Thank you for reading, favoriting and following! I hope you're all enjoying this AU version of Jameson/Daryl.
She is definitely more awkward and reserved. I felt since she had a little bit of a different background and hadn't spent time killing zombies she would be less hardened.
If you haven't read my other fanfic "Backroads" please check it out! Anyhoo. Enjoy!
Daryl sat in the couch after she went into the bedroom. He pulled off his boots and jacket and laid back on the pillow. He turned his face and smelled the pillowcase. It smelled like her, cupcakes and cigarettes and not in a bad way. He didn't know how she didn't smell bad with cigarette smoke on her but he liked it. The blanket was something a grandma would've made. It wasn't near long enough for his tall frame but it worked ok. He dozed for a few minutes before he finally passed out.
He woke up when he heard her shuffling around in the kitchen. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He could see she was wearing flannel pants and a wife beater. He groaned inwardly. A woman in a wife beater was so fucking hot to him, especially with her bra straps peeking out like they were. He shook his head trying to clear the dirty images that flickered through his mind. He looked at her shoulder and finally saw one of her tattoos. The skull was feminine in color and surrounded in vibrant pink water lilies. The phrase Wayfaring Stranger wrapped around just below its jaw. He found himself staring when he realized she was speaking to him.
"Huh?" he muttered.
"Ya want coffee?" she said in a rough sleep filled voice.
"Yeah," he said and asked, "Ya eatin' breakfast?"
"Nah I'll get something at Lori's. I can fix ya something." She told him, pointing at the fridge.
Daryl shook his head no and stood, stretching his arms over his head, groaning.
"Gonna use the restroom," he said while moving towards it. He saw her nod and then sit down at the kitchen table. Once in the bathroom he took a piss and washed his hands. He splashed water on his face and looked at his bloodshot eyes. He understood why she looked tired all the time. Even if she didn't normally work back-to-back shifts she had to be tired from working such different hours throughout the week. He noticed that she didn't have a bunch of crap on her bathroom counter like most girls. He briefly thought about looking in her medicine cabinet but scowled at himself in the mirror for thinking it. He left the bathroom and entered the kitchen.
She was pouring two mugs of coffee. He looked down and saw her bare feet. Her toenails were painted purple. When he looked up she was looking at him.
"I got bored." She said while pointing at her feet. "I don't normally paint my nails." She chuckled and then asked if he did sugar and cream.
"Nah, black." He said while reaching for the mug and siting in the metal folding chair. He looked around the apartment and finally noticed how empty it was. There wasn't any art or pictures on the walls. It was the bare essentials. The kitchen table was an old folding card table and the metal chairs were flimsy.
"How long ya live here?" he asked while sipping the hot coffee.
"Ummm a few years. I don't really do the whole homemaking thing. I don't need a bunch of crap. I know it's sparse or whatever. I just….I only really sleep here so thought what's the point." She rambled while stirring her coffee nervously. He smiled and said, "I have a crossbow, a back pack and some shit stuffed in the truck and that's it. We're living in a motel right now."
Jameson looked up and nodded and sipped her coffee then asked, "So if Merle is going to jail or prison what'll you do? Stick around here?"
Daryl shrugged and took another sip. He hadn't really thought about it more than him needing a job. He'd probably have to find a place to live too. Living at a motel would be depressing.
"Don' know. Gonna ask the auto repair place, see if they need help. I'll find somethin'." He said while rubbing his neck.
"Couch fuck up your neck?" she asked and added. "Sorry"
"Just laid weird, not the couch." He said. She nodded and said, "I'm gonna shower. Be out a little bit." She stood up and went into the bathroom.
Daryl sat there and heard the shower turn on. He groaned and tilted his head up, squeezing his eyes shut. Images of her naked and wet popped in his head as soon as she said 'shower'.
"Woman's gonna kill me" he muttered under his breath.
The shower turned off after a few minutes. He heard her moving around in the bathroom before the door opened. He listened to her walk out and looked over at her. She had changing into a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt that said 'Lori's Baked Goods' on it. Her hair was wet but braided to one side, the thick reddish braid hanging over her shoulder. She was wearing black and white chucks. He looked away at the clock on the stove and saw that they should be leaving soon.
"Ready?" he asked, standing and taking his coffee mug to the sink. He turned the water on and scrubbed his mug with the sponge sitting on the sink edge. He turned it upside down in the drying rack. He turned around and saw her staring at him.
