CHAPTER 23

Daryl

Daryl hadn't been back from hunting long when Rick came knocking on the cell door to ask if they would mind taking guard duty that night. It was supposed to be Mark & Kelly, but for obvious reasons that wasn't happening. Daryl had his suspicions about why Rick was asking them to cover. Whether they were going to fight, make up or both, the privacy of the tower would be preferred to the open cell where every whisper and sigh seemed to echo off the concrete walls.

Now that so many people shared the responsibility of guard duty, they couldn't just leave their bedding up there like before. Daryl grabbed his crossbow and the bunk mattresses they'd kept and Kate gathered their blankets and a pillow in her arms and they made their way downstairs and out into the yard.

They found Tyreese up in the tower leaning over the railing, flirting with Karen who was smiling up at him. He saw them approaching, armfuls of bedding, and stood up.

"Are you two relieving me? I was starting to wonder if I'd be up here all night" He said with an easy laugh, he looked back down at Karen, "I'll be right down and I'll walk you back to your cell." He disappeared into the shack.

"Awww. Thats sweet." Kate cooed at Karen.

Karen grinned, "He's old fashioned. Its nice."

Tyreese walked out the door, grabbed Karen's hand and they said goodnight.

Up in the tower, Daryl tossed the mattresses down and while Kate spread the bedding out he headed outside to the railing. He lit a stale cigarette and looked over the dark prison yard.

Kate walked out and leaned against the rail next to him.

"Should we talk about it?"

" 'bout what?"

"Your run. My run. Our scene outside today. You knocking David out."

"'Told you I was sorry." He realized it sounded insincere like that and quickly looked at her and added, "I am you know."

He exhaled and watched the cloud of smoke drift off into the cold night air. He kind of thought they'd already talked about it as much as they needed to back in the cell. But he should've known better, Kate rarely missed a chance to talk something to death.

She sighed and dove in.

"I'm sorry I went on the run, not because I should stay here and never go out, but because of the way it turned out. If something happened to me, if it had been me instead of Mark..."

Daryl looked at her horrified. He didn't even like hearing her mention the possibility, but she kept on.

"You wouldn't have even known I'd gone and you would've come back to that and its not fair to send you off on runs and having you worry whether I'm back here safe behind the walls or out somewhere. So I won't go again unless you know about it. Ok?"

His lips formed a thin line, but he nodded. He wanted to tell her she shouldn't go at all, not without him, but he figured he'd cross that bridge when they got there.

"What are you going to do about David?" she asked.

"'Bout David?"

"Ya, I mean, are you going to apologize...or..."

"You think I should apologize?" He snarled.

"Well, no, I mean." She sighed again and closed her eyes. "I don't know..."

"That asshole deserved it Kate. And if he keeps sniffin' around you and gettin' into our business I'll knock him out again."

"I know. I get it. He can be really persistent and really annoying. I seriously almost slapped him across the face on our run today. I don't fault you for hitting him."

Daryl didn't know what David had done to make Kate mad, but he was pissed off just thinking he had upset her. He paced around a bit before returning to the rail and gripping it tightly, trying to keep his temper in check. He didn't want to take it out on her again.

"But instead of slapping him, I said some rude things and I feel awful about it. You know, we don't have to like everyone here Daryl, but we all have to live together. I just don't want it to be weird."

"I ain't apologizin'. Don't ask me to do that Kate."

"I won't. I didn't mean for it to sound like I wanted you to. I just didn't know what you planned to do."

Daryl crushed his cigarette out on the side of the guard shack and tossed it over the railing. He could feel the anger starting to boil, but then she drew up next to him, entwined her arm around his and pressed her cheek into his shoulder.

"How was your run with Michonne?"

He was thankful she was changing the subject, he took a couple deep breaths. He hadn't had a second to relax since they'd gotten back from the run and he had already been exhausted.

"Ok. We got a lot of shit, but no sign of the Governor. I'm pretty sure that trail is cold, but Michonne's mind is set."

"Did you search mostly stores or houses?"

"Both. Found a neighborhood of nice houses. Got a lot there."

He had a feeling she was more concerned with calming him down than the little details of the trip, but it was working and he went with it.

"Is that where you stayed?"

"The first night, ya. Second night we were further in the woods. Stayed in a hunting cabin. Didn't find much - a little food, some crossbow bolts."

Daryl suddenly remembered he'd brought something back for her. He dug into his pant's pockets until he pulled out a folded piece of red and white fabric. He pushed it into her hands. She was smiling before she even knew what it was and he watched her face as she unfolded a small California state flag. She looked up at him, her eyes shining brightly, her smile widening and he swore his heart skipped a beat.

"Daryl I love it. I really do." She wiped her eyes and gave a half laugh, half sob.

"Its just a flag. Found it on a cork board in some garage." He didn't know what to do with her tears, but she was still smiling so he kept on. " I don't know what many of the state flags look like, but I always remembered California had that bear. Thought it might remind you of home."

Kate wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.

"It does. I love it. Thank you."

