Willow stared at her dingy, water stained ceiling still laying in her bed not wanting to get up in the least. Looking at her Calender she realized it was Wednesday and that meant cleaning everything in the bar top to bottom, dressed head to toe while her grandfather went and visited his friends for trade day...more like get drunk and hang out with your buddies day but he usually did bring some pretty good stuff home. She didn't know why she kept track of the days, she guessed she still wanted to know when it was Christmas or Thanksgiving or even her birthday, which was coming up in a couple of weeks. She had tried dropping hints that it was coming up and that she would do anything for some paper and charcoals or paint or even pencils...she'd take anything right about now but the old man was either completely oblivious or just straight up didn't care.

Sighing Willow rolled out of bed and began to brush out her long dark hair. She was so tired of hiding it under a hat...she knew it was for her safety but she was still tired of it. Wrapping it in a bun on top of her head and then putting on her cap, she looked in the mirror. She looked ridiculous...as usual. Taking the elastic bandage and wrapping it around her chest tightly then slipping on her baggy black t-shirt she looked again..yep still ridiculous. Slipping her olive green cargo pants over her hips, fastening the snaps she then tugged on her boots, sighing again. It couldn't be more than 9am and it was stinking hot already. She'd love nothing more that to go clean in a pair of shorts and flip flops, but this was her life now she grudgingly accepted, heading through the trailer and then out the door to the bar.

"Alright, make sure you get the windows today and wash and dry the glasses and I mean dry them, last time you left spots all over them."

Willow wanted to say something smart like where he could shove those spots but thought better of it and kept her mouth shut and nodded. Watching him pack his bag he looked at her and grunted. "I'll be back before the evening crowd rolls in, don't forget the windows" and turned and left. Hearing the sound of his Harley firing up, she sat on the ledge, throwing her cleaning rag in the soapy water.

"I hate my life" she mumbled

Willow rubbed and scrubbed the entire bar, not forgetting the windows, inside and out. The bar smelled good, like Murphy's oil soap and the wood floors gleamed in the sunshine. If he wasn't happy with this, then he could kiss her ass. Watching the two working girls, Teresa and Colleen stroll in, it was all she could do not to scream at them as they propped their dirty shoes up on the table. Swallowing her remarks again she began washing the glasses but listened to their conversation intently.

"My God that man is gorgeous...and what a lover! I think I had an orgasm within the first five minutes!" the woman cackled as the other one spoke "That's fine for you Colleen but I get him next time. His brother is nothing but a brute and could care less about pleasing anyone but himself" she grumbled. Teresa laughed again at her friends frown "Sorry love, but if he wants me again, I ain't giving that up. That boy wears angel wings for a reason" she grinned.

Willow felt her cheeks burn as the realization hit her who they were talking about. She couldn't help feel disappointed that he would even consider being with one of these filthy women, but she knew she really shouldn't be surprised. He was after all a low down dirty redneck and was probably more comfortable keeping company with women like them. Whatever...she thought...makes no difference to me. Willow was concentrating so hard on cleaning the glasses and not thinking about Daryl Dixon, she didn't catch the dark figure that had slipped through the front door.

Daryl walked into the bar, trying like hell not to be noticed by the two prostitutes he had met last night. He had way too much to drink and as usual had made some bad decisions. At least he had enough sense to use a condom he mused...that was something Merle hadn't gotten through his thick skull yet and the reason why he was always looking for antibiotics. Sniffing the air, he was amazed how clean it smelled. He had always enjoyed the smell of a clean place but hadn't really smelled that since his mom died when he was just a kid. Seeing Joe's grandson washing glasses he was a little surprised he had been the one to clean all this but hey more power to him if he did.

Stepping to the bar quietly, he watched him closer. He was concentrating pretty hard on cleaning the glass in his hand puffing out his pouty bottom lip that begged to be kissed as he made sure it was completely dry and gleamed in the sunlight. Daryl then noticed the thick dark eye lashes that surrounded his sky blue eyes...what in the hell was the matter with him? He wasn't gay, why was he so attracted to this kid?! Getting angry with himself or the kid...he didn't really know which at this point, he slammed his fist on the bar scaring the kid so bad he dropped the clean glass back into the soapy water. Watching the kids eyes look up he felt something stir within him as the kids cheeks tinged pink. Oh my God, he thought...what is happening to me? Deciding he better get the hell out of there he asked him quickly.

"Yer grandpa around?"

He watched as the kid shook his head no. Sighing Daryl said "Thanks" and headed for the door. He heard the other two women call his name as he left but he ignored them...he just couldn't be in that place one more minute. All he had wanted was to ask Joe if it was OK if he did some hunting on his land since he found a couple of deer tracks but since he wasn't there...screw it, he thought. If Joe ended up minding, he'd just give him a couple of venison steaks in trade. Daryl grabbed his crossbow and slipped into the woods still completely irritated.

