Hey, everyone. Sorry for the long delay, been busy and my muse had suddenly disappeared with work and other things. Nevertheless, my muse is steadily returning thanks to the new season of TWD and I was finally able to finish this chapter, though short, to post; something to tide ya'll over for a little bit. Thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far with story, despite the grammar mistakes and whatnot. Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this next segment.

Disclaimer:I do NOT own the Walking Dead, comics or the television series, nor its characters. All I own is my main female OC, other OCs, and some plot points.

Warnings:Daryl and OC romance, crude humor, swearing, sexual content, violence, gore, mentions types of abuse, and alcohol and drug references.

Chapter: Twelve

The atmosphere of the camp upon the Greene's farm started to actually feel like home to Katherine; everything seemed a bit brighter or at least more at ease. And she felt like everyone else were beginning to feel the same. Sure, there was some tension, but Katherine expected that there always would be considering the world they lived in now. Either way, she felt better, inside and out, than she had in ages.

The skies were clear. The temperature was fairly tolerable today. Some food was ripe enough to be harvested and passed around for everyone to share. The injured members of the group were feeling better. And everyone was in high hopes of the clues Daryl had found concerning Sophia. Things, in Katherine's eyes, were starting to look up.

Exiting her tent, after dressing, braiding her hair, and doing her exercises, including ones instructed by Hershel to strengthen her arm, Katherine greeted those of the group, who were early risers—surprising them a little. Carol and she exchanged smiles as the short-haired woman handed her a plate with some breakfast on it and fed Scout a little bacon as well; something the canine eagerly ate much to the women's amusement.

"Smells delicious. Nice and crispy, just the way I like it," the waitress said to the mother, popping said bacon into her mouth.

Carol quirked a knowing brow, grinning. "Well, you're certainly in a cheery mood." she pointed out in a good-natured tease as she was kneeling by the small fire with a frying pan set on top. "Did you and Daryl make up?"

Katherine felt a small rush of blood creep up from her neck to her cheeks, but she kept her composure quite nicely. "We're not screamin' at each other no more, if that's what ya mean." she replied.

Carol's grin grew. "Oh, I could tell. I saw that Cherokee Rose in your hair last night."

Katherine's blush deepened before she blinked with mild surprise. "He gave you one, too?"

The mother's features softened and she gave a small nod. "For Sophia."

At that statement, Katherine smiled gently. "'Course he did. He's good like that."

"He certainly is."

Again, the two gave each other smiles. Then, Carol held out another plate to Katherine. "Mind giving Daryl his breakfast? I don't want him moving around too much. Its bad enough that he came waltzing out here in the middle of the night just so no one would coddle him further."

A scoff left Katherine while rolling her eyes, temper flaring slightly. "Of course he did. Stubborn jackass." Nevertheless, "Yeah, I'll take it to him and give him a good tongue-lashin' while I'm at it."

"Good. You're the only one he really listens to."

"Doubt that."

Katherine took Daryl's meal to him as requested. Scout limped into the tent before her to greet the injured man, who was lying down and busying himself with stabbing holes in the mesh of his tent with one of his arrows.

Daryl greeted the puppy first, gingerly lifting him up onto his coat to scratch behind his ears. Then, he looked to Katherine. "'Mornin'."

"Ya wanna tell me why ya left the house in the middle of the damn night before Hershel could check up on ya and say ya could move around?"

He rolled his eyes. "Don' start, Kat."

"No, I'm gonna, Daryl." she retorted in a stern tone. "You'd flip a shit if I did, so yeah, I'm gonna start."

Almost childishly, the hunter groaned. "If I see da ol' man later ta check me out, will dat get ya off my back?"

"More or less," she said with a mild shrug.

"Fine."

"Thank you."

"Whatever…"

Smiling, Katherine stepped further into the tent and knelt by his bedside. "Brought ya some breakfast." she announced, handing over the plate, which he graciously took and tried to keep away from a hungry Scout as best as possible.

"Bacon. Haven't had dat in fo'eva.' Daryl commented.

"Tell me 'bout it. Good thing about livin' on a farm. Got plenty of resources."

"…ya missed it.'

"More or less. How are ya feelin'?"

The past was the past and Katherine preferred not to dwell on it. The present was what she wanted to focus on; this was her life now.

"Like shit." he admitted, slightly muffled thanks to the strip of bacon in his mouth.

"Makes sense, but ya made Carol happy, though." Katherine shot him a grin as she sat down.

He paused and then, quirked an eyebrow at her. "Whaddya mean?"

