OK...second installment. FYI- A lot of foul language.

As they were heading back to the condo Riki took a look at Daryl. "Are you OK? We can run by the Emergency Room or urgent care because you actually look like you might need some stitches above the eye."

"If you have a needle and thread I can do it myself." He told her.

"No offense, and I know you are a tough guy and all, but I don't think that is the best idea. I know someone who can fix you up in a jiffy now that I think about it. Let me make a call, and they can meet us at the condo." She told him.

"Whatever works." He said, not really wanting to spend the energy arguing with her. He had a lot to process and right now his eye and bruises were the least of his worries.

When they pulled into the parking garage Riki hollered at Daryl "Hold up. I wanna show you something."

He looked at her confused, shrugged his shoulders and followed her across the garage.

"Here, you can drive this until you find something to replace your bike." She told him handing him the keys. Daryl swallowed hard and his eyes (including his swollen one) doubled in size when he saw what she was offering him. It was a black Porsche Cayman GT4.

"There ain't no way I can drive that." He said emphatically.

"Yes you can. To be honest, there ain't no way I can drive it. It's a standard shift and I have never been quite able to get the hang of it, and trust me…I've tried." She told him.

"So why do you have an eighty-five thousand dollar car you can't drive?" He asked.

"It was a gift…and I thought I could figure it out. Seriously, a vehicle like this needs to be driven, and since you are here and without transportation for a while, it would be perfect to have you drive it. Plus, maybe you could visit Merle and rub his face in it." She replied, letting out a little laugh.

"Nah…that ain't happening. He'd do something to mess it up." He said, though part of him would love to see the look on Merle's face if Daryl pulled up in the sports car.

"Yeah, well that's why we have insurance. No offense Daryl, but your brother is a fucking asshole." She said bluntly.

"That he is. I haven't even asked if you are OK, you hit the ground pretty hard earlier." He said in a concerned voice.

"I'm fine. The only thing that was wounded was my pride as I landed on my ass. I never could fight worth a damn." She told him.

"I reckon they didn't teach that shit in your fancy boarding schools." He teased.

"Correct, the closest thing to fighting was fencing, and I sucked at that as well. I was good at sneaking out after dark though." She said giving him a soft laugh. Daryl liked the way she looked when she smiled. It was comforting.

"Maybe I could show you a few things…part of me paying back what I owe ya." He said looking down at the ground.

"Well Rocky, if you think it will make a difference I'll let you show me a thing or two." She said, not realizing how the statement came out. She noticed Daryl visibly blushed at the double entendre.

They hopped on the elevator and went up to the penthouse. Riki then looked at Daryl "You can pick either of the guest rooms, but the one you stayed in last night is a bit larger." She told him. He was silent and walked over to the room, she followed carrying his crossbow. When they entered the room he finally took the time to take it all in. He hadn't really noticed much about it earlier, but now that he was there he noticed it had a huge bathroom with a separate shower and Jacuzzi tub, as well as a stunning view of the Atlanta skyline, much like the rest of the home. There was a sliding door that led out to the balcony that offered a private view. To the left was a gate that led to the corner of the huge patio's balcony and past the master bedroom's entrance.

"I'm going to let you settle in and then I'm going to call Bob to come over and take a look at you. Is that OK?" She asked him.

"Don't want ya going to no trouble. I can take care of it." He told her.

"I'd feel better if he at least checked it out. He's a real down to earth guy that works at the center with me. You'll be working with him so it can't hurt for you to meet him." She said, noticing his hesitation.

"OK. Thank you for this." He said quietly.

"Nothing to thank me for Daryl, I'm just calling a friend." She said smiling at him.

"Naw, I mean this." He motioned with his arms letting her know he meant the whole room.

"Don't you worry about a thing Daryl. I'll call Bob and then you can settle in here. The remote for the Television is in the nightstand. After Bob drops by I'll let you do your own thing, but before he gets here I will give you a tour of the place. I want you to make yourself comfortable. This is your place now too." She said, trying her hardest to get him to relax.

