A/N: I do not own The Walking Dead or any of it's characters. All character rights belong to Robert Kirkman and AMC!

This is the first real fan fiction I have ever written. I originally posted it on Wattpad but after discovering the site, I decided to publish it here as well. Be sure to let me know what you guys think, but try not to be too harsh. I'm still learning. Enjoy!

Chapter Four

Daryl's POV

I had been enjoying my conversation with Chey. I had never seen my child before today, but just the words spilling from her mouth told me she was my kid, alright. We were so alike it scared me. Stormi appeared with food as we were talking crossbows. She seemed so impressed and excited about my Scout. I told her she could shoot it if her mama was okay with it. When Stormi looked at her and simply said it was Daddy's call, my heart seemed to leap into my throat. She had lit up like the Fourth of July and my heart swelled up in my chest.

I barely knew this little girl...my little girl...but I knew I loved her already. Just as I knew I still loved her mama. I had to admit, even if not aloud that I was kinda proud and smug that they both carried my last name. Lord knows how many times I had thought of giving Stormi my last name before she was taken away from me.

Things were quiet as we ate. That silence was broken when the wolf had jumped up throwing a fit. I snapped around to look and my heart stopped as dozens of geeks topped the hill. I heard my daughter scream and it brought me to my senses. It seemed to do the same to Stormi cause we both hit our feet. I pulled Cheyenne to her feet and pushed her towards the car. She took off. Stormi yelled at Mikhail and he tore off after Cheyenne. They both dove into the back seat with Stormi and I hot on their heels. She slammed the trunk down as we passed it. Both doors slammed and she tore out, slinging gravel from the shoulder of the road. She was driving recklessly, but handled this beast of a car like a pro. I heard Cheyenne put on her seatbelt and heard her crying. Stormi opened her mouth but I had already twisted around to grab Chey's hand.

"Hey, baby girl, it's okay. You're safe. Mama and I ain't gon' let nothin' happen to ya. I promise. Everythin's gon' be okay." I soothed her as best I could. I was never good with kids, but be damned if I wasn't gonna try. I couldn't bear her crying any more than I could handle her mama's.

She sniffed and gripped my hand in one of hers as she dried her eyes with the other. She looked at me with those big blue eyes that I felt I would never be able to deny. I frowned in my head. When the hell had I become such a sap? Daryl Dixon had never been soft. Yet, I found myself melting over that small hand in mine. Was this what it was meant to be like as a father? Mine had never been this way, and I knew from experience that Stormi's hadn't been either. We had patched each other up often enough to know better. I vowed right then and there to be a better father than mine had ever been towards me and Merle.

I groaned internally as Merle came to mind. I wondered what had happened to him and I could only imagine his reaction when he found out about this. He was gonna have a field day.

I turned to Stormi. She was looking for a place to pass the night. I pondered for a moment before it hit me. "What 'bout Ol' Man Lawson's ol' huntin' cabin? It's got room and it's solid. It ain't far. He always kept it stocked 'cause he hunted every weekend." I suggested. She seemed to consider it before nodding. She turned down a dirt road then a couple miles later pulled up an old trail. It opened out into a huge clearing. The old log cabin sat in the center. It seemed almost deserted until I noticed the old motorcycle sitting near the front steps. I knew the Charger's growling motor echoed in the open clearing so he had to know someone was outside. Sure enough, soon as she cut the car off, the door of the cabin flew open and out stepped Merle. He was tall but kinda heavyset. He had really let himself go the last few years, falling bad into drugs and liquor. He was wearing jeans and a button up open over a dirty white wife-beater. He held a shotgun aimed at the car.

"This here place is taken so ye' just get the hell on outta here, now." he hollered from the doorway. I knew he was crazy enough to fire at the car so I quickly popped the door open.

"Merle, put tha' damn thang away 'fore ya hurt yourself or somebody." I snapped.

He lowered the gun. "Well, now. Looks like baby brother done foun' hisself a sweet new ride. But who ye' got there wit' ya?" he asked. He sounded like he had been drinking again which didn't surprise me. I motioned for Stormi to get out and she motioned for Chey and Mikhail to wait as she opened her door and stood up. She leaned her arm on the top of the car although I knew her other hand was on the handgun at her lower back. I knew she was a quick draw, but I hoped she didn't have to be.

Merle squinted at her before recognition bloomed in his red eyes. "Well I be damned. That's a face I ain't seen in a damn coon's age. Last I heard, you run off." he sneered.

She curled her lip. "I ain't run off. I got taken away." she snarled, which made him laugh.

He put the gun back inside the doorway. "Well, y'all c'mon in. No sense standin' 'round with them geeks on the loose." he smirked

She gave me a nervous glance. I nodded at her and braced myself. She took a deep breath and stepped back. Cheyenne crawled out of her side followed closely by Mikhail. The wolf all but pressed against Chey as Stormi and I shut the doors. We all moved to the front of the car. I knew the moment the sight of Cheyenne hit him.

His eyes went wide and his eyebrows shot up as his mouth hung open. His eyes went from her to me to Stormi then back to me. I just nodded at him. He looked dumbstruck but moved back out of our way as we all entered the cabin.

