This is a Daryl POV chapter. I won't list each section with POVs but they will be pretty obvious when they switch around.
Hope you are enjoying this new story. Please check out my other TWD fic. "Backroads" :)
Daryl sat across from Merle thinking about the last couple days. He had met an interesting girl. Well a woman but she was so short that he couldn't help but think of her as a girl. She was probably late 20's but looked younger. He had seen her at Dale's before when Merle and him had passed through but his attention was usually on his brother and their immediate surroundings. His main energy spent on keeping Merle out of shit. It worked fifty percent of the time.
He hadn't thought much about her until the fight in Dale's. She surprised every person in there by smashing the bat against the pole. The sound had been ear ringing. It was what she had wanted apparently. Daryl watched her yell and threaten people with no sign of fear. He thought she was either crazy or could actually handle herself. He guessed the latter and was right when she showed him her gun. Daryl had chuckled inwardly when she told him the name. She was quick witted and it made him anxious to talk to her in that parking lot.
When he saw her the next day at the diner he observed her closer. Daryl saw that she was pale with reddish brown hair, pink plump lips and he was guessed green. She looked like she grew up in the shithole town, dressed like it anyways, she wasn't dolled up or whored out like the college girls in the bar.
Daryl overheard Carol asking about a Johnnie and if she visited him. When she told Carol he got his privileges taken Daryl knew she was talking about someone in prison. Carol spoke about how he didn't deserve her and Daryl decided they had to be talking about her boyfriend.
'Figures' he thought 'Cute girl's got a boyfriend and he's a con'. He shook his head in disgust. He didn't get women staying with criminals.
The girl seemed quiet but not mousy or shy. She just seemed to be observing, taking inventory of the situation, speaking only when she needed to. She handled Merle perfectly. Not letting his shit talking faze her. Daryl couldn't do that most of the time.
Daryl thought she was pretty and seemed intelligent judging by how she spoke. His thoughts seemed correct when he drove past her car parked outside a bookstore a few minutes later. That evening he found himself wanting to go back to the bar but knew it was a bad idea. The rumor was that weekends were all college crowds and it would be asking for trouble. Merle and him spent the night at a friends drinking. Merle of course popped pills and smoked something. Daryl spent the night keeping him from fighting.
Daryl was shaken out of his memories when he heard the bell chime at the diner door; he looked up and saw the girl walk in. She looked terrible. She had dark circles under her eyes, her already pale skin was practically translucent and her hair was a mess. She was still pretty but he could see she had a rough night. Daryl hoped it wasn't the frat boys causing her trouble. He'd kick Merle's ass if he had caused problems for her.
He watched Carol reach out towards her and saw the girl flinch, scooting back away from her. He squinted looking at her more carefully. Daryl knew that reaction. He had that reaction. She'd been hurt. Hurt bad enough to make her jump at human contact. Daryl's gut burned as he glared at her. He hated abusive bastards. He started to think about who it could be and his first thought was the guy in prison. 'Its probably why he's in prison.' He thought to himself. ' and the idiot girl stays with him.'
Daryl watched her scarf her food quickly and then stare out the window for an hour. She was completely lost in thought and looked like she'd pass out at any moment.
Carol told her it was on the house and she looked like she was going to flip her shit. He understood not wanting handouts. He never took them either. Merle tried fucking with her and the look she threw at them was very intimidating. Daryl flinched because it was so murderous.
She walked out and Merle asked Carol "What tha fuck's her problem? Yer bein' nice 'n she's gotta be a bitch bout it."
"Language Merle and you be nice ta that girl. She's got it hard enough without dealin' with the likes of you." Carol responded while clearing her table.
"Well whaddya mean. She's got a job 'n a car. She's pretty 'nuff. What's her deal?" Merle asked obviously confused by her also.
"Merle ya told me yer Pa was a mean ol' coot right?" Carol asked, her hand on her hip.
"Yeah dear ol' dad was a bastard and's rottin' in hell right now" Merle said gruffly, crossing his arms.
"Yeah well Jameson's Pa and your Pa could've been drinkin' buddies who talked about the good ol'times." Carol said with a pointed look that said 'don't fuck with the girl anymore'.
Daryl scowled at the thought of someone hitting her like his dad did. She was so tiny. Daryl hadn't known her name until Carol said and thought it was an odd name for a girl. 'Figures her daddy was a drunk and named her Jameson' he inwardly snorted.
Merle sat ramrod straight, scowling at the front window. If one thing got to Merle it was bastards abusing women or children. It was the only line that Merle believed should never be crossed. Daryl mulled the information over and decided he'd watch her closer while they were in town, make sure no one fucked with her.
