Chapter Two
While they had been enjoying a quite delectable breakfast, which was surprising after Dave nearly burnt it to a crisp, Daryl had asked him out of the blue if he'd like to accompany him and a few others on a supply run which would be leaving in a short while.
Dave looked at him, nodding straight the way as though it didn't take a second for him to think about it before asking, "Does Rick know anything 'bout this?"
Daryl shook his head and shrugged, "Nah, came to you first."
Daryl was right to do so of course, but it wasn't like Rick made all of his decisions for him. He was just looking out for him and Carl, which was common-sense as he was both his husband, Carl's Dad and was the sheriff back in the day. It was one of the qualities that Dave grew to love about him over the years.
"He's not going to like it, that's for damn sure, but it's about time I get to stretch my legs, doncha think? Haven't left the prison since our last visit to Woodbury," Dave replied, not looking forward to telling Rick that he'd decided to go on the next supply run with Daryl and the others, but at the end of the day, he was his own person and, as much as he loved him, Rick needed to step back and allow him to do his own thing.
"You know he's gonna use that against you, right? We nearly lost you back there, if it weren't for Andrea and her sharpshooting skills."
Dave remembered that as clear as day, and would probably remember that to his grave. He had somehow, he still couldn't remember how, managed to separate himself from Rick and the others, and found himself not only overrun by the walkers, but also pinned down by some of the Governor's men. By rights, he shouldn't have made it out of there alive, but Lady Luck was definitely on his side.
And by "Lady Luck", Dave actually meant Andrea and her impeccable sharpshooting skills with her sniper rifle, which have been improving remarkably over the passing months since her first training session back on Herschel's farm.
Ever since, he'd been trying to repay her for saving his life, but she kept on telling him that he needn't, just that she was extremely glad that she arrived when she did.
"I know, I know he does it out of love for me, but he's going to have to learn to back off a little, you know. Allow me to have some space and besides, he has nothing to worry about when I know you've got my back." Dave started to laugh when Daryl waved him off, "Someone has to watch out for ya. Don't know what kinda trouble ya'll be getting yourself into."
Dave stood up from the chair, patting Daryl on the shoulder as he smiled down at him, "Yeah, yeah…I'm gonna head inside and get myself ready. Shouldn't take me long."
It took him a little longer to get ready than he first anticipated, actually starting to get a little anxious about going back out into the world after being cooped up in this place for so long.
But he needed this. He knew that for definite, but at the same time, he was scared shitless. What if he went out on this supply run and got himself killed or worse…bit? If that ever occurred, he didn't want Rick or Carl to see him like them.
He wanted them to remember how he was now, not as those things that were constantly hounding the fence surrounding the front of the prison.
He suddenly shook his head, as though it would shake that awful feeling away, before shoving the rest of his essentials in his backpack.
It was then that Andrea made her appearance, a knowing look on her face as she entered his and Rick's cell, her arms wrapped around her chest.
"I don't want to hear it, Andrea. I'm going, and that's final." He replied, hooking his backpack over his shoulder, ready to leave when he heard Andrea's voice answer him, "I'm not here to stop you, Dave, or give you a pep talk. I just wanted to catch you before you left to say be careful. Rick's going to have your hide, but I don't suppose that'll be the least of your worries."
Dave nodded, "I know, and he will. He might not understand it, but I need to do this. I need to show him and everyone else that I'm quite capable of looking out for myself. It's like…since Woodbury, everyone's been looking out for me and, I thank them for the kind gesture, but I know how to look after myself. Hell, I looked after myself and Carl back when we thought Rick was still in his coma."
Andrea approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder, a meaningful gesture, "I know exactly how you feel Dave. Remember, I've also walked a similar path when Amy was…killed by the walkers. I'll admit, it's frustrating as hell, having people worry about you every damn day, but you start to realize that it's better to have them watch your back than have yourself watch your own. We don't do it because of what happened in Woodbury or because we have to…we do it because we want to. We may not be much, but we're a family Dave and family always comes first no matter what."
