Chapter 1

They had moved to East Point Georgia to get out of the city after Merle had a run in with a drug gang that had threatened to burn down the entire apartment building they were living in. Merle not being one to run was pissed off that Daryl insisted they leave the city. The motorcycle shop Daryl had been working at was only a 20 minute drive from the small house they were now renting. East Point was known as a dangerous area, Merle easily found new clientele. The rental market was cheap and the small house was perfect for the brothers to share.

Daryl unpacked what little gear he had. He took the time to sort his clothes nicely, make his bed and put away his needed toiletries. Merle was living out of boxes, his dresser littered with accumulated objects. Daryl had been working at the shop for a few years now. He had managed to stash away cash without Merle knowing and he was doing well for himself. He didn't need much, cigarettes, the occasional beer or moon shine. He hunted as a hobby so a little money went to ammo or arrows for his crossbow. There were groceries in the cabinets, and Daryl had bought himself a nice updated version of his favorite motorcycle the Triumph Chopper.

Daryl sat at a stoplight just a few blocks from his place of work. He had just finished gassing up his Chopper and was running a few minutes late. His mind was on getting the few blocks down the road before his supervisor noticed he was late when he felt himself suddenly hit the ground, landing hard on his right arm. He lay still on the ground for a moment, the wind knocked out of him. His helmet had stopped his head from smashing into the pavement but his head still felt suddenly foggy. He heard a car door slam shut and a woman approach him sobbing out "I'm sorry."

Daryl sat up and removed his helmet, shaking his head a bit to try and clear the dizziness. He felt liquid run down his arm and reached over surprised to see blood. He stood carefully, his leg crying out as he straightened himself up trying to gather where he was and what happened. He felt someone grab his elbow and he pulled away quickly. He was met by the blue eyes of a slender female with short brownish hair. It looked like it had once been very short but was now growing out. A small child stood next to the woman, both of them crying.

"You alright?" Daryl asked looking over the woman and her child.

"Me? We're fine. But you're bleeding." She sniffled. "I hit the brakes and nothing happened. The car just wouldn't stop. I don't know… Are you okay? Should we call an ambulance?" Tears dripped down her cheeks and off her chin.

"Don't need to ambulance. I'm alright." Daryl said grabbing the red bandana out of his pocket and holding it against the raw spot on his arm. "Your little girl hurt?" Daryl motioned toward the small crying child that now hid behind her mother's leg.

"No. She's fine, just scared." The lady walked around Daryl's bike with her hand over her mouth, the child trailing closely behind her mimicking her mother's movements. "Awe, what are we going to do with this bike? You can't ride it. And my car, the brakes didn't work. It's too far to walk." She seemed to be talking more to herself than to Daryl.

Daryl took out his cell phone and dialed Merle's number. "Hey bro. I need you to meet me on Main st at the light across from the coffee shop. Some lady just hit my bike. Ain't driveable. Bring the truck." Daryl hung up the phone and watched the woman continue to pace, still crying. The child walked behind her crying as well. Daryl lifted his bike and using all his strength moved it out of the road. He waved the cars that were stopping, stating that he was alright and he was handling it. He then opened the driver side door of the woman's car and pushed it over to the side of the road so traffic could pass by easily. Glancing to his right he walked into the coffee shop and ordered a hot chocolate, a mocha latte and a black coffee. Thanking the Barista he walked back to where the woman stood still pacing, hand still over her mouth.

"Kid. You like hot chocolate?" Daryl asked squatting down in front of the small girl. She nodded her head quickly and he handed her the hot chocolate.

He tapped the woman on the arm lightly catching her attention. He glanced down at the coffee's in his hand and reached one out to her. "Here. Settle down now." He said quietly as she took the cup from his hand. Her eyes were wide as he motioned her to take a drink.

"I hit you with my car and you buy me coffee?" The tears started again and Daryl led her over to a small table outside the coffee shop.

Daryl sat across from her and watched the child crawl onto her mother's lap. She sipped at her hot chocolate and looked concerned at her mother's tears.

"What's your name?" The little girl asked as she turned to face the man that bought her hot chocolate.

"Daryl." He said, his voice low.

"I'm Sophia." She smiled.

Daryl took a sip of his coffee and nearly spit it across the table. The woman across from him jumped and Sophia laughed at the look of disgust on his face.

"Ugh!" Daryl said pushing the coffee away from himself. "That ain't mine." He frowned, still tasting the remants of the mocha latte.

"Here." The woman smiled slightly as she passed over the coffee he had handed her. "I don't care for black coffee. What did you get me?" She asked quietly.

"A mocha latte. Figured girls like sweet coffee." Daryl said swishing the black coffee around in his mouth to rid the flavor of the sweetened coffee.

"Thank you. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." She said finally starting to calm down as she took a drink from the cup.

"Daryl." He answered again. He felt her eyes upon him and found himself feeling nervous.

