There was a mix up with chapters! This is chapter two for STAND chapter three was posted by mistake, and for the ones thinking I rushed Rick becoming Leader. Deanna wanted to step down she was physically exhausted but even in the chapter that was posted on accident he was not leader yet. I own nothing, and no money has been made from these stories. This chapter is un-betaed she will review it on Saturday and I will repost it with corrections, but for now posting the actual chapter two and three in order…Please review.
Deanna stands close as she talks to Rick, Michonne, Maggie, and myself about the civilization she see's growing within the community, starting with the constables.
Deanna says, "You protect and serve. You patrol, walk the wall, watch out for the kids. If there's a conflict, you solve it. And people will listen to you." Pete will do no such thing, he has become a drunk.
Michonne, "Because we're wearing windbreakers?" I laughed since I was not expecting her to say such a thing, she seemed cool and calm, but I was starting to see new sides to all our new residents. I got control over myself, this was not the right moment to be laughing. At times I also watched Carol talking to Daryl from her porch she smiled giving me a friendly wave.
Deanna smiled, "Because they believe in this. Because I'm telling them to. A police officer used to live here. So, we had these jackets and I wanted to make it official. So, it's official. There's going to be a government here one day. That's why I want Cameron and Maggie working with me. There's going to be a police force. That's why I want you two to start it. I see a vibrant community here with industry, commerce, civilization. Real lives. It might be horses and mills, but - What?"
Deanna stops mid-sentence since she notices Rick is looking off into the distance his eyes turned to the clear blue sky. Then she continues in the same encouraging tone, "Does that sound like pie in the sky?"
Maggie and I agreed, "No."
Michonne makes full eye contact as a sign of respect with Deanna, "No."
Rick smirked, "No."
I walked away with Maggie and Deanna heading towards her home where Reg was leaning over the large table outback with Noah, they seemed in deep conversation as we walked by.
Maggie sits next to me, Deanna folded her hands as she spoke, "Any other issues?"
"Pete and his family, I am not fond of Jessie or her bratty boys. Pete drinks until he can't see reason, he is abusive and if you want law and order it needs to start with him. We need to make a jail persay in a basement, I have already spoke with carter and he agreed that Denise has the adequate space needed for a three-man holding space, now all you need to do is sign off and we need supplies as well." Getting her to agree was the hard part, supplies in a world like this can be hard to find.
Maggie chimed in, "Cam is right if we are going to have law and order a small jail will need to be built and maintained. Pete is an issue maybe if he understands there is law here he can stop his behavior and reform, maybe we should toss the booze too."
Deanna looked at us in turn taking her sweet time answering, "I agree, I will draw up a form with Carter and have it done."
"I suggest Abraham to help he is an asset."
I agreed with Maggie, he was packed with muscle and had a good work ethic so far, so all I do is give a nod agreeing with the statement.
I walked out with Maggie, "Thank you."
"No problem."
Glenn was walking up to us smiling, he was dashing to say the least, but he was so in love with her and her to him. I wanted that one day, but men are slim pickings these days. The air was humid with a faint scent of death so I continued walking with her to Daryl and Carol who are still talking on the porch; she smiled seeing us coming.
"Hello, Maggie, Cameron." she was a decent woman, but I was noticing she could manipulate Daryl to do what she needed, she seems to think of him as a son, but she takes certain things too far.
"Hello, Carol. I wanted to invite you to dinner tonight."
Maggie gave me an impish grin before walking into the house with Glenn, Daryl seemed to like the idea since he was smiling.
Carol retorted, "Of course, what time?"
"About six would be great."
I just wanted to make sure she understood a few things, Daryl and I have become friends and I'd rather him not die on some hair brain mission she has him on. I liked Carol but just want her to back off him, he was really coming into his own here.
I walked back down the steps heading towards my own home, needing to check my garden and pick anything ripe, the sun was high up making the air humid and sticky. I left one slab of beef and two chicken breasts out to thaw while I showered the dirt and sweat from me, I took a cold one saving what hot water we had. I set about cleaning after dressing in old sweats and a tank top, was not to impress her or anyone really.
I nearly walked into Daryl as I exited the den, he was just standing there waiting and watching "Hey." I smiled.
"Hey, thank you for havin her over."
I patted his shoulder before moving around him to get back to the kitchen, "No problem, but may I ask a question?"
He just gave a nod his hair was clean but covering his face, when it hit me he was attractive and dangerous.
I asked, "Is she your girlfriend?" I hoped not since it just didn't seem right, but to each his own in my opinion.
