Chapter 26 - Tattoos

The sun peeked an eye open in the morning sky, spreading pink hues across the grey of the morning as Rick and Tahlia tried to reroof the chicken coop.

"Hand me that thingee."

"Which thingee?" Rick replied in amusement, gazing down at the assortment of tools at his feet.

"The little shepherd's crook thingee." pointed Tahlia from her position standing on a crate at the side of the coop.

"You mean crowbar?" said Rick with a roll of his eyes as he passed it to her. "Sure you don't want me to do that?"

"Trust me, Rick, you'd rather that I was doing this bit than making a hash of the sawing." she told him as she attempted to pry a rotten plank loose.

Rick laughed and picked up the saw again. "Try not to bust the whole thing to pieces, ok?"

When he'd finished cutting the wood, he watched Tahlia for a while, tapping his fingers on his thigh. Finally, he sighed.

"Tahly… I think I need your help."

She gave him a quick glance as she tossed the last piece of rotten wood to the ground. "Shoot."

"I think I need… I need to…" Rick wrung his hands awkwardly. "… talk about sex."

Tahlia's eyebrows shot up as she turned to face him while wrestling the smile from her lips.

"Sure, Rick. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. You wanna know how babies are made? Or is it more about those dreams you have at night and when you wake up-"

"NO!" Rick cut in, his expression a mixture of horror and mirth, as Tahlia tipped her head back with laughter. "Not like that! I mean, I think I might need to talk to Carl about sex."

"Oh! Thank God. Ok, what's brought this on?"

"Well... I've noticed that he's been hanging out with Elise a bit lately, and I think he might... like her. I'm sure it's nowhere near anything like that yet, but it just got me thinking that there's a lot going on for him right now, and it's so easy for me to forget that what with everything else out here we have to deal with. So, I think maybe I should talk about that with him. I mean, there'll come a point where he's thinking about it…"

Tahlia snorted as she jumped down from the crate. "He's a teenage boy. I'm pretty sure he's thinking about it already."

Rick groaned. "I would've just left this up to Lori, or hoped that other kids would fill in all the blanks but..."

"Ah yeah, he's living in a pretty different world now. No internet, no friends to ask. And no offense to Patrick, but I don't think he's going to be much help in shedding any light on the matter."

"No, I wouldn't think so." agreed Rick. "So, I feel like I need to talk about.." He vaguely indicated his lower half. "And… you know…" He waved his hand at Tahlia's body.

Tahlia's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Are you going to be this awkward when you do it?"

Rick dropped his head into his hands, then peeked up at her. "That's why I need your help… I thought maybe you could do it!"

"Me?!" She considered that for a moment. "You think it should come from a female?"

Rick shrugged. "I don't know. Who else?"

"There's no other guys around here he's close to that might be better to have that chat?"

Just then, the revving of a motorbike cut across the relative quiet of the prison, the sound growing louder as Daryl approached on the Triumph, cigarette hanging out the corner of his mouth.

They both stared at the rough and rugged hunter for a moment, then Tahlia looked at Rick, and raised her eyebrows and nudged her head in Daryl's direction. Rick's eyes moved slowly to Daryl, then back to Tahlia again.

He wrinkled his nose. "I'd really prefer it were you." he managed evenly.

Tahlia laughed. "Ok, sure, I'll do it." She shot a glance back at Daryl who was sitting on the idling bike, obviously waiting for her, a dark look on his face.

"Shit. He looks mad. Do you think he looks mad?"

"Yup. He looks mad. I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything to piss him off, so... what did you do?" Rick asked as he plastered a big smile on his face and waved at Daryl, who barely raised his head in acknowledgement.

"Ugh." Tahlia leaned into Rick conspiratorially and whispered, "I poked the bear."

Rick let out a loud snort of laughter.

Tahlia giggled and elbowed him. "Come with me. I'm scared."

"No way. I'm finishing the coop. You're on your own with this one!" grinned Rick as he started off towards the shed.

"Bury my body under the maple tree!" Tahlia called to his retreating form, and she could hear his fresh bout of laughter carrying across the garden.

From his perch on the motorbike, Daryl gritted his teeth as he watched Tahlia and Rick having a laugh about something, feeling resentful about their easy friendship, battling the urge to just drive off and not bother talking to her at all. But she was already halfway to him now, so he stayed.

