Cowboy

2) CDC

Alicia woke up to the sounds of birds chirping around her. For a moment she forgot where she was and why she was there. It was like she was hunting with her father again.

That peaceful moment was soon interrupted by yelling coming from outside of her borrowed tent.

"We have to try!" She heard Ricks voice.

"I'm just saying! I think it's a bad call!" Shane's voice was quick to counter him.

She groaned, slipping on a clean shirt and pair of pants. With a headache already forming, she trudged to where the group was standing.

"Morning sleeping beauty." Daryl smirked, speaking low enough that only she could hear.

"It's too early in the morning for this shit. I'll stab you." She whispered back just as quietly.

She watched from the corner of her eye as he held back a grin. They all watched as Shane and Rick discussed whether to go to the CDC or not.

Soon it was decided that the group would be leaving first thing in the morning. Anyone who didn't want to go would have to fend for themselves.

"Think it's a safe bet?" Alicia asked Rick as she helped them pack the cars.

He nodded. "I think it's the safest bet we have." He sighed, looking at her. "Make sure you've always got your gun on you. Lorie would kill me if I said this but... you, Daryl, Shane, and I are the only really good shots we have right now."

She laughed, slamming the trunk to the car down. "Will do Sheriff." She grinned, mock saluting him. "I'm gonna take a walk, get to know some of these people a little better."

"Sounds like a good plan." He nodded to her.

She smiled to herself, walking up to the RV and knocking on the door before opening it slowly. "Got anything I can help you with?"

The older man from last night looked up from what he was doing. "Not at the moment but thanks for asking." He smiled, standing up. "I'm Dale." He shook her hand.

"Alicia." She introduced herself. "Nice RV you've got here." She looked around.

"Thanks. Had it since I got married." He smiled.

"My parents used to have one. They hall'd me and my brother around for camping trips all the time." She thought back to before the world went to shit.

Dale looked at her for a moment. "It's good to have you here. We can always use an extra set of hands."

She nodded. "Well I want to help out in anyway I can. Beats being on my own."

Dale put his hand on her shoulder. "Well, I don't know about the rest of them, but I see all these people like family. That's you too now."

She smiled. "Thanks."
—————

The next morning everyone began to pile up into the cars. One couple decided them and their kids were gonna go on their own.

Everyone was loaded up except for Alicia and Daryl. "I guess you're with me." He said, walking to his blue pickup.

"Guess so."

Together the two of them got into the truck, Daryl shutting Alicia's door with a slam and walking to the drivers side.

She put her feet up on the dash, letting her hair down from its tight ponytail. He watched her, almost letting his mouth fall open at how beautiful she was.

Her long red hair and her light green eyes. He was mesmerized at her every move.

The roar of the trucks in front of them pulled Daryl from his trance. He coughed, focusing on driving.

After a few minutes of silence Alicia groaned. "You got any music? Another minute of silence and I'll be dead."

Daryl snorted. "Yeah, check the glove box."

She did as told, rummaging through the glove compartment and the many cd's.

"Queen... Aerosmith... AC/DC... here we go!" She held up a David Bowie cd, grinning brightly.

Daryl looked over as she put it into the stereo with a wide smile on her face. "You a Bowie fan?"

She looked back up at him. "Hell yeah."

Daryl let out a sound close to a laugh but not really. Alicia had noticed that about him. He never really laughed. Only ever snorting or giving a small chuckle.

He nodded, putting his eyes back on the road. "What's your favorite Bowie song?" He asked as she hit play on the stereo.

Star man started to play through the speakers. She grinned, practically in her seat. "This one."

Daryl watched as she swayed back and forth to the music. She sang quietly with Bowie as it played. He smiled to himself seeing how carefree she seemed.

"She's cute."

Daryl tensed as he realized what he had just thought to himself. No way did Daryl Dixon just admit to that. Even if it wasn't out loud it was still weak.

"Don't think like that. Survival. That's what's important." He scolded himself. "What would Merle say?"

He shook his head, letting himself relax as the song ended as well as her cute behavior.

"What's your favorite?" She asked.

He thought for a moment. "Rock n Roll Scuicide." He answered.

She groaned. "That one's like... the worst one!"

He turned his head to look at her. "The hell it is! It's the best one he's ever done!" He defended his song.

"Oh no, Dixon. You've got terrible taste in music I can see that." Alicia propped her feet back.

He scoffed. "I ain't never heard of anyone not liking that song. Crazy."

She shrugged. "I'm not anyone."

He looked at her. "No... you're not."