Standing at the edge of the small camp Fallon took in her surroundings. There wasn't much, since it looked fairly new there was the shack she woke up in a car or two and oh yeah a tank... She still didn't know where her stuff was being held, and if she had any hope of getting out of here she was going to need it. She slowly circled the perimeter pretending to wander around aimlessly, kicking pebbles as she walked. Her eyes surveyed as she walked, the people looking mostly scared about the pending attack, not that she blamed them.
"Fallon hey!" Jesse's raspy yell sounded from behind her.
She sighed and spun around "Jesse," she answered crossing her arms.
"So, I wanted to apologize about before... I... Didn't mean to... Us know," he looked down and wiped the hair from his face.
"You know how to push my buttons... I just react a bit differently now," she ignored his apology.
"Yeah," he rubbed his neck "So I think you could have your stuff back, you made quite an impression on Phil," Jesse motioned for her to come with him.
"Oh did I?" she smirked shaking her head.
"Don't you always," he raised his brows "Always knew how to make an entrance," he chuckled.
Fallon shot him a look.
"What? Oh come on its not a bad thing. You know what I mean,"
She smiled "I guess,"
Fallon didn't want to be liking her conversation with Jesse, she didn't want to feel comfortable here. Bit, he was making it hard for her, she didn't want to trust him or anyone of these people for that matter.
"What's the deal with Trev, he hasn't looked at me since he brought me here," Fallon changed the subject.
"Oh... He's been going through some stuff... Brought up old feelings if you get what I'm talking about," Jesse looked down his voice low.
"Oh no... Poor guy," Fallon whispered absently touching the scar on her arm. "He's different though,"
"Fallon were all different," Jesse answered with a sigh.
"I know that asshole, but I don't know there's just something," her voice was quiet so low Sheba's almost talking to herself,"
"He's just being protective he doesn't want to loose anymore people," Jesse finally broke down and said.
"That's understandable," Fallon looked down as the people she's gotten killed crossed her mind.
They walked in silence for a little bit longer before stopping at a rusted out car. Taking a quick look inside she could see a stockpile of weapons, mostly handguns but a few rifles and an assortment of knives. She darted her green eyes from Jesse back to the car hoping that he was going to open it.
"Your stuff should be up front the key is with Merle," Jesse pointed his chin on the direction she should go.
"Wait... Merle? Like rude redneck Merle?" She asked her voice cracking in surprise.
"That's the one," Jesse flashed her a smile.
God that smile was a killer, pushing the thought away she turned and jogged in the direction Jesse told her to go. Embers burned in a pile near an opening of a tent, what looked like parts of motorcycle strewn about the ground.
"Fucking pieceashit garbage, good fer nothin' shit!" That distinct rasp bellowed from behind the tent.
"Um, Merle?" Fallon called.
"What the fuck do ya want can't ya see I'm busy!" His voice yelled from around the tent.
"It actually looks like you're making a mess a d this bike is kicking your ass," she teased in her sarcastic tone.
There was some shuffling before he trudged out from behind the tent ready to raise some hell. Seeing Fallon there he stopped "Well look at this shit,"
"Nice to see you too Merle," she raised her eyebrows.
"How's my little brother?" He asked not wasting any time.
"Last I saw he was okay, I wouldn't know anymore," Fallon kept her voice strong but inside it hurt just thinking about him and everyone else.
He scowled not getting the answer he wanted. "Well what do ya want?" He turned his back.
"To get my stuff from the car Jesse said you had the key," Fallon sighed and blocked the sun from her eyes.
"I do," he continued his work on the bike.
"Well let's fuckin' go," she widened her eyes and motioned for them to move.
"Don't feel like it," he chuckled.
"Merle this isn't fuckin' funny I want my shit," the anger was starting bubble in her stomach.
"No need to get your panties ina bunch, I got yur shit right here," he leaned down and grabbed a tattered bag and tossed it at her.
Fallon caught it giving him a confused look "Why did ya have it out already?"
"Heard some little chick tackled Jesse so I took a look in da car and there was that damn axe a yours," Merle answered.
"But still…" she said still confused on how he knew it was hers.
"I saw ya," he finally admitted "Trev walked by here with ya,"
"Oh," she nodded "Merle can I ask ya somethin',"
He looked over.
