A/N: Thank you for your comments! I got a good laugh :) Hopefully, this chpt will make up for any pain I've caused.
-Fifteen-
"Rise and shine!" Mason's cheery voice made Lake want to kill him. Groaning, she turned over to see the teen emptying a sack onto the kitchen table.
"How the hell can you be this happy this early?" She sat up and smoothed out her bed head.
"Oh you don't know what I found." Lake craned to look but Mason shook his head. "Get up and come see, if yer nice I'll let ya have first pick."
The hardwood floor was cool under her bare feet as she padded to where Mason stood—grinning proudly. Her hand flew to her mouth, "Is that…?"
He hooted and smacked his hand on the table, "Sure is! That there is chocolate and jerky."
Lake plopped down into the nearest chair as she struggled not to cry. "I think this is the happiest day of my life." She stated in awe.
"Naw, yer just pregnant and like to eat!" She furrowed her brows and sent him an odd look. Grabbing the packaged candy bar, Lake broke off a piece and nibbled the end.
Her moan made Mason jump up and down in glee. "Mason," She started. "This is…divine."
"Damn straight it is." He bent down and pulled off his boots. Lake snapped her fingers quickly causing Mason to sigh. "You and yer smells." He walked over to the door and placed his boots outside.
"Your feet smell like death." Lake bit off a corner and let it melt in her mouth. "You're lucky I don't make you sleep outside."
He jumped into the bed and propped his head up on an elbow. "The thanks I get for gettin' a woman chocolate." He laid back and threw an arm over his face, a move that made Lake's heart restrict.
"Thank you Mason." She said in a sing song voice. The boy grinned beneath his arm as he waved her off.
"Go clean somethin' or make me a sammich." Lake laughed aloud at the boy's thick accent. She made quick of what little left she had of her piece of chocolate before wrapping the rest up and sticking it away in a safe place. She left Mason to sleep, as she went outside and continued to work in the small garden she had started a couple days ago.
Daryl Dixon was pissed. He sat, leaned against a tree, whittling away on the small piece of wood in his hands. The tiny bike was just now starting to take form after he spent most of his free time working on it.
"Hey Daryl," Carrie-a tall, pretty blonde called to him from across the yard. "You coming?" Daryl stood and slipped the wooden bike into his pocket before picking up his bow and heading into the forest away from Carrie and away from everyone else.
Mason splashed at Lake before disappearing under water again. From where she sat, Lake threw up her hands and squealed.
"Stop!" She screamed but she knew he could no longer hear her. Lying back, she replaced her large sunglasses and soaked in the sun.
She heard Mason as he climbed from the water and lay next to her. "You look like a globe." He stated.
She lowered her glasses down the bridge of her nose, "A Globe. Seriously Mase? You are such a shit." She giggled as he stick out his tongue at her. He jumped up causing her to jump. "What?"
"Look." He pointed at her stomach just as a small ripple ran from the bottom of her stomach upwards. "It won't be too long will it?" His voice full of worry.
Lake sat up and touched her moving child. "No it won't." The baby stilled at her stroke. Her bare skin was stretched tightly showing the tiny blue veins beneath her flesh.
"You worried?" He asked.
Lake shrugged. "A little." Mason arched a brow. "Okay, a lot. I mean," She ran her feet over the water from the pier. "I don't like to think about the bad shit. If I die, you're gonna be stuck with a kid so I wouldn't think too much about it either."
"I ain't never dealt with a kid Lake." She smiled.
"No you haven't, but as well as you take care of me; I think the kid would be fine." Seeing that his anxiety wasn't any better, she added, "I won't leave you, you brat." Mason smiled softly.
Propping up on her elbows, Lake looked out over the lake. Around them, the view was beautiful but there was hardly anything green. It was just too hot.
"How long did he tell you to wait Mason?" She ignored the way his head shot around to look at her.
"Uh-he just told me to wait as long as we could." She nodded slowly. "Do you want to leave?"
She shook her head. "Not just yet. We should stay until the baby is born and then if nothing has changed then maybe think of going somewhere different."
