A/N I just wanted to take a minute to thank everybody for being so patient with me. I know it's taking me a while to get these chapters out and I'm going to work hard to make sure that I update more frequently, as I have lots of ideas for this story and I really want to get them out there for you guys. Also, I want to thank those of you who posted encouraging words, it really meant a lot to read your kind words and it really did motivate me to get this chapter written and out. So I hope you all enjoy this and hopefully I'll have the next chapter up real soon!

Leave me comments in the reviews/ and or PM me on here or my tumblr: all-things-reedus

Thank you! X

"Daryl! How much further?" Phoebe hollered as she used the back of her hand to wipe away the sweat from her forehead, while trying to keep up with Daryl who was a few feet ahead of her. They had been hiking for at least an hour and a half and Phoebe was already exhausted. She was tired, hot and in need of water.

Daryl stopped in his tracks and turned to see Phoebe resting against the face of a tree, her head tilted back and her cheeks were flushed red. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he took a water bottle out of his large backpack and walked over to her. Handing the bottle to Phoebe, he used the pads of his fingers to brush some of her hair back that was sticking to the side of her cheek.

"You're turning into a proper city slicker you know that." He joked.

Phoebe stopped drinking. "I'm a Psychology major, we do books not mountains!" she defended.

"This is hardly a mountain."

"Well maybe I'm not as limber as I use to be."

Daryl grinned as memories of the previous night came flooding back. "Nah, that ain't it."

She noted his smug grin and playfully hit his arm "Your mind is as dirty as the ground you're standing on!"

He blew off the comment and started putting the water back in his backpack, after taking a quick swig himself. "C'mon, we should get moving before it's too dark to set up camp."

Only half an hour later of scaling down short rock edges and making their way through the moderately abundant brush of the forest, they reached the perfect camping spot: a little clearing by the lake. The trees got sparse as the lake approached, like nature was presenting them with a piece of natural bliss. The lake was clear crystal blue, still and untarnished. It mirrored the seclusion they both felt when apart from each other, but at the same time provided a place to strengthen their solidarity.

They began setting up camp, assembling the tent a good distance from the lake and collecting some firewood for when the sun set. Phoebe had previously tried to get Daryl to buy those long lasting fire burning logs from the store, but he insisted that he would do it the time honoured way, as it was the best way; perhaps she was turning into a city slicker. Not before long the only thing left to do was find dinner, and Daryl was primed and ready for the hunt. "Remember, you have to stay quiet."

"Alright Daryl, I know."

"And becarful where you walk. Don't step on any sticks or nothin."

"Yes Sir," Phoebe replied like a smirking soldier.

Daryl turned, "What?"

A tittered laugh escaped Phoebe's lips. "Nothing," she smiled. He was acting like a 7 year old on Christmas day and it was endearing for Phoebe to see.

She followed suit as Daryl crouched, exaining the ground, sticks, leaves and at one point something that looked like animal droppings, but she pretended like she didn't see that. He was so focused, following paths and noises that didn't look or sound like anything peculiar to her, but they must have been because he began making hand genstures to get down as there was a deer, a mere few feet from them. Phoebe awwd at the creature, admiring its bright doe eyes, the way its ears twitched to the slightest sound as well as the way it gingerly nibbled at the grass on the ground.

Suddenly the lights left the deer's eyes as it tumbled to the ground, before Phoebe realised Daryl fired a second blot, piercing the deer's temple. Feeling like she had just been violently shaken out of a dream, Phoebe thumped Daryl's shoulder. "What were you thinking?!"

Daryl pulled back, defensive. "About how good tha's gonna taste after bein' roasted on an open flame."

"That's horrible! Daryl it coulda had a family." She began to pout.

He almost started to laugh, but softened his features when he saw the sorry expression on Phoebe's face. "It's alright Pheebs, it died so we can eat; circle of life an'shit."

"Yeah, it's real shitty." She sighed.

