Contagion Chapter Eight
After spending some time with Kate, Mac slipped outside and sat down in front of the RV. Lately he felt as if sometimes he no longer fit in with his family. Like they all had their own issues and that he just didn't fit in anymore. Avery had Daryl and Jessica well who knew anymore. Zac and Kate had their new baby and whatever drama that brought and since arriving here it seemed as if Taylor had that one Greene sister named Maggie.
Mac on the other hand had no one and it saddened him. At least if Zoe had still been alive she would have been there for him even if she had also been close to Jessica too.
Being brought out of his thoughts Mac looked over as he felt someone sit down beside him and he raised an eyebrow seeing Avery, "You guys just get back?" he asked her curiously plastering on his best fake smile.
Avery nodded at Mac's words, "Zac went towards the house I think. Said something about needing a shower before he started to look even more like a dirty hobo," she laughed as she shook her head.
"Kate's going to be even more pissed off," Mac muttered as he looked towards the tent where he could see Kate still sitting and knitting. "He better pray she puts the knitting stuff away before he goes back in there or we are going to be down a brother."
Making a confused face Avery just looked at Mac, "Why is Kate pissed at Zac?"
"Apparently he didn't tell her he was going with you and he also did it yesterday," Mac said not really understanding exactly what was going on in Zac's marriage. "I just think things between them have been strained since the CDC."
Avery nodded again as Mac talked, "Zac did seem off at first when we were gone but then he got better," she said knowing that whatever had been on his mind had seemed to go away. Maybe it had to do with Kate? "I..Is Daryl back?" she asked her younger brother knowing she probably sounded a bit too eager to know this information.
At Avery's question, Mac rolled his eyes, "No," he answered. "Do you like him?" he asked remembering Jessica's words on the highway. That he had the wrong sister when he accused her of liking Daryl.
When Mac asked her that Avery looked down, "I wish everyone would stop asking me that," she said as again she thought back to her time with Zac. "But yeah I guess I do," she finally admitted to someone else who wasn't Jessica. "I like Daryl."
Mac sighed at Avery's words. He wasn't sure how he felt about his sister liking a Dixon. He knew how Merle was and he was afraid Daryl could be the same way. "Don't let him break you," he told her as he smiled finally. "Or I will break him."
Laughing Avery shook her head. "He can't break what's already broken," she said as she shrugged. She had remembered Zac calling her broken in the woods and she knew he was right. She was broken and she just wanted someone who could either put her together or love her in spit of it.
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Taylor groaned as he pulled away from Maggie when they heard a knock on the bathroom door. They had already had sex twice and he was sure they could have been well on their way for a third time had the knock not have came. Hearing his brother's voice call out to ask if anyone was in there Taylor chewed his lip and watched as Maggie scrambled to get dressed a blush now on her cheeks.
"I'll be out in a second," Taylor hollered to Zac as he soon found the clothes he had brought to change into. As he changed he looked at Maggie. "I..I don't know what to say." he said honestly not sure if he should apologize for Zac knocking or tell her how great the sex was but he was sure she knew he had already thought the sex was great. He had kept telling her how good she was during the whole thing.
Maggie shook her head, "Don't say anything," she hissed as she walked to the door. "I'm going to be so embarrassed when I walk out and have to face your brother," she said knowing that she would be. It wasn't like she was a virgin but she didn't like people knowing what she was doing and she was sure his brother would come to conclusions when she left the locked bathroom.
"My brother isn't going to embarrass you," Taylor told her as he finished dressing. "If he does I will kick his ass," he smirked though he figured Zac could easily take him if he wanted too.
Laughing slightly Maggie sighed, "I just don't like the idea that he'll know what we did," she finally said before opening the door and coming face to face with Zac who obviously from his shock had not been expecting to see her. Giving him a smile she slowly slipped passed him and headed out of the bathroom. She figured she should head to the kitchen because she knew thanks to haven spoken with Lori this morning that some of the women in the group wanted to cook a meal for her family and she had agreed that Lori and Carol and a few of their women could use the kitchen to make dinner and it was probably almost dinner time. She should go see if they needed help.
As Maggie left Taylor shook his head and walked to the door looking at Zac. "You breathe a word to anyone about this and I will tell everyone you used to wet the bed until you were twelve."
"But I didn't," Zac whined as he gave Taylor a look.
"I know that but there is no one here to confirm or deny it," Taylor smirked as he brushed past Zac to leave the bathroom. "The younger ones probably don't really remember and well Isaac's gone," he said feeling sad at that thought. He knew he'd probably never see his older brother again and while they may not have been close he still missed him.
