Chapter 3 - Speak Now

Leah followed Shane and Rick towards a open plain where a few vehicles were parked.

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle was off to one side and the first man who she'd met when he'd aimed his crossbow at her stood beside it. His face was emotionless and she was beginning to think it was a common look for him.

'This is Dale's RV. It holds Andrea, Carol, her daughter Sophia and...'

'Glenn. Nice to meet someone else who hasn't ended up walker food.' Glenn offered his hand and Leah shook it with a smile.

'Leah, nice to meet you.' The Korean teenager returned her smile and gestured to the rest of the camp who was scattered randomly. Some where paying attention to the new addition and some where more interested in their own business.

It wasn't long before Leah was introduced to everyone and she found a blossoming friendship beginning in Carol and Glenn. She wasn't entirely keen on Andrea although the blonde woman seemed more preoccupied on something personal to herself. She was very curled into herself and Leah couldn't help but notice she was probably only a year younger than her and she'd never seen someone look so vulnerable.

Leah was sat with most of the camp around a small fire they'd built. Her ankle was bandaged but it didn't do much good - it was the ligaments that were most likely torn not an actual flesh wound.

She'd been very polite considering they were giving her food and water but she still smelt bad and was surprised none of the younger ones had mentioned it yet.

Although she'd heard Carl say to his mother he wanted to move away.

It was always warmer in the afternoon and Leah felt herself cringe when she felt herself begin to sweat again. Yep, like that will help the smell of you already, she told herself cruelly.

'Do you think I could bathe somewhere?' She asked aloud and the conversation stopped.

There was uncomfortable shifting among the men but Leah wasn't embarassed and only flashed a smile at Carol who led her to a small lake they'd found a few hours ago. The open plain of field wasn't safe enough to build camp but it would do for now.

Leah was just happy to get herself together.

Washed and smelling a little outdoorsy, Leah attempted to have a conversation with someone. She didn't know whether or not these people were very good conversationalists, she wasn't even sure if she was welcome yet even though they'd been more than friendly enough but her attention was distracted when she heard a curse word followed by a mechanical grunt.

Daryl Dixon loved his crossbow and more often than not, it worked just fine. It was handy, useful and quick to take down walkers and mammals.

But sometimes, it just wouldn't do what he wanted. And that led to a serious disagreement only a man and his weapon would know about so when Leah decided to approach him, he wasn't in the best of moods for company.

'Are you okay there?'

'Just fine.'

His blunt response usually made the campers scurry back to safety within their friends but Leah only smiled and shook her head, 'you sure?'

Daryl threw his crossbow on the ground and almost flinched with a strange sense of guilt when it clanged against the stony, muddy floor. 'Look, ya new around here so I'll tell you what's up.'

Leah found this scene exhillirating and running a hand through her still wet hair, she braced herself for something she'd find amusing later on. Daryl continued, 'people round here don't talk to me, alright?'

'Why does nobody talk to you?'

The hunter didn't reply straight away but Leah knew he would answer and so kept quiet and waited patiently for him.

'I don't talk to them.'

Thinking about this for a minute, Leah couldn't help but notice how talkative he seemed. He seemed ready to talk now. He didn't come across as the kind of person who didn't have an opinion. She asked, 'but why don't you talk to them?'

Daryl wasn't used to these kinds of questions and again, waited to gather his thoughts before he answered her.

'I have nothing to say to 'em.'

Leah stifled a laugh but Daryl saw the smile and couldn't help the twitch in his lips as he picked his bow up off the floor and checked it over for damage. Satisfied, he drew the bolt back again and this time, it worked perfectly.

Glancing at Leah who was still watching him, arms across her chest and a small twinkle in her eyes, he sighed. He wasn't beginning to hate the girl which was new for him and she'd actually spoken to him because she wantedto.

That was definitely new.

The setting sun was disappeared now and the evening was alive with birds and grass creatures. 'Ya should probably find out where yer sleepin'.'

Rick had told her earlier she'd possibly be more comfortable in the RV considering the space in there and she realized now she was tired. Stretching her arms over her head, Daryl resisted the urge to watch.

She was pretty. Prettier nowshe'd bathed and eaten.

It had been a while since any of the males except Rick had let out sexual frustration and while Daryl usually didn't think about it as much as Shane did, he couldn't ignore the voice in his head every once and while to check out a female in the camp. Although most of them really were not his type.

Thinking about it, nor was Leah whose lips were actually moving and he hadn't been paying attention.

'Were you listening to me?' Leah asked, she wasn't irritated. The smile on her lips was contagious but Daryl fought it.

'No.'

Leah huffed, 'where do you sleep? The RV?'

For the strangest reason, Daryl felt embarassed when he realized she didn't actually sleep anywhere. He dozed leaning on his bike... On the floor.

Misunderstanding his silence, Leah asked, 'well are you tired now? Because I am and I'm going to head over there.'

Daryl didn't want to tell her he didn't sleep in the RV. But he couldn't start now because one of the group members would point it out and he'd feel even more
embarassed. He didn't even know why the hell he couldn't tell the damned girl he didn't sleep anywhere.

'I'll keep watch. I'll be there later.' Daryl half lied and shrugged her 'night' off with only a nod of his head.

Taking his crossbow in hand once more, he looked at the sky. The swirls of grey mixed with blue made his eyes tired and his body slumped. And that night, he lay asleep on the ground thinking of his brothers disappearance and the short haired brunette who spoke to him.

Author's Note: So, my birthday is next Saturday so I may or may not have a chapter up until Sunday 16th - I hope you guys don't mind.
Also, a big thank you to everyone who is reviewing so far, I honestly didn't expect this story to be so popular considering it's moving at snail pace. I apologize for that but I don't want to rush things. I'm a single girl too so I know that love doesn't happen with a click of a finger and I want Leah to relate to all you girls out there :-)
I'm sorry this is so short too "/

Hope I'm doing okay?

~ Ello Harley

NEXT UPDATE: Next weekend.
PREVIEW: Daryl and Leah exchanged a short look with eachother and both fought the urge to laugh at Glenn's mistake. When the Korean boy had finally scurried off with his head bowed in slight shame,
Leah turned to face the hunter and caught his eyes.
'Whut?'
'Nothing.' She answered and was determined to keep his gaze a moment longer.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Walking Dead. I only own Leah Hanson (and any family and friends she may mention.)