Updated and revised 3/21

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter of Katie and Daryl's adventures. It's changed significantly since I originally posted, so even if you've read before make sure you catch up on the new goodies!

NOW

Before she saw Daryl, Katie was so close to just ending it all. While walking with the dead, she had wanted to rip her mask off and scream at the top of her lungs. She had imagined their gray teeth latching onto her flesh and tearing her from limb to limb, destroying her until there was nothing left.

She didn't know how long she'd been walking with Alpha's group. Years. Five, maybe. Time was irrelevant now. To stay alive, she had given up her life. Ironic.

She was a nobody. No name. No friends. Just a servant to Alpha's needs. She was exhausted.

Then, just like before, there he was- giving her hope again and still wearing his angel wings after all this time.

THEN

Daryl had forgone his fishing trip to help her move, and for some reason it didn't bother him.

On any normal day, he'd be annoyed by anyone cutting into his fishing time. She had only asked him to help pick up her car from the bar, and it was on the way anyways. He fully intended to head to the cabin afterwards.

The truck bounced into Jake's empty parking lot and he pulled alongside Katie's car.

Katie opened the passenger side door and hopped out. "Thank you so much, Daryl. Time to go pack this baby up with all my worldly possessions." She tapped the hood of her car.

He chewed on his bottom lip and gave a nod. "Alone? Got anyone to help?"

She slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jean shorts. "No. But I don't really have much. I can handle it."

His eyes drifted from her face to her Honda and back again, sizing up the little space in the car. "What about yer furniture?"

"Um. I don't have any." She shrugged. "Mostly just clothes and shit."

Daryl frowned. "Let me help ya."

"You really don't have to."

Despite her urging that she was fine alone, Daryl insisted on joining her. He couldn't help himself. Oddly, going fishing seemed boring compared to spending the day lugging boxes with her.

That was how they ended up sharing pizza and beer on her empty living room floor later that evening.

The apartment was small, barely 400 sq feet. But to Katie it was a fresh start and it felt just right.

"I think I'm going to like it here."

"Ya need a bed." Daryl said, he'd made himself comfortable on the carpet, legs out in front of him, crossed at the ankles.

"I have a sleeping bag."

He took a bite of pizza, talking around the mouthful. "Yer gonna bring someone home and bang on the floor?"

"Daryl!" She faked offense and he laughed. Then she'd given him a sly smile. "The floor wouldn't be the most uncomfortable place I've ever done it."

Her comment caused his face to turn a slight shade of pink. He cleared his throat and took a swig of beer.

Katie laughed at him. "Didn't mean to make you blush Dixon."

"Pfft. Whatever. Ain't blushing. I need a smoke."

She hopped up. "I'll join ya."

It was starting to get dark outside, he was three beers in and just starting to feel the buzz. He needed to be careful and slow down before he turned into a giant drunk dick. Katie had been keeping up with him, but was a little further gone.

He lit up a cigarette and passed it to her. They smoked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.

Unable to keep herself upright, Katie slid down to the grass and settled her back against the brick.

"Ya keep bumming smokes I'm going to start charging ya."

Katie smiled. "That's fair. Start a tab. I'll settle up when I get my first check."

Daryl inhaled. "Naw. Save it and buy a big ass bed."

"You know. I do have some money." She found herself saying. She'd never told anyone about the unspent cash. Maybe it was the beers she'd had that got her talking, or maybe she just really trusted Daryl. Maybe it was both.

"My dad. He sends money. A lot of money. I've never spent a dime."

Daryl stared at her like she had two heads. "It's jus' sitting 'round?"

She exhaled smoke. "Yeah. I don't want his pity money."

Daryl snorted and took a drag. "Fuck him. Blow it. Buy yerself a big ass bed."

Katie stared down at the glowing end of her cigarette. "He's trying to buy my love to make up for being a lame excuse for a father."

"You think that's a lame excuse for a father?" There was an edge to his voice that surprised her.

"Well yeah. He cheated on my mom, left her alone with two kids and no money. Completely disappeared for years. Then he comes crawling back, claiming he's a changed man and tries to win me over by throwing money at me. Total asshat."

She watched his eyes turn a stormy shade of blue. "Doesn't sound too bad to me. Least he didn't beat the shit outta ya or worse."

"Yeah. That's true." Katie finished off her cigarette and ground it into the grass. "I need another beer. Want one?"

"Of course."

She popped back inside and came back with two beers. "Talking about lame ass parents makes me want to get drunk."

"Hell yeah." He took the drink she offered, their fingers brushing. Daryl shook off the electric feeling that sparked through his hand.

"What about your parents?" She sat in the grass across from him, criss crossing her tan legs. Daryl sipped the beer and couldn't help but let his eyes drag along the length of her legs.

"Not much ta tell." He said around his cigarette. "My mom died when I was eight and my dad kinda lost it after that. Hell, we all did. Merle always in and out of jail. Nothing was the same afterwards."

"I'm sorry."

He shrugged. "Pretty much raised myself."

