Rick's Ruby

Chapter 8

Daryl was coming in from the back door when Rick and T-Dog came down from the bedrooms.

"Got the bodies off the yard." Daryl drawled as he put his face under the tap and rinsed the sweat and dirt off of it.

"Good." Rick said appreciatively, grabbing one of the water bottles off the counter. Carol had put all the food in the cabinets and pantry, and the kitchen was actually pretty clean and organized now. Very different than it had been since they'd gotten there. Rick leaned back against the counter and looked out into the living room, where Ruby, Glen, Maggie and Beth sat in a small circle. Glen was practicing strumming on the guitar and the occasional burst of laughter or quick chatter met his ears. He didn't see Carl, Lori or Hershel and he stepped forward, looking to the dining room. The three of them sat there at the table, working over what Rick could only imagine was schoolwork. He stepped back in and saw Carol's door shut. For some reason, it was utterly important to know where everyone was at all times.

"T-Dog, why don't you take first watch? We need to make sure we have eyes out all the time, and Glen can take the next one." Rick said and T-Dog nodded, going out into the living room and taking a place in an armchair against the window.

"I know that girl knows better songs than that." Daryl said in a low voice and went to flop in a chair near the small group. Rick followed and sat on the end of the couch, leaning back and taking in a deep breath, listening to the light conversation.

"What else you know?" Daryl spoke up and Ruby thought about it for a minute. She took the guitar back from Glen and looked at him.

"You got something specific in mind?" She asked curiously and he shrugged.

"Doubt you'd know it." He said challengingly.

"Try me." She shot back and Rick stifled a grin.

Daryl raised an eyebrow and sat forward. "Fine." He started to hum a tune, and he was several chords into it when a smile broke out over Ruby's face. He narrowed his eyes warily at her and she started to strum the guitar slowly.

The sun shown down in it's glory,

Shown down on the deep blue sea.

Where the Titanic was sinkin'

Far out on the deep blue sea.

The captain was lying down sleepin'

When he dreamed a sad, sad dream.

He dreamed the Titanic was sinkin'

Far out on the deep blue sea.

He rose and he called to the rich man,

He told him to come to life.

And save his little baby,

also his darling wife.

The captain, he must have been drinkin'

For he knew that he had done wrong.

He was trying to win the record,

When he let the titanic go down.

The sun shown down in its glory,

Shone down on the deep blue sea.

While the Titanic was sinkin'

Far out on the deep blue sea...

Ruby trailed off and Daryl shook his head disbelievingly. "How the hell did you know that?"

"My real mother, she sang all those old songs to me." She said, resting her arm on the top of the guitar.

"Damn..." Daryl said, obviously impressed. And it took a lot to impress him, Rick knew.