What's this?

What's this I have updated. There will be mistakes and errors with run ons and grammar. But I got really tired of staring at my words. Let me know what you think.

"In A Big Country"

Daryl was dead serious when he told Sasha not to dress fancy and what does she do? Yep! She dressed fancy, complete with some frilly hat on her head.

'But my god does she look good though, the dress does not hid a damn thing and who better to sway her hips around him like that but Sasha', Daryl thought. He gave her once over before telling her to change and how sad.

"I was being serious back there. That dress would not do at all and there is no way in hell you would be comfortable sitting side saddle on a motorcycle." Daryl said while eyeing her up and down, he chuckle at the thought.

The daylight was already burning and he was pressed for time, Daryl wants to get the drinking tab squared away with the pub owner before leaving and they didn't have the time to send her back home to change, he sent her to Michonne cabin to find her something else to wear. Sasha returned a few minutes later, a knowing smile on her face and politely commented that Michonne was indisposed. That bit of news frustrated Daryl to high hell. He curses as he led them both back to his room and proceeds to find her something of his she could wear. Sasha was surprise by how neat and well together everything was in Daryl cabin and let him know. Daryl didn't say anything he hands her a clean shirt, pants and night vision goggle and left her in his room so she could get dress.

Sasha was a tiny bit hurt that Daryl had no intentions of having a drink with her. He didn't say anything nice about her looks either and she took great care in her dress she had on too. He just says no and sends her to Michonne for something that will feel comfortable on since she will be riding behind him. Sasha did not have to knock on Michonne to know that her friend had other plans and plans she did She could hear the both of them. Daryl lead her to his room and sure she was surprise by the state of his room, seriously who would not have thought the guy was a neat freak, and says so, she saw the frown but not even a peep. Oh, this is going to be a great night as she rolls her eyes just for that Sasha was tempted to turn one of his book inside down or backwards just to see if he would notice. She is going to do it after she gets dress. After changing and fashioning one of Daryl belt to hold the pants up they went to see Jesus who looks at Sasha with am interested and puzzled look on his face, Sasha told him that they weren't going to drinks but Daryl corrected her he said something about leaving the pub some money make sure the bill was square and then meet the contact. Jesus then motions to the selection of weapons Daryl had requested.

After sharing a joke and a drink with the crew, Sasha had to stop and talk with almost every single patron as she should because this was her hometown, everyone knows everyone and yes they were all taken back by her apparel, they say nothing. Sasha joked about it and they laughed along with her but they would wait until she left her establishment to gossip all about showing up with Daryl Dixon, it was the polite thing to do.

This better not be a complete waste of time.' Daryl thought, while ever so often throwing pebbles into the foggy night, his vision barely catching each pebble hitting the tree, he was aiming for, falls in the moss around the tree roots.

Sasha was whispered to him, she spoke about some party she went too and couldn't remember the name of the champagne she drank. Then she asks him about his family and how he knew Rick Grimes. Daryl was quiet for a minute as he played with the pebbles in his hand. Sasha was sure she wasn't going to get anything from him and sighs.

Daryl chuckle "Okay, I met Rick while robbing a bank back in Georgia."

"What." Sasha exclaims, "Why were you two robbing a bank? Are you guys outlaws?"

"Can I tell you the story or you want to fill in the holes."

"Sorry, yes, tell me." Sasha moves in closer towards him because she did not want to miss anything.

Daryl breathe hitched at the sudden nearness and lost his train of thought, he clears his throat before continuing, "Yeah, I was robbing this bank out in Georgia, this hoytee toytee uppity place, with all sorts of drinks and sweets laid out on the table for the customers. I'm casing the place with my brother Merle but he was busy shoveling his face down with those tiny cakes.

"Petite fours." She asks.

"Yes, those, the banker made it a point to express how they came from oversees and these tiny sweet. While he was busy stuffing his face, I immediately saw the flaw in their security system and after leaving we decided to hit the place the next day."

Daryl glances over to see Sasha, who was quiet listening intently, eating the story up and waiting for him to continue.

"So the next morning everything was going great, my brother and I barge in the place with guns blazing and we're screaming for everyone to kiss the ground and while my brother was about to blow up the safe this guy shoves a gun to my head and tells me 'and I was having such a beautiful morning too.' I turn around looking down at the barrel of this huge gun and I said 'me too.'" Daryl pauses because he thought he heard something.

