Merle frowned as he looked around for Princess. Somethin' was wrong with her. He'd given her space, let her get over whatever the hell had her so butthurt. None of that had worked though, instead she just pushed herself harder, took more watches, more shifts, hell the bitch had even volunteered for kitchen duty. Now though she was needed, so she'd have to pull her head out of her ass and get over it. Whatever the fuck it was.

When Merle finally found her his brow furrowed. She was sat on one of the picnic benches with a cigarette loosley in her fingers. Her blonde hair was roughly tied back and her shoulders were hunched. Around Lara stood most of the new group they were about to be voting on. Officer Friendly was facing her with crossed arms and a stern set to his face.

Silently Merle blended with the shadows to listen.

"How many walkers ya killed?" Rick asked Lara.

"More than I could possibly count," Lara responded, sounding unconcerned but Merle could hear the exhaustion she was hiding in her tone. His hands clenched into fists.

"How many people ya killed?" Rick asked and Lara's jaw tightened.

"Five and a half," Lara said through gritted teeth before bringing the cigarette to her mouth and inhaling deeply.

Merle looked around and noticed that neither Carol nor Daryl were part of the shanghai. He guessed they wouldn't have approved.

"Why?" Rick carried on. Not asking the obvious question. How the hell did you kill half a person? What the fuck was half a person? How the hell did Merle not know this? When was this?

"Two were mercy killings. Two were because they tried to rape me after beating me half to death," Lara said and Merle let out a harsh breath. He didn't like reminiscing about that day. The day he realised that he actually kinda liked the bitch. "The half… he deserved it, I won't say anymore on that."

"Why d'ya take people in. Not exactly safe," the young blonde girl asked in a gentle voice. How the hell had she made it so far? She was more kid than Twink was.

"'Cause we're safer together. We need other people. We take in who I like to think are good people. The group take in who we like to think are good people. If not, if we're all wrong then they leave. Whether they want to or not," Lara told them without any bullshit. At least the girl was a straight shooter. She didn't lie. Might omit a few details, might avoid shit when needed, but she didn't straight up lie to people she trusted. He could respect that about her. Hell he did respect that abou' her. Hard ass, stubborn bitch she may be and one he would be takin' his boot to without a doubt, but damn was she loyal. She didn' lie 'bout the fifth person either, just fitted them all together.

"Do y'all want to stay? No point in us voting and all that shit if you're going to be leaving next week anyway," Lara looked at them all. Merle lent further forward, he wanted to know the answer to this too. She was a smart bitch.

The group look at each other, their faces serious. He could tell they'd already discussed it. He wondered if Darylina had been part of the conversation or Suzie Homemaker. It was obvious to him that they were happy in the Pound.

"Yeah, we'd like to stay," Rick finally said with a short nod.

"Even knowing that it won't be your group an' ours it'll be one group? All of us. No one more important than any other," Lara said casually as she finished off her cigarette and brushed some loose hair from her forehead.

"Yeah," Officer Friendly agreed. Merle was surprised, he also wasn't sure he trusted most of them. He definitely didn't trust that nigger that locked him on the roof. He didn't trust Ranger Rick and he didn't trust Preggers. The others he thought were sincere. Not that he'd trust them to have his back, or Lara's, or Michonne's, or Red's.

Merle decided now that the conversation was over or in his eyes there was nothing more to say that he could butt in.

"Well, well. What we got 'ere then? Do we got a mutiny? We all surroundin' the Princess here for her crown?" Merle asked, stepping out with a shit eating grin he knew would annoy the others. He could literally see T-Dog the word 'asshole' plastered on the inside of his brain, it made him smile wider.

"Y'all can have it," Princess muttered, throwing her cigarette butt down. "S'up Candyman?"

"Gotta have a meetin' of the parole board," Merle grinned at her.

"Ha, love that," Lara grinned, hopping to her feet.

"Ol' Merle can't take the credit for that one now. That one was Darylina," Merle said, he noticed that her face dropped at Daryl's name. How had his brother screwed this up? She was basically putty in his pussy brother's lap.