Continuing to give Taylor a look Zac just rolled his eyes, "You have my word. I won't tell anyone you banged the farmer's daughter," he said as he went into the bathroom as Taylor left. "Just tell me which surfaces you fucked her on so I know not to touch them," he teased as he stuck his tongue out at his older brother.
"Fuck you," Taylor muttered as he turned to walk away. He swore he could hear Zac mutter something but he couldn't make out what it was. Shaking his head he just remained silent as he walked down the stairs and soon headed outside where he paused when he saw Jessica sitting on the stairs. She apparently hadn't heard him come out here because she still seemed to be staring at some invisible object out in the distance.
"Penny for your thought?" he asked as he sat down beside her and watched as she jumped.
Jessica jumped as she heard Taylor speak and then she hit him playfully on the arm, "You scared the shit out of me."
Taylor laughed at Jessica's reaction and he held his arm trying to mock being hurt, "Sorry but I wouldn't have scared you if you had been home when I spoke," he said as he reached up to tap her head. "What were you thinking of?"
"Boys," Jessica admitted as she blushed when she answered Taylor's question. "Glenn," she said making it even more clearer which boy.
When Jessica said Glenn was who she was thinking of Taylor just sat there and tried to process things. "Why would you be thinking of Glenn?"
"Because we had sex and now things are awkward," Jessica shrugged. She wasn't as secretive about her love life as Avery was at times so it was easier for her to tell people what was wrong.
"Oh..." Taylor muttered as he blushed at Jessica's words. "I didn't know Glenn was your type."
Jessica forced a laugh, "He isn't really but do you see a lot of men I can choose from now days?" she asked him as she shook her head. "It just sort of happened and I don't know. I don't know how to feel and things are awkward. I think Glenn wants more and I just don't really know where I stand or what I want."
Taylor took a deep breath before answering Jessica, "Maybe you should just let whatever happens happen Jess," he nodded as he stood up. "Eventually you guys will figure something out," he smiled as he looked down at her before walking off the stairs and heading towards the tents.
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Avery who had moved from the grass after Mac left to go the tents sat on the swing under the tree when she heard Andrea who was on top of the RV saying there was a walker. Standing up she watched as Rick came closer.
"Just the one?" Rick asked as he looked up at Andrea who was now looking through a pair of binoculars.
Andrea who watched the walker that had came out from the woods lay down the binoculars as she reached for the shotgun, "I bet I can nail it from here," she said sounding confident in her ability to hit the walker that was coming their way.
Avery heard Andrea say what she did and she raised an eyebrow at Rick telling Andrea no and to put the gun down. She didn't understand why Rick didn't want Andrea to kill the walker though maybe it had something to do with Hershel. This was his property after all but still..it made no sense.
"You best let us handle this," Shane called out to Andrea as he came out from one of the tents and held a rifle in his hand as well.
Rick watched as Shane and T-Dog came towards him, "Shane hold off," he told his friend as he shook his head. "Hershel wants to deal with walkers."
"What for man we got it covered," Shane replied not sure why Hershel would mind if they took care of the walkers.
Continuing to watch the scene play out in front of her Avery heard Rick mutter a damn it before he ran inside the RV. Obviously to her it seemed he was no longer going to fight his friends and he too was going to see if they could take care of this walker before the walker made it to where they all were.
After most of the men had headed off towards the walker Avery moved to where Dale stood near the front of the RV. Looking up when she heard Andrea drop down she raised an eyebrow knowing Andrea was going to try to shoot the walker.
"Andrea don't," Dale warned the woman knowing that Rick had told her not to shoot.
"Back off Dale," Andrea muttered harshly as she looked through the scope on the gun. When she was sure she had the shot, she fired the gun.
It was after Andrea had fired the gun that Avery heard Rick yell out a no and she raised an eyebrow hearing the panic in his voice. A panic that made her heartbeat faster. Hearing the people who had been in the house come out Avery turned her head as she heard Hershel yell out asking what was going on and then she watched as Andrea and Dale both took off running to where the others were as well as the thing or whatever it was that Andrea had shot.
Staying where she was though she felt someone put an arm around her and she turned to see Kate. "Andrea shot a walker," she muttered to the brunette beside her though deep down she had a feeling that maybe Andrea had messed up and maybe that hadn't been a walker but who else or what else could it have been?
Eventually when they got closer Avery had her answer when she saw Rick and Shane walking a slumped over Daryl towards Hershel. He was much dirtier than when he had left and from the blood on his head she knew that Andrea had at least hit him somewhat when she fired her gun.
