Part 10: Confessions

Over time, there were plenty of little things a person allowed herself to forget when survival became the most important part of her every day. One was the soothing comfort of nighttime reading with music playing in the background. Sasha could have grabbed a book from the prison library and curled on her bed in the cell, but taking time to read back then never felt right. Serving on Council had taken a lot of her time. Not that she minded. Her service provided a sense of normalcy for the others who weren't able to go on runs or face the ruins of the outside world. But lying there now with the romance novel tucked close and Dawn's iPod playing on battery-operated speakers, Sasha released a soft sigh and allowed herself a brief respite in the simplicity of the moment.

The exploits of the main characters, Toya and Donovan, engaged her imagination, but they weren't enough to make Sasha oblivious to Daryl's arrival. The scent of soap and toothpaste drifted in with him. She had to smile. Everyone was enjoying the running water. Another little thing that she used to take for granted.

His shadow danced with the flickering candlelight in an offbeat to Blackstreet's "No Diggity." She swallowed a giggle and redirected her attention to the printed page. Daryl, as gruff as he could be, still was surprisingly tender. The time with him had been a lesson. In the past, she would have run from a man like him. Back then, she was a different woman. She would have been too impatient to see all the layers and appreciate them. Now, she realized that there's a good chance she had only scratched the surface of what Daryl Dixon had to offer.

She heard him wrestling with the trashcan. A moment later, a small blaze burned. He lingered near it, as he asked, "Ain't you cold?"

"I guess I won't be anymore," she said.

"You hot?"

She shook her head. "Nah, cool, but I hadn't noticed until you brought it up."

"Sorry."

But she saw the smirk playing at his mouth. She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Sure, you are."

"What you reading?" He set his jacket on the credenza. He looked hesitant about taking off anything else. "Where's that music coming from?"

She pointed to the iPod/speaker that rested on a nearby chair. They were partially hid by her bag and sweater. "Right here. Got a special request? It's filled to the max."

He came over and stared. "Where'd ya find it?"

"I didn't," she said. "Dawn loaned it to me."

"She's got som' of everythin'," he murmured. "Where she keep it all?"

Sasha shrugged. "I wish I knew. Good thing we ran into them."

Chewing his bottom lip, he nodded. The uncertain expression crossed his face again. Sasha held her place in the book with her finger. This was the thing about Daryl that got to her. In her family, everyone was blunt. There was no holding back. Normally, he was, too. To see him hesitate with her in their private space was troubling. Didn't he know her by now?

"If you're ready to sleep, I'll put the book away," she offered.

"You ain't gotta stop," he muttered as he moved around the table to claim the spot closest to the door. Before he joined her, he set his crossbow within range. She noticed that the knife remained attached to his pants. Hers was under the pillow. After much adjusting, he finally reclined beside her.

Sasha rolled onto her back, but she resisted the urge to look at him. At least for the moment.

"Whatcha readin'?"

She turned the racy book cover toward him. His laugh made her smile. "It's good," she said.

"I never took ya for someone who'd read somethin' like that."

"It's not just sex." She glanced at him and found him watching her. "There's a story. It's about two people connecting despite a lot of bullshit from those who don't want them together. And…the heroine is a firefighter. For once, the writer got the details right."

His eyes widened. "Yeah?"

Sasha's breath caught. She realized too late that she had said too much. She nodded and was about to return to reading or bid him goodnight, but he nudged her arm.

"That's what ya did before, right?" he asked. "Pretty little Sasha on the big red truck."

"Hush." She giggled despite herself.

"Was there a lot of bullshit?" He was serious now. His gaze pierced her, as he seemed invested in her answer.

"There was some."

He nodded. "There's always some."

She folded the corner of the page she was on and set the book beside the iPod. Then she rolled toward Daryl. He inched away, and she worked on not taking offense. Half-propping herself on her side and bent elbow, she waited for him to relax at her proximity. In her mind, she likened him to a skittish fox. Ever watchful and ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

"What did you do before?" she asked.

"You don't want to hear 'bout me," he said quietly. "Can't compare to a firefighter, that's for sure."

"We're not competing," she said. "Daryl?"

"Somebody else here?"

"Stop with that."

They both laughed. He said, "Huh?"

"I want to touch you, but I want you to be okay if I do," she said.

He frowned as he averted his eyes. "You act like I'm scared. I don't care."

"I didn't say you were scared, but we're not pretending anymore. So that means, we're honest with each other."

"I ain't lied to ya."

