Don't Fear The Reaper (R. Grimes & D. Dixon)

39

The following day everyone left to explore, but kit was due at the infirmary later to do brief introductions with Pete, so she was going to enjoy another hot shower while the house was mostly empty. Rick kissed her head as he passed by to stand in the front doorway looking at Daryl sitting on the porch. "they said explore. let's explore," rick offered

"Nah, I'll stay," he grumbled, putting his arms on his knees 

"Alright," Rick sighed. kit walked over to the doorway to peak at Daryl "if you're staying, the least you could do is join me in the shower."

"Nah," he shook his head, biting his dirty thumb fingernail. 

Kit sighed dramatically "guess I'll just have to see if the showerhead is detachable then" she backed away, winking at rick. Rick tried to hide his smile as he looked back at Daryl, who was glaring at the space kit was standing, then to rick and back at the space again before he got up and bolted inside. Rick chuckled as he walked down the stairs; Daryl should have known she'd get him somehow. When kit was done for the day, Jessie had stopped her to tell her the boys were at her house, so she didn't freak out as rick had earlier in the day. And once everyone was back, kit and Maggie worked in the kitchen as everyone filled in how the day went and what they saw or heard.

That night rick layed back down after his short midnight walk around the block where he had a strange short conversation with who he assumed was Pete, kits new co-worker. The man gave him all sorts of bad vibes. And the way he said kittens name irked him; he looked over at kit, who was sleeping peacefully facing him, her hand still where he left it when he moved it to get up, Daryl's arms draped over her waist. She worked with that guy and had no means of absolute protection. He couldn't have that.

The morning sun shined thru the kitchen windows as Kit leaned further down as she used the soapy cloth, trying to get the stitching clean.

"dads gonna lose it" Jody and carl chuckled, putting their empty bowls in the sink.

"I'm not ruining it. This is how you clean leather" kit rolled her eyes, laying it open to start wiping the inside down with the soapy damp cloth.

"you fix'n to get whopped if you ain't careful girl," merle laughed, walking by.

"he's changing. I have-" the rushed footsteps down the stairs made her eyes widen as she looked up to meet the eyes of a heaving Daryl.

"I'd run, mom," Jody, Carl, and Merle snickered. kit bolted with the vest and cloth, laughing as Daryl tried to tackle her.

~time skip~ 

kit raised her brows as t-dog pulled her out of the infirmary doors, pointing to Glenn and Aiden standing close to each other, looking very angry. She started walking over, unsure what she was about to walk into.

"look, I'm not having this conversation. you obey my orders out there." Aiden spit

"then we're just as screwed as your last run crew," Glenn said. Both Dixon brothers popped out from behind kit, their body language screaming they were ready for a fight.

"say that again," Aiden dared Glenn stepping closer

"I suggest you step back" kit stepped forward; Aiden only looked at her before pushing Glenn

"Aiden!" Deanna yelled, "what is going on?"

"this guys got a problem with the way we do things. why did you let these people in?" he asked, looking at his mom

"because we actually know what we're doing out there." Glenn sassed. Aiden spun around swinging at Glenn, who ducked as Deanna pleaded with Aiden to stop; Glenn popped back up and popped him once. Daryl tackled Nicholas to the ground; rick tried pulling Daryl off him. merle stared down Aiden daring him to try something else. Kit hadn't moved, just crossed her arms; as much as she got off watching Daryl dominate, the suffocating amount of testosterones in the atmosphere ruined it for her. When rick was finally able to pull Daryl back, he paced like a lion waiting to pounce again. Deanna looked at all the men in disbelief.

"I want everyone to hear me, okay? Rick and his people are part of this community now in all ways as equals. Understood?" she eyed Aiden at the last part.

"understood"
"all of you, turn in your weapons, then you two come talk to me" she pointed at her son and nick. As the people started to disperse, Deanna looked at rick. "I told you I had a job for you. I'd like you to be our constable. That's what you were. that's what you are.-" Deanna told rick before looking to merle, "and you too." merle swallowed his face giving away his emotions. "will you accept?" they both agreed. Daryl scoffed, walking away. Kit sighed, turning to watch him. "thank you."

"for what?" Glenn asked,

"for knocking him on his ass."

"kit," she turned to look back at her over her shoulder, "Aaron plans to talk to him tomorrow now that Eric is doing better" kit nodded

~time skip~

kit layed on the porch, her head in Daryl's lap, his fingers running thru her hair, and the crickets lulled her to sleep. Rick and merle walked outside in their new uniforms "we good?" rick asked Daryl

"ya. you both cops now?"

"always been arrested, never guessed id ever be one before, guess she took my Woodbury security detail to heart." merle sighed.

"so we stayin?" Daryl asked

"I think we can start sleeping in our own homes. Settle in." rick nodded

"we can't get comfortable and let our guard down- this place is gonna make us weak," merle scoffed,

"the boys said that too. but it's not gonna happen. we won't get weak. that's not any of us anymore. we'll get some guns if need be make it work, take this place if we have too-" rick looked down at Daryl and a conked out kit "- she's been talking to Deanna about your job. it's outside the walls-"

"why?" Daryl asked, confused. She always complained when he went out alone.

"because baby brother, your girl there knows you well enough to know you need a home but cant be trapped. And these walls are cage'n ya." merle nodded at the walls leaning on the siding.

"I agree with her.-" rick nodded, "- and from what I can gather, it's helping Aaron, which means we'll have a say as to whos allowed to come in."

~time skip~

rick walked into their new shared bedroom after his secret meeting with Merle and Daryl. kit was putting away their now clean clothes; he watched her for a second, leaning with his arm on the doorway. "I don't know if this is some kind of power play, handing authority to strangers."

"fistfights and litter are big problems here, dear," kit tsked

"if it was just that, she could have given one to Daryl too." 

she giggled. "I think one Dixon with a badge is enough; he's got enough ego for ten men."

"I'm serious."

"I know. Look, she's smart. She wants this place to survive. She knows her people don't know a thing. we do. she wants us to teach them eventually."

"and after we do? what if they can't change?"

kit moved to lean on the door frame in front of him "all people can change and adapt, rick. All of us did. I'm not who I was before anymore; I'm almost as good at taking lives as I am at saving them now. and that terrifies the shit out of me." rick pulled her in hugging her tight thinking to himself.

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I know I haven't included any Pete stuff like actual conversations kit has said about him to rick just cause I imagine Pete being professional at the infirmary; lots of people have said he was good at his job so maybe wandering eyes and a front of normal person behavior. Cause you know he acts differently at home, so he doesn't want to raise suspicions. Also, I noticed I forgot to mention ricks wedding ring; that's been long gone, like before the three got together, long gone. I just forgot to put it in that filler paragraph.