He started to shut Mikhail out but I slammed my hand against the door and called the big brute inside. He automatically took up a post at the foot of the chair Cheyenne sat in. Stormi hovered behind her, tensed tight as my bowstring. I saw her watching Merle warily and saw her fingers twitch. I knew she hated Merle, but there was nothing I could do besides attempt to control him.

Merle sat in another chair facing us as I moved to Stormi's side. "Somethin' ya need to tell me, baby brother?" he asked. He kept glancing at each of us.

"She's my daughter. And don't go flyin' off th' handle. I just found out myself." I answered.

Stormi's POV

I was against the place as soon as I saw the bike in front. It was emphasized as soon as Merle Dixon stepped out the door with a shotgun pointed at my car, yet before I had time to object, Daryl had confronted him. He motioned me out and I made sure Cheyenne stayed put before stepping out. From their exchange, I could already tell Merle was drunk which made me trust him even less. He called us in and Daryl agreed and I ducked my head inside my car. I called Chey and Mikhail out, being sure to order Mikhail to guard her as I did. They got out and I was glad to see him stick close to her as we shut my doors and I locked them. As we reached the front of my car, Merle spotted Cheyenne and I saw him put two and two together surprisingly quick.

We got inside and Cheyenne went straight to a chair. Merle tried to lock Mikhail out but before I could protest, Daryl intervened. He let him in and Mikhail lay at Chey's feet. I stood next behind her, alert to any sudden or wrong moves from Merle. He tried anything, I was putting a bullet in him. Might not kill him, but he wouldn't be trying nothing else. Daryl stepped up next me and put a hand on Chey's shoulder. She reached up to clasp his hand.

"Somethin' ya need to tell me, baby brother?" asked Merle as he sat down and glanced at each of us.

Daryl quickly claimed Chey and deflected Merle's next question by admitting he hadn't known about her til today. Merle pursed his lips and glared at me. I returned it happily. "I had m' reasons. Now, we need some sleep so if y'all would excuse us, we're gonna go rest." I sneered at Merle. I didn't wait for a reply, but pulled Chey to her feet and led her to one of the two small bedrooms. Mikhail followed closely on our heels. I shut the door. Chey and I kicked off our shoes and I lay my gun and knife on the bedside table. Mikhail curled up on the floor at the foot of the bed as Chey and I climbed into the big bed and curled up under the blankets. I switched of the lamp and within minutes, Chey was snoring softly with her back against my chest. I was nearly asleep when I heard the door open, close, and lock softly. Mikhail started to growl but promptly quit. That was strange for him. I tensed before hearing a knife and belt hit the floor followed by soft curse as the person stumbled into the end of the bed. A moment later, a warm body slid into the other side of the bed.

"It's just me." I heard Daryl whisper softly. He scooted close and threw an arm across us. Chey snuggled closer up against him without even waking up. I smiled as he bent his head to gently kiss the top of hers. I closed my eyes and was drifting off again when I felt slightly rough lips gently touch mine. My eyes flew open and found myself looking into Daryl's blue ones. He watched me. I found myself smiling and I leaned in for another. He smiled and returned it before pulling away and laying his head down. He pulled us both closer and we drifted off to sleep with our daughter nestled between us.

Stormi's POV

I awoke the next morning to bright sunshine filtering in the small window. I turned to reach for Cheyenne and only encountered cold sheets. I bolted upright. I scanned the room. Her shoes were no longer near the door and Mikhail was not curled at the end of the bed.

I flew out of the bed and shoved my feet off into my boots. I grabbed my knife and gun off the bedside table and shoved them in my belt before running out of the room. The cabin was empty so I never slowed as I headed out the front door. As I hit the steps, the light outside blinded me momentarily. I stopped to let my eyes adjust. Voices reached my ears as my eyes took in my car. It appeared untouched, yet as I turned towards the voices, I saw Daryl and Cheyenne. She was holding Daryl's bow so I knew they had been in my trunk, then I spotted my keys glittering at Daryl's hip. I relaxed, knowing she was safe. Daryl would never allow anything to happen to her. I walked towards them.

Cheyenne was holding Daryl's crossbow, aiming at a row of cans sitting on a table brought from inside. The bow was too long for her, yet she was trying with all her little heart. Daryl was giving her a chance, yet he hovered with an adorable smirk on his face, watching if she needed help. She struggled for a moment, but finally leveled the large weapon and squeezed the trigger. My heart swelled with pride as the arrow sailed straight and true, burying itself dead center in the middle can. She beamed and gently placed the bow on the ground. She then turned to run and throw her tiny arms around her dad's waist. He broke into a rare grin and knelt to wrap his arms around her, congratulating her eagerly.

I laughed and clapped. They turned to look at me. Cheyenne grinned again and ran at me. I bent and caught her around the waist, lifting and swinging her around. She burst into excited giggles as I spun her. I finally placed her on her feet so she could catch her breath. I jumped as a hand touched my shoulder. I reacted on instinct, throwing my elbow back into the ribs of the person who grabbed me. I heard a grunt and a whoosh of released breath. I spun to look and found Daryl doubled over.

