Daryl P.o.V
We finally made it back to camp around sun up. Aidan slept the entire way through. I can't blame her. She must have been exhausted.
I still can't believe that crazy girl risked her life for someone she barely knew.
For me.
Although I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, she did try to save Sophia. She even brought her to a random group of strangers, and in this world, that's almost guaranteed suicide.
I gotta hand it to her too, she definitely has some balls, and she's a quick thinker.
She impressed me, and not many people do, not that I would ever admit it.
"Daryl, your back!" I heard Rick call to me as he ran over, concern written all over his face. He must not have slept.
I like Rick; he's responsible, caring, I've only known him for a short time now, but I can tell he's someone I can trust, even if he did leave my brother for dead. I know he had his reasons.
I'll admit, it took me a long time to get over that incident, but I see how dedicated he is to this ragtag group of people; and I forgave him.
"Ye, It's been a hell of a night though, Rick, but more importantly, she needs Hershel and quick," I responded as I looked down at Aidan.
Rick's eyes glanced down to her sleeping body and cringed as he saw her ankle. "Jesus, what happened?" He asked me as we briskly walked towards the farmhouse.
"She helped me escape Rick. We both ended up captured, and she had to improvise and ended up having to hurt herself in the process." I responded as I tried to keep my voice low. The last thing I needed was for her to wake up and raise hell about me carrying her.
Truthfully, I'm pretty sure she saved my life, not that I would ever admit it aloud. The least I could do is let her sleep a little longer.
"Look, I'm sorry, Daryl. I knew it was a risk sending her after you, but I didn't have any options. I know this could have gone a completely different route, and I'm glad your back with us." He said as he patted my back before opening the door to the farmhouse so I could carry her in.
Maggie, who was in the kitchen preparing breakfast, turned to greet us, only to drop a dish in the sink at the sight of Aidan.
"Aidan, oh my god! Daryl, what happened to her!" She half screamed, half screeched out at me.
"Shh! Can't you tell she's sleeping? Help me get her up to a room, and I'll tell you everything, and stop being such a loud ass!" I hissed out at her.
She nodded as she ran up the stairs, running for what I was assuming was her father's room. Rick grabbed the bags and rabbits from my back and placed them in the kitchen before following me upstairs and opening the door to her room.
Hershel was already there waiting, medicine and all. Boy, did he look angry. He gave Rick a knowing look that roughly translated to 'We are going to discuss this later.'
I walked over to the bed and gently placed her down.
Hershel stood up and grabbed Rick by the arm roughly, dragging him by the arm outside of the room, shutting the door behind him.
I guess later actually translated to very soon. Man, I would hate to be Rick right now, but I'm sure hell have some words for me later as well.
I started to turn away before I remembered the tattoo on her wrist.
I know I should tell Rick, but she saved my life. She hasn't given me any reason, well, other than headbutting me, to betray her.
Damn me and my bleeding heart, I hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the ass.
I reached over and grabbed a bandage from the basket and lifted up her sleeve. I took a moment to study the design. It definitely wasn't an old war tattoo. This was from the past few years at the earliest, but I suspect it was newer than that. I wondered briefly why she wanted to keep it a secret. It wasn't like it was ugly. Actually, it was quite well done. It looked like it was done by someone who was a tattoo artist in the old world.
I figured Hershel was just about done chewing Rick out. If I were going to wrap this damn tattoo, I would have to do it now.
I slowly, clumsily, began to wrap up her wrist, tight enough to hide the tattoo, but not so tight it cut off circulation. I'm sure someone could have done it better, but fuck it. Apparently, I was going to be the only one who knew. At least I wouldn't have to do this again any time soon.
I finished up as quickly as I could before pulling down her sleeve and buttoning it up.
Just as I stepped away from the bed, Hershel and Rick walked in, and by the look on Rick's face, Hershel definitely let him have it.
I looked at Rick, and he just shook his head and looked down, obviously feeling guilty.
Hershel sat down and began to tend to her ankle before looking up at me, an eyebrow raised.
He obviously thought I would leave, but I promised her that I wouldn't let anyone find out about her' secret'. So I decided to stick around until Hershel got done playing doctor.
I shook my head at home before sitting down in the chair opposite the bed. I stretched out and kicked my feet out. Damn, did my body ache. I got my ass handed to me today.
Hershel shrugged before going back to fixing up her ankle. He did all the usual stuff, bandaged it, applied Neosporin or whatever it was called, just basically doctored it as much as possible. Still, it would be a while before she would have full mobility again, even I could see that.
Once he was done, I sat there for a few minutes before getting up and walking out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me.
