It was nice being around people again, chatting, smiling, telling jokes, just like it used to be. She smiled to herself and joined the group around the crackling fire for dinner comfortably settling in to the warm atmosphere with ease. Carol had cooked the meal and her daughter was passing the plates around politely. "Beans again.." Lori's son Carl grumbled as the food was dished out. There was squirrel meat mixed into the overcooked beans which nobody mentioned so that the kids would eat up without a fuss. It didn't taste all that bad, forgetting that it used to be a cute little woodland creature it was similar to pork. "It's not much but at least it's warm, right?" An older man, called Dale, with snowy white hair grinned at the new girl. She returned his smile "Thanks again everyone for taking me in. " Looking around, Shane caught her eye with a snide comment. "You might not be so pleased about it when you're scrubbing my pants tomorrow morning."

Daryl sat away from the rest, somewhat peacefully alone in his tent but he could clearly hear her voice, that girl. He rested his head on his hands and lay back trying to ignore the strange thoughts in his head. "I'm going to take some food to Daryl." Carl piped up. He thought the silent hunter with the crossbow was pretty cool. "Nuh-uh. Last time you did that you came back with cuss words I've never heard before!" Lori scolded him gently, glimpsing at Shane with a grin. Everybody started to giggle. "I'll do it" the newest member offered kindly, taking the plate and making her way over to Daryl's tent before anyone could disagree. Just before calling his name for some reason she tidied her hair and wiped her mouth just in case she had bean juice on her face like a messy toddler, she didn't know why she had bothered, she didn't even know this man why would he care about her appearance?

"Hey, Daryl? " she called. Slowly the tent door unzipped open, a scowling face appeared from his dingy den. "Hope I didn't wake you, I brought your dinner over." He barely let her finish before ripping the plate from her hands and shoveling food down with his fingers like an animal, not bothered in the slightest about his appearance in front of her! As she turned to leave his eyes stuck to her curves, the tattered skirt that clung to her legs just above the knee, the blouse that had clearly once been white was now a faded gray missing the top buttons to expose her bountiful cleavage. "So if ya piss me off wha' ma suppose ta call ya?" His words drew her right back to him just like he wanted. He didn't know how to start a normal conversation with her or anyone for that matter, he was uncomfortable with her close by but didn't like her leaving. Unlike everyone else she wasn't afraid of him, she could see through his macho bullshit, he was just insecure, 'I wonder why?' She thought to herself sadly, maybe he had lived a tough life before all this...just like she had.

In a bold move she plonked her butt down right beside him on his ruffled sleeping bag, it felt warm and very inviting. He flinched as she did so. He wasn't used to this, people usually keep their distance like he was some sort of monster but she didn't, not yet anyway. "I dunno. I would prefer you to use my name instead if swearing at me. If I could remember what it was!" she laughed. It was clear for him to see that her smiles and laughs covered something, this time sadness for a lost identity swallowed up by this apocalyptic world but he chose not to comment. "So think of a new one." he bluntly put it, with Curiosity finally getting the better of him he gazed into her tired eyes, desperately searching for something only he wasn't sure what it was. The world around them suddenly disappeared in a flash, nothing else existed except for them for a few blissful seconds. They were locked in each others eyes, electricity jolting between them, heat radiating from both bodies trying to lure the other closer, within reach. It was intense. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest like it was trying to break free to be with Daryl instead, sweat was building upon his forehead in neat little beads, his fingers unbearably itchy with anticipation. Taking a deep breath she burst the bubble abruptly "Like what?" turning away to hide her burning red cheeks. 'Tha' fuck was tha?' Daryl thought in disbelief, his breathing finally slowing down. He glanced at her once more, a name popping into his brain. "Alice is nice."

When Daryl Dixon was just a kid he'd only one treasured possession in life. After his mum died his dad had become more abusive, Merle had taken off leaving Daryl with a hunting knife, a symbolic tool so that he could survive alone, no matter what. The number of animals that had fallen to his blade was well into the thousands. Even now where there's danger around every corner it was especially valuable. Something that could be so special, saved his ass on numerous occasions deserved a name. That's right, this was the second time he was naming something precious Alice.

As soon as she returned to the others she announced "My name is Alice". It didn't matter what she had been known as before, new world; new people, new name. "What a beautiful name." Carol smiled warmly, sideways glancing cautiously at her husband Ed who was looming behind her at every moment, keeping watch, assuring she didn't step out of line. "Thank you" Alice grinned. Several hours had flown by, stories were swapped and new bonds were created. As the excitement fizzled out into drones of conversation the day finally caught up with Alice "I'm pretty tired so I think I'm gonna crash." After everyone wished her a goodnight and drifted off to their own accommodation Amy pulled her into the RV, away from the spare tent Shane had put up for her. "Come on, you have to stay inside for tonight at least. We've made a bed up for you."

The RV was certainly spacious, it did feel like walking into a deluxe one bed apartment owned by someone's grandmother. It belonged to Dale, who treated it with such devotion it was pristine, Alice hadn't come across somewhere so lush in a recent time of raiding run down houses. The sofa bed was opened out with a pea green pillow and duvet both with a matching rose pattern, very feminine. Judging by the look on her face Amy added "They're mine but after everything you've been through I think you deserve them tonight." Amy grinned at the worn and nervous girl who stood awkwardly by the bed. "If you want to talk about something or just gossip don't hesitate, ok?"she added, pulling Alice into a cuddle. Alice was the same sort of age as Amy, she really felt for the poor girl, she'd been alone whilst the world became a living hell. Alice was exhausted she couldn't remember the last good sleep she'd had..six months maybe more but a part of her couldn't relax. "Actually I have a it safe here?" Dale, who was on top of the RV on his deck chair a rifle in hand, was listening intently to their conversation through the open sun roof. "The men take turns to keep watch at night but anyway nothing comes up this far."Amy answered reassuringly with an arm squeeze to match. Guiding Alice into her bed for the night was easy, she didn't need much persuasion. "So you have absolutely nothing to worry about." Amy smiled warmly tucking a lose strand of hair behind Alice's ear,wished her goodnight and shut the light off as she exited the motor home to a downgrade of an uncomfortable tent for the night.