"I'm gonna put my hand here." She pointed to his chest a second before she flattened her palm against his rapidly beating heart. "Okay?"

"I ain't scared of ya, Sasha." He drew in a quick breath and covered her hand with his. "You know I ain't scared of ya, right?"

"I didn't think it was me," she said.

"And I ain't got no problems with..." He paused, "ya know... I don't want ya to think that 'bout me."

She frowned at first, unsure of what he was referring to. When their stares held, understanding came slowly.

"What you said before," he murmured gruffly. "I ain't like that. Maybe I said some dumb shit in the past, but that was a long time ago. I don't want ya thinking that 'bout me."

"I don't. I know you're not a jackass racist sack of shit."

Her affirmation didn't elicit a smile or a response. He continued to stare and she wasn't surprised or unnerved by the silence. After a while, he took the conversation back to her earlier question. "I wasn't much of nothin'."

"I don't believe tha—"

"Believe it," he cut in. "I wasn't 'bout nothin' but followin' Merle around. Doin' whatever he wanted. Goin' wherever he wanted to go. It wasn't much of a life. Not like what you had."

"Mine wasn't that special," she said.

"Mine was a waste," he muttered. "That kid Zack thought I was a homicide detective. Imagine some redneck like me with a badge, runnin' round solving crimes and arrestin' folks and shit. Yeah, right."

"You do alright, Daryl," she said. "You have the skills of a detective so I get why he would think that. He wasn't slighting you."

"I know."

"I can't say much about everything you and Merle were up to," she said with a smile, which he returned, "but I know that without you many of us would've starved and some would've just died. Forget the starving."

"You're just sayin' that," he murmured, his blue eyes soft as they bored into hers.

"Why would I do that?"

"'Cuz I'm your boyfriend."

She laughed so loud that she covered her mouth. His grinned at her until she shook with giggles.

"You still cold?" he asked.

"A little," she said, after she sobered and wiped the tears from her eyes.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close. With his other hand, he pulled the sleeping bag over them. "This better?"

"Yeah," she murmured, resting her head on his chest. A slight shudder went through him. She waited for it to pass and then she rested her arm at his waist.

"G'night, Sasha."

"Good night, Daryl."

$%^&

"One thing's for sure, you're staying with the boys. I'll go with Rick and the rest to scope out Terminus."

Dawn had been admiring the view of the glittering stars and the luminous full moon above while waiting for hers and Nik's bodies to warm inside the sleeping bag. The fall night was cool and pleasant, but soon winter promised to bring obstacles. Before Dawn could process those potential problems, her ire started burning. Nik tugged on her panties and she slapped his hand away.

"Are my hands still cold?" he asked.

"No, I'm not attracted to Captain Caveman and I don't want him pawing on me," she said. "I told you before. That Neanderthal bullshit isn't cute. I don't like it."

"Hmm…"

Now, she glared at the moon. It was pretty enough up there in the sky. Safe from all manner of troubles. As she contemplated celestial beings, she tried to ignore Nik sliding his thigh over hers and moving in to kiss her neck. When his tongue toyed with the sensitive spot behind her ear, she bit her bottom lip, determined not to moan or whimper.

"Do you like this?" he whispered, his voice low and husky.

He kissed her. And he took his time, sucking each lip before he drew her tongue inside his mouth. Now, Dawn moaned. He parted her thighs and moved on top of her. One hand supported his weight and the other slipped inside her panties. As was his way when they were in conflict, his rubbing was more tease than satisfaction. Her moans turned to growls despite herself.

"You know what I want," he murmured against her mouth.

"I told you no," she said, squirming against his teasing hand.

"One lick," he bargained. "I'll stop before you cum. Promise."

"When have you ever?" She grabbed his wrist and placed his hand just so. They both moaned.

"You're so fucking wet," he groaned. "Five licks. I'll stop. Just pull my hair."

"I could…" She adjusted his rhythm as she spoke and the words were spoken with difficulty. "I could snatch you bald and it wouldn't matter. No, Nikky. Dammit. Fuck. Right there. Just… Right there, please."

His caresses were just right and seconds away from taking her over the edge when he pulled his hand from her and licked his fingers. "This could be your pus—"

"Nikky!"

"We're on the roof," he said. "No one can hear us. Hell, that's why we're up here. I wanna hear you scream. Claw my back at least."

"Shut up."

"Eight licks," he murmured against her ear. He slid first one and then another finger inside her. His thumb tapped her clit in an insufferable beat. "And a long, deep kiss."