"Well, it's funny. Come on let's get this shit over with," Lara rushed in ahead. Well this might be more fuckin' work than it was worth.

The meeting with the board went as expected, everyone was all for the new group. They voted each new member one at a time. Merle nodded shortly as Daryl was accepted without question. He noticed though that although Lara didn't so much as hesitate her face fell a little at his name. He wondered if anyone knew what the fuck had happened with 'em.

After the board everyone else was encouraged to say whatever the hell they wanted. Somethin' Merle thought was a waste of damn time. He didn' need to hear what the morons thought when it was as good as done. Thank fuck it was quick. Again everyone said yes. Andrea looked like she was soaking her panties when she realized that Daryl was stayin'. Lara also noticed and looked away with a frown.

The new members of the Pound were invited in and given their verdict. By Michonne.

Merle looked at his baby brother who just nodded his acceptance stoically, his glance going from Merle, to Lara and back again. Boy had it bad and looked like he'd fucked it up bad too. Fuckin' pussy.

Too busy watchin' the train wreck that was his little brother's attempt at a love life Merle failed to notice a pair of eyes watching him with a fondness in them.

After the vote Lara basically ran out of the room, headin' for who the fuck knew where. He sighed, he was gonna have to kick her ass.

0101010101

After the vote Lara… ran. There was no other word for it. She ran. The relief that was building up inside her was so strong that she was either gonna vomit or cry and she had no desire to do that in front of anyone. So she left. Went to her room and had the breakdown she so desperately needed.

She had just started to get her sobbing under control when her door smashed open.

Grabbing a knife she aimed it before the hulking figure of Merle fucking Dixon burst into her room in all his angry glory. He faltered a moment as he saw her tears and the anger receded marginally.

"What the hell are ya blubbering for woman?" Merle spat out after an uncomfortable moment.

"Nothing that matters," Lara said, wiping her eyes and putting her knife away. She took five deep breaths and tried to rid herself of the heavy weight sitting on her chest.

"Somethin's obviously set ya off. Or are ya on the rag?"

Lara felt the familiar bite of anger that always came with that question. She was allowed to be human. It didn't mean just because she was a female… she knew exactly what the fucker was doing. And it was working. Making her angry so her tears would dry up and he wouldn't have to deal with them.

"Been a shitty couple of weeks. Just taking a moment to be glad it's over. That alright with you? Fuckin' old bastard," Lara asked, her hands roughly swiping under her eyes once more.

"Wha'cha mean it's over? What is runnin' through that tiny pea brain o' yours?" Merle said, his eyes watching her face closely. Despite his harsh words and actions, Merle was family. Her closest confidant and the person she trusted most in the world. He was also honest to a fault and would give her the kick up the ass she probably needed.

"I was worried. Worried that they wouldn't work out. That you'd go and Sophia and Twink… I didn't have anything before the world ended. You know that and… I was worried I'd end up there again. Alone." Lara's voice came out wavering at that. She hated admitting weakness. But if she couldn't to Merle then she couldn't to anyone.

"Ya a fuckin' idiot, ya know tha' doncha? Can't get rid of me tha' easily sweetheart. Ya been tryin' for damn near a year now and I ain't been able to shake your ass neither. And as for those girls, they'd kick, scream and kick anyone's asses who tried to take 'em from ya," Merle said, his voice slightly less angry than usual and his foot reached out to kick her gently.

"Thanks," Lara said quietly.

"Now get ya ass to work, lazy fucker!" Merle barked before he was storming away again, whistling a God awful tune as he did.

Lara gave herself another few minutes before she got up to get back to it. She had a ton of things to do before the evening and having herself a nice little pity party wasn't going to get any of it done. Look at how pathetic you are. Can't do a fucking thing right.

Lara took a deep breath trying her best to ignore that voice or voices that echoed through her mind. Walking back into cell block D she looked at who was available to help. She couldn't do it all herself and she couldn't have any of the new members help either. She groaned out loud at her choices. This must have been Candyman's way of punishing her. She knew the asshole had done it on purpose.