"Well Daryl. I've got to figure out what to do with the car." He noticed her fidgeting in her purse.

"Call a tow truck." He said, seeing her peek inside the nearly empty wallet.

"Yeah." She sighed, closing her eyes against the new tears that threatened. She knew she could not afford a tow truck, nor the repairs to the car.

Daryl pulled out his phone and dialed. "Hey Bill. Need you to bring down the tow truck. Got a car you need to pull down to the shop."

The woman listened as this man ordered her a tow truck. She felt the tears spill over once more realizing she couldn't pay for this.

"Yeah, I know I'm late. Got hit by a car on my bike. Yeah, I'm alright. Might need to get stitched up. Tell Jim I'll be down in a bit. Merle's gonna pick up my bike and bring it down there too." Daryl hung up the phone and noticed the tears once more.

"Hey lady, don't worry about it. It'll all get taken care of." Daryl said, taking another drink then hearing the roar of his brother's truck.

"My name is Carol." She answered quietly. "I'm sorry Daryl, I don't have any money to pay for the tow truck right now. You'll have to cancel it." She wiped at the tears on her cheeks.

"Don't need no money. I told ya it'll get taken care of. Quit your fussin, your making the kid upset again." His voice was deep, but he didn't sound stern like she was used to from her husband. Well, ex-husband, she thought.

They sat in silence as Merle pulled up to the curb. The drivers side door banged closed. "Well well well, lookey here. What the hell happened little brother?" Merle asked as he walked up to the beat up motorcycle.

"Just help me get it in the truck." Daryl growled, not wanting his brother to upset the woman again.

"You bleedin there brother. Let me look at it." Merle said reaching out for Daryl's arm.

"Nah. I'm good. Lets just get this loaded and down to the shop." Merle shook his head but followed his brother's lead in pushing the battered motorcycle up the ramp and into the back of the truck.

A tow truck pulled up in front of the wrecked car. Bill jumped out and the three got the car attached to the hook. Carol noticed the front seat of the tow truck was loaded with parts, there would be no room for riders. She sighed.

Daryl noticed her anxiety begin to rise again then noticed her staring at the tow truck. He saw there was no way for the two to ride in the truck with the driver. Frowning he dreaded making the next suggestion.

"Don't worry about it. If the kid sits on your lap we can fit in my brother's truck. You live far?" He asked, wiping off the blood that once again dripped down his arm.

"About 7 miles from here." She answered.

Daryl approached his brother and she noticed him speaking quietly to him. The man looked at her and smiled a side ways smile. Then he slapped his brother on the back and the man named Daryl scowled and shook his head, rolling his eyes.

When everything was locked and loaded Daryl motioned for Carol to get into the truck. Daryl slid into the middle with Merle driving. Carol gave directions and was thrilled when the car ride ended. Daryl was quiet and tense next to her while Sophia chattered on. Merle answered Sophia's questions even when they were aimed at Daryl, but Sophia didn't seem to mind. Carol and Sophia jumped out of the truck in front of her small house. Daryl slid over into the passenger seat.

"Your cars down at the shop, three blocks from the coffee shop if ya head south. Give me a few days to work on it." He hit the side door of the car with his hand and Merle took off down the street.

Carol watched until the truck was out of sight, ringing her hands. She felt herself start to tear up again, until Sophia pulled her arm until she bent down to look at her daughter.

"They're nice. I can't wait to see 'em again when we pick up the car Mommy. We should bring them some cookies." Sophia smiled as she turned and skipped toward the house.

Chapter 2

Carol couldn't get the accident out of her mind. When her car wouldn't stop and she made contact with the motorcycle her heart near jumped out of her chest. Then, she acted like a fool the whole time. The man named Daryl probably thought she was a nit-wit. Maybe she was a nit-wit she told herself as she prepared the cookie batter. Truth be told she wasn't herself lately. She was officially divorced from Ed, but court had granted Ed visitation. Wednesday and every other weekend she had to send her daughter to her father's house. She had just picked up Sophia before the accident happened. She was still reeling from her forced interaction with Ed.

He'd said that he couldn't find Sophia's shoes and told Carol she could come in the house to wait while he looked for them. She did so hesitantly and stayed close to the front door. It wasn't close enough, he was still able to corner her. He whispered to her that she was nothing but a good for nothing whore, and didn't she realize a piece of paper meant nothing. To him she was still his wife and always would be. He grabbed her wrist and bent it awkwardly trying to pull her to his body. Sophia had run into the room after finding the shoes and he had released his grip. Sophia laughed as she pointed out somehow the shoes had gotten inside the cabinet under the sink. Carol realized then that he had hidden the shoes on purpose. Her body quivered and shook as she drove away from the house. Then she'd hit Daryl on his motorcycle.