"Begging isn't…"

Her refusal was lost as Nik stroked the bundle of nerves deep inside her. His thumb mimicked the movements of his fingers. Her legs trembled. She grabbed his shoulder. Just as her back arched, he removed his fingers and popped them inside his mouth again.

"You're being an ass," she said when her breath returned.

"Me?" His muffled words were hard to understand so she pulled his fingers from his mouth. "When will we have privacy like this again? At the lake, you were worried about Clay or Nash hanging around and I didn't like it either. We have the whole roof to ourselves and I miss…tasting you."

Dawn hated how persuasive Nik could be when he was determined. Especially when what he wanted was something tempting, but—

"Let's talk first."

"And then it will be quick because you'll be tired and want to sleep," he said.

"I just don't want you going down on me."

"Who turns down a blow job?" he asked, stunned.

"Not tonight," she said. "Please. Let's do it this way. Put the condom on."

Dawn kicked her panties to the bottom of the sleeping bag and rolled onto her side. She then reached behind her to grab Nik's hip. He lifted her thigh. His fingers stroked and his hard cock poked her backside.

"You're just using me," he complained.

She felt for his latex-covered erection. Even reaching behind her, she managed to time her caresses to his strokes. Finally, he removed his fingers to guide his cock inside her. Full and deep, he held himself still and tapped her clit with his finger. Dawn moved her hips, but he told her to stop.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I can't think when you do that."

"Nikky…"

"Will you talk to me if I let you cum first or should I play hard to get?"

"Don't be an asshole."

She placed his hand where she wanted it. The rhythm of both his fingers and his hips was hypnotic. He filled her with deep, methodical thrusts. Dawn clutched the edges of the sleeping bag. The fabric scraped against the rooftop floor. Their breathing echoed in the otherwise quiet night. She gnawed her forearm to keep from crying out.

"You're so wet and slick," he whispered in her ear.

His descriptions made her shudder. Then he slow eddown to suckle the back of her neck. "Fuck me, Nikky," she said in a hoarse whisper.

"Talk to me."

"Fuck. Me. Hard."

Dawn's hips twitched. Moments later, he rolled her onto her stomach. His cock drove into her from behind. Their moans were hard to contain. She clutched the pillow and he burrowed his face into her hair. His hand, still trapped between her thighs, danced to a frenetic rhythm. She tried to muffle her high-pitched squeal in the pillow. His pace quickened. His grunts against her ear vibrated through her. Sweat from his chest skimmed her back. Release hit them almost simultaneously. His seed erupted into the condom. She missed the days when he exploded inside her, but they couldn't do that now. Afterward, they lay side by side with their hands intertwined.

"Will you talk to me now?"

"I'm tired—"

"Dammit, Dawn—"

"No, Nikky, what I mean is I'm scared."

"Terminus?" he asked.

"I could've lost you yesterday or any moment," she said. "I'm scared that our lives will change after this."

"Lorenzo thinks we're too jaded."

"Maybe we are, but I'm still scared."

He sighed.

"What?" she asked.

"I can't believe you denied me a taste of your sweetness because of fear."

"Don't make fun."

"I'm not, but it's been on my mind since before dinner…"

"Shut up. You need help."

"I'm addicted." He kissed her shoulder. "I crave it. I dream about it."

She giggled but immediately covered her hand with her mouth.

"One day this will be a memory," he promised. "We'll all be together again. In a home. And I'll remind you of this. Of you not letting me tongue you."

"You're nasty."

"That's not nasty." He kissed her mouth. "It's love."

$%^&

Michonne left the boys as they set up the checkerboard and Lorenzo began his interior perimeter check. In her absence, she discovered that Rick had been a very busy man. The two desks were pushed together. Blankets and pillows disguised the former rigid furnishings and now resembled a queen sized bed. Candlelight flickered along the baseboard. She even recognized the faint scent of vanilla. She smiled to herself. She should have known that underneath it all, Rick Grimes was a romantic.

"You've been busy."

Rick tilted his head as his gaze appraised her. Michonne had never known a man who could say so much with a glance. Finally, he said, "Figured you'd be tired. After everythang."

"Lorenzo's taking first watch. I told him I'd take the next. Daryl is after me."

He nodded. A slight frown wrinkled his brow. "I'll go after Lorenzo."

"I got it." She pushed the door closed as she came fully into the room. After a few minutes, it dawned on her that she was just standing in the doorway. As if she was afraid. "You should rest, Rick. I don't mind."

"I'm fine." He leaned against the wall and tugged off his boots. "How are the boys?"