"Bob! Andrea! I could use your help!" She yelled trying to keep a pleasant smile on her face. She would not murder anyone. She would not murder anyone. She was gonna fucking kill Merle.

0202020202

"Candyman?" The voice that came through the walkie talkie was easily discernible. The false happy cadence down the static line was also easy to hear.

"Princess?" Daryl looked to his brother who was smirking into the small device clutched in his huge hand.

"I'm gonna kill you. For our friendship's sake I'll make it fast," the happy voice came again and Daryl's eyebrows raised as Merle just barked out a laugh.

Merle and Daryl were checking the perimeter outside of the prison. Something Merle had started doing since those assholes on the bikes had left.

"Ah now ya don't mean that Princess, ya would miss Ol' Merle," Merle grinned in that way he had that could get under anyone's skin. The grin that had started numerous bar fights Daryl had helped his brother out of.

"About as much as I miss my gynaecologist," Lara replied, making Daryl smirk. Fuckin' woman had a way with words for sure. His smirk quickly turned to a snarl at himself as he walked ahead of Merle. He didn' need ta be thinkin' of her. She had avoided him since they'd found the commissary. Obviously her mind had been made up about him. Well fuck her. If she didn't want to be around him he sure as shit didn't want anythin' to do with her. Fuckin' smart mouthed bitch.

"God Lord am I glad tha' bitch is back to normal," Merle said with a hoot that grin still present on his face.

Daryl didn't say anythin', he knew damn well he didn't need to. Merle would carry on a conversation whether he was an active participant or not.

"Bitch has been avoidin' Suzie for days now which means she's been avoiding Bit. Fuckin' girl, thought I was gonna have to stomp her," Merle carried on. Daryl pretended not to care too much, however he was interested. So he wasn't the only one she had been avoidin'.

Daryl grunted at his brother. A 'whatever'. He didn't care.

"Thinkin' we should set up a blind in tha woods, whatcha think lil bro?" Merle asked. This place was permanent for him. Daryl was uneasy about how much Merle had changed. He had never set up roots before, never cared about anyone before. Except maybe Daryl, sometimes. Now here he was with a family forged through battle, the same as how Daryl felt towards Rick an' Glenn and the rest. Why the hell couldn't he have worked through his shit when Daryl needed him? Why couldn't he have done this for him? Cause ain't no one, not even Ol' Merle really give a damn about ya, pussy.

Daryl grunted in reply, trying to just focus on finding any tracks that would point out someone had been around.

"The board are gonna put ya in charge of huntin' an' food for the place," Merle said and Daryl could feel the heat of his brother's gaze on his back.

"Me? Why? Y'all seem ta be doin' alright. Don't need anyone in charge of tha'," Daryl said with a frown in place. Merle was still going on about Daryl being part of the board. The younger Dixon didn't know why. He didn't want no responsibility. He didn't want to be in charge of makin' sure no one starved. Last time he'd done that he'd almost failed. Fuck he couldn't even keep a pregnant woman and a kid fed. He didn't need a whole fuckin' group on his back. He didn't need to fail anyone else.

"Cause I got other shit to do and you're the second best hunter outta them dumbasses. Shit, ain't tellin' me ya got better things to be doin' nowadays little brother," Merle pointed out. He wasn't wrong, Daryl didn't have anything else to do. And the food at the prison would still last a while even if Daryl couldn't find prey or other stockpiles of food. No one would starve. And he could make up for the shit job he'd done on the road, the days of empty stomachs and tears, of watching the little fat any of the group had left melt away. Watching a kid hold his stomach, his damn empty stomach as he went to sleep without. He wasn't watching that again. Even if he had to raid the entire state of Georgia, even if he had to hunt every single day to bring back enough food for the large group.

"I'm the best, s'the only reason ya askin'," Daryl smarted off at his big brother with a smirk before heading back to the Pound. Once more they'd found nothing indicating that anyone who shouldn't have been around was.

Back at the Pound which was fast becoming home Daryl got all his hunting gear from his room and made his way to the common area that was used in cell block D. Methodologically Daryl lined up all of his weapons, got out his cleaning supplies and his whetstone before starting to make sure it was all in as good condition as he could make it. Time to take care of his tools out on the road had been few and far between and it showed. He couldn't be huntin' properly with dull knives or his crossbow gunked up with walker guts.