It took a moment for Andrea's words to sink in before a smile was etched on Dave's face, "I thought you said you weren't going to give me a pep talk?"
Andrea smiled back, "It kinda…slipped out, but the way you're thinking at the minute, you needed to hear it."
"Thank you," Dave replied, double checking that he had everything that he needed for the trip before uttering, "You always have the right thing to say to brighten up my spirits."
"Well…like I said, we're family. Just think of me as your big sister looking out for you."
The mention of his big sister caused Dave's smile to dissipate, a look of fear mixed with worry fixed on his young face as he thought of his sister, sisters, his twin brother and, of course, his parents. To be honest, he hadn't thought about them for a while, but he still had this feeling that they were still alive…wherever they were and that someday, he, Rick and Carl will see them again.
Andrea spotted this and immediately apologized, but Dave rebuffed it, "There's nothing to be sorry for, Andrea. I have a feeling that they may still be alive, but until I see them with my own two eyes, I can only speculate…and hope." He then smiled before adding, "I'd best be going. Sooner we get this done, the sooner I can get back."
"Just…be careful."
"I will," he uttered before finally leaving the cell, Andrea turning around to watch him go, a feeling of doubt washing over her as she started to wonder if she was right in letting him go. It soon past…Dave had proven himself time and again that he was quite capable of looking after himself, besides which he had some of the best people going who could look out for him.
With his packed bag over his shoulder, Dave ventured back outside just as he sheathed "Rambo", a survival knife he'd nicknamed because it had some similarities to one used throughout the Rambo film trilogy, into its scabbard which was strapped around his thigh. A very good weapon whenever you run out of bullets.
Heading to the rendezvous point he could see that those of them who were tagging along were already there loading in what they needed for the trip, just waiting for him and whoever was coming with.
Out of the bunch he could see, the gang consisted of Daryl, Bob, Zach, Sasha and Tyreese. Bob had been found by Glenn and Daryl on a supply run a couple of weeks ago walking by himself. He seemed legit, and he being a former army medic was an added bonus to the group. Since his arrival, he had been earning his keep and seemed to prove quite useful.
Zach was Beth's boyfriend, having hit it off a couple of weeks ago after he'd arrived at the prison with the other survivors who were living in Woodbury. He wasn't involved in the Governor's first assault on the prison nor was he involved when Rick and a few others infiltrated Woodbury in order to rescue their friends.
He was a good guy in Dave's book, not many of them around except for those living with them in the prison, and just like Bob was always eager to pull some of the weight.
"So…are we all suited up and ready to go?" Dave asked, chucking his backpack into the back of one of the cars as Sasha answered with a nod.
"You not coming with, Glenn?" Dave asked, surprised that their main supply runner wasn't tagging along this time.
"Nah," he shook his head, "Me and Maggie thought it best that we sit this one out. We've both been taking it in turns these last few runs, thought it might be nice to just take a backseat this time, you know?"
Dave nodded, "I don't blame you. You both certainly earned it. All right then, let's get this show on the road," he replied, heading over to Daryl's bike whose owner was just about to cock his leg over to sit down when Dave cleared his throat to grab his attention.
"Yeah?"
"Oh, I just remember a certain someone promising me my first ride on their motorbike whenever the chance occurred and I can safely say that this counts as one of those chances," he replied with a big grin etched on his chops.
Daryl shook his head, returning Dave's grin with one of his own, something that he only did on occasion so that was considered a bonus, before he nodded with his head for Dave to climb on.
The younger man did, still with a smile on his face, as he secured himself by wrapping his arms around Daryl's mid-section, the man uttering back, "Don't be getting too comfortable…Rick might get jealous."
"In your dreams…" Dave quipped as Daryl started up his bike and proceeded to lead the others out of the prison, the rest of the group following in two cars that were still in relatively good condition.
As they follow the road pass through the first gate into the front of the prison where they grew the crops and kept the animals, Daryl and Dave noticed that Michonne had returned from "scouting" for the Governor, conversing with Rick while passing Carl a comic-book she must've found on her travels.
