The next few days were weird. Daryl spent them waking up to Zeus trying to make love to his leg. If that wasn't enough he had to deal with Merle defending the little beast. It was never the dogs fault. Never.
His first day at work was going to hopefully go smooth. He'd served in the military and worked on tanks and all other kinds of hardware that had a engine. He done this while gunfire tore through the air and sand was everywhere on him, everywhere. Just now he'd have to deal with people while he done things.
"Good to see you, Daryl." Dale offered.
Daryl rubbed his hands together and smiled. "It's been awhile aint it."
"Sure has." Dale nodded sagely. His fishing cap tipping, "Just jump on in, you know more than me I suppose."
Daryl looked around the garage and decided on an area that had little to no tools for his spot. He checked with Merle and was right in his assumption no one was using the bay. He put his tools away for the first part of the morning. He watched people come and go and was relieved to see that he wouldn't be dealing with most people directly.
"DARYL!" Dale yelled over the sound of a impact tool. Daryl looked up and jogged over. Dale motioned to a car out in the lot, "Needs brakes."
Daryl nodded and looked out again, "Are they going to drive into the bay or do I need to do that?"
"You. Some people can't be trusted to not wreck." Dale snickered.
Daryl nodded and walked outside. The sun was hot and he swiped at his forehead. He walked towards the car and was relieved to see someone waiting there. He wouldn't have to double back.
"Need the keys?"
Daryl looked up and kept his shock clear of his face. Carol was there. He'd remember her anywhere and her voice if he was honest. Her hair was still a wild strawberry color with curls around her face.
"Yes ma'am."
She tossed them towards him with a smile. He stepped around her to get to the car and she followed his every move with her ignored it. He wasn't sure why she was so intent on him. More than likely because some greasy man was about to get into her fancy car. It almost made him want to laugh because he felt like that kid at the diner.
When he parked the car he realized she followed him into the building. Merle was eyeing her and looked at Daryl. He knew Merle knew about his crush from when he was younger. Daryl shrugged and Merle pointed to a sign.
"Employees only"
Daryl sighed and turned to her. He repeated what Merle did. He showed her the sign and she smiled at him.
"I wondered if you were going to make me wait out there or not." Her voice still bell like and full of happiness. "Just come get me when you're ready."
Daryl nodded and she waited a moment before sighing and walking away. He wasn't sure what she expected so he just got to work. He made sure he had everything he needed before getting to work.
"What was that baby brother?" Merle laughed.
"What do you mean?" Daryl grunted breaking the bolts lose.
"Carol seemed like she wanted something." Merle waggled his brows.
Daryl ignored him and instead set about his work. Merle was always one to talk shit.
"I wonder if she realizes you live next to her now." Merle wagered. "I'm sure she'll enjoy that with the way she's been watching you."
Daryl snorted at his brother. In reality though his head was spinning. He again felt like that teen. He hated this. He was a grown man and didn't know shit about this woman now days. She could be married for all he knew. She could have a happy life and here he was wondering things about a woman he had no right to. He wasn't even sure if they'd get along.
Why he was even contemplating this was beyond him. He was just going to do his job and go home and shower it all off before sleeping. Do his best to just acclimate to civilian life again. He wanted to just relax. He didn't want this stress.
"Ahh." Merle made a noise in his throat, "You aint still scared of pussy are you?"
"Merle!" Daryl barked.
Merle cackled and walked away. He waved over to where Carol was set and kept laughing. There was a waiting room but the wall was glass. She could see right into the garage. It made Daryl anxious because he could tell she was watching him.
Still he rushed through the job but made sure everything was correct. The faster he got her out of here the faster Merle would shut the fuck up. What if he got Dale involved or the other mechanics? THen he'd be heckled for days.