As I made my way down the stairs, Maggie sat on the bottom step, tapping her foot impatiently.
"About damn time Daryl! What the fuck happened?" She asked me as she turned to glare.
"Chill Maggie, she's fine; your dad made sure of that," I responded as I tried to move past her, but she stuck her hand out.
I rolled my eyes at her. What a lame attempt, all I had to do is step over her arm, but whatever.
"She saved me and got hurt in the process. I don't know why you care so much; she's just some random stranger." I responded nonchalantly.
Her mouth gaped open as she stared at me in shock before standing up and stabbed me in the chest with her pointer finger.
"Daryl Dixon! I am ashamed of you! How dare you! She risked her life to save you, and you don't even have the decency to care! Oh, and for your information, she isn't some random stranger. Her brother was my fiance before, in the old world. So why don't you get out of this house until you can show some goddamn respect? You heathen!"
"Wait, what do you mean you knew her before in the old war?" I heard Rick ask as he walked into the room from the kitchen, a glass of water in his hands.
"Her brother Alex was my fiance, we went our separate ways when... well, you know. As far as I know, everyone but her in her family is gone. I know at least Alex is, and with how tight her family was, I can't imagine she'd leave them behind for any good reason." Maggie responded, her voice much quieter than before.
"I'm sorry, Maggie," Rick said quietly, as he looked towards her, unsure of his next move.
"Hey, Rick! Might wanna go put that by sleeping beauty's bed. Lord knows she's gonna need it when she wakes up." I said pointedly towards the water.
Not sure if it was actually intended for her or not, but I had to help him get out of this situation.
Women.
Their feelings can all go to hell. They always end up making everything awkward, and that is why I avoid everyone.
"Wait, Daryl..." Maggie said quietly as I moved past her towards the door.
"Maggie, not right now. I've had the shit kicked out of me, and I could really use a trip to the creek." I said sternly as I moved to the door and walked outside, heading straight for the creek on the outskirts of the farm.
Our Princess was right, I did need a bath, and I refused to shower in the house. I Refused to owe these people any more than I needed to.
Aidan P.o.V
My eyes flew open in a panic as the memories of the past day returned to me.
The last thing I remember was shooting that one guy, Tony, in the head. After that, everything was a blur.
First thing I noticed? I was at the farmhouse, in the same bed I woke up in yesterday.
The second thing I noticed? My fucking ankle hurt.
I glanced around the room and found water on the bed stand with a bell and a note.
'Dear Aidan, Drink this water and ring the bell when you wake up, well bring you up some food. Also, thank you... and I'm sorry. ~ Rick'
Wait, why was he sorry? He didn't do anything?
Oh no, They were going to kill me, or worse, that stupid redneck told them about the tattoo incident.
I knew I needed to get out of there and soon.
The panic set in as I scrambled out of bed and tried to stand on both feet.
I'd like to say that I was able to walk out of there like a badass, ignoring all pain, but instead, what happened was much less... graceful.
As soon as my left ankle touched the floor, I fell face first with a yelp.
Daryl was in the room within a second, crossbow in hand.
Of course, they sent the guard dog to kill me. Poetic considering.
I tried to scramble away from him, but I could barely move. Somehow I managed to roll onto my back, my fists raised in the air, ready to fight to the death.
"The fuck are you doing Princess? Are you actively trying to give everyone a heart attack! Jesus!" He angrily shouted at me as he bent down and placed his crossbow in the chair before reaching down for me.
Wait. What?
He... wasn't here to kill me?
I just stared at him in shock as he bent down and picked me up, and placed me back in bed.
"Seriously, what the hell were you thinking? We put the bell there for a reason! So you wouldn't injure yourself anymore! You need time to heal, dumbass! Stop being so stubborn. Jesus!" He said as he continued to chastise me.
"Umm... just to be clear? Rick... didn't send you to kill me? Because if he did, I want you to know that I could still take your ass down, even If I was handicapped and stuck in bed." I said quietly, my eyes trained on him.
I am more than positive that there was a look of confusion and bewilderment on my face.
He stared at me for a second before doubling over laughing.
Wait... what was so funny. What the hell was wrong with him?
After a few minutes of him laughing, he finally calmed down enough to look me in the face.
"So let me get this straight. You think that I hauled your ass ALL the way back to the farm, just to kill you? And I'm just assuming that the reason you were out of bed was that you were trying to escape this imagined assassination? Am I on the right track, Princess?" He asked me, his stupid face was grinning from ear to ear.
I pursed my lips into a tight line before nodding.
He looked at me and just doubled over in laughter again.