Stopping a couple of feet away, Tahlia propped her hands on her hips. "Fancy seeing you here." she remarked lightly, even though her heart was hammering from nervous anticipation. "Still mad at me?"

"Ain't mad." Which was technically true, because despite his efforts, he had found that it was very difficult to maintain any level of anger towards her, he just found himself wanting to make peace (which in itself had annoyed the hell out of him) and now here he damn well was.

"You were."

"Yeah? Well, you were real damn stupid! What if somethin' happened to ya? What if I couldn't find ya?!" he flared, glaring at her for a moment before dropping his gaze to the ground and toeing the dirt with the tip of his boot.

"I am sorry, really. That was dumb to take off." Tahlia conceded, and then gave a small smile. "I guess I should take a map with me next time!"

His eyes shot up to hers, his expression fierce and he smacked a hand to his chest. "I'm your map!"

The words came out with more intensity than he'd intended, and Tahlia brows flickered as a little frisson ran through her as she only just realised how worried he'd actually been for her, only just realised how much he cared.

She nodded faintly, the intense blue of his gaze making her dizzy. She searched for something to say, to lighten the tone, but the best she could do was, "You didn't have to look for me, you know."

"Ain't never gonna leave ya. Already told ya that." he replied, then still frowning, Daryl heaved a sigh and rubbed at his forehead. "Just gotta stick with me out there, girl. Stay close. Don't go wanderin' off like an idiot again." He softened, letting a little of his vulnerability through. "Gave me a good scare."

Tahlia's expression misted a little at that admission, and she dropped her gaze. Then something else he'd just said caused her to flick her eyes back up to his.

"Wait... 'again'? You mean I'm not completely banned from going out there with you?"

Daryl couldn't help but smile at that. "Naw. Not yet. Give ya one more chance. But ya gotta pay attention and stay with me."

"Hmm... I don't think I can make any promises."

"Tahly!"

"Ok, ok! I will." Tahlia took a step nearer, eyes twinkling. "Wanna hug it out? Feels like we should-"

Reaching out, he gave a low hum as he caught hold of her wrist and yanked her towards him, jamming her in between the bike and his leg.

"I still think you're amazing." she whispered loudly.

"Don't." he warned.

"Well, I do. So suck it up, buttercup."

He sighed and squeezed his eyes shut. "Really fuckin' hate ya sometimes." he mumbled into her hair, tightening his arms around her.

She patted his back. "I know."

"Now, get on the damn bike."

"Alright." Tahlia spread her hands wide as she backed up into a glade. "I can tell you haven't fully forgiven me yet. I know you wanna fight it out."

Daryl turned slowly and narrowed his eyes. "Damn right I do."

He threw his crossbow to the ground and strode towards her so purposefully that Tahlia let out a nervous squeak and immediately jumped backwards. Without pause, he launched at her, and she quickly ducked and forward-rolled away from him, but he was already turning and grabbing at her by the time she popped up to stand. She managed to slip away, but he was on a mission, and only moments later as she tried to spin away from him, he grabbed her arm and dragged her forcefully into him, her back against his chest, and held her in a bear hug, tucking one ankle in front of hers, securing her legs tight.

"Gotcha!" Daryl grinned triumphantly as she struggled in vain to get free from his vice-like grip. "Now, tell me who's in charge out here."

"We're equals!"

"Wrong answer, girl." He slipped one hand between her arm and her ribs and started tickling her. "Who's in charge?"

Tahlia squealed and wriggled like crazy, but Daryl had her tight and tickled her relentlessly.

"Who?" he rasped against her ear.

"You!" she finally gasped. "You're in charge!"

"Damn straight. Promise ya gonna pay attention and y'ain't gonna wander off."

"I can't... I can't promise..." she tried, but couldn't finish and dissolved into giggles, so he ramped up the torture.

"Ok! Daryl! Stop, please! Fuck, ok! I promise!" she shrieked hysterically, and eventually he released her, chuckling, as she collapsed on the ground, panting.

Trying to catch her breath, she lay on her back and attempted to frown at him. "You're an asshole."

"Yeah. Asshole in charge." he replied with a grin, nudging her with his boot.

They had been meandering through the woods for an hour or so, Daryl half-heartedly hunting, catching a few squirrels and stringing them onto his hunting line, Tahlia half-heartedly foraging, picking up a few bits and pieces, but mostly they were walking and talking.