"Might as well as eat it now, woulda died for nothin' otherwise." Daryl swung his crossbow over his shoulder and emerged from the bushes, towards the deceased deer while Phoebe stayed back. It's not like she was a vegerterian, she had eaten a lot of meat, but she had never seen anything die in front of her. She came from a family of lawyers and book club runners, not hunters like Daryl. It all seemed alien and unusually casual.

"Pheebs?" Daryl called out, pulling her from her daze.

"Come grab its back legs will you? Help carry it back to camp." He asked, while binding the front legs in rope, as he did to the hind legs.

Phoebe shot him a look. "You've got to be kidding?!"

He looked up "What? Oh, c'mon babe, please!"

Their eyes conected from across the woodland and Daryl's pleading stare broke a reluctant Phoebe. She let out a frustrated breath and tread heavily towards him, making her way round to the lifeless deer's hind legs. Taking in a deep breath, Phoebe bent her knees slightly, enabling her to take a hold of the bound legs in both hands. Doing the same to the front, Daryl thanked her before they carried the carcass back to their camp.

Phoebe had to retreat into the tent after Daryl got out his buck knife and began preparing their meal. She knew that she may be overreacting a little but the smell of uncooked deer entrails was terrorising her nostrials and reality was looming over her like a storm cloud. Tonight was the night. She had to tell him tonight, but she was apprehensive about his reaction. Phoebe needed time to prepare; mentally prepare, plan out what she would say and how she would say it. It didn't really matter what he said as she knew that she would take him kicking and screaming; it was for his own benefit.

'Maybe I should tell him at the end of the trip…I don't want to ruin the whole trip…that just wouldn't make sense.' Phoebe was trying to make up excuses, to herself, so that she didn't have to go through with it. 'But then again, theres no point in delaying it…I've waited the whole summer.' She shook herself. The more she thought about it, the more furstrated she got; it's time to rip the Band-Aid off. Besides, if theres anyone she could talk to, it's always been Daryl and she didn't like that she was suddenly scared of how he would react. He might be a hothead but he loves Phoebe, and maybe this will test how much.

The crackling of a fire, not to far from the tent, and the overflowing smell of prepared venison was rapidly pulling Phoebe out from the tent. She began taking unusually shy steps out from the opening of the tent and she looked at Daryl. He was sat, hunched over by the fire, cooking different cuts of the meat while sampling different bits as he went. Sucking some of the juices from the meat off of his fingers, Daryl looked across to Phoebe and wiped his hand on his pants before holding it out to her; gesturning to come over. A little smitten smile tugged at the corners of Phoebe's mouth as she went over to him. Sitting at his side with his arm around her, she looked up at him. "I'm sorry for being a brat."

Daryl smirked and pulled her in closer. "You ain't a brat. I get it, I'm jus' sensitised to it."

She understood. Not matter how much time they spent together, it still didn't change the fact that they were from two different worlds.

Phoebe watched him as he continued to cook the rest of the cuts that he prepared, eating bits that he gave to her and occasionally stealing bits from him, before he could eat it himself. After Phoebe stole the third piece, before Daryl could eat it, he began to get furstrated with her while she just giggled at him.

Daryl swatted her hand away, as she was reaching for another cut he was about to put in his mouth, "Pheebs, piss off!"

She chuckled, "Aw, I'm sorry! You're just such a good cook Daryl." She said before she bagan planting kisses on his cheek, just on the scruffy patches of his stubble. And although she was teasing him, she did mean it. Phoebe didn't think she would enjoy it as much as she was, especailly after the earlier events. Challenging her teasing, Daryl put his arm around Phoebe, putting her in a loose and playful headlock. She began protesting straight away, but her efforts were unsuccessful as Daryl held her in place while he continued to eat, with a smirk upon his face.

"Daryl! Let go! I've gotta tell you something…" Phoebe chewed at her lip in anticipation.

Letting go of her, while finishing off his food, Daryl asked, "What?"

Phoebe straightened herself out and looked at him, smiling when he finished eating. She looked over to the lake, that was being dreamily illuminated by the setting sun and turned back to face him. While Daryl was trying to figure out what she was doing, Phoebe began removing her shoes and stood up, "You're gonna swim with me."

