Chapter Four

"Make it look pretty, but train it to kill."

Andrea wasn't quite sure what she had expected when Shane had asked for volunteers to go into the city with Glenn and Cordelia. Andrea wasn't sure what she had expected, but it certainly wasn't the scowl that Cordelia kept sending in their direction, the glare that made it abundantly clear that she was unhappy with the whole situation.

They had gathered around the fire after breakfast, all of them with their backpacks and water bottles, prepared to head into the city to gather supplies.

Andrew had thought that Cordelia and Glenn would be glad for the help. After all, so many extra hands meant a lot of extra supplies. It also meant more people to kill walkers. Really, it seemed like everything would be much simpler with so many people along.

When Andrea had suggested that very line of thinking to Cordelia only moments earlier, she had been certain for a moment that the younger woman was going to smack her.

Admittedly, Andrea's interaction with Cordelia had been limited. She spent a lot of her time going on runs into the city with Glenn, but when she was at camp, she was usually helping her brother with hunting and keeping watch on top of the RV with Dale. Certainly, she was never lowering herself to cooking meals or doing laundry. Andrea wasn't sure how she had gotten out of those particular chores but there had been moments when she had been tempted to ask.

She figured, maybe, it had something to do with the bow and quiver of arrows that seemed to be glued to her back. Andrea had not seen her shoot, but she figured that she had to be pretty good. And anyway, the one time she had asked Glenn he had only good things to say about her aim.

Maybe that's what made Andrea feel so confident about this trip into Atlanta, the fact that there was somebody like Cordelia along. It made her feel...what? Safe? Secure?

She didn't know if safe was something that anyone could feel anymore, but she certainly felt better about the whole thing than she would if Cordelia wasn't coming along.

Beside Cordelia, Glenn stood, casting glances between the group that had gathered together, Cordelia, and the person who she was currently staring at, eyes narrowed dangerously.

Merle sat front and center, a content grin on his face, his rifle gripped in his hand. He had announced, only minutes prior that he would be going along, resulting in what could only be described as a shouting match between him and his younger sister. It had finally been settled by Daryl and Shane but Andrea wasn't stupid. She knew that the main thing that had settled Cordelia's wildcat anger had been Glenn's hand, pressed to her shoulder.

She had turned to look at him then, hardened gaze softening. To Andrea, it was obvious that there was something there, something going on between them that elicited one of the softest looks she had ever seen the younger woman give to another person.

Finally, Daryl had pulled both of his siblings aside, the three of them speaking in hushed voices while the rest could only watch, wondering what the outcome would be. Finally, Cordelia and Merle had returned to the group and Daryl had watched them for a lingering moment before turning to head back to where the Dixons had set up camp. He was going on a hunting trip, Andrea knew, a longer one in hopes of bringing back some larger game.

Maybe it was more comforting for him to know that Cordelia would be able to keep an eye on his less-than-reliable brother while he was gone.

Grudgingly, Cordelia had jerked her head towards the others, indicating that Merle should join them. He had, taking a seat between Andrea and Morales. Andrea wished that he hadn't, he smelled like sweat and cigarette smoke and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on and when he had sat down he had waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, ignoring the withering look she had given him in response.

"Okay," Cordelia sighed, pushing a hand through her hair, looking over the complete group again, tugging her lower lip between her teeth. In all, there were five of them gathered there, including Andrea and Merle. Besides them, there was Morales, T-Dog, and Jacqui all sitting there quietly waiting for Cordelia and Glenn to tell them the plan.

Andrea had not failed to notice that Shane was standing nearby, dark gaze set expectantly on Cordelia.

"Okay," Cordelia repeated. "If any of you have any doubts at all, your ass can stay here at camp." Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument and her gaze was unrelenting as she stared at them as if waiting for one of them to admit that they really weren't sure.

Nobody did.

"You listen to us." She continued. "It just might end up saving all of our lives. Glenn and I know what we're doing. You guys don't. If somebody does something wrong or stupid, we could all end up dead, okay? Does everybody understand?"

She had turned her gaze to Merle again, eyes narrowed as if she were daring him to disagree. For once he kept his mouth shut, though from the look on his face he clearly wanted to say something.