Daryl simply gave her his customary nod. Riki looked at him and could tell he was uncomfortable in his new surroundings. She also noticed that he was still pretty battered looking. "Why don't you come sit down at the table in the kitchen and let me clean you up before Bob gets here." She said. He looked at her and didn't say anything, but he did start to walk to the table in the kitchen area.

She sat him down and then disappeared for a moment, returning with a first aid kit. "Just so you know, I totally would suck as a nurse, but I think cleaning you up might be in the realm of possibilities of what I can handle."

Daryl gave her a slight smile, finding her forthrightness refreshing. She pulled out anti-septic wipes and gently wiped his face. Daryl closed his eyes and for the first time in as long as he remember, he enjoyed the soft contact. She then moved down to his hands and cleaned his bruised knuckles as well. " I can bandage these if you like." She told him.

"Nah, better to let them just scab up and heal on their own." He said, still relishing in her touch.

"So Daryl, I don't even know your last name." She joked, and he realized she knew absolutely nothing about him other than he had an asshole brother and lived in a shitty trailer park.

"Dixon." He grunted out.

"Like the Mason-Dixon Line?" She asked.

"Yeah…but trust me, that won't my people that had anything to do with that bullshit. Dixon's are nothing but generations of fuck-ups." He said to her in an honest voice.

"I think every family has a lot of fuck-ups along the way. Mine could probably top the list." She said, a sincere but dark tone in her voice.

"Normally billionaires ain't fuck-ups girlie." He said in a somewhat pissed off voice.

"Trust me, money doesn't have anything to do with it. If you look up dysfunctional in the dictionary, our family portrait is there. My mother is weak, my dad is a ruthless asshole, and I have an illegitimate brother that would love nothing more than to see me dead. That's just scratching the surface Mr. Dixon." She said, letting his name roll off her tongue. He liked how it sounded falling from those luscious lips. Daryl mentally shook himself. He didn't need to even start down that path of thinking of her like that. She was just a nice lady helping him out of a jam.

"So let me show you around the place." She said changing the subject. Daryl gave her his customary nod and she began to show him around the condo.

"Inside everything is pretty standard. I've got the three bedrooms and four bathrooms. This is the main room, and I keep my porn collection in the cabinet under the TV." She said in a deadpan voice. Daryl's eyes must have popped open to the size of saucers.

"Just kidding Daryl…maybe." She laughed and then continued with showing him around. "You can see the kitchen over here, and there is a door that leads outside to a small breakfast area in case you want to eat out there. I like to enjoy breakfast and a cigarette on mornings that aren't too cold or sweltering. Each of the bedrooms have a private balcony entrance and you can open the gates between each bedroom that lead out to the main patio." She told him, leading him to the back of the condo to the main entrance to the balcony.

She then opened up the door and led him to the right. "This gate leads to the main patio and pool area.

"Pool? I didn't know you had a pool." Daryl said and Riki sensed a bit of panic in his voice, but she didn't push the issue.

"Yeah, I've got a pool…it's the one luxury I absolutely insisted on having. Follow me and I will show it to you.

They walked through the gate that led to the main patio and Daryl tried hard to keep his mouth from dropping. Sitting on the corner of the patio was a large hot tub that overlooked the city along with furniture nicer than anything that Daryl had ever owned. He realized that the part of the balcony just off the main area that was covered was because there were steps that lead up to what he assumed was the pool.

"Follow me and I will show it to you. It's heated and can be used year round." She said. They went up the steps, Daryl a little more apprehensive than he would like.

"Why so quiet country boy? Can't you swim?" She teased, trying to figure out why Daryl had suddenly gone mute.

He didn't answer. Instead he took in the pool area that reminded him of a luxurious desert oasis. There were tropical plants, a pool house, water features including a waterfall, and lounge chairs everywhere. The cabana housed a small refrigerator, a bar, and large grill, along with a flat screen television. The entire pool had to have cost more than Daryl had ever made in his entire life. For once he was truly and genuinely speechless.