She pulled out the first batch of chocolate chip cookies, and started the batch of Reese peanut butter cookies. She wasn't sure that he liked chocolate as he'd nearly spit out the mocha flavored latte. She smiled at the memory of the look of disgust on his face. His hair had fallen into his eyes in such a way. His blue eyes that sparkled when he had looked up at her. He had very nice eyes. She caught herself in this day dream, realizing that she may have found him attractive. This set butterflies in her stomach as she had just divorced Ed. She was not prepared to even entertain the idea of an attraction to a man in her life. Then again, his crooked smile and those muscular arms. She shook her head hoping to clear the attraction out of her mind. He wouldn't like her anyway she thought. Her hair was a mess after she cut it, her nose too small, her eyes too dull and well her figure was boring. All words that Ed had spoken to her for years rattled around in her head.

She let the cookies cool and put them in one of her disposable containers. She had ended up making three kinds, chocolate chip, Reese peanut butter and plain sugar cookie. She hoped that he would like at least one of the options. She wasn't sure what to expect. She would need to discuss cost with him, probably make payments as she couldn't afford much right now on top of her house payment and other usual bills. She hoped he wouldn't be angry with her.

Her friend Lori drove she and Sophia to the shop. She waved to her as she noticed Daryl bent down working on a shiny black motorcycle. She could see he was sweating, his shirt sleeves cut off, hands covered in motorcycle grease. She walked into the shop and stood by the door, waiting to get noticed not wanting to interrupt. Sophia slipped her grip from her mother's hand and ran straight for Daryl.

"Hi!" Sophia shouted, squatting down next to Daryl.

He dropped his wrench when she shouted and he squinted up at the little girl.

"We brought you cookies." Sophia said bouncing up and down. "Will you share one with me?" She asked smiling.

Daryl stood, wiping his hands off on his blue bandana. He had smears of oil across his forehead where he must have brushed away sweat. He walked toward Carol as he continued to wipe off his hands.

Carol smiled as he walked up to her. She tried not to notice his muscular build and his blue eyes as he approached with Sophia hot on his heels.

"We brought you some cookies." She said holding out the container. "Chocolate chip, Reese peanut butter and Sugar Cookies." She smiled warmily as he took the container from her hands.

"Thanks." He said as he took the container from her and set it on the counter. "Car's over here. Got it all fixed up for ya. Oil changed, added some washer fluid. You were leaking anti-freeze so I fixed that for ya too. Them breaks were shot, ya lucky you didn't lose 'em a long time ago. Dangerous driving around like that." He walked her over to her vehicle.

"Yes. I know I should have done something sooner. It's just with the divorce and everything….." Her voice trailed off. She didn't want to go into all her woe's with this stranger. "Anyway, I can pay you a little each week. I get paid on Friday's. Will $40 a week due for now and then when I get overtime or babysitting money I can pay a little extra?"

"Don't worry about it. Your all set. It gives you any more trouble just promise you'll bring it by here. Don't need you killin nobody with your breaks going out again." He said matter of factly turning around and heading back toward the bike.

"Daryl. I can't let you do that. Now listen…." She started as he turned toward her again.

"Didn't ask ya." He responded cutting her off. "Kid, bring me one of them Reese peanut butter cookies would ya. Better get ya one too before the guys get back. They'll have them cookies eaten in no time."

Sophia ran for the container. Grabbing two Reese Peanut butter cookies she skipped over, handing one to Daryl. He took a bite, nodding his head as he chewed. He shoved in another piece and with his mouth full said, "Mmm. Good."

"Keys are on the counter. Be careful heading back. Brakes will feel stiff at first, but they'll loosen up with time." He picked up his wrench and went back to work on the bike in front of him.

Carol stood for a moment unsure how to handle the situation. He wouldn't take her money after she was the one that hit him. She saw the stitches in his arm, and noticed a slight limp with his movements. This just didn't make sense she thought. She called to Sophia who was still standing over Daryl chattering on about her doll house and her new barbie. Daryl winked at Sophia as she turned to walk to her mother.

"Bye Daryl." Sophia called as her mother had her climb in the car.

"Thanks again." Carol called out the window as she backed the car out of the shop.

"He's really nice." Sophia called out from the back seat. "I'm gonna call my Ken doll Daryl I think."

"He was nice." Carol replied. The butterflies were swirling around inside of her once again. She looked around and noticed he had also swept the car out while he'd had it. She was embarrassed to think he saw the crumbs and remnants of whatever trash had been in the car. Then again to think he sat where she was sitting now, she liked the idea of that.

"Momma. Can we bring him cookies next week too?" Sophia asked sweetly from the back seat. "Or maybe you could make him your famous spaghetti!"

Carol didn't respond, but her mind was spinning. She would like to bring him dinner one night next week. He was very nice and he didn't seem to have many home cooked meals, he was very muscular but also very thin.

"I think we could do just that Sophia." She smiled as Sophia cheered from the backseat.