Mason remained silent. Lake rolled over onto her knees and stood-taking her blanket with her. Wrapping it around her body, she stepped into her boots and started back to where they parked their bike.
She walked alone for a few yards before Mason jogged up, his breath labored. "He's comin' back." He assured.
Swinging around, Lake glared. "Why would you say that?" Anger rising.
"Cause its damn true. Ain't nobody love his family more than Daryl loved you and that kid. He wouldn't just die!" A tear fell from his chin and he wiped it away roughly before crossing his arms over his chest.
Lake fought to swallow the lump in her throat. Turning away, she kicked at a rock before turning back. "Watch your mouth." She stated.
"What?" Mason looked at her like she was crazy before bursting out into laughter.
"Shut up! I didn't know what else to say!" She laughed at herself.
"Correctin' my language was the best ya had?" He threw an arm around her and they walked together to the bike.
Daryl stoked the small fire he built. He didn't look up when he heard someone approach.
"You can't just ostracize yourself from the group." A large black man, Wes, stood off to the side keeping his distance.
"Who the fuck are you to tell me what I can do?" Daryl snapped as he hurled the stick in his hand into the woods. "I ain't tellin' you how to run yer lil group."
"No you aren't, but we did help your brother." The truth of Wes's words made Daryl want to knock him on the ass. Screw the bastard for throwing helpin' his brother back in his face.
"No one asked ya to do nothin'. As soon as he is able, we're leavin'. I got someone waitin' for me." Daryl kicked dirt at his slip. Since Wes and his group helped him and Merle out of the walker pit, Daryl was careful not to mention anything about Lake and Mason.
"You have others? Why didn't you say so?" Wes was curious just as Daryl expected. When he didn't answer, Wes pushed. "Daryl."
"It ain't none of yer goddamn business who I got waitin'." The sudden urge to protect Lake was overwhelming. He missed her so fucking much. It was almost unbearable at times.
Wes held up his hands in surrender. "Look man, we don't mean no harm to you and yours. Maybe we can go together?" Daryl looked up at Wes's suggestion. "The group has been discussing leaving for awhile. Hell, nothing's keeping us here."
"What's the catch?" Daryl asked through narrowed eyes.
Wes shook his head as he rubbed his shaved scalp. "Just you being more a part of the group-extra protection and all that jazz."
Daryl's mind raced as he thought about the offer. He knew he should help out more with the group but he didn't want any obligations to stay. He needed them to know, he was leavin' as soon as Merle was able.
"We would leave before Merle heals fully if I accept?" Daryl pressed cautiously.
With a shrug, Wes leaned against a tree-crossing his legs at the ankles. "I don't see why not. We got the girls to care for him and the cars to transport him." He scratched his chin. "Of course I'll have to run it by the men."
"No." Daryl shot defensively. "They don't get to know why we're leavin'."
"Who you got waitin' boy?" Wes searched his face for any giveaways but Daryl remained stoic.
"I ain't yer boy bro." He knew it was uncalled for and he wasn't surprised when Wes shook his head and turned to leave.
Panicked, Daryl took a step forward. "Wait." When Wes stopped Daryl walked up and looked him in the eyes. "You won't tell the others bout why we're leavin'?" Wes opened his mouth to speak but Daryl cut him off. "If, I help out with the watch and hunt an shit?"
Wes looked as if he was pondering what Daryl offered. Finally, he held out his hand. "Tell me who we're goin' after and I will act as surprised as the others when we come across them."
Daryl's heart leapt at the thought of finding Lake again. He decided to keep the fact that he had no idea where she was to himself. He took Wes's hand in a firm handshake.
"So," Wes urged him to explain.
"Yeah," Daryl turned away and pulled out the motorcycle he had been working on. Holding it out, he reluctantly allowed Wes to take it from his hand. "That's fer my kid." Wes turned the wood over in his hand, nodding in appreciation. "My girl is out there prolly as big as a whale bout now."
Wes's eyes shot up. "She's pregnant?"
"I sure hope so; she was when I left 'er." Wes handed back the toy and Daryl pocketed it quickly. "When we got overrun, I had ta send her off with the kid that was with us." Fidgeting with his hands, Daryl struggled. "It was the only way-she wouldn't have survived that crash me and Merle took."
