Every Scar Has a Story

Summary:

She was a fighter, a rebel, an individual in every way the word means. She became his best, and only, friend. She understood him without asking questions and knew him better than his own brother. Every scar they earned had a story behind it, a story of how they grew together and their relationship became something undefined. They were friends. They were family. Yet, they were so much more. They were simply themselves; Daryl Dixon, a member of the town's most troubled family, and Rayne Michaels, a rebel with the heart of gold.

This is their story.

Author's Note:

This story starts out before the outbreak of Walkers. I want to give the readers an understanding of how Daryl and Rayne grow together before shit hit the fan. Their story is told through each scar they earn, most of them Rayne's as she tends to get into a lot of difficult situations. This will be told in Daryl's third person point of view as he tries to struggle with understanding his new, odd friend. Leave reviews and let me know what you think.


Chapter Seven
Long Drive to Nowhere


Daryl grunts as he tosses in the last of the bags belonging to him and Rayne before he turns to the group heaving Jim into the RV. Finding Rayne standing away from the somber group, her bright gaze observant as always, he swallows back the hollow feeling as he realizes he had her back. He understands Rayne enough to know why she stayed behind with his douche bag brother, he just doesn't exactly agree with it. Not her. Anyone, but her. Her stance shifts, her hand moving up to adjust the strap of her messenger bag as she turns away from the group piling out of the RV. A look passes between the two friends, her soft smile giving him the smallest grain of hope before she hops into the passenger seat of his truck.

As the convoy drives out of the camp, Daryl bites back his sorrow at the thought of his missing brother, his gaze flickering back and forth from between the road and the silent woman sitting next to him. He can see the heavy doubt in her eyes and not liking the particular look in her gaze, he pulls his thumbnail away from his mouth. What does he say? He had never been very good at expressing himself through words.

"Ya' got any smokes in yer bag?"

He inwardly curses his stupidity, but the soft smile thrown his direction is worth it as he watches her dig through her bag, fishing out two cigarettes, "Here."

As the nicotine allows his nerves to calm down, he runs his thumb along his bottom lip before deciding to bite the bullet, "Ya doin' alright, Sugar?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" she retorts, chuckling humorlessly, "If it makes you feel any better, Merle was alive last time I saw him. You Dixon boys don't die easy, if I recall."

Daryl feels a smile tug at his lips, "I'm not askin' 'bout Merle. Ya' seem...upset."

Rayne nibbles on her bottom lip before taking a long drag from her cigarette, "I worry about what will happen if we are ever separated," Daryl tenses, not liking where the conversation seems to be headed, "Not because I worry about me, but I worry about how it will affect you. I need to know, need you to promise, that if we are ever separated, you won't lose hope."

"Don't be talkin' like that, Sugar. Yer not leavin' my sight," Daryl grumbles out.

He can feel the glare burn in the side of his head, "I'm not fragile. I may not be a Dixon, but everything I know about survival was taught to me by the best of the bunch," He bites the inside of his cheek, "I need to know you will be able to keep thriving, keep moving, if we get split up."

"We ain't even havin' this conversation," Daryl spits out, shooting a glare at his friend.

Rayne's eyes brighten with fury, "Don't sass me, Daryl Dixon. I can't promise that I will always be around, and you can't make that promise either. Just, unless you have proof that I am dead, keep moving on, knowing that I will find you."

His fingers curl around the steering wheel, "I said we ain't havin' this fuckin' conversation!"

As the convoy is forced to stop due to the RV breaking down again, Rayne lets out a hiss of anger before climbing out of the truck, slamming the door behind her. Watching her stalk off, the sway of her hips sharp in contrast to their usual gentle undulations, Daryl's fist connects with his steering wheel. Why can't she understand? She's not leaving his sight.


She was practically seething as she stalked her way over to group by the RV. She remains silent as Rick and Dale talk about rigging up the RV, watching as Jacqui comes out of the RV telling them the Jim is getting worse. She can feel his presence behind her, the familiar woodland scent surrounding her, and she tenses, her anger still thriving. She waits, as the rest of the group does, before Rick steps out of the RV. Hearing them argue over what to do with Jim, Rayne feels her anger snap.