'Oh my God, I cannot believe this, Daryl's an outlaw' Sasha says to herself, "And then what happen."

"Then Rick shouts time and then Merle comes out the back giving us the time. Yeah, really hoytee toyee place but their security system was crap."

"Wait a minute, what, what just happened here." The confusion written all over her face.

Daryl smiles, "Oh! You thought I really robbed a bank, No, I'm weapons and security, we were doing a friend a favor, she thought her father was being a bit lacking in caring for his business, the patrons and their money. So we 'rob' his bank to let him know his security system wasn't working."

"What was he using before?"

"Nothing."

"Did he make any changes?"

"Yeah he did."

"Real smooth Dixon, Sasha nudges shoulder with his, "and here I thought you were an outlaw or something. You really had me there." She smiles.

"I thought you already know how Rick and I know each other, the way you were on the ship asking questions, being in everyone faces causing a commotion with all." Daryl says circling the air around Sasha.

"Causing a commotion? Sasha smirks at Daryl, "Probably for you, everyone loves me on your ship. You wouldn't know what to do if I even gave you the time or day."

"I must certainly know what to do."

"But who says I'll give you the time to do something."

"Miss William," Now it was Daryl turn to lean in to Sasha, "I am confident that I can say something, anything to that pretty face of yours, maybe whisper some things in your ear."

'Oh my…Yes, whisper something to me.' Sasha thought.

Sasha was about to say something when they heard the telltale moan of the dead, the scent permeated the air around them. They dispatch the five emaciated bodies rather quickly and quietly.

They return to the ship several hours later empty handed and no closer to finding Negan's ship or Carl Daryl had no idea who this contact was, this person had reached out to the King and. Making sure Miss William was safely home Daryl paid a visit to the Kingdom that same night, to hell with how late it was.

Daryl had to check all of his weapons at the gate even his gauntlets. Scowling and frowning at the knights stationed at the entrance to the home of the King and queen, he had very little to say to them. They even asked him if there were any more weapons, of course there was more but Daryl didn't feel the liberty to mention or say anything about the knives hidden at the sole of his boots. Daryl shakes his head and follows quietly behind the woman who took him to the auditorium where the King had his customary greetings and meetings. He listens as the King apologizes for their source while petting his tiger Shiva, the tiger was enjoying the attention but kept a watchful eye on Daryl, Daryl kept a watchful eye on the tiger while the Queen showed little interest in the matter that was brought before them.

The King once again reassured him that he will send out his very best to find out what went wrong and will send word back to the ship.

"Why can't this contact come directly to us?" Why you?" Daryl asks eyeing The King suspiciously.

"I have eyes everywhere Mr. Dixon, I trust this source."

Dissatisfied with that response Daryl frown at the both and left without even saying a goodbye.

The second night, was a larger company with Rick, Miss Brownfield and Miss William joining him and the four of them sat in the dark foggy night. Miss William had the company to whisper with Miss Brownfield.

Daryl eyes the sword Miss Brownfield had with her and notice how new it was, "Something new," Daryl ask pointing at her sword resting in her lap, "how many swords is that now?"

Michonne chuckle, "Three, she's beautiful, right?" Before they could respond, Michonne slowly unsheathe it, "It's made of silver too courtesy of Jesus."

They all agreed.

"Very wise." Rick adds, "Considering how you favor them."

"Yes, but I am so in favor to your ray gun too." Michonne raise her left eye and smirk at Rick while letting her eye wonder stopping just at his gun belt and slowly back at his face.

As the night rolls on everyone did not miss Rick repeatedly opening, checking the time and closing his pocket watch. They could tell he was getting antsy and uneasy and he had every right to be it was getting extremely late and Daryl was getting even more livid by the second. He never believed the words of a man who was 'playing' royalty. Daryl had thoughts of wringing The King neck himself when they were greeted with the scent of the dead. A larger horde of twenty maybe more had close in on them. They were back to back and had a problem in taken them out, Daryl had just removed his knife from the skull of a dead one when he saw Miss William trip and fall. The circle was broken and now the dead were focusing their attention on fallen fresh meat. Daryl frustrated with The King, fighting the dead, reaches for his gun; he knew the risk, the noise the gun makes when fire but he did it anyway.

They returned to the ship tired and listens in silence to Rick frustrated ranting on how he plans to wake up the whole Kingdom and have Daryl ready the ship's crew to drive out ready to make the trip to the

The met Jesus halfway up and he hand Rick a seal note address to him from someone name Alpha.