Daryl hefted the heavy box down the dark hall of the prison. Carol walked beside him, her flashlight beam bouncing in front of them. He had been headed inside from the tower when Carol asked if he would mind carrying the books to the library that he and Michonne had brought back from the run. She and Kate had cleaned the place up and everyone was happy to have it available, but a prison library doesn't exactly have a children's section so Carol had asked them to bring some back if they ever had a chance. The first house they stayed in on this last run looked as if it had a couple kids grade school age and Michonne had spent a lot of time filling a cardboard box she found in their garage with books from the shelves in their abandoned rooms.

Carol and Daryl reached the end of the corridor. Hanging above the door was a small, wooden sign with the word "Library" carved into it. No doubt something made by an inmate in the prison wood shop. Carol opened the door and Daryl headed in.

"Where you want these?" Daryl asked.

She pointed to one of the tables, "Right there is fine."

Daryl set the box down. "You need anything else?" he asked, wiping his hands on the sides of his black pants. "I'm headin' down to some meeting of Rick's."

"You too, huh? Know what its about?"

"No idea. You know, I ain't never been to a meetin' before the turn, now I gotta go all the time."

Carol laughed. "I know what you mean. Although I had the occasional PTA meeting. Kate going?"

"Nope. Rick didn't ask her to."

"You guys all made up? I hear you made quite the scene yesterday."

The question might have annoyed him coming from someone else, but he knew Carol wasn't trying to bust his balls.

"Ya. People should mind their own damn business, but we're good. I still feel like a jerk, but Kate ain't mad anymore."

"Don't be so hard on yourself Daryl, everyone fights. We all know you care about Kate."

"Not everyone." He huffed.

"Well, everyone that knows you two. And Kate knows, thats what counts. Since when do you care what anyone thinks anyway?"

"I don't, but she might."

"I wouldn't worry about that too much. That girl is crazy about you."

"She's crazy alright. Why else would she put up with me?"

"Daryl, you're a good man and she's lucky to have you."

He shrugged her comment off. Daryl didn't miss the trace of sorrow in her voice. It made him uneasy. He knew there was a time that she was looking to him for more. What exactly that was, he didn't know. Their friendship formed early on when he was barely capable of carrying on a decent conversation and she'd just lost an abusive husband and her daughter. She was the first one he felt really wanted him around. He guessed they'd formed a bond because they were the only two who's lives were shitty even before the turn. He cared a lot about Carol, but for whatever reason, it was never more than friendship.

"Anyway, we better head up to the meetin'." He said, eager to end the awkwardness he was feeling.

They walked back down the corridor towards the common room. Rick and Hershel were already there. Hershel sat at one of the metal tables, while Rick stood.

"Morning." Rick said as Carol took a seat next to Hershel and Daryl leaned against the wall.

"Who else we waitin' on?" Daryl asked.

"Glenn and Sasha."

"I'm here." Glenn said, walking in from the cell block and taking a seat. A few minutes later and Sasha came in breathless from outside.

"Sorry guys, I'm on gate duty today and I had to wait for someone to take my place."

Rick nodded and began.

"Thanks everyone for coming. Several months ago, when we had our problems with the Governor, I told some of you that all the decisions weren't up to just me anymore and that we'd vote. I meant that. Except our group is larger now and growing all the time. Hershel and I have been talking and he suggested we form a council - a small government of sorts. A group that can make rules and decisions for the prison. We made a list of who we thought should be on that council and here you all are. We wanted to ask you if you would agree to serve on it."

Daryl looked around at everyone. It made sense to him that those here should be on it, except him. There was no way anyone here could possibly think he should have anything to do with this. Didn't he knock a guy out yesterday?

"I ain't exactly the governmental type." Daryl protested.

Hershel responded quickly.

"No, but no one doubts how much you care about the prison and the people here. You've brought many of them in. You and Michonne have brought in most our supplies. Daryl, like it or not, you're one of the leaders here. We need you on this council."

Daryl just nodded. He didn't know if he agreed with most of what Hershel said, and he definitely wasn't comfortable with the leadership label, but he thought the world of Hershel and he'd do almost anything the man asked him to do.

Rick continued.

"Hershel has been teaching me some farming. We think with a little work and some supplies, we could have a real nice, sustainable source of food. With a little luck, maybe even some livestock. It'll be a good way for Carl to contribute too. So effective immediately, I'm pulling myself back on all runs. I'm also not planning on being a part of the council. I'd like to propose that Hershel lead it instead, but of course you can all vote on that."

"You won't be leading us at all?" Carol asked, both surprise and concern on her face.

Rick shook his head. "I think its time I take a step back. You are all more than capable. I need to spend some time with my kids. I'm worried I'm losing Carl to this world, this is my chance to bring him back. We'll announce the changes to the entire group, we just wanted to make sure you were all on board."

They all shook their heads or mumbled their agreements.

"Our first item of business is organizing a run." Hershel began. "We need some items to complete the shower project and some gardening supplies. It isn't a lot of stuff, but we might have to go further out to find them. Daryl, are you up for a longer trip? Maybe take Michonne?"