"The baby wouldn't of have for sure." Wes agreed.
"My girl loves our kid. She wouldn't have gotten over losin' it." Daryl thought to the last time they struggled with the thought of losing their child.
"Well Dixon, I sure didn't expect you to have a woman waiting for you out there." Wes snorted.
"Man, when she came barrelin' into my life, I didn't expect 'er either." Daryl laughed.
"I'll be damned." Wes smacked Daryl's shoulder. "Someone tamed your ass?"
"Like a fuckin' circus pony." Both men's laughter grew.
"Alright Dixon, we'll get you to your lady." Wes turned to walk away but stopped. "First watch?" He asked.
Daryl shook his head as he walked over and stomped out his fire. Picking up his crossbow, he followed Wes back to the house content to take first watch.
One Week later
"Why the fuck are we headed to New Mexico of all places?" Daryl pretended not to hear as a guy known as Gun complained. "There ain't nothing but rocks and shit there." And Lake. Daryl thought.
"Walkers probably burn up in all this heat, God knows they'll be slower." Wes started. "It's safer to travel this way." Daryl looked up to see Wes sending him a quick glance before looking away. They had discussed more about finding Lake on different occasions and Wes knew that time was running out.
Gun scoffed but didn't push the issue further. Over the week, Daryl had really gotten to know the people of the group or at least the men. There were four including Wes and Gun. The other two, Davis and Henry, weren't too bad to hang around. Daryl got along with them well, but stayed his distance from Gun. The guy was a pussy and Daryl, more often than not, got the urge to stomp his ass.
"I think New Mexico will be fine." Carrie piped in. "Good tanning with all that sun." Daryl rarely talked to her, but when he did she flirted. Lake was gonna have a hissy when she found out he had been living this close to an attractive female.
"Geek apocalypse and this broad is worried about tannin'." Gun murmured. Carrie shot him a death glare just as Henry finished siphoning the last of the gas from some abandoned car.
Daryl walked around the car to the back where Merle laid. His brother flicked him off with a grin. His leg was bandaged at the thigh above the knee, where they cut out the flesh where a walker bit him. The group was hesitant when Daryl told them what he was going to do but he ended up doing it without them anyways. Thanks to Herschel, he knew it would work but he didn't expect to have to take a huge chunk out of his brother's thigh. Either way he was alive and gradually returning to his pain in the ass self.
"Daryl?" He turned to see Carrie standing with another girl. A Indian girl-maybe sixteen who was always real quiet. Cindy maybe? "Trisha and I were wondering what your story was?" Damn I was off. He thought before remembering that they had asked him a question.
"It ain't none of yer business." He replied. "Why don't ya'll go bother someone else?" Merle's laughter rose from inside the car.
"You don't have to be rude, we-"
"I ain't got a story to tell ya." He explained.
Trisha mumbled something to Carrie who nodded.
"Whatcha say?" Daryl snapped suddenly pissed.
"She said you're full of shit." Carrie snapped back to Daryl's surprise. Shaking his head, he left the two women to squabble amongst themselves.
"Got trouble?" Wes's voice made him jump.
"Scared the shit outta me." Daryl leaned against the hood of the other jeep. "Yeah, women askin' questions."
"Maybe you should tell them." Wes offered. When Daryl glared at him, he continued unfazed. "Carrie likes you for some reason. She's been pining after you since you showed up all broody and mysterious. You'll save yourself the headache if you set her straight."
"Set me straight about what?" Carrie made them both turn around. "What are you keeping from us?" Her hands settled on her hips. He was in trouble.
"Fuckin' big mouth." Daryl muttered in Wes's direction. He shrugged helplessly.
"Go ahead." Carrie pushed as the others started to crowd around.
"It ain't nothin' ya'll need to be concernin' yerself with." Carrie glanced over the that Trisha girl with a look. "If ya'll don't stop them looks." He snapped at them.
"Whatcha hidin' boy?" Gun asked. He leaned against the back of the station wagon Merle was in. Daryl felt trapped but just as he was about to panic, Gun flew forward into the hood of the jeep. He cursed before turning and seeing Merle pushing through the back of the wagon.
