I'd just like to say, as a quick note before the next chapter, that this is when it starts straying from the show. Hope you like where I go with it. :)
Day 7
First PPOV
"...UP!"
Groaning and blinking, trying to rid the sleep from my eyes, I see D glaring at me. She has a plate of food in one hand and the other on her hip. She's looking fantastic these days, although her clothes are a little baggier than I remember. Her hair's longer and there's a confidence to her that I can't remember seeing before.
When I'm sufficiently awake and have shoved my dirty glasses on to my face, she places the plate on the side table and sits next to me. "Getting over the nightmares I see."
I shrug. "Sleep."
"Think you'd have had enough of that."
"Never."
D snorts, "Yeah, right."
I sigh and stretch, "Okay, maybe. But sleep is how I cope."
"No kidding." She rolls her eyes but smiles nonetheless.
I sit up and rub my eyes. "Can I have my food now, please?"
She makes an exaggerated sigh but hands me my breakfast. "So, I have news."
"Yeah?" my reply is muffled due to the eggs in my mouth.
"Andrea got banned from the house yesterday."
I swallow and nod. "So she said."
"Wanna know why?"
"Are you going to tell me regardless?"
"Yes."
"Then," I turn a wide eyed, mock eager expression to D, "oh god yes, please, I just love gossip."
She rolls her eyes and slaps my shoulder with the back of her hand. "What a dick."
I smirk but shrug, going back to my yummy breakfast. "Go on."
"Beth got a little low yesterday, so bad that Amy, Lori, Patricia and Maggie hadn't wanted to leave her alone."
"What she got suicidal?" I snort.
"From what I hear, yeah she did."
"Eh."
"Glad to know you care."
"She could careless about me, why can't I give her the same treatment? Cause she's 'fragile'? I roll my eyes.
"Andrea volunteers to keep watch," D continues, ignoring me, "but then leaves her alone."
"Did she try anything."
"Yeah."
"Wow...didn't hear anything about that."
"I know, but they're all pissed at Andrea."
I finish what's left on my plate on place it on the side table. "Is that why Amy's pretty much disowned Andrea."
"One of the reasons."
I let out a low whistle. "How's Beth now?"
"She's no longer in shock. I think half way through her attempt she decided she didn't want to die."
"At least she figured that out before too late."
D sighs and lays her head on my shoulder. "Being around people is so exhausting."
"I know." I pat her leg. "I reckon you should just go curl up in Dixon's bed."
"He's still avoiding me."
"Take a stand."
"Loz..."
"If you two continue this way you're going to go through a lot of suffering that you don't need to."
"And what gives you the right to tell me what to do about my relationship?" She huffs and straightens glaring at me. "You should probably focus on yours."
I roll my eyes, ignoring the pain of her comment, and sigh. "You're man doesn't have a wife who's pregnant and wanting to get back with him."
"Loz..."
"D, seriously, that redneck needs a woman who can go toe to toe with him. If you can't get a back bone maybe it's best if nothing actually happens between you two."
Silence reigns between us and it's kind of uncomfortable. The last time we had such a fight was just before the Massacre, and that's not something I like to remember. Finally after what feels like ages, D sighs and lays her head back on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry. You're right, I need to confront him, I need him to see that he can't do this." She shifts so that she's staring at my face. "I'm really sorry about what I said."
I pat her leg and smile, the hurt slowly ebbing. "It's alright, sometimes we need a little tough love."
"Yeah, but it seems that you're always the one giving it."
I shrug. "Eh."
She straightens and gets off the bed. "Okay, well, I'm going to go find him and give him what for." she walks around the bed and gets my plate. "Want some help getting down the stairs?"
I groan and shake my head, "Getting real tired of always having someone hovering."
"We're worried about you Loz, we don't want anything else keeping you from healing properly."
I wave her off. "Yeah, yeah, so you say." I sigh, "But I'll be fine, I can make it to the porch fine on my own."
"I'm sure it won't be too much longer until you're allowed to walk around the farm."
"As long as I have someone with me?" I reply dryly.
"Maybe it'll be Rick?"
I sigh and shake my head. "See you later D."
She frowns and nods. "Yeah, sure."
Because there's no one waiting on me due, to my bung foot, there's no pressure to finish quickly. Therefore what would have been a five minute shower and a few moments of drying and changing is doubled. My clothes are a little baggy, but that's not too much of a problem as it confirms all the weight I've lost and for the first time in what feels like ages I leave my hair down and the auburn strands fall below my shoulder.