Resting her good arm on the side of his cot, she rested her head on her arm with a playful albeit warm look. "She told me ya gave her a Cherokee Rose for Sophia."

"Oh…"

The blonde could not help but tease him. "You're becomin' quite the softie, Dare-Bear." she mocked, poking his whiskered cheek.

Trying to hide his embarrassment, Daryl scowled and swatted her hand away. "Don' call me dat, Kit-Kat. I ain't no softie."

"Oh, yes you are. Softie."

"Will ya shuddap, woman?"

"Softie. Softie. Softie."

"Dammit, Kat!"

"Am I interrupting something?" suddenly came Andrea's voice, causing Daryl and Katherine to glance to her, surprised by her entry. She quirked a brow, hand on her hip, looking between them.

The two friends looked to one another to see that their faces were fairly close while Daryl gripped Katherine's hand to stop her poking. As nonchalantly as possible, the two peeled away and Katherine said steadily, "Yeah, you're interruptin' our makeout session. …No, we're just talkin', Andrea. What's up?"

Andrea gave her an odd look, somewhat amused and relieved by her dry joke, but didn't comment. Instead, sighing deeply, she addressed Daryl. "I…I feel like shit."

She frowned, raking a hand through her hair, lighter and shorter than Katherine's hair. "I am so, so sorry for shooting you. I really am. If…there's anything—"

Daryl cut her off. "Ya were protectin' da group. We're good."

Andrea stared at him for a moment, shocked by his admittance, searching his face for any falseness. Alas, when she saw none, her shoulders visibly relaxed. "Thanks…" she nearly sighed out with sheer relief. Then, peering between the two friends, she started to leave. "Well, I'll just…leave you two to it," were her parting, teasing words, causing Katherine and Daryl to deadpan.

Katherine watched her go for a moment before she peered back at Daryl, who was now back to poking holes in his tent's mesh.

Andrea's words rung in her head suddenly, mixing with Glenn's, Dale's, and Carol's, especially Dale's. What could crossing that line with Daryl hurt? It wasn't like she was proposing to him. Just offering him some comfort in another human being, a stress reliever, just a way to feel something than fear and pain. All she had to do was lay the cards out on the table and leave them to see how Daryl played them, if he wished to.

'Just be casual, Kat. Just be casual.', she told herself, clearing her throat. "Y'know, all your friends think we're hookin' up."

The hunter paused and very slowly peered to her, but her back was turned to him, so he couldn't gauge her expression. Narrowing his eyes, he inquired, "So? Does it botha ya or sumtin'?"

She bit her lip briefly before turning to him with the calmest expression she could muster, trying desperately to hide the anxiety she felt bubbling over. "I can't say that the idea doesn't sound appealin'."

His eyebrows shot to his hairline. "…Wha'?"

Well, his shocked face was expected, but not particularly comforting.

Katherine pressed on, trying to explain herself, "Just think about it, Daryl. I'm not askin' ya to marry me. Hell, I ain't even askin' to be your girlfriend or nothin'. Just…something physical, I guess. A wy to find comfort in someone without needin' to speak; I know ya ain't much of a talker, anyway. A stree-reliever. To feel somethin' else, y'know?"

"Kat," he began and she knew a rejection was coming, so she interjected.

"C'mon, Daryl." she urged. "Ya gonna honestly tell me it hasn't at least crossed your mind once? Not even on Fourth of July? C'mon. Can ya really and truthfully tell me that/"

Sighing deeply, he closed his eyes and looked away. "Kat, we can't…"

To say the sting of rejection and disappointment didn't hurt would be a downright lie. Nonetheless, Katherine was determined and she refused to believe that the idea didn't tempt Daryl, let alone had never crossed his mind. She could feel it; he was just as apprehensive of further attachment, a much as she was.

Either way, the waitress rose to her booted feet. "Just think about it, okay?" With that, she started towards the tent's opening.

"…Where ya goin'?" he ultimately called out, keeping his voice composed.

Keeping a smile plastered on, Katherine peered back to him. "Rick said there's gonna be gun practice today. Figured I'd join in so I won't lose my touch."

"…Sure dat's a good idea wit' yer shoulder?"

Her smile became genuine. "If I get a check up with Hershel to see if he'll gimme the okay, will ya get off my back?"

"Mo' or less." He appeared hesitant, but had a tiny smirk on.

Katherine's smirk grew with amusement. "Make sure ya get checked out, too, Dare-Bear?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get lost, Kit-Kat. I will."

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward, but the warmth was there. Katherine held no complaints as she left, sparing him one last glance.