Saturday

The second Kate pulled her mustang into the tiny wood side layby she spotted the familiar blue truck and cast a questioning eye towards Lou. "Birdwatching? Is that code for hunting with Daryl Dixon?"

"Plenty of birds in the forest lass."

Daryl was sitting on the flat bed of his truck with a cigarette hanging out the corner of his mouth and a crossbow across his knees.

"What did you think I had in the case?" Lou said.

"I thought you had giant bird watching binoculars… I assumed you weren't lying to me…" Kate had the mind to drive away. She didn't like being deceived and Lou had clearly planned this.

"I didn't lie. I didn't say Daryl wouldn't be here."

"That's lying by omission Lou and you know it…" Any argument she might have had with the sneaky old man was invalid since Lou was already out of the car swinging his cane and greeting Daryl.

Kate gripped the steering wheel and let out an agitated breath as she watched them through her wing mirror. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to spend the whole day with Daryl Dixon. She convinced herself that it wasn't because he took the gift shop girl home in his truck last night, it was because she didn't like… doing things that she hadn't agreed to do with people who she hadn't agreed to see.

/

The sight of Kate's mustang had made Daryl's stomach turn over. He wasn't sure how he thought Lou was going to be making his way this far out of town but he hadn't even considered that Miss Uppity would bring him. He looked down at his cargo pants and his shirt with the ripped sleeves and suddenly felt very under dressed. He'd felt prepared to see her last night, where there was beer and loud music but this was the cold light of day and there was nowhere to hide.

Daryl stubbed his cigarette out to take Lou's outstretched hand. "Help me with the case son," he gestured to the Mustang and Daryl hesitated. he wasn't sure he was in any position to be helping himself to the woman's trunk. Lou urged him along and before he decided to approach Kate and ask permission or go straight for the crossbow the driver's door clicked open and she stepped out.

Daryl didn't know how he expected Miss Uppity to look outside of work but he didn't expect how she did look. She had her bouncy hair tied back, a pair of ray bans that were almost identical to his own, ripped blue jeans, grey tee shirt and a pair of beaten up white converse. She wasn't wearing makeup and she looked softer, more approachable. But damn she was still pretty, she was still sexy, he might have liked her even more this way.

"Good morning," she said as she tightened her ponytail, the motion lifting the hem of her shirt to reveal the smallest glance of her creamy white skin.

"Mornin'," Daryl swallowed down hard and tried not to be a fucking pervert.

"Did you have a nice evening?" she said suddenly and he thought about his evening spent waiting in some shithole bar to get a glimpse of her.

"Err… sure, it was alright."

Kate opened the trunk of her car to reveal a large grey hard plastic case.

"Let me…" he grabbed it. It was Lou's crossbow so he figured she couldn't get too tetchy but he sensed her stiffen as he stepped into her personal space. She wasn't wearing the perfume she usually wore but she smelled nice, like coconuts and summertime. Probably sun tan lotion since her skin was so creamy.

/

Kate grabbed the plaid shirt she'd put in her boot and tied it around her waist before she reached for her backpack. She'd brought snacks and water for two. It probably wasn't too late for her to make an excuse and leave Lou here with Daryl but then she couldn't stand the idea of being alone all day.

Daryl had planned the location well for Lou. The walk to the place where they could do target practice wasn't too taxing and the men had spent the entirety of it talking and leaving Kate feeling like a spare part on their man date. When they started to get Lou's crossbow out of the case it was like watching two excitable little boys rather than grown men.

"Come here lass… Iet me show you how it's done."

Lou passed Kate the antique crossbow and pointed to the crank on the side, "wind it anti clockwise."

It was stiff. She could barely get it moving.

"Ah… I haven't used it in nearly a year… perhaps you should try it son…" Lou nodded to Daryl and his generous biceps.

Kate shot them both a look. She was determined. To hell with Daryl's arms. She wasn't going to be bested. She knelt down and leaned the crossbow on her knee to give her greater purchase as she pushed the handle with all her strength. Thanks to Lou, she had all day.

