A/N

Thanks to DarylDixonsLover, Guest and Kilema for the kind reviews.

Chapter 10

"Jesus Rick! Get a hold of yerself" Daryl cringed at his unfortunate choice of words as he took in the sight in front of him. Quickly he pulled the door shut to prevent others seeing what was going on in the small storeroom.

Face burning with a mixture of frustration and embarrassment Rick untangled himself from Katherine, scrambling to his feet, tugging at his half unbuttoned shirt.

"Can't you see the bitch is playin' yer" Daryl took a few steps toward them, gaze locked on Katherine as she remained lying on the blanket, propped up on her elbows, familiar smirk back in place.

"It's what she does. She'll screw you to get what she wants then probably kill you when she don't need you no more" he finally risked a look at Rick, relieved to see he'd sorted his clothing out as he struggled to regain his composure.

"Maybe you'd like to join us" Katherine taunted, laughing at the disgusted look he shot her.

"You didn't have any problems with me back at that RV" she countered, enjoying the shocked look Rick gave him.

Daryl grabbed his arm and quickly pulled him from the room, away from the manipulating woman and the sound of her mocking laughter.

Carol was on guard duty and Rick stopped to speak to her.

"Nobody goes in that room alone" He instructed as she gave him a puzzled look.

"Why? She not that dangerous, not without the Wolves behind her" she frowned, noticing his flushed expression and awkward movements.

"Believe me, it's better if no one is alone with her, especially a man" Rick strode away before Carol could comment further. He didn't see her grin as she worked it out for herself.

The two men didn't speak again until they were outside and away from prying eyes and ears. Daryl lit one of his last cigarettes, pulling on it as he waited for the inevitable question. He didn't have to wait long.

"So, what exactly happened in this RV?" Rick asked casually as he stared straight ahead, still unable to meet his friend's eye.

"Bitch tried to get me to leave you lot and run off with her" he mumbled, hoping Rick would drop the subject, knowing he wouldn't.

"How?" The deputy asked and Daryl was sure he heard a hint of laughter in the question.

Rick watched as Daryl suddenly developed a lot of interest in the ground by his feet. Even in the late afternoon light he was sure the man's face was red as he took another long drag on the cigarette, still refusing to answer the question.

"Oh my God" he exclaimed suddenly getting it "You're telling me you crashed in there and cock-blocked me when you've already been there, done that?" Rick was laughing out loud now "and I thought we were friends"

He saw the slight twitch of Daryl's lips and knew he was seeing the funny side as well.

"How did she manage to get to you?" Rick asked, suddenly curious.

Daryl finally looked up from the ground.

"She pissed me off" he said sheepishly "picked a fight, all but jumped me and it kinda went from there" he nodded at Rick

"How 'bout you?" he asked.

"She cried" Rick admitted "Told some sob story about a dead sister. Always was a sucker for tears. All Lori had to do to win a row was turn on the waterworks and that was it, I was done" he shook his head "pathetic really"

They were both quiet for a moment, not really needing to speak.

" She said we should take my kids and go, just the four of us. Gotta say she made it sound tempting" Rick finally admitted.

"Damn woman's good, aint surprised she's survived so long" Daryl dropped the cigarette stub and ground it out under his foot. "She knows what she's doin'"

Ricks snort of laughter made him jump.

"Okay man, it was good, you don't have to rub it in. I'm still suffering here" He laughed as they headed back inside to prepare for the trial.

Carol was bored guarding the door and decided to ignore Rick's order. She wanted to talk to Katherine, to try and find out where the Wolves base was on the off chance there were supplies, food and weapons left behind. She opened the door and slipped in.

Katherine was sitting on the floor, back against the wall again. She laughed when she saw Carol.

"Rick not coming back?" she asked "I thought we had some unfinished business"

Carol watched the younger woman with cold eyes,

"I don't know what happened in here but I can guess" she began "after all you're young, pretty and desperate to escape and he's a man. I'd say it was fairly obvious what you tried. Pity for you that Daryl arrived when he did"

Katherine's eyes narrowed "Yes it was. I should have worked out he wasn't the kind of man that would want to share" She saw the moment Carol realised what she was implying and knew what she suspected was right.