High up in the trees, the next night the four of them were being lead thru a winding maze of bright color rope and tents in the trees by a little girl, they were being lead deeper into the forest. The dense fog hid the tents in the tree well. The trail getting narrow until stopping at a giant oak tree, the little girl points up and turns around and left them standing there. They take the steps that were alongside the trunk of the tree and walk through the threshold, the home of Alpha. Now here they sat, inside Alpha's tent by her invitation, she allowed them to keep their weapons but she warns them if they were to try anything funny will be their last, she will kill them all.

Rick laughs, "I would like to see you try."

Alpha raises her brow at his boldness but says nothing, she offers them something to drink and they all decline.

"This is not a social call." Rick states, "What news do you have of my son?"

Alpha was motionless for a moment then removes her bright red hair from her face and face Rick,

"Aside being marked, plenty. Full moon is near, the boy starves." Alpha answers.

"We know the full moon is near. I want to know if you know where he is."

They wait for Alpha to say something, anything but again she is motionless.

Rick repeats the question.

Alpha gives Rick a penetrating stare, "I do, he was with Negan the last time I saw him."

"You saw him, you saw my son? Where is he?"

Alpha pats her hair down, "No, I am only going to answer one question but you're not asking the right one."

"What the hell is this, you invited us here, I am looking for my son, I am under the impression you know where he is based on the note you sent me."

"Did I?" Alpha asks a small smile on her face.

Rick was already irritated, he felt his hand was itching to blow her brains out but he stops himself, and exhales slowly he's tired and frustrated and takes a breathe.

Noticing Rick was about to do something, Michonne spoke up, "What do you mean by starves, is Carl starving himself?"

Alpha faces Michonne and looks at her as if she is seeing her for the first time in the room. Suddenly a gray and black cat appears, meows loudly then hops up and sits in Alphas lap, Alpha beams down at the cat and she is slow in petting, the purring of the cat loud in the quiet room, it flicks it tail and closes it green eyes, "This is my daughter Lydia." Alpha says to no one in particular.

The four of them exchanges looks with each other and watches as Alpha continues to pet her cat in silence, Rick sighs in irritation, he tilts his head side to side to works the kinks out of his neck, he was about to speak when the air suddenly got dry, prickly and electric.

The room was in complete silence when they first felt the presence then the room got extremely cold as they watch in shock as an apparition of a figure emits itself from the cat and enters Alpha.

"God damn it." Daryl shouts, "A witch, just great."

Daryl looks around the room frantically for clues. How the hell did he or Rick miss the damn anagrams on the walls?

Daryl looks down; they're were even sitting on the points of the pentagram. Daryl stands up hastily which made everyone stand up too.

"Stay where you are, all of you." a softer voice that came from Alpha said. "You'll break it and I won't be able to help you."

They stood motionless as they looks at each other and then one by one they all sat back down. This was clearly not Alpha, this person was a much younger version, her hair a safe lighter and eyes of green.

"Good." She said as she pet the sleeping cat in her lap, "Listen, we do not have enough time, I'm Lydia and the spell isn't meant to last that long. It was really silly of you to trust my mom. This is a trap."

"We came in confidence that no harm would come to us on the word of the note." Rick answer.

Lydia raises her hand in the air to silence Rick, "What word on the note, are you talking about The King or Gregory?"

"Okay, who is Gregory?" Daryl asks.

Lydia sigh, "Look, I have no time to explain, we must hurry. Michonne you asked why is Carl starving. I don't know, could be may think he is human or in defiance but he must eat. He hasn't eaten any kind of meat, nothing raw or bloody since becoming what he is."

Lydia realizes that this news wasn't registering with them yet and sighs again.

"Look, eating gives us all strength, sustenance. Without food and water we are nothing, we slowly waste away. For a were' it's all about storing sustenance and energy and helps eases a turn but no first turn is easy. In Carl's case his first turn he will be weak and fragile. As a new were' Carl won't be able to control himself, he will be stronger and faster but so will the hungry, it will be so strong nothing can contain this insatiable need to hunt and to feed. Negan is going to return him to you in accord of you not knowing this."

"Oh my God." Sasha whispers as she shakes her head.

They were all under the impression that since Negan can control himself so would Carl but this bit of news changes everything.

"Negan is releasing him just like that." Rick said in surprise but it was slowly registering why Negan would do this.

"Yes, but not for a happy reunion, It's all part of a much bigger plot. I'm sorry."