/

Kate was the kind of woman that would rather break her wrist, her arm, probably every bone in her body, than let a man do something for her. Daryl was the kind of man that only offered help to those who wanted it. If she wanted to be stubborn, he was more than happy to watch. She loosened the crank and he caught the satisfied look on her face with a small snort. She was a pain in the ass woman.

When the mechanism was turned all the way Lou passed her one of his arrows and showed her where to load it. The bow was ready and just as Daryl was disappointed that he didn't get the first go he realised Kate was aiming it straight at him.

"Jesus, ya tryin' to kill me woman?" he jumped forward and grabbed her shoulders to turn her to where she could fire safely. Daryl didn't let go of Kate's shoulder instead he leaned closer and pointed between the trees as he breathed her in. "I set up a target… ya see it?"

"I see it."

He reached around her waist and lifted her elbow so the crossbow was lined up right then took a step back. There was only so long he could take being pressed against her. Fucking hell, it wasn't normal to feel the way he felt after merely standing next to someone. His heart beat faster, his palms were sweaty and his throat was dry.

"I say loser buys lunch…" Lou clapped his hands together.

Kate wrinkled her nose in concentration and the arrow flew, faster and straighter than he would have expected from the old crossbow. It flew straight past the target and lodged into a tree.

"Shall we call that a practice shot?" Kate declared and began winding the bow again.

Daryl leaned back on a tree to watch her. He began wondering if out here he was allowed to call her by her first name.

Kate missed again and Daryl laughed out loud which bought him a playful scowl from her big brown eyes. He reckoned he could probably call her Kate if he needed to. But there was no point testing his luck. "My turn…" he held out his hand and she relinquished the bow. The pressure was on. He had to prove himself to Miss Uppity and he had the feeling he might never live it down if he missed.

Before he wound the mechanism Daryl studied every detail of the carved wood. It really was beautiful; unlike any crossbow he'd ever seen before. He could hardly believe he was allowed to touch it, let alone shoot it. He'd hesitated enough and now he had to prove himself. He was quietly confident in his skills. Miss Uppity might have been the queen of the museum but he was the king of the jungle.

"Not every day I get my dinner bought for me," he said smugly before he even took the shot. He lined up the target and fired, the arrow hit the mark. Not central like he would have got with his own bow but close enough.

"Very good," Lou held out his hand for his go and he too hit the mark which surprised Daryl even though he wasn't sure why. Of course a man with such an interest in weaponry would be proficient. But he'd only ever been hunting with his redneck friends, never a man like Lou, who had surprising eyesight for a man of his age.

"She'll be getting a monk on now…" Lou jested and Daryl looked to Kate who rolled her eyes.

"Well I'd hardly call it a fair competition…" she said.

"I could move the target closer… make it a little easier for ya…" Daryl stood in front of Miss Uppity and her irritation was palpable.

"You mentioned a hide…" Lou interrupted and Daryl was quick to retreat. He didn't know what he was thinking of challenging the woman. She was a little bit intimidating.

/

They sat in a hunters hide for the longest time while they waited in silence. Kate was in the middle and the men had their crossbows poised and ready. Although she wasn't sure how ready Lou was since he had dozed off more than once. The long morning of walking and the humidity of the hot Georgia heat was obviously more than a man in his seventies could handle.

It was hot, silent and awkward. Kate's entire right hand side was pressed against Daryl's left and she tried to fight the urge to fidget. What was it about sitting so close to a near stranger than made sitting still feel impossible? She couldn't recall the last time she had spent so long in such close proximity to another person. She could feel every move he made.

The sound of Lou's heavy, sleepy breaths filled the silent hide once more and Kate's eyes met with Daryl's as they shared the same smirk. She was starting to think she should say something when the faint sound of rustling caught their attention.