Moving away from Kate she ran towards the men as she watched them get to Hershel who helped usher Daryl inside and it was then that Avery felt like her world was going to crumble before her. Daryl was hurt and she was scared she was going to lose him and as she walked with them inside the house, watching as Daryl was lead into one of the rooms she again felt arms around her and this time when she looked it was Jessica not Kate who was holding her.
Avery let Jessica hold her and she walked to a couch sitting down. She wasn't sure how long she had sat there but eventually they had gotten news that Daryl would be fine and she breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't going to lose him and now all she wanted was to make things right between them.
"Hopefully he can tell us where he found Sophia's doll," T-Dog spoke from the couch he sat on opposite of Jessica and Avery where he still held the doll he had found next to the spot where Daryl had fallen when the bullet from the gun had grazed him.
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Zac who had left the shower ages ago sat on the porch as he looked at Kate. They had just gotten news that Daryl would be fine and he felt relieved. He was relieved because Avery would at least be happy now. "I'm glad he is okay."
"Me too," Kate nodded as she kept her gaze off Zac. She hadn't confronted him about his leaving without telling her. "I'm sure Avery's relieved to hear that he will be fine," she said knowing from Avery's reaction when she had seen them carrying Daryl inside that she cared for the man.
"She probably is," Zac smiled as he noticed Kate avoiding his gaze. "Are you okay? I mean you won't even look at me right now."
Kate closed her eyes briefly at Zac's words as she took a deep breath, "I'm mad at you," she confessed as she finally looked at her husband. "You left again this morning without telling me where you went. I thought after last night you'd tell me when you decide to leave so I don't sit around and worry about you and you know I will," she scolded him almost like she would a child. "How would you feel if that was me who just wondered off without telling you?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Going silent at Kate's outburst Zac blushed, "I..I'm sorry," he apologized as he looked down. "I know I should have told you and I guess it just slipped my mind," he lied. It hadn't slipped his mind if he was being truthful. He was ticked at her and when he was ticked at her he did things to make her ticked. That was how they had always worked and he guessed even this world couldn't change that.
"Well next time tell me," Kate said as she uncrossed her arms and gave him a smile as he looked down. Standing from the porch she headed inside to see if the women in the kitchen needed anymore help. It was getting dark and it was almost dinner time.
Watching as Kate left Zac too stood up and as he did he watched as the youngest Greene came from the other side of the porch giving him a smile.
"I didn't mean to overhear your conversation with your wife," Beth stated as she smiled at the man in front of her. "I was just coming back from the barn and yeah.." she nodded as she shrugged.
Zac returned Beth's smile, "It's fine," he assured her as he nodded. "I guess we are even," he said knowing he had overheard her singing yesterday without her knowledge.
Beth gave Zac a confused look, "What do you mean?" she asked as she walked closer to the front door.
"I sort of overheard you singing yesterday," Zac told her as he gave her another smile. "You have a nice singing voice."
At Zac's words Beth felt herself blush and she looked away from him. "T..thank you," she stuttered out as she looked back up at him. "That means a lot coming from you," she said knowing exactly who Zac and his brothers were or well had been. "I wasn't a fan but I knew people who were," she lied before nodding.
"I wouldn't mind if you were a fan," Zac admitted honestly. "I mean you haven't tried to take advantage of me or anything so you seem sane."
Laughing at that Beth just shook her head, "Or I could be hiding my crazy well," she said before turning her back to him and heading inside. She really wasn't crazy though but maybe it would have been fun to have him think she was.
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Sitting at the dinner table that night Jessica made a face. She had gotten stuck at the smaller table or what most people would refer to as the kiddie table, though luckily she hadn't got stuck alone. Jimmy and Beth where at the table as well along with Glenn who she happened to be seated with though of course right now things weren't really awkward and she still had Taylor's words in her head. Just let things go and see what happens.
"Does anybody know how to play guitar?" Glenn asked as he turned to face the people at the other table. There was a weird tension coming from that table and what better way to break it then to ask a question. "Dale found a cool one," he said seeing Dale smiling at him though when no one answered he sighed. "Somebody's got to know how to play."
"Otis did," Patricia answered unable to turn to look at Glenn.
Hershel smiled as he looked at Patricia, "Yes and he was very good too."
When Glenn turned back around Jessica just gave him a sympathetic look before passing him a piece of paper.
Taking the paper from Jessica, Glenn looked down to read her writing, a smile forming on his face at the words. She was asking him to meet her tonight. Looking back up at her he saw the smirk on her lips and he grinned before writing something down knowing he was making noise as he did so.