"Talking about their book run tomorrow?" Michonne said.

"To a library or book store," he said, "I guess. I told Carl that one of us would join them."

"It should be you."

He looked at her, surprised. During the quiet, she removed the shirt and slipped under the blankets. For a moment, she was still as her body adjusted. Even the couch hadn't felt this good. Maybe the recliner had been this comfortable. She sighed and enjoyed how her body grew warm. Then, Rick unbuckled his belt. The noise pulled her from her sudden cocoon to meet his ever-present steady gaze. She imagined that he had been staring at her the entire time.

"Is this okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. Go ahead."

He undressed down to boxer briefs and his t-shirt. He claimed the vacant space beside her and took a moment to adjust. She wondered if this was weird for him. Being in a bed with a woman who wasn't his wife. Being in bed with her. After losing Andre and Mike, she hadn't thought about another man. Maybe she missed her vibrator, but not the connection of a man with her, inside her. Not until she met Rick.

Moonlight filtered through the boarded windows and the soft candlelight allowed her to stare at the faint shadows on the wall. He surprised her by taking her hand.

"I guess you want to know why I'm being weird."

"I don't think you're weird," he argued. "It's fine. Everythang is fine."

"It's been awhile for you, too, right?" she asked.

He coughed and said, "Yeah."

"You're horny."

"Michonne, wait. It's not like that," he said. "I don't want just anybody. I want you."

The grip on her hand relaxed. He rolled onto his elbow and forearm to look down at her. "We should talk about…what happened," he offered.

"It's not that," she said. "Maybe part of it, but not the main thing."

Tears began to roll from the corners of her eyes. She told him about Mike and Andre. The refugee camp. She knew that he already knew about the walker pets and how she talked to Mike.

"You think I'll be like him? Like Mike?"

She released a short laugh. "You're nothing like him. That's the last thing that scares me."

"I know I can get intense," he said, quietly, "but I swear I won't hurt you. I'd never hurt you."

"I'm not afraid of that either."

"Then what are you afraid of," he asked.

"So many things…" Her voice caught.

"Then tell me. I don't know if I can help, but I can listen. Maybe listening will help. I'm in no place to judge…"

It took a moment, but she said, "I'm afraid of babies. I'm afraid of letting you inside more than what you already are. I'm afraid of making babies with you. I'm afraid that a part of me wants to make babies with you." She gave a faint laugh. "But mostly, I'm afraid."

"You don't have to be afraid of me. I know I was an asshole in the beginning."

"You had to be. You needed to be."

"I think about it and regret the way I treated you. When you found us…" He moved onto his back and wrapped his arm around her to draw her close. "I told Carl that you were coming for him, but a part of me was hoping you were there for me, too."

"I-I was."

"I know," he said. "I see the way you look at me. It's like you see right through me. Like you already know how I feel about you and that's what's scaring you."

Michonne sighed. Mike had never read her this well. She knew she wasn't transparent. This thing between her and Rick could be their greatest strength or her worst weakness. She didn't know what to do with it. She feared allowing herself to love him, but she was smart enough to know it was already too late.

$%^&

Despite the early start to the day and having his night interrupted by an odd-hour watch, Rick found himself wide-awake and ready to tackle any task. Whether that included hanging freshly washed clothes to dry or sorting their supplies for packing the vehicles, he was energized. Sleeping with Michonne had not been quite what he had imagined, but it was what his mind, body, and soul needed.

By mid-morning, he realized he didn't care if anyone noticed the occasional glances that he and Michonne shared. The talk with Carl would have to happen soon, though. He considered having her join the discussion, but decided against. Her call that Rick participate in the book run had been a good one. The father-son quality time was hard to come by in times like these. Maybe a quiet moment would occur giving Rick the opportunity to gauge if his son's idea of Michonne being part of the family also included Rick or if it was just a Carl and Michonne thing.

The walk to the first bookstore was just a couple of blocks away. Carl had found a map in the manager's drawer and Dominik carried a page torn from the phone book. The young men walked ahead and spoke in quiet tones but used animated gestures to emphasize their points. If not for the pistol on his son's hip and the tire iron looped through Dom's belt, Rick could almost forget their situation and pretend this was just a relaxing day with his kid and their friends. Almost.

"Might be a good idea to stock up on fuel, too," Nik said. His voice was low as he looked around their surroundings. "Lorenzo spotted a few vehicles when he was helping Sasha with the Harley. He didn't check for gas, but it wouldn't hurt."

Rick nodded. "Good idea. You got containers?"