Daryl looked dumbstruck, chewing on their meal as she continued to get undressed.

"I'm eatin'..."

"Well hurry up, I'm not waiting an hour!" she provoked, playfully, standing in only her denim shorts and undervest.

Licking his fingers clean, he looked over at the lake and he couldn't deny that it looked inviting.

"You don't know whats in there." He questioned before looking back at Phoebe, who had now lost her shorts.

"I guess we'll find out. Now get those boots and trousers off boy, don't be shy!" She winked before walking off towards the water, sure that he would follow her. Daryl just shook his head, chuckling to himself as he reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it off and over his head, before leaning down to untie his boots.

Standing at the edge of the lake, Phoebe dipped her toes into the water, wiggling them slightly at the surprise of the water being warmer than she expected. While dipping her foot in deeper, trying to determine an estimate of how deep the water is, she almost lost her balance but was caught by the two strong arms that snaked around her waist. Grinning, Phoebe leant back, feeling a solid and broad chest greet her back and a familiar tingle on her neck, caused by the warm kiss that was placed. She felt like she was melting into Daryl's arms, it felt like a dream and without even thinking, she said it, "Come to Atlanta with me." Phoebe realised what she said once she felt Daryl's chest tense up and his arms loosen around her. Grabbing on to his forearm, not wanting him to let go of her, she had to face up to it now, maybe it was time.

After waiting for Daryl to respond, Phoebe figured he wasn't going to, so she turned around in his arms to face him. He didn't look at her, but kept his gaze on the lake, causing Phoebe to feel slightly frustrated. "Hey.." She placed her dainty hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "I mean it."

His eyes diverted on to her, looking at her big doe eyes that were practically pleading with him. "You gonna sneak me into your dorm like a stray dog?"

"No, Daryl I have something to tell you, I've made some-"

"Some what?"

Phoebe looked shocked at his interruption, but carried on, "Some arrangements."

Daryl's face displayed confusion more than anything, so she took a breath and carried on. "Over the summer I've been looking online at little appartments, in Atlanta, that are close to the campus, and I found one. I figured you wouldn't care what it looked like or anything so I already went and put a deposit down."

"Wha's that got to do with me?" Daryl questioned.

"Because I want you to come with me, to come and live with me in the apartment. Well actually I kind of need you to, because I can't afford to live there by myself."

"An how the hell am I suppose to help? I ain't got a pot to piss in, ya know that."

Phoebe could hear the irritation in his voice and it made her pull away from him a bit. "Well Kirsty knows this guy in Atlanta, he owns a garage and he said he'd give you a job there. Money will be tight, but I've worked it out and it can work Daryl, it can!"

Phoebe stared at him with a look of hope, that faded away when he let go of her completely and began walking back towards the tent, huffing and puffing out of his nose like a pissed off pitbull.

Phoebe felt rejected, left standing by the lake, and she didn't understand why.

She called after him "Daryl! Daryl, don't just walk away from me!"

"What do ya want me t'say?!" Daryl turned back, projecting his voice loudly.

"How about: 'That sounds awesome Pheebs, I can't wait!'?" Phoebe questioned out of irritation.

Daryl just shook his head and kept walking away, but Phoebe caught up to him and grabbed for his arm. "Daryl, talk to me. Whats wrong?" She thought that he might not be totally open to the idea, but she never thought he would react like this.

"I don't need ya makin' decisions for me, I'ma grown ass man!" He bellowed at her, snatching his arm out of her grasp.

"I'm trying to help you!" Phoebe's voice began to crack, Daryl had never acted this way towards her before and it shocked her a bit. However she wasn't just going to back down to him, as Phoebe never backed down to anyone.

"I'm not just going to sit back and keep my mouth shut anymore Daryl! I can't just go back to Atlanta and pretend that you're okay here-"

"I am okay here." He lied, almost under his breath.

Phoebe sighed "Just because you're not willing to talk about what happens, doesn't mean that I'm going to continue to ignore it Daryl. And you don't have to talk about it, I would never force you to-"

"This ain't 'bout my daddy issues!" Phoebe was thrown off by his outburst, confused about what was really bothering him, but before she could ask, to her surprise, he spoke first.

