Alev Salvatore has been on her own ever since the dead stopped staying dead. Gone is the fun carefree person she used to be and in her place is someone colder, a little harshier. She's fine on her own and doesn't need anyone, at least that's what she told herself before Daryl Dixon crossed her path and flipped her world upside down.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I love reading Daryl/OC fiction. I've written a crossover one called Alive. But I figured I would try my hand at just a regular old Walking Dead one. Review. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1.

Looking at the bleeding man in the passenger seat next to her, she wasn't sure why she was going out of her way to do this, to help a complete stranger. The man was bleeding out having cut his hand off prior to their run in. She had been looking for some food to take back to her current living space in an abandoned apartment building in the city when he nearly knocked her over in his rush to stop himself from bleeding to death.

Right before he passed out a weak 'Help me," had tumbled past his lips. She could have left him there for the walkers but then again her mother had taught her better than that. With not much time to spare, thinking fast she ripped some of her shirt and tied it around his heavily bleeding hand. It had crossed her mind to simply cauterize the wound but she couldn't risk him going into shock. That would have defeated the purpose of trying to save him.

Luckily for him, the bleeding had stopped and she was able to tend to the wound long enough to get him back to her truck. Someone had been up there watching out for them because they made the two block trip back to her vehicle without much incident save for two lone undead wandering near her truck.

As she pulled up to the camp site she put the car in park. Leaning over she shook the man's arm.

"Merle. Wake up…wake up or imam put one right between your eyes."

That last part seemed to stir him to life. He sat up abruptly and looked at her.

"Damn woman, you sure do know how to give one hell of a wake up call."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah yeah. Is this the spot?" Once Merle had awoken again, he had told her his name and how he lost his arm because his group abandoned him. Then after a good night's rest they came to the conclusion that even if his group didn't welcome him back with open arms, he should at least go back for his brother. Without even asking if she wanted to go, he gave her driving direction before falling asleep in the passenger's side.

Merle broke her train of thought as he opened the door and got out. Grabbing one of her favorite daggers her grandfather had given her, she turned the truck off before following Merle's lead and getting out as well.

The two walked into the camp and were almost immediately noticed.

"Well I'll be damn. Daryl was right, you really are a tough son of a bitch," a tall handsome man said as he and a few others moved towards them.

"Yea well no thanks to officer Friendly over here," Merle replied.

The officer in question had the decency to look ashamed. "We went back for you. But you were gone."

"Oh how touching you came back for little ole me. I didn't know you cared."

"We didn't. But Daryl was hell bent on going back," an Asian boy said a few feet behind the two men before us.

Even with the appearance of women and children, I wasn't quite sure if I felt safe or not. The way Merle was reacting to them wasn't helping. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, someone spoke from behind us. I jumped slightly, having never even heard anyone approach.

"Merle?"

He turned around at the call of his name, a genuine smile on his face as he faced the newcomer. In a show of affection, Merle walked over to the other man and pulled him into a hug.

"Shoulda known I wouldn't leave yah Darylina."

So this was the infamous Daryl.

Everyone watched the interaction with small smiles on their face. Family was a rare thing now a days and the reuniting of one was always something precious.

It made me feel good to know that I had a hand in getting them back to each other. I'd done my part it was time for me to move on.

Turning away from them, I quietly moved to head back to my truck. I hadn't taken more than a step when Merle's voice stopped me.

"And where in the hell do you think you're going missy?"

I turned around to look at him, my eyes wide like a dear in a head light. I couldn't stop the slight tint that came to my cheeks as I became the center of attention. Everyone looking at me as if they had just now noticed my presence. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to slap Merle.

"I got you here, back to your group. I've done the good Sumerian thing, now I gotta be on my way so I can get back before it gets dark."

"You can't go back out there, on your own. Stay here. It's the least we can do for you returning one of our own to us," Officer Friendly interjected.

"Listen Mr…"

"Rick, just Rick." He insisted.

I gave him a small smile at that.

"Rick. I appreciate it but I can't impose and besides I can handle myself."

Merle's brother let out a snort of laughter. Before I could comment, Merle slapped him over the back of the head.

Rick looked at me, a frown on his handsome features. "There's nothing we can do to make you reconsider?"

I opened my mouth to speak when once again Merle cut me off.

"No need officer cause she ain't going no where."

I couldn't stop myself from letting out a chuckle. "You gonna hold me here against my will?"

In turn he let out a small chuckle. "If that's what it takes. Now stop being stubborn. You wait here with these nice folks while Daryl and I got get your camping gear out your truck. Keys, hand em over."

I couldn't stop the scowl that appeared on my face as I walked up to him and handed him my keys.

My grey eyes met his blue ones. "Fine. I'll stay for a few days but if I don't think this is working out for me, I'm moving on with no protest from you. We clear?"

He smirked. "Crystal."

Rolling my eyes, I allowed the others to pull me to a sitting area around a fire pit. Each took the time to introduce themselves. They seemed harmless enough especially the older man, Dale. I wasn't too sure about Shane. He was giving me unreadable looks. I would have to keep an eye on him.

"So Alev Salvatore, that's a cool name." Carl said.

I smirked at the kid. "Salvatore is Italian. My dad was Italian and my mother was African American. They met in college and the rest is history." I had gotten my father's eyes but my mothers caramel colored skin. Not exactly full fledge dark but enough of a tent in my complexion to know I was mixed.

"Wow. That's some heritage. How did you end up in Atlanta?" Carol asked.

"I was apartment hunting. My mother and father are still in Venice. I wanted to come here because it's where my mother is from."

"How is it you made it in Atlanta on your own. The place is crawling with Walkers," Glenn asked.

I looked at him in confusion. "Walkers?"

Andrea interjected. "He means the undead. We call em walkers." I nodded.

"Well, I guess I got lucky."

"Hell of a lot lucky than Rick," T-Dog mumbled. When they all began to laugh I looked at Rick in question. He then went on to explain what had happened on one of their trips to Atlanta involving covering themselves in walker blood. Then it had started raining.

Alev couldn't help herself, she began to laugh along with the others.

"Sorry Rick but you gotta admit, you do have horrible luck."

"We can't all be like Merle. Guy has nine lives."

She laughed at that. Merle was one of those that refused to just go quietly.

Speak of the devil. He and Daryl walked by the group stopping to look at her with her camping gear in hand.

"We're gonna set you up over there near us." Merle said looking at her. It wasn't so much as him asking but telling her.

"Sounds good," I replied. Satisfied with my response, he continued on. Daryl's eyes met my own and I had to quickly look away. His startling blue eyes were by far the most intense pair I had ever looked into. There was nothing traditionally good looking about him but then again I had always been attracted to more rugged me. I could tell by the way he carried himself that Daryl Dixon was more than capable to handling himself. As we broke eye contact, he continued on behind his brother to help put together my tent.

"You know. If you don't want to be near the Dixon brothers, you're more than welcome to sleep in my RV," Dale said. I turned to him giving him a small forced smile. I knew all too well what he was saying without saying it. The Dixon boys were not someone the rest of the group trusted. Well that was their lost.

"Thanks for the offer. But I'm good… now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get my things from my car."

Not waiting for an answer, I stood from my seat and headed for my truck.