A Redneck's Wicked Game (A Daryl Dixon Story)

My Protector

Chapter 3—My Protector

Rowan's POV

I slowly open my eyes and glance over to the chair next to the bed.  Daryl's still asleep, softly snoring.  I smile to myself as I listen to him.  I move a little in the bed to get more comfortable and he instantly wakes up.  He looks over at me and I mouth, "Sorry."  He grunts, closing his eyes again.  I settle back into the pillow, knowing it's barely sun up.  I'm so used to being up at the crack of dawn having the ability to sleep in is unfathomable.  I stare up at the ceiling, making sure I don't move around.  I don't want to wake Daryl up again, he deserves to sleep.  He's like me; the smallest sound will wake him up immediately.  It's the hunter in us; it can't be helped.

I lie there awhile before glancing over at Daryl, surprised to see blue eyes staring back at me.  I give him a small smile as I whisper, "Did I wake you again?"  He smirks, "Naw, its daylight.  I can't usually sleep once the sun's up."  I nod in agreement, "Yeah, I hear that."  I sit up and swing my legs off the bed gently.  My right thigh still hurts like a bitch but I'm getting used to it.  He notices my grimace and says, "Easy on that leg, it's only been a day."  I sigh, "I'm not much for sitting still."  He nods, "Still it's got to hurt like hell."  I shrug, "Pain is nothing new; I can deal with it."  He gives me a long look before replying, "Yeah, I hear ya."  I try to change the subject, "Are we the first ones up?"  He chuckles, "I can almost guarantee that the only people up are who's on watch.  These people aren't early risers, never have been."  A small grin creeps across my face, "Guess they never had to hunt for their food before all this."  He rolls his eyes as he remarks, "Hell they don't hunt for their food now."  I laugh, "I'm gonna guess that falls on you.  How come you don't bring anyone with you when you hunt?"  He gives me an amused look, "I'd like to actually bring food back so we can eat.  They're as loud as shit walking through the damn woods and most of 'em won't stop yakking."  I giggle, "Sounds like you need a hunting partner that knows what they're doing."  He nods, "Well get that thigh healed up and I'll have one."  I raise an eyebrow at him, "You think I'll be sticking around that long?  Hell I think Rick can't wait 'till I'm outta here."  He gives me a long look before saying, "Rick will calm down.  If ya want to stay, ya can.  I'll go to bat fer ya."  I look him straight in the eye, "Why?"  Daryl's eyes shift around the room a little as he answers, "Why not?  You're a good fighter and I'm pretty sure you can hunt.  Being in a group is safer; always someone to watch yer back."  I sigh, "I've always been better off alone.  Easier that way, I guess."  He nods, "Maybe it's easier not dealing with people but it's harder when trying to stay alive.  No one can make it alone now."  I nod and mumble, "We'll see Daryl; it's not just up to you and I don't wanna make things difficult for ya with them."  He grunts, "Don't worry about me darling; I can hold my own."  I sigh, "Still I ain't worth the trouble." 

He gets up out of the chair, walking to me and crouches down; looking me straight in the eyes, "Seems to me you're worth more than ya think."  I swallow nervously, "Yeah well, that would be a first."  His eyes flash a moment of understanding before he asks, "Ya need to go outside yet?"  I nod in understanding and he grunts, "Good 'cause I gotta take a piss, so let's get a move on."  He stands up so he can scoop me up off the bed and I grumble, "Ya know I could probably walk with some help Daryl."  He mumbles, "Maybe but this is faster."  I tease, "Maybe ya just like carrying me around like some caveman."  He gives me a weird look before teasing back, "If I was a caveman I'd just pull across the floor by yer hair."  I softly laugh as he reaches the door and sass back, "You're a real ladies man ain't ya Dixon?"  I watch him roll his eyes, "Yeah princess ya figured me out."  I look up into his eyes and nod; my smart ass response lost somewhere in his gorgeous blue eyes.  He breaks eye contact with me and carries me outside.