"We should go ta Dale's tonight," Merle said while still looking out the window. Daryl looked at him shocked.
"Not gonna cause shit Merle. Weekends are tha college crowd. Le's just go to another one." Daryl said while secretly hoping Merle wanted to go despite it.
"I like the pool tables at Dale's." He stated nonchalantly, stirring his drink with his straw. Daryl knew what he was thinking but was surprised he was even thinking it. He wanted to keep an eye on the girl also.
They showed up at 11pm and the place was slammed. Daryl followed Merle in and they saw the pool tables were all taken. He steered them to the bar where two stools were open. When they sat down Daryl saw Jameson changing out a keg. She lifted the empty easily and moved the new one with the same ease.
"Strong lil bitch ain't she?" Merle commented while watching her.
Daryl grunted and nodded once, biting on his thumb.
Jameson turned and saw the two, her eyes widened slightly. She still looked tired but her hair was tamed and her skin wasn't as pale. Her cheeks were flushed from working and lifting the kegs.
"Ya doin' beers or whiskey tonight boys?" Jameson asked when she came over, placing coasters down.
"Two beers Sweet Cheeks." Merle answered. She walked away pulling two beers from the tap. Daryl noticed she was curvy despite being small and had tattoos he hadn't noticed. He couldn't tell what they were but one peeked out from under her short sleeve shirt. The other one showed a little on the side of her hip when she reached for bottles of liquor. Daryl also noticed she had a switchblade in her boot.
'Guess Lucille's got a pal.' he thought to himself.
Jameson placed the beers down on the coasters and walked away. She asked the other customers what they needed and filled orders for the waitresses. Working methodically and clean, Jameson was constantly wiping up spills and clearing glasses. It looked like she'd been doing the job for years.
Later in the evening a blonde frat boy grabbed her wrist when Jameosn sat his drink down and Daryl could see her wince from his grip. He started to stand up but stopped when he saw her reach out with her free hand grabbing the man's ear in a tight fist and yanking his head to the bar with a thump. He heard the man yelp as he let go of her arm.
Merle chuckled next to me, clearly amused at little woman's feistiness. Daryl couldn't hear what she said but the man dropped cash on the bar and left quickly. Jameson motioned to the security guard and pointed the guy out. Daryl watched the guard pull the guy aside and yell in his face. Apparently the bar didn't take kindly to roughing up the staff. 'Good' Daryl thought.
"Sweet cheeks can handle 'erself alright. Prob'ly learned from dealin' with dear ol' dad." He commented while sipping his beer. Daryl grunted and finished his beer. The night passed quickly, Merle was on his best behavior for once. Daryl was shocked he didn't have to keep him in check. At closing time Merle and him left but stayed in the parking lot.
"Make sure tha asshole don' come back after tha shit she pulled" Merle commented while he stood smoking.
Everyone else left before her like last time. Daryl didn't like that they left a girl by herself. Jameson came out a little while later and looked baffled at their presence but locked the door and stood on the tiny broken concrete sidewalk.
"What the hell 'er you two doin' here" Jameson asked while lighting a cigarette, cupping the flame from her lighter.
"Just checking on Carol's girl," Merle answered with a cheeky grin.
"She ask ya to?" She asked while flicking her cigarette ash.
"Nah we're jus' bein' good samaritans," Merle said with a wolfish grin.
Jameson snorted. "Riiiiight. That sums ya both up perfectly."
Daryl watched her stand under the flickering security light by the back door, looking so tiny and fragile. He knew different thought after seeing her deal with the hands customer.
"Don't mean you won't clean up after yourself the next time ya break glasses and flip tables." Jameson responded with a smirk.
Merle scoffed "Whatever girly that was a once 'n a lifetime event. Ain't getting me ta do yer job again."
Jameson nodded flicking the butt into the parking lot. "G night boys." She turned and walked to her car.
"Wha' no thanks Sweet Cheeks?" Merle hollered
She turned back, "Whatcha expectin' Merle a BJ?"
"Well if yer offerin, sure." Merle chuckled while gesturing to his belt.
"Merle I wouldn't suck your dick with someone else's mouth. Now git" she snapped. Daryl covered a laugh with a cough. Her ability to talk shit right back at Merle without batting an eye was impressive.
"What 'bout baby brother here, he could use some pussy. He can't seem ta score tail." Merle joked while punching Daryl in the shoulder.
"Shuddup Merle," Daryl growled embarrassed by his brothers teasing.
"Merle fuck off already" she snapped while opening her car.
It started sprinkling rain again. Daryl watched Jameson try to turn her car on and it just chugged. He could see her lay her head back on the headrest. She turned the key again and it just chugged again. Daryl could hear yelling in her car.
