Chapter 4

Alex could hardly contain the embarrassment she felt after she closed her front door behind her. She leaned against the cool interior of the door, hoping it would bring some relief to her still red cheeks. She had only hoped to catch a few unnoticed glances at the new people that Aaron had brought back but instead, she had been caught and in the most obvious way possible. She was thankful for Aaron's quick realization and defense for her innocent spying and she noticed that the group seemed to actually believe she was actually just a stupid girl looking for flowers. Except for one. She noticed a few times the man with the longer hair and the leather vest shoot glances her way. Each look from his eyes bore into her the same way a flame quickly melts wax. If it is held there for too long, she would most certainly curl up and melt away. Luckily he would avert his eyes and Alex could continue her rouse of plucking dandelions from the ground while eavesdropping on the group.

Alex pushed herself away from the door and noticed she still had the small yellow flower that Daryl had recovered and brought back over to her. She brought it up to her nose and inhaled the earthy fragrance from the bud. Suddenly, she could remember something she was once told about dandelions. How even though they can be seen as a pest, they resemble a healing of emotional pain and surviving through challenges. Alex turned the wilted flower over in her hand and noticed the bent stem and crumpled flower before tossing it onto her living room coffee table. "I'm going to need more weeds than that to heal." She uttered as it missed the table and fluttered gently to the floor.

Deanna had planned a welcoming party for the new arrivals at Alexandria. Alex was still unsure about being around large groups of people and decided it best to take up Aaron's offer on dinner at his house. She was sick of having little to do in town and was still awaiting Deanna's verdict on extra responsibilities to contribute to the community. Alex glanced out the window of her second story apartment and noticed that the sun was setting. The residents of Alexandria were all walking in the direction of the Monroe home, smiling and laughing with each other as if they didn't have a care in the world. Alex let out a sigh knowing all too well the dangers of this new world beyond the walls.

As she looked on at the happy people below her on the streets, memories began to flood back into her mind.

An envelope of cash hidden in the basement.

Coffee spilled from a red mug.

Running, hiding, then finding a group that evolved into something worse than the dead that preyed on the living. Living that preyed on the living.

Loss.

Alex turned from the window with tears burning her cheeks. She couldn't breathe. The burdens she carried were strangling her with the force of a thousand chains being driven by a stampede of angry horses. She had to get some fresh air. She remembered she was expected at Aaron's house in just a few minutes and tossed on a pair of dark blue jeans and flowy green tank. She wiped the tears from her eyes and splashed cold water from the bathroom sink onto her face. The shock of the cold onto her skin helped soothe her and bring her back to the now. She peered up into the mirror and realized that she could hardly recognize herself anymore. "Maybe that's a good thing." She whispered as she stared into the glossy reflection in front of her.

It wasn't difficult to make friends with Aaron and Eric. They had warm and charming personalities that made her feel comfortable and almost as free spirited as she was before. It had been so long since she had socialized in a normal home setting that she was fearful that she wouldn't be able to do much more than sit and eat her dinner quickly and respectfully before she made an excuse to return to her new home. However, she found herself laughing and joking with her new friends and even lending a hand at preparing the sauce for the spaghetti dinner. Alex was chopping some fresh basil leaves when Aaron decided to tease his new friend.

" Have you seen your boyfriend around here lately, Alex?" Aaron chuckled out. Eric almost spit out his mouthful of wine. Of course she had seen him around. The new group had been in Alexandria for a few days now and she kept finding herself bumping into him. Nothing more than a quiet excuse me or good morning ever passed between them, but when she would walk away she could feel his eyes burning into her.

"Here and there, about the same as everyone else…. and he's not my boyfriend." She playfully tossed a basil leaf at Aaron as he dodged it. "You should talk to him. How long has it been?" Eric asked her in an innocent tone but the devilish look in his eyes implied he meant more than just being in a relationship.

"Ah! Eric!" Alex's cheeks grew a deeper red the longer the question went without an answer.

Aaron quickly quipped, "That means it's been too long."

