Daryl smirked as he watched the small figure slip through the shadows of the prison yard. No sound accompanied it and it stayed out of the soft rays of the rising sun. It was just as Merle had said. She didn't listen to anyone.
"Got her, I'll tag along," Daryl said quietly into the walkie talkie he carried with him as he silently left the guard tower.
"Have fun," Carol replied from her own walkie talkie. He could hear a laugh in her voice and rolled his eyes.
It had been four weeks since they had officially been welcomed into the Pound. Things had changed in those four weeks.
He found himself becoming closer with some of the new people, hell he'd even call some of them friends now. He'd fight as hard for them as any of the original group.
They had laughed together, fought together and shared food.
None of them were as close to him as Lara though. They shared almost all of their meals together, they had each other's backs and they shared their last two joints together as well. Lara had managed to open up some to him and in return he told her things that no-one else knew about him.
He both relished and hated the fact that she made his stomach leap when he saw her, that a real smile from her sent his pulse racing. That she was in most of his dreams and that hers was the company he most wanted to be in.
The night they shared the second joint together had been spent on the roof again. Wrapped in heavy blankets, their shoulders almost, but not quite touching.
"I miss my tattoo artist," Lara told Daryl after she lit the joint and passed it to him.
"I miss the bar tender," Daryl smirked.
"Nah, Archie, he was my friend as well as the one who'd do my ink," Lara took another deep drag of the weed and held it in while pushing the joint back into his hands. She let out the cloud of smoke with a long sigh. Fiddling with the nail of her thumb she spoke again, this time quieter. "He was the one who helped kill Greg."
Daryl stopped toking on the joint for a second, surprised that she was bringin' it up. He had wanted to know, of course, but he had never asked.
"Greg, he was a real asshole, grade A. He gave me the scars on my thighs. The others were from someone else, those though, they were from him. And the one on my lip. That was the last scar he ever gave me. Fuckin' asshole was tryin' to skim money from an MC. Apparently he was a stupid asshole though he thought he was clever enough not to get caught."
Daryl passed the joint back and carried on listening. He was glad that the fucker was dead, glad she had some form of revenge for what she had been put through. In no way was he gonna judge her for that. He was just sorry he didn't get a piece of the action. He had seen the scars on her thighs, the ragged edges and the sharp turns. That had been done with malice. It had been done to torture, not just from rage, but done gleefully. He could tell, see the difference. He was glad for the weed that was mellowing him slightly, the rage he felt not hitting him as hard as it usually would.
"Greg found me livin' outta my car when I was seventeen. He took me into his crappy apartment, lavished attention on me and did everything I always had hoped for. I thought it was love. He hit me when I did things that pissed him off, but then he'd cry about it, tell me he loved me, all of the bullshit ya read about. I stayed. For almost a fuckin' year I stayed. I know, I know I'm a fuckin' idiot," Lara said with a harsh laugh that sounded almost like a sob. When Daryl looked at her though he saw her face was peaceful, this part of her past was dealt with and done with. She was possibly the strongest woman he had ever met.
"Don't think ya were an idiot, think ya were young and he gave ya things ya needed," Daryl said quietly. He felt the warmth of her body seeping through the blanket around him and struggled not to lean against her, lending her some form of support.
"Still a fuckin' idiot," Lara said before snorting through her nose. "Things got worse, he would hurt me, knives, cigarettes, fists whatever. Used to tell me no one else would ever love me and no one else would ever want me. That kind of crap. I was just so beaten down that when Archie came banging at the door with murder in his eyes a gun on his hip and a knife in his hands that I just invited him right on in. Didn't care much what happened to me as long as Greg got what was coming to him."
Daryl stared out at the field in front of him as he listened.
"Archie would have let him live, maimed him a bit but let him live if he didn't start using me as a bargaining tool. Said they could take me and sell me, that I'd make them good money, more than enough to cover his debt. Archie took offense on my behalf. When I stopped Greg from leaving he gave me the option. I could walk away not knowing what happened and go on with my merry life or I could stick around and help," Lara said, her voice far away as though she was reliving the memory. "I helped. After that Archie stuck around for a couple of weeks. Taught me a few things about taking care of myself, helped me clean up and gave me some money before he left. I found out he had a tattoo parlor on the side. I went to him for every single tattoo after. I know he killed people for the club, but he was a good guy, couldn't stand to see innocent people hurt."