Katie picked at the grass. "That's shitty. I should never have complained about my dad. I'm sorry."

He stared at her in a way that gave her chills down her spine. "We all got our own shit. Just gotta live with it."

Before he left that night, Katie hugged him. It had taken him by surprise, his arms hung loosely at his sides while she held him tightly until he finally patted her back awkwardly. She smelled damn good. Like vanilla and peaches. Despite his best efforts, Daryl left that night knowing that he couldn't avoid her. He knew she was nothing but trouble. Girls like Katie were too good for guys like him. But damn if he wasn't a glutton for punishment.

Two weeks later

Morning Glory was packed out with customers wanting coffee and waffles and Katie hadn't stopped moving for the past three hours. She enjoyed this job, even if it wasn't her ideal one. She was good at chatting with the regulars while refilling their coffee, bringing crayons and coloring books to tables for ragged parents, recommending dishes to confused patrons and she enjoyed her co-workers. All in all, it wasn't a bad gig and the tips were good.

During a lull, Katie slipped quietly into the restroom for a quick break. Her ponytail was starting to come loose, she shook out her dark waves and quickly fixed it. The bruise on her eye had finally faded to a faint yellow. No one knew it was there unless they were really looking.

Daryl looked. Every time they were together, (which was starting to seem like all the time), she caught him staring at the bruise. He'd never brought Zach up again, and it suited her just fine. That was a chapter she was more than ready to close.

Quickly, she pulled her phone from her pocket checking for messages. She smiled when she saw something from her brother, Joe.

Hey little sis, I have a layover in Atlanta next weekend. Wanna grab a bite?

She quickly typed up an answer. Well, fuck yeah. And slid the phone back into her pocket.

Being a pilot kept Joe busy, but he always made a point to see her when he came through Atlanta.

Her phone buzzed again, she expected it to be Joe, but was surprised when she saw it was from Daryl.

Got plans tonight?

She quickly typed back. Funny you should ask. I need to borrow a truck to pick up my new big ass bed. Pick me up at 6?

Yep.

"C'mon then. Let's go." Daryl clapped his hands together. Katie grabbed one end of the mattress, while covertly watching Daryl's biceps flex as he grabbed the other end. He'd forgone the sleeves today, and put those babies on sweet display for her to gaze at.

Damn. Why are all the good ones gay?

Daryl gave the mattress a little push. "Ain't got all day, Katie."

She snapped to attention. "Sorry!"

Together they wrestled her new mattress off his truck and into her small bedroom. It damn near took up the whole room.

Daryl grunted under the brunt of the weight as they set it down on the platform bed frame. "Damn girl. I was kidding 'bout the big ass bed."

Laughing, Katie threw herself down on the mattress. "Oh my god. This is incredible." She patted the spot beside her. "Try it out with me."

He hesitated and she barked at him, "Ain't got all day, Daryl!"

He rolled his eyes and flopped down next to her, sinking into the bed. "Fuck yeah."

Beside him, Katie rolled onto her stomach and moaned. "I can't believe I waited so long to get this. It's so much better than the floor."

Thinking he could get used to this arrangement, Daryl tucked his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. He quickly started to doze.

"My brother is coming next weekend. I think you should meet him."

"Mmhmm." He was barely paying attention.

"He's one of my best friends. We have been through some serious shit together and it just makes sense that he should meet my best guy friend."

"Didn't know ya could have more than one best friend?" Daryl's eyebrow quirked up.

Katie snorted. "Duh."

Daryl closed his eyes again and let his body sink down into the bed while Katie continued talking. She yawned a bit, and her words came out slow and soft.

"I don't wanna move, but I'm hungry."

"Got anything to eat 'round here?"

"Some leftover Chinese. That's about it."

Daryl kicked her foot with his boot. "C'mon. Let's go find some grub."

Katie moaned, but rolled off the bed. "I'll be back for you." She whispered to the bed.

Daryl drove them down the road to the QuikTrip and they sat in the parking lot eating subs and drinking milkshakes.

Daryl licked some mayo off his finger. "Some friends are having a party tonight. Wanna swing by?"

Katie was slightly surprised by his offer, Daryl had never invited her to hang out with his friends. She smiled. "I'm down. Anyone I know?"

Daryl shrugged. "Maybe. Dunno."

Katie shook her milkshake before draining the last of it. "What about Merle?"

"What about him?"

"I haven't seen him since the night we met."

"Cause he's locked up."

"Oh. I didn't know."

"I didn't tell ya." He answered matter of factly.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Daryl put the truck in gear. "Merle spends more time inside than he does out."

He pulled onto the road and drove out to an area that was unfamiliar to Katie. She watched out the window as civilization faded away and was replaced by an expanse of trees.

"Oh my god." Katie laughed, when she and Daryl pulled up to a bonfire. "Your friends don't mess around."

Daryl threw the truck into park and gave her a sly grin. The fire was huge, music was playing from a truck stereo and about twenty people milled around. The party was well under way.

"C'mon. I'm tired of being sober." Daryl softly tapped her shoulder and motioned for her to follow.

"Lead the way."