"Since before." Alex grew quiet as she remembered how long since it had been since she felt a soft, intimate touch. Eric and Aaron felt the change in tone around Alex and Aaron quickly recanted and attempted to draw her back into her eased and playful mood. " Well with a banging body like yours, you can have just about any man you want." He came up behind her and grabbed her in a giant hug. Eric began flinging bits of his wine in their direction in response. "You two better cool off before you turn Aaron full hetero!" They all let out a laugh as they carried dishes of food and placed them onto the table. Eric and Alex took their seats at the table and Aaron quickly realized that they were running low on wine and went to the kitchen to retrieve a new bottle. As he walked out of the dining room, his eyes flicked to a figure walking outside in the dark in the street. Upon closer look, he realized the dark figure was Daryl. He realized that this was a perfect time to talk to him about what he and Deanna had discussed about what kind of role that they hoped he would become in the community. It suddenly dawned on Aaron that Alex was just in the other room, and that this would be an opportune time for something else as well…

Eric had just plopped a large helping of the steamy pasta and marinara onto Alex's plate when Aaron returned with more than just a bottle of merlot. Standing behind him was the man that had the piercing blue eyes that Alex swore could see straight through her. Her comfort zone vanished the minute he nodded in her direction and was replaced with a feeling she hadn't felt in what felt like years. She felt nervous but not in a way that mad her uneasy. Daryl's presence made her feel a plethora of things that she herself could not understand. Alex's heart began to race and she shifted herself in her seat as Aaron cleared his throat to speak. " Daryl was passing by and I figured that we could use one more for our little dinner soiree. Alex, you've met Daryl?" Alex and Aaron caught eyes and she could make out the slightest hint of a grin perking up at the corners of his mouth and a tint of devilish glee in his eyes. He winked at her as he motioned for Daryl to sit at the table as Eric loaded a plate for the new guest.

"Yes, we've met." Alex felt her cheeks flush as he sat down directly across from her and she realized that there would be no way to avoid him. She did her best to hide her anxiousness and proceeded to scoop the steamy pasta into her mouth in hopes that she wouldn't have to talk as much if her mouth was full of food.

Daryl didn't care much for interaction with new people, hence the reason he opted to skip the party at the Monroe's but he wasn't about to turn away a meal. When he walked into Aaron's house and he caught sight of Alex sitting at the table, he couldn't help to notice that all of a sudden the palms of his hands were beginning to feel moist.

After dinner, Aaron and Daryl disappeared into the garage and Alex let out a sigh of relief just as Eric burst into a fit of laughter. He turned towards Alex and could not resist. "Oh boy aren't you in for some trouble! He could hardly keep his eyes off of you." Alex couldn't help but notice that when she looked at Daryl that he was already looking at her. Something was there between them but she could not place. Some sort of tension that she could nearly feel in the air between them.

"He doesn't even know me Eric. I'm not sure that he would even want to. It's been so long…" Eric placed a hand on her arm to reassure her. "Hush. You're amazing." His words soothed her and she genuinely knew that him and Aaron cared about her. Since she arrived in Alexandria, they were both there to help her transition into her new life there and she had done so surprisingly well. She finished off her glass of wine and felt her head swimming a little. She sat back into her chair and closed her eyes. "We'll see, Eric." As soon as she began to relax into her wine induced tipsiness, Aaron and Daryl were back inside. Alex looked outside and realized how dark it was and that she should go ahead and make her way home before the party at the Monroe's had ended. She cleared her throat before she stood to announce her departure. "I've had such a great night. Thank you both for having me over. I should probably head.. Oh!" Alex stumbled a bit before a strong hand caught her by the waist and helped her upright to balance her. She turned expecting to see Aaron but instead came face to face with Daryl. Once again, blood rushed to her chest and face and this time, there was no hiding her embarrassment by the close proximity to him. He smelled of dirt and woods and something else. She quickly straightened herself and they both made a distance between each other after having been so close but there was still a warm static occupying the space between them.