"I'm driving," Glenn spoke up, drawing everyone's attention to him. "We'll park a few blocks away and go on foot from there so we don't draw walkers to the store. When we get into the city, only a few of us will have guns."

"Right," Cordelia agreed. "We need to make sure camp still has plenty and anyway, we don't really need you guys popping shots off every time you get scared."

"So who's going to have guns then?" Andrea found herself asking, frowning slightly. She had her own gun with her constantly these days, tucked into the waist of her jeans. It had been a gift from her father and even if Andrea didn't really know how to use it, it was certainly comforting to have. And if Cordelia thought she was going to take it from her she had another fucking thing coming.

The younger woman looked at her, pursing her lips thoughtfully. "You have a gun, right Andrea?" She asked.

The blonde woman nodded once, simply.

"Then you and Merle will be carrying," Cordelia said with a shrug. Her words sent a wave of unease through the group.

Was she serious? Merle was going to have a gun? As impulsive and temperamental as he was? From the look Glenn gave her, he apparently wasn't completely on board with that either.

"We're leaving in fifteen minutes." Cordelia continued, turning away. She didn't spare another look at the group, nor at Shane as she walked past, heading in the direction that Daryl had gone in.

Merle stood from where he had been sitting, smirking cockily as he slung his rifle over her shoulder. "Well," he said, "Least my baby sister has enough sense to make sure I have a gun."

Glenn turned to give Merle an almost disdainful look before leaving in the direction the Cordelia had gone.

Merle turned to look at Andrea, giving her a once-over before giving her an appreciative grin.

"You know how to shoot, Blondie?"

"Fuck off," Andrea said, not bothering to answer as she strode past him in the direction of her sister.

"He shouldn't be going on this run," Cordelia said as she approached her brother, jaw set in a scowl.

Daryl looked up from where he had been crouched outside the tent, filling up his backpack with the supplies he would need for an overnight camping trip.

It was still early in the day, the morning sunlight pale and the sky the color of a robin's egg. They had a full day ahead of them and Cordelia had not anticipated that she would have to deal with her oldest brother today as well?

"He shouldn't have a gun either," Daryl commented.

"Yeah well, I think he might be the only one of them who can actually shoot."

"You can shoot." Daryl pointed out, standing and slipping his arms through the straps of the backpack.

"I have my bow," Cordelia replied.

"Look," Daryl sighed. "I'd feel a whole lot better if you were keeping an eye on Merle. I don't want him at camp alone."

"So take him with you." Cordy scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I tried. He don't want to come with me. He wants to go into the city."

"He wants to be a pain in my ass." She groaned in frustration, reaching up to run a hand through her hair.

"He ain't a kid, Cordy. We can't be tellin' him what to do all the time."

"Then he needs to stop acting like a kid." She sighed, before stepping forward to wrap her arms around his neck in a hug. "Be careful out there."

"I have a feeling where I'm going is a lot safer than where you're going." He said, wrapping an arm around her as well. "You watch yourself. Don't let Merle be a dick. Get yourselves back here alive."

She nodded once as she stepped back, watching as he turned to go, giving her one last lingering look over his shoulder. He made the few short steps before disappearing into the brush of the forest.

He would return tomorrow, Cordelia knew, and she and her group would be back before the day was over. She wouldn't be away from him for very long and, admittedly, of everyone in camp Daryl was probably the one she had to worry about least.

Sighing heavily, Cordelia ducked into the tent that she shared with her brothers, needing to grab her bag before they left to go into the city. She needed to worry about other things, like the run today. She was certain that it was not going to go as smoothly as Shane seemed to think it would.

"I get he has a gun and knows how to shoot, but is it okay that I'm a little nervous that your brother is going to have a gun?"

The sound of Glenn's voice had her spinning to face him, eyes widening slightly in surprise. She hadn't even heard him come up behind her, nor had she heard him step into the tent, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He already had his backpack on, as well as that baseball jersey of his that Cordelia had teased him about when she first saw it but secretly found quite endearing.

"Is it okay that I'm a little nervous about it too?" She asked, before stooping down to grab her bag.