"Wha?" he asked, "I do it wrong?" He thought maybe he washed the mug wrong or put it in the wrong place. Jameson shook her head and said, "No just…um thanks for washing your mug." She chuckled and said, "Let's go." Daryl picked up his jacket and leather cut, sliding it on before approaching the door. She locked up and they headed downstairs.
Jameson watched him wash his mug and put it on the drying rack. She had no idea why it shocked her to see him do something domestic. She knew it was silly, it was just a coffee mug, but for some reason it seemed so thoughtful for him to do it. She headed downstairs and let him pull his bike out of the spot and point it towards the street before she climbed on. Once on the back of his bike she wrapped her arms around him. She didn't know why it felt comfortable but it did. She decided she wouldn't question it; she would just enjoy the ride. Her car would probably be done today and he wouldn't need to drive her anywhere after today. He patted her on the knee and said loudly, "Ya ready?"
She said "Yep," while giving his waist an affirmative squeeze. She felt his stomach flex and squeezed her eyes shut. She shouldn't be picturing what they'd look like without a shirt on them. She couldn't stop herself from laying her head against his back to enjoy the warmth while they rode to work. They arrived quickly and she climbed off. He turned the bike off so they didn't have to yell over the engine.
"Ya off at noon?" he asked while sitting on his bike, one hand on the handlebars.
"Ya but my car is supposed to be done today so I'm gonna call Jim. See if it will be done by then. Umm…if you want to you could go with me to pick it up. Ask Jim if he needs help." She said while chewing on the inside of her cheek.
Daryl nodded and said, "That'd be good. I'll see ya at noon." He went to start the bike but Jameson stopped him.
"Wait. Wait here a sec." she said while going into the bakery for a moment. She came back out with a bag of day old donuts and bagels.
"Here, they're from yesterday but they're still good," she handed them to him. He peeked inside and then looked up with a small grin. "Thanks," he said as he slid it into his motorcycle's saddlebag. Jameson nodded and said goodbye, walking back into the bakery with a small wave to him.
She pulled the rest of day old products while Lori got the breads mixed. Jameson went into the back to help with the cupcake batters. She was measuring out the dry ingredients when Lori asked, "So who's the biker?" She smiled softly at her. Jameson blushed and turned around to pretend to grab something.
She cleared her throat and rambled, "Just a uh guy, a regular at the bar. My car broke down and he offered ta give me a ride. I told him it didn't matter. I can walk you know and he said he would anyways. But my cars done today so I'll be driving again 'n stuff so I won't leave early anymore or whatever. So no worries."
Lori chuckled. "Oh boy I don't think I've ever heard you say that many words in one day, let only one sentence." She laughed softly with a glimmer in her eye. Jameson blushed every deeper. She had no idea what her mouth just did but it was not communicating with her brain.
"Sorry," she mumbled trying to will her cheeks to stop burning, averting her eyes to the ground and chewing on her lip.
Lori said, "Hey, don't apologize. It's nice to see you meetin' someone. I didn't mean ta tease." She smiled again and Jameson relaxed. She didn't know why but having any type of relationship, even just a friend, was awkward for her. She guessed it was just past issues with her shithead dad and mom but it made her feel weak to not get over whatever it was. Her brother was the social one and she was the awkward one in the background. It worked fine until he went away, now she had to figure out stuff on her own.
"I don't know what it is. We don't know each other 'n I don't do stuff like this." She said while chewing on the inside of her cheek. Lori nodded and kept rolling out pastry dough. She was making the raspberry tarts. She brushed the dough with butter, added fresh berries filling, folded and dusted with sugar. They were one of the most popular treats at the bakery. Lori stuck them in the oven and then said, "Well there's a first time for everything. It'd be good for ya. And I know Johnnie would tell ya the same thing."
She smiled and patted Jameson on the back. She went to the next confection on the schedule. Lori and her husband Rick were the only ones who knew Johnnie better than just the small town rumors. They knew that despite his criminal past that he loved his sister and wouldn't ever hurt her. The rest of the town thought of him as a scum of the earth criminal, a drug-dealing murderer.
Jameson mulled over what she had said and decided that she would ask her brother about it. It hadn't occurred to her but when Lori said that, Jameson thought 'DUH'. She'd call when she got home and check if he could take calls yet. She knew that Lori was right though; Johnnie would want her to make a friend.