"Two ten-gallon jugs," Nik said with shrug. "Not enough to keep any of our rides filled up, but I like to keep something on hand."

"Your family's well-stocked. It's like you have a little of everythang."

Nik laughed softly. "It just seems that way. Dawn had been researching this sort of thing for over a year. We didn't realize it'd be blessing in disguise."

The boys reached the end of the block. Rick noticed how Dom waited and Carl instinctively mimicked his friend's actions. They would have moved on, but Rick heard the familiar shuffling feet and grumbling. And he smelled the rotten stink of decaying flesh.

"At least three," Nik whispered, having removed his knife from its sheath on his belt.

Rick did the same, not wanting to fire his Colt and alert more walkers to their location. "Formation," he said.

He took point around the corner with everyone else to his back. They moved as one to face the potential threat. Five walkers perked upon their arrival. Rick lunged for the biggest one.

He told Carl, "Don't shoot!"

The actions of the others were hard to follow because everyone moved quickly. Dominik swung his tire iron with precision. Although still small in frame, he managed to decapitate the ambling walker after a couple of swings. Nik kicked one to the ground and used the height advantage to plunge his knife into the eye socket.

Rick and Carl worked together to trip the largest walker onto his backside. After the walker was down, Carl kicked its skull in. Nik knifed the final walker in the back of its head.

Nik hugged his son and the pair continued on. Carl looked at Rick and smiled. Rick returned the gesture. They were alive. They had survived.

The bookstore had minimal damage. A few ripped books littered the floor. Shelves were turned over in the first section. They waited to hear movement or the telltale sounds. Nothing stirred.

"Stay close and keep aware," Nik told Dominik.

"You do the same," Rick said to Carl.

The boys nodded and moved away from their fathers. Rick watched them until their slight forms became shadows. One day soon, Carl would no longer resemble his little boy. Not too long ago, Rick told Carl that he was man and he meant those words. He knew that Carl needed to feel empowered and needed to believe in himself in case something happened to Rick. But the truth was, Rick hadn't lied. Carl had grown so much since Lori died. Maybe even because of her death. Rick knew if she were alive, she would long to see the little boy who'd run to her with tears in his eyes and she'd be disappointed that he no longer existed. She wouldn't have understood how to let go.

"You get any special requests?" Nik asked.

"For books?"

"Anything," the other man said. "I'm looking for different colored thermoses. Enough for all of us."

Rick laughed. "That's a good idea."

Nik nodded. "I'm looking for more coffee, too."

"I suppose I could get a book." Rick scratched his beard. "I hadn't thought about it."

A stack of graphic tees lay discarded on the floor. Rick squatted to look through the sizes. Most were too small for anyone in his group, but the last three would fit the women. Perfect. He stuffed them inside his bag.

He noticed a palm-sized picture book of the works of Vincent van Gogh. As he thumbed through the pages, he got the strongest urge that leaving the booklet behind would be a bad idea. It was added to his stash.

Behind the counter were old magazines and dusty cash register tape. He pushed it aside. So far, Nik was three short on his thermos run so Rick was trying to help. His hand swiped a box in the far corner of the counter's shelf. He shined his flashlight and was pleased to see that the box had the Big Cat logo on the side. Talk about a find! The sealed package contained about fifteen candy bars. That too went into his bag.

A few minutes later, they decided to head to the library conveniently located across the street. As a testament to the former small town, the library was single-story and resembled an English cottage. No walkers loitered the space on the outside. Rick was relieved to find that none waited inside either.

Dominik removed books from his bag and set them on the counter. His father gave him a list and said, "Look for the three at the top first."

"Yes, sir."

"Think any comics are left?" Carl asked.

"Yeah," Dom said. "Help me find these and then we'll look for some."

Nik headed to the geography section and Rick followed. Nik rifled through stacks of maps until he found what he wanted.

"What're you looking for?"

"The Terminus area and places beyond." Nik gave him extra copies. "We'll need a firm plan."

"We'll have one."

The men returned to their original positions near the front entrance. They could hear the boys and reach them quickly if necessary. The library hadn't been too picked over, but it didn't have anything that Rick wanted to grab that would tie him down. He liked what his bag held. Besides, the bank and the other stores had provided sufficient provisions that would last for several weeks. They were better off than they had been in awhile.

"What's the plan after Terminus?" Nik asked.

Rick hesitated before answering. He wasn't sure where this question was headed, and he didn't like to plan too far ahead as life had become painfully unpredictable. He shrugged as an answer.

