Ok first Walking Dead story so I hope you guys like it and let me know. I haven't written in awhile either but decide it was time to get back to it.

So as usual I don't own anyone but Annie… I don't own the title either it was borrowed from Zac Brown Band.

No one likes waking up; in fact most people roll over and squish their eyes closed tight trying to warn off the inevitable morning light. And the impending dread of what's to come especially in this new world when nothing is guaranteed anymore.

That's why with a loud grunt the young woman alone in her tent reluctantly sat up and removed her sleeping bag and extra blankets from her body, letting the early morning chill run through her. Rubbing the left over sleep from her eyes and trying her best to detangle her dark wavy hair she began to dress to meet up with the others for morning chores.

"God you'd think when the world ends early mornings would end with it." She mumbled and climbed out of the tent stiffly.

"Aunt Annie! Aunt Annie!" the young excited voice of her nephew called out to her as he ran to close the distance between them.

Annie Grimes nearly had the wind knocked out of her when Carl flung his arms around her waist coughing them to stumble back a bit, and Annie to plant her feet down so she wouldn't fall.

"Easy there boy, God how are you so darn chipper in the morning." Annie laughed while holding the young boy tightly against her.

The world might have gone to shit but at least she had her family with her, well most of her family. Her sister-in-law Lori and nephew Carl made it with her but the most important person hadn't. A deep pain ripped through her chest and stomach when she thought of her older brother.

Rick Grimes had been her rock, her best friend and confidant all their lives. Always looking out for her always had her back through thick or thin. She had been his sweet Annie, but now he was gone shot in the line of duty and in a coma. Annie had been taking care of him as his nurse. He had been brought to her hospital after the accident and she refused to let anyone else care for him, rules be dammed he was her brother her responsibility.

When all hell broke loose she wanted to take him with her and fought like hell to try to get to him, but had been forced to leave him behind by his best friend. She was told that he was already gone and they had to go now before it was too late, they still needed to get Carl and Lori out of there.

As reluctant as Annie was to admit it out load Shane Walsh had saved her life and the lives of her only family that day. Like most people that fateful day though Annie had lost a part of herself. She no longer laughed, smiled, or giggled like she used to. Before the end a smile was always on her face, she could light up a room in minutes. Sadly she had sunk into herself and built walls around herself out of self preservation. The only ones allowed in them were Carl and his little friend in camp Sophia. It was hard to be bitter with them around you. So young so innocent, Annie made an effort for them but no one else. Well not entirely the other loner of the group was tolerable, although he could grind her nerves like no one else and his brother was an ass, she still preferred to be hanging back with him than the others.

A tugging on her arm brought her out of her depressing thoughts and a small smile crept on her face looking at the smiling Carl.

"Come on squirt lets grab some breakfast before work begins." She said moving them towards the morning fire, holding the boy close to her side.

Early mornings were nothing new to Daryl Dixon, most of his time was spent in the woods and it was always better to get started before early light. Besides the more time he spent away from camp the better. How he and his older brother ended up with this bunch of misfits he sure as hell didn't know, or why they stuck around.

Everyone around here bugged the ever living shit out of him. The women were whinny and annoying, the old man wanted in everyone's business, the kids were too noisy and always in the way. And don't get him started with the damn cop; the guy had a major stick up his ass and God complex. When around him Daryl spent it glaring daggers at the guy, itching for an excuse to knock him out. The way he marched around and barked orders, and talked down to people made Daryl's skin crawl.

He wasn't the only one the guy bothered it seemed the little thing Annie Grimes hated the son of a bitch too. Her arms were always crossed her posture tense and defensive when he was close. Her voice had an icy bitter edge to it when she spoke to him. If looks alone could kill the guy would be dead and buried a hundred times over by now.

Annie herself wasn't so bad, not that Daryl would admit it to her. She didn't bitch like the other women, she got her shit done and on her own. Most of the time she kept to herself, she spent time with the boy who he knew was her nephew and his little friend. Occasionally she would come by and talk with him but she didn't pry into him like some of the others tried. Most of the times she sat with her nose in a book while he worked on his crossbow or skinned his kill of the day. Apparently blood and guts didn't bother her in the least, a good quality to have in this new world.

Once Daryl asked her why she kept coming around, and her only reply was to tell him to shut up and deal with it he was the only one she could stand right now, she like that he was silent. After that he just let her sit there, not like she bothered him too much when she was around, again not like he would tell her that.

Daryl approached the morning fire crossbow already strapped to him ready for his trek in the woods. When Annie walked up to him, as usual a blank look on her face as she handed him a bowl of oatmeal and a small bag he knew held water and something to snack on later while he hunted.

"Can't leave without eating something." She told him quietly, hands jammed in the pockets of her jeans.

"Thanks." Was mumbled and with that Daryl turned away from her and headed back to his tent.

"Hey! Be careful out there Dixon!" Annie called out to him stopping him in his track, that was the first time she said that to him.

"Whatever...Tiny" he turned and called back to her, knowing she hated being called that a reminder of her small size compared to the others.

Daryl had to bite back a smirk when she glared at him arms crossed as she stormed away dark hair swinging behind her. She wasn't too bad, again not like he would admit it to her or anyone for that matter. Annie shared the same thought about him as she sat with Carl to have breakfast.

Ok first chapter, let me know what you think, just remember there is a difference between being critical in a good way and being a asshole.

Thanks Allie.