said, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. "I already told him he was acting like an idiot."

Maggie chuckled, shaking her head. "At least someone did."

Cass nodded, laughing as she began slicing cucumber. The steady rhythm of the knife against the cutting board filled the brief lull in their conversation. Until Maggie broke it.