"Holy shit! I'm so sorry, Daryl! I didn't mean to hurt you. It was a knee-jerk reaction." I exclaimed. I wasn't sure what to do. Cheyenne had her hands over her face, peeking through her fingers.

Daryl's POV

Stormi had been sleeping so peacefully that I couldn't bear to wake her. I waited for Cheyenne to wake up then took her outside. Merle was nowhere to be found. Even his bike was gone. I had picked up Stormi's keys and popped her trunk. I grabbed my Horton Scout HD 125 and a full quiver. I shut the trunk and hooked the keys to my belt loop. I brought out an end table from inside the cabin and found some scattered beer cans Merle had thrown around. I had Cheyenne set them up in a row. She did and came back to stand beside me. I handed her my bow and showed her how to properly load and hold it. She wanted to try on her own so I stepped back and let her try. She had to plant her foot in the curve and pull with all her might to draw the string back. I tried to help but her little hands pushed mine away and I chuckled.

That small gesture reminded me of teaching her mama how to do this very same activity. Stormi had been learning on her favorite compound bow, though. She still had the same old bow, too. I had seen in in the trunk along with a smaller youth compound bow that had to be Cheyenne's. Stormi had been struggling to draw the string back and refused my help in a huff. She had finally gotten the hang of it, and soon was the most accurate shot he had known other than himself.

Cheyenne finally got the string to latch and notched the arrow. She lifted the Scout, struggling a little under its weight and length. I hovered but she was determined to get it. I smirked. She had both mine and Stormi's determination and then some. She finally managed to shift it just right and it steadied and leveled out. She took a slow deep breath, just like Stormi always did before taking a shot, before squeezing the trigger. The arrow sailed clean and true, it sunk into the center of the front can. She put the bow down and ran up to hug me. She was estactic and so proud of herself. I sank to my knees and wrapped my arms around her. I felt my face pull into a rare grin. "Very good! Nice shot! I'm very proud of you. Perfect form, Darlin'." I congratulated her.

I heard a very familiar light laugh and applause. We both turned to see Stormi standing there. I hadn't even noticed her approach, yet she had always had a feather light tread. She had a lot of Native American blood on her Mama's side, which had always made her an excellent hunting partner.

Cheyenne grinned and took off running. Stormi caught her and swung her around in circle, which caused Cheyenne to giggle uncontrollably. Stormi finally placed Cheyenne on her feet. Cheyenne attempted to catch her breath. I approached, but Stormi's back was to me. I put my hand on her shoulder and instantly regretted it as I realized I had caught her off guard. She jumped and next thing I knew, her elbow slammed into my ribs hard enough to knock the wind outta me. I doubled over, clutching my ribs, and struggling to draw a breath. I heard Chey gasp and she clapped her hands over her face, peeking through her fingers.

"Holy shit! I'm so sorry, Daryl! I didn't mean to hurt you. It was a knee-jerk reaction." Stormi exclaimed.

I finally managed to draw a breath. "It's a'ight. I shoulda said somethin' instead of sneaking up on ya. I knew better." I wheezed. Damn, she got a hell of a lick on me. My ribs were definitely bruised. I was lucky none were cracked from that blow. She was a lot stronger than I remembered.

I straightened up and she was biting at her lip, which she did when she got worried. Her fingers were playing with something hanging from a chain around her neck. I reached towards her and she stiffened. It was so slight, almost unnoticeable, but I caught it. I pulled the object out of her fingers. What I found surprised me. My class ring from high school dangled between my fingers. I remembered slipping it on her hand as we said goodbye before the social worker took her away ten years ago. I smiled and released it before reaching into my back pocket and pulled out my wallet. I opened it to the bills compartment and pulled out a tiny silver ring set with a small yellowish orange stone and engraved with our school and her first name.

Her eyes lit up and she grinned. Before I knew it, she was in my arms so suddenly I dropped the little ring. Cheyenne dove to pick it up as I wrapped my arms around Stormi. Her face was buried in my chest and mine was pressed into her hair. I pulled her chin up and pressed my lips to hers. It was short lived, however, because we both busted out laughing at Cheyenne's loudly expressed, "Ew!"

I reached over to ruffle her hair. She swatted my hand away and handed me the ring. I chuckled.

Branches cracked and brush rustled off to one side and I dove for my crossbow as Stormi drew her pistol. Cheyenne quickly hid behind Stormi as I snatched my bow up and loaded it. The sound drew closer and closer until brush at the very edge of the clearing parted and Mikhail stepped through with a huge rabbit in his mouth.

Stormi relaxed and began swearing colorfully at the huge black wolf. He hunkered down on his belly and thumped his tail once. What he did next I had only ever seen wolves do to an Alpha. He crawled forward on his belly and laid the rabbit at her feet and rolled to show her his belly. She scolded him some more but reached down to retrieve the rabbit. He flipped to his feet and gave her the craziest wolf grin ever.

I laughed and we all headed inside for breakfast. We had a very filling meal of eggs, bacon, and biscuits. We were sitting around laughing and joking when I heard the rip of Merle's bike. We all froze when it didn't shut off.