Daryl leant forward and looked down the sight of his crossbow and she watched the ripple of his muscle moving under his tanned skin before she peered through the tiny window to see a female deer sniffing at the grass, she looked so majestic. Kate had never seen a wild deer before. She felt Daryl shift and her heart went in her throat as she shouted "don't."

The deer looked right at them before almost instantly running away. Daryl's arrow flew through the air to destinations unknown. Lou remained asleep.

"Whatcha do that for?"

"I couldn't bare to watch it."

"What did ya think was gonna happen? We've been waitin' 'ere for hours…" he didn't seem too impressed.

"I didn't think you'd actually kill something"

"Didn't realise you were a vegetarian."

"I'm not. The deer… she's not like a chicken, raised to be slaughtered… she'd wild and free…" Kate looked at Daryl and hesitated, this was his hobby, she should probably stop her tirade. "Maybe you'll catch her next time…"

/

Daryl looked into Kate's big brown eyes. He was sitting so close to her that he could probably count each one of her long lashes. He had the sudden feeling that he might never kill another deer again. Damn woman.

"What's ya feelin's on squirrels and rabbits, City Girl?"

Kate pulled a face and Daryl couldn't help but shake his head with a small laugh. She was about the worse damn hunting partner that could have possibly be sitting in this hide with him right now but he was somehow enjoying every second of it.

"I'll have to start doin' all my huntin' down at Chick-fil-A…" Daryl laughed opened the door to the hide before he climbed down the short ladder.

Kate followed him and he held out his hand to help her down. Such a simple gesture, but the anticipation of her placing her hand in his made his heart beat a little faster. Her big brown eyes looked at his hand for what felt like the longest time. So long that it occurred to him that she didn't need to be helped up at all. In fact, he was only doing it because he wanted to feel her palm against his. He wasn't disappointed. Kate took his hand and the entirety of it fit inside of his own as he wrapped his fingers around her and helped her down.

"What now?" she asked as she pulled her hand from his.

"Gotta find my bolt…" he smirked and together they walked through the trees in the direction it had flown.

When they found the bolt it was resting in a tree on the other side of a creek. He scratched his chin and looked at the water, then at Kate, who was biting the smile on her lips.

"Whatever will you do now Mr Dixon?" she taunted him.

Daryl dropped his crossbow to the ground and stood at the edge of the water. Maybe it was his ego and his balls doing the thinking but he needed to retrieve his bolt for the sake of personal pride. He reached his foot out to a rock that jutted out of the stream and no sooner was his other foot leaving the safety of the grass was he slipping and falling into the water with a huge, undignified splash.

/

Kate tried to hold in the laughter with the back of her hand but it was useless. She doubled over and the pissed off look on his face only amused her more. He splashed through the water to the other side, retrieved his bolt and stomped all the way back.

"Very well done," she teased and he threw the bolt next to the crossbow.

"Thank ya ma'am… glad I could amuse ya so goddamn much…" he tried in vain to shake the water out of his shirt but he was head to toe soaking wet and the fabric clung to him like a second skin. Kate found herself staring at him a little too long. So long that when he caught her gaze she blushed, cleared her throat and tried to act relaxed. But she wasn't relaxed, the idea of watching him taking off those wet clothes had crossed her mind as well as the disappointment that he wasn't going to. Maybe all this heat was making her crazy.

Daryl gave a crooked smile, picked up his crossbow and said "let's go get Lou."

/

Daryl led his English acquaintances along the short hike to his grandpa's farm where he knew he could collect some dry clothes. Even though he was completely embarrassed from falling into the creek he wasn't ready for the day to be over and he wasn't lying when he said he was glad to amuse her. Despite his wet pants and socks he enjoyed the big smile that lit up her face. Now he knew that all he had to do was make a complete ass out of himself since the woman had the slapstick sense of humour of a small child.

Dale was on the porch when they reached the farmhouse. "Afternoon Daryl, you didn't say you were stopping by…" he began then as Lou and Kate came into view his smile widened to a grin. "And you brought guests… Irma will be pleased." Dale jumped down from the porch and shook hands with Lou and then Kate before ushering them into the house.