"Daryl, did you hear me?" She asked again.

"I can swim, just ain't never seen anything so fancy. I'm used to lakes and rivers is all." He said.

"Are you sure that's it?" She asked again, trying not to push.

"I don't got a bathing suit." He mumbled.

"That's not a problem, I have a few extras in the bath house, and if you want we can pick up one for ya." She told him offering him a brilliant smile.

"Naw." He said, and with that he left the pool and headed back down towards his room, not offering any type of explanation. Riki just stood there dumbfounded, not sure what would cause Daryl to react like that because of a swimming pool. One thing was for sure, he didn't want to discuss it and she assumed it was some sort of trigger for something that had occurred during his lifetime. Maybe he was afraid of water from some possible near drowning experience. But that didn't make sense since he said he was used to Rivers and lakes. It had to be something else, but she decided he could tell her if he wanted too. For now she assumed he wouldn't be using the pool.

Daryl had left so abruptly that he hadn't even given a thought about Riki. He felt like a fool for his reaction, but there wasn't any way that he could ever let her see his back. Years of abuse from his father had left his back littered with scars from the whippings he had taken shortly after his mother's death. The last beating he had taken was right before he had turned eighteen, and it was that night that Daryl packed up his shit, sought out Merle, and he permanently left that cabin that represented his nightmare childhood. If Riki saw the aftermath that was displayed so prominently on his back she probably wouldn't allow him to work at the community center, afraid that his broken past would make him a danger to others. The worse thing was she had been so up front with him, and he couldn't find the courage to be honest with her. Maybe one day, but not now. Hell, who was he kidding…this was a temporary arrangement anyhow. Most likely in a short period of time he would be living somewhere else and he and Riki would only be co-workers.

Daryl suddenly felt tired. He hadn't got much sleep from the night before, and his little toss up with Merle left him sore and battered. He flopped down on the four poster bed and tried to catch his breath. Part of him already regretted staying here with Riki. In his haste of leaving he failed to retrieve his cell phone and his tools and he knew he would need to go back to get them. He also was in need of some new clothes for work and some basic toiletry items that he also neglected to get from the trailer. Daryl had just over a thousand dollars to his name and he would need to use a couple hundred of it to purchase what he needed.

He must have nodded off, because the next thing he knew there was a soft knock on the door and Riki was calling to him. "Daryl, Bob's on the way up." She said in her soft southern voice.

"OK, it's open if you want to come in." He told her without thinking. Hell it was her home and she could go anywhere she wanted.

The door opened and she stepped in. "Hey, I just wanted to apologize for earlier. I won't pretend to know what set you off like that, but that's your business and I was wrong for pushing you. The pool is there for you to use whenever you want and I will leave it at that." She told him.

"Sorry for running off like that. Didn't mean to make you feel like an asshole or nothing. It's just a long story I don't want to get into. Maybe one day, but not right now." He told her. The room was filled with silence that ended when Riki heard the knock on the door.

"That would be Bob…come with me and meet him." She said, extending her hand out to him and giving him a tug off the bed. He didn't need her help, but he seemed to enjoy her touch, which was odd for him.

Riki answered the door and a slim African American man stood there with a friendly smile on his face. She gave him a hug and ushered him into the condo. "Bob I am so glad you could stop by to check out Daryl. He bumped his head helping me out around here and I think the gash above his eye might need stitches." She said.

Bob offered his hand to Daryl "Bob Stookey, pleased to meet you." He said politely.

Daryl took his hand and mumbled out "Daryl Dixon, likewise." Bob could tell that the man was not big on conversation.

"Bob, Daryl is going to be our new maintenance manager at the community center." Riki said so that Bob wouldn't ask questions when Daryl showed up on Monday.

"Ha, so you finally found someone willing to take on Axle." Bob joked

"What the fuck kind of name is Axle?" Daryl asked curious to what Bob meant.

