Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, ect., are the property of their respective owners.  The original character and plot are the property of the author.  The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.  No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: When the world ended the only thing Birdie Grimes wanted to do was to get home to her family.  When she finds her sister-in-law and best friend on the outskirts of Atlanta, will she finally get the chance to tell him how she really feels?  Will love blossom?  *No evil Shane* 

Warning:  This fan-fiction is rated Mature for Language, Gore and Adult Situations.  Readers under the age of 18 are strongly discouraged from reading.

Pairing: Shane Walsh x Birdie Grimes

Chapter Ten

 

The progressed lazily and before I knew it, it was midday.  Rick was happily chatting up Carol who had sweetly washed his uniform and was in the middle of pressing it for him.  Seriously, who the Hell irons in the middle of the apocalypse?

At first, it seemed like today was gonna be a good one and it probably would have been too if the screams of my nephew didn’t tear through camp like death bell tolling.  It only got worse after that. 

As we approached the edge of camp, Carl, Sophia and Eliza came running back towards, fear evident in their eyes.  After Rick had pressed Carl into Lori’s arms and demanded that she, Carol and the kids return to camp the rest of us headed up the ridge to investigate what had scarred them so badly. 

Shane immediately checked the pistol at his hip before pressing into my hands and telling me to keep my eyes open.  Thank you, genius.

The sight that met us when we crested the ridge was one I was sure I’d never forget.  A walker in a blue suit…bloody and missing part of its face was greedily chewing up the intestines of a small deer. 

“Oh God,” I groaned, feeling the bile rising up in my throat as the smell hit me.  God, it was so disgusting. 

After Dale had taken care of the threat, and had commented that he had never seen a walker this close to camp before, I noticed the brightly colored fletching on the three bolts that had more than likely killed this animal.  They were Daryl’s…I was sure of it. 

Not more than a few seconds later…my suspicions were confirmed as the man himself came stomping out of the woods, cursing up a storm when he noticed that the neck and insides were missing out of his prize. 

He seemed tense and already more than willing to pick a fight—as was clearly stated when he started in on Dale, but he stopped when he saw me. 

“’Sup, Birdie,” He said politely with a terse nod. 

Ricky had humor shinning in his blue eyes as he regarded Shane when he pulled me back against his chest and glared at Dixon.  Like I said, he was a caveman.

“What do ya think, think we could cut ‘round this chewed up part?”  He asked looking up at Shane from his kneeling position. 

Okay, I’ve never considered myself one of those squeamish girls…but the thought of eating anything that a walker had touched sent my stomach rebelling inside my body. 

“Really, Daryl…that’s just nasty.”  I told him with my nose curled up in disgust, fighting the urge to swat at him.

Shane leaned forward, I’m sure looking at the deer much in the same manner as I had and grunted.  “I wouldn’t risk that.” 

“Damn shame.” Daryl sighed, standing up.  “Got us some squirrel though, ‘bout a dozen or so, it’ll have to do.” 

Things only went downhill from there…just like I knew they would.  The minute Daryl started hollering for his brother I knew everything was about to get out of hand…

“To Hell with all o’ ya’ll!  Jus’ tell me where he is so I can go get’em.”  Daryl wailed, shaking off anyone who tried to approach him. 

Surprisingly it was Lori who stepped forward, “He’ll show you.”

My eyes widened as I turned to look at her.  Was she smoking crack these days?  Sure, I liked Merle alright.  The man had never bothered me, not that I knew him long enough to make any real judgments on his character…but this was my brother we were talking about sending back into Atlanta. 

As Daryl strolled away, I squeezed Shane’s hand and raced to catch up with him.  I don’t know what compelled me to try and make this right, but I felt like maybe I could talk him into taking me along instead.  I was a good shot and I was just as fast on my feet as Rick or Glenn. 

“Daryl,” I yelled, trying to keep up with the fuming man. 

“What’d ya want?”  He screamed, turning around and pointing a threating finger in my face. 

Not really taken back by his anger, as it was certainly justified, I whispered.  “I wanted to say, I’m sorry.” 

He scoffed.  “What the Hell you got to be sorry about.  It’s my brother—

“I know what it’s like to feel that loss—

“You don’t know nothin’, ya stupid bitch,” he snarled, advancing on me.  I could feel Shane’s eyes burning holes into the back of my head and if Daryl wasn’t careful things could turn very ugly, very fast.  “Go one back to yer cop boyfriend and leave me the Hell alone.” 

Anger boiled in my gut as he called me a stupid bitch.  “Listen here, Redneck.  Your brother got left on a rooftop because he was high and nearly got everyone killed.  And for your information…you’re putting my brother’s life at risk by goin’ after him.” 

“Yer brother…” Daryl stopped dead in his tracks, realization dawning in his eyes. 

“Yeah, Rick Grimes, my twin brother.”  I said lowering my hackles, trying not to antagonize the man with the very sharp knife.  “Look Dixon, I just came over here to see if I could help…”

“Listen here Birdie Grimes, if somethin’ happens ta Merle ‘cause of yer brother I’m gonna—

“What Daryl?  What will you do?  Slit all of our throats in our sleep?  Will you kill me?”  I asked, taking a step closer.  I just happened to notice that Trusty was not at my heels, growling low, his fur standing on end.  Like I said, fuck with Mama Grimes and Trusty will bite you.  After a long silence, I scoffed, “Daryl, you might be a lot of things people don’t like…but you sure as Hell ain’t the type of man ta lay hands on a woman.” 

Before he could say anything else he’d probably regret later, I flipped him the bird and stomped back to camp.