Daryl nodded not knowing what to say. He had questions flowing through him but didn't want to ask. She had shared more than he thought she ever would.
"My pa used to beat the living hell outta my ma. Fuckin' asshole put her in hospital more times than she was out of it. Then he'd turn on Merle and me when the bills piled up. If someone had offered to let me help kill 'im I'd have done it in a heartbeat," Daryl said, directing his words into the air in front of him.
No more words were spoken for a while but Daryl felt an aching warmth in his chest as Lara leant her shoulder against his arm.
"You still good for tomorrow?" She asked long after the joint was gone.
"Yeah," Daryl nodded.
"You ain't gonna argue with me?" She sounded surprised, her shoulder and arm heavy and comforting by his side.
Daryl snorted. "Bit pointless, ya never gonna listen. An' I think ya doin' the right thing."
The next day Merle, Daryl, Carol, Michonne, Rosita and Lara were taking Twink out so she could face a walker for the first time. Cries had been shouted from most people when Lara had told the group what was happening.
Her argument though made sense to him.
"She's gonna be with a group of us who'd rather kill themselves then let anything happen to her. Might not always be the way though. If she ends up split from the group on her own or god forbid the walls fall what then? If she's gonna freeze the first time she sees a shitbrain that she needs to take out then I'd rather it happen when we can control it."
Following the stealthy shadow Daryl smiled at his recollection of how Twinks first outing went. It had been like watching a mini Lara. She was quick and light on her feet, showing no fear until it was over. She hadn't even hesitated when the dead woman had stumbled from the woods towards them, the walker's long flowing skirt in tatters around her legs, the stench of decay claughing. Twink had been badass. Then she had cried while Lara carried her back to the Pound, Merle taking over half way back.
Daryl waited in front of the garage as Lara put her pack in a black truck that reminded him of a better version of his old one. The tailgate was smaller and the cab bigger but the small rust spots along the bottom and the squeak of the door brought nostalgia.
As she got settled in and buckled up Daryl emerged from the shadows and climbed into the truck next to her. He smirked as she jumped in fright. It was hard to make her jump, her senses were usually so intune that nothing startled her.
"What the hell are you doing Barton?" Lara whisper yelled at him, her hands tight along the steering wheel.
"What tha' hell are you doing? Ya weren't supposed ta be scoutin' remember?" Daryl replied, getting comfortable on the bench next to her. His bag and crossbow in the footwell.
"I don't take direction well," Lara shrugged with a little smirk before sticking the keys in the ignition.
"Yeah, no shit," Daryl said with a snort. If ya told the woman it was hot outside she'd bundle up for cold weather. It was infuriating.
"Merle told ya to stop me?" Lara asked as the truck growled to life.
"Yeah, he told me," Daryl agreed, pulling out one of his cigarettes and offering her one.
"Yet you're not stopping me?" Lara asked with a raised eyebrow as she took the smoke and lit it.
"Figured if I did ya'd just bust out later without anyone to watch yer back," Daryl said honestly. He had told Carol his plan and he knew she'd tell Merle but he didn't care much. He was however mystified as to what was going on between his best friend and his brother. He couldn't be completely sure but he thought they might be screwing, which put him off his food.
"You figured right. Let's get this show on the road then hey Barton," Lara grinned slowly driving the truck down to the gates. "What the hell is this now? He asked two of you to keep tabs on me?" Lara griped with a frown as she gestured at the illuminated figure of Glenn who stood by the gate waiting with a bag at his feet.
Glenn grinned and picked up the bag before jogging over to the truck. He hopped into the back of the cab with an overly large grin.
"Nah ah, no way. I got Barton, I don't need two bodyguards on a simple scouting run. Hop on out Flash," Lara said, turning in her seat to glare at Glenn. Daryl smirked, she was hot when she was pissed, he enjoyed winding her up just to see her go off sometimes.
"No way, I'm either coming or I'm telling Merle," Glenn shook his head still grinning.
"What are ya five? Hell Twink doesn't threaten to tell on me as much as you and she is five! Plus ya know he's not my daddy right, he ain't the boss of me! No, you're not going. I don't want Heidi on my ass and I like her more than you," Lara said. Michonne, Maggie and Lara could often be seen together, heads close as they whispered things to each other before cackling with laughter. It was unnerving.