Apart from Amy and Beth the house is empty, and there's a moment where I contemplate on staying inside, instead of braving the gloriously hot sun. But this heat has to end soon, where's winter when you need it. At least with the colder weather there's not a limit to keeping warm. In the heat there's only a certain amount that can be taken off.
Taking a deep breath and sucking it up, I step out of the house and hover around the door. Andrea and Carol are puttering around the RV, looking to be cleaning up breakfast, I spot Patricia and Lori walking around the house to put up washing, if the baskets are any indication. Both Shane and Dale are on the RV as look out, though I'm kind of guessing that Dale's only there to keep an eye on Shane. T-Dog is giving Maggie and Jimmy a hand with their chores and I can just see Daryl and D in the distance.
"Morning Lozzie." Soph greets cheerfully.
"And what are you two troublemakers up to?" I raise an eyebrow, smirking.
"We're not troublemakers." Carl huffs, though the corner of his mouth twitches.
"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England."
"Your Majesty." Carl mocks as he bows.
"Why you..." I reach out to slap him round the head but he dodges.
"You shouldn't be hitting kids Loz." He grins toothily.
"And you shouldn't be antagonising your superiors."
He blinks and tilts his head. "What's antagonising?"
"Annoying." Soph replies.
"Close enough." I nod.
"How'd you know that?" He turns a slightly awed gaze to the young girl.
She shrugs and blushes. "I don't know."
"Cause she listens when we teach her." I smirk at him.
"I listen!"
"Do not!" I snort.
"Do too."
"Do not!"
"Do too."
"Do not."
The sound of someone clearing their throat catches our attention and we turn to see D and Maggie smiling at us. "I think you kids need to pull it in." Maggie smirks.
"Yeah Carl." I stick my tongue out at him.
"She's talking to you too Loz." D grins.
"HA!" Carl laughs pointing at me.
"Go on," I slap playfully at his hand, "get out of here." He and Soph jump off the porch and run off. I watch as they race around the house. "Would you two do me a huge favour?"
"Yeah sure, what is it?" Maggie smiles.
"Could you just keep an eye on them?"
The two nod and walk off giving me time to myself. My gaze immediately finds the road Rick will use when he returns and almost immediately my breathing picks up, my heart rate increases and my mouth goes dry as I start feeling a little dizzy. What if something has happened? Just by being here D and I changed everything, what if by doing that we've doomed them to never return? And I never see Rick again.
Maybe I should go look for them? I place a hand on my chest, like that will slow my heart, and take deep calming breaths. No, that's not a good idea. My foot already aches just from the short distance between here and my room. There's no way that leaving the farm is in any way the thing to do.
"Ya bettah sit that ass of yer's down, Red."
I jolt in surprise and turn while forcing a smile, the resident redneck is glaring at me. "Uh...Daryl. Hi?"
Don' even fuckn' think about it." His eyes narrow and he points to the chair. "Sit."
Swallowing thickly, doing my best to tamper down my racing heart, I glare at him. "I'm not a dog."
"Ya really wanta start somthin?" He raises an eyebrow.
I frown, wondering what he could really do. "I'm just standing here."
"I ain't fuckin' stupid."
Sighing while I sit, my ankle is sore and nausea is gripping me a little too much to pretend other wise. "Do you have to be a pain in the ass?"
"Do ya gotta be a stubborn bitch?"
I huff while crossing my arms. "Yes, how else am I suppose to get things across to people?"
He smirks. "And by people you mean Rick?"
I narrow my eyes at me, suddenly remembering what he's putting my best friend through. "I hope your done avoiding D."
He blinks then glares heatedly. "Ain't none of yer business."
"First of all, I'm sure there's a double negative in there, and second of course it fucking is." I sneer at him. "She's my best friend and I'm done with seeing her upset because of you." His expressions softens before he glares and looks away. "You sort your shit out Dixon, or I'm going to do it for you."
He turns back and takes a threatening step forward. "What'r you going to do, yer fuckin' crippled."
