It's so hard to show Daryl's softer side because everybody likes the "fuck it, i'm a badass" character we've grown to... well... fantasize over. But I've been getting good reviews so far so i'm feeling confident. In the next few chapters you'll see the more intimate layer of Daryl Dixon, hope you guys still enjoyyy :D

Chapter 9:

I found myself nodding off when the caravan came to a halt. Lazily I looked around, Daryl, who had put his arm on the back of the bench seat, removed it to open his door.

"What's going on?"

"The RV is busted. I knew this trip was bullshit." I watched as Daryl clamored out of the truck, slamming the door behind him. Following his lead, I chased after him, coming into stride with him moments later. The group had convened at the front of the camper, Dale looking on in dejection at the engine, which smoked profusely.

"Can you jerry rig it?" Rick asked, studying the machine.

"That's all It's been so far. It's more duct tape than hose, and I'm out of duct tape." Dale said with a shrug.

"I see something up ahead." Shane said, looking through his binoculars. "Hopefully a gas station." Jacqui came rushing from the RV pushing past myself and Daryl, who snorted in complaint.

"Yo, It's Jim. it's bad. I don't think he's gonna make it." She was visibly shaken. I looked over to the open door of the RV. I was compelled to look inside. Taking a few steps forward, I was just about to put my first foot on the step when a firm hand held me back.

Glancing over my shoulder I saw Daryl silently shaking his head, pulling me back towards him. He leaned down towards me, his mouth inches from my ear.

"You don't wanna see what's in there." He murmured, loud enough so only I could hear. His breath on my cheek sent shivers down my spine and I nodded my head in understanding.

"I'll drive ahead, see what I can bring back?" Shane offered.

"I'll come along too, I'll back you up." Chimed in T Dogg.

"Ya'll keep your eyes open now, we'll be right back." Shane led the two gentlemen to his jeep and they hopped in, taking off for the distant gas station. Rick turned solemnly towards the door to the RV and stepped up into the hulking structure, assumingly to talk to Jim. Daryl stood quietly off to the side with Lori, Carol, Jacqui and myself.

I was staring at the ground, silently drawing patterns and biting my lip. Out of morbid curiosity I wanted to see Jim. I knew he wouldn't make it, I knew the CDC wouldn't let him in alive, but I'd never seen someone who was infected who was still walking around alive.

We said nothing to each other, but Daryl gently nudged his hand into mine, stirring me from my thoughts. I looked up at his curious blue eyes, which were constantly asking me questions. I shook my head and forced a smile, one he didn't buy. The men who rode into town pulled up a few moments later, duct tape and radiator hose in hand. Dale had just fixed the RV when Rick stepped out, shaking his head solemnly.

"What is it?" Jacqui asked, breaking her from her constant pacing. Rick sighed and took off his hat, holding it in his hands.

"He wants us to leave him here." My eyes widened. Shane and Andrea walked up to the rest of us, Shane leaning against the door.

"He's lucid?" Carol asked, shaking her head.

"He seems to be, yes."

"Back in the camp, when I said Daryl might be right, you shut me down. You misunderstood." Dale stated, shaking his head in confusion. I wasn't sure if I was ready for one of his Confucianism's, so I merely shifted my weight and hunkered down for a long-winded speech. "I would never go along with callously killing a man." Daryl went rigid next to me and I knew his teeth were grinding together in his skull. "I was just gonna suggest we ask Jim what he wants, and I think we have an answer." The group seemed okay with that as they nodded their heads in agreement.

"Just leave him here and we take off? Man I'm not sure I could live with that." I held in a snort, bringing my fingers to my mouth.

"It's not your call, Shane." Lori piped in.

"It's what he wants, as a dying man's last wish I feel we need to respect it." Rick had convinced everyone, and Shane offered to help Jim to a nearby tree. As they brought Jim out I realized Daryl was right, I did not want to see what he was becoming.

Jim was an ash grey pallor, covered in sweat. The only color left in his body was the red of his feverish cheeks. I watched in horror as the two men held him on their shoulders, helping him along. He cried out in pain every step of the way, until they set him gently under the tree.

As the group began to approach Jim, I felt Daryl's hand on my back, coaxing me along. I watched as Shane shared his last sentiments with the dying man and then one by one, the others.

I felt foolish, and for the second time in a day I felt like an intruder, an outsider looking in on a private moment. I didn't know Jim, I didn't know any of these people, but as I watched the survivors saying their final goodbyes, my heart couldn't help but break. Tears welled in my eyes and before I could blink them away they began to silently fall down my face.

Daryl and I were the last left to say our goodbyes. The men shared a knowing nod, their relationship not needing words, and I crouched down in front of Jim. I gave him a tearful smile and he opened his mouth to speak but began to cough profusely and ushered me away. I obliged him, letting Daryl lead me back to the truck silently.