The day went fast. After getting everything baked, decorated and displayed the day was almost over. The customers that came in vary from the local church ladies to the college kids coming for the cupcake assortments. Jameson wished she could work at the bakery full time and stop working at the bar. At noon Jameson heard Daryl's motorcycle pulling in. She punched out her time card and walked outside.
"Nice apron," He said with a smirk. Jameson sighed and looked down at the apron, which she had doused with chocolate frosting.
"I thought I'd take some chocolate frosting home." She snarked and snorted. "Clumsy today." Daryl grunted and then nodded. She walked over and pulled the filthy thing off, shoving it into her bag. She slung it behind her and climbed on the bike.
"Did ya call Jim?" he asked turning, looking at her over his shoulder.
Jameson shook her head and said, "I didn't have time. Figured I could just go there and see. You could talk to him then."
"K. Ya hungry?" he asked.
Jameson felt her stomach rumble at the thought of sustenance. "Actually yeah, very, didn't have time ta eat either." She said with a laugh. Daryl pulled out of the parking lot and drove to the diner.
Daryl was amused when he saw her exit the bakery. She was covered in chocolate. He saw some in her hair but he didn't tell her. She smelled like chocolate and baked bread that afternoon. 'Jameson after working at the bakery' was his new favorite smell of all time. He didn't think he would ever smell something as mouth watering. He was happy they would eat before going to the repair shop. He didn't want her to get her car back just yet, he wanted to sit and talk or even just to look at her.
They pulled up to the diner and Jameson hopped off the motorcycle. Daryl slid off and walked to the diner door, opening it for Jameson to walk through. He saw her pause and stare at him.
"Wha?" he asked confused why she wouldn't walk through the door. Jameson shook her head and walked in. Daryl followed her and they went to the booth that she seemed to always sit in. She sat in her usual spot and Carol came over. Daryl wondered if Carol worked at the diner all day and night because he hadn't seen any other waitresses.
"Well hello there." Carol said with a tiny smile. "How are ya hun?" she asked while looking at Jameson. Daryl looked at Jameson and saw that she was pink. Daryl thought it was adorable.
'Adorable?' he groaned inwardly. 'This's what happens when Merle isn' here ta kick yer ass.' He thought.
"Good, you? How's Sophia? " She asked while looking at the table top, picking at the chipped formica. Daryl decided he was happy to see that she was as uncomfortable with people putting their noses in her business as he was.
"She's good. My lil angel. She's the lead in the school play next week," Carol said with a large grin. Daryl nodded and said, "S'good."
Jameson said, "That's great. Tell 'er I'm proud of her"
Daryl ordered the fried chicken with biscuits and gravy while Jameson ordered a club sandwich with fries and waited for it to arrive. Daryl had a sneaking suspicion Carol was delaying the food so they sat there together longer. He cut his eyes over to the kitchen to figure it out but he couldn't tell. He felt antsy and then frustrated that he felt antsy. This is what he wanted but he didn't know how to do it.
"Did you like the donuts this morning?" she asked while biting her bottom lip.
"Ya. Don' tell Merle but the pink one was my favorite." He said with a crooked smile. Jameson chuckled and said, "Yeah the passion fruit strawberry cream. Fuckin' delicious."
He snorted and shook his head, "Jesus I liked somethin' with passion fruit in the name."
Jameson smirked and nodded. Daryl rubbed his face and sat back, crossing his arms. James laughed and said, "It's ok I won't rat you out to the Man Union or anything." Daryl rolled his eyes and sipped his coke. Carol comes back with their food.
"Ya need anythin' else?" Carol asked sweetly. They both shook their heads and dug in.
Jameson was confused when Daryl held the door open for her. She couldn't remember the last time someone had done that for her. She walked in and sat at her normal booth and realized that now people would be seeing Daryl and her together, eating together, like friends or something. She cringed when Carol came over, dreading what the woman was going to say or ask. It was awkward and it made Jameson anxious. When Daryl told Jameson his favorite donut was the pink one she wanted to tease him but he seemed liked he get pissed off. She thought it was adorable how ashamed he was for liking a pink color food.
They ate in companionable silence. Jameson was happy she didn't need to fill the silence with meaningless chatter and she was glad he didn't ask her tons of questions.