"Stop it Bob, let's let Daryl make his own opinions of Axle. We all know he is a hard worker." Riki replied. The last thing she wanted was Daryl to refuse the job because of one less than normal employee.

"I was just trying to warn him." Bob laughed.

"What's wrong with the guy? Is he missing something up top?" Daryl asked, pointing a finger to his head.

"Let's just say Axle is the guy that you always see at the bar that asks every woman to dance, and gets turned down by them all…but he just keeps trying. He's a really nice guy…just a little different." Riki said.

"Yeah, Different, that's a good way to describe him." Bob added.

"Look, if he's a good worker I don't care if he still lives with his momma." Daryl said trying to prove that he was open minded.

"Well your in luck then, because he does still live with his mother. But like we said, he's a good worker." Bob told him, trying hard to hold back a laugh.

Riki's phone rang and she looked at the number on the display, she didn't recognize it so she answered. "Hello." Daryl tried hard not to eavesdrop, but her face fell immediately when she heard the voice on the other end of the phone. She covered up the receiver and told Daryl and Bob to excuse her for a moment.

Bob was examining Daryl's cut and surmised he didn't need to stitch it. "I think after I clean it that I'll apply some Dermabond and you should be good." He told Daryl. He had noticed that Daryl's knuckles were cut and bruised and that he had a few other bruises on his face. There was no way he was believing the bullshit that Riki told him about there being an accident around the house.

As Bob was applying the Dermabond they heard Riki quite colorfully speaking to whoever had called her on the phone. "Look, I wish I could say I appreciate you calling and checking in on me, but that would be a fucking lie. I've told you it's over and I don't want anything to do with you ever again."

"You know what that's about?" Daryl asked Bob, concerned at how angry Riki sounded.

"Got an idea, but it ain't my story to tell." Bob said and Daryl respected his answer and the fact that he didn't appear to be the type for gossiping.

Riki's voice only got louder as the conversation continued "I don't care if you work for the President, it isn't enough to make me even remotely consider getting back with your ass you sorry son of a bitch. You fucking used me and that makes you a pathetic sack of shit. Do you hear what I'm saying?" She screamed.

Daryl looked at Bob "She can be kind of scary when's she's pissed."

"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet." Bob replied.

"Fuck you, and I swear if I find you stalking me again I will file charges, I don't give a shit who you are." She blasted at the person on the other end of the phone.

"No, we can't get together and talk. It's over; kaput, final…I never want to hear your sorry ass voice again. Now if you will let me go I have things to do." She said before she flung the phone across the room. She took a deep breath, and then walked back out to join Daryl and Bob.

Neither man said a thing when she came and flopped down in one of the plush living room chairs. Bob sensing her tension spoke up "Hey, some of us from work are going midnight bowling tonight at the Lucky Strike if you want to come. It will be Maggie and Glenn, Beth and Tyreese, and of course me and Sasha." He said.

"I don't know if I'm up to it Bob. Let me think about it and if I show up just let it be a surprise." She told him.

"I can do that. Just throwing it out there if you want something to do, Daryl you are more than welcome to join us if you want. Might be a good opportunity to meet some of us before you start on Monday. It's nothing fancy, just bowling, beers, and un-relentless teasing." Bob said.

Daryl gave his customary nod, not feeling completely comfortable with meeting new people. He knew it was one of his hang-ups he would need to get over, but it wasn't going to be easy.

"Well, Daryl's gonna live and I've got shit to do today, so I will be getting out of here. Hope to see y'all tonight." Bob said, giving Daryl a handshake and Riki a hug before he left the condo.

"You OK?" Daryl asked Riki.

"I could use a smoke, do you wanna join me?" She asked. Daryl couldn't agree fast enough.

