This Part is all Flashback. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and catch on to a certain little fact… *shifty eyes*

Part Four

As quickly as the kiss happened, Daryl pulled back, breaking apart from me. His eyes meeting mine for a split second before darting away.

"m sorry.' He pushed me back gently and unfolded his legs, moving to the tent door. 'I shouldn'ta done that.'

'No, Daryl, wait.' I reached for his arm but he shrugged me off and exited the tent. I heard him pace a few steps in front of the door before sighing.

'Get some sleep, Rabbit. I'll keep watch.'

I sat there, debating whether to go to him or leave him to his thoughts. We'd all been through hell tonight and emotions were running high. I ran my hands over my face and through my hair before finally deciding to give him some space. I was drained both mentally and physically by this point and I'd be lucky if I could even get to my feet. I crawled into my sleeping bag and let exhaustion take me over.

I was jostled awake as my head bumped against the window of Daryl's truck. I started and shot upright on the seat, my gaze snapping over to Daryl.

'Sorry…pot hole.' He smirked over at me before returning his eyes to the vehicles ahead of us.

I rubbed my eyes and stretched as the memories of the past few days caught up to me. After losing Merle and the camp, the group…or Rick rather…decided to head for the CDC in hopes that there'd be help there.

My stomach growled as I shifted on the seat. I leaned down and shuffled through my pack, retrieving a strip of jerky. I bit off a piece and handed it over to Daryl. He shook his head.

'Nah, you go ahead.'

I glared at him and smacked the jerky against his arm. 'Eat, Dixon.'

He huffed and took the meat from my hand, biting off a portion before handing it back to me. I smirked triumphantly at him and leaned back on the seat.

'Yer a pain in the ass.' He reached over and lightly shoved my shoulder.

I shrugged and giggled. 'If it gets you to eat, then so be it.'

He laughed and we fell silent after a moment. The only sounds surrounding us were the roar of the truck engine and Daryl drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. His demeanor around me had gone back to how it was before he'd kissed me, acting like it had never happened. I wasn't sure what to think about his spontaneous confession to me that night. Was it just a build up of the emotion from the events prior…or something deeper?

'Looks like we're here.' Daryl broke the silence as the RV slowed to a stop in front of us.

Everyone exited the vehicles, guns at the ready as we surveyed the area. Dead bodies littered the surrounding streets and the lot leading up to the building. Rick and Shane led the group as we navigated our way through the corpses. The stench was overwhelming and my throat constricted and gagged with each breath.

'Here.' Daryl handed me a bandanna from his pocket. I took it graciously, putting it to my mouth and nose to help mask the vile scent.

'Everyone keep quiet!' Rick's voice brought my attention back to him. 'Keep your eyes open. Keep moving.'

We approached the front of the building to find the doors all shut and locked and cries of desperation rang out from the group. My heart sank.

'There's no one here!' T-Dog yelled as he tried to pry the door open.

'Why are the shudders down if there's no one here?' Glenn asked, looking to Rick and Shane.

I heard groans and shuffling behind me and I spun around. 'Walkers!' I shouted as I raised my gun. Daryl stepped in front of me, pushing me behind him as he fired his crossbow at the nearest one, dropping it instantly before moving angrily towards Shane.

'This was the wrong damn call!' Daryl hollered as Shane shoved him away.

'Shut up!' Shane yelled as everyone began to argue. Carl's sobbing echoed amidst the chaos as Shane and Glenn began pushing everyone back towards the vehicles. I stood there, frozen and numb. This was supposed to be it, the answer to everything…and it was sealed shut.

'C'mon!' Daryl's voice broke through my thoughts as he gripped my upper arm, moving me back towards his truck.

'The camera!' Rick yelled as Shane tried pulling him from the doors. 'It moved!'

'Dammit, Rick! It's automated!' Shane hollered at him. 'It follows movement, let it go!'

Lori clutched Carl as she watched Shane try to pry her husband from the building. Rick screamed and pleaded, slamming his fists against the door. Shane had had enough and wrapped his arm around Rick's chest, dragging him back to the group.

'You're killing us! I know you're in there! Let us in!' Tears streamed down Rick's face as he pleaded at the shut doors.

I turned back around, moving with Daryl to the truck when all of a sudden, several clicks and rattles sounded, causing all of us to stop in our tracks. My breath caught in my throat as I watched the shutters securing the entrance release and raise up into the ceiling.

'C'mon!' Rick hollered and we entered the building quickly as the walkers began approaching. Everyone scanned the vast entryway for any signs of life. Daryl flanked my side, our weapons raised as we locked on a man on the stairwell, his rifle trained on our group.

'Anyone infected?' He called to us as the rest of the group brought their attention to him.

Rick stepped forward lowering his gun. 'None of us.'

'What do you want?' The man's eyes flicked over our group.