I ball my hands into fists and stand tall. "I'm not scared of you Dixon, and I'll do whatever I have to if it means that she's not suffering." I shift so that my good foot takes most of my weight. "And if that means I show her how bad you are for her, then so be it." Silence reigns between us and as we stare my anger fades. "She likes you Dixon, even you have to see that. I like you," my lips quirk into a small smile, "maybe not in the same way, but I like you nonetheless," I sigh and run and hand through my hair. "but she's my best friend and her wellbeing means the world to me, if you're not going to man up and take care of her then leave her alone."
He nods, looking pensive, and walks off. I pray that I haven't just given him the idea to 'break it off' with her. She'd kill me if that happens. Slowly and painfully. All I wanted was to give him the idea that if he doesn't pick up the slack he'll loose her. Hopefully it works out.
Eventually, as night descends and the campfire is lit, the sound of an engine catches our attention. Everyone turns as one to see Rick parking the vehicle and getting out.
I stare hard at him, my eyes welling with tears, then bow my head and slump in my seat. "Thank God." My hands tremble as they cover my mouth and tension that I never realised was there drops, though my heart still pounds in my chest.
"Oh my GOD." Andrea breathes.
I look up to see Merle. He's leaning against the vehicle scanning the camp. I blink rapidly, taking my glasses off and cleaning them, like it's all a trick. When they go back on and he's still there I grin and stand. D's by my side instantly and we head over to the obviously talented survivor.
"Well, well. If it ain't my girlies."
I react instantly, throwing my arms around his neck. However I reel back and shake my head. "My god you reek." Merle roars with laughter as he pulls me into his chest, my nose smashed against his smelly, crumpled, stained top. I push back. "You're still just a dirty old man, Merle Dixon." There's no heat in my glare.
"Wouldn't wanta change a thing, I ain't got nothing wrong with me Red." He smirks as he turns his gaze to D. "And where's my hug? Got no love for Ol' Merle?"
She wrinkles her nose and takes a step back, "I think Loz gave you enough for the both of us."
Merle merely chuckles, but it's interrupted by the stranger behind him. "Who're they Dixon?" The man grins our way, licking his lips.
I raise an eyebrow looking over to him. He's about Merle's age, short white/grey hair, a long oval face and a disgusting sneer. He reminds me a lot of Ron Perlman, which is a shame, cause I liked that actor. Now I'm going to associate him with this sleezy, gross man.
"These are my girls."
"Yours?" I raise an eyebrow. "We're not yours in any sense of the word. Do you want me to find you a dictionary again?"
With the start of an ache in my foot, this would be a good time to head back to the fire pit. However, what could have been a flourishing exit, falls and crumbles due to my hobble. It's getting annoying though, seriously how much longer until the foot heals, it's going to be needed sooner or later.
"What the fuck happened to you, Red?"
D's by my side, anxiety about the new guy rearing it's head, and we both stop as I turn and shrug at Merle. "Oh you know me, falling down and being all damsel like."
Merle snorts and shakes his head. I'm not displeased with that reaction. I don't need people thinking I'm some sort of fragile girl that needs looking after. However, if Rick wants to play knight why not? Though, with what's happening with Lori that might never happen. I may lose him before I ever have him. It's probably best to keep my distance. I'll only get hurt when he tells me he's going to try again with her.
It seems like within moments of Merle and Chester joining us around the fire that the mothers send the two kids to bed. They grumble under their breath, shooting their parents unhappy frowns, but head for the RV nonetheless. Carol follows after them, most likely to tuck Soph in, though I'm a little surprised when Lori makes no move to follow. I stare and wait for her to make a stand, to head in to say a proper goodnight to her son. When it's clear that she has no intention of of doing that, even when Carol returns, I get to my feet, shaking my head, and head in.
The two of them are sharing the bed above the driver's and passenger seat, their heads poking out, which means that Andrea and Carol have the bed in the back and Dale gets the table that folds into a bed. There's a little light on that illuminates just enough to see by. They're laying on their backs, Carl with his hands behind his head and Soph has her doll hugged to her chest.
"Sucks to be you." I greet with a smile. "Having to go to bed."
The two shift so that they're on their stomachs and facing me. "Mum says it's cause of that new guy and Merle." Soph murmurs.
"Yeah, it's probably best."
"What are you doing here?" Carl asks, not unkindly.
"Thought I'd come say goodnight."
He nods, "I didn't think I'd get to say goodnight to you."
I kiss his forehead, "I'll always say goodnight."
"Mum doesn't, not anymore." He grumbles.