"Maggie knows I'm coming," Glenn said, pointing towards the gate he had left open for the truck. "We should probably go before any Walkers wander in."
"Pains in my ass. The lot of ya!" Lara grumbled, but her lip twitched as she moved the vehicle forward anyway. Daryl smirked in the rearview mirror at Glenn who returned the look.
"So, what are we scouting for?" Glenn asked as they drove away from Pound.
Daryl looked out the window not caring much where they were going. He was just glad to be out, they had enough meat so hunting wasn't an issue and he had been stuck inside the walls for coming up to four days, it was stifling. He was also glad he was there to watch Lara's ass in case she got in trouble.
Since that night where they had their welcome meal or whatever the hell it was, things had changed with him an' Lara and he'd be damned if it didn't just confuse him more. He wasn't so dumb that he didn't know what the hell flirting was and they'd been doing it. It caused even more of that awkward yet intense heat between them and gave him a bigger case of blue balls. There was a point a couple of weeks back when he thought they might change things even further. It hadn't happened though. It was for the best, it wasn't like there wasn't more important things now than getting his dick wet. And with her it had the potential to be more than that and he couldn't risk catchin' feelings.
"Please! Please! I'll be quiet, I can sneak with the best of them. Just get me outta here!" Lara begged, dressed and ready with a rucksack on her back. It was just before dawn and he was going on a hunt.
"Ya said ya can't hunt," Daryl replied, he didn't mind her comin', at all, but he needed to actually get some food on this trip. He didn't need to be draggin' dead weight with him.
"And I can't, but I can be useful. I'll check snares, I'll carry the poor furry critters ya catch, I'll help track. Please Barton, get me away from my jailers," Lara asked him, she pouted and batted her eyelashes at him making him shake his head and snort. He turned his face to the floor so she couldn't see the small blush he could feel working it's way up his neck.
"Fine," Daryl relented with a huff.
"Thank you!" Lara said happily as she bounded off to get her weapons.
Daryl shook his head at her retreating back. Merle, Red, Michonne and Oscar had been working together to keep Lara in the Pound as much as possible. He could see it was driving her insane and she could see what they were all doing.
Red had got her to help turn the other offices into bedrooms, especially for those that had kids. She had refused to turn rooms near hers into them but had relented in making them further down the long corridor.
That had backfired because the next day she had gone out on a run and came back with beds for everyone with brand new mattresses. Merle had lost his shit at her as her back was fucked for days afterwards. She hadn't taken anyone along.
Axel had managed to get hot running water so Oscar and Michonne had wrangled Lara into helping make the shower rooms less prison showers and more family friendly. That had also backfired as then Lara had gone on a run for bathroom 'essentials'.
Now they were doing everything in their power to keep her locked down. The woman looked like she was a few days from breaking down the walls bit by bit. She wasn't made for being kept behind the walls, he could see it in her every move. She was like a captive lion, pacing, planning, stalking. It was alluring and he knew exactly how she felt. He wasn' made for stayin' cooped up either.
"So what we hunting?" Lara asked once they were out of the fences.
"Thought ya were gonna be quiet?" Daryl asked, keeping a lookout for any trails or tracks of people before they hit the woods.
"I will be when we're actually hunting," Lara said and he could hear the smirk in her voice.
"How come ya can't hunt? Ya a good shot, those knives'd work, ya sword too at a push," Daryl asked. She could track, could shoot with impressive accuracy and he was sure she never missed with her knives. It should be easy for her.
"I don't have the patience to sit an' wait," Lara said honestly.
"Then why ya comin' with me? That's half of what we'll be doin'," Daryl asked.
"Eh, I can sit an stare at you. Much more interesting than leaves or grass," she replied, a grin in her voice. Daryl felt the familiar heat in his neck as she said that. He could sit an' watch her all day, but he was positive she was kidding, there wasn't anything interesting about him. He wasn't handsome like Tommy Boy or imposing like Merle, he wasn't a leader with charisma like Rick. He was just him, nothin' special.
"Stop," he said, shaking his head as they came up to the tree line that led into the forest beyond the prison.
They walked in silence for a while, Daryl checking for any tracks he could find. He didn't hold out much hope for any big game the weather was too cold, but he was hoping for somethin' more substantial than squirrels. Hell even he was getting fed up of eating them. It was unlikely but he was hoping to bag some coons at least.
