Thanks to xjavierax, Aki Hotaru 16, darkhuntress621, Never Odd Or eveN, Narcissus Noctis, hauntedskies, Nekosune, BlueStar1820 and OnlyHalfEvil333 for adding this to your favorites/alerts lists!

isopt: Glad to hear you are already loving it, and now we're getting to the real good stuff! I'll let you read on to find out why!

madisongjohnson: I'm burning the midnight oil to get these updates out to you all, and I think this one will be a real crowd pleaser!

Readergirl66: Glad you enjoyed the CDC! I plan to stay on the road for a bit to add my creative twist; chapters go pretty quick when I am making it up from my head instead of following plot guidelines, so this chapter was real smooth!

WaterWarrior6: It definitely is an adventure once you get into the CDC and I was glad I made it three chapters of my story inside there! I get nostalgic about season one sometimes and it's great to think how far they've come (not so great to think about how many they've lost) I gotta say, this was my favorite chapter this time, and I think everyone else will love it too. Things are going to get good from here!

SilverAdvenger12: Yes, I'm at the edge of my seat here to get that secret out, and it's actually been a long wait for you all in retrospect to how long the chapters are. I thank you for being patient!

Leyshla Gisel: The CDC was chill, and now it's on to something you'll really enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC


"It looks like rain." Ajax said thoughtfully as she gazed out Daryl's truck window. It seemed like the group was running a long distance, but there was no present goal before them as they continued on down a small stretch of road in the country side. The fuel tanks were at their limits nearing bone dry as Rick had them pressing forward to God knows where. She thought that maybe they would have stopped to discuss the option of Fort Benning, but not even a radio call from Shane had been put fourth yet.

"Yeah, smells like it too." Daryl agreed tonelessly, "Runnin' outta gas soon." The dial was close to the E, and they were running on fumes.

"Want me to make a call ahead?" She asked.

He grunted, "Whatever. The others have gotta be feelin' it too. He can't keep us on the road forever."

"Really?!" She laughed sarcastically, "Because it seems like he's going to keep us running. Whether it's from his own guilt, or another thing, I don't know. Jenner said something to him though."

"Who gives a fuck what that crazy shit had to say?!" Daryl hollered.

"Rick does apparently." She stretched forward and reached a hand for the radio, "Doesn't matter now though, I'm requesting we stop, at least when we find cars to syphon gas from. I'm not sitting on that deathtrap you have stored in the back." She said while pointing her thumb in the direction of the motorcycle.

He snorted, "Two guys ridin' on a bike down a bumpy road, yeah, wasn't gonna happen anyways. Yer goin' to the trailer when that happens."

"Fair point, though why do I suddenly feel like the dog that's about to be put down?"

His mouth was opened, ready to answer, but they were interrupted by a call on the radio, "Hey guys! There's a small convenient store up ahead with a few cars. We're going to stop and check it out, stretch our legs a bit." Glenn's voice called through the CB radio.

"Convenient store?" Ajax bemused to Daryl, "That sounds hopeful."

"These people are always like that." He responded dryly.

She shrugged while hitting the button on the device, "We'll see you up there then."

"Don't get yourself killed when you step out of the car!" Glenn replied smartly.

She rolled her eyes at that, but said nothing. She watched Daryl from the corner of her eye every so often now, and she couldn't explain why she had this sudden unrest around him. He was intimidating and she wasn't much use around a guy like him, she could at least admit that, but she was still cryptic about his response from the CDC when he had snapped at her unexpectedly. Glenn was probably right that he did that to everyone, but it seemed strange with the conversation they had been having. He had changed from it too, and right now she wasn't sure who was more tense, her or him. If he gripped the steering wheel any tighter, it was likely to snap in half. His knuckles were turning white, and his blue eyes were hard like the steel siding of a sky scraper, "You know, I'm sensing that something is the matter."

"We aren't havin' this conversation. I don't like yer scrawny ass enough to humor you." He deadpanned gruffly, "Don't need you gettin' all up in my shit like the rest of those damn people."

