58: Deputy

It had been a full week since Aidan's arrival and the day I came clean to the group, and in those days things both shifted and shifted back for the most part. Looks turned from confused, to worried, to curious, and then all the way back to normal once they figured out that I'd be acting just about the same way as I had since I first came to the prison. I guess that's life as a freak; after a while people sort of lose interest and at some point in time all weirdoes become normal.

Today marked Aidan's first day out of the confines of the grey walls and his second major move. First he was moved to the main cellblock with the rest of us after a lengthy talk with Rick, and now he was getting to move around like a free man. I could empathize with that, new freedom. That was something I now completely understood. I looked over to the table where he had reclined, "Sun feels good, doesn't it."

He nodded, holding his hand over his face to shield his eyes from the sun, "Fresh air's better."

"How are you getting used to it?" I pointed at his mangled arm.

He moved is around a bit in demonstration, "It's weird, but it's better than being dead."

I smiled at him, "Good." Finally, a successful case of Annie saving someone besides herself. Doctor Annie, the post-apocalyptic medic. Even better than the self-fulfillment was the new friendship I'd formed with Aidan. He was almost never angry, or rude, which made him quite a bit more pleasant to be around than most of the people in the group. Plus it was nice to get to be around someone who hadn't seen me kill people, but even then I don't think it would have affected the way he treated me.

"So that boyfriend of yours doesn't seem to be around that much anymore?"

I shrugged, "He wasn't my boyfriend."

"So," he sat up and faced me, "you're single then?"

I let out a loud laugh unexpectedly; Glenn and Daryl, who had been standing across the field a ways talking by the looks of it, turned in our direction. I hadn't realized how loud I must've laughed until I saw the looks on their faces before they went back to their conversation. Was it a crime to laugh now? Wasn't it alright to find so light in this darkness? After all, it seemed such a ridiculous thing to ask at times like these. I looked over to the brown-haired boy who was still focused on me, "I guess I am." His smile grew, so I cut him off before he could say anything, "But you don't want to do that."

"I think I might."

"See this?" I held up my arm, deciding that now was as good a time as any to tell the guy about my condition, "I got bitten, now I'm hungry."

"So's everyone else?"

"No," I nodded to the fence, "I'm hungry like they are."

His smile dropped, "Shit."

"Exactly."

"You didn't try to make me dinner though?"

I shrugged once more, "I've got a handle on it."

And just like that those pearly whites were back, "Then where's the problem? Cause I don't see one." I sighed, looking towards Daryl and Glenn without thinking. "Fuck, what does he have that I don't?"

"This section of arm," I pointed to the missing piece and we laughed.

"And?"

"I honestly can't tell you," I looked back over to the two men across the field. Then I realized something; Aidan was totally fine with my hunger problem, and he'd survived out there on his own for almost two years. Not only that, but he actually had a really good attitude about the whole situation. Maybe it was time to cut my losses. Maybe it was time to start looking into other options. Maybe the past should just stay in the past. I looked back to him, "Know what, we can hang out more if that's what you're getting at."

One corner of his mouth crooked up, "Really?"

"Sure," I leaned back onto my hands and closed my eyes as I basked in the sun, "You're cool with the whole cannibalistic tendencies thing, so why not?"

"Was he not?"

I didn't even open my eyes; "He hasn't said anything to me since I told him."

"Well, his loss is my gain," I could hear the grin in his voice.

I opened one eye and looked over at him, "I'm not promising you anything."

Before he could respond Rick was in my sunlight, "Annie, can I have a word with you?"

"Sure Rick," I hopped up and followed him several yards away from the table I'd been sitting at, "What's going on?"

"Glenn and Maggie are headed down the road a ways to get some more supplies," I nodded, "I figured you might want to go with them, get away from all this for a while."

"Thanks," I knew what he meant. He meant it would be a chance to get away from the smell. It would be a chance to have some form of fresh air. I smiled at him, "That's really thoughtful of you." I saw Michonne walking over to sit with Aidan and knew she'd be pissed if she didn't get to go too. "Michonne will want to go, too."

"If you think that's best."

"Eight eyes are better than six."

I could tell he agreed before he even said it, "You'll leave tomorrow morning."

"Okay," I gave him the thumbs up, "I'll go let her know and see if I can switch shifts with Daryl or something." Once he nodded I made my way back to the table Aidan patted the metal beside him, and I sat.

"What was that about?"