Willow's hands shook as she took the glass back out of the water, he had scared the crap out of her! Why in the hell was he sneaking around and why did he look like he was trying to decide between kissing her or punching her in the face? Looking in the bar mirror, seeing the dirt smudges on her cheek and nose and her ever present ball cap looking more than usual like a boy, her guess would be he was thinking punch to the face.

Drying her hands, she had to get out of here, she'd cleaned enough and deserved a break. Heading out the back door she started for the trailer but made a detour and headed down the path and into the woods. Practically running she flew through the trees not caring if a branch struck her or a thorn pricked her. She had to get to her secret spot and just let all of this frustration go. Finally hitting the lake, Willow sat down on the big flat rock and started tugging her boots off. Sliding her pants over her hips she tossed them behind her and yanked her black t-shirt over her head as her cap came with it, spilling her long dark hair over her shoulders. Unwrapping the binding and freeing her breasts she dove straight into the sparkling water.

Daryl breathed a huge sigh of relief as he watched her break the surface of the water coming up from her dive. He was not a he...he was a she...and not a kid. He was so confused...why was she dressing like a boy? Why did Joe call her his grandson? Watching her step out of the water with her long dark hair, her full and ample breasts and tiny waist, he understood. If any of the degenerates he hung out with, including his brother ever caught wind that there was someone like her around...Joe would need a lot more than just that rifle he kept behind the bar. She was an absolute vision. Not paying attention to where he was stepping, he inched closer to get a better look as a twig snapped under his boot. "Dammit" he muttered. He watched as her head snapped up, covering her chest up with her hands. Looking around she began wrapping some sort of elastic band around her chest. Slipping her shirt then pants on he watched as she piled her hair on top of her head putting on her hat.

How could he have been so stupid? Of course she wasn't a guy...it was plain as day now to him. Waiting for her to get up and head back, he was surprised again watching her pull out some sort of notebook and a piece of rock or something? Sitting down quietly he leaned his back up against the tree and watched her. He should probably leave and go looking for that deer but something kept him rooted to this spot...he could not take his eyes off of her. He watched as she drew for awhile then suddenly stopped looking up at the sky. Closing the book and sliding it back between a couple of rocks, she then stood up and began making her way back towards the bar.

Daryl's curiosity was killing him...what had she been drawing? Making sure she was gone, he then slipped down to the rock and pulled the book out and began leafing through the pages. His eyebrows raised, staring at each picture, they were absolutely amazing. Some of them were faces of people he had never met but a lot of them were places he wish he could visit. Turning to the last page to the one she had been working on, he turned it this way and that but couldn't figure out who it was. It was just basically an outline with some shading here and there but that was about it. Looking at what she was using to draw, he frowned realizing it was nothing more than a piece of soft shale rock. It was obvious she hadn't done the other drawings using this. Thinking for a moment, he finally closed the notebook and slid it back between the rocks, putting her piece of shale with it then began making his way back to the bar.

Daryl stood outside the front door and looked in through the window. She was the only one in there at the moment and now would probably be the best time to try and talk to her. He wanted to tell her he knew, but it was OK that he wouldn't tell anybody...but maybe he should just leave it alone. She didn't know him and he didn't know her, why would it even matter to her if he knew. It was just she had looked so scared and miserable and he thought maybe she could use a friend or something. Daryl sighed and pulled the handle on the door walking into the empty bar.

Willow looked up and felt her heartbeat quicken seeing Daryl walk towards the bar. Knowing who he was looking for, she shook her head and whispered

"He's not back yet"

Daryl was silent and she wasn't sure if she could dare to take a glance at him. Looking up she froze as he leaned over the bar just inches from her face.

"What are you do-"

She was stopped in mid sentence as she watched in horror as Daryl ripped off her baseball cap spilling her hair around her shoulders.

"Daryl please... I can explain" she said panicked

Daryl sat the cap on the bar and looked at her and waited.

"It was my grandfather, he doesn't want any trouble and he said having a girl here would bring a lot of trouble so he had me dress like a boy. Please Daryl, you can't tell anyone...please. You can't even tell my grandfather you know...if you do, he'll kick me out. He's told me numerous times that if anybody finds out then I'm gone and honestly, not that this place is great or anything, but it's all I have. I don't have any other place to go...please" she begged.

Daryl stared at her and finally nodded

"I won't say anything" he said quietly.

Willow let out a long slow breath and picked up her cap and tucked all of her hair back under it. Looking at Daryl she could tell he still had more to say.

"What?" she asked

Daryl stared at her for a moment then began

"I'll admit, you had me fooled at first but there's a big flaw in your disguise"

Willow looked at him waiting to hear what her flaw was

"You need a longer T-shirt to cover your ass. There's no man on the planet that has an ass that nice...if I noticed it, someone else is bound to too."

Willow felt her cheeks flush as she nodded her head staring at the ground...she was so embarrassed.