I blink at him, and glance between the two. "Really?"
"Not for a couple of nights now." he sighs.
I frown and force back the scowl that's threatening to show. "Well, it's probably because she thinks you're a young man now, and a bit too old for it."
"Carol comes to say goodnight to us, and you're here now."
"That's cause we still think of you as little kiddies." I grin and flick his nose.
He swats at my hand and buries his head under the blanket. Sophia giggles and pokes at the Carl lump. I stay and chat with them until the two are yawning and drifting off. I take that as my cue to leave and kiss them both on the forehead. I turn off the light, slipping back out and taking my seat by D.
A glance around tells me that most didn't notice my absent. Most, as Rick's gazing at me, smiling softly, bringing a flush to my cheeks and Lori's glaring. Though I'm not sure if it's because I went to see the kids or that I've got Rick's attention. It could even be a bit of both.
"What have I missed?" I ask D, just loud enough for her to hear.
"Not much, Chester's a dick though."
I snort. "I could have told you that on first glance."
She rolls her eyes and lightly jabs her elbow into my side. "He and Merle left a crazy man and his 'paradise'"
"You read enough and you know that there's no such thing as paradise."
"I don't know." She trails off, her gaze locked on Daryl.
I smirk and nudge her. "You make it yourself, huh?"
She blushes, and pokes my kidney. "Shut up."
I feel my smile slip off and I glance between them. "You two okay?"
"Yeah," She smiles and turns to me, her eyes sparkling. "I didn't think my confrontation with him worked, but he found me and... we patched it up."
My gaze turns to him, he's staring intently at D, though he does look my way and shifts uncomfortably with my grin. D and I share a smirk then giggle with our heads bent together.
"Wonder what we're missing." T-Dog chuckles, catching our attention.
We look up to see that most of them are staring at us. "Oh...uh..." D splutters.
I blink at them all and smile innocently, "It's overseas stuff, you American's wouldn't understand."
"Is that right?" Dale smiles bemused.
"Oh yeah, complicated stuff that only seasoned travellers would know." D jumps in.
"Seasoned travellers?" Glenn snorts. "You two are seasoned travellers?"
"Of course we are." I nod. "We've been all over the world."
"Name one place." Andrea smirks.
My grin broadens. "South Korea."
"Really?" Jimmy asks sceptically.
"Yup."
"Melbourne." D adds, a wicked smile accompanying it.
We share a look, and turn back. "Any other takers?"
"I hardly call that seasoned." Shane retorts.
"Then how about Hong Kong?" I raise an eyebrow.
Daryl snorts and shakes his head. "Whattya think that's gonna do?"
"I'm cultured." I pout. He snorts again. "Oi, put a sock in it!"
"Quiet from the cheap seats." D comes to my aid.
"Yeah, you probably only left your little rednecked cabin because of the dead rising."
"Ooh," comes from the collective.
There's not much noise from Chester, though I'm certain in won't last. I'll give it until tomorrow, then he'll start being a pain. Eventually everyone starts heading in for the night. Jimmy's the first to go, then Maggie with Glenn walking her to the door, T-Dog slips into his tent and Shane heads for the night watch. Andrea and Carol follow Dale into the RV and Lori hovers by Rick until he heads into the house, then she goes into her tent. Merle shifts and leans back in his chair, obviously camping out there, and Chester takes the spare tent.
"Night Loz." D murmurs.
"Night."
Daryl comes and collects her, walking her to her tent. At some point today he must have moved his, as it's now in between her's and Chester's. Once it's just me and the half asleep Dixon I sigh and get to my feet. "Night Dixon." A grunt is my reply and I shake my head, smiling, making my way to my room. As I enter Rick's sitting in the chair, his head in his hands.
"Chief?" I limp over, placing my hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
He looks up and my stomach drops as my heart picks up. There are stress lines that I've never noticed before and bags under his eyes. He just looks so tired. Manoeuvring so that I'm behind him, my arms wrap my around him. I kiss his cheek then let go, sliding my hands over his shoulders, beginning a firm, but gentle massage.
He sighs and slowly starts relaxing under my ministrations. He doesn't say a thing and for some time we stay like that. Yes, I know what was said. There was going to be more pulling back and less getting hurt. However, he's our leader, our protector. My heart. I can't see him like this, he needs someone as much as we all need him. In the end he may choose Lori, but I'll be there for him as long as I can