He'd not been workin' for too long before someone joined him. Glancing up quickly he saw it was Andrea and he focused back on the job at hand, his head down, a frown on his face. Why the hell couldn't she just leave him the hell alone? She was with Oscar anyway, what did she need him for. And he liked Oscar, even if he did feel sorry for him dealin' with this bitch.

"Can I help?" Andrea asked, laying a hand on Daryl's arm that he automatically flinched away from.

"No," he said bluntly. He wasn't in the mood for conversation with her. Or for her to be touching him again.

"I need someone who's good with their hands to help me out please!" Daryl turned to see Lara standing at the entrance to the fairly busy common area. She was covered in dirt and grime, her long hair piled haphazardly on top of her head. No makeup on unlike the woman next to him, she was just in some plain pants and a too large shirt. And yet somehow she was beautiful, her blue eyes shining as she looked around.

A few wolf whistles accompanied her request. "Y'all need Jesus!" She yelled with her hands on her hips and Daryl sniggered at the smirk painted on her lips.

He turned back to his job as he saw Tyreese follow the blonde back out of the cell block. Vaguely he wondered what she was up to this time.

"Huh, she should be so lucky," Andrea muttered bitterly, making Daryl raise his eyebrows. He didn't say anything though, even if he did want to know where that had come from, he didn't want to know enough to make conversation. "That's the only reason she doesn't like me. I feel sorry for her."

Daryl took his eyes off the knife he used for skinnin' and looked briefly in Andrea's direction. It was enough for her to keep talkin'.

"Michonne and I, we came here straight after Merle and her found the place. Like a couple of weeks after. Since then I've had a erm… boyfriend or two…" From what Daryl had heard she had screwed half of the damn Pound. "Princess though… no one even looks in her general direction. She's jealous." Daryl once more raised his eyebrows. He didn't agree with the blonde's assessment. He had seen Tommy Boy, Grouch and Backer all give Lara looks, if she had wanted to she could have had any of them. He pushed away how the blonde made him feel and any looks that he may have given her. "And all this feminist shit she talks is just bullshit!"

"Feminist shit?" Daryl asked, he hadn't heard any of it.

"Yeah, women and men should be equal. She just thinks women like her should be able to get off the laundry while the rest of us slave away. She won't even let anyone do guard duty if they can't hit a target that no-one would need to hit. The women anyway. Of course the men are allowed to do it. It's all a load of diversionary crap to keep the one's she doesn't like down."

"She stoppin' ya from leavin', goin' on runs or improvin' ya aim?" Daryl asked, knowing the answer. He was also aware that although Lara seemed to be the de facto leader she didn't have much to do with who did what outside of runs. And he'd seen Lara do laundry, she might have a frown on her face doin' it, but she did it anyway.

"No. But she makes it so you can't go on a run unless you live up to her impossible standards, and then she won't even get what you ask for!"

Daryl shrugged, he felt his blood heating up a little at how Andrea was acting. Like she should be allowed to do whatever she wanted without being capable. Like Lara was being a bitch when in reality she was just tryin' to keep people alive.

"I trained with her, she's a hardass, but it ain't impossible. Ya want ta go on runs just work for it," Daryl shrugged, his words came out clipped but he didn't give a damn. How hard was it to use your brain? Ya wanted something, ya went and got it or worked for it. Didn't just sit on ya ass whining about it. That never did anythin' for anyone.

"That or grow a dick so she can actually get some. I bet that's why she takes guys on runs, so she can try and get laid. She's a bitch because she's in need of a fuck," Andreas words were like acid, thick dark bile being spewed from inside her. He realised Lara wasn't the one jealous, it was the other way around. When ya compared the two women side by side it wasn't hard to see why. "Too bad about that hideous scar, that's what turns the men off. That and her personality."

