A/n- Just thought I'd give you a little hint for tomorrows chapter...well it's going to be steamy. Review for Daryl's awkwardness.

Talk is cheap.

A snow storm heavily enveloped Amelia as she trekked across a large field towards her target. The cold barely touched her tonight, she was too hyper aware of what she was about to do, to eager to get it done and get out. They wanted him dead, said he was using his policies for evil so she was to take him out and get it out of there without a trace. Amelia was good at playing hidden, nobody really cared for the assassin, it was better that way. However something was off tonight, it may have been the way the air smelled to her or the way she constantly kept falling short when she realised there was no back up.

At the house, lit up much like a Christmas tree Amelia could already see her target, an older grey haired man, wearing a dark blue suit talking into his cell phone furiously. It would be easy as soon as he put the phone down. He looked like the type to father five children not pay money for armies to slaughter children and wives to gain power. Slipping behind a tree she readied her weapon, taking in a deep cold breath she forced the doubts out of her mind and steadied her hands. This one would be one to enjoy, the savour the way his light faded, for those children that didn't ever have a chance to fight.

Her hearing suddenly picked up a scuffle towards the back door of the building and she knew it was her targets body guard. The body guard was useless, too over weight to really do anything, he was just used for his appearance.

"Ah something they didn't tell me about" and she flew around the tree, taking him down with her silencer. It was now or never, she stepped over the dead body that lay bleeding into the pure whiteness of the snow and slipped into the building. The house lay out was open and simple, more fool him she thought as she began to work out which room he was in. Most of the house was dark, only a few lights on but it didn't stop her. Pushing her way through two heavy oak doors she found him, his back to her staring deep into the fire. Raising her weapon she aimed for his head, it would be easier this way but he suddenly turned and she stumbled back, trying to level her aim again.

"Who the fuck are you?" he spat, his lips snarling.

"I'm nobody" she mumbled before gently squeezing the trigger.

–

Amelia had never woken so violently before, she almost screamed as she bolted up right, panting for air but she refused to give in to her old memories. Amelia was a changed person now, she didn't do things for an empty face anymore. No she was respected and trusted by the prison. Shaking herself out of her memories she looked out of her cell for Daryl but he still wasn't back. Flopping back she groaned, feeling embarrassed for instantly looking for comfort.

Rolling onto her side she tried to think of anything but him.

–

Daryl was loading up the truck full of his kills with the morning sun beating down on his neck. The little trip had been worth it, the camp would feed on deer meet and rabbits instead of dried pastas and rice. He couldn't wait to see his perch and rest a little, he had taken out his anger and frustrations on his old friend the forest and felt better for it. Although he wasn't ready to face the memory of smacking Amelia away he was ready to clear the air with her. If she wanted Rick then he would be okay with it but he would distance himself from her...Afterall he didn't need any distractions.

As his fingers drummed the steering wheel he instantly found Carol and Maggie ready to let him back in. Nodding quickly he sped up a little, getting over the little hill and that's when he saw Amelia, bent over tending to Carol and Hershel's garden. Her long hair was over her shoulder to the side and her pale skin shone beautifully under the sun.

He nearly ran over Rick.

"Sorry" he mumbled as Rick jumped out of the way. Rick laughed a little, heading towards the door to open it for him. Just as he stepped out Amelia turned around, looking right at him and then away again. In that moment everything changed. He wasn't going to let this go. He couldn't. The way Rick turned to look in the direction had Daryl itching for his bow. Delusional with anger is how he felt.

"She won't say it but she's been worried about you"

"No need. She ain't mine" Daryl snapped, pushing past him and dragging out the dead carcasses.

Rick shook his head "It's there for you Daryl...your own happiness. In this day there aint' no second chances" and he said it as he helped pick up the other end of the deer.

"You seem to be getting em' Rick. I saw the way you and her where together" and Daryl hadn't meant for it to come out the way it had but there was nothing he could do.

Rick looked ready to drop the dead carcass inbetween them "It aint' ever been like that between us Daryl...I wouldn't ever go for another man's woman, you know that. I'm just looking out for you both" and the guilt came flooding back to him. The memory of Amelia on the floor, bleeding because of him refused to clear from his head.