"Do you believe what this Philip guy is sayin'," she asked her eyes darting around for anyone listening.
"You sure ya wanna go down that road girl?" Merle warned.
"Got it," Fallon took his warning "Thanks for gettin' my stuff," Fallon nodded.
"You think they are still where you left them?" Merle asked as she started to leave.
Taking a breath she answered "For their sake… I hope not… but yeah I think they are still there," she paused "You should get outta here," Merle nodded understanding what she was saying "I think you should head out that way," Fallon pointed her chin to the east "Good huntin' about seven or so miles that way,"
"I'll check that out," he gave her a nod.
"Be careful," Fallon gave him a smile.
Merle gave her a look "I'll be fuckin' fine," he chuckled "Your boyfriend is comin' back,"
Fallon turned her eyes falling on Jesse walking up to them, his smooth stride radiating his confidence. "So, Philip wants to talk to ya," Jesse's face started to look concerned before falling back into a nonchalant look.
"Oh, um okay," She answered her stomach twisting at the thought… the look on Jesse's face not easing her fear at all.
"Hey! Lee!" Jalissa yelled trying to catch up with her new found friend.
"Oh hey, Jalissa what's going on?" His warm voice greeting her.
"I… uhm… was wondering if you could help me with something… since you aren't doing anything right now," she smiled hoping he would say yes.
"Depends on what it is," He crossed his arms her question sparking his attention.
Jalissa pulled out her pistol "This… Target practice on the fence walkers,"
Lee crunched his eyebrows together "I don't think that using the gun is a great idea this close," He paused watching her face go form hopeful to disappointed. "But if you go grab the spear you made I'd gladly help you out," Lee smiled flashing his prefect teeth.
Returning the smile and uttering a thanks as she ran to get her spear. They walked to the fence together "So… why isn't Rick helping you out?" Lee finally asked.
"Well… He's been busy and I've gotten tired of waiting for him," Jalissa answered her face growing a bit sad.
"How long have you been waiting?" Lee inquired.
Jalissa took a breath "Since I met him… we tried a few times but got interrupted for something more important," She looked down trying to keep her voice strong.
"Jalissa there is nothing more important than being able to keep yourself safe," Lee looked at her with concern making the butterflies Jalissa's stomach twitch.
"Ya know… I had a friend who said that too me… I can see now she was just trying to help but… I just didn't get it back then," Jalissa reflected.
"Musta been a good friend," Lee nodded.
"Yeah… she was…" Jalissa didn't say much else her name was still a sore subject around here for most people… At least Daryl was moving on though…
Lee nodded taking the hint this wasn't the time to talk about this. They made it to the designated walker killing spot. There was so many more then last time she was down here… Jalissa awkwardly raise her spear her eyes darting from it to the walker back to Lee.
"Go ahead let me see what you got," Lee said to her.
Jalissa stood in front of the fence her feet planted in front of her, the snarling of the walkers tryong to get an east meal making her feel uncomfortable… bringing back her arm she reached back and jutted the spear through one of the heads of the many beasts lining their home throwing her off balance and stumbling back. Nervously she looked at Lee who had a neutral look on his face not giving away what he thought about what he just saw.
"Well, you defiantly a start there, there is just like one of two things that are throwing you off, let me show you," He off offered as Jalissa went to stand to the side. "Oh, no come on up with me the only way you could fix what you need is to see what you're doing wrong," he paused and stood as Jalissa did "What's wrong with this?" he asked her.
"Um… well… it doesn't look like you have good footing…" she tried.
"Then why would you stand like that?" Lee asked.
"Huh? I guess I didn't realize.
"All you needed to do was put some weight on that back foot and adjust your stance and boom roamer killer extraordinar," he smiled his light brown eye keeping an eye on everything around,
"Well, I wouldn't say that," she smiled looking away from him.
"That's the other thing Jalissa confidence is going to take you along way… just be confident in the skills you have and just do it no hesitating!" he was trying to get her pumped up bouncing around from foot to foot making her crack up.