…

Merle was finally sober and he realized he had fucked up royally with Daryl. The worse part about it was that he never would have dreamed that Daryl would have actually left. Daryl had always done what Merle had wanted him too, and now, without his baby brother, he didn't have the financial means to support himself. Some would say that he was using Daryl, and to be fair, he did take advantage of his brother's loyalty, but Merle made him a man and he deserved to be compensated for that.

Merle picked up his cell to call Daryl and try to talk some sense into him, but instead, he heard ringing coming from Daryl's room. The son of a bitch left his phone behind. Merle smiled, knowing Daryl would have to come back to retrieve the phone. When he did, he would clear the air with his baby brother and set him straight. Maybe Daryl was working this woman on his own…but that wasn't normally Daryl's scene. Daryl always seemed resentful when Merle would take him out on jobs and Daryl wasn't slick enough to pull a proper con. That being said his baby brother needed transportation since he had sold the bike early this morning to get someone he owed a debt too off his back. He knew the guy had wanted the bike for a long time, and when Daryl ditched him last night, Merle reasoned it was a fair trade. Had Daryl stuck around as they had planned, they would have been able to pull off the job they had set up, and then fenced the goods they had taken. Surely Daryl would understand.

Merle leaned back on the worn out couch and turned on the television. He closed his eyes and smiled knowing that he had an opportunity to get back in Daryl's good graces. He knew just how to work his baby brother, and he wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

…

Daryl was blowing smoke rings and Riki was watching him intently "Show off" she said to him.

"What?" He asked, bewildered at her statement.

"Blowing rings like that, I never could figure out how to do it, and every time I try I end up looking like I'm doing something obscene." She said to him in earnest, which caused Daryl to let out a genuine laugh.

"You gotta use the back of your throat." He told her.

"Um, no thanks, I've got those muscles trained for other things." She said, not realizing how it sounded before she said it.

Daryl quirked and eyebrow at her "Oh Really…hmmm."

"Shut up…not like that. I do a lot of fundraisers and public speaking, so I work hard on my enunciation. Speaking of fundraisers, I leave out for San Francisco on Wednesday for some Gala bullshit I have to attend. You will be on solo until Saturday morning." She told him.

"What the fuck is a Gala?" He asked.

"A big fancy party where everyone smiles and pretends they are a bunch of saints. The wealthy big wigs use it to make themselves feel better, and I have to play the bullshit game to raise money to support the community center. It allows the people that couldn't fathom what it is like to be dirt poor to think they are really making a difference. I guess in a way they are, but obviously you don't see too many of them donating their time and effort to help out in centers like mine." She admitted to Daryl.

"Yours? You didn't mention that you own the center." He replied to her, now realizing why she was so passionate about her job.

"Is that a problem for you?" She shot back.

"Naw, no problem, just makes sense now why it's so important to ya. I figured you were on Daddy's payroll and you were one of them people that helped out because it made ya feel good." Daryl replied honestly.

Riki let out a snort "There you go again making judgements against me. Just because I have money doesn't mean I don't care about other people. I want to help out those less fortunate anyway I can. Not because it makes me feel good, which sometimes it does, but because maybe those people I help can turn around and help others one day. There are kids at the center that have so much potential, but they have been told they were worthless their entire life. All they need is a break and some positive influence and there is a good chance they can break out of the cycle of poverty they have been raised in. If that makes me a bad person for helping them out, then so be it."

"I didn't mean to upset ya. Maybe it's something I gotta work on too. But if you had grown up like me, and seen the fucking looks people give me, you might be quick to jump to conclusions too. Do you know what it's like to walk by someone in the store and they grab their kids, or pull their purse closer because they assume I'm some fucking criminal? That's the bullshit I deal with all the time." He admitted to her.

"I'm sorry for that Daryl, especially since you seem to be a genuinely good man. Maybe a bit surly, but a good man. I'm glad I met you." She said, her eyes displaying a tenderness and genuine affection that scared the hell out of Daryl. He wasn't used to these kinds of things and he didn't know how to respond.