As Glenn wrote on the piece of paper Jessica made a face when she saw Taylor eying her and Dale also looking over at them and giving them both a look. Shaking her head she took the paper from Glenn and read it having to laugh at where he had chosen for them to fool around at.
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Avery chewed on her lip as she stood in the kitchen after dinner. Carol was getting a tray ready to take to Daryl and she sighed, "D..do you mind if I take the tray to him?" she asked as she looked at the woman.
Raising an eyebrow at Avery's question Carol finished fixing the tray, "I kind of wanted too..to thank him for all he did today," she said as she looked at the girl.
"I get that but I just really want to do it," Avery said knowing her reasons were purely because she just wanted to see Daryl. "I can thank him for you," she told Carol giving her a smile.
Carol nodded finally relenting to what Avery wanted. After she gave in she walked away and out of the kitchen.
Watching Carol leave Avery grabbed the tray and headed to the room where Daryl was. Getting there she opened the door slowly and as she went inside she watched Daryl turn to look at her as he tried to cover up his bare chest.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat the tray of food down on the table by the bed.
"About as good as I look," Daryl told her as he held the covers up over himself as best he could and he eventually turned his head away from her.
Avery just nodded at his words, "I brought some dinner," she told him knowing she was stating the obvious. "You must be starving," she half smiled watching as he turned to look at the food and as he turned back away from her she leaned down kissing his forehead an action that made him flinch slightly.
"Watch out I got stitches," Daryl spoke his voice coming out harsh.
Rolling her eyes at Daryl's words Avery shook her head, "I'm not going to hurt you," she told him honestly. "I'd never willingly hurt you," she admitted as she walked closer to the door. "I just..I like you and I want to take care of you and I wish you'd understand that," she confessed feeling her cheeks heat up as she spoke.
Daryl laid there as he listened to Avery's words and he sighed remembering what his hallucination of Merle had said today. No one would love Daryl like Merle and it was hard for him to believe what Avery was saying, especially knowing that she had been with Shane. He wasn't as good as Shane or even Rick for that matter.
At Daryl's silence Avery frowned, "And Carol wanted me to think you for looking for Sophia."
"I didn't do anything that Rick or Shane wouldn't have done," Daryl stated as he kept his gaze away from Avery.
Avery again frowned trying to think of something to say in response to that. "I know," she finally spoke smiling as she did. "You're every bit as good as them," she told him knowing that he was or well she thought he was. "Every bit," she stated again before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.
After Avery left Daryl curled deeper into the sheet as he thought over her words. Did she really mean them?
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Taylor yawned as he stood in the kitchen with Mac. The clean up with dinner was almost done and he sighed not seeing Jessica. "Where is Jessie at?" he asked as he looked at his youngest brother.
Mac who had been standing next to Maggie at the sink turned to look at Taylor, "Probably in the barn with Glenn. I found that note they were passing at dinner," he said as he smirked. "Glenn asked her if she had ever done it in a hayloft."
After Mac had answered him Taylor raised an eyebrow as he heard Maggie drop the dish she had been holding into the sink and before he or Mac could question her about it they both watched as she bolted out of the kitchen. Shaking his head he turned and decided to follow her.
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Jessica giggled slightly as she walked with Glenn to the barn, "I can't believe you suggested the barn," she said as looked at him.
"Didn't know I could be so kinky?" Glenn asked her as he held the flashlight in one hand and a blanket in the other.
"No," Jessica answered honestly as they reached the barn and she watched as Glenn looked up at the padlock on the door. Without saying anything to her she watched him walk to one side of the barn and she followed behind him.smiling when he found a ladder that lead to the hayloft at the top.
Seeing him throw the blanket up into the barn she giggled again and then climbed up soon watching as he did the same thing. Once they were inside she looked around and watched as Glenn finally turned on the flashlight. Taking the blanket from him Jessica sit it down and made a face as she smelled something awful.
"D..do you smell that?" she asked Glenn and when he shook his head she watched as he shined his light down and she gasped when she saw a barn full of walkers, reaching up at them and she was almost glad they were up so high.
Glenn turned to look at Jessica a frightened look on his face, "I..I think we should go," he stuttered as he turned to leave in a hurry hearing Jessica coming after him. When they almost made it out they both came to a stop as they came face to face with Maggie.
"You weren't supposed to see this," Maggie told them as she frowned hearing footsteps and she knew Taylor was behind her.
"What weren't they supposed to see?" Taylor asked feeling confused as he stepped closer to Maggie and looked at Glenn and Jessica who were standing in front of him looking scared.
Jessica took a deep breath before answering her brother, "The barn is full of walkers," she answered seeing a look of horror take over his face as well.
