Heart of Dixon
Chapter 25: It's going to be a long night...
OMG it's been freaking forever since I've updated and I'm so sorry! Life has not been kind to me lately. Depression, stress, a move to a new place, and lastly my grandmother died of cancer.
I've managed to rewrite the first few chapters. Adding bits in some, taking away some stuff (like how Lori and Robin clash).
Without further ado, here's another chapter of Heart of Dixon!
OH! I once put that I pictured Robin similar to Anna Kendrick, but no longer. Started watching Warehouse 13 again, and Claudia is so Robin, just with brown hair!
I own nothing but Robin. If I did own anything, there would be a naked Daryl scene in every episode of Walking Dead.
Third POV
Daryl really had no plans on telling the group the reason behind Robin's freak out. No matter what they wouldn't understand, especially Andrea, Shane, and Carol who seemed lately wanting to kick Robin out over every little thing. Daryl thanked Hershel silently for making it clear that just because some of Rick's group members didn't want her anymore, did not mean Robin wasn't welcome on his farm. Though Daryl didn't think of a second that Rick would force Robin to leave over a few disagreements, if he went by that logic he wouldn't have a group anymore.
Rick saw Daryl when he made it halfway to the group campfire, without waiting Rick met him, "Is she ok?" Rick asked concern written all over his face.
Daryl shook his head, "She ain't doing good. Everything sets her off."
Rick nodded, "It's expected, she's still dealing with the trauma, but why go after Carol?"
"It wasn't Carol's fault, but she reminded Bitty of something that happened years ago. I ain't going to tell y'all, not your business." Daryl informed.
"Well when she gets back to being herself, she needs to apologize." Rick said sternly. Rick was trying to be patient with Robin, she was his sister now, but he really wanted her back to herself again. The Robin that spoke her mind, but still held people's feelings in account. Rick missed her happy-go-lucky attitude as well.
Daryl nodded, "She will, you know she will."
Daryl knew without a doubt once Robin cooled down she would realize her mistake. He can already see her now coming to Carol apologizing, stating she was way out of line. However, Daryl didn't think Robin was too far in the wrong. It wasn't right of Robin to compare her mom to Carol, they were nothing alike but he did think Carol should have done more for her child. Either look for her or had watched her better.
Rick nodded and went off the group who were watching the exchange. Daryl didn't join them, he didn't need to tell the rest. Rick would do that just fine and they would listen to him better. He headed straight to his tent to see how Robin was doing.
He wanted to laugh the moment he stuck in head inside his tent. He figured he'd find Robin still upset about the moment before, maybe crying or sniffing. He should have known better to assume to know Robin. Inside, lying on his sleeping bag, was Robin, eyes closed, listening to a CD player singing 'We are the Champions' by Queen.
"I've paid my dues. Time after time. I've done my sentence, but committed no crime. And bad mistakes, I've made a few. I've had my share of sand kicked in my face but I've come through." She sang while she drummed her hands to invisible drums in the air.
"And we mean to go on and on and on! We are the champions, my friends. And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end. We are the champions. We are the champions. No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions…of the WORLD!" Robin sang loud.
Daryl couldn't take it for a second longer. He fought back the laugh because he didn't want to draw attention from the group, but Robin was just too funny singing and drumming like she didn't have a care in the world. Daryl nudged her boot with his foot making the poor girl squeal.
She yanked out her headphones and glared up at the redneck, "Jerk, you threw me off my groove." She stuffed the CD player and headphones in a backpack before sitting up.
"Talked to Rick, he'll talk to the rest." Daryl informed sitting down beside her on the sleeping bag. He grimaced as he lowered himself down, his stitches pulling.
Robin's smile faded away, "You told him everything?"
Daryl shook his head making her frown in confusion, "Your story is something you need to share when you're ready. I told him enough."
Robin nodded thankfully, "Thanks. Even if it made things right with the group, they'd look at me with pity and I've had enough pity from them."
