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 Two

 

“Are you sure the people in your group aren’t gonna mind you bringing back a couple of strays?”

Glenn leaned forward between the front seats, smiling nervously.  “Yeah, it shouldn’t be a problem.  Most of our people are really nice.”

“Most?” I questioned with a cocked eyebrow, eyes focused on the road ahead.

He laughed this time.  “Yeah, uh, the Dixon’s don’t really like anybody but our unofficial leader used to be a cop… so, there’s that.” 

“Well, we should get along like two peas in a pod.”  He looked confused, so I elaborated.  “My brother and best friend were both Sheriff’s deputies.”

“Oh.”  He said reaching forward to scratch behind Tru’s ear.  “Well, what did you do, um, before all of this?”

“I worked as an animal trainer for Bush Gardens.” 

He turned and looked at me with wide, excited eyes.  “Really?”

I laughed at his enthusiasm.  “Yeah, why is that so surprising?” 

“Well,” he replied, nervously scratching at his neck.  “I’ve been there once before and… you…you just don’t, uh, you look more like a, uh…”

“Like what?”  I asked, amused by his shyness. 

His face burned red as he looked away, “Well, I…um, usually those girls are, well…”

“Spit it out, Glenn.” 

“Frumpy.”

“Frumpy?”  I could practically feel my eyebrows jump into my hairline.  “Where in the Hell did you come up with a word like that?  My grandmother said frumpy.”

He huffed, exasperated.  “Look, I was going to say ugly but then—

“Hey, is this the turn?  I blurted, cutting off what I was sure was going to be a long and stutter filled rant. 

“Yeah,” He said as we pulled onto the limestone road.  “Does this CB work, I need to call in and get someone to meet us.  You’ll never get this thing up the hill and be able to turn around.” 

“Yeah, it should.  Be my guest.”  I replied distractedly as I started to look for a wide enough spot to pull off what would be the 4-point turn of my life. 

“This is Glenn, comeback.”  He said, his thumb fingering the call button of what looked like a brand new CB radio. 

Nothing came back but static at first and Glenn—impressing me a little—started flipping through channels until we heard a crackly voice.

“This is Dale, I read you, comeback.” 

“Dale, I have a situation.  I need you to send one of the jeeps down to the end of the road.  Do you copy?” 

“Is everything alright?”  I could tell just by the tone of his voice that this was someone older.  He sounded genuinely concerned for the kids safety.

“Everything’s fine, I’ll explain when I see you.”

“Someone will be down in a minute.  Sit tight.” 

“Over and out.” 

“Wow, you guys are pretty organized, huh?” 

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”  He smiled smugly, but then started nervously wringing his hat again.  “Though, you’re pretty organized yourself.  I mean, uh, we’d never even thought about high jacking a fuel truck.  That was smart.”

“Thanks.”

“So, uh, do you think you’ll stay with us, Birdie?”  He asked as I swung the truck around to face the direction that we had just come from. 

As we started unloading some of our combined supplies out of the sleeper, I thought about it for a second, unsure how to answer. 

“I don’t think so, Glenn.  I’ll probably stay for a few days and catch up on some sleep, but I’m looking for my brother’s family.  It’s really the only reason I came back to Georgia.” 

“Oh.”

~

Blessedly, it wasn’t that long of a wait before a shitty-blue Ford appeared on the horizon. 

Glenn groaned, next to me.  “Man,” he whined.  “Why me?”

I looked from the truck to Glenn and back to the truck, not understanding what his problem was.  I for one was grateful not having to walk. 

Glenn waved his hand towards the blue pick-up truck and groaned again.  “Daryl Dixon.” 

Well, that just says it all. 

“Wait, you said the Dixon’s didn’t like anybody, right?” 

“Yeah,” he replied hanging his head.  “Especially me.” 

“Why?” 

He shrugged his shoulders lightly.  “They’re racist.” 

“Wonderful,” I grumbled.  Racist usually also meant sexist. 

Not a second later I heard the slamming of the truck door and out jumped a good looking man maybe a couple of years older than Rick and I.  He was covered in dirt and sweat and wielding a crossbow and a deep scowl. 

“Come on, Chinaman, ain’t got all…”  He trailed off, looking over my Angel with a surprised look on his face.  Then he saw me and Trusty. 