Jacqui cried quietly in the RV as we walked past, and the group meandered on, their heads held low. Every single person looked back. Daryl ushered me into the car, himself entering into the driver's side. I knew he was looking at me, but I watched Jim as he looked up to the sky, a smile on his face. Slowly Daryl pulled off, and I turned in my seat to watch Jim disappear from view.

Once he was gone I turned to face the front of the car, trying so hard to hold myself together, but it wasn't long before heavy, shoulder heaving sobs began to escape my throat. Bringing my knees to my chest, I wrapped my arms around them and buried my face in my elbows, attempting to get some form of privacy during my emotional breakdown.

I knew Daryl was watching, I knew he was concerned, but the more I thought about Jim just sitting there alone, the more sobs I heaved. I felt a calloused hand in my hair, roughly entwining itself, attempting to calm me.

"Just breath…" He whispered, clearing his throat. I inhaled sharply, releasing a shaky breath and putting my hand on his. "Breath."

...

Daryl nudged me awake, I couldn't even remember falling asleep, but I had been, laying across the bench seat. My eyes were heavy and sore; I didn't even have to look to know they were red as hell.

I could smell something rotting for about 10 minutes before we reached the CDC, but it wasn't until we pulled up outside when I realized it was hundreds of decaying bodies. They littered the lawn of the CDC and I sat back in my seat, my heart sinking in my chest. Daryl leaned over the seat towards me, taking a good look out the passenger's side window before making eye contact with me.

"I don't think this was such a good idea anymore." I muttered under my breath. He gave me a look of agreement before opening his door slowly. I followed his lead, pulling our weapons and bags off the floor and handing him his when he stepped around the truck.

Quickly and quietly our group made its way through the graveyard. I had pulled my shirt up over my nose to stifle the smell before loading my bow and following Daryl.

"Alright everyone, keep moving." Shane whispered, bringing up the rear. Daryl and I had made our way to the front of the group with Rick, making us the first to the door. I turned around a looked at the carnage we'd just walked through while Rick worked on the door. He pushed at the button frantically, and with every sound of him pressing it I began to panic more.

"Open the door, Rick." I murmured to him, as the rest of the group caught up to us. Rick looked at me in desperation, obviously the button was not working and now Daryl's interest had been peaked. Shane pushed past me, nearly knocking me into Daryl and began pounding on the door. This caused alarm in the children who cowered into their mother's chests.

"There's nobody here." T Dogg said, panic rising in his voice. Rick had begun pacing in front of the door.

"Then why are the shutters down?" He snapped. I physically recoiled and looked up at Daryl. His eyes went wide with fear as he raised his bow at something behind me.

"Walkers!" He yelled, sending the group into a panic. Quickly I turned around, staring in terror at the walking corpse heading for us. Daryl let his bolt fly, taking down the walker, before rounding on Rick, murderous rage in his eyes. "You led us to a graveyard!" He yelled, getting into Rick's face. I forcefully pushed him away, letting my hands linger on his chest.

"Daryl stop!"

"He made a call!" Shane stepped in, defending Rick.

"Well it was the wrong damn call!" I pressed my eyes shut tightly as Daryl yelled at the men, his voice ringing loudly in my ears.

"Please stop." I barely recognized my own voice, which came out quiet and meek. Daryl took a deep breath in and dropped his head, looking at the ground. Shane muttered something to Rick and Lori spoke up.

"We can't be this close to the city after dark." By now walkers had realized we were here and slowly but surely they were coming out of the woodwork. Daryl and I loaded our bows while the others fought uselessly amongst themselves about Fort Benning.

"The camera, it moved…" Rick stared up at the camera, much like a crazy person looks to the sky. "I saw it move!" Shane shook his head, grabbing at his partners elbow. The walkers continued to move closer and closer to us, their moans and groans becoming louder and my heartbeat sped up frantically. "YOU'RE KILLING US!" His screams made the children begin to cry harder as he kicked and punched at the people pulling him away. "YOU'RE KILLING US!"

A loud screeching sound of metal on metal nearly made me jump out of my skin. Turning quickly I saw the door that Shane had just been beating on slowly opening up, blinding us with a bright light. Lowering my bow I turned around completely, awestruck by the bright light and sudden salvation.

"Beau lets go!" Daryl yelled next to me. He grabbed me by my waist and practically tossed me into the open door. I landed on my hands and knees with a thud, my bow clattering to the floor.

The familiar sound of a gun cocking brought my attention to the man standing in the corner with an assault rifle. I took Daryl's hand and he lifted me off the hard floor, never once taking his eyes off of the man. Not quite the welcome any of us had in mind.