It had been a few days since their conversation in the woods where Evie had agreed to be Carl's girlfriend. In the time since they had been relatively happy with the decision. Every day they snuck away for some time alone, just talking and getting to know each other better. Every new thing they learned about the other just made them more glad that they'd come together.

They had decided to keep the new development to themselves for the time being. Not that either one was ashamed of the other but they weren't stupid. They both knew the Dixons would bluster, rage, and threaten at the very idea of anyone sniffing around Evie.

Carl's end of things wasn't much better. He had his mother Lori who acted like she was the queen bee, telling the other women of the camp what to do without actually lifting a finger.

And then there was Shane, or as Evie liked to call him, Deputy Douche. He wasn't a fan of anything Dixon, especially Evie, because they refused to follow his lead. That along with the verbal bitch slap Evie had given him on day one had served to make the cop try everything he could to bring the rednecks to heel., it was a vicious cycle that amused Carl to no end.

The Dixons would do something, say something, or just breathe wrong depending on the day. Shane would get a bug up his ass about it. He would stomp over into the Dixons' camp area and attempt to lay down the law. Then Evie, wonderful Evie, would sweetly but firmly bitch slap him back into his place. Shane would stomp off like a wounded animal.

Carl had even been lucky enough to see every verbal beatdown and it always made his day. The one and only time, which had been the last, Shane had attempted to return fire and get vicious and cutting to shut Evie up, he'd found himself on his ass in the dirt with a broken nose. A warning from Daryl that the next time he called his daughter anything but her name or spoke to her that way would be the last time he drew breath had the former cop skulking off to lick his wounds.

-The Day Before-

Two days after Evie and Carl had spoken and ended up somehow going from commiserating over their shared loss of a parent to being a couple found the teens sharing looks from across the camp as they both attended to things that needed doing. Carl was sharpening the pocket knife his dad had given him for his sixteenth birthday four months ago while Evie was working on cleaning her weapons.

The teenage girl had brought out a tarp from the back of her dad's truck and laid everything out on it in front of her, including a gun cleaning kit. She was obsessive about keeping everything in good working condition.

Shane returned from collecting water, shouting his usual warming to boil before use, caught sight of the petite girl sat surrounded by weapons cleaning them and he couldn't help the sneer that took over his face. He was going to settle this once and for all. Ever the persistent bastard that he was, he stomped over towards Evie and Carl was barely able to restrain the smirk that threatened to take over his face as he realized what was about to happen. Yet another showdown between the former cop and the petite gymnast. They were currently 4-0 with Shane forever leaving in a strop after he'd had his ass handed to him with words alone.

"Evie we need to talk about this. Now I know you claim that all of these weapons are yours but I just have trouble believing that." Shane said as he came to a stop standing just at the edge of the tarp and crossing his arms as he glared down at the girl. He hated her with a passion. She wouldn't bend to his orders and always made him look like a fool when he tried to reprimand her or get control over the Dixons. Neither of her male relatives was ever willing to step up and shut her up and Shane had had enough. He would be getting those weapons and she would know her place today. "I'm going to have to confiscate them. People just aren't comfortable seeing them in a hands of a kid, especially one so tiny." He said in a condescending and forceful voice, thinking she would finally come to heel if he didn't give her a choice.

"And by people you mean you." She said as she slid the newly cleaned and reassembled Glock 19 into its holster before picking up the KBAR and beginning the process of cleaning and sharpening it. Not once had her eyes left what she was doing, never giving him the satisfaction of having her full attention. "That sounds like a YOU problem, Deputy." She told him, finally looking up at him, sparing him the barest of glances before putting her eyes back on her work. "I've told you, Daddy's told you, and even Uncle Merle has told you that you're not getting your greedy, grimy paws on anything of ours, and that includes MY weapons. Pretty sure you'd do more damage to yourself than anything else if you tried your hand with my bow." She pointed out, her voice at the last taking on a faux concerned tone, as though she truly was worried about his safety. It fooled no one and several people who'd been within earshot had to stifle a smile or a laugh. Namely Carl and T-Dog.

It was obvious by now to everyone in the camp that Shane had an issue with the Dixons and really seemed to have it out for the youngest one. Everyone had been witness to at least one of their confrontations and gossip had spread, as it does in close quarters. Everyone knew that Shane had it out for Evie and that every time he tried to steamroll her she sidestepped it and then made him look like a fool.

t was getting to the point where a few of the adults, such as Dale, T-Dog, and even easy-going Glen took notice of the glares he sent the teen's way. They noticed that he'd jump at any chance to try and throw her under the bus or get her underfoot and she just kept wheedling out of it with a sharp tongue and an almost effortless ability to put Shane in a bad light. Several of the men were starting to wonder why they were listening to Shane if he couldn't even outwit a 16-year-old. Or if they were smart to be following a man who seemed to have a personal grudge against the young girl. She was respectful and kind to everyone else in the camp, even Lori, whom it was obvious she tended to avoid.