Just when Daryl Dixon thought he was finally working shit out this happens; he wasn't sure on what to do so he just kept on moving, trying to get his lips to work with his brain.

"It still stands...she ain't mine Rick. Cant seem to do nothin' right these days. Shit, I aint even asked for this. I just like a simple life, well simple with these freaks mixed in against my damn will" he ranted.

Rick stopped, and eyed him from under his large sheriffs hat and almost smiled "You don't choose it Daryl, it chooses you"

Scoffing loudly he laid down the animal that had been roaming the woods looking for food onto the concrete before the prison doors. Squinting down to the prison he spotted Amelia walking towards him, baggy jeans, sunglasses and a chequered shirt tied around her waist. Dirt looked good on this woman. He looked to Rick and then back to the woman that was making her way towards him. He was almost sure that she was about to scold one of them out by the way she was peering over her shades until she slipped past them. Without brushing him she ignored them both and made her way into the prison like they didn't exist.

"Wait" Daryl mumbled as he spun around to follow her. Amelia however refused to acknowledge the man behind her acting like a child and decided that getting a shower was more important. "I said fuckin' wait" and he grabbed her wrist but she was quick, spinning around the face him with a mouth full of fire.

"Get off me" she growled and he released her instantly. Taking off her shades and shoving them into her pockets she waited for him to open his mouth. He was lost, looking at her lips and then to her eyes. It hurt him just had hard this all was.

"Just listen. I ain't never been good at sharing my feelings and all that crap but I gotta say this now or I ain't ever gunna' say it" and he felt the nerves prickle up his spine and his palms begin to sweat. It made him even more nervous when he face gave nothing away.

"Go on..." and he could see her biting her lip, nervously. The cut was still there and she was going to make it worse.

"I-I well...I think you-" and he paused, trying to catch his breath "I think you've done well" was all that he could say. His brain wanted to tell her that she was all that he had in the world and he refused to leave her or let her go. He needed to tell her that he was going to be the one protecting her and being a shoulder to lean on. He wanted to kiss her lips, put his hands in her hair and take her out into the woods and lose himself with her. He didn't say anything. He just crumbled.

"Er Thanks Daryl" and he could hear the hurt echoing in her voice as she turned away, ready to leave him and his awkwardness alone.

Something jumped into Daryl forcing him to say more "Your rack looks real nice in that shirt...wait!" and he physically stumbled upon something he should of never had said out loud "I mean you look nice, you look nice today Amelia. I didn't mean to say that to ya. Ah fuck this!" he huffed, swinging his bow around his shoulders and darting for the nearest exist.

Amelia was left to stand there, in her own pool of awkwardness trying to work out what had really just happened. Had Daryl been eating some funny mushrooms out in the wild or was he going through an early mid life crisis?

"Men are batshit crazy" she concluded to herself with a slight nod.

"But you're the one talking to yourself" Interrupted Carl, as he came into the prison's make shift kitchen. He was covered in dirt and eager for a wash himself.

"Carl, do men find it really difficult to tell women how they feel?" she asked, ignoring the embarrassment of having to ask a near teenager the goings on of the opposite sex.

"Yep. Whatever we say always seems so stupid" he said as he passed her, not bothering to see where she was going with this.

"Riiiight" she said outloud, almost smacking herself in the forehead "I gotta find Daryl!" and without saying bye to Carl she ran back out of the building and spotted Daryl bending into his truck, retrieving his last goods of the day. He had barely turned around when she pushed her way into her personal space.

"I get it" she said, out loud, catching her breath "I don't find any of this easy" and her eye's where steely and fierce. There was no use pretending what was happening between them both wasn't just because they didn't know what to do. They would have to learn. "Tomorrow I could die, you could die. We both could be torn to shreds by the freaks out there" and she pointed towards the dead gnawing at the fences "but I just have to say that I think you look really fucking nice too, today, that is" and she smiled a bright smile.

Smirking, understanding just where she was going he nodded slightly. This is what attracted him to her, she didn't need to hear the details, she just needed the gist. Amelia wasn't your average woman. Turning away she began to make her way back up to the prison, leaving him to dwell on what she said until she had a sudden thought. Turning slightly she called over her shoulder "Oh and by the way your ass looks nice today" and she winked.