I do not own The Walking Dead.

Previously:

Faye really needed to figure out what she shoved to the back of her mind and what she didn't, because this was making her eyes water, and she would not be weak as long as she could help it. Weakness was what needed to be in the back of her head, not this. Faye knew that. It was just hard to find a balance.

"It is just past for you?"

The girl shook her head.

"I'm waiting." Faye said quietly. "It hasn't happened yet."

"All done." Hershel said. "Stitches are out."

Faye grinned. "Finally; it took long enough."

The old man chuckled lightly. "You say that as if it's my fault, dear. Healing wounds takes time, and you didn't help the process."

"Yeah, I know." She sighed. "It can't have made that much of a difference, though, could it?"

"I suppose not." He said. "But still, patience isn't a bad skill to have."

Raising an eyebrow, the girl stood up. "Nah, I'm pretty sure you just want me to stop moaning."

There was a mischievous glint in the man's eyes that told her she was right, but he denied it anyway. "Whatever are you talking about?"

She rolled her eyes, but her grin didn't leave her. "Thanks, though. See you later, Hershel."

"Don't be reckless!" He called to her as she left the medical cell, which was still the one she had spent her time in in the first days of her injury. "The skin will still be sore, so don't push yourself too far just yet!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know!" She said over her shoulder. He had said that every day, the only difference now was that he was saying it louder.

Things had progressed quite a bit in those two weeks. A new gate was up, but there were still plans to improve it further. They'd cleared out the other cell blocks and the newcomers had spread out over D – it hadn't been safe with all the walkers there anyway, now there was more space to breath – and most areas had been confirmed to be walker free. Of course, they couldn't know for sure, not every single entrance and exit had been checked, and there were bound to be a few blind spots, but it was, for the most part, safe.

This was especially great for Faye, as she didn't have to be questioned every time she step foot outside. What did they think was going to happen? That she would collapse with exhaustion halfway from Cell Block A to B? She had stitches in her head, not a damn stab wound.

Oh, wait, she didn't even have stitches anymore! She was free!

(That was particularly ironic, considering they had taken residence in a prison.)

"Hey, Faye, what's got you in a good mood?" Karen said, smiling as she walked up to the child. "Aha, I see, no bandages! Hershel finally got your stitches out?"

"Yep!" She replied. Faye liked Karen. She didn't take any shit. And she didn't spill it when the girl complained about anyone. In return, Faye didn't pry when the older woman snuck looks at Tyreese. "Maybe I can walk around without people trying to watch my every step."

"I wouldn't count on it just yet." She replied. "Now, go on. I'm pretty sure Daryl's looking for you. Saw him with Carol outside, last time I checked."

"'Kay. Thanks, Karen." The two parted ways and Faye walked a little quicker. Daryl was looking for her, maybe it was important!

Then again, he was with Carol, and Carol was being weird. Their current relationship - she and Faye, that was – wasn't exactly bad. It had been a lot worse at a lot more times. However, it was odd.

Lately, Carol had been treating her as if she was older, treating her like she'd always wanted to be treated. Just… not it the right way. She was being given more jobs, nothing too important, but it had kept her busy. Of course, the problem of her injury should end with any luck, so would that mean she'd get even more? What was the word… what was the word…

Oh, yeah, distance. Carol was distancing herself from Faye. Wasn't that what she'd always wanted, though? To not have Carol breathing down her neck?

Problem was, she'd rather have Carol breathing down her neck rather than anyone else's. Especially Lizzie or Mika's.

It wasn't that she didn't like the two sisters. They were nice. They were friendly. They wanted to be her friend.

Problem was, she'd rather have someone who was less nice and less friendly and didn't want to be her friend than someone who was overbearing and simply tried too hard. Those two needed a mean streak in them.

It wasn't harsh, she thought, it was life. And if life was harsh, well, so be it. She and Carl had changed. Maybe Carl more than herself, but still.

(Oh, yeah, Carl had changed. Carl had damn well shot someone and killed them. Why the hell did she try and justify it just-)

Carl had made progress. Albeit, not much, but some progress was better than none. He could stand in a room with them without glaring at them all, but he still kept his distance. And he didn't like taking orders from them, either, but neither did Faye.

Sliding her bangs behind her ears as she stepped outside, the girl's eyes swept the area for any sign of Daryl. Was that a crossbow in the corner of her eye? Probably.

