Totally AU Daryl Dixon fanfic.. I only own my own Original Characters..

Enjoy ya'll

Chapter 1

My name is Lily Jay Carter, I will never forget the first time spoke to Daryl Dixon. We grew up in the same town. Everybody knew everybody and your business too. His Daddy. Will Dixon was well, a drinking buddy of my Daddy's and I guess thats how we became acquainted all them years ago.

It was summer, it was hot and there was nothing to do. Lily stayed at home with her Dad. Jim. They lived just outside of town in small little run down house. Her Mom had went to go visit her sister and just never came back, she sent a letter to Lily who had refused to read it, every now and then cards would arrive but always went unopened straight into the trash. Lily knew fine well why her mother left. What she didn't understand was why she didn't take her with her.

Lily would be starting her senior and final year in high school after the summer and she couldn't wait to get away from her Dad.

She had spent the first few weeks of summer looking for work but it was just odd jobs here and there and most of them far too physical for her. She wasn't weak but hauling pallets was just too much for a 17 year old.

She spent a lot of time on her own, she didn't have the money go to the city with her peers so she spent a lot of time out in the woods, hiking. Just enjoying the fresh air.

After another failed job hunt in town, walking up the dirt track that led to her house, watching it get narrower as she got closer and the trees became thicker providing some shelter from the mid day sun. If you didn't know that the house was there, you would think that it was a dead end, but no sooner had the track narrowed it opened up revealing her little house. Seeing her fathers truck parked, Lily felt her mood drop even further. She knew her father would likely be drunk or passed out

''Great'' She said out loud.

Walking up the stairs quietly she opened the door and sure enough there was her Daddy passed out on the couch with a bottle of whisky near bye. On instinct she picked the bottle up, placed it on the table and put a blanket over her father. Shaking her head at the sight before her she raided his wallet. All 5 dollars tucked nicely into her short pocket she headed back out the door grabbing the truck keys as she went.

Lily drove with windows down and the radio up. Life seemed so normal sometimes. She stopped at the store and spent her 5 bucks. She drove to her favourite spot. She would need to leave the truck a little ways back but she didn't mind the walk through the woods.

The walk only took 5 minutes. As the trees and foliage started to thin the sight before her made her smile. The small pond was glistening in the sunlight, trees for coverage, it was perfect.

She spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and sun bathing and eating her 5 dollar picnic. It was only when the sun moved down behind the tree line did she think to make a move. It was now that she realised she did not have her knife with her. Her Dad was prick but he taught her well when it came to being out in the woods. Knowing that all sorts came out at night she picked up the biggest and sturdiest stick she could find and set off. She scolded herself for not leaving sooner as it was getting dark.

She could here a rustling coming from up ahead. She stopped and located the exact direction of the sound and put her back next to the closest tree.

She could here the footsteps clearly now but they slowed as they reached where she was stood just moments ago.

Is someone tracking me? She thought. Lily peeked out from behind her hiding spot and could she the outline of a man, who had some sort weapon with him, she couldn't make out what it was, but as he stood from looking at her tracks. She went for it.

Bringing the make shift bat back to gain velocity she went to take a swing at the outline. As it turns out stealth was not her strong suit. The tracker knew she was there and was able to stop the bat mid swing.

The swing backed some series punch and he went down holding the bat, Lily going with.

''Get the hell off me!'' Lily screamed as she wrestled to get free from her attacker, who now was lying on his back with Lily in his arms with the bat across them.

''Dammit Girl, will ya calm down, I ain't gon' hurt ya.'' Lily could feel him relax and took the opportunity to get some space between him and her.

She stood panting, staring wildly at the man in front of her. He had shortish messy dark blonde/brown hair. He wore a sleeveless shirt and loose fitting jeans and he had The bluest eyes she had ever seen. He had stood now, he held his hand out, showing her that he meant no harm.

'' I saw your truck and you know its easy to get lost in these woods, you know so I thought id make sure everything was...ok I guess.'' He shifted uneasily from one foot to the next.

Lily had now gained control over her breathing.

''oh..uh thanks I guess.'' She relaxed her stance as did the man opposite her. '' I didn't hurt you did I?''

she gave him a sideways glance when she heard a low chuckle.

''What?'' She had stopped dead in her tracks. ''what's so funny?''

''Nothin, nah you didn't hurt me girl. What's your name?'' He nudged his head forward signalling for her to keep moving.

''Lily Carter, you?'' She held her hand out, which he eyed suspiciously before taking her hand in his.

''Daryl Dixon, your Jims daughter huh?''

''uh huh, don't judge me though.'' she smiled up at him, he just shook his head. ''Your Will Dixons son and your brother...''

''Merle... don't judge me more like.''

The next few minutes they walked in silence to her truck. Lily hoped up inside and Daryl closed her door.

''Be careful next time your out in them woods, best if you carry a weapon or something.''

Lily started the truck and headed out, she couldn't help but look in the rear view and smiling at the fading form of Daryl Dixon.

Lily knew who Daryl was, he was in his 20's, 23 or 24, he had an older brother who was loud, crude, high and drunk most of the time. Although sober, like most men, he was a half decent guy. Daryl's Dad Will Dixon was a notorious drunk and everybody new of the abuse his boys suffered by his hand for years. Daryl was the quiet one, he seemed to just keep his head down and get on with it.

Daryl had watched her drive away, he had watched her till she was out of sight, it was only then that Daryl turned back into the woods to head to his hunting cabin. He tended to stay out here when Merle was away, keep a safe distance from his Dad.

As Lily turned into her drive she could see the lights on inside the house, no sooner had she parked, he had her out of the car.

''YOU THANK YOU CAN JUST TAKE MY TRUCK, MY TRUCK YOU STUPID..(punch)..STUPID...(punch)...BITCH!"

Lily didn't even try to fight back any more, she conserved her energy for shielding her body from the blows.

Only after she was sure he was passed out, did she dare head for the bathroom. She felt sick when she saw herself in the mirror. Black eye, bloody nose, there was a cut on her cheek that probably needed stitched and her ribs, severely bruised and possibly cracked. She took her time in tending to her wounds. After patching herself up as best she could, applying some paper stitches to her cheek, she took some painkillers and headed to bed. She knew that he would be gone in the morning and probably for the next few days, he struggled looking at her bruised face.

The next few weeks passed slowly. Lily didn't want to venture too far so that nobody could see her. But she spent most of her time in the woods that led from her backyard. Sure there was no pond but it was still peaceful, and safe.

Daryl hadn't given much thought to the Carter girl. Why would he, she was just a kid. She seemed nice enough but his reputation was bad enough without him associating with an under age girl.