After spending some time with Kate, Mac slipped outside and sat down in front of the RV. Lately he felt as if sometimes he no longer fit in with his family. Like they all had their own issues and that he just didn't fit in anymore. Avery had Daryl and Jessica well who knew anymore. Zac and Kate had their new baby and whatever drama that brought and since arriving here it seemed as if Taylor had that one Greene sister named Maggie.
Mac on the other hand had no one and it saddened him. At least if Zoe had still been alive she would have been there for him even if she had also been close to Jessica too.
Being brought out of his thoughts Mac looked over as he felt someone sit down beside him and he raised an eyebrow seeing Avery, "You guys just get back?" he asked her curiously plastering on his best fake smile.
Avery nodded at Mac's words, "Zac went towards the house I think. Said something about needing a shower before he started to look even more like a dirty hobo," she laughed as she shook her head.
"Kate's going to be even more pissed off," Mac muttered as he looked towards the tent where he could see Kate still sitting and knitting. "He better pray she puts the knitting stuff away before he goes back in there or we are going to be down a brother."
Making a confused face Avery just looked at Mac, "Why is Kate pissed at Zac?"
"Apparently he didn't tell her he was going with you and he also did it yesterday," Mac said not really understanding exactly what was going on in Zac's marriage. "I just think things between them have been strained since the CDC."
Avery nodded again as Mac talked, "Zac did seem off at first when we were gone but then he got better," she said knowing that whatever had been on his mind had seemed to go away. Maybe it had to do with Kate? "I..Is Daryl back?" she asked her younger brother knowing she probably sounded a bit too eager to know this information.
At Avery's question, Mac rolled his eyes, "No," he answered. "Do you like him?" he asked remembering Jessica's words on the highway. That he had the wrong sister when he accused her of liking Daryl.
When Mac asked her that Avery looked down, "I wish everyone would stop asking me that," she said as again she thought back to her time with Zac. "But yeah I guess I do," she finally admitted to someone else who wasn't Jessica. "I like Daryl."
Mac sighed at Avery's words. He wasn't sure how he felt about his sister liking a Dixon. He knew how Merle was and he was afraid Daryl could be the same way. "Don't let him break you," he told her as he smiled finally. "Or I will break him."
Laughing Avery shook her head. "He can't break what's already broken," she said as she shrugged. She had remembered Zac calling her broken in the woods and she knew he was right. She was broken and she just wanted someone who could either put her together or love her in spit of it.
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Taylor groaned as he pulled away from Maggie when they heard a knock on the bathroom door. They had already had sex twice and he was sure they could have been well on their way for a third time had the knock not have came. Hearing his brother's voice call out to ask if anyone was in there Taylor chewed his lip and watched as Maggie scrambled to get dressed a blush now on her cheeks.
"I'll be out in a second," Taylor hollered to Zac as he soon found the clothes he had brought to change into. As he changed he looked at Maggie. "I..I don't know what to say." he said honestly not sure if he should apologize for Zac knocking or tell her how great the sex was but he was sure she knew he had already thought the sex was great. He had kept telling her how good she was during the whole thing.
Maggie shook her head, "Don't say anything," she hissed as she walked to the door. "I'm going to be so embarrassed when I walk out and have to face your brother," she said knowing that she would be. It wasn't like she was a virgin but she didn't like people knowing what she was doing and she was sure his brother would come to conclusions when she left the locked bathroom.
"My brother isn't going to embarrass you," Taylor told her as he finished dressing. "If he does I will kick his ass," he smirked though he figured Zac could easily take him if he wanted too.
Laughing slightly Maggie sighed, "I just don't like the idea that he'll know what we did," she finally said before opening the door and coming face to face with Zac who obviously from his shock had not been expecting to see her. Giving him a smile she slowly slipped passed him and headed out of the bathroom. She figured she should head to the kitchen because she knew thanks to haven spoken with Lori this morning that some of the women in the group wanted to cook a meal for her family and she had agreed that Lori and Carol and a few of their women could use the kitchen to make dinner and it was probably almost dinner time. She should go see if they needed help.
As Maggie left Taylor shook his head and walked to the door looking at Zac. "You breathe a word to anyone about this and I will tell everyone you used to wet the bed until you were twelve."
"But I didn't," Zac whined as he gave Taylor a look.
"I know that but there is no one here to confirm or deny it," Taylor smirked as he brushed past Zac to leave the bathroom. "The younger ones probably don't really remember and well Isaac's gone," he said feeling sad at that thought. He knew he'd probably never see his older brother again and while they may not have been close he still missed him.