Him and his comic-books….at least it'll keeps him out of trouble I suppose, Dave mulled to himself as Daryl stop just short of the two, staring at them as they approached, the look on Rick's face Dave knew meant that he wasn't happy with this arrangement.
"Well look who's back." Daryl replied.
"Didn't find him." She replied simply, Daryl catching the look of disappointment on her face as she said it, as well as Dave and Rick did.
"Just glad that you're back in one piece." Daryl added.
"Been thinkin' about lookin' near Macon." She added, seeing the look on their faces, "What? It's worth a shot."
"Between 70 miles of walkers. You might bump into a few unsavoury types along the way. Is it?" Daryl asked, proving a rather valid point, Michonne both not liking those odds and the fact that he could be there. Waiting. Planning his next move against them for what they did.
"Dave, can I speak to you for a minute?" Rick asked out of the blue, Dave knowing this would come as he climbed off of Daryl's bike toward the animal pen where Rick stood to talk to him.
"Rick, before you say anything, I just like to say that it's my choice to go along with Daryl and the others, and there's nothing you can do to change my mind."
"I know," Rick nodded, a small smile on his face as he caressed Dave's cheek, his hand feeling rough from all the hard labour he'd endured, with the help of Dave and others, in making the animal pens for the pigs and a place for Flame, Michonne's horse, to stay as well as growing the crops, "Just be careful, I know you're quite capable of looking after yourself, I know that, but after what happened…just keep an extra eye out, don't know what might happen."
Dave was completely astonished. He wasn't expected that coming from a man who would rather throw himself in front of a bullet for those he loved than let them face the music.
"Wow…erm, wasn't really…expecting that," Dave finally uttered, earning a pat on the shoulder and a smile from Rick, "You may think that I'm being slightly overprotective, being your husband and all, but can you blame me? After what had happened to us, particularly our family, since all this shit began? You can decide whatever it is you want to do whether it be joining in on the supply runs or checking the perimeter or clearing out some of the walkers off the fence. Just allow me to convince you if you're making a good choice or a bad one."
Dave nodded his head, "Sure, you are my husband after all. So with me joining the supply run, I take it you think it's a good choice?"
Rick then pecked his lips before uttering, "Of course I do. It's about time you got to stretch your legs again, get your bearings, and plus you're a doctor. I'm hoping they don't, but they may need your services."
Dave held onto the hand that was currently caressing his cheek and smiled, "Thank you Rick," he then proceeded to kiss Rick back before uttering, "I'll be back before you know it."
Just then Carl came running back from helping Hershel take Flame back into her makeshift stable, wrapping his arms around Dave as best he could, "Daddy, can I come to? I wanna go with you."
Dave smiled down at their little "ray of sunshine", kneeling down so that he was eye-level before replying, "Not this time, champ. I need you to stay here and look after your Dad and the rest of the gang for me while I'm gone, okay? I shouldn't be gone for more than a day or two at the most."
He then embraced Carl, whispering into his ear, "Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it," before eventually letting go, and giving Rick a hug too, kissing him on the cheek also.
With their little talk finished, the three made their way back to the group, Dave climbing back on Daryl's motorcycle who repeated what he'd just told Michonne a few moments ago, "Just telling Michonne that I was thinkin' of taking them to the Big Spot I was tellin' ya about."
Rick nodded, "Yeah, I was thinking about venturing out and checking up on the snares. Make sure that the walkers are not eating what we've caught."
"I'm going with 'em," Michonne said right out of the blue.
"You just got here," Carl replied, sounding disappointed that she was already leaving despite being back for only a couple of minutes.
"And I'll be back," she stated with a smile, making her way to the car occupied by Bob and Zach, taking the back-seat with her katana ever by her side.
Rick and Carl jog up to the gate, Carl sliding it across while Rick stayed close just in case a walker was brave enough to want to try to get in through that way. Some try, but they either get themselves impaled on the pikes situated on either side of the dirt road or get taken care of by whoever was on guard duty.
As the group pass by Carl waved Dave off, his father reassuring him with a smile and a nod before his focus was back on the road, all of them not knowing what was to be fall them in the not-too-distant future…