"Is it going to be like this every time he turns? This pain and hunger?" Michonne asks in concern.

Lydia shakes her head, "I do not know. Do you have a silver encased dungeon or cage, silver chains?"

"My son is not some kind of animal." Ricks shouts.

Lydia gives Rick a sympathetic look, "But there is something animal in him now. You have to be ready."

Lydia suddenly stops speaking and frantically looks down at the cat, stirring in her lap, "You have to leave now. Carl will be at the Hilltop in two days times. Ask for Gregory, do not trust any word he says. Just get you son and leave. Now, hurry, leave she is wak-."

It was happening again, the air was very still and once again the room is hot, prickly and electric.

"Hell you don't have to tell us twice." Daryl replied as he hustle everyone to leave. He never liked nor trust witches, they were right up there with mermaids and succubus's but he took the word of this one and continue to hustle everyone out.

It was a race against time when Rick left to see Eric in New York, he only took Jesus and Abe with him, leaving Daryl to get everything prepared In Virginia. The crew was helping him get things ready as well. Sasha was useful as she was well verse in tactics thanks to her brother, who was also in attendance. Michonne not sure where or how she can help called her dad for advice; she called at an hour she knew her mom would be out.

After having the phone brought to her cabin she place the heavy thing on the table and lifts the receiver and places it to her ear and begins to turns the rotary of each dials one by one and waits, she traces the insignia on the face of the phone while she waits to be connected.

"Brownfield residence." A melodious voice said on the other line.

Michonne cringe but spoke quickly, "Hiiii mom, I was wondering if you could put dad on the phone."

"Michonne? Is that you Michonne dear? Oh, how good of you to call darling. Listen we haven't heard from you in nearly a week. What is going on over there in Virginia? You know I really don't approve of this, especially ypu being a single lady and all and god knows how Virginia is treating you." Her mom said"

"There is nothing wrong being a modern woman in these time mom" Michonne replied.

Her mother sighs loudly in the phone, "Michonne I do not disprove of you being this modern woman and you can still do other things too." Michonne could hear the frown in her mom's voice when she said that and she says nothing in response.

"Michonne? Michonne darling you there?"

"I'm here and I know you don't approve had I been born a man surely things would have been different"

"Miss Michonne Jericka Brownfield I do not regret for a minute those two days of labor bringing you in this world, with those beautiful brown eyes and those chubby cheeks of yours, love at first sight. I would never regret it. So stop saying things like that"

Michonne sigh, "Your right mom, I am sorry and will not bring it up again But I have to do this and I really need to speak to dad, is he there?" She asks.

"Well of course he is, god knows what he does in that lab of his. Listen did you get my parcel? You should have because I got a certificate saying you did."

Michonne sighs, "I did receive it, very pretty invitation and yes I will be there, I really wish you hadn't done this though."

"Oh that is wonderful news; I've picked out a few dresses and some shoes out for you because I knew you would not have the time to do it. Would you be able to line up an escort? The man that owes the airship you're on, Grimes, he can escort you. I run in the same social circle as his mother and she stopped me in the café where I and your aunts always meet for tea catch up. Well you should have seen our faces when she cross the line and sat down across from us and join us for tea and she mention to me, very discreetly that she is tired of her sons travels and hopefully when everything safely and cautiously settles down and she then gives me this look "

Michonne says nothing she figures it would be best to let her mom get all the gossip out of the way.

"Do you know what that look said to me Michonne?"

'If only you both knew how well the both of us have gotten to know each other, what a scandal and shocker. Good thing it's up in the skies.' Michonne thought to herself

Michonne had an idea but wanted to entertain her mom for a moment more, "No, I wasn't there to see this look but what did this look say to you."

Zylphia chuckle, "Oh darling it's the look mothers share when they are about to plot.

Michonne sigh loudly in the phone, "Plotting Mother, you're plotting now with Mrs. Grimes, please whatever you both are thinking and trying to do I strongly advise against it."

She laughs instead. "Oh my goodness I almost forgot, I was speaking to your friend Andrea the other day. You do remember her right from your school days, why did you stop speaking to her because I do like her. Well I invited then to the ball but she had just informed me that she and Shane are expecting their second baby, baby number two. Isn't that wonder -."

Michonne cut her mom off before the conversation redirect itself to Michonne not being married again and she asks her mom if she could speak to dad again, her mom sighs heavily in the phone but told her to hold on.