He gave me a look before he sat on the bar stool over looking the island where I was chopping some veggies, his eyes cold and menacing but open. And for a few minutes it seemed like he would not answer that I had finally crossed an invisible line he had drawn between us.
But he answered, "At first, I thought she would be my girl, but it just never happened. Now we are like family, nothing more. I liked this girl Beth for a little, she was Maggie's little sister she had some spunk, but this girl killed her too. So, no she ain't my girl." the way he said it was different, it had conviction lingering, at the end his tone was open and promising.
I nodded, "You want to help cook, or shower?" a small fire lit his eyes then his frown turned into a small smirk.
"I can take a hint."
"I hope so since telling you that you smell like decaying walker ass is rude." he turned back a little shocked, but he was smiling, that boy was coming out of his ice shell a little at a time. I smelled the meats cooking adding some diced and minced herbs, a little at a time. I mashed the small russet potatoes adding in butter that had garlic and rosemary. I thawed some frozen corn on the cob from a raid on the large local Wal-Mart, it was boiling in salted water when Daryl walked in. He wore sweats and nothing else, this was a first, and dear god he had scars on his back and torso. I say nothing, but I sneak small glances at him as he sets the table for our guest, some are very old, and some are newer everyone of those scars have a tale.
I was setting the food on the table when a small knock was heard, he just walked off to get it, he walked back in as I set the last dish on the table. "You look lovely, Carol. Please take a seat anywhere."
I sit in my normal seat and Daryl in his, she watches with careful judging eyes as she takes the seat in front of us. "Thank you, it smells great."
She was a good woman, she had her faults but deep down she wanted her group safe and to have some peace, but she kills any in her path. Another knock I made a move to get up, but Daryl was faster leaving us girls alone.
Carol spoke, "You hurt him, and I will kill you." this was from left field, why would I hurt Daryl?
I gave her a cold look, "Listen here Carol, I like you, I really do. But you watch yourself, you're the one sending that man on death missions for you. He is not your lackey, he is like your son and I watch you twist and turn him to do things for you. Cause he is liable to get himself hurt and I don't want that and neither do you. And me hurt him? Gosh woman have you lost your bleeding mind. I can't hurt anyone, I know if I don't learn to kill and fight or I will not survive like most here, as to why I convinced Deanna to keep ya'lls." she was judging my every word, but that didn't matter none she was the one pulling his strings.
She deflated, "I love that boy, and want the best for him he is stubborn as all hell. But he cares and loves with everything he is, being here means I want the zone safe and that means you. I will teach you somethings in private, I can see your point as to how I have been talking to Daryl it just isn't right of me."
But those words are all she got out as he strode back in "It was Aaron, he found the missing part for the bike. I think it will run just fine now."
"Praise god, now that is over, and we can rest easy knowing that bike will run we can have a nice dinner."
Carol smiled "I baked some cookies for after dinner, now Daryl you're going to show Cam how to kill walkers with a knife. This girl needs to learn to fight."
"I can wrestle but not like I want to get up close and personal with a walker."
It was late when the kitchen was clean, Carol was gone soon after, leaving Daryl and I alone for the night. He stood it was not rushed but still quick pulling me up with him he just drags me outside, it was dark as we walked with bare feet to the pond, but we could see Rick and Michonne walking, making sure all was clear.
He took his own hunting knife out handing it to me "Show me how you hold it." I did holding it as if to slice into a pig, I was used to farm life, a knife was like a second skin.
He smiled, "Nice, but when you're facing a walker hold it firmly, straight not slanted unless you are cutting his belly wide open to use his inners as cover." he was behind me my back flushed against his bare chest showing me exactly how to hold his knife. Rick and Michonne watching and making small comments on how to hold myself, my feet, to use my head and keep my cool.
Michonne smiled, "Good work, you have promise. You're a good listener and take criticism very well. Can you shoot?"
I answered, "Of course, I was a farm girl born and raised in Alabama."
Rick clapped Daryl on the shoulder, "Good work, but it's curfew back home with ya."
I rolled my eyes, "Sure thing pops."
Michonne laughing was all we heard as Rick nearly kicked me in the butt shooing us home, I waved back at them as Daryl nodded. Michonne had her palm braced against his face while he seemed to be leaning into her touch, no words said just the pulsing love that was moving unsaid between them.
I turned walking passed Daryl who opened the gate, the chicken in the coop I built with Carter to keep them warm and safe at night.
"Night." he muttered walking into his own room, he didn't make eye contact.
I sighed, "Sleep well, Daryl."