"I'll take Kate." He said quickly. He noticed the question flicker across Hershel's face.

"You sure about that?" Rick asked.

Daryl nodded, but didn't explain further. He knew the risks involved in taking Kate, but he didn't want to leave her here so soon after the whole thing with David. He'd worry about her too much and he had a feeling she'd be happier not being left behind for once.

"That's settled then." Hershel moved on. "We should decide how often and where we should meet."

"And we can vote on Hershel leading the council." Glenn piped in.

"All in favor of Hershel raise their hand." Sasha said and everyone but Hershel did.

"You don't get a vote Rick!" Hershel laughed.

Rick grinned."Ya, I know, I know. Just showing my support."

"Hershel it is." Glenn said. "Should we meet once a week? Every two weeks?"

"Maybe once a week at first and then adjust it as we find it necessary?" Carol suggested "We can meet in the library. Its quiet and there is space."

"That sounds good." Hershel agreed and after a couple other quick items he dismissed the meeting.

KATE

Kate looped the apron around her neck and grabbed a machete off its hook. She headed down the slope and opened the gate to the dog run, heading to a section of fence that was bowing under the weight of the walkers that were trying to claw their way inside.

Several people were already working the fence, sending their weapons through the chain links . As soon as one walker fell, another would take its place.

"Good morning Kate!" Karen said brightly as she walked up.

"Hey Karen, is it just me or is this getting worse out here?"

"Seems like it. No end in sight." She pushed a long piece of rebar through a rotten skull.

"I think I'm going to head down a ways, spreading out might help keep them off just one section of fence."

Karen waved a gloved hand at her and Kate walked down about 25 yards, running the machete along the fence. Several walkers turned at the clinking sound and followed. She stopped and started shoving the long knife into their skulls. Twenty minutes later and she was sweating from the effort and stopped to take off her jacket. She saw David heading her way, his eye swollen shut and dark purple.

She tossed her jacket on the ground behind her and turned back to the fence. David stopped a few feet away from her, gripping another piece of rebar in his hands.

"I'm sorry about your eye David." She said, wincing as she got a look at it close up.

"Eh. It looks worse than it feels." He jabbed the rebar through the fence. "I went to Rick. Not just because your boyfriend knocked me out, but because I was worried about you."

She sighed, rolling her eyes. This was getting old. "And?"

"And Rick told me I had nothing to worry about, that Daryl was a bit rough around the edges and obviously had a temper, but that he'd never hurt you. Rick said he loved you like you were his own sister and if he thought for a second there was anything to worry about, he would've interfered a long time ago. He said Daryl was a good man."

Kate smiled. "He's right you know."

"I know. I trust Rick. So even though I'm still kind of pissed off about the eye, I'm sorry to you for the things I said and I'll leave you guys alone."

"Thanks David. And I'm sorry too, for the thing I said about you being a guest here. That wasn't fair

or true. It's your home too."

"Home sweet home." He laughed and gestured to the gurgling walkers in front of them.

An hour later, Daryl and Kate sat on the table of the picnic bench outside. They both held bowls of noodles and pasta sauce. This was one of Kate's favorite prison meals, although she would like it even better if they had meatballs. Daryl had just told her about the council. He was clearly unsure of the whole idea of him being part of it, but she thought it made sense. She knew there was a part of him that would always feel like Merle's little brother and she imagined he would have let Daryl have it about doing such a thing.

"So Rick is stepping down completely? I'm shocked. I mean, it makes sense. Carl is so different. He isn't anything like the other kids his age around here. I thought it might get better after the whole Woodbury thing died down, but it hasn't."

Daryl nodded. "I'm not sure farming is goin' to help that any, but Rick's gotta try I guess."

"I wonder if they'll need any help? I think I might like to try it."

"Don't hurt to ask. I'm sure they'd like some help. Although I have a hard time seein' you as the farmin' type."

'Did they say anything about when the showers were going to be finished?"

"Need more supplies. For that and for farming. They asked me to go on another run. Further out this time."

Kate's heart sunk.

"Oh. Ok. When are you heading out? How many days?"

"Probably tomorrow. Maybe two nights, maybe more dependin' on what we find." Daryl shoveled in another mouthful of noodles.

She wished so badly he was staying home longer before going for so long. He had just gotten back.

"We'll be leaving pretty early in the morning, so we should probably turn in early."

"Who are you going with? Michonne?"

"Takin' you. If you want to go."

Kate grinned. He returned it.

"Seriously? Are you kidding? Who else is coming?"

"Just me and you."

"Really? Daryl I'm going to kill you if you're teasing me. Just the two of us, out together for two nights?"

"Calm down girl, we ain't goin' on no vacation. Its work and its dangerous."

She knew that and there was a part of her that was nervous, but she felt safe with Daryl. Mostly though she couldn't believe that he was actually taking her out that far and that they'd have some real time together. It was a first. She threw herself at him, knocking him back on the table and kissing his cheek.