Continuing to give Taylor a look Zac just rolled his eyes, "You have my word. I won't tell anyone you banged the farmer's daughter," he said as he went into the bathroom as Taylor left. "Just tell me which surfaces you fucked her on so I know not to touch them," he teased as he stuck his tongue out at his older brother.
"Fuck you," Taylor muttered as he turned to walk away. He swore he could hear Zac mutter something but he couldn't make out what it was. Shaking his head he just remained silent as he walked down the stairs and soon headed outside where he paused when he saw Jessica sitting on the stairs. She apparently hadn't heard him come out here because she still seemed to be staring at some invisible object out in the distance.
"Penny for your thought?" he asked as he sat down beside her and watched as she jumped.
Jessica jumped as she heard Taylor speak and then she hit him playfully on the arm, "You scared the shit out of me."
Taylor laughed at Jessica's reaction and he held his arm trying to mock being hurt, "Sorry but I wouldn't have scared you if you had been home when I spoke," he said as he reached up to tap her head. "What were you thinking of?"
"Boys," Jessica admitted as she blushed when she answered Taylor's question. "Glenn," she said making it even more clearer which boy.
When Jessica said Glenn was who she was thinking of Taylor just sat there and tried to process things. "Why would you be thinking of Glenn?"
"Because we had sex and now things are awkward," Jessica shrugged. She wasn't as secretive about her love life as Avery was at times so it was easier for her to tell people what was wrong.
"Oh..." Taylor muttered as he blushed at Jessica's words. "I didn't know Glenn was your type."
Jessica forced a laugh, "He isn't really but do you see a lot of men I can choose from now days?" she asked him as she shook her head. "It just sort of happened and I don't know. I don't know how to feel and things are awkward. I think Glenn wants more and I just don't really know where I stand or what I want."
Taylor took a deep breath before answering Jessica, "Maybe you should just let whatever happens happen Jess," he nodded as he stood up. "Eventually you guys will figure something out," he smiled as he looked down at her before walking off the stairs and heading towards the tents.
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Avery who had moved from the grass after Mac left to go the tents sat on the swing under the tree when she heard Andrea who was on top of the RV saying there was a walker. Standing up she watched as Rick came closer.
"Just the one?" Rick asked as he looked up at Andrea who was now looking through a pair of binoculars.
Andrea who watched the walker that had came out from the woods lay down the binoculars as she reached for the shotgun, "I bet I can nail it from here," she said sounding confident in her ability to hit the walker that was coming their way.
Avery heard Andrea say what she did and she raised an eyebrow at Rick telling Andrea no and to put the gun down. She didn't understand why Rick didn't want Andrea to kill the walker though maybe it had something to do with Hershel. This was his property after all but still..it made no sense.
"You best let us handle this," Shane called out to Andrea as he came out from one of the tents and held a rifle in his hand as well.
Rick watched as Shane and T-Dog came towards him, "Shane hold off," he told his friend as he shook his head. "Hershel wants to deal with walkers."
"What for man we got it covered," Shane replied not sure why Hershel would mind if they took care of the walkers.
Continuing to watch the scene play out in front of her Avery heard Rick mutter a damn it before he ran inside the RV. Obviously to her it seemed he was no longer going to fight his friends and he too was going to see if they could take care of this walker before the walker made it to where they all were.
After most of the men had headed off towards the walker Avery moved to where Dale stood near the front of the RV. Looking up when she heard Andrea drop down she raised an eyebrow knowing Andrea was going to try to shoot the walker.
"Andrea don't," Dale warned the woman knowing that Rick had told her not to shoot.
"Back off Dale," Andrea muttered harshly as she looked through the scope on the gun. When she was sure she had the shot, she fired the gun.
It was after Andrea had fired the gun that Avery heard Rick yell out a no and she raised an eyebrow hearing the panic in his voice. A panic that made her heartbeat faster. Hearing the people who had been in the house come out Avery turned her head as she heard Hershel yell out asking what was going on and then she watched as Andrea and Dale both took off running to where the others were as well as the thing or whatever it was that Andrea had shot.
Staying where she was though she felt someone put an arm around her and she turned to see Kate. "Andrea shot a walker," she muttered to the brunette beside her though deep down she had a feeling that maybe Andrea had messed up and maybe that hadn't been a walker but who else or what else could it have been?
Eventually when they got closer Avery had her answer when she saw Rick and Shane walking a slumped over Daryl towards Hershel. He was much dirtier than when he had left and from the blood on his head she knew that Andrea had at least hit him somewhat when she fired her gun.
