I am not Robert Kirkman so do not own The Walking Dead. This story is AU, and contains elements from the comics, show, and my imagination. If you haven't read the comics or watched all three seasons then this story may contain spoilers. If you're a fan of The Walking Dead then you already know that this story will contain strong language, sex, and violence. Read at your own discretion.
1. Have Crossbow will Travel
"Watch her." Was the first thing Rick said to Daryl after Michonne had arrived to the prison.
"No doubt, Daryl had replied, anyone that's been on their own long as her has gotta be tougher 'n shit."
"Chaining those walkers the way she did was genius. She's smart, strong, and silent never forget that, and never take your eyes off of her for a second." Rick warned.
From that day forth Rick always had Daryl work with Michonne. Rick told Michonne it was because they both used silent weapons, but Daryl could tell she knew that the explanation was bullshit. Michonne knew Rick had Daryl watching her and so she toyed with him letting him know that while he was damn good at tracking she was damn good at being stealthy. She'd disappear from his view several times a day only to pop up silently beside him with a Cheshire cat grin on her face.
Daryl didn't know what to think of Michonne she intimidated the hell out of him with her silence and strength. It wasn't that she was silence so much, hell he was silent, it was because she was always thinking, always planning, always a step ahead. She was nothing like the other women. She worked hard killing walkers everyday, went hunting with him, helped him set and bait traps, and skinned animals without so much as a squirm or complaint. While he didn't have to worry about his job as hunter being in jeopardy she was a pretty good hunter.
Since working together they had reached a mutual understanding that what needed to be done had to be done and whining and complaining about it was futile. Their old way of life was gone and they just had to adjust. They weren't friends but they respected each other.
"Take her with you." Was the first thing Rick had said to Daryl when he'd seen him this morning. That hunting trip you were planning on take Michonne with you. There are two small towns along the way so you can make this a hunting and supply run."
Daryl had been planning a three day hunting trip to the Georgia backwoods he knew about a cabin out there with a deer blind. Hunting had always been his thing he went hunting to get away he had nothing against Michonne but he didn't want her coming with him either.
"We need supplies especially before winter sets in this area's been raided within an inch of it's life so we'll need to try new places." Rick said when Daryl had hedged at the ideal of taking Michonne along. "I'm not asking you to do this I'm telling you to do this, maybe I'm crazy for putting the lone wolf and the lioness together but you're the only ones I know who'll come back alive.
What could Daryl say? They needed the supplies and Michonne was the only other person in the group who could hunt and track worth a shit, and she wouldn't slow him down or get in his way at least. He hated to admit it but she was even better than him when it came to tracking walkers it was like being chained to her pets for all that time had given her some weird sixth sense when it came to walkers. If he was going to have anyone ride shotgun next to him he preferred it was her.