These Awkward Moments

Chapter 4 Defensive Moves

Daryl's POV
Standing on the front porch just after sunrise, I looked at the bandage on my left arm and remembered the soft touch of the beauty who put it there. I knew I'd have to go by and have the bandage changed today, but I wanted to try to stay as far away from her for as long as possible. Having this type of attraction to a woman who belonged to a fella like Roe Casey could be dangerous. Maybe Rick would have some things for me to do so I could try to avoid her. Delilah. What kinda name is that? Wasn't there a Bible story my mama used to tell me about a strong guy and a woman named Delilah?

I shook the thoughts out of my head as the front door opened and Rick joined me. "Mornin' Daryl, how's the arm?"

I grunted, "I've had worse." 

Rick nodded, "How'd the new doc do stitchin' ya up?"

I flexed my arm up and down, "A'ight. Don't reckon it'll even leave much of a scar. Shouldn't affect my aim none."

Rick smiled. Our conversation shifted to plans for the day.

Rick said, "I've called a council meeting for right after breakfast in the community building so we can talk about what our next steps are. I been thinking most of the night about the damage to the wall and buildings, and the threat from Negan. I think we need to move everyone to the Hilltop temporarily."

I frowned, "You mean ta pack up the whole community and... evacuate?" 

Rick nodded, "Yeah. We are too vulnerable here now, and it would be best to consolidate all our forces from the other communities into one place to make us stronger."

I nodded in agreement, "Well as much as I hate the idea of just leaving our home, I think you're right about safety."

Rick placed a hand on my shoulder, "I knew I could count on you for support brother. Let's get breakfast and get this moving."

The council meeting was brief with a unanimous decision to relocate the entire community to the Hilltop temporarily. I watched Rick and Michonne closely through the meeting. In some ways I was amazed that they were together, but when I really thought about it I was more amazed that they hadn't become a couple right after we lost the prison. They were so right for each other. Michonne brought out the best in Rick and gave him a stability that he needed during the times when the insanity of this world threatened to take over. And hell, Rick needed a badass woman like her to have his back. He was a good man, and he deserved a good woman.

I started to let myself wonder if there was a possibility that I might be able to have something like what they had some day. I was pretty damn sure that if I ever tried I'd most likely fuck things up pretty bad. I'd have ta try ta find the most patient and understanding woman on the face of the earth. Shoot, she'd have ta be a saint! But she'd also have to be tough as shit ta put up with me. I hadn't grown up around any type of example for how to act in a relationship. But since I had joined this new family, I had seen Glenn and Maggie, and now Rick and Michonne manage to hold together pretty great relationships despite the odds.

Rick sent runners around the neighborhoods to tell the community members the plans for evacuation. He wanted everyone packed up and ready to go by morning. He sent me to the infirmary to tell the doc the plans and to help get things that she'd need packed up for the move.

Delilah's POV
I swallowed back the apprehension I was feeling about leaving Alexandria so I could focus on the job ahead. The biggest challenge was in not knowing what Hilltop already had, but I was operating on the assumption that they had nothing at all. I took a few minutes to sit down and create a list so nothing would be forgotten.