It felt like forever holding on like that she was worried her mom would not be able to get her dad out of the lab but when she heard her dad on the other line Michonne sighs in relief. She quickly relive the past few days with her dad as he listen in silence.

"A werewolf?" he asks in interest, "How a turn of events, from someone stealing from us, to a kidnapping and now this. I wonder if this is all connected, hmm. Well there isn't much I can do from here. Do you know what kind of breed he is?"

"Breeding has something to do with it?"

"Surprisingly so it plays a very important role in this, was the man who marked the young Grimes tainted in any way or cursed?"

"I do not know."

"Well if you can send me any blood samples see if my colleagues over at the university can help me pinpoint something and see if you can get some kind of background on this Negan and be careful with that one."

"I think I can get something for you in two, maybe three days time."

"Michonne don't do anything that can get you seriously hurt. Maybe this was a bad idea for you to be there"

Michonne heard genuine concern in his voice, "Dad don't pull a mom on me now." She said this teasingly in a way to calm his but she reassured her dad one more time that was she was doing was right and for them all.

"Have to voice my concern every time dear. May it be in letters or phone calls, which by the way may be costing Grimes." He said

"I don't know how Jesus does it but I didn't need to use an operator to connect the call.

Frederick was thoughtful for a moment, "That Jesus is very resourceful."

"That he is."

"Speaking off, I am sending you my notes on the clockwork system to those steel beam and rods, the formula he wanted to use for the aether is off as well and I corrected it. That is quite a lot of steel so I can understand a pressurize boiling system with the clockwork but why the aether? You know, he said this was your idea."

Michonne smile, "It was my idea indeed."

Frederick beam proudly "That is wonderful; the student is becoming a teacher I assume?"

"Perhaps, perhaps, we will see if what we create will work."

Michonne then ask her dad a personal favor "Can you make sure mom knows that my favorite color is still purple, so nothing gold. I will not argue over the colors pink and red though but no gold."

It was easier to get through to her dad than her mom and he'll make sure to let her know.

He chuckles, "I will remind her."

"Let her know I love her just as much as I love you dad."

"Of course, and we love you too."

They said their good byes and hung up.

Mother and daughter were arguing, weapon of choice were the spells they cast on each other. Alpha had managed to get a more powerful spell and takes a hold of Lydia's apparition refusing to let her go.

"You stupid girl, do you know what you have done."

"Of course I know what I did; we do not owe Negan anything. He has no hold on us and I like the Grimes, they did nothing to deserve this."

"Everyone deserves something may it be good or bad, I do not know what it is that Negan has for that man but Negan has more hold of us than you can imagine."

"We are witches Alpha, you didn't have to try and kill them, and we need to focus all of our powers and curse Negan, kill him. Its' almost," Lydia stares at her mother and frowns, "Alpha are afraid of him. What are you not telling me?"

Alpha releases Lydia's apparition "He has something very precious to me and will not give it back until I fulfill the end of my bargain."

"What bargain?"

Alpha is already getting tired of the questions, "I have told you more than enough, now I need you to give that cat a break and get in the eagle and head back to The Bandit Hunter, I need your eyes on them again."

Lydia feeling free sat down and opens the book of spells, "I won't do it."

"You will do it. Or I will kill you again."

"There you go with the 'kill you' again. You should have done it when you still had a hold of me." Lydia memorizes the chant in front of her, "You know damn well I'm going to do it but I want a body trade."

Alpha frowns but was willing to listen on this body trade, "Who is it this time?"

"The same one, I like hers, we are close in height and age."

Alpha scowls, "For how long?"

Lydia thought for a moment, "More than week, a month."

"A month!" Alpha shakes her head, "Absolutely not."

Lydia stood up and floats around her mother, and whisper in her ear, "Then find another pair of eyes." Then she disappears before Alpha could cast the spell on holding her again. Alpha was left standing there angry that Lydia had the upper hand again.

"Fine! But you get me the eyes on The Bandit Hunter first, when you return you can body trade for a month."

Lydia materializes in front of Alpha a smile on her face, Alpha continues to watch as she faces the eagle in the cage. The eagle began to squawk and flap it wings frantically before silencing itself. It small beady eyes goes large then small again and turn to face Alpha. Alpha reaches for the cage and unlocks it, she opens the door to the cage.

"You know what to do Lydia."

The eagle squawk as it stretches it wings out and flew out the tent.

The next chapter should be up soonish