'A chance…'

'That's asking an awful lot these days.' The man eyed Rick carefully.

'I know.' Rick replied slowly, holding the man's gaze.

Silence fell over the room for a moment before the man lowered his rifle. 'If you got stuff to bring in you do it now. Once this door closes it stays closed.' He pointed at the door we'd just entered from. Dale and T-Dog turned and pulled the door closed behind them as the man secured the shutters with the panel.

After everyone crammed into an elevator, the man led us down a hallway, Daryl never leaving my side. He remained glued to me, protective, so close that our arms brushed as we made our way down the hall.

After a few moments Dr. Jenner, as he'd introduced himself, lead us into a large kitchen/dining area.

'You all look hungry. Help yourselves. Its stocked.' Jenner motioned to the fridge and cabinets.

Carol and Jackie quickly set their task to dinner and soon enough everyone was eating heartily. Andrea found the liquor cabinet and after getting the okay from Jenner, we all indulged. Daryl and I dug out some whiskey while everyone else stuck to the wine. This world definitely called for the smooth burn of whiskey, not wine. Everyone was eating and laughing, like everything was normal.

Daryl had loosened up some once the whiskey got into his system. He was loud, laughing, poking fun at everyone. He moved his chair and plopped it up against mine and draped his arm around my shoulders. He smirked over at me as he handed me the handle of whiskey. I took it graciously, desperate to keep my buzz going as I leaned into him. His arm tightened slightly around my shoulders, his fingers tracing lines on my arm absently.

After everyone had finished dinner for the night, Jenner lead us down another hallway.

'You can use the staff quarters. There's plenty of rooms for each of you.' He turned to face us. 'Oh and the showers, go easy on the hot water.'

My heart skipped as everyone looked at each other excitedly.

'Hot water?' Glenn grinned.

We all scattered to our own rooms. Daryl and I darted down the hallway, our buzz still present as we giggled and bumped each other into the walls, stopping at the next available rooms.

'I cannot wait to take a hot shower.' I sighed and grinned over to Daryl as I leaned against the door.

'Think I'll pass.' He grunted as he gazed over at me.

'Ugh, Dixon, you stink.' I poked his chest and giggled. 'Take a shower.'

He groaned and reached across ruffling my hair. 'Fine. See ya in a few.'

I entered the room, dropping my pack and weapons on the coffee table. The room was spacious and modern. More fancy than anything I'd been accustomed to. I grabbed a change of clothes from my pack and made my way to the bathroom.

Soon enough I had the bathroom filled with steam as the hot water cascaded over my body. My sore tired muscles eased with the warmth. I'd lost track of how long I scrubbed the dirt and grime off of me, lost in the sensation I'd almost forgotten. My buzz began to wear off and the heat from the shower made me slightly lightheaded. I turned the water off and stepped out. The towels were plush and warm as I dried off and changed into another tank and jeans. I pulled my hair to the side and into a single braid when I heard a soft knock at the door. I padded through the living room and opened the door to find Daryl leaning against the door frame, a shit eating grin on his face.

'What?' I smiled, cocking my head.

'Found more whiskey.' he said as he held up another handle.

'Awesome.' I held the door open ushering him inside. He kicked the door closed behind him before plopping down on the couch. He patted the seat next to him as I stepped around the table. I eased down beside him, taking the bottle as he handed it to me.

I took a gulp of the amber liquid and relished in the slow burn down my throat. I turned to give him the bottle and noticed he was in the same clothes as before. I jokingly scowled at him. 'Daryl Dixon you didn't shower.'

He grunted, taking the bottle from my grasp and guzzling.

I shook my head and leaned into him as he brought his arm around my shoulder, his fingers playing with the strands of hair sticking out of the braid.

We laughed and joked for a while as our buzz came back to us, falling silent after a moment.

'Tell me about your family.' I asked, my head resting on his chest.

He paused. I could feel him tense up beneath me and I immediately knew I'd struck a nerve. I sat up quickly, desperate to ease the situation. 'Sorry. I didn't mean-'

He chewed his thumb and glanced at me. 'Nah, is'alright. Not much to talk about.' He sat up, resting his elbows on his knees and taking the bottle from the table and pausing a moment, as if gauging what to say. 'My dad was a drunk…a real asshole.' He took a long drag off the bottle before continuing. 'Used ta beat the shit outta me n Merle.' he dropped his gaze to the floor between his boots.

'I'm sorry.' I placed my hand on his back and he flinched away. I retracted my hand instantly.

'I don't need yer pity.' he stood, brushing me off of him and stepping to the door.

'Daryl. I don't..I..I didn't mean-'

'Nah,' he said, glancing over his shoulder at me. 'We're both drunk, Rabbit. Best ta just call it a night.'