The car pulled to a stop just before they ran into the bumper of the RV. He was grumbling about how she had distracted him from the road, and Ajax took the hint to leave the vehicle immediately. Daryl didn't move from his seat right away. He let his head hit the top of the steering wheel as he let out a huff. To him, seeing that girl alive was now becoming something of an obsession, and every minute spent with that annoying Canuck was becoming a struggle. He probably hated him, that's what he told himself anyways, but he wanted that idiot Canadian 'round for one reason, and only one. It was in case he found that girl; Daryl just wanted to see her once in person. He was startin' to think he was in the nuthouse, and that she was just a figment of his imagination, or some shit like that. If he could just somehow manage to speak two words to her, he'd get off scot-free and he could go back to functionin' like the bottomless pit he was.

Every time Ajax said something, he was fit to be tied. Stupid fuckin' idiot goin' off playin' hero, it seemed that he wasn't even givin' it a thought to findin' Jolene. Sayin' her name had been weird, let alone thinkin' it and he tried to stray from those thoughts. He did his best to pull himself together before leaving the truck. What the Hell would Merle say now if he saw him like this? Getting' all bent outta shape, and for what, some bitch he had no business thinkin 'bout? His eyes narrowed on Canada who was standing next to Carol and her kid. They had a friendship he supposed, Hell, he'd even seen the woman get down on her knees back at the CDC to give him help when he'd fallen flat on his ass. What kind of man passes out like that? Fuckin' pussy.

"Right, so everyone's all here?" Rick asked carefully just as Daryl settled a few steps away from the group.

"What's the plan here Rick?" Shane asked, looking doubtful at his friend again, "We don't have enough resources to get far, and I ain't certain that all our answers lie inside there." He said as he nudged his head towards the small quickie mart.

"Which is why we should check. Anyone want to volunteer to go inside with me?" Glenn raised his hand, along with Daryl and Ajax who joined in silently, "Alright, everyone else take to syphoning gas and supplies from the cars. Shane, T-Dog you're on guard, and Dale, do you think you can keep watch?"

"Should be easy." Dale said as he looked around the barren strip of land, "I'll be able to spot anything coming within a five mile radius." He tightened the strap of his binoculars around his neck while heading back to the ladder on his Winnebago.

"Keep an eye on the sky Shane, 'cause it looks like we're stranded here tonight." Rick said while slapping a hand down on his deputy's shoulder. Shane seemed disturbed greatly by this news, but he didn't let on as he led the rest back out to the safety of the vehicles.

"What do you think we'll find in there?" Glenn whispered to Ajax.

She shook her head slowly, "Left over packages and dead bodies like always, I'm hoping for a Twinkie at this point."

Glenn pulled a disgusted look, "Even at the end of the world, I'm still not that desperate to eat a Twinkie."

"You should try them, they're practically divine." She joked before tightening her grip on her small handgun. She'd left her rifle in the truck, and she wasn't about to go back there after the look of annoyance she had caught on Daryl's face. She would have still had to load it with new rounds, and he didn't look to be in a patient mood. He wore that crossbow like it was a part of his body, an extra limp that he clutched in security. Staring at it, she grew uneasy and wondered yet if she would receive one of those bolts at some point.

"So, Daryl hates you right?" Glenn said as the man strode passed them to join Rick at the front doors. The cold shoulder had been more than obvious, and Ajax suppressed the chill sliding down her spine.

"I think by now that is a safe conclusion. Beats me on what I did, but I'm not about to ask again."

Glenn chewed at his lip, "I probably have some idea."

She hummed, "Wouldn't have anything to do with that conversation you had, would it?"

"I really promised I wouldn't say anything. It was a drunken pact."

"Well then don't say anything. Being hated I can handle, but he might turn you into Korean food for the group."

"Oh too funny." Glenn groaned with an eye roll.

Rick took a look back at the three he had brought with him as he reached a tentative hand for the handle of the door. The glass windows were covered in dark grime, making it difficult to see inside the wreckage of the small building. His hand held onto the flat panel handle before he yanked it open. Much to their relief, there was no immediate threat waiting at the door. The place was filthy, but it seemed at least for now that no walkers were present. Rick led the troop inside as he held his knife steady, waiting to strike. The shelves were overturned, and wrappers from old packs of food were littering the ground along with muddy footprints around the white floor. From the coolers, a faint rancid odor of old milk could be smelt, and she watched as Glenn put a hand over his mouth, "God, this place smells."

"Yeah it does." Rick muttered as he kicked some debris out of his path, "Grab what you can, and don't open those coolers."

"No problem there." He chided as the group split up into different corners of the store. It looked like someone had already ransacked the place, and there weren't many provisions to be had that could be used for real nutritional purposes. The worst of it all, was there was no Twinkies left.

