Chapter 2: Both of Us

William Hayes had very few material possessions left, in this new world he didn't value the things he used to. If before the walkers someone asked him what his favorite object he owned was he probably would have said his truck, now his truck was just transportation. It was simply a way for his family to get from point A to B safely.

One of his favorite things wasn't even something he brought to the cabin. It was Becca his wife whose sentimental nature won over even during a crisis. She brought a picture taken on the day of their wedding. In it she was wearing a beautiful ivory simple lace wedding dress and he was wearing his Marine dress blues. They were arm in arm on the steps of their church smiling towards the camera. It now sat on the mantle above the fireplace. It was a reminder of the old world. He looked at his sister and Daryl and knew they probably would never get to have a day like theirs. He couldn't imagine Daryl in a tuxedo anyway, it also didn't change the fact that he was now his brother through marriage or not. Billy liked how their picture made the cabin feel more like their home.

They had already removed all the old pictures and they could now hang their own even if it was only one. There was an old Polaroid camera in the Airstream they found while getting all their stuff out to move into the cabin. While they were running for their lives from the Walkers they wouldn't have had an opportunity to use it. Now that they were settled Becca had taken up recording little moment and their family photo collection had grown to include three additional pictures. There was a picture of Sandy sitting on Daryl lap a rare moment with both of them smiling on the porch. Another was of Daryl asleep holding a sleeping Jamie on his chest. The last was of himself, Becca and Abby the night she was born. Becca had taken one of the old frames and put all the new pictures in it making a collage. It sat proudly on the mantle next to their wedding portrait.

Billy's second favorite thing was his bow. His father was an avid hunter and outdoorsman and he idolized him wanting to be like him in every way. He got his first rifle at seven and soon after he wanted to learn to bow hunt too. He entered local competitions and his old room had several trophies noting his marksmanship. On his fifteenth birthday he received the compound bow he used to this day. He would always be grateful to his sister for having shot his father, because he didn't know if he would have had it in him to do it.

Billy knew he wanted to be a Marine since he was five years old just like his father and grandfather. The day he got to Parris Island was one of the happiest of his life, the beginning of the same journey taken by his father and all the Marines before him. Boot camp, the Crucible, and SOI were all grueling but worth it. He knew he had to prove himself worthy of calling himself a Devil Dog. Another one of his most treasured possessions and reminder of his old life were his dog tags, he never took them off. Hayes, W AB-, 564230912, USMC L, Baptist. If he were to die now they wouldn't serve the purpose of identifying him. There was no family to contact, no knock on the door, no playing of Taps or folded flag. But he was still a Marine, would be 'till the day he died and the dog tags helped him remember that. They helped him stay strong during the most agonizing moments, his training helping him keep his family alive and gave him the will to overcome any obstacle.

Daryl didn't have any in the way of people he called friends. He had had Merle of course but he was his brother and an ass. Getting used to Billy was different to say the least. He knew the boy looked up to him for his skills, but also seemed to genuinely enjoy his company whether they were hunting or just shootin' the shit together. It took him awhile to get used to this fact that another guy wanted to befriend him but now that he was around him every day Billy was starting to grow on him.

Having a girlfriend on the other hand was frightening, he knew that he had a great thing going with Sandy and he just didn't want to screw it up. This is where Billy, even being just a boy, was a big help. Sometimes he would make Sandy upset or sad and he had no idea why, and Billy would usually give the reason or tell him how to find out. Being that Sandy was his sister and that he had himself been in a relationship for years gave Billy more knowledge in the relationship arena.

Looking after Jamie was both terrifying and calming. Daryl always feared what would happen to Jamie and Sandy if Walkers got him, but when that little boy called him his daddy the joy overcame the fear. He could die tomorrow but they all could, he was learning to enjoy the little happy moments he got. Like tucking him into bed telling him good night, simple things he never got as a child. He knew this new world was to be feared but he never wanted Jamie to fear him, like he did his father. He knew he wasn't some abusive drunk, but he always feared it was in him. It was Sandy that helped to quell his fears, reminding him that he wasn't his father or brother but his own man complete and whole. That he was a loving father and constant provider to a boy and woman that loved him.

A/N: This was just a short character piece hope you liked it. Next chapter up soon!

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Special thanks to: isopt, animefangirl0219, booklover161904, Emberka-2012, gypsy79 for following, favoriting, and reviewing!

Isopt: I'm tryin'! LOL

Emberka-2012: Thanks, he's now their leader he needs to keep them optimistic even under stressful situations. And he's a softie when it comes to kids.