"Something to do with Michonne actually," she looked over to me.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I leaned back again, "Good news."

"Yeah?"

I couldn't hide the pride from my face, "Tomorrow morning, Glenn, Maggie, you, and me are going on a supply run. Get out of this place for a few hours."

She took a seat on the table with us, "How'd you manage that?"

"Rick asked me if I wanted to go, and I told him you should come too."

She chuckled, "Number two already."

Aidan piped up, "What do you mean number two?"

"Michonne had this idea that I should be Rick's second in command."

"You weren't already?"

I looked over to him and I'm sure he could see the confusion on my face, "What?"

"I thought you were second in command?" My face was still blank. "The way Rick's always running stuff by you, and how close you are with his kids. I just assumed."

The pride was back tenfold. I was no longer Annie the outsider. I had a place here. If Rick was the Sherriff, then I was the Deputy. I was the Deputy and I felt happy about it. Honest to goodness happy. That's not a common feeling anymore, but here it is filling me up and causing a smug smile.

Before Michonne and I went inside to talk to Maggie about the next day's run I ran over to get the shift change out of the way. Glenn waved when I trotted up to them, but Daryl just stood there. I didn't care though, how could I? I was on top of the world. Nothing could bring me down today. "Hey, is there any way you'd switch shifts with me for tonight?"

"Why?"

His foul tone didn't affect mine in the slightest, "I have to be up early tomorrow."

"Yeah, we're going on a supply run," Glenn added. Glenn was always doing that sort of thing, and not just for me. He had this knack for trying to ease hostilities. I think that made him just about the most useful person in the whole world now.

Daryl didn't look at me when he answered, "Fine."

I smiled at Glenn, "Thanks." I meant it to both of them. I'd need my sleep, and when it came to Daryl I needed all the help I could get. I'll have to make it up to Glenn one of these days.

-o0o-

When the door opened at the end of my shift I got up right away, "It's been quiet." Nothing. Of course. Why would he bother? What was his problem anyway? My mouth betrayed me, "Hey, why haven't you said anything to me about," I paused, trying to find the right way to put it but failing, "that thing I told you?"

"Nothin' to say."

"Oh," I sighed slightly. Was I surprised? I mean, sure I'd thought that after what happened back at the house and the whole re-confessing my affections he'd at least have a word or two to throw my way. Had I not known that was wishful thinking? Had I not known that Carol would have talked to him, and he would have listened to her? It didn't matter. Not anymore. What matters is what I have to say. Do I even have anything to say to him anymore? Yes. One final thing. Better just get it out of the way and move on, "For what it's worth I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as I saw you that day. I should've just had the guts, but I didn't." Silence. "Have a good night."

-o0o-

"You all ready?"

"Just about," Glenn was sticking his machete in the car and Maggie was loading some full water bottles. Good thinking. Hydration is always important.

"You'll be back before dinner right?" I turned back to Carl, hating myself for going on the run. He looked legitimately worried, and I hated it.

I ruffled his hair before pulling him into a hug, "For sure, buddy." When I took a step back I smiled, "Nothing to worry about, just a supply run."

"Stop hogging her," Aidan shoved Carl lightly and gave me a hug, "We're hanging out when you get back."

"Whatever you say," I laughed.

It was almost time. Almost time to go and I would get some substantially fresher air in just an hour or two. As much as I wanted to stick back and mind my post as guard dog I needed the air. I needed the vacation. I needed some freedom.

I walked back to the car where Rick, holding Judith, was patting Glenn on the shoulder. I approached the smiling baby, "Bye bye, baby Judith!" Once I felt she'd had her fill of Annie time I looked up to Rick, "We'll be back quick, hopefully bring a few treats or something special."

He nodded, "Don't rush, just be back here before dark."

I mocked a salute, "Aye aye, captain!"

Maggie called from the back seat, "Ready Annie!"

I jogged over to the car and sat in my place. The driver's seat. They trusted me enough to be the driver of this run. I looked back, "Seatbelts!" I heard a groan and three clicks, "Alright, let's do this." I turned the key in the ignition and then we were off.

Just a basic supply run, nothing fancy. We'd be back before the sun went down with a nice haul and maybe a good story to tell.

I know, short chapter... BUT there are going to be a few fun ones coming up (to help get you pumped for next Sunday) so I hope you are all ready for them! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!

Audience Participation Time: What do you think is going to be happening next?! :D