Eric blushed as he caught eyes with Aaron and it was as they both felt the heat from the other side of the room. Aaron cleared his throat, "How about a drink before you go Alex? No need to rush off. You too, Daryl. You are both welcome to stay as long as you like." Aaron had a terrible poker face and Eric could see that he was just as curious as he was about the odd tension flying between Alex and Daryl.

Alex decided she better head home before she made a bigger fool of herself. She couldn't bear the thought of embarrassing herself in front of Daryl again. It has been a long time since she felt feelings for anyone. She didn't even know Daryl, but there was something about him that drew her to him. "I would love to guys, it's just getting late and I really need to head home. I'm meeting with Deanna and Reg tomorrow morning." Alex felt a bit of regret deciding to leave early. Mostly because she knew it would also mean cutting time away from Daryl. As nervous as she was around him, she realized that it was a different type of nervous. She felt heat. A longing when she saw him. She stood and hugged Aaron and Eric before she turned to leave. She stepped out onto the front porch and shivered when she felt a cool breeze flutter up her arms. She crossed her arms against her chest and started to make her way down the stairs to the sidewalk before she heard the front door open again behind her. Standing there in the darkness was Daryl. Once again, they caught eyes and the cold she once felt was replaced by a warmth under her skin, but she still had goosebumps rise onto her flesh. He made his way down the stairs only pausing to light a cigarette. He came to stand beside her. "Aaron asked me to make sure ya got home alright. He didn't want you drunk and passed out in a gutter." Damn it Aaron. She was sure they were meaning well but frankly she was scared to death of messing something up. She didn't want to come on strong and she didn't want to blow anything either by coming off as distant or snobby. "I'm not drunk, I just tripped." She smiled so he would know she was being friendly and not defensive.

He noticed her bare arms and quickly removed his leather jacket to offer her. She turned away from him so she could out her arms into the jacket and Daryl couldn't help but to notice the smooth skin on her back. As she moved in front of him, he caught a whiff of perfume or soap she must have used. She smelled of vanilla and clean. The warm smell brought a blush to his cheeks that he didn't know he could feel.

Alex nestled into the warmth of the jacket that had just been on Daryl. They began walking in the dark towards her apartment. Many thoughts about Alex crossed into Daryl's mind. Whether she felt the same feeling in Aaron's kitchen when their bodies were pressed together or if she realized the many times they had bumped into each other had been purposeful so he could see her again. His thoughts were soon interrupted. "Do you mind if I have one of those?" She motioned to the cigarette he was holding and quickly he fished one out of his pocket and lit it for her. They walked together in a calm silence. Daryl wanted to make some sort of a move but needed an excuse. Just as soon as it popped into his head, an excuse came about. "It's so dark out I can hardly see." Alex said as she looked into the night sky.

Here's you chance you idiot, don't mess it up. Daryl thought to himself as he lightly grasped Alex's hand. "Here, I'll lead the way to your place. It is dark." She was taken aback when she felt his hand in hers. His hands were warm but rough and smooth at the same time. She laced her fingers with his and allowed him to lead the way.

Once they were at the front door to Alex' apartment they stood there not sure what to do. They continued to hold hands and caught each others eyes once again. She looked all over his face, noting every mark, every feature. She turned away when she realized she must have been staring too long but she still felt his eyes burning into her.

Alex get yourself together. You're grown. You're safe. Stop being so afraid.

Suddenly, without thinking she crushed her lips to his. Allowing the warmth and the static between them to collide into an electrical fire. He stumbled at first but quickly steadied himself and wrapped his arms around her body and pressed back into her. It was as if time didn't exist. In Daryl's mind, there was nothing but her. The wind flew her hair around his face and he squeezed her tighter. He parted his lips and enveloped her mouth into his. A million thoughts swam around his head and nothing at the same time.

Just as soon as the electricity has clashed between them into one, she pulled away from his hold.

"I'm… I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean to… I'm sorry." She stammered through her words in embarrassment and couldn't bring herself to look at him. She quickly slipped his jacket off and shoved it towards him. She quickly ran into her apartment and closed the door, leaving Daryl outside confused, holding his jacket now that smelled of her.