Taking a Chance

Chapter 14

Daryl could not believe he was counting down the days until he could call Gabrielle again. He felt like a fucking teenager. Should he call her on a Friday again, but what if she went out? What about Wednesday or Thursday? Is that too soon?

"I am fuckin' pitiful," he said aloud. Good thing he was home or people would be looking at him weird. He decided he would try her on Friday again, early evening and just hope that she was around.

He opened the refrigerator to make something to eat, but realized there really wasn't anything worthwhile in there. Daryl grabbed his helmet and took off on his bike off to grab some take out. He'd do some food shopping another day.

The bike was flying down the road on his way to a place where he could get some fried chicken when all of a sudden he heard sirens coming up behind him. Daryl looked into his mirror and saw a police car was pulling him over. "Fuck. I wasn't going that much over the speed limit," he growled as he pulled the bike over.

Daryl got off the bike and removed his helmet before turning to greet the cop. He kept his hands in plain sight. Over the years he had learned a thing or two about dealing with police. He thought those stupid days where behind him.

The door opened on the police car and the deputy stepped out. He walked over to Daryl in full police mode complete with sunglasses and his hand near his gun. He looked formidable and serious. "License and registration please, sir."

"Knock it off Grimes," Daryl laughed.

Rick kept up the act. "You were going 50 in a 35 mile per hour zone, sir. Did you realize you were speeding? That's an automatic $100 ticket. I take cash."

"Fuck you, Grimes! The most you're getting out of me is a beer. Take it or leave it."

A smile came across his face. "I'll take a rain check. Can't drink on duty. Where ya headed?"

Daryl had laid low with his friends these past few months. He and Rick had gotten together a time for two, but he was letting the newlyweds have time to themselves, plus he needed that for himself too. Gabrielle had him so mixed up, that he wasn't feeling very sociable, and since he wasn't the most social guy, to begin with, his going out became non-existent.

"Going to pick up something to eat, what about you, besides pulling over innocent drivers?"

"About to go on dinner break. And you were doing 50 in a 35. Buy me dinner and we'll call it even," Rick told him with a grin.

"Ain't that bribery or sumthin'?" Daryl laughed. "Sure, man, where do you wanna go?"

They both decided on the Chicken Hut where Daryl was already headed, but they would grab a table instead of take out. Rick called in he was on Code 7 and they both took off to get dinner.

They spread out two identical meals on the table – three pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, a biscuit and a large Coke. They did very little talking as they downed their dinner, both men were really hungry.

Rick asked a few innocent questions of Daryl. How's the new job going? Was the new motorcycle worth the money? Michonne wanted him to come to dinner one night next week as Rick was back on days, so Daryl told him any day was fine.

"Have you heard from Gabrielle?" Rick finally asked.

"How long you been waiting to ask that?"

"About three weeks. Michonne is nagging me to call you, but I told her it's none of our business," he said with a smirk.