Nikolai and Rick were gone when they got to the humvee. Anna sat in the passenger seat, door open, thumbind through her magazine with the walkie-talkie on the dash. Cesar and Scout were also gone, and Katie frowned. She had wanted them to see Scout, probably the only dog for miles. Anna looked up. She looked at Katie, then her eyes flicked to the people she had brought over.
"I'm asusming your going to introduce me?" she asked.
"Everyone, this is Captain Anna Lerwick. Anna, this is Carol, Glenn, T-Dog, and Daryl." Katie said, ignoring her attitude as she pointed to each in turn. Anna put her magazine down, eyes lighting upon Daryl's weapon.
"Crossbow!" she exclaimed, sliding out of the humvee. Daryl raised an eyebrow, glancing at Katie. She flushed, ducking her head.
"You talked about us?" Glenn asked. Anna waved her hand.
"Of course she did. On and on. 'My friends. I have to find my group.' But she didn't go much into detail of the owner of the crossbow. I must say, I expected someone younger, and more muscular."
Katie felt her cheeks get hotter as all eyes turned towards her. Coughing to clear her throat, she tried to redirect the conversation.
"So, where is everyone?" she asked.
"Oh, Nikolai is speaking with their leader about the details of the mission. He sent Cesar and Scout on reconnaissance" Anna replied, looking bored as the topic was switched. "He thought you could use some time to catch up with your friends."
"Mission?" Katie repeated, however grateful that Nikolai had spared her from scouting. It was usually her job to go and see what dangers lurked around the area.
"Taking the prison of course. Naturally this lot's going to need our help. And we did decide to pack up and move here." Anna said as though it were obvious. She put a hand to her stomach, frowning at it. She looked the women up and down. "Can any of you lot cook? I'm starving."
Carol turned abruptly to Katie, raising her eyebrows. Katie made a face, shrugging. I didn't say she was pleasant.
The sky was dark when everyone sat around a fire, eating the dinner prepared by Carol, Lori, and Katie. Maggie and Hershel were sitting together, however Maggie was leaning into Glenn's shoulder. Cesar and Scout sat a little apart from everyone, keeping an eye on the Walkers on the other side of the fence. Anna and Nikolai chatted with Rick and the others, but Katie wasn't paying attention. It felt strange almost, to have everyone together. She sighed.
Katie swiveled her head at the sudden voice at her ear. Carol handed her a bowl of food, pointing over to Daryl. Katie blinked when she realized she had been looking over at him the whole time. He was standing alone atop an overturned prison bus, crossbow in his hands.
"If you don't put it in front of him, he won't eat."
Katie nodded quietly, getting up. She walked carefully through the dark towards the bus. As she left the fireside, she could've sworn she heard Anna snicker. She tried hard not to think too much into it, thankful it was dark enough to hide her burning cheeks.
"Knock, knock." she called, tapping the side of the bus. Daryl turned, kneeling to help her up. Once she gained footing Katie promptly handed him the bowl, which he took with a nod.
"Too cool to sit with the rest of us?" Katie asked, regretting the cheesy line as soon as she said it. Daryl snorted, glancing sideways at her.
"Someone's gotta keep watch." he replied. Katie plopped down, Indian style. To her surprise, Daryl seated himself next to her. She looked up, smiling at the sea of stars above them.
"I never saw this in Chicago." she said. "But down here it's every night. I love it."
"Only out here in the sticks. Cities are all the same." Daryl replied. He was picking at his food, pulling the meat apart with his fingers to eat it. Katie watched with growing amusement, narrowing her eyes and grinning. Daryl paused when he saw her face, nudging her with his elbow.
"What?" he demanded. She giggled, raising her eyebrows.
"Oh nothing. I just noticed you eat like a little kid."
Daryl rolled his eyes, continuing to eat. Katie, still smiling, lay down on her back. She locked onto the moon, hanging crescent-shaped in the sky. She putting up her hands like she was taking a picture.
"What are you doing?" she heard Daryl ask. She clicked her tongue, then put her arms behind her head.
"I want to remember this." she answered, closing her eyes. "In times like these, peaceful stuff is important. You keep living for moments like these. Or, at least I do."
Katie peeked at him with one eye. He was looking towards the sky now, food set to the side as he contemplated silently. She hoped it made sense to him; it had made perfect sense in her mind before she said it. He looked down at her. Katie's lip twitched when she saw the small grin on his face.
"Hey, Kat!"
Katie sat up in one fluid motion. Cesar stood about halfway between the campfire and the bus, Scout standing dutifully by his side. She spun around to face him completely.
"Rick and LT want to have a group meeting. Now."
He turned on his heel and strode back to the fire. Daryl stood, and pulled Katie to her feet. Scooping the rest of the meal into his mouth, he handed her the empty bowl.
"C'mon. I'll go down first."
That's what she said. Katie sniggered to herself, watching his climb down from their perch. Katie sat on the edge, sliding down into his waiting arms. They caught each other's eye when she landed, and he released her quickly. She followed a few steps behind him, chewing her lip while a whirlwind of thoughts blew around in her head.