Daryl understood that perfectly. Growing up he felt pity from everyone. They pitied him for where he lived; a trailer that often went weeks without power or water because his father would spend all his money on alcohol, prostitutes, and sometimes hunting gear. They pitied him because he was abused. They even pitied him because he didn't have the nicest clothes or toys. Daryl hated it even then. Pity was useless and didn't change anything in his situation but piss him off.
"You know what you did to Carol was wrong, right." Daryl started, he almost couldn't believe that he was the one getting onto to her. Usually it was the other way around.
It wasn't lost on Robin either, in fact it made her feel crappier that the grouch of the group was scolding her for being unkind to the group. She let out a sigh, "I know."
"Rick said you're going to have to say you're sorry." Daryl then added, "I agree with him."
"I will." Robin answered. She meant it. After Daryl and Robin talked, she realized what a jerk-no what a bitch she was to Carol. This was poor defenseless Carol, not her mother. The woman couldn't even go against her husband, but deep down Robin did still think Carol should have done something. However Carol did have something in common with Robin's mother.
It wasn't that Carol wasn't looking or that she spent the time cooking and cleaning while her daughter was missing. It wasn't that she was too weak or too afraid. It was that though her daughter was missing, and too be realistic mostly likely dead, though Robin would never admit it, Carol was trying to romance Daryl. That was what her mother did. When Robin searched for Erin, her mother was cuddling up to her boyfriend at the time. It might not be the same extent as her mother, but Carol obviously did not have her missing daughter on her brain. Now was not the time to hook up, but to get stronger for her daughter.
Daryl took the first Harry Potter book from his pack and handed it over to Robin. Confusion was written on her face when she received the book. She wondered why it took him so long to return it, after all she doubted the redneck actually took the time to read the entire book.
"It was good." He commented shyly. Half of him was still afraid that the girl would reject or tease him, though the other half knew that it wouldn't happen.
She smiled driving away that insecurity a bit further, "Yea? You read the whole book? You like it?" Absentmindedly she flipped through the pages with her thumb while keeping her eyes on Daryl.
He nodded, "Yea, though Hermione is annoying and Draco is a little shit."
"Hey, I love Hermione! She's a great character." Robin defended loudly. She was ready to hit the man who insulted her hero.
Daryl wouldn't show, or hell admit but he liked it when Robin got when her nerdy passions were offended. Her bottom lip poked out in an adorable little pout and her brow burrowed but she wasn't the least bit intimidating.
"She's a know it all and bossy." Daryl commented enjoying how Robin's face was turning red.
Robin inhaled sharply and narrowed her eyes, "She is beautiful, intelligent, and has amazing leadership qualities!"
Daryl caught himself thinking, Just like you. He shook his head trying to get rid of such sissy thinking, but it was how he truly felt about her. She was beautiful, not like how people viewed beauty before civilization fell but more of a classic beauty. Even covered in sweat and dirt she looked amazing in his opinion.
She was strong too and it made her even more attractive in Daryl's eyes. Not many women can survive nowadays- no not many women could survive escaping a bad group of men with a dislocated arm and a concussion. She didn't look like much, she was short and scrawny but she could kick ass with that crowbar of hers.
Daryl hated it, but he was coming to like Robin so much more than he wanted to. It started off with feeling protective over her, he felt like he should do something for Jacob after he sacrificed his life for Daryl and Merle. However the longer he was with her, the more he felt a pull. He liked that she was always in a good mood even when the world was falling apart. He enjoyed how she was open with her thoughts and feelings since he always kept to himself. Most of all, Daryl liked that from the first moment when he met her, she was kind to him. There were moments when he was rude and pushed her away, but she never acted cruel. She didn't take his shit, but she was forgiving as well. Never before had Daryl encountered such a woman, and he was hooked on her. Every time she opened her mouth the feeling grew, but Daryl would never admit such a thing.
"How dare you insult my favorite book!" She said, "I showed you a valuable corner in my life and you just pooped in it!"