Moving away from Kate she ran towards the men as she watched them get to Hershel who helped usher Daryl inside and it was then that Avery felt like her world was going to crumble before her. Daryl was hurt and she was scared she was going to lose him and as she walked with them inside the house, watching as Daryl was lead into one of the rooms she again felt arms around her and this time when she looked it was Jessica not Kate who was holding her.
Avery let Jessica hold her and she walked to a couch sitting down. She wasn't sure how long she had sat there but eventually they had gotten news that Daryl would be fine and she breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't going to lose him and now all she wanted was to make things right between them.
"Hopefully he can tell us where he found Sophia's doll," T-Dog spoke from the couch he sat on opposite of Jessica and Avery where he still held the doll he had found next to the spot where Daryl had fallen when the bullet from the gun had grazed him.
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Zac who had left the shower ages ago sat on the porch as he looked at Kate. They had just gotten news that Daryl would be fine and he felt relieved. He was relieved because Avery would at least be happy now. "I'm glad he is okay."
"Me too," Kate nodded as she kept her gaze off Zac. She hadn't confronted him about his leaving without telling her. "I'm sure Avery's relieved to hear that he will be fine," she said knowing from Avery's reaction when she had seen them carrying Daryl inside that she cared for the man.
"She probably is," Zac smiled as he noticed Kate avoiding his gaze. "Are you okay? I mean you won't even look at me right now."
Kate closed her eyes briefly at Zac's words as she took a deep breath, "I'm mad at you," she confessed as she finally looked at her husband. "You left again this morning without telling me where you went. I thought after last night you'd tell me when you decide to leave so I don't sit around and worry about you and you know I will," she scolded him almost like she would a child. "How would you feel if that was me who just wondered off without telling you?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Going silent at Kate's outburst Zac blushed, "I..I'm sorry," he apologized as he looked down. "I know I should have told you and I guess it just slipped my mind," he lied. It hadn't slipped his mind if he was being truthful. He was ticked at her and when he was ticked at her he did things to make her ticked. That was how they had always worked and he guessed even this world couldn't change that.
"Well next time tell me," Kate said as she uncrossed her arms and gave him a smile as he looked down. Standing from the porch she headed inside to see if the women in the kitchen needed anymore help. It was getting dark and it was almost dinner time.
Watching as Kate left Zac too stood up and as he did he watched as the youngest Greene came from the other side of the porch giving him a smile.
"I didn't mean to overhear your conversation with your wife," Beth stated as she smiled at the man in front of her. "I was just coming back from the barn and yeah.." she nodded as she shrugged.
Zac returned Beth's smile, "It's fine," he assured her as he nodded. "I guess we are even," he said knowing he had overheard her singing yesterday without her knowledge.
Beth gave Zac a confused look, "What do you mean?" she asked as she walked closer to the front door.
"I sort of overheard you singing yesterday," Zac told her as he gave her another smile. "You have a nice singing voice."
At Zac's words Beth felt herself blush and she looked away from him. "T..thank you," she stuttered out as she looked back up at him. "That means a lot coming from you," she said knowing exactly who Zac and his brothers were or well had been. "I wasn't a fan but I knew people who were," she lied before nodding.
"I wouldn't mind if you were a fan," Zac admitted honestly. "I mean you haven't tried to take advantage of me or anything so you seem sane."
Laughing at that Beth just shook her head, "Or I could be hiding my crazy well," she said before turning her back to him and heading inside. She really wasn't crazy though but maybe it would have been fun to have him think she was.
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Sitting at the dinner table that night Jessica made a face. She had gotten stuck at the smaller table or what most people would refer to as the kiddie table, though luckily she hadn't got stuck alone. Jimmy and Beth where at the table as well along with Glenn who she happened to be seated with though of course right now things weren't really awkward and she still had Taylor's words in her head. Just let things go and see what happens.
"Does anybody know how to play guitar?" Glenn asked as he turned to face the people at the other table. There was a weird tension coming from that table and what better way to break it then to ask a question. "Dale found a cool one," he said seeing Dale smiling at him though when no one answered he sighed. "Somebody's got to know how to play."
"Otis did," Patricia answered unable to turn to look at Glenn.
Hershel smiled as he looked at Patricia, "Yes and he was very good too."
When Glenn turned back around Jessica just gave him a sympathetic look before passing him a piece of paper.
Taking the paper from Jessica, Glenn looked down to read her writing, a smile forming on his face at the words. She was asking him to meet her tonight. Looking back up at her he saw the smirk on her lips and he grinned before writing something down knowing he was making noise as he did so.