"Motherfuckerbitchshitfuckdickheadbullshitfucker!" Jameson screamed while pounding the steering wheel. Daryl raised an eyebrow and looked over at Merle.
"Sweet Cheek's got a temper." He commented while scratching his chin.
He could see her take giant breaths letting them out slowly and then she yanked the door open. After slamming it shut she started walking out of the parking lot.
"Problems Sweet Cheeks?" Merle snarked, while hanging out the truck window.
"Fuck off Merle." Jameson said while she continued to walk. The rain started to come down harder.
Jameson stopped for a moment, looked up at the sky and screamed, "Fuck you too!" She pounded her foot in a puddle, splashing her boots and jeans with mud.
Merle chuckled and turned to Daryl "Baby brother tha' bitch, is crazy."
"Merle shuddup. Le's pick 'er up. She's gonna freeze ta death." Daryl said.
Merle shook his head. "She don' want help. She's a crazy bitch." He said while lighting up yet another cigarette. Daryl scowled at him for a moment and then got out of the truck.
"Come on Darylina, she ain't lookin fer help." He complained while turning the truck on.
"I'll walk 'er home then." Daryl said while walking after her.
"Fuckin' stubborn ass," Merle snapped while turning his truck around. "Git in. Le's get 'er" he hollered out the window. Daryl climbed back in the truck and they drove out onto the road.
Jameson had walked a block already, her head was down and her hood up but it was pouring. Her clothing was drenched. They pulled up next to her and slowed to a crawl.
"Come on Sweet Cheeks. Will give ya a ride." Merle shouted through the passenger window. She glanced over and said, "M'fine. Go on," and kept walking.
"Carol'll kick my ass if ya freeze ta death. Git in. NOW." He shouted while Daryl flung the door open and stepped out. Jameson stopped and stared for a moment and shook her head. She climbed in, scooting to the center of the bench seat while Daryl climbed in after her. It was a tight fit but it was dry.
"Merle you so much as try to make a move on me, I'll tear your sack off 'n feed it to ya." Jameson threatened, her fists clenched in her lap.
Merle chuckled, "Bitch. I don' fuck crazy. Too much trouble."
Jameson glared at him and then snarked, "I find that hard to believe Merle because anyone who fucks you has to be crazy." Daryl snorted.
Merle scowled and started driving. "Where to? Ya ungrateful brat?" He asked.
She gave him directions to her place. It wasn't too much farther but in the pouring rain it would've been exhausting. Daryl sat picking at the hole in his jeans and watched her out of the corner of his eye. He could see her shaking slightly from being cold and wet. Daryl reached across her and turned the heat up. He saw her flinch slightly when his arm crossed in front of her but he pretended not to notice. He heard her let out a shaky breathe as if to calm her nerves.
"So ya take rides from strangers a lot?" Merle asked her.
"Pffft. If by strangers you mean guys that I've seen coming into tha bar for years? Then yeah apparently" she said while pulling out a set of keys from her jacket. They were driving up a hill that led to her apartment.
Merle just huffed a breath in response. He apparently hadn't noticed her at the bar until their recent encounter. They pulled up to the tiny apartment complex. It was rundown and barely had any outdoor lighting. The parking lot was pitch black.
"Ya want us ta walk ya ta your door Sweet Cheeks? Maybe tuck ya in?" Merle asked in a joking tone but with a leer.
"No thanks Merle, I got it." Jameson said while picking up her bag from the floor. Daryl opened the passenger door and climbed out into the rain. She hopped down and brushed past Daryl, her shoulder touching his chest.
"Thanks Daryl." She muttered as she nodded to Merle. Daryl watched her jog up the narrow steps to the complex and go inside. He got back in the truck with Merle.
"She's a spitfire, I'll give 'er that." Merle commented while turning the heat down.
Daryl nodded and tapped his fingers on his leg. Merle watched his brother looking out the window at the apartment building and smirked. "Ya got the hots for Sweet Cheeks huh?" he commented.
"Shuddup Merle." Daryl grumbled. "Ain't got hots for anyone. That's you 'n Carol."
Merle laughed, "Whatever baby brother and Carol's an angel. She don' deserve a ol'bastard like me." Daryl nodded his head and said,"Prob'ly not."
They drove off to the motel they'd been staying in. Merle took a few pills and watched an old porn while Daryl showered. He stood in the hot water thinking about the short girl with auburn hair. Daryl still hadn't seen her eye color but he imagined they were deep green. He felt his dick twitch at the thought of her pink lips and pale skin. He shook his head. "Ain't no way buddy. Not with Merle here," he muttered to his dick while turning the water off.