"Okay! Okay! Stop Lee oh my god!" she was laughing "Okay,"
"Okay, try again," He stepped out of the way, "Remember confidence,"
Jalissa nodded and stood infront of the fence again taking a deep rot filled breath she shut her eyes… you got this… she felt Lee get behind her…
"Remember foot back," He gently reminded her his hands turning her body into a fighting stance "Just like that,"
Jalissa nodded "I got it," She narrowed her eyes already feeling a bit more confident.
Jalissa brought back her unwavering arm, her dark brown eyes narrowed in on her target, a rather gangly looking thing the woman's face falling off leaving her cheek and rotting teeth exposed. With a step forward, her body naturally taking over, she jutted her arm forward and plunged the point of her wooded spear through the eye of her target. Pulling back her weapon she turned to Lee a massive smile on her face.
"I did it!" She almost squeaked.
"Told ya!" Lee returned her smile.
"Thank you so so much, I don't know how I could ever repay you," Jalissa threw her arms around Lee.
He gently and hesitantly returned the hug "Just don't get yourself killed,"
"Why don't you get your arms off of her," Rick's voice cut into the silence.
Lee jumped back and turned around to face Rick "Hey man… look it's not what you think,"
"Why don't you get the hell outta her then," Rick almost snarled a deep scowl on his face
Jalissa looked at Rick with utter shock on her face. Why is he being so rude to someone who just wants to help! You would think he would be happy she was finally ready to learn how to fight and defend herself.
"Rick, Lee was just helping me get rid of some of these walkers. I don't know if you noticed, but the number of walkers that have piled up against the fences have doubled since last night."
" By having his hand above your ass, he's helping you get rid of the walkers?" His blue eyes judging her.
Jalissa looked back at the guard tower he just came from.
"You're spying on me? I wouldn't cheat on you. I thought you trusted me. "
" I trust you, it's him I don't trust, Jalis. He's just like Jesse. He's just trying to get into your pants. If you want help killing walkers, why didn't you come to me?"
Jalissa turned away from Rick, bringing her attention back to the snarling beasts in front of her, jamming her handmade wooden spear through one of the many holes of the gate, automatically killing the walker in front of her.
She jerked her arms back, yanking her weapon out of the walkers head, spraying her worn jeans with its blood.
Rick's eyes widened in surprise.
"Jalissa, answer me," his voice growing assertive, removing her spear from her hands.
She forced herself to look at him, taking a deep breath before answering.
"You wanna know why I didn't come to you?"
He nodded.
"Rick, you're giving me god damn whiplash. One minute, you can't stand to be around me, then the next you're pissed at me for not going to you for training on killing walkers. You need to tell me what you want. Are you in this with me or are you out? I can't keep doing this constant push and pull with you anymore."
Rick removed his knife from his side, turning toward the fence. He handed Jalissa back her spear.
"I'll give you my answer after we controlled the build up against the fences, deal?"
"Deal," she sighed in frustration, wanting his answer already.
The two of them only had about 10 walkers left standing.
"You did good, Jalis,"
Rick went to pat her back only for her to step away from his touch.
"Are you in or out?"
Rick dropped his knife, charging at her. With both of his hands, he grabbed her face, planting the first kiss on her lips in weeks. Jalissa dropped her weapon, wrapping her arms around his neck, his growing beard scratching against her skin. She pulled away, opening her eyes, looking at him in confusion.
"Was that a goodbye kiss?" she asked feeling just as nervous as she did after their fist kiss at the farm house
"No." Rick answered, a smile on his face his tired blue eyes looking right into hers.
"I was hoping you would say that." Her voice was soft as he clutched the back of his shirt.
Rick smiled, leaning in to kiss her again
Lee walked off from Jalissa after Rick came around and made it abundantly clear that Jalissa was his and no guy was going to even look at her. Yeah, she was a pretty girl but that wasn't why he was with her, Lee was legitimately trying to help her out because SHE asked HIM. so much for helping people… Lee shook his head and headed for his turn on guard duty, at least that was something he liked, and he could take out some of the walkers that were starting to push on the fence. Lee wrapped his strong fingers around the fire place poker he still had from helping Jalissa out and jogged for the fence. The walker snapping its exposed teeth its dead, graying fingers clutching at the metal, the skin disintegrating from its face, the whole body leaning on the gate trying to get through.