"Fuck off," Daryl said, his voice hard, his eyes burning into the blondes. His knuckles tightened around his knife, one he wanted to bury in the vapid, vicious woman. She opened her mouth and Daryl shook his head before she could say another word. "Get tha fuck outta my sight ya fuckin' bitch! Talk about a shitty personality, ya need to look in the mirror lady!"

Andrea opened mouthed, eyes wide, got up and fled as Daryl felt his hands shaking. Fuck did that bitch fucking know? Nothing. That's fucking what. That scar on Lara's face just made her more interestin', more beautiful. Ain't nothin' wrong with it. Wasn't nothin' wrong with the woman. And for some fuckin' jumped up bitch ta be sayin' otherwise made him want to smack a woman for the first time in his life. Fuck did she know about scars anyway? Fuck did she know about the pain they brought or the character they built.

Daryl grabbed his huntin' shit and stormed off to his room.

03030303

Lara grinned at the reactions on the group's faces as they walked into the cafeteria. She had spent most of the day setting this up and it was worth it. Everytime a new group was voted in they did a special dinner or something. Just a welcome to the Pound thing. She had gone all out for this though. They now had twenty-five people in the group, it was stronger, giving them a better chance of survival. And her family had their blood family with them. She didn't think she could be much happier. For her people or for herself who got to keep the ones she had grown to love. She had people she loved, she cared for and who she didn't want to live without and she got to keep them. So yeah, she went all out.

"Well suck my balls ya did good here Lara," Red said as he walked in at the head of the pack. "Who cooked cause it sure as shit wasn't you, smells too damn good."

"Shut ya mouth and sit down," Lara said with a smile gesturing at the long table.

She had got Backer to help her get the tables unbolted from the floor and set up one long one. She had covered it with spare sheets in lue of tablecloths and set it with cutlery. She had put wine and beer out that she had been saving along with juice for the kids or adults not drinking like Lori. Together her and Bob had worked hard to make a decent meal for the group with lots of different options. Okay, she had boiled a lot of water, Bob had done most of the cooking. She had sent Andrea on her way an hour into the woman's complaining.

Lara watched as the whole group sat with smiles on their faces, eyes wide as they took in the food and drink. Grins stretching their faces as they started helping themselves to the feast. It reminded her of thanksgiving. A holiday she had always worked, but watching this group reminded her of the families she had watched in the restaurants she had worked at. How they shared the food and poured wine for each other. The gentle teasing and small laughs. It warmed her chest. Twink and Sophia sitting in between Carol and Merle laughing and mock fighting over a plate of tinned vegetables. Carol effortlessly breaking up the 'fight' with a laugh and twinkling eyes.

Maggie sat laughing with Sasha who was next to her brother as always. They looked like two typical women gossiping over a good meal.

Carl was frowning at some green beans his mom had put on his plate and Lara had to stuff down her laugh as Red looked around before swiping the beans and swapping them for the mystery meat dish he had piled his plate high with.

They had done it, they were doing it. Together they were creating a family. A home. A place to live as well as survive.

"Oi! Sit ya skinny ass down and eat Princess!" Merle barked at her, gesturing to the seat that was free next to him and Daryl.

"Yes dad," Lara grinned her predictable response.

She took the seat and nudged Merle with her elbow, sharing a wide smile with the man.

Lara felt better than she had done for weeks as she ate the food, joined in with the teasing and laughs. She amused herself in between talking by making faces at the three kids.

"S'good. Thanks," Daryl muttered next to her as the clinking sounds of cutlery died down and the food that had strained the table had disappeared.

"I didn't have a lot to do with making it," Lara admitted. She had tried but Bob had shooed her away. A lot. She had wondered during the afternoon if maybe she had got him wrong. She had been wrong about people before after all and he had more than pulled his weight. She didn't dislike the ex-army medic, he was personable and useful, but she still couldn't shake the mistrust. Something about him had her on edge.

"Good Lord, just take a compliment will ya," Daryl sighed out, his mouth twitching up at the corners.