"I found tea." Ajax called to Glenn, and he came bounding over, nearly tripping on a shelf in excitement while she tapped her chin, "Not a lot for variety though."

"They have cinnamon?"

"No."

"Sleepy time?"

"No."

"Lemon?"

"No."

Glenn huffed, "What does that leave?"

"Sorry Glenn, I guess a better store owner would have stockpiled tea before the Apocalypse." Ajax droned with a head shake, "We have green tea, Red Rose and Earl Grey."

"Those all suck."

"Earl grey's good, and I thought you'd like green tea." said Ajax playfully. It was a good day if you could get away with an Asian joke on Glenn, and he grumbled something while snatching a few of the boxes off the shelf, "I hope we have enough water to actually use those."

"Yeah, and we should use each bag two or three times to get good use out of it. Tea isn't really nutritional, but it will be a luxury."

"Come on, let's go and see if they found anything." She suggested as they stepped back to look for Rick and Daryl. It seemed funny to Ajax that someone had actually stolen all the gum from the front rack of the store. It was the end of the world, and a person's thought landed on gum for survival, God help that poor soul.

"You guys find anything?" Rick asked as they met at the front checkout. Daryl came out from the back room carrying a rather large box with him, while Rick steadied the small supplies he had in hand.

"We found tea." Glenn announced.

Daryl snorted, "Real useful."

"Well, what did you find?" Glenn asked as his cheeks flushed. Ajax felt embarrassed too, but she knew not to say anything.

"A dead skank in the back and a box of protein bars. Not much, but it's somethin'." His hard eyes pierced through her, and she was glad for the protection of her tinted shades, or else he might have seen how nervous she was.

"Good to know you took care of a walker. I found a few roles of cheap toilet paper, and a first aid kit." Rick commented.

"Toilet paper, Rick Grimes, I think I love you." Glenn said as he held one of the paper roles in his hand.

"First aid kits a good idea too, in case of small accidents." Ajax said as she thumbed through the contents of the white case. A bandage with some assorted gauze was there, along with a melted icepack, some scissors and tweezers, a needle and medical thread for stitching and alcohol swabs.

A rumble cracked along the skyline outside and they raised their heads to the door. Rain was starting to fall against the windows outside and they spotted their group already retreating to the vehicles, "It's gonna be a long night now." said Rick apprehensively, "Let's get back out there and hand out the bars to everyone."

The rain brought a blast of cold as it hit their skin, and already they were trudging through small puddles as they sprinted across the small lot to the cars out on the highway. Dale was there with Shane to greet them at the front of the RV as they brought the supplies inside, "Good way to catch a shower at least." Dale smiled cheerfully while he sat the box of protein bars down on his counter. They were leaking water into his camper, but it didn't seem to dampen his spirits any.

"First aid kit, that's a good idea." Shane said as he took it from Rick. The toilet paper he had tried to save had become waterlogged from the run back in the rain, and not much of it could be salvaged much to Glenn's disappointment.

"All they brought was tea." Daryl said while looking at Glenn again.

"You know what; when you want some Earl Grey before going to sleep, don't expect me to spare you any!" The kid retorted sourly.

"How much gas were you able to syphon?" Rick asked while shooting a look at Daryl and Glenn to shut up.

"Enough to at least last us for another half day tomorrow. We'll probably run into more cars by then…hopefully." Shane said while running a hand through his full hair, "Rick, we should discuss what comes next."

"In the morning. Right now, I think everyone should try and sleep as best they can. Anyone want to take first lookout?"

"I'll take it." Ajax offered. Anything to get her away from that stuffy truck for a while, even if she had to sit under an umbrella in the rain.

Rick nodded and no one else seemed to be ready to argue it, "Alright then. I'll come up and relieve you in two hours."


It had been the quickest two hours of her life, and she dreaded when she saw Rick come running through the storm to allow her some rest. It was late evening and the only light available was the lightning in the sky since it was too much a risk to chance a fire or flashlights. She had sat and watched the storm, and hadn't thought about much else except James and their past together. Her life wasn't so bad now, in retrospect, it was probably better than most of the survivors out there. She had a friendly group for the most part, and they seemed to handle the danger that was drawn to them back with a vengeance. So why the sudden feeling of wanting to leave? She had been looking out at the small patch of trees on the right side of the highway, and had fantasized about running through it and finding James on the other side. That was some damn wishful thinking, but the pull was very attractive and her eyes kept floating back to the brush even as she walked herself back to the truck.