"Cordy…"

She glanced up, raising a brow questioningly.

"Where is your gun?" He asked.

She gestured towards her sleeping back, a bright pink one that looked quite out of place amongst the black ones her brothers used. "I hide it under there." She admitted, having no qualms about revealing the hiding spot to Glenn. She trusted him, she realized with a start. Trusted him more than she trusted just about anyone, except Daryl of course.

She turned away again, straightening up with her backpack in hand, hearing the sound of him stepping across the tent and the rustling of her sleeping bag as he peered under it, retrieving her 9mm that was hidden there.

"Here," he said, turning to face her. "I want you to carry yours too."

She blinked, frowning slightly. "I don't need my gun. I have my bow."

"And if you're half as good of a shot with this as you are with your bow then I'd be a lot more comfortable if you were carrying too." He said, taking a few short steps until he was standing right in front of her.

"You think the others will be okay with it?" She scoffed. "They're going to ask why I have my gun and my bow instead of another one of them having one."

"Because you're not a shit shot," Glenn said simply. "And you're not going to get scared and start firing randomly. Anyway, we're not going to tell them." With that he reached around her, lifting the hem of her shirt so he could slide the gun into the band of her jeans, making sure it was secure, before lowering her shirt over it again.

It was not the first time his arms had been around her and, instead of stepping back like she had expected him too, he stood there, settling his hands on her hips for a moment.

"We got this." He said, his voice soft, gentle. Cordelia was not used to anyone speaking to her like that, in a tone so soft and warm that it sent her heart aflutter.

"I know." She said, offering him a small smile.

He reached up, tucking a stray curl of dark hair behind her ear before leaning down to press his lips to hers lightly.

She kissed him back, eyes fluttering shut, warmth flooding through her veins. She liked everything about this, from his hands on her hips to his lips pressing against hers. She placed her hands on his chest, feeling his heart beating there, quick and firm beneath her palm. For just a moment, Cordelia found herself thinking that, if she could, she would stay just like this forever, with his lips pressed against hers in a way that she could only describe as intoxicating.

But then reality settled on her shoulders again and she had to pull away, eyes widening a fraction.

"Shit," she cursed. "We gotta go! What, were you trying to get a quickie in before we took off, Glenn?" She asked, her lips curling up slightly at the corner, making it obvious that she was only teasing.

Her words brought a slight blush to his face, and he immediately ducked his head, avoiding eye contact, the tips of his ears matching the color of his cheeks. "No," he said finally. "I would rather take my time."

A laugh bubbled up from her throat, and she leaned up to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

"Come on Darlin'. Let's go."

The Tahoe was a tight fit, Cordelia realized as she looked into the back, at the other members of camp who had adjusted themselves as best they could in the seats.

The Tahoe was a tight fit, sure, but she was perfectly comfortable in the front seat, where she was at liberty to roll the windows down if she wished or rest her feet on the dash or slide a cd in the cd player to fill the awkward gaps of silence. Which she had, at the beginning of the drive, sliding the Bon Jovi cd that had been hiding in the glove box into the cd player.

Glenn felt the tension that hung heavy in the air too. She could tell from the way he kept glancing at her from the corner of his eyes, hands tight on the steering wheel. He had said they would be fine, but he was nervous. Just like they all were, Cordelia figured. Except for maybe Merle, who never actually got nervous over anything at all. He was being uncharacteristically quiet though, Cordy noticed. He'd hardly said a word since they had piled into the vehicle. Not that she minded really. Cordelia preferred for her brother to be quiet.

The route into the city was familiar to her now, and a quick glance out the window was enough for her to see that the next turn would bring them to their destination. From there, they would go on foot.

"Everyone remember the plan?" She asked, sitting up straighter, reaching to press 'pause' on the cd, stopping it in the middle of 'Livin' On A Prayer'. "We stay in formation. We stay quiet. If we see any walkers, we take care of them silently. Okay."

There was a mutter of agreement from those in the car, everyone stiff and nervous despite having volunteered to come on this trip.

Glenn made the turn, pulling the Tahoe into park before exchanging a grim look with Cordelia. Back at camp, it had seemed bad enough that they would have to do this. Now that the reality of it was staring them in the face, it was even worse.