And with that he left. I stared at the closed door and broke into tears, hoping that I hadn't pushed him away from me.

The next day was a blur of panic. Nothing made sense. Everyone was yelling, screaming, crying.

Clang…

I sat curled in a ball behind a row of computers next to the sealed door of the large observatory room. Tears streamed down my face as I held my knees to my chest.

Clang…

I jumped at each strike of the axe as Daryl swung it at the thick metal door. I heard Carl and Sophia crying as their mother's held them. My thoughts went to Garrett. My sweet Garrett. I'd failed him. I was trapped here by a maniac CDC doctor who was ready to blow everyone into oblivion.

I'd never see him again…

'Hey….Hey!' Daryl's face was in front of me suddenly, breaking my thoughts. 'Lookit me! I'm gettin ya outta here. I made a promise to ya. I'm gonna get ya to yer boy….to Garrett.' He paused, hooking a knuckle under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. 'I need ya with me, Rabbit.'

I gazed up at him and nodded, snapping out of my desperation. His gaze hardened down at me. 'Atta girl.'

All of a sudden the door was released and retracted into the ceiling. Daryl's eyes snapped back to me, 'Let's go.' He stood, taking my arm and hoisting me to my feet. I grabbed my pack and moved with him to the entryway. Shouts rang out from everyone behind us as we all scrambled to get to safety before the timer ran out. Daryl's hand never releasing from his grasp on my arm.

We ran as fast as our legs could carry us through the halls and stairs to the main entry of the building. Daryl released my arm, moving with Shane to the windows. They slammed axes, chairs, anything they could against them…but to no avail. Lori looked over to me, panicked as she clutched Carl to her.

'The glass won't break!' Sophia shrieked as she frantically looked from the men to her mother. A look of realization washed over Carol's face as she quickly reached into her pack and called to Rick.

'I found this when I washed your uniform.' She shakily held the grenade out to him.

He took it, a look of shock on his face. 'Everyone get back! Get down!' he moved to the window as Daryl came rushing back to me. He grabbed me and forced me back several paces and crouched over me as Rick released the pin and dropped the grenade.

The sound was deafening even with my hands clasped over my ears. My head rang and I was in a daze as Daryl grabbed my arm, forcing me up.

Everything was moving so fast.

I stumbled as I tried to keep up with Daryl pulling me forward. He lifted me up over the ledge and my feet jolted as I hit the pavement on the other side. I staggered and caught my balance as Daryl was instantly at my side again, his arm gripping my side. We all took off towards the vehicles, I dodged a walker as Daryl swung, decapitating it with the axe. I forced myself forward on pure adrenaline and survival at this point as I sprinted across the lot. Before I knew it Daryl was shoving me into the passenger side of his truck and slamming his door behind him. I looked up at the building in time to see Dale and Andrea crawling out of the window we'd blown out.

'They're not going to make it.' I gasped. Everyone began blowing the horns and yelling to take cover. Daryl forced me down on the seat, shielding me with his body as the building exploded.

It was several moments before Daryl lifted off of me. He took my head in his hands, checking me for any injuries. 'Ya alright?'

I nodded, trying to gather my breathing. 'Yeah.' I sat up and looked towards where I'd last seen Dale and Andrea. 'Did they make it?!'

As the dust settled we saw them stand and motion to the group. I smiled and laughed, gripping Daryl's hand.

'They fuckin made it.' Daryl laughed as he turned the ignition in the truck after they entered the RV and we moved out behind Rick.

We drove for a little while before the caravan stopped to regroup. Daryl shut the truck off and turned towards me. I stared blankly at the dashboard in front of me, lost in thoughts as I tried to process all that had happened. He reached over and took my hand gently, giving it a slight squeeze.

'Hey. Ya still with me?' His voice rasped quietly.

I looked down at our hands before meeting his soft gaze and nodding.

He dropped his gaze and another few minutes of silence passed before he spoke again. 'Yer turn.'

I looked at him quizzically.

He shrugged, smirking. 'Ya asked about my family. Hell, I don't even know yer last name. Alls I know is ya go by Cole and ya gotta kid.'

I could tell he was trying to get my mind back out of the hell that we'd just been through, and I needed to. I needed to snap out of the daze and get my head back on track. I squeezed his hand and forced a small smile. 'Nicole…but I've always gone by Cole.'

He nodded and returned my smile. 'Yeah, I like Cole better. S'more baddass.' He released my hand to ruffle my hair. I laughed and swatted his hand away to scoot closer to him on the seat, leaning into him as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head, grunting. 'Nicole what?'

I smiled as I leaned back from him and moved to get out and gather with the others. I looked over the hood of the truck at him as he shut his door. 'Ford.'

'Like the truck?' he smirked as he stepped around the front fender.

I giggled and threw my head back. 'Yes, Dixon. Cole Ford…like the truck.'