Daryl said nothing as she sat down in the passenger seat, sopping wet. His eyes were set forward, as if the back of the RV was an exciting action movie. He seemed to find great difficulty to bring himself to look at her recently, and she wasn't sure if it was a relief or a concern. She knew one thing; she wasn't going to go out of her way to strike up a conversation with him this time. If he was looking to brood silently then she'd join in happily.

"What you need Prozac for?" She heard the question over the sound of the pouring rain, but she pretended not to for a moment to think about a clever answer, "My brother, he carried 'round a bunch of pills and shit with him." He tossed her the baggy and she caught it with surprise ease while raising a brow.

"Prozac is an antidepressant." She said offhandedly while searching through the pills, many which were Vicodin or Oxycodone. It was clear that his brother was a drug addict, but she didn't say anything. Most of the mixture of pills she searched through were strong pain killers and all were prescription drugs. She smiled somewhat when she spotted the familiar green and white capsules. The dosage was 60mg, way higher than what she used to take, "Well, he did have some Prozac here, but I never took this high a dose. I won't risk it now." She folded the bag shut again and rested it gently on the dashboard.

"You're depressed?" He asked while averting his eyes from the bag in what she assumed was embarrassment.

"Well, I suffered symptoms of depression, like panic attacks which you unfortunately had to see. It's been awhile since I've had an attack though."

"Never knew anyone who was depressed before." He grunted.

"Well I'm not anymore. The world's too damn busy for me to stop and be depressed. It was just a passing thing."

"Why were you?"

"What?!" She asked tensely.

He insisted on the topic with a hard stare, "Why were you depressed?"

"None of your damn business!" She snapped. Nothing more was said as the rain continued to pelt down on top of the hood of the car. Daryl focused his eyes straight ahead once again, and Ajax angled her head against the window, feigning sleep until her eyes fluttered for real, and she slipped into unconsciousness.


Daryl didn't hate the Canuck, he realized that since they had gone into the store. He didn't trust him though, not one bit. When they had looked each other in the face, his mind came up with thoughts as to why he was covered head to toe in all that shit. So far it was the only getup the group had seen him in, and Daryl recalled back at the CDC that he'd never seen him go to the showers. He had at some point because the smell of the soap had lingered on him, but why in the Hell had he snuck out to do it? Maybe his face had been fucked up by an accident, and he was too damn shallow to let others see. That was a far-fetched fuckin' idea though, and Daryl continued to search for other reasons as he sat on the top of the RV for look out. He'd managed to escape out of the truck without wakin' his travelin' partner at least. The rain had almost stopped by now and the thunder had moved on, leavin' them in a dead silent night. He continued to bite his thumb nail while he attempted to suppress the urge for nicotine. His need for a smoke was a real inconvenience and right then and there he doubted anyone had ever been able to quit cold turkey. That would be just too fuckin' difficult.

He trained his eyes around attentively, and they focused on a sound of a closing car door. Ajax was on the move again, and he wasn't sleep walkin' 'cause he had all of his shit with him. Daryl growled low and before he knew, he was moving off the top of the RV to go follow. It was unwise to leave the group unattended, so he made a quick knock on the door of the RV, knowin' the old man would answer.

Dale rubbed his tired eyes and looked at Daryl carefully, "You going somewhere son?"

"Gotta take a piss, can you keep watch for a sec?" Best excuse in the book and it worked without question.

Dale nodded, "Sure, it's better that the rain's stopped anyways." He stepped out of the camper and latched on to the ladder carefully while Daryl made sure in wasting no time to go after that stupid beaver lovin' Canadian.

The belt of trees wasn't dense and from what he could tell, it didn't go very far back. The leaves were heavy with tears as he brushed by them silently, his crossbow leading the way in case any walkers decided to show up unannounced. The Canuck took short strides, and his foot size was small like everythin' else 'bout him which Daryl thought was weird. He ain't ever seen such a little fella, even Glenn had a good forty pounds on him at least. The tracks were staggered, almost as if he weren't tryin' to play it quiet or careful, or he didn't know how more likely. Daryl spat unceremoniously on the forest floor as he straightened his shoulders. His neck was hurting somethin' fierce, and it probably had somethin' to do with the uncomfortable way he had decided to keep his head forward the whole damn drive down the highway. The scrawny ass punk made him uneasy and yet he was searchin' for him in some Godforsaken trees; the world was fucked up, plain and simple. He didn't even know the guy from Adam, and he certain hadn't taken to heart any of the advice he'd preached. 'Smoking is bad for you' yeah, he wasn't fuckin' stupid!