So he let out a grunt and looked down at the ground. Riki sensed that he didn't take compliments well, so she reached out and cupped his chin so she could look him in the eye. "I mean it Daryl, don't you ever doubt that about yourself."

He kept the eye contact and nodded. It was the best he could do as he felt a lump in his throat that refused to let him verbally respond. They had only known each other a very short time, but she seemed to understand him, and she was breaking through his walls…something no one had ever done before.

"So enough with all this sappy shit Mr. Dixon. I'm in a mood to cook, and well…you get to be my victim if you want. Can I entice you to eat a dinner if I prepare it?" She asked him.

"I ain't go no other plans." He told her.

"Good, when I get pissed off I like to cook, and I cook a lot of food. It will be good for it not to go to waste." She said to him.

"Can I ask you something…what you said earlier about me taking the car, were you serious? I've got some errands to run and I need to run back to the trailer to get my tools and my phone." He told her.

"Hmmm…so Merle would get to see you driving the Porsche? Absolutely I meant what I said. I hope you rub it in his face big time." She said, letting out a big laugh.

"I don't know about all that. Hopefully he won't be there when I get there. Either that or he is passed out. I am only gonna stop for a minute." He told her.

"Take all the time you want Daryl. You aren't reporting to me while you stay here. Dinner will be around six, so you are free to do what ever you want. If you decide you can't make it for dinner, give me a call. I'll give you my number." She said.

"OK, sounds good. Um, were you thinking about going out tonight…bowling?" He asked, looking down at the ground.

"Why? Are you interested?" She asked, slightly surprised that he would even consider it. She had made excuses, not for herself, but more so on Daryl's behalf. He didn't seem like the type that would want to be subjected to a group of strangers.

"It might be good to meet folks I'm gonna be working with, plus I'm a pretty good bowler." He told her shyly.

"Hot Damn Dixon, you're on my team then. We'll go." She said with her eyes smiling brightly. God he loved her smile.

"Are you a good bowler?" He asked.

"Fuck no. I average in the fifty's, but maybe you can help me with it. Every one is usually so busy laughing at how bad I am that I lose all concentration and I never improve. You helped me out with pool so maybe you can help me out with this." She said looking at him with hope in her eyes.

"Depends on how bad you are, sometimes there ain't no hope." He teased.

"Awww…I have faith in you." Riki said, giving him a pat on the shoulder as she stubbed out her last cigarette and stood to go start cooking.

…

Riki gave Daryl an access card to the parking garage and one to allow him to enter the thirtieth floor, along with a key to the condo. He had free reign of the building, as well as a set of keys to the Porsche and to the Navigator. One thing he couldn't deny was that she was extremely generous, and very trustworthy of him. It felt good.

Daryl found the car and it started immediately and the engine purred like a kitten. He had never driven anything so sleek and powerful before in his entire life. There were times Merle almost had him convinced to boost a car, but Daryl refused knowing if he got caught it would be a felony, and being caged up in prison wasn't something on Daryl's list of things he wanted to do.

He opted to take the long way out to the trailer park, just so he could take the interstate and feel the exhilaration of driving the sports car and it felt incredible. When he finally arrived at the park on the outskirts of Atlanta, he downshifted and drove it carefully over the ruts and bumps of the dirt road that led to the trailer he and Merle shared.

When he pulled up he noticed Merle wasn't there and Daryl let out a sigh of relief. Quickly he let himself into the house, retrieved his tools and his phone and then made for the front door. He put the items in the vehicle, and then remembered something he had left behind. He went back to his room and reached the back of his closet, pulling up a loose floorboard. He pulled out a box that contained a revolver and a few photos that he had held onto over the years. They were pictures of his mother, and a wedding picture of his parents that had somehow survived the fire. When his mother had passed away Daryl had held the photos close to him, sleeping with them each night in fear that he would forget what his mother looked like. He had her face engrained permanently in his mind, but he still cherished the photos.

Daryl took the final contents out to the Porsche when he noticed the little boy next door had wandered over to check out the car.