Glad he thought this was funny because I, for one, was not amused.
Suddenly Rick walked in, a coffee cup in his hand, as he looked over at Daryl then back to me, a perplexed look on his face.
"Umm... Do I even wanna know why Daryl is laughing? He never laughs?" He asked me before taking a long sip of what smelled like coffee.
"Well... I mean..." I stuttered out quietly, embarrassed as all hell.
Meanwhile, Daryl's laughs were dying out as he stood up and smirked at me. "Go ahead Princess, tell him why I was laughing so hard... that is, unless your chicken. Bwak, Bwak, Bwaaaaak."
He. Did. Not. Just. Call. Me. A. Chicken.
"First of all, Daryl, fuck you!" I said as I held up my middle finger and aimed it in his general direction. "Secondly, My name is Aidan. I suggest you start calling me by that before I hop out of this bed and kick your ass! And finally," I said as I turned my attention towards Rick, "I read the note you left and assumed that you were going to... kill me. So I tried to escape, and Daryl found out and found my predicament rather funny."
Rick was mid drink of his coffee as I finished my sentence before he too started laughing. His coffee spewing out of his mouth and onto Daryl in the process.
Daryl's look of disgust was perfect, which... made me laugh in the process.
"Alright, alright, calm down, ya heathens, now that you're here Rick, I'm going out to hunt. I'll be back in a few." Daryl said as he walked out.
After Rick had collected himself, he came and sat down next to me, an amused look on his face.
"So... can I ask why you thought we were going to kill you?" He asked me as he took another long sip of his coffee.
"Well your note said you were sorry, and I figured you had decided to kill me," I stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh, no! That's not what I meant at all. When you got back last night, I realized how irresponsible it was to ask you to help us out, and I felt bad that you were so injured, that's all." He said reassuringly, and at that moment, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Actually, it's the exact opposite. I, well, we were wondering if you would join us, permanently, that is? If not, we understand, and as soon as you are healed, we will let you leave, but we could really use someone of your skills. Daryl told us everything that you did, and well, again, thank you. You put yourself in a lot of danger, and this is really the only way we can repay you." He said as his tone went from playful to serious within a second.
I sat there, weighing the options.
When I escaped the other place, I promised myself that I would never join another group; never allow myself to be put in a position, to be hurt again.
I had to admit, though, these people seemed friendly.
Trustworthy.
Plus, Maggie and Hershel were here, people I knew from... before. I knew they were good people, so this group must be good too.
I also promised Sophia, granted I never intended to keep it, but I suppose I could stay for a while, and if things get bad, I could always dip out. Even if these people turned out to be a bad choice, I knew Maggie and Hershel would help me escape.
"Quick question before I answer," I said to Rick, a playful smile playing on my lips.
"Shoot." He responded with a curious expression on his face.
"Am I gonna have to deal with your guard dog all the time? Because quite frankly, he gets on my nerves." I said as I waved at the door where Daryl was earlier.
Rick laughed a hearty laugh before nodding. "Unfortunately, Daryl is a package deal, although to me it seemed like you two were getting on great. Really, he never laughs at or with anyone. I gotta say, I think you made quite the impression on him." He joked aloud before turning serious again, "So I take it, that's a yes?"
"Yes, but I have some stipulations. Firstly, I reserve the right to leave at any time, no questions asked. Secondly, I reserve the right to punch Daryl in the face, at any time, without consequences." I said with a smirk.
I was already imagining all the times I would sneak up on him and WHACK right in the face. He had payback coming for calling me a chicken.
Rick sat there for a minute, pretending to think about it. I knew he had already made up his mind because of the smile on his face, but I give him credit for trying.
"Agreed, but I have one request, if you do decide to leave us, you have to tell someone first. If you just disappear we will worry and think you've been taken. Does that sound fair?" He asked me as he held out his hand. I nodded and took it, before placing my palm against his, shaking on it.
Suddenly from around the corner, Maggie, Carol, and Hershel ran into the room, grins all around. Maggie ran over and gave me a hug before moving over so that Carol could do the same. Hershel kept his distance but gave me a very supportive thumbs up.
"Welcome to the family Aidan, I promise you, we won't disappoint you. Now everyone, let's head downstairs and get her some food." Rick said as he walked out, the others following closely behind.
Was this a good idea? I had no idea.
Would I regret this? I hope not.
All I know is that for the first time, in a long time, I was able to close my eyes and fall asleep, without worry and without fear.
I knew good things never lasted, but I couldn't help but hope.
Hope I could make a home here with everyone, hope that I had found my place among friends.
Hope that the hard times were over and I was finally safe.