A/N: I'm so sorry for taking so long to update! I injured my knee pretty badly and I haven't been in the mood to do anything, let alone write. I'm not even sure this is much of an update, but good or bad, I just wanted to get something up. Hopefully next time this gets updated, I won't be loopy on pain meds and I'll be able to string something coherent and in character together.

The only thing that Dale can think of to say when Andrea tells him about her and Daryl is, "why?"

She's like a daughter to me, he thinks. She's like a daughter and she's carrying on with Daryl Dixon. Of all people, she had chosen Daryl.

"Why, Andrea?"

"I don't know how to explain it, Dale," Andrea says, absentmindedly picking at a mosquito bite on her elbow. "It surprised me too."

They're sitting side by side atop the RV, acting as lookouts while the rest of their group is scrounging up a few last minute supplies from the abandoned cars on the highway below, and Dale can't help but notice the way Andrea's gaze lingers on Daryl, following his figure as he rummages through the bed of an old Chevy pickup truck.

"But Dixon?"

"He makes me feel like myself again, you know?"

Dale's chair creeks loudly as he leans back into it and for a few minutes, that's the only sound that's made between them. Andrea's staring far off into some place that Dale can't see, looking as calm as he's ever seen her, and all he can feel is a strong and sudden urge to protect her.

"He makes me feel safe," Andrea finally continues, and Dale doesn't miss the sudden flush of color that works its way into her cheeks. "He watches out for me. I think he always has been."

"I've been watching out for you too," Dale reminds her. "You're very much like a daughter to me."

The corner of Andrea's mouth pulls up into a smile as she turns her head to the side to look at him. "I know. And I appreciate that," she says earnestly. "You've been good to me, and you were good to Amy. I haven't forgotten that."

"I care about you a great deal."

"I know that too." Andrea's eyes find their way back to Daryl and the smile on her face grows. "I care about you too."

"I don't want to see you get hurt," Dale tells her, reaching over to place his hand on her shoulder.

Andrea's eyes crinkle at the corners as her face breaks into a full grin. "Okay, dad," she teases, reaching up to give his hand a gentle pat. "What I have with Daryl just… works for us. He's not going to hurt me."

"He's probably afraid you'll shoot him again."

Andrea bristles defensively. "I barely grazed him."

Dale chuckles, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "That temper of his could give yours a run for its money, you know."

"That's the thing," Andrea says, tucking one leg up underneath her. "When we're alone, he's not like that. He's… softer. It's like he's a whole different person."

"And he makes you feel safe."

"Yes. And he makes me feel safe."

Dale just sighs. "My sister always went for the Daryl-type when we were growing up. I never understood it."

"Maybe it's good that you don't," Andrea says with a smile.

"Yeah. Maybe."

"Daryl's a good guy, Dale. Everyone else might not see it, but I do."

"And that's why?"

Andrea's gaze once again falls to Daryl. He's standing alongside Merle's old motorcycle and chewing on his thumbnail, watching Andrea watch him. And as much as Dale's natural protective instinct hates to admit it, there is something different in the way that Daryl looks at her. He wouldn't say that its tender, but it's close. It's reverent somehow; soft and appreciative.

"It's more than that," Andrea says when Daryl finally turns away to kick start the bike. "But yes. That's why."