Dale and Irma had bought Daryl's Grandpa's farm 25 years ago but they had always left the door open for him. Even when he had gone through his worst patches and not spoken to them or anyone on the right side of the law for several years. To his shame he'd even distanced himself from Jim for a good few years at one low point. He often wondered what would have happened if he hadn't continually followed Merle down the wrong path.

Sometimes Daryl didn't know what was wrong with him. He had Dale, Irma, Jim and Charlene as his friends for most of his life. It was still easier to believe all the shit that his Daddy had been telling him since the day Daryl could understand the crap Will Dixon spouted from his hate filled mouth. It was easier to think that all he had was Merle when it was just him and Merle. He supposed it was easy with his brother because no matter what bad shit he did, Daryl could never let Merle down.

Everyone took a seat in the living room on the dusty pink sofas that had been in the house as long as the Horvath's had. Irma made a huge fuss over her guests as she ran into the kitchen to get everyone a glass of ice tea.

Daryl watched Kate sitting in the easy chair by the window in the house that was as familiar to him as the back of his own hand. For a moment he let himself imagine that she was his girl and his drunken loser daddy had never sold the farm and land that had been built and tended to by Dixon's for a hundred years. His Daddy, with his fists, drinking, gambling and whoring had turned their name to shit. Daryl and Merle had only compounded that fact.

"You'll be staying for supper I hope?" Irma said.

Daryl hung in the doorway not wanting to get water on anything while Mrs Horvath looked from Kate to Lou for an answer.

"Oh Aye, if it isn't too much trouble for you my dear I reckon supper would be splendid," Lou smiled and made himself even comfier in the chair as Irma passed him a tall glass of ice tea.

"No trouble at all… we don't get enough visitors around here." She turned to Daryl and held up her hands in shock, "what happened to you Daryl? You're as wet as a duck."

"I took a little dip in the creek s'all."

The look of amusement crossed Kate's face and she swallowed it down with a big gulp of ice tea.

/

The feast that Irma spread across the table was probably enough to feed ten. Ham, mashed potatoes, biscuits and a million sides and sauces. The middle aged lady didn't sit still as she fussed over everyone making sure they had everything they needed. When she was satisfied that Kate and Lou had enough food piled on their plates she finally took a seat and let Lou carry on telling her about his grandkids.

"Violet said there's some photos in my mails…" Lou passed Kate his phone.

She opened the screen and logged into his email to find the pictures. "Lou she sent you these over a month ago…"

"Aye I forgot."

Kate downloaded the pictures and had a quick flick through, "I can't believe how grown up Tilly is…"

"Aye she's leaving secondary school next year," Lou took the phone from Kate and showed Irma his 15 year old granddaughter Matilda and his 11 year old Grandson Isaac. "They're my daughter's kids, my son Christopher is married to his green beret I'm afraid… eternal bachelor," Lou said and Kate saw all eyes fall onto Daryl who was scooping the last of his potatoes into his mouth and oblivious.

"We never had children," Irma stood up to gather the plates. "Peach pie for dessert," she declared and Kate placed her hand over her stomach. She was hardly sure she could fit another mouthful of food without bursting at the seams. This was the best she had eaten in a long time.

The sweet smell of the pie and the dollop of what looked like home made vanilla ice cream was enticing enough to create some room in her full tummy and she managed half before admitting defeat. It was so delicious Kate almost asked Irma if she could take a slice home before deciding that would be cheeky and make her look like a glutton.

Daryl suggested that they, "go pick up the cars and then come back for Lou."

"I could drive you down," Dale said.

"It ain't too far to walk," Daryl looked at Kate and let her decide.

"I'll walk." She actually relished the idea of walking off all that food and she didn't mind Mr Dixon's company. She might have even liked it. He didn't fill the quiet with blathering or constantly check his phone and he was actually rather witty. Plus, he smelled good. Actually he smelt very good, he smelt like sandalwood and she knew the smell immediately because it was exactly what she would burn if he was a scented candle. Daryl Dixon flavour, sandalwood and tobacco.