"Where d'ya get ya sword anyway Goldilocks, ain't like they're easy to come by," Daryl asked in a whisper as they ghosted through the brush. She was as light on her feet as he was so he couldn't complain that she wasn't keepin' up her end of the deal.
"I got it from a museum. Everyone was looting sporting stores and huntings stores, most of them were overrun. No one thought of the weapons in museums though. I wanted a mace, but they're really heavy," Lara whispered with a small chuckle as they stepped over a fallen tree.
Daryl snorted at the thought of her carrying around a goddamn mace, he could see it too easily. She was badass enough with a sword. Didn't need no more medieval weaponry.
They'd be walkin' for close to two hours and he hadn't bagged anything but three squirrels when he decided they should stop for a break. The snares had all been empty and there weren't any tracks that either of them had found.
"Stop, we'll take a minute," Daryl said before taking a seat on a log covered in moss.
"It feels better being out here. Almost like coming home," Lara said gesturing around the forest as she sat near him on the log.
He nodded, knowing exactly how she felt. The forest had been home to him for all his life it felt like. He could read the trees, the fallen debris and the tracks better than he could ever read a person and he was one observant son of a bitch. Here though, he knew it, inside an' out.
They shared a bottle of water and a couple of granola bars before they started picking up their packs ready to continue.
The snapping of twigs made them both pause. He could see Lara's head cocked to the side slightly. Footsteps. Heavy footsteps. Five sets at least. Then came the muted tones of men trying to be stealthy.
"I'm telling ya Larry, saw them clear as day. Man an' woman. Hot piece of ass too, an' they were both packing, kill him, take 'er an' have a nice few days before she's too used up."
Daryl looked to Lara whose eyes were wide with surprise but quickly the blue in them turned to a flinty silver grey.
Daryl gestured with his head away from where the men were walking. They needed to get out of there before they were found.
"Don't know how many there are. It ain't worth tha risk," he said, his voice barely a breath as they expertly dodged anything that could give their position away.
Lara gave a curt nod, her eyes didn't match her actions. He could see she wanted to take the men on.
"Goldilocks, ain't worth it. Ya got Twink an' Sophia to think abou' an' the rest," he pressed her. Wasn't no good gonna come of them huntin' down a group of guys, not when they knew nothin' about them.
"Yeah and what if they came across Twink and Sophia?" She hissed back, her hands close to the holster she kept her throwing knives in.
Daryl faltered for a second before shaking his head. He wasn't gonna let anything happen to Lara out here with him and that meant retreating. For now.
"We'll come back, with more of us. Can't fight 'em just us two," Daryl told her.
She paused for a moment and let out a low breath before nodding again.
A snap of a twig to their right had their heads whipping around, hands on weapons. Daryl hated how he was feeling like he was the prey in his damn forest.
Lara touched his arm gently and he caught her eye. She nodded towards an outcrop of rocks. It wasn't big but they should be able to hide behind it if they were careful. He nodded and followed her cautiously but quickly over to them.
Their breathing slightly labored, his heart racing, they hid. They were crouched down, pressed tightly to each other's side. He could feel the faint tremors that wracked her. To look at her you'd never tell she was scared but her body gave her away. Instinctively he placed his hand over hers, just to let her know he was there, he would protect her, he wasn't going to let anything happen to her.
Her head snapped to his and her fingers slowly threaded through his. Her hand seemed so small in his, her tremors now traveling through his body too. Her face was so close. Those plump lips with the scar going through them.
He glanced at her, Lara's still gray eyes were staring at his lips. He swallowed. Fuck. He wasn't sure he'd ever wanted anythin' more in his life than to kiss her then.
He didn' know who leant in first but they were both millimeters from touching when a branch just behind the rocks snapped loudly and they shot apart as though it had been a gunshot.
They hadn't kissed, and they hadn't been able to escape a fight that day either. They'd both gone back to the pound sporting new injuries but victorious and both had blushed when near each other for a couple of days after.
Daryl came back to the conversation when Glenn got that whiny edge to his voice that pissed the older man off. He sounded like one of those spoiled kids at the supermarket always throwing tantrums when they couldn't get candy or toys. "So we aren't going anywhere?"
"It's called scouting Flash, I'm not goin' on a run. I'm going to have a look," Lara replied, her voice holding irritation.
Glenn huffed a frown crossing his face before he spoke again. "Can we have a detour?"