"Ok," she spoke up thoughtfully, "So, what are things you miss about before that you can't do now?"

"Mmm... bein' able to walk down the street without havin' to kill most of the assholes walkin' towards me."

"Ugh, yeah I hear ya. I was just fine never having had to bash undead heads in."

"Here, look, ginseng." Daryl knelt down and pointed out the plant, then helped her to collect some before turning his attention back to their conversation as they walked on. "Things you miss?"

"Hmm... going to bars. Oh, and watching movies! Like just getting kind of lost in a story for a bit."

"Alright... favourite movie then?"

"Favourite as in the best one, or favourite as in I can watch it over and over and never get bored?"

"There's a difference?" Daryl furrowed his brow.

"Yes!" exclaimed Tahlia. "Some movies are obviously, you know, great quality story, acting and all that, and some are just fun to watch."

"'Kay, so one you never get bored watching?'

"Jurassic Park." she replied without hesitation.

Daryl looked at her as if she were crazy. "Ya've gotta be kiddin' me."

"It's the perfect movie! It has the 4 'D's' that any engaging movie needs to have."

He snorted. "Oh yeah? What're they then?"

"Drama. Destruction. Death."

"And?"

Now she looked at him like he was the crazy one. "Dinosaurs, of course!"

"My Gawd. Just when I think ya can't get any weirder..." Daryl did his best to bite back the smile tugging on his lips, but it was tough. She was a total kook, but the more he discovered about her – especially the quirky bits - the cuter she became to him. And at this point, she was already totally gorgeous.

"Ain't never met a girl into Jurassic Park before."

"What?! You've been hanging out with the wrong girls, mister." Tahlia stated assuredly.

Daryl gave a small chuckle. It certainly seemed as if he had been.

"I was kinda hoping that 2 of the 4 'D's' that make an awesome movie would be 'Daryl Dixon'." he joked.

Tahlia let out a delighted laugh. "Ah, yeah! That would work. Then they would be: Daryl Dixon, Death and Dinosaurs, for sure. That movie would be the greatest movie of all time."

"Feel like you're campaignin' for a movie that involves me being eaten by dinosaurs." remarked Daryl drily.

"Well," considered Tahlia, "I mean, you'd have some epic scenes where you'd kill some of them, but if we're being realistic, then yeah, you've gotta get eaten. Like a dramatic, grisly, torn to pieces death. It would make for some riveting viewing though."

"Glad that my gruesome death is gonna raise the ratings." he deadpanned.

"Ok, your turn. Movie you could watch over and over?"

"Uh..." He held a hand up to silence her while he peered through the trees ahead, raised his crossbow and fired. Turning back to her he said, "Die Hard. That guy's badass."

"Ooh, yeah great choice!" Tahlia surveyed him curiously as they moved on. "Actually, you're a total John McClane. Resourceful, ballsy... and always filthy."

Daryl snorted at her comment and gave her a shove. "Yippee ki yay motherfucker!" he declared as he picked up the squirrel he'd just shot and cleaned the bolt.

"Alright... what about... stuff you never got to do but you wish you did?" questioned Tahlia.

"Hmm." Daryl held some branches aside so Tahlia could get through the dense patch of bush ahead. "I wish... I went on more rollercoasters."

"Rollercoasters?! I never had you pegged for a theme park kind of guy."

"Ain't, but feel like I woulda liked some of them big loopy ones if I'da tried 'em. You?"

"Wish I'd trekked to Base Camp."

"Really?" Daryl's eyebrows shot up, then he tilted his head to one side. "In theory, you could still do that. Wish I'd gone sky divin'."

"Damn, you're a secret thill seeker, huh?! I'm not so great with heights, so that wouldn't be on my list. I wish... I'd gone on holiday to the Greek Islands."

Daryl raised his brows. "Greek Islands? Damn, girl – just wish I'd gone on a plane."

"You've never been on an aeroplane?"

He shook his head. Ain't never even been outta Georgia."

"Well," she smiled, "In theory, you could still do that."

He gave her a crooked smile and an elbow in the side. "What else?"

"Hmm... oh! Tattoos. Wish I got more tattoos. I never did coz my daddy always said that I'd never get a respectable job if I was covered in tattoos. Now obviously, none of that matters. Could be covered head to toe in them. No one's hiring right now anyway!"

"What would ya get?"