She pushed open her door quietly, stepping out and slipping her quiver of arrows onto her back from where she had settled it in the floorboard. She slid one out, notching it in her bow and holding it at the ready, brown eyes scanning the parking lot that they had parked in, ready for an onslaught of geeks. None came, and her companions continued to silently get out of the vehicle behind her.

"Come on," She said, tilting her head in the direction they were going, towards the alleyway that she and Glenn use to get into the main part of the city. She started silently across the parking lot, holding her bow aloft, ready to fire at a moment's notice. Glenn fell in behind her, leaving the others to follow.

It was a silent procession through the city, and it took far too long for Cordelia's liking. She and Glenn had plotted this course out the night before, with their knowledge of the city, and they had planned to take mostly back alleys and hopefully avoid the majority of the walkers.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they reached the building where they were starting, a department store that looked as if it had been mostly untouched. The building was far too large to be just a department store, and as best that Glenn and Cordelia could figure, it had office buildings up top.

The door in the alley leading to the building was blessedly unlocked.

They entered the building, clustering around the rear door that led to an office area, and with bated breath, each member of the group scanned the room, half expecting a horde of walkers to appear out of nowhere.

"Lock the door," Cordelia whispered over her shoulder, before beginning to creep forward, heading toward the darkened doorway that led out to the main part of the store. She heard movement from behind her and held her hand up, signaling for them to stop.

"Just me." She said softly. "If there's a bunch of geeks just outside the door I don't want you guys all behind me."

It was clear from the stubborn set of her jaw that there was no room for arguing and when nobody, spoke up she turned started forward on her path again, nerves drawn tight, ready to let her arrow fly at the slightest flicker of movement.

Merle had looked as if he was ready to argue with her and, really, she was surprised he hadn't. He had been uncharacteristically quiet on their ride into the city, and even quieter when they had been navigating the alleys. She didn't have time to talk to him about it now of course, but she had no doubt that whatever was keeping her brother so quiet would rear its head as an inevitable problem sooner rather than later.

She stepped through the doorway, into the shadows beyond, but was relieved to find the larger room looked empty. No walkers in here, it seemed, which was good for them albeit slightly unusual.

Perhaps she and Glenn were wrong. Maybe this would be an easy run today.

She tilted her head, indicating that the others should follow after her as she returned the arrow to her quiver and slid her bow over her shoulder.

"Stay quiet," she said in a whisper. "Spread out and grab what we need."

Her companions moved to sort through the racks, except for Merle who lingered by her, jaw set stubbornly. "Who said you were in charge, l'il sister?" He asked. "You think everyone is just gonna listen to you?"

She rolled her eyes. This was typical Merle behavior, she was just surprised that it had taken him this long to say anything. Merle liked to pretend that he was in charge at all times, and got upset every time Daryl or Cordelia did something he didn't like.

Cordelia spent a lot of time doing things he didn't like.

"Merle," she sighed, shaking her head, patience running thin. "If you were in charge, you'd kill us all. So are you going to help us? Or do I need to put you on the roof, keeping watch."

He glared at her, nostrils flaring, before he looked over the racks of merchandise, seeming to weigh the two options.

"I don't wanna fuckin' shop," he said, before heading over to the door that was clearly marked 'stairs', rifle still slung over his shoulder.

Cordy watched him go, worrying her lower lip between her teeth, before turning to look at the others. They were all sorting through the items on the shelves diligently, doing what they had actually come to the city to do. Why was it so goddamn hard for Merle to be useful?

Shaking her head slightly, she moved forward, settling next to Glenn who was looking through a stack of men's jeans. The others were working quietly, she noticed. As long as they were here working, they wouldn't really miss Glenn or Cordelia.

"Let's go scout around, see if there's anywhere else worth checking out." She suggested, tilting her head back towards the door through which they had come.

He furrowed his brow, looking at her for a moment before nodding. "You have your walkie, right? We'll be back," he told T-Dog who was standing nearest them.

He looked up, eyes shifting between Glenn and Cordelia before he grinned slyly, offering Glenn a wink. "Sure," he said. "Take your time?"

