Disclaimer: I own nothing but Valise and some plot.

CHAPTER 4

As my black Lincoln Navigator came into view, a twig snapped to my left. We froze collectively turning in the direction. Weapons raised and ready for a walker.

"Rocky. Go get it." My companion instantly shot off into the woods to go see what the source of the noise was. As we waited, I motioned the guys over to my truck.

"Sorry about the lack of seats in the back. I had to take them out to make space. But Merle I'm sure you will be comfy back there."

"Why I gotta get in the damn caboose?"

"Because I said so. Daryl has to give me directions to the prison so he rides shot gun."

Merle mumbled something about controlling women as he climbed into the back of the truck. I went to get into the driver's side when a hand touched me on the shoulder. I turned to look into the handsome face of Daryl Dixon.

"Uh uh Princess. I'm driving." I stared at him in disbelief.

"No. I'm driving. This is my truck."

"It will be faster if I just drive instead of having to give yer' directions."

"Well tough cause you're not driving. Besides I got the keys," I smirked. Instead of rebutting me or moving to go around to the passenger's seat, he took a step closer into my personal space. I could smell him. He smelt of forest, musk, and smoky wood along with something else that I guess was just uniquely him. I never thought I would find such a strange combination attractive. He continued moving into my personal space until we were an inch apart. If I breathed heavy our chest would touch. His unreable features stared down into mine. My breath hitched in my throat as he reached his hand up to touch my face then his hand slowly wondered down my neck, lightly caressing my collar bone. His fingers pushed the straps of my tank top and bra off. By this point I was so turned on that I was barely aware of the sound of the keys falling out of my bra. One of his larger hands caught them before they could hit the ground. He leaned forward and whispered near my ear.

"I'm driving…get in the car darling."

His words were like a bucket of cold water. I glared at him in disbelief.

"You jackass!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm a bad man. Now get yer' ass in the car so we can go."

We looked up just in time to see Rocky heading towards us dragging something.

Daryl whistled in appreciation. Rocky had killed a deer.

"Well I'll be damned. Might be some hope for you after all mutt."

I rolled my eyes before moving to help Daryl put the deer in the back once we checked it over to make sure there were no walker bites on it. Rocky joined in the back as well.

Merle half heartedly complained about having to hold the deer carcass in his lap. But I reminded him that he would want to eat later and needed to shut his trap. Surprisingly, he listened.

We arrived to our destination in about twenty minutes time. What greeted us, had me reaching for my knives. To our left I could see a man trapped on the outside struggling with walkers. He looked to be out of ammo. Before Daryl can finally put the truck in park, I jumped out the car and take off in a dead run toward the man. Even with all my training I know I probably won't reach him in time, so I stop and throw one of my knives. It quickly covers the distance embedding into the walker the man was struggling with. I continue my run towards the man. I faintly hear Daryl and Merle's footsteps behind me. Wishing for my bow, I make due with two of my hunting daggers. As I finally reach the man, I toss him a knife from out of one of my boots.

He nods in appreciation as we continue killing walkers. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel like I'm in my element. Doing what I was born to do. Kill things. Pulling my dagger out of one walker before plunging it into the head of another, I smile as I glance over my shoulder. The Dixon brothers are working their way through a group of walkers as well. I notice the man I loaned my knife to is holding his own as well. These men are fighters. Good.

As the last of the herd of walkers falls lifelessly to the ground. I look around for Rocky. When I inquire where he is. Daryl smirks.

"Don't worry. I left yer' mutt in the truck. Didn't want him trying to play hero and end up getting bit."

I smile at him for being considerate of me by keeping Rocky out of harm's way.

"Don't look at me like I'm some kind of saint. I just didn't want to have to listen to yer' whining about him if he had to be put down."

I roll my eyes in reply. The man who I ran to assist, walks up to us.

"Thanks for saving me. I was in a bind without any ammo. Daryl, who's your friend?"

"Friend? More like a nuisances. Hell what is yer' name. You never did give it."

I chuckled as the three men look at me expectingly.

"Valise. My name is Valise Times."

The man stuck his hand out.

"I'm Rick Grimes. You've come just in time. Please, you're welcome to stay with us."

"Thanks. I appreciate it."

"Alright children. Playtime is over. Let's get back inside the fence."

At the sound of Merle's voice, Rick frowns before looking to Daryl.

"He can't stay here. Not after what he did to Glenn."

Daryl frowns. I look at the three men, remaining silent. Not quite sure how this will end.

"I meant what I said. I won't stay without my brother."