"Depends," Lara shrugged.
"On?"
"What you want and if it's worth the risk," Lara admitted, Daryl couldn't argue with the logic. She might have been a stubborn bitch who didn' listen to anyone but she was smart an' didn't take risks with others' lives. Daryl just wished she'd treat her own life the same damn way.
Glenn flushed red and Daryl smirked, this was goin' to be interesting. "A couple of things."
Lara glanced behind her quickly, her eyebrows raised as if to say 'well go on then'.
Daryl waited and Glenn fiddled with his backpack.
"Ya gotta tell us or you're not gettin' anythin'," Daryl chuckled as he rolled down his window, the air was still bitingly cold and only getting colder as the weeks passed but the inside of the truck was getting warm with three of them in it.
"Some erm… condoms and erm… I was looking for a… ring…" Genn muttered quietly, his face even redder, his eyes turned down to his feet.
Daryl's eyebrows shot up. He hadn't known that Maggie an' Glenn were so… Okay he had known. Every one had damn well known. Still, it was soon wasn't it?
Lara smiled softly at his words and Daryl hid his surprise. Considering everything she'd told him about her life so far - and he knew there was worst shit he didn' know - he was kinda shocked that she believed in marriage. For him it had never even been an idea. He'd never been with a woman longer than a couple of hours at most and he sure as hell never had no girlfriend, let alone someone he wanted to wife. He glanced at Lara again before quickly turning away and staring out the window, letting the cold air hit his face, forcing away any thoughts.
"Always need condoms an' if we come across anywhere safe enough that might have a ring we'll stop," Lara agreed with that soft smile still on her face.
"Thanks. But you can't tell Maggie!" He added in panic.
"Not an idiot," Lara scoffed.
"I was talking to Daryl," Glenn joked.
010101010
Merle walked around lookin' for his brother or Lara with a frown on his face. He noticed that he also couldn't track down Carol or Glenn. The only other place they could all be that he hadn't checked yet was the shower block.
He had a sneakin' suspicion that most of them were trying to jerk his tail. Mitch wasn't actin' any different so if they were up to something she didn't know.
Carol came around the corner that he was traversing, her now longer hair still wet. He caught her as they damn near collided.
"Merle! Sorry!" Carol squeaked out with a large smile, those damn eyes shinin' up at him like he was somethin' special. He grinned down at her unable to help it. She made him feel like his first girlfriend Debbie had. Like he set the fuckin' sun in the sky.
There wasn't anything going on there yet, he was waiting for her go ahead, but damn he thought he might be on ta somethin'. Maybe he needed to take a leaf out of Daryl's book and ask her to look at the stars with him or some shit. Try that romancin' thing. Not that it had worked out for his lil' bro. He was still high an' dry.
"No problem sweetheart. Always nice to run into you," he said with just the right amount of innuendo. He might have been a broke ass redneck but it didn' mean he didn' know a thing or two.
He smiled wider as she blushed at his words.
"Ya seen tha' Princess or Daryl sweetheart?"
Carol's smile lost some of its luster at that. "I haven't seen them, no."
Ah, woman was playing word games. "Ya know where they are?"
"Scouting I imagine," she admitted, looking down at her feet and taking half a step back. He knew ingrained responses from his ma. He let out a deep breath. He was pissed as hell, not at Suzie though an' he sure as shit wasn't gonna take his anger out on her. She'd learn. That's why he was takin' baby steps.
"And who's bright idea was that?" He huffed rubbing his head which needed shaving again soon. He hated when the white hairs could be seen so obviously.
Carol raised her head again but didn' step any closer. Her eyes were weary but soft. "Daryl suggested that Lara was just gonna sneak out without someone watching her back if he didn't go with her. I agreed."
Merle sighed again. That damn woman was more trouble than she was worth sometimes. Least he didn't have ta be too worried about her if Darylina was watchin' her back, he'd never let somethin' happen to her. He just needed to worry about his lil bro instead. Fuckin' great. "Best we're gonna get I s'pose. Wish she'd just keep 'er fuckin' skinny ass here though."
Carol shrugged, "she's smart, she can handle herself and look after Daryl. Don't worry so much. She taught me a lot yesterday."
Merle's eyebrows raised at that, he'd spent the majority of the day sleepin' off his night watch, he hadn't realized that the Princess and Suzie had been bonding.