"Oh, are the two of you together?" she widened her eyes innocently " I had no idea, he didn't say a word. Mind you, there wasn't much time for small talk before he….."

"You're lying" Carol interrupted angrily "He wouldn't , not with someone like you"

Katherine gave her a sympathetic look.

"He may have those wings on his back but he's no angel. He couldn't wait to take what was offered. In fact I believe it was him that initiated it" she smiled again.

"You said it yourself, I'm young and pretty and he's a man. They're all the same"

Carol span on her heels and stormed from the room. Much as she would like there to be more, there was nothing but friendship between her and Daryl but she still somehow felt disappointed in him. She couldn't believe that he'd been taken in by Katherine's tricks and pretty face. The woman clearly knew exactly how to use what she had to get what she wanted, how else had she been able to make the Wolves follow her orders? Carol resumed her guard duty by the door and tried to push the resentment aside, to swallow back the irrational anger she suddenly felt towards Daryl.

Katherine was bought into the former restaurant of the hotel. The large room had been cleared of tables and was now being used for the trial. She'd been amused to see Rick had sent Maggie and Sasha to escort her from the storeroom, the two women armed and alert as they pushed her ahead of them. Her hands bound in front of her they made her stop in front of Deanna.

Rick was at the former congress woman's side, face impassive as he waited for her to speak. Scanning the room Katherine saw Daryl standing next to Carol. She saw him lean down to mutter something to her and smiled when the older woman glared at him briefly before stalking away, leaving him standing there confused.

She was aware Deanna was speaking now but tuned her out. The whole trial was a farce, just something to make killing her seem more acceptable. The people of Alexandria were still clinging to the old way of life and she believed it would get them all killed sooner rather than later.

"Have you anything to say in your defence?" Deanna was asking her and she realised she was supposed to speak. She wondered if they expected her to beg for forgiveness or plead for mercy.

Standing up straight she faced the crowded room.

"What can I say? You all saw me storm your town, shoot your people. You heard me order the house I knew a man was in to be firebombed. I caused your people to die and yes, I do have regrets. I regret that I didn't send in the geeks first to thin you out before I risked my men. I regret not just gunning you all down in the streets instead of waiting" she turned to face Rick "and I regret not hurling your child to the undead instead of keeping her safe"

Her voice was drowned out by the outraged shouts and cries and she turned to Deanna. Leaning close to the woman's ear she whispered.

"Are you sure you can trust Rick to lead you and keep your people safe? He only cares about his group. He sees your people as walker bait, something to keep the dead busy while they escape. At the first sign of trouble he'll abandon you all"

She saw the way Deanna frowned at Rick and knew she was still suspicious of him and his group.

"He tried to make a deal with me" Katherine continued, as she saw Maggie heading towards her.

"Said he'd help me escape if I was good to him, if you know what I mean" Maggie gripped her arm and pulled her roughly away.

"How can you trust a man like that?" she called as she was taken back to the storeroom.

The guilty verdict was unanimous and now the vote was for a suitable punishment.

"You have three options" Deanna explained "Write your choice on your slip of paper and place it into the box. Majority wins" She glanced around the room, before continuing.

"The choices are banishment, imprisonment or execution"

Katherine didn't bother getting up when the door opened and Deanna stood in the door way, Rick once again at her side.

"You've been found guilty and sentenced to execution" Deanna told her "All but one voted for your death, the other wanted imprisonment"

Katherine shrugged,

"I'm not exactly surprised. Who voted to keep me locked up?"

"It was a blind vote, so we don't know" Rick told her, although he was pretty sure it was Morgan. The man still considered all life to be precious, even that of someone that had killed many times.

"We don't want the gunshot to attract attention so you will be taken from here in the morning and the sentence carried out. As constable, Rick will be the one to do it. Myself, Spencer and Aaron will accompany him" Deanna explained.

"Whatever"

Katherine pulled the blanket up and wrapped it around her shoulders, turning away from them, not turning back until she heard the door close and the key turn in the lock.

It was a few sleepless hours later when she heard the first screams.

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