With practiced ease, Evie had the knife razor-sharp and gleaming in short order. It too was sheathed and clipped back into place on her belt. Carl could see that Shane was shaking with anger. The younger male wouldn't be surprised if he exploded soon and he wasn't disappointed when a few seconds later Shane's face went a shade of purple and words started spewing out.

"Now listen to me you little bitch!" He roared, lunging forward and reaching out as if he was going to grab her. He wasn't able to finish the action because before anyone could move so much as an inch to intervene, Daryl had planted his fist in Shane's face. A sickening crack was heard and several people winced as their current leader's newly broken nose.

"No, you listen to me you fucking bastard!" Daryl growled, shifting to put himself between the downed man and his daughter who'd jumped to her feet the second Shane lunged, showing she hadn't been ignoring him as much as she looked to be. "That is my daughter! MINE!" the usually quieter Dixon yelled, catching the attention of everyone in the camp. "You do not fucking touch her! I told you once to leave her alone. Told you if you touched her I'd kill you, you stupid some bitch. You're fucking lucky I was here! Lucky I got you before you got her because I swear to God if you'd have touched her I would have slit you stem to sternum and left you out in the woods for the walkers!" the irate redneck continued to roar, drawing a crowd.

"I was just.." Shane started to say but was cut off.

"You was just sticking your nose in where it don't belong. Trying to boss my kid around and bully her into doin' what you want'. It ain't happenin' dipsit. Evie is MY daughter. You have no say! No right to try and tell her what she is and isn't gonna do. That's my job. And you trying to take her weapons… again. Was dumb. I'm the one who bought them for her you fuckstick!" Daryl yelled, his face red as he continued to berate the man on the ground who hadn't bothered to stand up.

Shane was equal parts enraged and embarrassed as he realized almost the whole camp was watching the scene.

"She needs to learn respect." Shane snapped, finally pushing up onto his feet.

"Oh she has plenty of respect, just not for a dum pig like you. No one else has an issue with her, just you. How fucking pathetic are ya that you're hell fucking bent on starting shit with a 16-year-old?!" Daryl shouted.

Shane was itching to take a swing at the redneck but thought better of it as Merle sidled up to stand next to Evie, draping an arm over her shoulder. The wicked grin on the oldest Dixon's face told the cop that it wouldn't be a fair fight. More than likely all three Dixons against him.

"Last warning, asshole. Stay. Away. From. My. Kid." Daryl gritted out and turned his back on Shane, telling him without words he didn't see him as a viable threat. "Get ya shit packed back up Evie. Heading out hunting. You go check the snares." he barked and stalked off into the woods before he followed through with gutting the cop.

-PRESENT DAY-

The teens weren't the only ones getting closer. Carl's suspicions had been confirmed in the worst ways. Two days after making things official with Evie, they had been out in the woods, her trying to improve his hunting skills, when they'd stumbled across Shane and Lori. Carl had seen the glances and lingering touches. But seeing his mother naked under Shane and the nhoi8ses that came with it had hurt, enraged, and disgusted him in equal measures. He subsequently spent as little time with either of them as humanly possible.

One thing he could not escape was the schoolwork his mother demanded he continued with. He honestly wasn't sure why, he was a junior in high school and had learned enough of the basics to get by. Plus, it wasn't the most important thing he should be learning. Like the things, Evie could teach him about survival and living off-grid.

So that's how he found himself sitting at a table with his mom and several other younger kids and their mothers doing schoolwork. Carl sighed for what felt like the millionth time as he worked through the biology workbook Lori had gotten Glen to grab on a run. Apparently, she forgot that he had already taken this last year.

His snarky girlfriend thought it was downright hilarious when he'd complained to her. Though she had given him a soft kiss, their first actually, to take the sting out of it. That had led to many more kisses so he was pretty happy with the result.

Hearing his mom's voice, a sound he'd come to hate, calling his girlfriend's name, pulled his thoughts out of kisses and other less chaste fantasies and back into the here and now.

Carl wasn't sure if he was hoping to see his mom get put in her place just luke Shane had several times before or hoping to avoid the embarrassing scene his mom would no doubt make.

"Evie." She heard her name being called as she made her way back from the bottom of the quarry with the freshly washed laundry. Turning to the sound of her name, she found the source was her second least favorite person in the camp. Lori. She sighed heavily and took a quick second to pray for patience before bodily turning to face the older woman.

"Can I help you?" She asked in as neutral a tone as possible.

"Why don't you join us?" Lori asked, motioning to the seat next to her and across from Carl. "I know schools are a thing of the past and all but you can still learn."

"No, thank you." Evie said, doing her best to remain polite, if for no other reason than to make her boyfriend's life easier.

Carl knew this wouldn't end well. He could see his mom gearing up to force the issue and get her own way. He could see Evie's patience was thin. And if that wasn't enough, he could see Shane coming up behind Evie, Daryl across the clearing but eyeing his daughter warily.

"Evie, having an education is important. Come sit with us." Lori said and Carl could have groaned. He could visibly see Evie's hackles rising at the demand in her tone.