"I didn't say anything about the book, I was taking about the girl and the little shit." Daryl shot back.
Robin swelled her chest, "Hermione is a big part of the book, without her Harry would not have lived past the first book, so you might as well have insulted the book. I must take vengeance."
Another smirk appeared on Daryl's face, "And what are you going to do about it?"
Robin was interrupted before she could comment. Andrea stuck her head inside. She gave a quick forced smile as she walked completely inside. Robin and Daryl just starred up from their spot on the sleeping bag without saying a word.
"Could I speak to Daryl?" Andrea asked after a moment of uncomfortable silence.
Robin's POV
I turned to Daryl wanting to know what he wanted. When he gave me a short nod, I got up using my good arm as I brace then walked out without a word. I didn't know why Andrea suddenly decided to seek Daryl out to talk but my money was on that she was going to apologize.
I regretted leaving the moment I stepped out of the tent. I knew what I did to Carol was a bitch move, but when I saw her sitting by herself around the camp fire, I felt ten times worse. I thought going right then and there to apologize until I heard my name called.
"Hey Robin!" Off to my right, was Glenn walking over carrying a large basket overflowing with what looked like peaches. I waited until he got closer; he was slower than usual but he was carrying a heavy basket of fruit.
"Hi Glenn." I greeted hesitantly. I was worried my good buddy wouldn't take kindly to my yelling at Carol, but if anything he seemed worried not angry.
"How you feeling?" He asked in that same kind-tone he always used.
I shrugged, not really knowing how to answer, but Glenn nodded in understanding.
"Listen, I-ah." Glenn looked around and then leaned in close, "I get why you went off on Carol."
My jaw went slack, "You do?"
He was the one who was really surprised, "Well, yea. I like Carol and all but she needs to toughen up. I mean, we did. I just like a gamer who delivered pizzas, and you weren't that much different. I don't want to be mean about it, but." He hesitated again.
"She needs to know how to defend herself." I finished.
"Yes!" He said a little louder, happy that I got what he was saying, "Because you never know these days, we all might be gone and who would be there to protect her if she can't protect herself. Plus if she was stronger, she could be out there looking for her daughter with us."
I agreed with Glenn, but instead I decided to defend Carol, "Well Glenn, it's hard for her, she was abused. Women who go through that tend to be meeker." I said thinking back to seeing bruises and when Ed hit her back at the quarry.
"Yea…" Glenn agreed.
I sighed, "And I shouldn't have been that hard on her." I wanted to tell Glenn the reason why, but I felt like I opened up a bit too much today.
I didn't have to say much more anyhow, once again Glenn seemed to get it, "Dale, T, and I talker earlier. We noticed since you got back, you're…" He stopped. He was worried he would offend me.
"I explode easier and my emotions are out of control." I supplied.
"Yes!" He agreed and backtracked, "But we understand, you went through an ordeal."
I chucked, "It's cool, Glenn. All I need is some time. Normally in these cases I would been going to therapy or something. So until then, I'll have to keep my trap shut and just walk away in a lot of situations."
"If you ever need someone to talk, I'll be there for you." His eyes got brighter as he thought of a better idea, "Or Dale, because he's got that older wisdom."
I laughed again even better due to Glenn's rapid talking and awkwardness, "Thanks, Glenn, that really helps."
Wearing a content smile, he nodded, "Oh, before I forget, the others are having gun practice, if you want to join."
I shuffled my feet, "Oh." I looked down away from Glenn's hopeful face.
"What's the matter?" He asked.
"I-uh-really don't like guns." I supplied.
"At all?"
I shook my head, "There's a reason why I use only silent weapons."
"Why not?" He asked, confused.
I shrugged. Before I could go into it, my name was called again. This time by Andrea but I would take this out anyway.
"Yea?" I asked as she drew close.
She jerked her thumb in the direction of Daryl's tent, "Your redneck wants you."
She intended it to sound more like an insult, but honestly I was beaming with pride on the inside. My redneck wanted me. I didn't even correct her, as I walked to see Daryl.