As Glenn wrote on the piece of paper Jessica made a face when she saw Taylor eying her and Dale also looking over at them and giving them both a look. Shaking her head she took the paper from Glenn and read it having to laugh at where he had chosen for them to fool around at.
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Avery chewed on her lip as she stood in the kitchen after dinner. Carol was getting a tray ready to take to Daryl and she sighed, "D..do you mind if I take the tray to him?" she asked as she looked at the woman.
Raising an eyebrow at Avery's question Carol finished fixing the tray, "I kind of wanted too..to thank him for all he did today," she said as she looked at the girl.
"I get that but I just really want to do it," Avery said knowing her reasons were purely because she just wanted to see Daryl. "I can thank him for you," she told Carol giving her a smile.
Carol nodded finally relenting to what Avery wanted. After she gave in she walked away and out of the kitchen.
Watching Carol leave Avery grabbed the tray and headed to the room where Daryl was. Getting there she opened the door slowly and as she went inside she watched Daryl turn to look at her as he tried to cover up his bare chest.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she sat the tray of food down on the table by the bed.
"About as good as I look," Daryl told her as he held the covers up over himself as best he could and he eventually turned his head away from her.
Avery just nodded at his words, "I brought some dinner," she told him knowing she was stating the obvious. "You must be starving," she half smiled watching as he turned to look at the food and as he turned back away from her she leaned down kissing his forehead an action that made him flinch slightly.
"Watch out I got stitches," Daryl spoke his voice coming out harsh.
Rolling her eyes at Daryl's words Avery shook her head, "I'm not going to hurt you," she told him honestly. "I'd never willingly hurt you," she admitted as she walked closer to the door. "I just..I like you and I want to take care of you and I wish you'd understand that," she confessed feeling her cheeks heat up as she spoke.
Daryl laid there as he listened to Avery's words and he sighed remembering what his hallucination of Merle had said today. No one would love Daryl like Merle and it was hard for him to believe what Avery was saying, especially knowing that she had been with Shane. He wasn't as good as Shane or even Rick for that matter.
At Daryl's silence Avery frowned, "And Carol wanted me to think you for looking for Sophia."
"I didn't do anything that Rick or Shane wouldn't have done," Daryl stated as he kept his gaze away from Avery.
Avery again frowned trying to think of something to say in response to that. "I know," she finally spoke smiling as she did. "You're every bit as good as them," she told him knowing that he was or well she thought he was. "Every bit," she stated again before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.
After Avery left Daryl curled deeper into the sheet as he thought over her words. Did she really mean them?
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Taylor yawned as he stood in the kitchen with Mac. The clean up with dinner was almost done and he sighed not seeing Jessica. "Where is Jessie at?" he asked as he looked at his youngest brother.
Mac who had been standing next to Maggie at the sink turned to look at Taylor, "Probably in the barn with Glenn. I found that note they were passing at dinner," he said as he smirked. "Glenn asked her if she had ever done it in a hayloft."
After Mac had answered him Taylor raised an eyebrow as he heard Maggie drop the dish she had been holding into the sink and before he or Mac could question her about it they both watched as she bolted out of the kitchen. Shaking his head he turned and decided to follow her.
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Jessica giggled slightly as she walked with Glenn to the barn, "I can't believe you suggested the barn," she said as looked at him.
"Didn't know I could be so kinky?" Glenn asked her as he held the flashlight in one hand and a blanket in the other.
"No," Jessica answered honestly as they reached the barn and she watched as Glenn looked up at the padlock on the door. Without saying anything to her she watched him walk to one side of the barn and she followed behind him.smiling when he found a ladder that lead to the hayloft at the top.
Seeing him throw the blanket up into the barn she giggled again and then climbed up soon watching as he did the same thing. Once they were inside she looked around and watched as Glenn finally turned on the flashlight. Taking the blanket from him Jessica sit it down and made a face as she smelled something awful.
"D..do you smell that?" she asked Glenn and when he shook his head she watched as he shined his light down and she gasped when she saw a barn full of walkers, reaching up at them and she was almost glad they were up so high.
Glenn turned to look at Jessica a frightened look on his face, "I..I think we should go," he stuttered as he turned to leave in a hurry hearing Jessica coming after him. When they almost made it out they both came to a stop as they came face to face with Maggie.
"You weren't supposed to see this," Maggie told them as she frowned hearing footsteps and she knew Taylor was behind her.
"What weren't they supposed to see?" Taylor asked feeling confused as he stepped closer to Maggie and looked at Glenn and Jessica who were standing in front of him looking scared.
Jessica took a deep breath before answering her brother, "The barn is full of walkers," she answered seeing a look of horror take over his face as well.