Daryl's truck idled as he waited for Steven to open the gate. He followed the van as it rolled through the entrance, stopping once inside. After the gate was secured, the two vehicles continued into the compound. Daryl parked in the visitor's lot and observed the building in front of him. It was a large three-story structure that had various wings jutting off a central point. The pale peach brick that covered the exterior gave it a washed out and tired appearance, the only architectural detail being the large windows that spanned its main facade.
Daryl climbed out of the truck as Michael and Steven approached him. Michael reached out to shake his hand. "I'm really glad I got the chance to meet you. I thought you might be wearing a cape the way Anna described you."
Daryl half grinned, slightly embarrassed. "She's overselling me then."
Michael gave him a good-natured pat on the back. "Anna's a pretty good judge of character. I trust her assessment."
Steven glanced at Michael and jokingly said, "The fact that she's friends with you says otherwise".
Michael rolled his eyes implying the comment was nothing he hadn't heard before. Daryl had to imagine from the tone of the conversation that Anna had left out important details about their time together.
The men began to walk towards the building, Daryl mentally preparing himself for the confrontation that was about to unfold. They entered the lobby and Michael called out, "Hey, David". "You're never going to believe who we found outside."
Daryl watched as the man approached him. He was blonde and tall, taller than him. He guessed he was a few years older.
Michael grinned, tipping his head sideways. "This is Daryl Dixon. He's the one Anna was telling us about."
The man extended his hand. "David Greer. It's nice to meet you."
Daryl gave him a firm handshake and David gave him a quick once-over. "Well, Daryl. I've heard a lot about you. I want to thank you for taking such good care of Anna. I can't tell you how happy I was to see her show up on our doorstep. I started to give up hope I'd ever see her again."
"It was nothing, really."
David smiled. "I'm sure Anna will be happy to see you. She's in her room. I'll go get her for you."
Daryl stopped him. "Just point me in the right direction. I kinda want to surprise her."
David raised his brow. "Sure. Whatever you like." He extended his arm. "Down that hall. Room 112. It'll be on the right."
Daryl nodded and offered a quick, "Thanks". He walked towards her room, nervous for the first time. He had psyched himself up the whole ride over. Now his resolve was starting to wane. He had no idea what her reaction would be. He had never seen her angry until that day with him. He'd been slapped by a woman before and didn't care to have it happen again. He braced himself and knocked.
A moment passed and Anna opened the door. It was like she had seen a ghost. "Oh my God…Daryl. What are you doing here?"
She didn't wait for him to answer. "You must have come for your gun. I know I shouldn't have taken it but Dale…."
He cut her off. "I'm not here for the gun."
She looked at him, confused. "Then what are you here for?"
Daryl averted her eyes as he struggled to find the words. Everything he had rehearsed had flown out the window. His mind was blank. He began to fidget, his hand touching his lip, then the side of his neck, before eventually being shoved into his pocket. Finally something escaped his lips. "Dale was worried about you…I was worried about you. Look the way we left…."
Anna stopped him, his discomfort with the situation, painfully obvious. "Don't worry about it. You don't have to say anything. I've had a couple of days to think things through. At first I was angry about what you said. Actually I was furious. I blamed you for hurting me, but the truth is I was equally responsible for what happened that night. You never promised me anything and I was more than a willing participant. I read into it more than I should have…I don't know I guess I got caught up in the whole idea of it all. It seems silly now that I actually say it."
She looked at him. His eyes were empty, his face expressionless. It was the same detached Daryl she had known that day. "Can we just start over and pretend like none of this ever happened?" There's your pass. I couldn't have made it easier for you. Now you don't have to feel guilty.
Her words cut through him like a knife. His fears finally realized. He felt his knees get weak. He had no response.
"Can we?" she asked.
He finally acknowledged her with a nod. He didn't think he could form the word yes if he wanted to.
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I'm glad we got that out of the way." She smiled. "It was nice of you to check on me. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though. You always seem to do the right thing." Why do you always have to do the right thing? Why did you have to come here? It was easier when I was angry at you. Now I can't be.
Daryl felt a pang in his stomach. He couldn't help but think he might not be in this situation if he had actually done the right thing, if he had actually been honest from the start. Right now he'd give anything to be yelled at, anything to be slapped, anything but this.
Anna tugged at his sleeve. "I was just going to get breakfast. Why don't you join me?"
She didn't wait for a response. She took him by the arm and walked him to the dining room. Michael, Steven and David were already there, seated at one of the tables. He could feel their eyes on him as they walked inside.
Daryl watched as David pulled out a chair for Anna. He watched as he laid his hand on her shoulder.
David turned his focus to him. "So Daryl, Anna mentioned you worked in construction. What else do you do with your time? Any hobbies or interests?"
"Not really." Just Anna.
Anna cut in. "Daryl's being modest. He's an excellent hunter. He's the one who brings in the majority of the food at camp. I wish I was half as skilled with a scalpel as he is with a bow."
Another pang. Damn it. Why'd she have to say that? Why is she making this so hard? He caught her eyes. You just closed the door on us. You want to pretend like we never happened. I need to dislike you now. Just stop.
Michael spoke up. "Anna was telling us about how you rescued her that day in the woods. That was really impressive what you were able to do."
Daryl shrugged. "I was in the right place at the right time. Anybody would have done the same thing."
David put his arm around Anna, pulling her to him. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for what you did."
Daryl watched him as David watched her. Again with the touching. Who is this prick anyways? Is he why she's all fired up to kick me to the curb?
Steven cleared his throat. "So Daryl how long do you plan on staying with us?"
"Just long enough to get some gas for the ride back."
Daryl could see Anna look up at him. She held his eyes for a moment and he felt his stomach knot. Damn those eyes. They killed him inside.
Michael turned to him. "I can take you out later in the van, if you like. I've already got everything you'll need."
Daryl nodded. "Thanks man. I really appreciate that."
Michael looked at Anna. "Glad to do it. Any friend of Anna's is a friend of mine."
Daryl focused on the word 'friend' as Michael casually made the comment. Did he emphasize the word or was it his imagination? He wanted to set him straight, set all of them straight. We're more than that. Damn it! She knows it. I know it. Why the hell is she acting like she don't?