"Any word 'bout Merle? What'd he do anyways?" Jameson asked when she finished her sandwich.
"Beat a guy up, stole his drugs, got caught." He said, chewing on his lip.
"The public defender's gonna call me." Daryl said while twisting the wrapper to his straw. Jameson nodded. She knew how to talk to bar customers but it was usually idle chitchat to get them tip her. She didn't know how to keep up a real conversation.
"Ya like the bakery or the bar better?" he asked while looking up from the shredded paper. Jameson sipped her soda and shrugged one shoulder. "The bar pays more, with tips and all. Bakery is nicer and smells better. I do like baking better than dealin' with drunks." she said while leaning her head back. She's exhausted from two back-to-back shifts at both jobs.
Daryl nodded and said, "Ya tired?"
Jameson nodded and responded, "Yeah. Hate working back to backs. Pays the bills though."
Daryl cleared his throat and said, "Le's go. Get ya home to sleep."
He pulled out cash and took the receipt. Jameson grabbed his hand and said, "Your not payin'. You've been drivin' me all over. I got it." She pulled out her wad of tip money.
"Nah. I got it." He said and placed money on the ticket.
Jameson growled, "I'm payin' half then."
Daryl shook his head and stood up. "Come on. Leave it." He said dismissively.
Jameson glared at him and he glared back, crossing his arms daring her to argue. She huffed out a breath and said, "Don' need ya to pay for my shit."
He nodded and said, "I know but I'm gonna so get over it." He nodded to Carol and held the diner door open, waiting for Jameson to follow. She growled and stood up.
"Bye Carol." She muttered while walking towards the exit.
"See ya hun. Bye Daryl. Tell Merle 'Hi' for me." She said sweetly with a sad look in her eyes.
Daryl slid onto his bike and Jameson hopped on back. She felt grumpy and irritated that he paid for her food. She knew he didn't even have a job and she didn't need to feel like she owed him even more. He was already driving her around and she felt guilty enough for taking advantage of it. They rode to the repair shop and Daryl parked next to Jameson's beater.
Jim strolled out of the shop, wiping his hands off. "Hey Jameson. I got 'er workin' again." He said while glancing over at Daryl. Daryl raised his chin in greeting.
"Thanks Jim. What's the damage?" she said while pulling out an envelope of her spare cash.
"It's gonna be $380, parts 'n labor. Just give me what ya can. We can figure out a payment plan if ya need." He replied while pulling out an invoice. Jameson nodded and said, "I got $200 for ya. I can get the rest by the end of the month. Sorry." She felt embarrassed to be talking about her lack of cash in front of Daryl. She didn't want him feeling sorry for her.
"No worries James, Tol' ya it was fine. Let me just put a note in my book. Be right back." Jim said, taking the cash and walking back into the office. Jameson shuffled her feet, looking at the ground. Her cheeks were burning. She could feel Daryl watching her. She had an urge to yell at him to stop looking at her but knew it would be rude and completely uncalled for. She was the one acting odd.
'Of course he's staring at ya. You're acting like a nut job.' She scolded herself. 'You can't even look at him like a normal person.'
Jim walked back out with a receipt and her keys. "Here ya go James. Now bring 'er back if she gives ya any more trouble. I checked everything else over so she should be good ta go." He said handing the keys to Jameson.
"Thanks Jim. Um..Sorry I forgot. This is Daryl. He's lookin for work. Do ya need anyone?" she said, glancing back at Daryl who was leaning against his bike.
Daryl stood up and walked over, shaking Jim's hand. "Daryl Dixon." He introduced himself. Jim smiled and asked him what kind of experience he had. Daryl listed off all the vehicles and mechanical systems he knew. They spoke for a few minutes while Jameson stood there playing with her keys.
"Well, I did just let one of my guys go. He was takin shit. It's not a lot of hours and the pay is crap but we could work somethin' out. Ya got a place nearby?" Jim asked. "Livin' at the motel up the road," Daryl said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Well I got a room up top there," Jim said, pointing at the tiny apartment above his shop, "It smells like motor oil but it's clean. I could give ya the room as part of a salary since I can't pay ya a great wage. Would that work for ya?"
Daryl nodded and said, "Ya that'd be great. I could pay rent. I'd figure it out."
