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

Almost There

Chapter 9—Almost There

Abraham, Tara, and Rosita clear the garage, finding motor oil as well as a couple small gas cans. The cans aren't completely filled but it's a start. We siphon all the gas we can from the vehicles around the farm. The truck has a double gas tank and the rear tank is just about full. We put what we scavenge into the front tank and hope it's enough to make it up to Dawson County.

Daryl changes the oil and I adjust the carburetor. I notice the fan belt is loose and worn so I have the boys look in the garage for another fan belt. They find one that will work and I put it on quickly, noticing that Daryl is watching my every move. I stick my tongue out at him and he quietly chuckles, "You're always such a smart-ass even when you don't feel good." I glance over at him surprised that he noticed. He nods, "Yeah I can tell. You're sweating more, means yer running a fever. Yer hands are still a little shaky too." I sigh, "Yeah I'll run a low grade fever for a couple of days. It's my body fighting the toxins. The shaking will stop soon, that's the Epinephrine; the nausea will come and go. I'm also crazy thirsty." He hands me his water bottle but I refuse, "I ain't drinking more than my share Daryl. I'll be fine." He gives me a hard look but relents, knowing that I'll hold my ground on the matter. He mutters, "I'm still keeping a close eye on ya. You ain't leaving my damn sight princess." I slowly nod in agreement, normally I would fight him tooth and nail but my mind keeps drifting back to the scared look he had on his face when I got stung. If it makes him feel better to keep me close for a day or so I'll do it. He never asks for anything from me, so this is the least I can do.

Once the adjustments are made and the fluids changed and the water in the battery topped off, we attempt to start the truck. The keys aren't in it so we'll have to hot-wire it. Rick groans as he figures out we have no keys, "Who knows how to hot-wire a car?" Daryl and I raise our hands right away. As I look around I notice no one else's hands are raised. There's a bit of laughter through the group and Glenn says, "Ain't that some stereotypical shit." Rick grins, "Yeah it is. Okay we'll leave it up to them." I pull a screwdriver out of my back pocket and grin, "Redneck roadside assistance at your service sir." Daryl grins at me as he takes the screwdriver from me, "I got this princess." I let him climb in the truck and watch him pop the steering column. It only takes a minute for him to connect the ignition wires and the truck attempts to turn over. One more try and the old truck roars to life. It's running rough but its running. I look under the hood and tell them, "The timings off. If I adjust it we'll get way better gas mileage." Abraham rolls his eyes, "And just how you going to do that Rowan? I didn't see a timing light in the garage." I shrug, "Who the hell needs that? The correct timing setting for this engine is 4 degrees before top dead center." Daryl starts to chuckle and looks over to Abraham, "Any other questions?" Abraham shakes his head, "Do whatever you need to princess." I give him an icy glare, "I ain't yer princess." He looks at me and glances at Daryl mumbling, "Sorry, I didn't realize the nickname was limited to just Daryl." Daryl grunts, "Well now ya know." I quickly go back to the engine as I feel my face turning red from embarrassment. I'm adjusting the timing when I feel Daryl's presence beside me. He quietly says, "Ya ain't nobody's princess but mine." I nod and keep my focus on the engine. As I adjust the timing I can't help but think about the warm feeling that spreads through my body when Daryl calls me "princess". I never liked anyone calling me that until him and when Abraham called me "princess" it made me uncomfortable like it always had before. When Daryl calls me that it actually brings a smile to my face; what the hell is wrong with me?

Daryl's POV

She's quiet again, lost in her thoughts. I'm not sure if she's upset at what I said or just taking it all in. I only received a nod of acknowledgement from her, not that I need an explanation but usually I can read her better. She adjusts the timing on the truck and motions to me to start it up. I get the engine to turn over and it's running a lot better. It has some catalectic convertor issues, so it's not perfect but it should make it to Hubbardsville as long as we have the gas.