Cordy rolled her eyes as T waggled his eyebrows suggestively at Glenn who's face had taken on a light pink hue.

He turned away from his friend, falling into step behind Cordelia who moved rapidly to the door, pulling it open and slipping back out into the harsh Georgia sun. The department store had been quiet and dark and musty, but out here everything hit her full force again.

"Everything okay?" Glenn asked, stepping out and closing the door behind him.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "My brother is a dick. And we shouldn't have been forced to bring everyone on this trip. I just...I hate this whole situation."

He stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder and turning her to face him, his expression calm and understanding. "It sucks," he said. "I know. Let's just get through it and get back to camp and this whole thing will be behind us."

"If we make it back to camp." She muttered, shaking her head before turning away from him, gesturing down the alley. "Come on.

Typically, Cordelia wasn't a pessimistic person, she left that to her brother, who tended to look at the very worst in every situation. Daryl had always been like that for as long as Cordelia could remember, though she suspected it had a lot to do with the way he had grown up.

While Cordelia had never exactly been the optimistic type, she had always been more of a realist. She took situations as they came and dealt with them. Even if they sucked, she never typically looked for reasons to make it suck more.

Glenn remained quiet as he fell into step behind her, mirroring her movements as she crept quietly through the back alleys of Atlanta. Probably, he could sense that nothing he could say would really help get her out of her bad mood.

Cordelia turned down one of the alleys, wanting to take a look at the line of stores that were lining the main street. She froze immediately at the sound of hooves beating against the asphalt.

"What the-"

A horse flashed by, at the far entrance to the alley, a man in a cowboy hat riding it. The walkers were closing in behind them.

She turned, exchanging a look with Glenn before tilting her head to the fire escape on their right. She moved towards it, starting to climb quickly with Glenn right behind her. She wanted to get to a vantage point that was high enough to see what was going on with the cowboy, and she imagined Glenn wanted the same thing.

The reached the landing of the fire escape before turning to peer out at the main street. Every visible walker was in a frenzy, trying to get at the man and his horse.

As the watched, the horse went down, the man sprawling out across asphalt. Cordelia grimaced as the walkers tore into the horse, most of them preferring the larger meal. Yet some still went after the man who hurriedly scooted himself under the nearby tank.

"He's dead," Cordelia muttered. "He's fucking dead."

A half a second later, five subsequent shots rang out, echoing through the streets of Atlanta and inevitably riling up every walker who heard it.

A moment later, a static-y voice came through the walkie-talkie clipped to Glenn's belt.

"The hell was that?" T-Dog asked. The worry was evident in his voice.

Glenn unclipped his walkie, raising it to speak. "Some asshole got himself trapped in a tank."

"Got us trapped too." Cordelia snapped. "Those shots will draw every walker for miles."

Glenn sighed, closing his eyes, undoubtedly going through every possible way out of the city. It had been quiet on their way in, the walkers unaware of the potential meal that their group would have served as. Now, the walkers would be looking for a meal. And they would all be bunched up together, all of them drawn to the same place.

Walkers were fine when you only had to deal with a few, but in a big group was when they were at their most deadly.

"You're going to try to help him aren't you?" She asked, giving Glenn a long look. She knew the answer even without asking, and the lack of response on his part was the only confirmation she needed.

"Yeah," she sighed. "That's what I thought. We're gonna play heroes."

"We?" He asked, looking at her in surprise.

"You think I'm letting you do it alone?" She asked, raising a brow.

Glenn smiled slightly, before raising his walkie and fiddling with the channel setting, searching for the right channel to connect with the tank. For the most part, all they heard was white noise until finally, they didn't.

Exchanging a look with Cordy, Glenn pressed the button before raising the walkie to his mouth.

"Hey you," he said. "Dumb ass," Cordelia smirked slightly at that.

"Hey, you in the tank. Cozy in there?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Um...so guess who is finally updating this hahaha. Months and months later. Still, better late than never, right guys? I don't have much to say in this A/N, except that we're finally entering into canon events and so maybe chapters will come easier now? I have a lot planned and I'm really excited to write it all. Anyway, let me know what you think guys! Hope you enjoy!