"Sorry," Lee shrugged his deep voice ringing out alerting it.
Pulling back his muscular arm he aimed his weapon through the hole in the fence, pushing his arm forward the point drove into the head of the beast with a wet crack. Silenced, she fell to the floor off of the weapon leaving what was left of her eye on the tip. Lee scowled and jiggled the poker trying to get the goo off before he pulled it back to him. Eventually, with some struggle, the eye plopped off falling in the weeds next to its owner.
Looking at the bodies piling up a thought crossed Lee's mind, there was way more walkers here then last week… they were starting to come in larger herds now… maybe it was time to reinforce the structure they called home. Yes, it was a prison but even this wasn't built to keep out hungry walkers; herds of them.
He was so distracted by this thoughts, that he didn't hear the banging on the doors at first. Lee snapped his head up and jogged for the door, he didn't think any one was out… Emily and Daryl came back about an hour ago… The banging got louder and more rapid.
"HEY!" a southern drawl yelled from behind the door "You gunna let me in or let these damn walkers eat me!" the female yelled.
Lee looked down deciding what to do, he heard her grunt and the crack of something splitting open a walkers head, Lee didn't recognize this voice. But, he though, he hasn't been here very long he didn't know everyone yet…
"Fuck it," He mumbled to himself she sounded desperate he couldn't leave her out there to die… he was ready to take care of it if she became a problem.
Wrapping his hand around the chain he pulled hard causing the doors to crack open just enough to let a person through. The woman tumbled through the crack, a mess of blood and sweat stained clothes, a wild look in her dark green eyes. Lee's eyes immediately fell upon her axe, his hand clutching his weapon. Pushing the door closed his eyes didn't leave this female intruder, nobody was going to get hurt because of his decision to open the door. Then, she did something that Lee didn't expect, she dropped her weapon onto the dirt and tossed the gun she had with her next to it her hands up in defense a jagged scar on her arm distracting him for a split second.
"I need ta see Rick… or… Daryl," Her voice was strong but a worried look in her eyes threw him off.
"Yeah sure let me get him," Lee scofted.
"No! Please! You aren't understanding me! Everyone's life is in danger here!" her voice cracked.
At that Lee lunged forward his arm grabbing for the woman, she wasn't going to hurt anyone if he had anything to do with it. His arms wrapped around her thin body putting her into a head lock, her legs flailed around as she struggled to get out of his grasp. The sting of her fingernails cutting into the skin on his forearms made Lee loosen his grip just enough for her to wriggle free. She started to run for the yard, but he took off and grabbed her again, this time throwing her to the floor a low yelp escaping her lungs, putting his knee on her back he yelled for the closest person to come help.
"What the hell?" Daryl's accent rang as he ran up to the commotion.
Lee had someone, a woman by the looks of it, on the ground his knee digging into her back and her legs kicking as she struggled against him. Daryl Had is crossbow ready for what could possibly end badly for the woman.
"This woman," Lee started but was interrupted by the person he was holding down.
"FUCKING DICK, GET OFFA ME!"
Daryl sucked in a breath his heartbeat quickening a bit "Let'er up!" HE almost yelled as he pulled Lee off of the woman.
Daryl almost dropped his crossbow when she rolled over, he took in a sharp breath to regain his composure. This couldn't be happening, his eyes glided over her… her blood stained clothes, the worn boots, her now longer hair pulled back into a ponytail away from her beautiful face, those big green eyes fiercely looking back at him. Keeping his bow aimed at her he motioned his head for her to get up, which she did her hands up in defense.
"Daryl… please listen to me," Fallon's voice shook.
All he wanted to do was listen to her, but she knew the consequences for coming back they were very clear. Daryl broke his eye contact with her briefly, looking behind her to Lee who had picked up her weapons.
"That everythin' you have on ya Fallon?" Daryl asked keeping his voice low.
"Yeah," She answered sharply.
Daryl sighed and stepped to her grabbing her arm roughly and spinning her around, Fallon grunted and didn't try to escape. Daryl pulled a knife from her boot and threw it on the floor a smile almost crossing his face.
"You would remember," she looked down.
Daryl released her arm and pushed her towards Lee "Take 'er to the holding cell," Daryl grumbled "Follow me,"