"Dale has a point," she states, ignoring the glare from Shane and the tension running through the masculine body standing behind her, "Who are any of you to tell him what to do? It's his life, it should be his say. None of us have the right to decide for him."

"No one asked your opinion, Michaels," Shane argues.

Rayne glares, eyes burning bright, "All of you are being selfish."

Without another word, Rayne stalks off, returning to the truck. She may sound childish, but she never liked other people making another person's decision for them. Maybe it was because of her parents, pushing her constantly. Maybe it was because Daryl couldn't seem to face the facts. Either way, most of those people aren't even making the decision based off of what is best for Jim, but instead what makes them feel less obligated or guilty.

Pulling out her sketchpad, she watches as Shane and Rick lay Jim beneath a tree. With the image stuck in her mind, memorizing the man's features, she begins drawing out the scene before her. Sketching out his lean, lanky figure laying beneath the tree, she begins adding subtle, small details most people overlook. Glancing up, she feels a small smile tug at her lips as she watches Daryl slowly pass by the sick man, nodding his head in a respectful manner. Closing her sketchpad, having a basic outline finished, she leans her forehead against the window as Daryl climbs into the truck.

She tries not to take offense of Daryl's stubborn tendencies. She knows he only means well and he has always acted as her protector, even when she doesn't need one. She fears the day they are ripped from each other. She worries he won't survive the world by choice. She worries he'll give up living, thriving and the smallest amount of hope he carries with him.

"Yer a real piece o'work, ya know that?"

Glancing over at him, she is surprised when he tugs her across the length of the seat, hooking his arm over her shoulders. Sinking into the warmth, she smiles against his shoulder. He never could stay mad at her for long. She knows the conversation is far from over, but at least for now, he seems to accept the possibility. Closing her eyes, she feels herself drift into a peaceful slumber.


Walkers were everywhere. Chaos surrounds them. Rayne stabs her knife through the head of a Walker, ignoring the yells from Rick as he pounds against the entrance to the CDC building. A bolt whistles pass her ear, the wind break causing her hair to ruffle briefly, and she watches as it pierces another Walker not far from her, straight through the eye socket. She's never been anything less than impressed by his accuracy. The guy could probably hit a fly without damaging the wings. A bright light floods the area and she feels herself being dragged back, her knife-wielding arm still slicing and stabbing at the Walkers as she allows herself to be pulled inside the atrium of the building.

Tension fills the atrium as a gun cocking pulls the attention toward a man standing a few feet away. She listens as the man questions their intentions, Rick pleading for him to give them a chance. The idea of submitting blood to some unknown doctor tugs at her instincts. If there is one thing she hates, it's being stuck, without any way of escape. Following the Doctor's movements, she refuses to let her guard down.

"Alright, Sugar?"

Glancing over at Daryl, she nods briefly, her gaze flicking back to the Doctor as he leads them further inside, "I'm not a fan of this idea."

As she feels herself being nudged, she meets his gaze again, "Don't ya worry yerself. Sumtimes be thinkin' ya worry too much."

"One of us has to," she murmurs, earning a snort of self-deprecating agreement from her friend, "Just...don't leave me alone," Ignoring the surprise flashing on his face, she smiles softly, "I'm not comfortable here. I'm going to be on edge the whole time. I need...some form of comfort."

"I ain't gonna leave ya alone," he promises, eyes soft as he nods for them to follow after the group.


He doesn't like the hidden distrust in Rayne's eyes as she watches Doctor Jenner draw blood from her veins. He's never really seen that look before. Rayne is usually accepting of all types of people. Then again, he's seen the same gaze in her eyes when she watches Shane's movements. Most would question her judgment, Hell, with him a friend and all most definitely question her judgment, but he never does. He follows her slow movements, cautious and ready to fight if she needs to. He needs to get her to relax, but how?


Author's Note: Short moment between Daryl and Rayne. I'm not going to type out the entire series, as those reading, should at least know the episode or where the setting is being taken place at. I'm trying to focus on Rayne and Daryl, kind of like a between the scenes situation. Remember, they're both anti-social by nature, so Rayne's interaction with campers is through silence, unless she's dealing with the kids.

astainintime: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you are enjoying it so much. You have no idea how much I love reading reviews, helps me stay focused.

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