He was just like I left him, in his tent but this time poking holes in the netting on the sides out of boredom. He didn't even hear me walk up which made me feel even prouder. The man had ears of a fox. It was near impossible to sneak up on him, and believe me, I tried.
"You're going to let in bugs." I spoke up startling him.
"Goddamn it, woman!" He grumbled.
"Ha! I finally did it. I have beat you at your own sneaky sneak game." I cheered.
Daryl rolled his eyes, but didn't admit his defeat. That's fine, we all knew who won. Me!
I ducked inside joining him on the sleeping bag. We were silent again, it was a little awkward, but not as much as it was when we first met. Slowly we were over-coming that, at least I felt like we were.
"Andrea apologized for shooting me." Daryl spoke up breaking the silence.
I scoffed, "If you're about to tell me to apologize for punching her, then I so refuse." Without thinking, I ran my thumb along the stiches without pressure so I wouldn't hurt it. Daryl flinched but not violently.
"Tell me something about you." I asked.
"What you wanna know?" He asked, his voice hoarse.
"Anything. I hardly know anything about you."
He shrugged, "I ain't interesting."
"You are to me."
Daryl seemed to struggle for a bit of what to say. I knew from the scares on his back he didn't have an easy life before this all happened. I didn't want to pry into that yet, not until he was ready. So I thought it would be best to help him out a bit.
"How old are you?" Starting out small was good.
"Thirty-six." He replied. My eyes widened in surprise, he really didn't look his age, but I think his mysterious past felt have worn him down a bit.
"Old man." I teased sticking out my tongue. It wasn't a big deal that Daryl was much older than me. I was twenty-two, not sixteen. Plus I liked a man with experience.
I thought of another question, "What's your favorite color?"
Daryl scrunched his face, "What's that have to do with anything?"
I shook my head amused, "Come on, old man. I want to know. I want to know you!" I poked his side.
"Fine, I like green." He replied.
"Green's a nice color. I always thought myself as a purple kind of gal." I added, "What did you do before this?"
I saw Daryl tense instantly. Crap I thought I was asking trauma-free questions, but it looked like Mr. Dixon was much more complicated than I thought.
I acted like I didn't notice, I don't think he would what me to call him out of it, and there is only so much comforting and coddling I could do before he irritated him, "I mean, what was your job?"
Daryl relaxed a bit, "My uncle left me his shop. Worked there, fixing cars, with a couple guys."
I could definitely see him as a mechanic, "Cool!"
"It's not that big a deal, it's a dirty job, but it paid good." Daryl explained. He hoped that I wasn't thrown off by his job.
"My dad was a mechanic." I reminded him.
Daryl sat up, "What was he like?"
Thinking of my dad made an instant smile appear on my face, "Oh, he was the greatest. I spent a lot of time with him at his shop. We'd sing songs on the radio and I'd hand him tools while he worked. He had a little song for me that he'd always sing, My Girl by the Browns. It would light up my little world when he sang it."
I turned to Daryl, "You know you actually remind me a lot about him."
His eyes widened, "What do you mean?"
"My dad was a big man, like you. He was rough around the edges too, but he was a good man. Granted a lot of people didn't see it, because he looked a bit intimidating." I explained.
I sighed, "I remember back at the quarry, we talked about what we missed from before. I said my iPod." I dry chuckled, "But really I wish I could have at least one photo of my dad."
Daryl and I were silent for just a moment before Daryl suddenly jerked for his backpack. I watched wondering what on earth that redneck was up to before I finally spoke, "Um, Dare Bear, what are you doing?"
Daryl picked answer. He dug to the very bottom of the bag where a single thick book lay. It was none other than Jacob's favorite copy of Jules Verne. I smiled fondly seeing the book. I remembered long ago, his grandparents would read it aloud to the both of us. Since then, he always kept a copy with him as he traveled.
"I found this in Jake's stuff. There's pictures and letters stuck throughout it. Maybe you can find a picture of your dad." Daryl handed the book over.