Faye stretched her arms as she walked along. It was still pretty early – at least, she thought it was, she didn't have a watch – and her original plan had been to return to bed to read a comic book. She had half the collection in her room, Carl had the other.

It was in fact Daryl she had been walking up to, and he turned around once her footsteps were loud enough. Carol, like Karen had said, was with him. "Hey, there ya are."

Flicking a hand in the air, Faye grinned. "Tada! No more stitches!"

"Nice," He said, giving his own little Daryl grin too. "Little build up of walkers last night. Not too many, but I thought we'd get in some of that gun trainin' done today. Maybe go set some traps if ya do good."

Faye's eyes widened along with her smile. "Seriously?"

"Why not?" The hunter smirked at her reaction. "You ready to go now?"

Of course she was ready! She had been ready for this moment for months! This was were she got Daryl to let her use the crossbow! "Yeah! What's the time, though?"

"Eight or nine, I dunno," Oh, maybe it wasn't so early then. Nodding a goodbye to Carol, Daryl lightly slapped a hand on the child's shoulder. "Let's go get you a rifle."

Oh, yeah. First, she had to come out with the lie.

"So, I may have told a tinsy little white lie." Faye said, cringing as she awaited Daryl's reply.

His unsurprised reply surprised her. "Go on."

She blinked a little before continuing. "Well, you know I said I didn't know how to use a rifle? I kinda lied so you would train me with something…"

Daryl smirked. "I know. I was just waitin' to see how long you'd go along with it."

What.

How the hell did he know?

She made this lie ages ago, how was he supposed to know she was lying? She knew because Rick had taught Carl to use one, and he hadn't wanted her to be clueless, so he taught her. She'd never actually shot a rifle, the girl thought that would make the lie convincing!

Faye flung her hands in exasperation, which was quite tricky considering she was holding the gun. "How?"

"Well, for one, I saw Carl showin' ya the ropes. Kinda big give away. Plus now you're holdin' it proper."

Oh. That ruined her plan a little. "Why didn't you just call me out on it?"

"Like I said, wanted to see why. Helped keep you here instead of followin' me when… on that day."

She knew the day he was talking about, she didn't need to pry.

Maybe she could still salvage her plan from the wreck.

(Who was she kidding, this was a sinking ship.)

"So… you're not mad?"

He shook his head as they continued to walk to the field. That was a good sign in itself. "Nah, just a little confused why."

"You always said no to me trying out the crossbow. I thought if I could get you to help me with something else, maybe I could slip it in then. Rifle was the first thing that came into my head."

Daryl sighed as he stopped walking. They were in the middle of the field. "You really want to use it, don't you?"

"'S on my bucket list."

The man frowned. "You've gotta bucket list?"

"Doesn't everyone?" She shrugged.

"I don't."

"Maybe you should make one?"

"What's on yours?"

"Using your crossbow!" Faye frowned. "Stop side tracking me!"

Daryl ran a hand through his hair before finally replying after a tense moment. Well, tense for Faye, at least. Holding out his hand, he spoke. "Fine. Gimme."

The girl's frown deepened. What was happening now? "This?" She asked, holding up the rifle.

"Yes, that."

Handing it over, Faye watched with growing anticipation as Daryl slung the strap of the gun over his shoulder and pulled the crossbow into his hands.

It was happening.

"Now, you gotta promise me some things when I hand this over."

It was happening!

In reply, she nodded slowly, a grin spreading across her face.

It was happening!

"Gotta promise not t' treat it likes it's a toy."

She nodded, bangs falling from behind her ear with the force. She wasn't sure she could reply without squealing with excitement.

"Gotta promise t' do what I say with it."

Again, Faye nodded. Could they get on with it already? She was going to fire the legendary Daryl Dixon crossbow!

"And ya gotta promise t' treat it with respect."

Treat it with respect? She already did that now! Nodding a final time, she finally spoke along with it. "I promise!"

"Alright, then." Daryl handed over the crossbow.

Faye was holding the crossbow. Faye was going to fire the crossbow. Faye was going to be a badass with a crossbow!

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Daryl smirk at the reaction he received. "Come on, we can start with the ones near the gate. Easier to get the bolts back."

Turning the girl's body around by the shoulder, the two walked towards the fence. Faye quickly pulled herself out of the excited daze to get a better grip on the weapon in her hands and pay attention to where she was going. It was heavy, she didn't want to trip over and break it.