"We're not kids anymore.." He spoke softer than before, now not being able to look at Phoebe, "Truth is, I've been selfish holdin' on to'ya. I shoulda let ya go when you first got accepted in them colleges, but I didn't want to. I don't deserve ya, I'm nothin', I'ma Dixon."

"Daryl-" Phoebe could feel her heart and eyes swelling at his words.

"You should jus' go find a rich doctor or lawyer, marry him and jus' have the life ya deserve…the one I can never give ya, you know I've got nothing to offer you."

Thinking she knew Daryl, but not knowing any of this, Phoebe struggled to find the words. She just stared at him, while he looked towards the ground before sitting himself down.

"How can you- When I think about my future, all I see is you Daryl. I thought you knew me better than anyone, but if you think that I'd be happy with some stuffed shirt, then you don't know me at all. I love you, Daryl. I love you. It's never been about what you can offer me, I don't care about that, I put my future in you a long time ago despite of that. If it were up to me I'd drop out of college in a second, it's just not as important to me as you are."

Daryl remaind quiet, taking in her words but still not looking at her and looking away when she sat down next to him.

They sat, silent, as the sun set and the dying fire was the only thing illuminating their surroundings. Daryl's sudden exhale of breath made Phoebe look towards him, unsure of what he was thinking or what he was going to do.

"What's this guy at that garage like?" he asked, momentarily meeting her eyes before looking back to the fire.

"I've never met him, Kirsty went there once when she had a flat, after that she kept going back there, but it wasn't her car that was getting the servicing." They both smirked to themselves at Kirsty's expense.

"He sounds alright though, especially if he's going to give you a job.."

"So your friend sucks some guy's dick an' I get a job? Sounds great." Phoebe swatted his arm at his harsh sarcasm, "It's not like that. And even if it was, it doesn't matter, its good for you."

"Jus' wish you woulda asked me first," he said, looking back at her and keeping his eyes on her this time. She looked more than fragile with a few tear stains on her cheeks, so without even thinking Daryl moved closer, putting his arm around her. His first instinct was to hurt the person who was responsible for making her saddened, but of course quickly realising that it was him who brought about this upset. He found himself not caring what she wanted, he just knew that he would do it.

Relaxing into his embrace, Phoebe put her arms around him, feeling grateful that he allowed her this. It wasn't often that they would fight, if ever, but when they did Phoebe hated it.

"Daryl I'm sorry, I just wanted to help you and I don't think I could bear having to leave you again-"

"I know," Daryl shushed, holding her close to his body, when he realised that her skin was cold, probably because of the harsh exposure to the night air.

"Les' just sort it tomorrow. Now I want ya to get in the tent an' under the covers."

Phoebe didn't even realise the cold until he said that; always looking out for her. But still she stared at him, unsure if they were okay, before he gave her a kiss and gestured for her to go warm up. Giving a small smile, Phoebe headed into the tent, as Daryl gathered up their previously discarded clothes and put out the fire, before going in to join her.

Entering the two-man tent, Daryl saw Phoebe fidgeting under the thermal blankets, out of irritation of the uncomfortable airbed.

He smirked "Told ya that those things were shit." He said, refferring to her previous nagging that they use it for the trip. She only threw her arms down to her sides and huffed in response. Putting their clothes down in a pile and turning to zip up the tent, Daryl sat down onto the airbed and manoeuvred himself so that he was laying closely next to her.

"Com'ere." He welcomed her with his arm held out, so that she could curl up next to him. Phoebe warmed up to him, throwing her arm across his chest and her leg in-between his.

They laid in each others embrace for a little while, playing a soft game of footsie and Phoebe could feel herself falling into sleep, but Daryl's mind was still awake.

"M'sorry for being an asshole." He admitted, while lightly stroking the small of her back. Opening her eyes, only slightly, Phoebe placed a forgiving kiss on his chest, letting him know that it was okay, that they were okay.