A branch snapped up ahead, and his blue eyes trained on a dark figure that had slowed its pace considerably, "Whatcha' doin' out here Canada?" He asked tersely.

Ajax paused mid-step, her heart was pounding but she had been able to refrain from jumping at the sound of his voice, "You just couldn't let me leave, could you?" She responded in exhaustion, not yet turning around to face him. The trees were opening before her, all she had to do was run forward.

"This yer big plan, leavin' alone and hopin' for the best?" He argued back.

She spun around with a huff while dropping her bag on the ground, "I told them all from the start that I wasn't going to stay forever. What's it matter to you?"

"There's people here who need ya, Lord knows why, but they do. Fuckin' stupid to leave now."

"And what does my leaving mean to you?"

The weight of the picture suddenly felt like a fuckin' boulder in the front of his vest, "Don't like you much, but we need the extra hand."

She sniffed, "That's bullshit, you can't fucking stand me and that we both know, so what gives?"

"Ain't sharin' shit with you. I didn't come all the way out here for a confession; get yer little ass back there now!" He raised his crossbow just a little higher in her field of sight, and she swallowed hard.

"Or what, you're going to drag me back there? I can leave when I want."

"Go 'head and try." He challenged.

She narrowed her eyes in on him and turned her back to kneel down for her bag. That turned out to be a big mistake, because apparently Dixon's didn't bluff, and a searing pain started to shoot through her upper thigh. She crashed to her side and her eyes caught the sight of a bolt sticking out loosely in the side of her leg from where he had taken aim. Her head fell back on the leafy ground and she let out an anguished cry, "What the fuck?! I go to leave and you shoot me, is that how this works?!"

"Told you to fuckin' listen." He snarled back.

Her eyes were starting to tear from the pain and she wretched her goggles off her face as she made an attempt to sit up. It all happened so quickly, and she was overcome by pain to really even care that her hood fell down, revealing her scarlet hair along with the rest of quite feminine face, "Oh Hell." She grumbled as she caught the look in Daryl's shocked face.

"Holy shit!" He whistled.

They both sat in silence, him looking at her from head to toe to make sure she was real, while she gritted her teeth in suffering and guilt. The warm blood was already starting to seep through her pants around the bolt, and she knew it wasn't about to clot anytime soon thanks to her miraculously low platelets. She held her hand there to try and prevent any more blood flow and she ended up with a handful of her own blood, "You gonna help me or not?" She asked pathetically in a small voice.

Daryl barely heard her; he was too busy sorting through his emotions. That damn vixen from the photo had been with them all along, and somehow they had got the story backwards. Her hair was tied back in a messy pony-tail but rebellious ringlets had already started to break free around her white face. Her dark eyes were dim, and she was rather plain but ambitious looking at the moment. It sure as Hell hadn't been what he was expectin' to find amidst the trees, and his feelings ended up goin' through a spiral. What else was a Dixon to do when faced with such a muddled situation? He reverted back to his anger, and he was soon scowling out at her while trying to prevent himself from putting another bolt in her leg. Ain't no pretty face was goin' to get to him today, he felt like a damn fool for not knowin' this whole fuckin time, and if he was a bettin' man, he'd say a few others back at the highway would feel the same with him on that. With nothin' fuckin left to do but help her sorry ass back to the vehicles, he said the words that best expressed his mood at that very moment, "You lyin' bitch."


You're too important for anyone
You play the role of all you long to be
But I, I know who you really are
You're the one who cries when you're alone

But where will you go
With no one left to save you from yourself
You can't escape
You can't escape

Where Will You Go, Evanescence...


And so the ugly truth has been revealed to Daryl. I think it's pretty clear that he's not going to be like Glenn and Lori and keep the secret all to himself. Not exactly a picture perfect beginning, but what do you expect from a Dixon?! Poor Ajax may have some struggling times to get through if she wants the group to still trust her. Getting shot in the leg by a crossbow wielding redneck probably doesn't help, but I think most of the readers on here wouldn't mind ;) Things will now begin to pick up in terms of a romance, though I still want it to be realistic so it will be a little slower. Thanks again for all the R&R!