They started walking back towards the cell block that was becoming more of a rec room than living quarters now they'd moved half the group to the admin building. Merle took notice of how her arm brushed against his, all casual like. "Yeah, like what?"
"She taught me how to get out of a hold, took me a while to get it but I think I can now. She's going to show me how to throw knives next." Suzie grinned happily up at him, lookin' real proud of herself. Merle was glad that she was learnin' this shit too. The better Carol could take care of herself the better he'd feel. Fer Bit and Twink o' course.
"Good. Ya want me ta teach you how to throw a decent hook?" Merle joked holding up his metal hand.
"I'd pass on the hook, but if you want to teach me how to throw a punch I won't say no," Carol's cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink.
"Well now, o' course I will. Let's head on out shall we?" He grinned and winked.
020202020
The scouting trip had gone better than Lara had anticipated. Together they'd found and set up a decent safe house, they'd cleared the shopping area parking lots, had emergency vehicles ready to go and had even hit up a pawn shop for Flash, his bag was full of condoms and a nice new shiny ring for Heidi. They were gonna be back in time for dinner. Lara had even managed to find some pamphlets that she'd put in her pack when no one was looking. It was a vague idea she'd had for ages that she hadn't even talked to Candyman about. But until she found it she wouldn't. It was her baby and she wasn't telling anyone until it was ready.
The problem came not from the run but what was waiting for them when they got back to the Pound.
Lara had half been expecting the welcoming party. Candyman's furious face didn't phase her none. It was the rest of the board there along with Andrea that made her frown.
"Somethin' happened?" Lara asked as she got out of the truck. She worried the bikers had been back or maybe another group.
Barton and Flash got out and stood slightly behind her either side. It made her feel a bit better about what felt like facing a firing line right then.
"Well now, you could say that," Rick started off hesitantly. Eastwood had become a good ally, possibly even friend over the last few weeks.
"Cut the shit Officer Friendly. Sugar Tits here-" Merle started, his face getting redder. He was really pissed.
"I think we need a change. In leadership. You make rules but don't follow them. You created the board and yet you go and do whatever you want anyway. You preach safety and yet you disappear with no warning and leaving everyone worried. So I propose that I take your place."
Lara looked wide eyed at the blonde and then at everyone else. She was waiting for the punchline to the joke.
"Ya fuckin' kiddin' me?" Barton asked.
"No," was Andrea's straight up reply.
"Well… that's… something alright," Lara breathed her mind trying to wrap itself around this latest bullshit. "I'm not gonna dismiss you right off the bat Andrea-"
"Yer not?" Barton muttered and she tried not to grin.
"But I wanna just address a few things in ya little… speech, there."
"First off, who was worried about me?"
"I was ya stupid bint. Till I spoke to Carol an' then found ya map an' letter fer me in ya room anyway," Candyman growled, his arms crossed over his barrel chest.
"Love ya too dad, anyone else?"
The rest looked at each other and just kind of shook their heads.
"I figured when I didn't see you or Barton that you were hunting or scouting or something," Kill Bill admitted and others of the board nodded along.
Kill Bill was going to make her blush at this rate and that's the last thing she wanted right then.
"So we've established that other than Candyman I didn't leave everyone worried. As Candyman pointed out I left a letter and a map of where I was going, the nearest safe house, how long I expected to be at worst and when I hopefully should be back. The rules we make should be stuck to. Yeah. But other than Twink, Bit and Eastwood Junior, we're all adults, as long as ya don't do anything to endanger anyone else there's sweet FA I can do to stop ya going off by yourself.
"Now ya still wanna challenge me, that's all good."
"No it ain't," Barton growled at the same time Candyman bellowed; "Like hell it is." Lara ignored them even if she did feel just a little bit gooey inside now.
"How do you propose that we decide who's the better leader?"
"Decide?" Andrea asked, confused.
"Well yeah. I've been in charge with Candyman since we got here. Maybe it is time for a shake up but ya can be damn sure I ain't handing it over to someone not up for the challenge," Lara said with her hands on her hips. She noticed Red and Backer exchange looks and smirks behind Andrea.
"Well now, that one's real easy ain't it?" Red volunteered.
"It is?" Andrea asked.