"Mr. Daryl are you rich now?" He asked when he spotted Daryl coming out the front door.

"Nah Luke, just borrowing it." Daryl told the little boy.

"Did ya steal it? Momma says Merle steals things and he makes you steal things too." The boy said innocently, but it still stung.

"I didn't steal it Luke, stealing is a bad thing. It belongs to a friend of mine and she wants me to drive it because she can't." He replied, trying to justify why someone like him had such a high dollar vehicle.

"Is she your girlfriend?" He asked.

"You ask a lot of questions little man." Daryl told the boy, reaching over to mess up the kid's hair. Daryl felt bad for Luke. His mom was one of Merle's conquests, often her trading sex for drugs. It was no place for a sweet kid like Luke to grow up. The kid was lonely and neglected and Daryl had wished more than anything that someone in the family would step up and take the boy away. The boy could be annoying with his non-stop questions, but Daryl knew it was because he was desperate for sober human contact, so when Luke would pop over, Daryl would give the boy the attention he wanted. The world was so full of broken kids, and he could relate to each and everyone of them, but he wasn't a saint and he wasn't a superhero, so talking to little Luke was the best he could do for now.

Unfortunately, talking to Luke kept Daryl held up at the trailer long enough for Merle to return. He heard the beat up truck before he saw it, and within minutes Merle was pulling up in front of the trailer. He opened the truck, and of course the sound of empty cans and bottles hitting the ground let Daryl know Merle had been out drinking already. Fuck, he was most likely drunk.

Merle got one look at the Porsche and let out a whistle. "Woo Wee boy, you are moving up quick in this world ain't ya? We could take this thing and sell it for a pretty profit, it would be enough so we didn't have to work for a long time."

"Since when did you ever work Merle?" Daryl shot back.

"I work, I just don't go the traditional route." He said, still admiring the car.

Daryl noticed Merle had groceries, and a bag full of household cleaners. "You planning on huffing tonight?" Daryl asked his brother.

"No" he said defensively "I decided since this is gonna be just my place for a bit that I might clean it up. I might even rent out your room." Merle said, thinking he would bait Daryl.

"Good luck with that, ain't so sure anyone would be brave enough to live with your sorry ass." Daryl said.

"Fair enough. So you really aren't coming back? Look the shit with the bike that was just business. I owed a debt and when we didn't pull off the job last night, I needed cash fast. It wasn't personal." Merle said.

"Don't matter Merle, I needed the bike for transportation, and I can't rely on you to drive me around. Hell you ain't even sober most of the time." Daryl said, trying hard to bite back the anger.

"I could have taken you to pick up the bikes you work on." Merle replied.

"I ain't working on bikes anymore, I got a real job that pays real honest money. It's a place in North Atlanta and I know damn well that you can't be trusted to get me there by seven each morning. Merle you fucked up this time, and it's best that things work out like this. I'm still your brother, but I gotta start doing what's right for me." Daryl insisted.

Merle wouldn't admit it, but Daryl's words hurt. It had taken the boy close to forty years, but he was finally starting to stand on his own, and that wasn't something Merle could accept. He wanted to lash out at Daryl, but he knew if he had any shot of getting his brother back, he had to be smart. Merle reached out his hand and offered a handshake to Daryl. Daryl looked at it hesitantly but finally accepted his brother's hand.

"You got my number if you need me. Maybe you can come by sometimes and visit. Keep in touch baby brother." Merle said as he gathered up his groceries and went into the house without another word.

Daryl stood there speechless for a minute, and then he got into the car and drove off to finish up the rest of his errands.

…

Daryl arrived back at the condo about two hours later and brought his purchases with him. When he entered the home, Riki wasn't anywhere to be found, but the smell of a home cooked meal filled up the condo. Daryl's mouth watered in anticipation of what ever it was she had prepared. It had been a long time since he had anything other than fast food or a sandwich.