"I'll work on it," Lara said with a small smile. She hated to admit it, really hated it, it made her angry, but she had missed him. The last few days where she had gone out of her way to stay away from him, she had missed him. He had a dry, quick wit which she enjoyed. He was good to talk to, he just got it. Got this life, got that shit happened and ya just got on with it. Lara could sit in silence with Barton or she could talk, it was just comfortable. Well mostly anyway, there was the way her mouth went dry and her heart thudded excitedly in her chest when she first saw him. But other than that it was comfortable.

More wine was poured, stories were shared and before long the children were all yawning. Carol and Lori along with Hershel took the kids to bed leaving the rest of the adults all sitting around the long table with a little wine and a few beers left.

"I got the good stuff!" Michonne said as the heavy metal doors snapped shut behind the small group heading back to D block. She went to her bag which was by the exit and pulled out two bottles of whiskey, a bottle of vodka and a bottle of rum.

"Yes!" Cheers went around the room.

"But you can only drink if you play," Kill Bill clarified as she put the bottles down on the table with a wicked looking grin.

"Guess I'm sticking to wine then," Lara said, filling her mug back up with the heavy red wine.

"Nope, you're playing for once," Kill Bill said, waving the whiskey in her face.

"No I'm-"

"I will tell," Kill Bill raised her eyebrows, her smile evil.

"You wouldn't!" Lara gasped. She was amused more than anything. Michonne was referring to the two joints still left that she had come across in Lara's room. Lara didn't want Merle to know, he had done so well not being high and she didn't want him to have the temptation.

"Oh, I would," Kill Bill smirked back.

"What game?" Glenn asked.

"Everyone gets five questions. You can ask anyone anything and they have to answer honestly, everyone has one veto though," Michonne explained as she started filling up everyone's mugs.

"I ain't playin'" Daryl shook his head.

"Yeah ya are, or ya 'fraid someone's gonna find out somethin' juicy 'bout ya Darylina?" Merle goaded his little brother. Daryl rolled his eyes but pushed his mug forward before folding his substantial arms over his chest.

"I'll start," Elmo said eagerly, her eyes lit up and a wide smile on her face. She turned to Bob. "What's the strangest injury you fixed before the world went to crap?"

Bob then proceeded to tell the group about an injured soldier he had fixed up, which involved a letter from the soldier's wife, a shoelace and his dick. Lara laughed long and hard at the story, the whiskey she was sipping making the story funnier.

"Lara," Michonne asked, making the smile drop from her face. She didn't like answering questions about herself. "What's the worse sex you ever had?"

Lara let out a little sigh, that she could discuss. "That was actually the last time I had sex. And if I had known it was the last time I'd get laid in years I'd have slept with more guys," Lara joined in with the laughter. "It was this guy I'd picked up at a bar after a few too many. It was just supposed to be a quickie, scratch that itch ya know? Nothing special, clothes on, quick and fast… It was mediocre at best which was frustrating, but hey a sloppy drunk fuck is never good which I forgot. Anyway… It gets to the stage where I realise that I'd be finishing myself off when he left-"

More laughter echoed around the cafeteria.

"- when he stops and says to me 'how freaky are you?'." Lara told the manically laughing group. "It was about to get really good or really scary. I asked what he meant. He looked me in the eyes and said 'can I suck ya toes'."

Michonne had tears leaking down her face. She was laughing so hard. Red let out barks of uncontrolled mirth and Merle was roaring.

"Did ya let 'im?" Oscar asked while topping up the drinks.

"Hey, don't knock it if ya have never tried it," Lara said with a shrug making everyone look at her again.

"You did?" G.I. Jane asked with wide eyes, her hand going up to her open mouth.

"Like I said, worse sex ever," Lara said raising her eyebrows and sipping at her drink with an exaggerated shudder. She was all about experimenting and not kink shaming but toes, eh, no.

A few more questions were asked before Lara was asked anything else. She was getting wasted and she knew she'd have a hell of a hangover the next day. She just hoped it didn't rain that time.

Surprisingly it was Daryl who asked her the question.

"What was the worst thing ya did before everything went to shit?" He only had a slight slur in his voice.

"There's a cop here, I don't want to spend the next twenty years to life in one of those cells," Lara said with a smile but she had sobered up some and her heart beat a little unevenly in her chest.