"Oh yeah, real easy. See the Princess there, is in charge of runs and keeps our fine asses in line. Ya get a week. A week to plan a run, chose a group an' execute it while we come ta ya fer anythin' we need. Like we do the Princess," Red smirked and Lara felt the need to laugh. She literally bit her tongue. She oversaw the board sure, but it wasn't like she had much to do day to day really. She had a feeling Red was gonna run with this and the others would follow his lead.
"That's a great idea Red," Kill Bill grinned toothily.
"Okay, but the only way ya doing a run is if I'm on the team and it's a safe plan. Because if you get anyone so much as a scratch then you and me are going to the ring," Lara said looking the other blonde dead in the eye. She meant every word. Andrea gulped but nodded.
"Only fair Goldilocks gets the same then. A week to plan an' execute a run. Same team. Team decides who does it better an' who's in charge after," Barton added, Candyman grinned and nodded.
"Oh, a nice competition, I like it," Candyman said, his eyes spoke a different story though.
"Talk to the board, see what we need. Depending on what and where they are we'll do the runs one after another. Your challenge, you go first. Now if y'all excuse me I wanna go wash up before dinner. Suzie's cookin' with Bob tonight, I wanna enjoy it."
Lara left the assembled group with a weight on her shoulders. Fucking Andrea. She meant what she said, if that stupid fuckin' dumbass, uppity, no good, bitch got even one person so much as a graze she was gonna tear the bitch apart. Lara wasn't worried about her own run. She had one planned for a farm not too far away. They needed more crops and equipment. It was a need not a want, the place had been scouted and it should be fairly easy. It was the other woman's run that scared the shit out of her. That and what if… what if the board decided that Andrea was the better leader?
Lara didn't particularly care for the weight of everyone on her shoulders. She did care that someone who didn't know what the fuck they were doing could usurp her though. Could be deciding people's fates. The woman couldn't even shoot. What would have happened with the bikers if Andrea was in charge? What if the board prefered Andrea to Lara. God what if Lara was asked to leave?
She was approaching a full on panic attack as she got to the shower block without any other clothes.
"Hey! Hey! Calm down. Breathe. Princess just breathe. Fuck! Grey! Go get Merle and Kill Bill! Don't tell no one else!"
Lara's vision was going a bit funny and Red sounded like he was coming through a tunnel.
A stinging pain in her cheek brought her back.
"Can ya hear me? Fuckin' breathe! There ya fuckin' are. Go on now. In. Out. In. Out. Fuck's sake! Dammit woman, scared the shit outta me." Merle was knelt in front of her a look of concern on his face that still seemed furious regardless.
"Fuck. Sorry. Sorry." Lara gasped.
"So ya should be. Scared the crap outta me. Got enough fuckin' grey hairs without this bullshit. Pull ya shit together. She ain't taking over, not unless ya let her and ya gonna if ya pull this shit in front o' people!"
"What if she does get it though an' makes me leave?" Lara got straight to the point. She felt the cold tracks tears had left on her face and didn't bother wiping them away. Candyman had seen her cry more than anyone alive had, he could deal even if he pretended he couldn't.
"Pfft." Lara turned her head to see Kill Bill and Red to the side of her. Both looked concerned but Red was the one who'd spoken. "She beats ya at yer own game Princess, well then I'll give ya all of the contraband I've been stashing for a rainy day. And let her try to kick you out. She gonna be fighting every damn person in the Pound."
"What he said," Kill Bill added seriously. "If Andrea gets put on the board then that's what happens. Not one other person would willingly let you go. Few of us would tie your stubborn ass to a bed in a cell and lock the door before we let you leave us. It's not going to happen. I promise you."
"Yeah, what they said. Ya gotta stop this shit. Told ya. Ya can't fuckin' shake me. We're kin girl. An' kin always stick by kin. Ya ask my lil' bro."
Candyman and Lara had hugged four times in the entire time they knew each other. But right then she kinda wanted to make it five. He was a pain in the ass she wanted to kick more than hug most of the time. But he always had her back and she would always have his. She guessed that made him her kin too. Kin she had and would bleed for gladly, unlike the kin she was naturally given.
"Thanks," Lara muttered embarrassed to have been seen so weak.
"Yeah. Yeah. Get herself cleaned up. Ya've got a run ta plan."
"No I haven't. It was done ages ago and I've got one in backup just in case."
"There's the Princess we all know and love," Kill Bill smiled sticking out her hand to help Lara off the ground.