Jim shook his head, "Nah. It's just been empty. I crash there if I'm the doghouse with my old lady but it's yours if ya want it. You could start tomorrow morning if that works? 7am."
Daryl nodded again, "That'd be great. Thankya Jim." They shook hands again and Jim told him to just bring his stuff over whenever. Jameson smiled and walked over to her car. She threw her bag in the passenger seat and turned around, leaning against the side of the car. Daryl walked over, his hands still deep in his pockets.
"Glad it worked out," Jameson said jutting her chin at the auto shop.
"Yeah. Thanks for helpin'" he said, looking at her through his hair.
"Didn' do anything, just introduced you two. You're the one who knows cars and shit." She responded, picking at her jacket sleeve.
"Still. Thanks…..Um well guess I'll see ya at the bar or something. I mean now that ya don't need a chauffer." He said with a crooked smile.
Jameson nodded and said, "Ya," she cleared her throat and added, "I'll save ya a stool." She smiled.
Daryl grunted and chewed on his lip. "Let me know if your car acts up. I can look at. Save ya some money," he said while looking down the road. Jameson nodded and sat down in the drivers seat, leaving the door open.
Daryl walked over and closed her door once she was settled. He tapped his knuckles on the roof and cleared his throat. "I'll see ya Jameson." He said quietly.
She tucked her hair back, fingers getting caught in sticky chocolate.
She chuckled, "You didn't tell me I had chocolate in my hair."
Daryl slips twitched and said, "Thought ya were savin' it for later."
Jameson shook her head and muttered, "Yer an ass."
Daryl smirked and said, "I'll see ya soon."
Jameson started her car and backed out of her spot. She watched Daryl climb onto his bike and nodded a good bye at her. She felt a wave of disappointment hit her. She had grown attached to riding behind Daryl.
'You're an idiot. Don't get attached. Stupid girl. Guys like Daryl don't stay in one place for long.' She berated herself.
She decided she would go home and call the prison. She didn't know if Johnnie still had phone privileges but she wanted to hear his voice. She wanted him to tell her she's being stupid and to stop hanging out with guys who won't stick around. Secretly though she hoped he'd say stop being such a pussy and call the fucker.
Daryl watched her drive away and felt his gut twist. He liked having her ride behind him. He liked feeling her small arms wrapped around his stomach, her warm thighs against his. He enjoyed her smell enveloping him and the tickle of her hair hitting his neck. He decided he would go check out of the motel, bring the little belongings he had to the shop's apartment and then maybe text her. He didn't know what he'd say but he wanted to keep in touch. He wanted to know her better. He wanted to know if she was still with the guy who was in prison or if she had moved on. He decided if she was still with the guy he'd still talk to her. He would hope that hanging out with him would make her change her mind about waiting for some criminal.
Daryl rode back to the dingy motel and paid the rest of his bill. He grabbed his bag shoving Merles left over stuff into it, slung it across his chest and put his cross bow in this back. He's been meaning to hunt but hadn't had the time in the last week. He decided he would go for a hunt after settling in at the new place. He would feel less stressed and get himself some dinner. He still needed to get the truck out of impound but it would need to wait until he got a paycheck. He had no idea how long they kept vehicles for or if there was a time limit before they kept the damn thing.
He parked his bike behind the shop and Jim popped his head out, handing Daryl the keys to the place upstairs.
"It has a little kitchette, and a tiny bathroom but it works for a single guy. Let me know if ya need anythin'. I'm usually outta here by 6pm. I'll see ya tomorrow at 7am." Daryl nodded and thanked him. He climbed the steep stairs and made his way into his new apartment. It was tiny but perfect for someone who spent most of their time in the woods. He laid his bag and crossbow down. He used the restroom, which had a tiny shower stall, toilet and wall mounted sink. There was a twin-sized bed with a few blankets and the kitchen had a few pots and pans, cheap dishes and silverware. He wouldn't need to buy anything to make it habitable. Daryl felt lucky to have stumbled upon a job and a home in one day. He wanted to thank Jameson again so he decided that would be what he would text her.
Thanks again
for talking to Jim
Place is good ~Daryl
He sat on the squeaky bed and waited for a response. When it didn't come right away he figured she had passed out when she got home. He grabbed his crossbow and headed out to the woods behind the shop. He knew that the forest stretched all around the area and that it was full of delicious creatures he could eat for dinner.