"That won't be necessary, though I do thank you for the invitation." Evie said in that debutante's voice she'd used on Shane.

And as if the fates were laughing, Shane took the opportunity to try and get one over on the youngest Dixon."Well, why don't you look at it as less of an invitation then?" Shane said, trying to sound subtle in the order.

Evie caught it and turned so she could keep both Shane and Lori in her line of sight at the same time before speaking, her own words much more subtle and much more effective. Carl just braced for impact.

"Well now, Deputy," Evie began, another one of those patronizing smiles that people used to talk with small children and mentally deficient plastered across her face. "I do believe we've discussed this little issue, of the you attempting to command and intimidate me, before. Ad nauseam actually." She added the last with an eyebrow raised pointedly. She spoke again before either could unstick their tongues and formulate a response.

"Now... " turning her attention to Lori, a condescending smile on her face. "Before I was interrupted." Here she shot a pointed glance at Shane designed to embarrass and fluster, it hitting its mark perfectly. "Thank you for the invitation." She began, the last word heavily emphasized." but it isn't necessary because as I was about to explain, I have already finished my education." She said.

"You can't have already graduated." Lori said incredulously.

"I didn't walk but I am finished with school." She explained as though it was no more interesting than the weather. "I finished a year and a half ago actually."

"We're not talking about middle school, kid." Shane said with a snort and Carl wanted to facepalm.

"Neither am I." Evie said with that same sweet condescending tone. "I studied extremely hard and got my GED the week after I turned 15. The following summer I sat my SATs and ACTs. Both of which I passed." Evie explained with the air of long-suffering patience.

"What? You go to juvie or something and get expelled?" Shane snorted.

"No, actually." Evie said, her smile turning slightly smug, throwing Shane off. "My coach and trainer thought it was best and my parents agreed. I had been homeschooled for two years due to scheduling issues but it was still taking too much time from training so it was best to eliminate the distraction altogether."

"Distraction?" Lori squawked indignantly.

"Training for what then?" Shane almost spat as though he didn't believe her.

"Gymnastics." Evie said, voice dripping with smugness.

"She's an elite gymnast." Daryl said, speaking for the first time right behind Shane. "School interfered with training and competitions. So we took her out to focus on what was more important."

"How is a hobby more important?" asked Andrea who had been listening nearby. As a lawyer, the idea of school being unimportant was offensive.

"I'm both nationally and internationally ranked." Evie explained much more kindly to the blonde. "I was on the national team for the World Championship and was tapped for the Olympic team for the next Olympics."

Andrea blinked, nodding in understanding. Amy behind her a little awed.

"She's a career gymnast. That came first. College was for after." Amy said with a grin. "Most elite gymnasts retire by 22 at the oldest." At Lori's curious and Shane's disbelieving looks she explains. "Did a research paper on Mary Lou Retton in high school."

"You expect us to believe this crap?" Shane spat.

Unfazed, Daryl pulled out the wallet from his back pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper handing it to Andrea next to him.

The blonde blinked and smirked as she read it. "Local gymnast, Evangeline Dixon, picked for Team USA in the 2012 Summer Olympics to be held in London." Andrea read aloud, turning the clipping around to show a shot of Evie from the most recent World Championship. "Congratulations Evie. THat's a huge honor. I'm sorry the world went to hell before you could represent us in London."

"Thanks Andrea." Evie said with a bright, genuine smile. "It was a huge honor just to be chosen. I've been on the national team for a few years and medaled several times. I trained seven days a week to get as far as I have. So since my career would be short and school would always be an option, I focused on the first that would more than pay for the second." Turning to Lori once more. "Hence not needing to review high school material. Thank you again for the offer. Now I need to get my wet clothes hung up to dry so if you'll excuse me." She said turning and continuing on her aborted trek to her tent.

"Thought we had words about you trying to order my kid around." said Daryl, glaring at Shane. "Last time I'll say this Walst, stay away from my daughter. She ain't any of your concern." The redneck snapped before storming off.

Daryl wasn't a talker, never had been. He wasn't a fan of speaking in front of a bunch of people. And he especially wasn't a fan of explaining himself. But he would be damned before he let anyone look down on Evie. She was the best thing he'd ever done and was his whole world.

At her own tent, Evie was busy shaking out and hanging up her clothes on the line her uncle had strung up for her between the two Dixon tents. She was annoyed with it all., She hated when people tried to control her, Merle said that was the Dixon in her. And while Lori was annoying, she was easily quashed. Shane on the other hand was like a dog with a bone and just wouldn't let go of his need to control everything and put the Dixons on his leash. She wanted to punch him on a daily basis.

It took her no time at all to hang all of the clothes up, both hers and her dad and uncle's. Once she was done, she caught Carl's eye and nodded to the woods. He know to meet her in their special place when he was done. Once she received a subtle nod back, she grabbed her effects and took off into the woods, calling out to her dad that she was going hunting as she disappeared into the trees.