It felt like the old days when the two of them were knee-deep in their search for The Governor. Just the two of them scouring the countryside - angry, vengeful. Feeling the need to protect their people. Feeling like they'd let their people down - Merle, Andrea. Before he'd given up and convinced her to give up, too. Before The Governor had come and ruined all the good they'd found.

Daryl led the way as they leisurely strolled through the dead foliage. Their weapons were tucked away, but their senses were still sharp as ever. The cold had held the dead at bay for the most part. And all they were really doing this afternoon was scouting the perimeter of their camp so they could settle in for a few days - rest and heal.

Michonne caught up and side-eyed him knowingly, a small, cheeky grin lighting her face. Daryl could feel her gaze but left it unacknowledged.

"So, Dixon. Anything new with you these days?" She was still smiling wider than she had any right to.

Daryl kept walking. "I smell better today than I did yesterday." They'd all bathed in a nearby river that morning.

"Getting rid of those fleas is important. But I was thinking more along the lines of pretty little blonde girls. I never pictured blondes being your thing." Michonne nudged him with her elbow.

"Yeah, what did you picture being my thing?" He didn't seem at all concerned about her line of questioning. Michonne thought maybe she had things wrong.

"You know, the biker girl type. Tattoos and cigarettes and leather. Know their way around a bedroom. Something the opposite of farmer's daughter." She watched him closely for his reaction. He just grunted and moved on.

"She make you happy?" If he didn't answer her now, she'd shut up, but she genuinely just wanted to know if the man was happy.

"There ain't nothing going on between me and Beth. And you're right, I ain't never had a need for girls like her. Now let's get this done and get back." Michonne watched him push through the brush and felt like shit. Sometimes she forgot how deeply damaged Daryl was emotionally. How fucked up his sense of self-worth could be. And she'd pushed those buttons without meaning to.

Michonne found him angrily stomping through the woods a few moments later. She fell in line beside him. "Don't let your own bullshit get in the way, Dixon. She cares for you. That's more than most people get these days."

"Maybe you should listen to your own advice." He glanced quickly at her but without malice.

Her eyes grew closer in confusion as she returned his look. "How so?"

"Just...you and Rick seem mighty friendly these days." Now, he was the one tossing a smirk at her. She just glared back at him with that look she got when she was daring you to say one more wayward word.

They continued on in silence for a long time completing their mission and finding nothing of concern. They downed two walkers and headed back towards the others as the sun began lowering on the horizon. When they reached camp, they were immediately greeted by a smiling Rick and Beth with baby Judith in her arms. Rick pulled Michonne in one direction to discuss their scouting and tomorrow's plans, while Beth pulled Daryl closer to the fire and a supper bowl she'd kept warm for him. Daryl caught Michonne's eye, a sheepish look on his face. But she shrugged her shoulders and smiled. And so he shrugged and smiled in return. Because things really could be a hell of a lot worse.