This time Rick frowns as he looks back and forth between Daryl and Merle.

"Alright. But he goes in a cell until further notice." Daryl nods.

"Deal."

"Now wait just one damn second," Merle interjects. I can sense that Rick is serious about his conditions with Merle and if the older Dixon doesn't watch himself, he'll have to leave.

"Merle. Shut up." Our eyes meet and he must have read the silent warning in mine because he gives a small growl and stalks off toward the prison.

Rick, Daryl, and I follow behind him at a slower pace.

All too soon, I'm standing in front of a group of people. Rick makes with the introductions. I can tell from the way he carries himself that he is the leader.

"Valise, this is Hershel, he's our resident medic." I take in the older man on crutches with kind eyes and smile. I have a good feeling about him.

"It's nice to meet you." He returns my smile.

"Valise my dear, thank you for helping us by saving Rick." I blush under the praise. I'm not used to getting gratitude from others for doing what I trained a good part of my life to do, kill.

"It was nothing."

Rick then went on to introduce me to the rest including his son, Carl and his daughter Judith. My heart went out to them when they explained how they lost Lori, Rick's wife. At the sound of a fight, we all turned to see a woman fighting off a large group of walkers out in the field. As they all looked on, I walked over to my truck which had been brought within the safety of the fences. Rocky instantly jumped out and ran over to assess the new group of people. I could feel Daryl's eyes on me as I opened the rear door and searched through my weapons chest. Brandishing a black handled katana, I closed the trunk and made my way out into the field. Leaving Rocky with the new group of people safely behind the fence. I made sure it was secure behind me as I move further into the yard. By this point I can feel all eyes on me.

Not wasting any time. I moved through the field and began taken out walkers.

Kick, behead, stab in brains, repeat.

Once I got into a rhythm, I made quick work of what seemed like an endless number of walkers. By the time the last walker dropped, my once white outfit was covered in dirt and walker guts.

"You're one of them."

At the sound of the woman's voice, I turned to face her.

"One of who?"

Her features were harsh, eyes harden from life experiences. I was grateful to have had Sarah and James to keep myself from growing that cold.

"One of the Red Regime."

I stiffened at her words.

"How do you know about the Red Regime?"

"Because my father was a member of the council."

Wow. I never thought I would see any other council member ever again after this apocalypse hit.

"What's your name?"

"Michonne…you?

"Valise."

"It's good that you are here. There is a war about to begin and these people will need all the help they can get."

A war? I would have to have a talk with Rick or maybe even Daryl later about this. For now we needed to secure this yard again. Turning to look back at the group standing behind the fence I yell.

"So are you all going to stand there all day or are you going to help secure this gate?"

Daryl, Rick, and Glen all rushed down to help secure the gate. Taking a hold of the falling piece of fence as me and Michonne continued killing walkers as they filed into the yard.

I briefly heard Daryl murmur something along the lines of. "Damn woman is like the terminator." I shook my head, as my blade impaled into a walker's skull. With our efforts, we managed to re-secure the yard before night fall. By the end of the day, all I wanted to do was change out of these bloody clothes and sleep. After grabbing my duffle bag of clothes and personal items, I locked my truck. We all agreed to come unload in the morning. As the group made their way inside with me and Michonne carrying up the rear. I stopped as an all too familiar hand touched my shoulder. I looked into Daryl's eyes questioningly. Michonne had stopped as well. I gave her a subtle nod to go ahead inside. Rocky followed behind her.

Alone, I waited for him to speak. Fortunatly I didn't have to wait too long.

"What the hell are yer'?"

"I'm a black woman. Approximately twenty-five years old, with a dog named Rocky. You?"

"Don't be a smartass. I wanna know how you were able to clear out that field by yourself."

"Michonne helped." I argued. I was trying my best to avoid answering. I knew I would come clean about being the slayer eventually but I was too tired to do it tonight.

"Look. Daryl. I no offense, but I just met you. I don't exactly go around sharing my story with every person I meet. Just know I am not a threat to this group alright? I mean hell look at me! I look like a walking tampon! Can we please talk about this later?"

"Fine. But don't think I'll forget. Come on kotex, I'll show you to the showers and get you a cell."

I couldn't help but laugh at his sense of humor and be thankful that I had dodged the questions for now. As we went inside, the light banter continued between us and I couldn't help but think how much better he looked when he smiled instead of the scowl he liked to sport so much. I found myself wanting to be the one to make him smile more often. Oh boy Sarah was going to pick on me about this one. I could practically hear the redneck jokes now.

Author's Note: Well they've made it to the prison.