"So you think it's legit."

"I don't know," Rick said.

Nik's mouth tightened, but his agitation seemed to come from the unknown. "That's what I hate about all this. The wandering and the not knowing."

"Everybody does."

"I know," Nik said.

"You don't have to come if you don't feel right about it," Rick said. "It's not your people—"

"I don't have a problem with that. I didn't realize you still had a problem with us."

"I don't," Rick said.

Nik sighed and shook his head.

"What?" Rick asked. "You got something to say, say it."

"Nothing. Just want a place where our women and our boys can feel safe," Nik said.

"I want the same. There's no difference in what we want. If Terminus is that place, we can do that there. We can have that there. If not, we'll move on. Find a better place." Rick looked at Nik. "Or build our own."

$%^&

Daryl sat shotgun in Lorenzo's truck. They were headed toward a cul-de-sac not too far from the main strip in town. The fall breeze that blew into the windows was balmy. More rain could be in the forecast. Daryl wasn't sure. If so, the weather could delay their movement. He was sure that he didn't like the idea of that. Staying in this spot too long felt wrong. He wanted to find a place to settle before fall turned into winter.

"I thought about it all night, and I almost decided against it," Lorenzo said.

"A camper's a good idea," he told Lorenzo. "It'll keep shit dry and protect it from the elements and walkers. Did you have one before?"

"Nah." Lorenzo chuckled. "Didn't want it fucking up my paint job."

Daryl laughed.

"We found your bike over here. I saw the camper when we headed out."

Daryl assessed the area and calculated the miles from the bank. "Y'all come all this way for that Harley?"

"Sasha kept saying one more street." Lorenzo wore a faint smile. "Just one more. Don't take this wrong, but being the odd man out got me feeling a little envious at times. You, Rick, and Nik got me thinking that the bachelor's life ain't shit."

Daryl stared at the passing scenery. If being in a relationship was foreign to him, having a serious talk about them wasn't any easier. He didn't want his words to make him look like a fool. The little he knew about this stuff could fit on the tip of his fingernail, if that. But every moment with Sasha was teaching him a little more. Being with her wasn't nearly as bad as what his parents had or the women Merle brought around. Still, the newness with Sasha felt special. He feared talking too much would taint it somehow.

"Sometimes I wonder if having someone could be like a Catch-22," Lorenzo continued.

"How you mean?" Daryl asked.

"On the one hand, I have a good woman that I'm free to love and have that love returned, but on the other hand, there's always the potential for loss."

Daryl noticed how flushed Lorenzo's face became when he spoke of being free to love someone. He didn't have to wonder about the other man's word choice, and he chose not to dwell on it. "You know, you got somethin' that many already lost—your family. Your brother."

"Yeah," Lorenzo said, "and I'm grateful. The close calls have been too many. Don't mind me. I'm just grumbling aloud."

"It ain't my place to judge," Daryl said. "This life ain't easy."

"No, it ain't."

Lorenzo pulled into the cul-de-sac and parked at the intersection, facing out. The camper was dusty, but the parts hadn't rusted. Together, they managed to remove it from the original truck and attach it to Lorenzo's pickup. The work could not be rushed, but they remained focused so that they were not away from the bank too long. Near the end of their task, Daryl noticed a flicker of light in a cluster of bushes behind the house across the street.. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He stiffened, but other than that, he kept working.

"See that?" Lorenzo asked, barely moving his mouth.

"Yeah," Daryl said. "Been feeling like we weren't alone for the last half hour or so."

"Me too." Lorenzo tossed him a screwdriver. "We better get back."

Daryl finished up and minutes later, they were back on the road. Lorenzo took a few detours to return to the bank.

"Looks like we had our last night in town," Daryl said. "Time to blow this joint."

"Yep." Lorenzo radioed Nik to warn them that others were in the area and to start loading supplies. The time had come for them to move on.

[A/N: Thanks for your inspiring response! Every reader, follow, favorite, review, and kudo is appreciated and provides mega amounts of motivation! I wanted to try something a little different with this chapter, but Rick wouldn't let me. Oh well. The next chapter will explore how well they can move together as one group now that their temporary home has become a thing of the past. Terminus is maybe a chapter away. Your thoughts have been so helpful, and you know this Terminus thing can use some serious inspiration! Gareth and Mary…BLECH! lol

Alex311 - Thanks! :-) The slow burn is soooo much fun. Rick and Sasha have excellent intuition where their intendeds are concerned, don't they? lol Oh, the "bro code". lol!]