"and another thing" Daryl said "you probably shouldn't go skinny dipping in broad daylight".

He really hadn't wanted to say anything about that because he kind of hoped she would do it again so he could watch again but after really thinking about it he knew her safety should come first and that it wasn't a god idea for her to do that anymore. If he stumbled across her while hunting, so could someone else. He felt kind of bad seeing how mortified she was so he tried to make light of it.

"Don't look so embarrassed ...from what I saw, you have nothing to be ashamed of" he grinned

The last thing he expected was to feel the sting of a slap on his cheek.

She had fire in her eyes as she gritted "Pig" between her teeth.

Daryl now had fire in his own

"That's some pretty big talk from someone who was just begging me to keep their secret!" he shouted

"Screw you Daryl!" she shouted back "If you think you're going to blackmail me over this, you can forget it! If you want to talk to your whores like that then be my guest, but I'm not a whore and I won't be treated like one!"

Daryl's mind was completely blown, what in the hell was she talking about? All he did was try to make light of an embarrassing situation

"Look..." he said "I'm not going to blackmail you. I was just trying to joke with you because you looked really upset. I don't think you're a whore, if I thought that then I probably wouldn't be sitting here talking to you"

Willow raised her eyebrows

"Oh really? Well the whores in this place seem to think you like talking to them...I have to say, they have an awful lot to say about you..."

It was Daryl's turn to blush

"That's none of your business" he muttered and watched as she smirked and gave a knowing nod. He couldn't help himself as he continued

"So what if I talk to them...what would it matter to you? Unless you're jealous..."

It was Daryl's turn to smirk as she glared daggers at him.

"You're impossible" was all Willow could think of to say as the sound of a roaring motorcycle interrupted their conversation.

"I have to go" she whispered "if he asks then tell him you came in looking for him and I said he wasn't here and I left. He can't know we talked or anything"

Daryl could see she was back in panic mode

"Don't worry" he said softly "Just go, I got this"

Willow nodded and scurried out the back door heading for the trailer.

Daryl walked over to one of the pool tables and scattered the balls, making it look like he had been practicing shooting. Grabbing a cue and leaning over the table he took a shot as Joe walked in. Looking up he nodded

"Hey Joe" he said quietly

Joe looked around the bar nervously and then back to Daryl

"You by yourself in here Daryl?"

Daryl nodded

"Yeah, I came in and told your grandson I was looking for you, he shrugged and took off out of here. Figured I'd stick around and wait for you and keep and eye on things, you know keep the riff raff out" Daryl said with a half smile

Joe looked at him suspiciously

"What do you want with me Daryl?" Joe asked quietly

Daryl looked at him and shrugged putting the pool stick down

"I wanted to know if it be alright to do a little hunting on your land. I saw some deer tracks not far from here and they were heading this way. If I get one I'd be happy to split it with you."

Joe eyed Daryl warily

"So you waited all this time to ask me that? The engine on your bike is pretty cold"

Daryl had to think quickly...this old man was smart and it would be hard to fool him. Daryl grinned at him sheepishly

"Well...I did already track some through the woods today. I figured I'd take a look first to see if I could find any fresh tracks...if I didn't see any, I didn't want to bother you with asking. I found some though, I think there's a couple of them."

Daryl held his breath hoping he'd buy it...it really hadn't been a lie, he had tracked for awhile, he just got a little sidetracked seeing a naked girl swimming in the lake.

Joe nodded

"Yeah Daryl, that's fine. I'm not even sure what I own as far as land wise so you're welcome to go wherever. Not really my place to tell you where you can or can't hunt"

Joe said quietly

Daryl shrugged his shoulders slightly

"I didn't know if maybe you had been tracking them already...didn't want to poach potential food off your table...figured I'd ask first. Hey you know, just for being cool with this, I'm making a run to in a few days and I'll see what I can grab for you. I'm going to look for some building supplies, trying to fix the old shack up a lil"

Joe looked at Daryl with surprise.

"So you boys plan on sticking around for a little while?"

Daryl could tell Joe wasn't exactly pleased with this thought. He knew he probably wouldn't mind him coming around but Merle...Merle was a whole different story. Not many liked Merle or having him around. Daryl shrugged his shoulders again.

"You never know with Merle" he said softly "But I'd like to...especially if I can get the place fixed up. Not much out there that's good anymore anyway, might as well find ya a spot and hunker down...know what I mean?"

Joe nodded. He understood that completely.

"Alright Daryl I'm good with you hunting around here, I wouldn't mind me a couple of venison steaks, but I gotta get the bar ready to open though so I'll talk at ya later"

Daryl nodded

"Yeah, I suppose I should probably find out what Merle is up to. See you later."

Daryl quickly left breathing a sigh of relief once he was out the door. He had bought it...not that it was really a lie, he did plan on hunting some deer. He just didn't bother telling him what else he was planning on hunting and taking for his own.