A/N: Set between season two and three. Enjoy!


The Gift


"Ya need something like this for close work," Daryl says shortly, handing the knife to her handle first.

She grasps it hesitantly and he corrects her grip, his calloused hands pushing hers into the position he wants and then dropping away quickly.

"Short blade like this, you gotta go for the eye-socket." His glance is kind before it skitters away, looking everywhere but at her directly. "Best you don't be in that situation to begin with if you can help it. Get Rick to teach you how to shoot."

He leaves her without another word, but the next day she finds a homemade sheath on her bedroll and she knows she has a foolish smile on her face as she fastens it on to her belt.