I didn't reply as I flipped slowly through the pages hoping not to miss any pictures. I didn't think I would have really found anything. Jacob and I had different dads, and Jacob wasn't super close to my dad like I was. There was a time or two that Jacob and my dad got together and hung out but it was not often.
I thought I wasn't going to find one until near the end of the book. There was two photos of my dad and me. All of them were taken before his arrest and when I was very young. The first was a picture of my dad in a porch swing with me sitting in his lap; I was only a toddler. The other was my dad leaning on his old Chevy Impala trying to look like a bad boy with his signature smirk and leather jacket. I ruined his whole look by leaning out the window in the back seat with pig tails and a goofy smile.
I tilted the pictures in my hand so Daryl could take a look, "That's my daddy." Happy tears started to slide down my face without my permission but I didn't care.
"You look like him." He commented. It's exactly true, I only got my hair color from him and skin tone. Erin was the mini version of our dad. However I got my taste in books and music from my dad since I spent the majority of my childhood with him. I've been told I got some of my crazy from him too.
"Thanks." I sniffled, "and thanks for showing me the book. It really means a lot." I leaned over wrapping my arms around his neck. I kissed his temple, forehead, and cheek while he pretended like it bothered him.
"Alright, that's enough." He grunted, but he didn't make any move to push me away.
"But it's so addicting." I mumbled between placing another kiss in the corner of his mouth.
"Bitty." Daryl grumbled. If he was going for intimidating, he failed. He sounded more like a kid who was embarrassed by his mom's kisses. It was so flipping adorable.
"Alright, alright. I'm done." I pulled away, "For now, at least." I added darkly.
After telling me that I was weird, Daryl and I brought started asking questions to get to know each other again. It started out with pretty vanilla questions like favorite foods; the man loved deer steak smothered with white gravy. The conversation started heading towards funnier stories, like when I pretended to be a dog and accidently almost hung myself in a tree with the dog leash; long story. He told me about how he convinced a drunk Merle to dress in drag and go to their town's bar. We talked until it was dark in the sky and were yawning. I liked talking. It felt normal, like I was camping and not hiding from hordes of the undead.
I yawned just as it started to get darker outside, "I think I'm going to head off to bed." I stood up to leave. I didn't want to leave, I preferred to sleep beside Daryl since I didn't have nightmares when he was around.
Daryl must have used his redneck Jedi mind skills because he spoke up, "You can sleep here, if ya want."
"It that's cool with you." I mumbled, trying to hide enthusiasm. It didn't matter how many times we slept together in the same bed. I still felt a rush of excitement when Daryl wanted me to sleep next to him.
Without another word, Daryl and I started to get ready for bed, which pretty much for Daryl meant taking off his boats. I slipped off my shoes and threw them in the corner. Normally while sleeping in or a tent or outside, I wouldn't change my clothes. If walkers came and attacked, I'd rather not have to defend myself in just a long t-shirt, but I had something different in mind for tonight.
Remember earlier in the chapter when I said I was going to get revenge on Daryl? Oh yeah, it's time for vengeance. Que evil laugh!
The vengeance I had to mind wasn't anything to bad but I was certainly going to embarrass the heck out of Daryl. So when Daryl's back was turned, I slipped off the tight jeans and put them with my discarded shoes. Underneath the jeans was none other than the underwear I found in Daryl's backpack (washed of course).
"Well I'm ready for bed." I commented trying to get Daryl's attention.
It worked like a charm too, Daryl turned around most likely telling me to just slide in the sleeping bag but no words came out of his mouth as his blue eyes shot straight to my underwear. His eyes widened in shock. A second later his breath got a bit heavier which meant without a doubt my sexy redneck was aroused.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked coyly.
His eyes shot to mine and I knew he figured out that I knew what he did to the underwear. Daryl Dixon was afraid, but said nothing. And for the briefest second, I think I was able to read his thoughts.
It was going to be a long night…