"Nope, I ain't a cop anymore," Eastwood said, his face red and his eyes unfocused.

Lara swallowed, her mouth was dry. She hadn't told anyone about it. Ever. Which was why she had been free before the turn, rather than in a place just like the Pound.

"Go on, can't be that bad," Maggie insisted.

"I helped someone commit murder," Lara said staring at her hands before taking her mug and drinking every last drop in it.

The silence that took over the jovial group was too loud and she didn't dare look up.

"So that's how ya kill half a person!" Merle was the first to break it. "Am I gonna have ta sleep with one eye open now Princess?"

"Nah, I don't have an accomplice," Lara teased while shooting her friend a grateful look.

"I volunteer as tribute!" Michonne said with a grin for the two.

"Why? Why did you kill someone?" Rick asked, he had sobered up quickly.

"That ya question there Eastwood, by my count ya only got the one left," Merle said, his hand clenched on the table, his shoulders tightening and his eyes shrewdly taking in the ex officer.

"Yes. Why?"

"My first and only boyfriend. He was a son of a bitch, manipulative, cruel, he could get in anyone's head, twist things and make them ugly. He was in deep with an MC, I didn't have a clue. One day the enforcer of the MC came knocking. I invited the man in, told him where Greg was, locked the door so Greg couldn't leave and when he tried to escape I sucker punched the bastard so the guy could do his job," Lara said, trying her hardest not to remember it too much. The apartment with the holes in the walls from things being thrown at them, or the indents in the drywall that were shaped like her head. The stench of sweat and dried blood, only barely kept away by the harsh chemical cleaner. The creaky floorboards would tell you where anyone stood, different squeaks signalling how hard someone was walking, how heavy their footfalls were shedding an idea of the owner's mood.

"So you didn't do anything but watch?" Beth asked quietly. Lara had almost forgotten the small blonde teenager was there.

"I didn't say that," Lara said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Believe me, he deserved what he got."

"So you're a murderer then?" Andrea asked in a biting tone. Lara nodded, for once not bristling at Andrea's tone, she deserved it. The woman wasn't wrong. She had killed. And she probably would be forced to again. Despite that Lara couldn't feel any guilt for what had happened seven years ago.

"Who ain't now?" Daryl scoffed, passing Lara the half full bottle of whiskey with a tiny nod.

"That's true, I poisoned the man who abused me, Lara. Belladonna. I don't hold it against you dearie," Grey piped up. Lara stared at the old woman with the long gray hair and grandmotherly disposition with wide eyes. She then shook her head laughing, Meridith was talking out of her ass but she said it with enough conviction for Lara to not be the only one gaping at her. The old woman shot Lara a wink before turning her gaze onto Merle. "What was your favorite band, Merle?" Lara sent the woman a small smile of gratitude.

"Lara?" Her head snapped up and eyes were once more on her.

"Huh?"

"I said, is there anyone here you want to sleep with?" Tommy Boy asked, he looked hopeful, his eyes gliding over her body even as she folded her arms across her chest.

Lara took her drink, the alcohol flowing through her making her bolder than usual. She caught Daryl's eye and held it, the same heat and tension as usual passing in the stare. Her mouth went dry and her tongue wet her lips. His blue eyes followed the trail and darkened at her actions. "Yes," she said honestly, keeping her eyes locked on Daryl for a few more seconds, she felt light headed with her confession. Still she could always blame it on the alcohol the next day. She didn't miss Barton's shaky intake of breath nor him pulling his lips in between his teeth to gnaw on. She also didn't miss the small movement of his legs moving apart under the table.

"Daryl, do you prefer brunettes or blondes?" Andrea asked.

Daryl's eyes tore themselves away from Lara to look at the other blonde before they snapped back to her. She saw the way he eyed her long blonde locks before he answered, looking directly at Lara making her heart gallop in her chest. "Blondes."

Under the table, briefly their knees touched and Lara ran her tongue along the groove in her lip. Her legs felt supercharged, as though that small, brief, light touch held huge wattages of electricity.

"Me too man," Oscar said from across the table with a bright grin, his arm around a frowning Andrea.