"Just real dumb shit that I love. Like a... dinosaur. And maybe... a jar of peanut butter." Tahlia laughed, flicking her hair over her shoulder as she mused.

Daryl's lips twitched. Of course she would.

"Wanna stop for a bit?" He indicated the mossy ground at the base of an old tree.

"Sure." She took a long drink of water then threw her pack on the ground before following it down and pulling out some jerky to share.

Quickly throwing a few pieces of jerky in his mouth, Daryl rifled through his bag for a moment. "'Kay. C'mere."

Tahlia looked up at him. "What?"

"Come sit here."

Pushing herself up, she moved to sit next to him, curious. Tucking his hand under her bicep, he lifted her arm to rest on his bent knee at his chest. The other hand held a black fine tip marker pen, and he pulled the lid off with his teeth, before giving her a quick flick of his eyebrows. Then he started to draw at the top of her arm. Fascinated, Tahlia watched him as he moved the pen carefully over the taut skin of her deltoid.

Eventually he sat back a bit to check out his work, added a couple more strokes, then grinned at her.

A cartoon T-Rex now adorned her arm, and she guffawed in thrilled surprise. "Ha! Oh my God, Daryl! That's amazing! I love it!"

Without a word he jammed himself up against her again and reached for her opposite wrist, pulling her arm closer to him, then with his tongue sticking out in concentration, he took pen to skin for a second time. A minute later, Tahlia now had a picture of a jar of peanut butter with a spoon next to it drawn on her inner wrist.

"There ya go. Dinosaur and peanut butter. Wish granted."

With a loud happy laugh, Tahlia looked between him and her 'tattoos' ecstatically, then spontaneously launched herself at him, sending them both to the ground as she hugged him. "You are the best, Dixon!"

"Get off, weirdo!" He shoved her away, although he was glowing with pride at being able to do something so simple to make her so incredibly happy.

Quickly pushing himself back up to sit, he snuck a glance at her through his hair - she was still lying on the ground admiring the T-Rex - and wondered how things had turned around so fast, how in a matter of days he had become so close and comfortable with a girl he'd once thought intolerable, and already he couldn't imagine not having her in his life.

So, as the days wore on, they fell into a routine of sorts.

Tahlia still rose with the dawn and practiced yoga, still accompanied most mornings by Rick. After which, the two of them would head down to tend to the gardens and the animals. If Daryl wasn't going on a run or otherwise occupied, he'd appear on his bike and ask, "Woods?" and Tahlia would happily accept, and they'd head off for a few hours to hunt and forage, and – if they were honest with themselves – just to hang out together away from everyone else (Daryl had long since accepted the fact that he was never going to get sick of her company). Sometimes they'd playfight, always he'd draw on her.

Then in the afternoons when they were back at the prison, they'd go their separate ways - Tahlia usually went to help Carol with whatever she needed or to Hershel in the infirmary, while Daryl would work along the fences, tinker with the vehicles, or do whatever odd jobs were required around the place.

They tended to give each other a bit of space when everyone was gathered in the courtyard at dusk – whether it was because they wanted to spread their time around some of the others, or whether it was because they wanted to keep their newfound closeness to themselves for now, the reasons remained unspoken.

Tahlia liked to do the rounds and check in with people, see how they were doing, particularly the older folk, just give them a little love, a little time. Daryl liked to watch her in action, that big smile, those kind eyes, the way that people blossomed around her. He noticed that in the evenings she usually changed into a shirt with sleeves long enough to cover whatever pictures he'd left on her skin. On occasion she forgot and inevitably someone would ask her about them, and she'd make a joke or give a smile and a shrug and evade the question, being sure to never link his name to them. This pleased Daryl, as if she were holding tight to something that was just between them, keeping his secrets.

As for him, he tended to stick to the outskirts of the action rather than right up around the fire, and preferred to use this time to catch up with the original group from the early days, especially Carol and Rick (although he was never short of other people around the place that were usually trying to get his attention, engage him in conversation).

Sometimes Tahlia would come and share a cigarette, sit with him for a while, sometimes not. But always, at some point, they'd catch each other's eye and share a warm little smile, a reminder of the thing budding between them.

A/N: Alright, how are we doing so far? Drop me a review and let me know your thoughts! Huge thanks to anyone who has already done that (especially to RaphaeltheCowboy and ChooseJoy - you guys are awesome!)

And as always, thank you so much for taking the time to keep reading this story.