“Who’er you?”  Great, they send the untrusting redneck as the welcome committee.

“Name’s Birdie, this is Trusty.”  I said a little coldly, but again, Tru started wagging his tail ran up to the man as soon as he squatted on the ground. 

“Nice lookin’ animal.”  He said, cracking a small smile.  “This yer rig?”

Glenn looked between the dirty redneck and I, white as a sheet and ready to pass out but I smiled. 

“Yep, found her last night.  Thought I could use the diesel for something.”

Daryl muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like “smart woman” before extending his hand.  “I’m Daryl.” 

“A pleasure, I’m sure.”  I smiled, genuinely this time as I took his rough hand in mine. 

“Well,” he said, turning to Glenn.  “Let’s get this shit loaded, got better things to do that hang around yer ass all day.”  What a charmer.

Daryl insisted that Trusty and I ride up front with him, and while I hated to see Glenn riding in the back where Trusty should have been, the kid looked really relieved to be back there.  Daryl must really scare the piss out of him. 

The ride to the group’s campsite was short but beautiful.  I couldn’t believe they had found a place like this.  It had all the basic essentials and beautiful scenery to boot.  It had an abundance of water, a good vantage point and plenty of woods to forage from. 

“This place is amazing.” 

Daryl snorted.  “Glad ya like it.” 

“And you don’t?”  I asked, swinging my head in his direction. 

He grumbled something again as he patted Trusty’s head.  “Too many people.” 

I laughed.  “Well, I guess you must be thrilled to see me then?” 

“Least yer smart.” 

“Awe Daryl, don’t be getting soft on me now, from what I’ve heard you’ve got quiet the bad-ass rep to think about.” 

He laughed this time.  “Yeah, reckon so.” 

As soon as we pulled up I could see why Daryl would be apprehensive about staying here.  There were more living people around this camp then I had seen since the outbreak hit and as soon as the truck came to a stop those milling closest immediately swarmed the truck, all talking over one another as they grilled Glenn about what had happened. 

“Enough, that’s enough,” the old man who I recognized from the CB to be Dale spoke up, shooing his way through the crowd.  “Now, who might you be?” 

I smiled kindly at man dressed like he belonged on a Caribbean cruise not the apocalypse, but whatever I had planned to say was cut off by someone squealing my name. 

“Aunt Birdy!” It was Carl—my nephew—my twin brother’s son—barreling toward me at the speed of light.  Lori was right behind him, looking shocked but happy as she too broke out in a run. 

“Carl!”  I screamed right back, dropping to my knees to catch him.  His small body hurled into me, nearly knocking me backwards as he sniffled into my shirt. 

Tears formed in my eyes as they darted around camp, looking for my brother.  After not seeing him or Shane, I looked up and met Lori’s tear stained face. 

“Rick?”  She just shook her head and mouthed “later”. 

I smiled through the tears as I stood, taking Carl with me and putting the heavy 12 year old on my hip like I used to when he was a baby, and he must have missed me something awful he just held tighter to my neck and wrapped his legs around my waist, letting me snuggle him without whining. 

“Is Trusty here?”  Carl asked, excited. 

“Yeah, he’s here, over by Daryl’s truck with Glenn.”  As soon as Carl said Tru’s name the old bag of bones barked and came dashing out from between people legs. 

Carl squirmed in my arms, fighting to get down.   “I guess I should count myself lucky that you didn’t see him first, huh?”  I told him and kissed his cheek before I set him on the ground.  They were off like a shot, off exploring around the tents. 

“Hey Lor,” I smiled again, moving forward to hug her next.  She squeezed me painfully as she sobbed and I could only imagine what she’d been going through since the world went to shit. 

“He tried, Birdie, I swear he did.  But the machines…they shut down when we lost power and…”

“Shuhh.  It’s alright Lor, I know you did everything you could.  I’m just so happy you and Carl are safe.  You know he would have wanted that more than anything.” 

Lori nodded still sniffling, but wiped her cheeks. 

“Are you two sisters?”   Dale asked, stepping forward now that our little crying fest seemed to be coming to an end. 

Lori smiled brightly.  “This is my husband’s twin sister.” 

Daryl snorted from behind us.  “Small fuckin’ world.” 

Smiling at him, I nodded.  “No shit.”