/

It was dark when they left the house to find the cars. Daryl lit a cigarette and watched her pulling on her flannel shirt. They were all alone out here and he felt nervous. Like a boy on a first date. Except this wasn't a date. Did he want to go out on a date with her? She'd be leaving soon. He never went on dates with anyone. Why'd she have to be leaving?

They passed the road that led to Daryl's Daddy's house. He hadn't stepped foot inside that house for nearly five years but he saw his father from time to time. It was impossible not to see Will Dixon since he was the loudest and drunkest asshole in town. He was usually stumbling around the woods and cursing anyone that came his way. Sometimes Daryl had to collect his Daddy from Joe's Bar when he had got out of hand. He would push him out of his truck onto the porch and leave him in a sorry pile. He hated that fucking house.

Daryl stubbed his cigarette out in the dirt and looked at Kate once more. What the hell was he thinking setting his sights on a girl like her? He wasn't even good enough for the trashy girls. He certainly wasn't good enough for Miss Uppity.

The problem was that Daryl was starting to realise that he didn't just like looking at her. He liked her. He might not have known the exact reasons why Kate was catching his attention compared to any other woman he'd ever met but he couldn't deny it. Maybe this was the one area of his life where he actually had good taste. Expensive fucking tastes he laughed under his breath.

If she said no he would only have to suffer her rejection for the next six weeks and then he could forget about her. If she said yes, maybe he could touch her soft skin and lean his face into her neck to inhale the heady smell of perfume. He could enact the thoughts that had found him when he slept and dreamt about soft lips, big brown eyes and curves in all the right places.

The layby where the cars were parked was in sight and he had to say something. Fear gripped him, six weeks of rejection was an awful long time if he really thought about it. Kate pressed the button on her key and the lights of the Mustang flashed before she opened the door.

Daryl swallowed the dry feeling in his throat and ignored every instinct that told him this was a stupid idea. He wanted to go out on a date with her. "Ya still owe me dinner…" he said, trying to keep his voice even. Inside he was a fucking mess.

Kate laughed and climbed into her car. Not a yes, not a no. What the fuck did that even mean? Shit, maybe he should have said 'would you like to go for dinner?' like a normal man. Daryl got into his truck and kicked himself. Goddammit, he was terrible at this. He'd never even taken a girl to dinner in his life. The one girl that he could have called his girlfriend was when he was a teenager and what they did was hardly what he would call dating. It was more like screwing around.

Kate followed Daryl's truck back to the farm where Lou got in to her car before asking Daryl to collect his crossbow from the house.

"Promise you'll come back again. You didn't even see the horses and Daryl has such a way with them…" Irma told Kate. The middle aged lady had more game than he did. He should get Irma to make all his arrangements.

"I promise," Kate said and let Irma give her a kiss on the cheek and an all-encompassing hug. Miss Uppity was being nice, sweet even. He liked her soft sweet side almost as much as he liked her haughty, eye rolling side.

"Goodnight Mr Dixon… thank you for a nice day," Kate smiled as she walked past him to get into her car.

He could hardly believe that having spent the entire day with the woman he had the distinct feeling that it hadn't been enough. Daryl could usually barely stand his own company for an entire day, but then he didn't have as nice an ass as she did.

He waited with Irma to watch the car pull away then the lady grabbed his arm, "well that was lovely, it's nice to see you making new friends. Kate is a little doll. Be sure to bring her back won't you…"

"I'll try," he hoped before remembering that Jim had requested that he try and stay out of the house for the evening. His friend was taking Charlene out for a fancy dinner and finally asking her to marry him. Jim had said that it was probably best he wasn't in the house when he was 'getting the good stuff.' Daryl would have rather slept outside than listen in on that. "Would it be alright if I stayed 'ere tonight?"

"Of course… now you can tell me all about your new job and your new friends." Jesus, maybe he should have just slept outside.