(Nah, the crossbow would probably break her.)

"We'll get a few of 'em here so ya know how to work it. Can work on ya aim another time, maybe hold off settin' traps 'til tomorrow for a proper hunt."

"That'd be awesome!" Faye had seen Daryl hunting before, it was like he'd go into stealth mode. She definitely wanted to look that cool. "Could we go deer hunting?"

"Not just yet, but we'll get to it. Squirrels first, then go up the food chain."

Faye frowned. "Deer eat squirrel?"

"Ya know what I mean."

Before long, the two reached the gate, Daryl acknowledging whoever was on guard duty before the went between the fences. Four walkers snarled at them. Four. That seemed manageable. "First thing, gotta load it." Taking the crossbow back from her, he put it on the ground before putting his foot on it. Daryl grabbed the string with both hands and tugged it upwards. While the effort it must have taken didn't show on his face all that much – he may have been trying to show off – Faye could see the muscles in his arms strain. Did he expect her to do that?

Well, she could- she could try! There was no way she'd give up because of a tough piece of string. Before he reached the top, though, he let go and the crossbow reset itself. "Now, you try."

Alright, Faye. You can do this. You can be badass. You can beat a god damn piece of string.

Wrapping her fingers around the cord, the girl took a quiet breath in and out before tugging as hard as she could, face contorting with the effort.

Dammit, why did this hurt so much?!

The bowstring dug into her fingers and she felt herself growl-

(Ha! It was far too girly to be a growl.)

-as she pulled as hard as her arms could bear.

When Daryl stepped in, it annoyed her to admit he was holding in a chuckle. "Stop, stop, 'fore ya pull a muscle."

Complying immediately, Faye took a few steps back and shook her hands vigorously, wincing as she did so. "Ah, ah, what the hell?! Does it want me to get eaten by a walker?!"

"Pretty damn sure it don't." The man allowed himself a little huff of amusement before he continued seriously. "Don't worry, didn't expect ya to be able to do it. 'S hard, even for me. The thing's tough, but that's what's so good. Ya can try again next time, but for now-" Reaching back down to the fallen weapon, Daryl stood it back up and pulled back the bowstring. "-I'll do the hard part."

Next, he handed her a bolt. "Load it up."

Picking up the crossbow again, silently cursing the string, Faye lifted it up as high as she could with one hand and used the other to try and load the arrow.

"Hang on," Daryl said, shifting her arm a little. "Do it like this, could hurt yourself that way."

After a little more messing around, Faye finally held up the crossbow, loaded and ready to fire, and took a few steps backwards. Her back nearly hit the other fence as she aimed. Hopefully it would be done quickly because, as much as she wanted this moment to last, the crossbow was really heavy, and she didn't want her arms to start shaking under the weight.

The hunter seemed to step back, letting Faye alter her stance and aim on her own.

If she missed, this would be embarrassing.

Eyes never leaving the walker in front of her, Faye pulled the trigger. The bow jumped forward in her hands with the force, and she lost her previous firm grip on the weapon, but she was too distracted to notice.

One less walker growled at her.

Regaining her grip on the crossbow, Faye ran forward to look through the fence. It was hardly a clean shot through the eye, but there it stood proudly, a bolt sticking out the walkers forehead.

"Good job, for your first try. Didn't get the bolt caught on the fence, neither."

No, she didn't!

"Might have got myself a natural."

Yes, he did!

Faye grinned widely before launching into a hug. "I did it! I did it! Thank you, Daryl!"

"Hey, hey, still got three more to go, Birdy, don't go thanking me yet! Might've been a fluke."

Ha! Fluke her ass! She'd show him.

Faye would be the one catching birds for him to pluck in no time!

Author's Note:

So, this chapter had another fluffy scene with Carl in, but it is now 1 o'clock, so I promise an extra long chapter next time to make up for it. I don't want this part to start dragging, so from now on I'm trying to move things along more in these next few chapters.

As for the Carl and Faye having a little romance - don't worry! It is on the horizon! I have it planned in my little mind-timeline of this story and I know exactly how it's going to play out. First, though, they have some things to sort out between them and I'm sure you can guess which. It'll be worth the wait, I promise.

(Or rather, I hope, because I've never written romance before! If anyone has any tips, I'd love to see them.)

Anyway, see you next Saturday!

Please review, I love to hear your thoughts and advice.

Thanks.

Cobalt Flame.