"Fuck this shit broth'r. We ain't gotta answer to anyone." He spoke to Daryl relieving him of his predicament.
"We helped you!" Carrie shouted. Merle laughed.
"Honey, you hovered over me like a mother hen. You didn't do nothin' but be a pain in my ass." He patted Daryl's shoulder. "My lil brother did most of the savin' by hackin' into my leg."
Carrie crossed her arms and threw her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "So what? You're just going to leave?"
"Ain't nothin' keepin' us here." Merle answered.
"But-" Merle leaned in and lowered his voice cutting her off.
"It ain't gonna happen. He ain't interested." He sneered when Carrie gasped. "But, if yer interested in a good time…"
Carrie slapped Merle across the face but it only made him grin.
"Nah, nevermind. I like my gals a lil less crazy."
Wes stepped between Carrie and Merle. "That's enough." Looking to Daryl, he gave him a look. "You need to tell them. They won't harm her."
"Her!" Carrie yelled. "Who is her?"
"His girl." Merle answered for Daryl. "His very knocked up girl that has him whipped as hell." Merle smiled as he turned and shrugged to Daryl, who shook his head. "Bitch needed to know."
"Who you callin' a bitch you asshole!" Carrie lunged for Merle but Wes stopped her.
"Wowee! Kitty has claws!" Merle's laughter boomed.
"I'm not goin' to rescue no one's ball and chain." Gun spoke up after remaining silent.
Daryl took a threatening step towards him. Wes put a hand on his chest. "Hold off man." He pleaded. "Everyone needs to chill." His voice rose. "I knew about Lake and agreed to help Daryl find her. Anyone with an issue, take it up with me."
Everyone fell silent.
"Lake? What kind of name is that?" Carrie muttered to Trisha.
Daryl's shot a look at them causing them both to flinch.
"We aren't far now." Wes brought their attention back to him. "A week or less before we reach the meeting place." He turned to Daryl, "Which is?"
"Navajo Lake. I have a guy who takes a trip out there every day just in case we show." Daryl answered.
"How the hell we know this guy didn't run off with the girl and isn't even there?" Gun asked. He wasn't expecting it when Daryl's fist crashed into his face.
As he stumbled, he grabbed his jaw and cursed.
"He is trustworthy. I put the safety of my kid in his hands." Daryl growled. "He would never betray me."
"There's a guy now!" Carrie asked. "How many are there? They could be dangerous."
"Just them." Daryl didn't even look at her as he spoke. "We goin' or what?" He was suddenly nervous he wouldn't be able to get there.
"I say we vote." Gun bitched.
"If we vote and it's in our favor, can we leave his ass?" Merle asked. "It's only fair."
"We're not leaving anyone." Wes boomed. Daryl elbowed Merle in the ribs causing him to teeter. "We are better as a group. We can take on two more no problem. Leave if you have a problem." Wes directed his threat towards Gun.
"You'd make me leave? Them over me?" He spit at Wes's feet.
Wes ignored the disrespect. "They aren't objecting to helping others. We have to keep hold of our humanity for God's sake." A gunshot sounded making everyone swing around.
Davis's gun smoked as he lowered it. "Walker." He stated.
"We've stayed too long!" Wes shouted. "Those who are continuing on our journey to California with the pit stop to pick up the Dixon's group get in." Turning to Gun he added, "Anyone else is free to leave."
Gun looked around before muttering something under his breath and climbing into the backseat of the jeep as Henry and Davis got in the front. The girls got into the backseat of the station wagon quietly which surprised Daryl.
"We good?" Wes asked.
"As long as you keep yer boy in check." Merle shot. Wes nodded before walking to the driver's side. Merle climbed in the back after nodding to Daryl. From the front, Wes started the engine just as Daryl fell into the passenger seat. "Let's have some tunes or somethin'." Merle piped up.
"God no." Carrie muttered.
Daryl shrugged as Wes rolled his eyes at him in reaction to Merle making kissing noises. Damn, he missed Lake.