Daring Dixon (A Daryl Dixon fanfiction)

Chapter 44

There was a crash out in the living room and I shot out of bed. Daryl was no longer in the bed next to me. I sighed, then hopped out of bed and went to investigate what the heck was going on.

Daryl was kneeling in the middle of the living room, picking up the broken pieces of glass that were spread out across the floor, along with an unidentifiable food.. I made my way over, kneeling beside him. I felt him stiffen next to me, but he relaxed a little when he realized it was just me.

"What are you doing up?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "I was hungry. Figured I'd get up early and then go relieve whoever was on watch. I didn't wake you up did I?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I wasn't sleeping well anyway, don't worry about it," I said to Daryl. He nodded.

"How'd you drop the bowl, anyway?" I asked.

He shrugged again. "I wasn't paying attention. Just slipped I guess," he said gruffly.

"Well, let's get this cleaned up," I said, standing and going to the kitchen to get a wash cloth. Before I could make it that far, however, there was a knock at the door. I sighed. Again, really?

I made my way to the door slowly. Whoever it was could wait a few more seconds. Besides, I was pissed that someone was here at this time of night. We could've been sleeping.

"What?" I demanded a little sharply. I took in Rick standing on the porch, his head bowed towards his folded hands. He looked up when he realized I was there.

"Can I come inside?" Rick asked politely. I immediately felt bad.

"Sure, c'mon in," I told him, opening the door wider for him to come in.

He came in past me, slowly, as if wanting to take in everything he possibly could. I closed the door behind him and locked it. "What can we do for you?" I asked, gesturing to take a seat on the couch. Daryl gave me a questioning look. I just shrugged.

Daryl finished cleaning up the floor, and then we both sat down on a love seat across from Rick. We both looked at him expectantly.

"Lori's going to have the baby soon. Shane, Dale, Andrea... They're all gone. I've no clue what to do. I know we can't stay here forever. It's just not secure. We need a place to hunker down in, to raise a child, to protect against casualties. You two have been in the area a while, what do you suggest?" Rick said.

Daryl and I exchanged looks. "Honestly Rick, we haven't been here for too long. First we were camping out in a tent that I managed to salvage from the farm, and then we found this place. We've only been here a day," I told him.

Rick nodded. "If you have a map, we can look for someplace, although, to be honest Rick, I don't think there is a safe place 'round here anymore. I don't think there's ever been a safe place. I mean, look at the CDC. That place was supposed to be safe, wasn't it?" Daryl reasoned.

"How do you two do it? Survive so well? Rosaline, you survived in Atlanta just fine before we found you. And Daryl, you and Merle must've done fine as well. How do you do it?" Rick demanded, the desperation clear in his voice.

I sighed, thinking for a moment about how I had survived as long as I had. To be honest, I probably was only alive because of luck. I was an okay shot with a handgun, but I couldn't hunt. In Atlanta, I scavenged the stores during the day to find food. I was quick on my feet, but I also tired. Those monsters didn't. It took a moment for me to realize what had ultimately led to our survival. And I knew Rick wouldn't like it.

"You're not going to like what I have to say," I told him. Rick nodded, and I took that as a sign to go on. "We lasted so long because it was only us saving our own asses. We didn't have to worry about anyone else. Think about it, Rick. Glenn retrieved that bag of guns alone because he's quicker, less noticeable. By yourself, or even in a group of two, you don't have to worry about covering the asses of 5, 8, even 15 other people. There's only you. And that makes a hell of a difference on what you decide to do," I told Rick.

Rick stared at me for a moment, mulling it all over in his head. Finally, he spoke, and it wasn't what I thought it would be. "You're right. It's crazy to think, that being by yourself would be easier, but it is. As much as I love everyone here, I know it'd be beneficial to have a smaller number," Rick said.

I stared at Rick, speechless. This wasn't the Rick that I had last seen. No, this man was changed, hardened by the deaths of three very prominent people within the group. The fact that he no longer had someone to stand by him, that had changed Rick. Had Daryl been there, it might've been better. Instead, the weight fell solely on Rick's shoulders. And he was a hardened man because of it.

"We'll make it through, Rick. We just have to overcome the obstacles one at a time," I told him. He nodded in agreement.

"I oughta get back to Carl and Lori... It they wake up they'll be wantin' to know where I am," Rick said, standing and making his way towards the door. I got up and followed him so I could lock the door behind him. He had his hand on the door knob but paused and turned back to us. "One last thing. Glenn, Chris, T-Dog, Maggie, and I are going on a run tomorrow. We'd like you two to stay back with the woman and the kids. You'll have Hershel, Lori, and Carol to help you keep the fort held down. But we thought, Daryl, that it would be nice to have someone around to protect everyone. Someone who's good at it," Rick added.

Daryl nodded, although I could tell he wasn't happy to have to stay back and babysit. I was happy he was, though. It would mean time for me to catch up with everyone without worrying about him. "Fine. What time you leavin'?" Daryl asked.

"First light," Rick said. Daryl nodded.

"I'll be up if you need me," he told Rick, and Rick nodded. He left then, and I locked the door behind him.

"He's a changed man," I said to Daryl, going and sitting beside him. He grunted in agreement. "The old Rick would never have agreed to what I said earlier. He was a kind man who wouldn't stand for someone saying something like that. He's hardened now," I said.

"He's definitely different," Daryl agreed. "But then again, who aint? Didn't I hate you before? I mean, did you ever think you'd kill a man? We've all changed. Some of us have just changed differently than others." I nodded, laying my head on his shoulder.

"I guess you're right. I've never thought about it that way before," I told Daryl.

" 'Cause I never talked 'bout it to you before," he teased. I slapped his chest playfully.

"I like it so much better when we aren't trying to rip each others throats out," I admitted. Daryl chuckled. "I do," I defended. He just chuckled again.

"I'm off to bed. You comin'?" I asked him, getting up and offering him my hand.

He grabbed it, smirking a bit, and he didn't drop my hand all the way back to the bedroom. I crawled in under the covers and snuggled down deep.

" 'Night," I said to Daryl, who once again had his arm slung across my waist, although now are hands were intertwined.

Daryl leaned over, slowly and placed a soft kiss on my lips. It wasn't much, but it was the first one we'd shared since we had went off on our own. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it.

" 'Night," he mumbled against my lips, then pulled away and settled into bed. I slept for the rest of the night like a baby.

Hello readers! I am so ready for October 13 you don't even know! UGH!

I hope you liked this chapter as much as I liked writing it! It really gives insight into who everyone is now, and how they've changed. I find that change is vital to TWD. Without it, Daryl would still be the same asshole he was in season 1. Not that I didn't love Daryl in season 1, but you get the point. :-)

So, how did you like this chapter? What do you think is going to happen next? Is Daryl going to go back to his meaner, hard self, or are we going to see Daryl's softer side? How is the run going to go? Where are they going to go next? Let me know in the comments!

Just a reminder to you all that I love you guys! You all are what keep me going. I wouldn't be writing this if I didn't have some awesome fans! I hope I can keep delivering to you all!

And, as always, don't forget to vote, comment, and fan! Thanks again guys!