He headed to his room and emptied the bags and hung up the new clothes he had purchased, and put all of his toiletries in the bathroom. Hell, he had even picked up a bottle of cologne that he thought was tolerable. If he was going to improve his life then that meant he was going to have to work on being more presentable. Riki was offering him a chance, and somehow the thought of disappointing her weighed heavily on him. He had bought three pairs of work pants, and work shirts, two pairs of new jeans, and four nice shirts. One blue long sleeve button down, a black polo shirt, and two nice T-shirts. He had made a conscious decision to leave the sleeves in tact, which was a difficult decision for him, but he still had a few sleeveless shirts he could rely on if he wanted to work on something or go out hunting. He told himself he would buy a couple more when he had the money, but for now it was the best he could do. His final items he purchased was a new pair of boots that were decent enough that he could wear them to work or out for a night on the town and a bathing suit. He didn't know if he would ever use it, but at least now he had the option. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Daryl finally heard the door to the balcony open and Riki called for him. "Daryl are you back?"

He walked out to meet her and suddenly the food cooking was the second thing on his mind. Riki had been swimming, and she was wearing a very small pink bikini that left nothing to the imagination. It looked incredible against her olive skin, and her long dark hair was wet and clinging to her back. He could see her tattoo and noted she also had one on the side of her thigh that he hadn't noticed last night. All he could focus on at this given moment was trying to keep himself from getting an erection. He had never seen anything so sexy and beautiful in his entire adult life.

"Daryl, hey, did you hear me?" She asked again when he didn't speak.

"Yeah, I'm back. Smells good in here." He said, trying desperately to not focus on the nearly naked woman in front of him.

"You wanna join me on the balcony for a beer? Dinner still has a little while and I could use the time to dry off a little." She said. God did she know how much she was turning him on. Daryl might not have had tons of sexual experiences, but he still had needs and wants. At this moment, he very much wanted her, but there wasn't any way that he would EVER cross that line with her. She was somebody who deserved respect, and someone you didn't fuck, you made love to her. And Daryl had never made love to anyone. He knew at that moment he was in way over his head.

"Beer sounds good." Daryl told her and he followed her out to the balcony. He couldn't open his beer fast enough, and downed half of it one gulp. Quickly he lit up a cigarette and felt his heart rate begin to normalize.

"Did you get everything you needed?" She asked him.

"Yeah, bought a few work clothes and stuff. I also picked up my tools." He said quietly.

"Well I cooked while you were gone, and decided to go for a swim. I swam a lot more laps than I intended, but I had a lot of steam to burn off." She said, letting out a laugh. Damn her and that sexy laugh, and man could he come up with a few ways to help her burn off steam.

"So what time do ya wanna leave tonight?" He asked.

"Around eleven thirty, and I get to be the designated driver tonight, so you can enjoy all the beer you want. After everything you did last night, it's the least I can do." She said, giving him a wink.

Daryl could feel his breathing pick up when she looked at him like that. He literally thought he was going to have to take out his knife and stab himself in the leg to get his body under control.

"Ain't you self-conscious being nearly naked like that?" He blurted out without thinking.

That caused Riki to let out an even bigger laugh "Why Daryl Dixon, am I making you feel uncomfortable?" She teased.

"No." he said, but he really meant hell yes.

"I have to admit, you are quite a gentleman. You may appear to be a bit feral, but deep down you are one of the most respectful individuals I have ever met. Just so you know I appreciate that. I'll go change while you enjoy your beer." She said, as she stood up and made her way back to her room. Daryl watched every single step she took and enjoyed the view of her from behind. She was perfect.

OK...how am I doing with this. I know I stopped at a weird place, but this chapter was getting really long. I think I might update sooner with shorter chapters in this story if it's ok. I really need your feedback on this...so whatever you got to say, let me know. I appreciate all of the advice many of you have left, it really helps out.

MSF tonight...all I know is to wait until after the credits and we MIGHT get a chance to see our man...

Take care and please review for me. The more reviews the more people will want to read.

Missy

XXOO